demetri's will - lupus

Dura Levante says, "It's not for my sake."
Dura Levante says, "It's for yours."

Lupus Tazman says, "....?"
Lupus Tazman says, "Okay..?"
Lupus Tazman says, "Make yourself comfortable, I guess."

Dura does as best as she can with that, situating herself on the couches. She doesn't look comfy, but, she waits for Lupus to be seated.

Then she starts.

"During training exercises last night, there was an incursion from Deliverance outside our tunnels."
(Dura Levante)

Lupus sat down and sinked into the chair, resting his left ankle over his right knee and keeping his arms crossed. He didn't look Dura in the eyes, simply staring forward and listening to her words.

"Hm. Did you win?"
(Lupus Tazman)

"...No." Her voice grows softer.

"No. We did not. Urosil's forces helped drive them off. We have a lot of work to do. However-" Dura stops to take a deep breath. She leans forward and places the canvas wrapped parcel on the edge of the table closest to her.

It was heavy. All of it was so heavy. She cuts to the quick.

"I'm here to inform you. That Lord-Regent Demetri Olym fell in battle to drive them off."

She lets that hang there a moment, looking to Lupus.
(Dura Levante)
EXP Gain: [248*105%=260]

Hearing that they did not win- it certainly stung.
Knowing that Deliverance could waltz about practically anywhere, and take what they wanted. That is how Boundary was stuck in this position.. A sigh escaped Lupus, shaking his head side to side.

It was frustrating, of course, yet he perked up a bit when Demetri was mentioned.. Only to hear that he had fallen in the battle.

Dreaded silence hung over their heads for just a moment. The only sound being the crackling pop of the fire behind Lupus. Anger? Sadness? What would become of Lupus when the news had finally sunk in..?

Unexpectedly, he opened his mouth.. "I-.. Thank you for telling me this but.."

"Demetri Olym and I.. Were never close." Lupus admitted, "I'm sorry for the loss, but.... As harsh as it sounds- I never got to have a relationship with my biological father."
(Lupus Tazman)

Raven Tazman says, "..."

The sounds of stairs creaking can be heard from the side. Raven is visible, along with Luna in tow. Gosh, she's gotten so big. She lets out a yawn. "Okay.. let's get ready for breakfast... I'll make some-"

She looks to the side hears some voices- ones she recognizes thankfully. Raven gestures for Luna to stay put for a moment, as she starts to get stuff ready for breakfast.

Raven then peaks around the corner, and sees the two... and instantly knows what's up. She wanted to be able to tell Lupus herself, but she lost that luxury after not waking him up last night... How could she, you know?
(Raven Tazman)

Raven can see Dura there on the couch, a parcel placed on the table's edge nearest to her. She is currently in conversation with Lupus, her face furrowed. Not out of anger, but fatigue and a sense of loss.

The loss against Deliverance did sting. She felt it too. That they'd all been flayed, no matter how brave or bold or righteous their cause. She knew it. He knew it.

But it could be made better. That still rings true even now.

"I understand."

"He charged me with his Will," she continues, feeling the implication behind the many meanings of the word. "And you were in it."

"I wanted to carry it out, so:" Dura takes a scroll from her cloak and reads it out.

"To Lupus, I leave the weapons that served as the extensions of my body and will.

Twin gauntlets forged in the fires of Sheol and ripped from the hands of a servant of Nevanerro: Pride and Greed.  It were these gauntlets that I used in my first fight against Xi. Voidic artifacts they may be, I stole them away from their realm and put them to service for Rhyst’s sake.

If I cannot properly reforge these to cast aside their devilish visages in time, I leave that up to you; it’d be more befitting to reshape them in the images of our Dragons, I would think. Valor and Sacrifice; I think those would be better names…

My sword, Eunoe, would do well in your hands as well. It can harness Chi’s properties just as well as a hand-to-hand weapon, and it too shares a history of falling into the Void’s clutches before finding redemption. But this sword is unique; it was used in the service of an old Isegradian soldier before he perished for his nation. The blade’s craftsmanship speaks to these origins.

Were you to take up this blade, I ask that you would do so to fight for my home: Providence. It is a selfish request. But if I cannot finish the fight I’ve started, I must leave it to someone I know has the strength and will to succeed where I failed.

I know these will never make amends for the hole I left in your life. When I look at your face, I see the same intensity and anger I unleashed in my youth. We are both wolves, Lupus, and its only in packs we can thrive.

You’re a fine man, and a better one than I may ever be. You have the potential to do so, I’ve seen it. Be strong, Lupus; with your hands, you can change the world.

You can do this, kid."

Dura lowers the scroll slowly, then pushes the parcel forward.
(Dura Levante)

He did not shift his head, or his eyes for that matter. He did not.. Truly seem there, all things considered. His expression was lackluster, the man's body a bit tense, yet unmoving. A frown upon his face as he heard that he was in the Will after all.

Resting his eyes, he inhaled slowly and let out an exhale through his nostrils. Hearing the last words of Demetri Olym and his desires.

Opening his eyes, two gauntlets were before him..
As well as a sword.

Pride, Greed, Eunoe.

He stared upon them, it was hard to tell whether or not he'd accept the weapons as his own.. A tinge of bitterness within his eyes. Then- a hint of sadness.

The only reassuring words from his own father that he had gotten once in his life.. Only found in his dying words. The frown appeared heavier, as Lupus recognized what he had missed out on. A proper figure to look up to, one that wouldn't shame him for.. Being him. To hear that they shared the same blind rage, it made him chuckle once. Turning his head to look to the side and hide his face away from those who witnessed him now.

"Thank yo-- Ahem." Lupus cleared his throat as his voice was weak at the start, "Thank you.. For passing this to me, Dura."

"I.. Do not know if I am ready to wield such weaponry yet- I am afraid I will damage them in my green state. I usually do not wield swords, thus I'd need to train myself with it.." Looking forward, Lupus stared down at the parcel, and it seemed that his eyes were rather misty after all. "I don't like it.."

"Being the one in somebody else's Will- it's.. It sucks." He huffed, "As much as I hated the dude when he was alive, I never.. Wanted him to kick the bucket. I just wanted him to approach me, for once. To recognize that I was his son, and to make steps to fix what had been broken a long time ago. I guess that's my fault in the end of it all, being so unapproachable and expressing my anger in a horrible way."

Lupus sat back, looking to the side again and harshly muttering out.
"Fuck.."
(Lupus Tazman)

He did not shift his head, or his eyes for that matter. He did not.. Truly seem there, all things considered. His expression was lackluster, the man's body a bit tense, yet unmoving. A frown upon his face as he heard that he was in the Will after all.

Resting his eyes, he inhaled slowly and let out an exhale through his nostrils. Hearing the last words of Demetri Olym and his desires.

Opening his eyes, two gauntlets were before him..
As well as a sword.

Pride, Greed, Eunoe.

He stared upon them, it was hard to tell whether or not he'd accept the weapons as his own.. A tinge of bitterness within his eyes. Then- a hint of sadness.

The only reassuring words from his own father that he had gotten once in his life.. Only found in his dying words. The frown appeared heavier, as Lupus recognized what he had missed out on. A proper figure to look up to, one that wouldn't shame him for.. Being him. To hear that they shared the same blind rage, it made him chuckle once. Turning his head to look to the side and hide his face away from those who witnessed him now.

"Thank yo-- Ahem." Lupus cleared his throat as his voice was weak at the start, "Thank you.. For passing this to me, Dura."

"I.. Do not know if I am ready to wield such weaponry yet- I am afraid I will damage them in my green state. I usually do not wield swords, thus I'd need to train myself with it.." Looking forward, Lupus stared down at the parcel, and it seemed that his eyes were rather misty after all. "I don't like it.."

"Being the one in somebody else's Will- it's.. It sucks." He huffed, "As much as I hated the dude when he was alive, I never.. Wanted him to kick the bucket. I just wanted him to approach me, for once. To recognize that I was his son, and to make steps to fix what had been broken a long time ago. I guess that's my fault in the end of it all, being so unapproachable and expressing my anger in a horrible way."

Lupus sat back, looking to the side again and harshly muttering out.
"Fuck.."
(Lupus Tazman)

In her hand was the last words of Demetri Olym. And, in his final moments, he had given unto her his Will.

In words, in deeds, and in title. But that was for the Courts to decide.

What wasn't was carrying out his final words to those he left behind. Whatever else came after? Would come after.

"...'Course, Lupus." She averts his eyes slightly, as if to respect the moment of 'weakness'. Then, brazenly, she regards him anew and unflinching.

"Eunoe. Is with the one that took his life. These were still left."

"We can only work with what we're given, Lupus. That's all. It's up to us to make the best of what we have and get better with it."

"That's what I'm going to do. I hope you intend to do the same."

Her eyes mist over.

"His body's being kept in the keep. If you ever want to visit it, just ask. I know you two weren't the closest, but...I want to do right by his Will. For his loved ones and for Providence."
(Dura Levante)

"I see.." He wondered where Eunoe was, after all- it was not set forth upon the table alongside the others. Only mentioned in the parcel.

Raven had shown to give him other items as well. The cloak that he once despised resting near. He stared upon it for a second, and simply let it be for now. "Thank you, Raven.."

A furrowed brow when looking back at the loss of Eunoe.
"Who has it then?" He asked sharply, looking over the paper as he had asked that..

He relaxed some as Raven's arm drifted around him and clutched his body. "Yeah.. I intend to move forward- but I will.. Try my best to live up to expectations. Again, thank you, Dura. I can imagine this is hard for you as well."

"I will keep that in mind. Perhaps.. I'll share a drink with him." Lupus sunk into the couch and put a hand upon his forehead. Stressed, and unsure what to make of this. Changing the world was a big deal, and he did not want to disrespect somebody's dying wishes. Perhaps a bit of lack of confidence was seen in his eyes as well..
(Lupus Tazman)

Raven remains in silence for a while, as she's just trying to keep supporting Lupus. That being said, she was entirely frustrated. She wanted to speak up regarding what she had in mind, but she needed to keep it to herself, just for a little bit longer...

Her arms stay wrapped around Lupus, placing a kiss on the back of his head. Raven's normally a bit of a hardass, but it's clear how much she softens up when it comes to Lupus.

"I can't imagine what Providence as a whole is going through now... This war is already turning into a giant mess- and those cowards are keeping us from helping- from trying to stop this..." Her grip on Lupus increases just a but, as her eyes fall on Dura.
(Raven Tazman)
Eunoe was conspicuously absent. The terrible demon-faced gauntlets were, but not the High Lord's vaunted sword.

"That would be Anivia," she states solemnly. "We're rallying together. The Court is meeting later. I might have to wrestle with them."

"But that's not for you to worry about. That's my part of upholding his Wishes." Dura's lips purse around her tusks. The last thing they need is Providence's political dramatics here.

"If you come up to Providence, let me know. I can meet you there and escort you. Or anyone else that wants to pay their last respects."

"I don't want anyone left alone with the body. I hope you understand."
(Dura Levante)

"Anivia.."


His voice, boldened and more rough at the mere mention of her name. A cold fury within his eyes rather than sorrow in a sudden shift.

Of course, Raven was there to help him relax and not sink into further anger. He placed his left hand upon her forearm as she pressed a kiss on to his head. It certainly helped make him feel better, yet he looked towards Dura. "I understand.. But I am willing to assist when the time comes."

"Yes, that is for the best.. The last thing we need is a grave-robber." He hummed, frowning at the state of the world where such a thing could even happen.

"I assume it's time I get up off my ass and make that difference I was born to make. But what to do first.." He sighed, "Unfortunately, running my head through a brick wall isn't going to work out like it usually does." Glancing over towards Dura, "Please tell the Court that I am wishing to meet with them."
(Lupus Tazman)

Raven Tazman says, "...."

"Anivia." She echoes, with the taste of iron on her tongue at the woman's name. The one she'd watched drive in the knife without anyone able to stop her.

"I appreciate that. Truly. I know Boundary's position makes doing anything...difficult." Her eyes flick momentarily to Raven.

"That's an understatement, actually. I know they have you over a barrel."

"I'll let the Court know you want to speak with them. They'll be handling a lot today, I'm sure. Given that I am one of the Court still. You got a primer on what business you'd like to discuss?"
(Dura Levante)

"Yeah.. With the situation of Shepherd, doing anything is teetering the edges of them murdering him in cold blood." He hummed, crossing his arms. "I wished we weren't in such a position, though there is little we can do now."

"It has only been two years, soon to be three of the five year span which they'll hold Shepherd." A squint of the eyes, "But."

"I've a feeling, even after the five years are up, they will not be privy to handing Shepherd back to us. They understand that dangling him over our heads is one way to make sure that they will not have more enemies to trifle with them. It is a cowardly way, but it is one that is working effectively."

"I'd like to discuss my assistance, perhaps in a different name and style so that they do not know it is a Boundary citizen giving aid to Providence's efforts against them. If they were to hear that it was I, they would snap the thread." Lupus continued, "I am confident in my ability to help."

"The only one that I am unsure I am able to defeat in combat.."
"Is Anivia."

Saying that was certainly a sting to his pride, but it was best to be truthful in the moment at hand.
(Lupus Tazman)

Dura's eyes flick between Lupus and Raven.
(Dura Levante)

Her look falls on Dura, and eventually sighs. "Guess you have two on board, then."
(Raven Tazman)

Dura's ears twitch. There's a rueful laugh and her eyes close.

"Yeah. Looks like it."

"I'll take your intent to the Court. If I'm still part of it for all this mess. I'll let you know."
(Dura Levante)

Lupus Tazman says, "My appreciation, Dura."
Raven Tazman says, "Mm."