Thom - Breaking point

[08:42:27] In the cave she had rendez-vous'd with her lover, Nashandra stood idly, cigar in hand and nostrils rapidly releasing tobacco charged smoke. A bad habit, yes, but one that apparently made her seem more ... Dominant? Social skills weren't exactly her forte, despite having playing Cinderfall on a pure speech check level.

"Thom. I'm glad the vampire didn't take a bite out of your yet!"

Approaching the ginger, cigar between her index and major finger, Nashandra came to push herself on her toes in order to deliver the man a smelly smooch on his cheek.

"You read the letters. We're going to meet Miss Asami, and hopefully have that place for ourselves. I'm sick of us standing behind worthless garbage. We deserve more."

She'd claim.
(Nashandra)
[08:46:43] "I am not a fan of being on this side of the Black Gate." The red haired man would say, arriving to the small enclave, hidden past Cinderfall. Due to the rifting of an ally it didn't take too long to get here.. But already the stress on Thom could likely be seen. Sparks of hellstorm about him, red hairs standing up.

"Why would Conquest take a bite out of me?" The man quirked a brow before shaking his head. "Never mind. I won't ask." The kiss delivered to his cheek caused for a bit of a smirk to cross his face, though the inhilation of the smoke would very soon after send him into a coughing fit. After a moment or two to catch his breath he glanced towards Nashandra again.

"That thing doesn't give off the best smell.." A slight comment before growing seirous. "What happened to Cinderfall? I thought your wish was to stay in that town?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[08:51:50] "Because vampires like to have slaves."

A gentle caress of her free index onto his chest as she adopted a more seductive tone to give him the answer he didn't want.

"Smoking calms me. And gives a certain style. Doesn't really have that much of an effect otherwise. If the smell is too much, I'll turn it off."

Another puff of smoke, the homunculus definitely tried a bit too hard to look like a boss. Now the big stuff could be tackled, notably her place in Cinderfall and what they were to do next.

"I want to stay there as long as I feel I'm safe. Things are getting tighter there, and you're always pestering me to move away. So ... Why not take the Sunflower for ourselves and have that friend of yours onboard? We'd easily execute my plan and grow an army, while staying under the radar to an extent."
(Nashandra)
[08:56:57] "You know that she wouldn't be able to enslave me." The red haired man said, a chuckle escaping him as he feels her finger, moving forwards after a few seconds and pulling the silver haired woman into a hug. "Well alright.. If it calms you and gives you style i'll try not to complain.. Soothe reed might be better though." A recollection of seeing others use such a thing before settled in his mind before taking a step back and leaning against hte wall.

"Are.. you finally starting to see how bad it is? Cinderfall I mean.. They're just going to make things tighter and tigheter, and worse and worse.. It's not good." No talk of it's destruction, not wanting to scare Nashandra but his thoughts on the matter were likely already clear. "As for Sunflower.. It's falling apart. Only Asami resides there. Never had a military. It's likely the least safe city in Valmasia." a frown thinking about it.

"Who all is there even?.. And isn't the Sunflower dying?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[09:02:56] "I don't think she'd play fair if she wanted to."

A eyebrow was cocked, gazing at the young man and his naiveté. The Vampire had had too many miraculous chances to live, and was likely not going to take that many risks beyond the wars she waged. Thom would be in danger as long as individuals would do as she said.

"Reed messes with the mind. I like to keep a clear head."

A dull stare. Nashandra was no stoner. Flicking her cigar with her thumb to allow the hanging ashes to scatter, she'd then tackle the subjects of Cinderfall and the Sunflower.

"I'm fully aware as to what risks came with Cinderfall. It's nothing I can't handle. But that stupid ex of yours is an issue."

And then she'd inhale some more, as stress seemed to accumulate at the mention of the Ookami.

"The Sunflower is dying, which makes great compost for what I have planned. The Greyrot shall feast. We'll make it secure again. And Loranthis has no army either, Thom. Just a bunch of monsters waiting to seize the opportunity to be leaders. Would you help me build something in the Sunflower?"
(Nashandra)
[09:08:54] "Perhaps so. Perhaps not. Has not come to that." The red haired man said, a streach of his arms. "Who knows.. They might capture her in the war or something. That would be bad news as well.. And fine.. The smell of." A few more coughs were made, trying to escape the smell with a wave of his hand before focusing on the subject again.

"Wait.. Do you mean Marina or Ancillia?" The red haired man would be quick to inquire, a raise of his brow for a moment. "What exactly have they been doing? And it seems.. To be causing you to worry a bit."

The talk of the Sunflower caused Thom to frown. "The Sunflower is what allows the village to exist in the first place from what I understand. If it dies there will be no more village. Just the swamp. How would we secure that place of death?"

The talk of Loranthis not having a military.. Technically was also true. But at the same time.. "It's sort of building one. Ragnarok. It's gained fame and members due to Durendal's call."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[09:14:52] She'd flick the cigar away, getting the message. Nashandra would then go in for a gentle peck on her lover's lips, hands cupping his cheeks. He would get the full taste of tobacco lasted with her saliva. Not a glorious feeling for most, that was for certain.

"I told you this. I approached one concerning you. And then Rhaziel told Miss Marina of our relationship, how I was 'using you'. Told to the Ookami, and a whole storm of problems happened. At least I could shrug them all off."

The homunculus chuckled, appearing particularly human around the man she could never let go. Hands on his hips, Nashandra craved proximity with the slightly simple man.

"Who says I'm not okay with having the village become a depraved mess? The Seed ... Is a depraved tool, after all. But I assume with a few nature magis we can keep it alive. Miss Asami and that friend of yours, Gala, could help, no?"

She shrugged.

"But they're not fixing infrastructure. They just have a few magis. And even then, they're losing them to Nostvale. I heard of your ... Stunt, by the way. I really hope you come with me on this. We need to make our place instead of relying on others. Their goals ... ARE SHIT."
(Nashandra)
[09:20:51] The kiss would have been returned, Thom attempting to keep it for a few seconds despite the taste mixed with hers, one he wasn't exactly fond of. "This is true, you did tell me that.. But you didn't tell me about the full natures of the problems. What was said, what occured in full.. If I knew that I might be able to fix the situation. Make it easier at least."

His arms wrapped around Nashandra's mid-section, holding her rather closely as she had grabbed his hips. "I doubt that Gala wishes to assist with the Sunflower at all. She is not all that fond of Quazla or anything to do with him." Thom simply stated.. "It is not the fact it is a depraved mess I am worried about. But rather the fact the place might become unuseable entirely."

"And that is true, infastructure is not the best. It is a long of the strong however.. Obeying the ussually stronger members. And indeed, many of are magi are vanishing to Nostvale unfortuantely." A frown.. Though whe nshe stated their goal's were bad.

"They aim to destroy the cities. Is that also not what you want? The destruction of Cinderfall? Forcing humanity to evolve?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[09:27:40] "Basically, I asked her if she still sided with you. She said yes. I then suggested she'd make a robot, where you could control the lightning core I acquired ... Though now, I'm inclined to give it to you."

Sighing, Nashandra wasn't too pleased to recall these events. Fingers ran circles over Thom's shirt as she'd idly absorb the information the young man were to relay to her.

"Quazla won't be involved. We can keep it alive as long as Nature magis keep the sunflower alive long enough for me to ... Improve it."

Her body pressed against Thom's, gabbing her warmth as he'd be holding her as she was holding him.

"They want to destroy everything, but leave nothing behind. They won't do what we want, they'll just destroy humanity and grab everything for themselves. Is that what you want, Thom? EVERYTHING gone? And by the time you turn on them, they'll likely be stronger than you. No. I refuse. I refuse to follow that incompetent vampire that can't even defeat an aging dog in the skill she's supposed to be the apex of. A vampire that only exists because of sheer luck and your mercy. She's useless. So it Cinderfall. It's about time we do something."
(Nashandra)
[09:36:12] "She got mad over a robot?" Thom asked, a brow slightly raising as he did not entirley seem to understand. But the small details he recieved seemed nto to draw too much of an effect form him either, trying just ot piece it all together.

"Yes, Quazla won't be involved. But it is Quazla's former village. The man that Gala hates. The man that Sanseveria hates. The world is his enemy. Not many powerful nature magi would be willing to just.. Help it. To restore it at all." Thom explained, pressing his form againster hers as their embrace continued.

"Nashandra.. This is honestly little in this world I would care to keep existing. The amount of people that I care for at all is very small. If everything but them were to fall to the Vampire's blade I honestly don't think I would mind that much." The red haired man simply stated. "The cities could all burn, the people could die, everything except for maybe a dozen humans could die, and I would be uneffected, or pleased. I do hate Cinderfall with a passion after all.."

"But.. Fine. Say everything goes on plan in Sunflower. We plant the seed. Then what? Nostvale hears about me being here. New Alteros hears about me being here. I die. There is nothing to even protect me there. Which is why cities should be burned.

Nothing to attack or assult if there are no armies."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[09:47:18] "Over me 'using' you."

She pouted. Cheeks puffing at Thom's lack of faith in this endeavor.

"That's why we take it from him. That way we'll give reason for some to join."

Stepping out of his grip, she'd squint at her lover's reaction to the idea. This overload of edge was becoming a bit much, even for the depraved mess than was the homunculus.

"So hanging around a vampire is a better option? She'll destroy EVERYTHING. ME TOO. And you won't be able to stop her when it gets at that point. I don't understand why you're fixated on following Loranthis. They've done nothing but bring me trouble, and use you because they can't get anything done by themselves."

Arms crossed, her silver eyes were glaring knives at the redhead.

"We'll have our own army with that seed. They won't be able to just get you. Those who realize Loranthis is a lost cause will likely join us. I understand Ramia would likely side with such an oddball team such as ours. Thom, are you really going to side with a VAMPIRE over me? A VAMPIRE THAT TRIED TO GET ME KILLED IN CINDERFALL? Really? I feel like you're willing to let me drown if it were to destroy Cinderfall ..."
(Nashandra)
[09:55:50] The eyes glared at him like daggers. That made Thom hurt a little bit. But at the same time a frown crossed over his face. "No. It won't look like we 'took' it from him. It'll look like we're keeping what wa his alive. We'll look like what he had we are making stay. Neither Gala, nor Sanseveria nor any other nature magi I know would want to keep the sunflower alive Nashandra."

She had stepped away from him now, apparently not liking how he was speaking. That.. Made a certain amount of sense. But at the same time.. Thom was starting to feel quite unhappy at this entire situation.

"She won't destroy you. She'll destroy EVERYTHING KEEPING YOU AWAY FROM ME." Perhaps a bit louder then he had meant to say such. "You say they keep causing you troulble but.. I just want you there with me. They wouldn't hurt you if you were with me.. But you keep staying in Cinderfall. You keep staying in the singular place that I don't want you to be in, keep ignoring my wishes... I love you Nashandra, why don't you listen to me.."

His golden hues glanced towards the floor as he shook his head. "You weren't there Nashandra. Ramia would never help me. I saw that much after our last battle. If we go this way.. We have no allies. Maybe Asami but that's it. No city would help us and we would be assulted and ended just like that.

I'm not siding with the vampire over you.. I just.." A few steps back are now taken. "..I have no place else to go. I can't stay where you are because they'll kill me. And you can't stay near me because they'll kill you.. If.. We can't be together.."

Silence then.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[10:07:47] Nashandra gritted her teeth, visibly annoyed by what was going on here. Keeping her distance from the man, the entity was steaming with the circumstances they were presented with.

"I'm not going back there. That fucking vampire has it out for me. How can you stay around her knowing that? How can you accept following her ideals knowing it'll just get people you love KILLED?"

She approached him, only to tap Thom rather hard on the chest with her palm. Silver eyes filled with fury.

"And if not for that, then remove her for being stupid enough to think letters would work. She'll deny it's her, but Cinderfall knew of my involvement before the letter, and there's really no one there who actually CARES about me, other than you and her."

Breathing heavily, she'd be very much close to the ginger. Narrowing optics kept emitted the anger she had for this whole thing.

"I won't follow a rule of destruction unless it's led by you. I KNOW this'll end in bigger tragedy, or just failure, if the leader is some opportunistic vampire."
(Nashandra)
[10:13:45] "..."

Silence from Thom. Nashandra kept getting angrier and angrier with him, first keeping a bit away, then coming closer. Her hand slammed into his chest, and her eyes gazed at him with upmost fury. And Thom would remain silent now, not even saying anything to Nashandra's words. Instead there would only be a brief shaking of his body.

She yelled once, causing Thom to take a small step back. The second time caused him to take a larger step, especailly iwth the hand that had hit his chest.. But the third time..

"... I.. Didn't want you to be mad at me. I.."

Once more silence from the man. And then a cackling of hellstorm. Unless Nashandra managed to grab him the man would have started bolting away, merely shaking and holding his face in his hands.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[10:19:44] He wasn't saying anything. He looked scared. Nashandra was bullying him, and in her fury, she would fail to see it. At least until after she'd smack him on the chest. His only response however would have the homunculus freeze, eyebrows furrowing as her red, steaming visage would rapidly cooldown. They seldom had any arguments, and it never took this magnitude.

"Thom ..?"

And then he'd bolt. Eyes widened, she'd barely be able to extend her arm before he'd go to bail in a crimson spark of lightning. Nashandra's heart could only skip a beat as he was already moving so war away from here.

"T-Thom ... Wait! Please! Thom! Please don't leave me!"

She called frantically, apparently frightened by what she may had done. Her heart rate had tripled, and depravity mixed with her nerebian influence intoxicated the area. When emotions flared, she could not contain the malefic influence that came from such oppressive, vile deity.
(Nashandra)
[10:25:42] Thom darted away. He would have made it about half the room away from Nashandra before he heard her voice. The golden hues turned, looking towards the silver haired woman.. And before he would hit the wall that was in front of him, or trip on a rock he would come to a stop, looking towards Nashandra.

For a few moments he remained silent, just looking towards her. There would be a bite of his lower lip, a slight shaking of his figure. The depravity from her seemed to increase in the air, and her hand was reached out to him.. And he attempted to remain silent.

And then.. He decided to speak, and his emotions were not held in. Tears rolled down his face for once in his life, and a crack could be heard in his voice. "I just wanted to be with you.. I just wanted to make you happy, to kiss you, to celebrate with you.. But all I do is cause you trouble... Cinderfall doesn't trust you because of me. The only reason you came to Loranthis was because of me.. All your stress with Ancillia is BECAUSE OF ME.."

"I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU. I DON'T WANT TO HURT PEOPLE BUT THATS ALL I CAN DO.." His hands moved to his face, screaming into them as he fell to his knees and cried.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[10:34:14] He blamed himself. One could capitalize on this. Yes, one completely heartless could do such a thing. The fact that Nashandra had the ability to be like this, that it felt so easy to do it, made her stomach turn. It wasn't hard to doubt the homunculus, one could tell her emotions weren't natural.

But she truly loved Thom. The one that made her feel human.

Taking a few steps toward the distressed man, she would come to cup his damp, tear filled cheek with her hand, before pressing her lips onto his. As she pushed in deeper, her arms lifted, wrapping themselves around his neck as the young man was pulled in deeper into the exchange.

She would control the situation, and remove her mouth to take a breath, and reply to him.

"I love you this much, Thom. Enough to risk myself every day, and cover fo you. I know you'd do the same for me. I know you'll do what it takes for us to be together."

Pulling him downwards, she'd seek to sit him down on the rocky floor, her sitting right before him with her body leaning slighty onto his. Her arms stayed on his neck.

"I'm sorry ... I didn't mean this. I just feel cornered ..."
(Nashandra)
[10:40:12] Wet hot tears continued to fall from his face, staining the ground as he heard the footsteps approach. His arm moved, covering his eyes, hiding the shameful emotion on his face. "No.. Please.. Stay away from me I don't want to hurt you anymore, I don't want to.." The rest of his words came out but they mostly faded to gibberish. And despite his words.. Nashandra drew near.

Before he knew it his face would have been cupped and a kiss was pressed against his lips. He was pulled into a deep kiss, and arms wrapped around his body. Likely at this closeness Nashandra could now feel his heart beating, very quickly. Ragged breaths escaped him between heavy sobs.

And then they were on the floor once more, sitted down and her leaning on him. His arms shook before slowly they would also wrap around the silver haired woman's torso.

"I'm so awful.. I should just die.."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[10:47:53] "Shhh ... I'll die if you die, Thom."

A hand slipped down from is neck, seeking to intercept his as she would latch himself onto her as well. Fingers interlocked his his. She sought unision with the young male, make him feel as though they would always be together, no matter the situation.

"You don't hurt me, Thom. I'm ... The one being silly. I'm scared. I'm scared knowing this Loranthis thing will end badly ... I'm scared knowing this'll end bad."

Nashandra set herself on his thighs, legs wrapping around his waist and her forehead pressing against his own. He could capture every detail of her breathing, the smell that slowly purged itself of the tobacco, her lungs inflating and deflating, her voice laced into it.

"This desire ... For destruction ... Unrelenting ... You're killing you. It's hurting us all. You've made the world your enemy, just for Cinderfall's pettiness. It's not your fault, Thom. They hurt you, changed you. I want you ... To get rid of this hatred. It's not through hatred, that change will happen."
(Nashandra)
[10:58:59] Their fingers interlocked, and though shaky, fear-ridden, and covered in tears the man would have started to calm down a little. All these things still escaped him, no doubt about that but.. He seemed to grow a bit calmer moment by moment.

"That's.. That's not true Nashandra. I do hurt you.. I hurt so many things without even meaning to.. I want you to be happy, to be with me but.. I just keep making things worse and worse.. I keep making you scared."

She sat on his thighs, and wrapped around him.. Their forheads rubbed against one another, and he could smell every breath she took and every exhale as well.

"I.. I can't stop though. Either I fight or they kill me. Either I fight or they stick me in a cell and I never see you again. Either I fight.. Or I lose whats most important to me. I can't stop.. I have to destroy them.. I have to destroy everything that would keep us appart before they tear us appart Nashandra.."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[11:07:31] "Because of me, this happens. Because of my choices. No one would hurt me because of you. I'm the blame for what befalls me. And even so, I'd gladly take a bullet for you, Thom."

Her foreheead freed his before he would rest her chin on his shoulder. Her arm around his neck would have the corresponding hand gently caress his nape as they all calmed down.

"There are two ways to go about this, Thom ... And only two."

A small smooch on his neck as she would give him a linear way to deal with this issue. No nuance, Thom didn't have to think too much about it.

"Either ... You come to Cinderfall, and there we either adapt, or we both run away far away. Or, you kill the vampire, and we rule together, and nothing will keep us apart anymore."

She snuggled up closer to her lover, smiling softly next to his ear as she gave him the alternatives.
(Nashandra)
[11:14:20] The kiss on his neck was felt after her forehead had drawn away from his. She snuggled against him and as a result he very quickly he would have snuggled back against her, thinking about what she was saying. A shake of his head, guilt feeling as if it existed with him no matter what. "No its.. my fault.." Thom muttered quietly with a frown.

And then he thought of the ways to go about it. ".. I guess we could go to Cinderfall, then when they come at us.. Try to take out as many as we can. They won't let us come peacefully. And if.. We tried to run away together someone would attempt to track us down and kill us.. If I kill Conquest the chances of my own death are almost guarenteeded quickly. They would turn on me, or Nostvale would attack and..

You said I wouldn't make a good leader anyways.. Back when I said I wanted to be fire keeper so thats kind of out too.." he tried to think of anything else.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[11:23:44] "I ... I'm done following orders, slaving around for someone else's goals. I'd rather die than keep wasting away for Conquest's half-baked Yokai goals or Cinderfall's puritanical views."

He head retracted, in order to drop a small peck on her lover's lips.

"Cinderfall would not assault you if you came peacefully. I doubt they'd prevent us from being together. However ..."

She peered downwards, concerned about something in particular.

"They'll want to ... 'Fix' you. Get rid of your occult madness and soothe your mind. It's not ... Very enjoyable. It'll hurt you. I don't want you to hurt, Thom."

A small caress on the young male's cheek.

"I wouldn't let them get to you. We'll have allies. And if we fall, it'll be together. But ... We could always hear Miss Asami out, see if we can't perhaps build something anyway? We're in a corner Thom. We need to find a new solution."
(Nashandra)
[11:28:51] Slowly Thom would start to nod. "We.. Really shouldn't follow Cinderfall any longer. Maybe not Conquest either, but.." A shiver went thorugh his mind, thinking of Ramia's words. IF he went against the alliance everything he cared for would be destroyed.. "I want Loranthis to win.. I really do. I don't know them but Ramia said anything I cared about would be destroyed if I fought the alliance.. I don't want to lose you."

The peck would have been returned before she spoke about Cinderfall.. And he shook his head. "Cinderfall wants to depower me. Ignore me, then take away what I do, devalue what I did. We are not going back there. I'm not.. Going back there at least." A frown on his face, holding Nashandra closer to him.

"But.. Fine. Let's.. Talk to Asami at least. She's my aunt.. I think she's likely with one side or the other but.. I guess even if they kill us there its better then nothing.."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[11:30:33] Nashandra: Ramia ... Did he truly mean this?
[11:31:24] Thom M. Takashi: -nods-
[11:31:24] Thom M. Takashi: And he seriously tried to kill me in our battle..
[11:31:24] Nashandra: ... Loranthis has done nothing but make enemies all over the world for you.
[11:32:16] Nashandra: At least before, you only had Cinderfall to bash.
[11:32:16] Nashandra: And the world praised you for it.
[11:32:16] Thom M. Takashi: .. True..
[11:33:58] Nashandra: What has this hatred brought you?
[11:33:58] Nashandra: Nothing but enemies, and your loved ones scared ...
[11:34:49] Thom M. Takashi: .. If you're saying we should hurt him he's not exactly easy to capture. This is the second battle we've had and he escaped both..
[11:34:49] Nashandra: No, no ...
[11:34:49] Nashandra: Ignore him.
[11:34:49] Nashandra: I'm saying we should ... Run away.
[11:35:40] Nashandra: If this Sunflower thing doesn't work out.
[11:35:40] Thom M. Takashi: .. Where would we run to?
[11:35:40] Nashandra: An island, far away.
[11:35:40] Nashandra: Just is two and Harkon.
[11:36:32] Thom M. Takashi: ... Maybe..
[11:36:32] Nashandra: No more need for hatred, or violence.
[11:36:32] Nashandra: We'll have each other.
[11:36:32] Nashandra: I ...
[11:36:32] Nashandra: I'm capable of overcoming this instinct.
[11:36:32] Nashandra: The one to spread, and evolve.
[11:36:32] Nashandra: For you.
[11:37:23] Thom M. Takashi: .. -takes her hand- Are you.. Sure? We would have to give up on our dreams and.. Everything..
[11:38:14] Nashandra: It doesn't matter ... As long as I have you. <*She clenches his hand*> To hell with humanity ... I want this goodness to last.
[11:39:05] Thom M. Takashi: .. -nods- Alright. -looks slightly resistant to leave before destorying things but then nods- .. We should get ready then..
[11:39:56] Nashandra: Let's visit Miss Asami, see if we can do something. <*She stands, hands held tight*>
[11:44:12] Shortly after Asami had written the same letter four times, a courier was called upon to deliver them to their destinations. One for Aamon, a second for Mendas, a third for Bragi, and the last for Quazla wherever he'd be located.

Specifically the courier was sent to Cinderfall given that's where Quazla was currently residing.

Either way, Asami had spent more time caring for and looking over Caim Hirano. By now he had possibly awaken from battle or not, but placing a kiss upon his head, she had left him another note explaining her leave back to the village and to stay within the walls of the city and await her return.

Thus she had left Caim behind for Sunflower Village. Rather than a long journey, it had been shorter than usual. Vile twisters carried the woman's lightweight body through the plains and marshes as they typically did between the locations.

By now she again had stepped foot in her Village and stepped up to Batkem's flower to await for Nashandra and Thom's appearance. It hadn't been any sort of recruitment purpose, but to figure out something initially for the Village's sake - a sort of discussion that Quazla lacked to give much information of aside from having to give up powers to be attuned with his own.

The woman wasn't in any place for games at the particular moment. Surely Quazla's appearance into the city would be delayed due to her absence, but Asami was hopeful.. sort of.
(Asami Mabon)
[11:48:28] How intense. A little emotional moments later, and here they were in the slowly dying Sunflower village. A new cigar in hand, Nashandra nonchalantly acted like the boss she wasn't, as she set foot onto the only habitable spot in the mess that was the deadland marshes.

The big Sunflower was likely best spot to start the search for Asami Mabon, the remaining heir of the stain within the swamps. Depravity coated in silver eyes in heir followed by an occult intoxicated man in a hood would invade the area, sticking out like sore thumbs as they marched through the life-filled village and leaving quite the vile impression behind them.

"Hi. It seems no one is here. Barely anyone, at least. How many even reside here, anymore?"

A brief wave introduced the monotone lass. Her optics kept on scanning the area, as the homucunclus searched for any traces a life that wasn't a plant or some wandering crellus.

"Very difficult to defend too ..."
(Nashandra)
[11:51:02] "..."

Thom remained silent as he followed Nashandra into Sunflower. On the trip here, and even now every second he seemed to cast his gaze to the left or right. Every minute he was expecting an ambush, expecting to be attacked. He felt like he really shouldn't have left Loranthis, what with particpating in the latest raid and no doubt the jittery nature of such a descion was shown.

Red hellstorm cackled and bolted around him. But he would not speak.. Merely glancing towards Asami with the hood covering his head and letting Nashandra do the talking.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[11:54:27] While he hadn't been in his village for some time, his meeting with Asami prompted him to stick around. After all, he would need to be at her side for their next meeting. Quazla walked about the village, the remaining residents casting him strange glances of both awe, shock, and disgust. He was the man who had given them a home in the first place, but also the one who abandoned them and forced their neighbors to leave and trek dangerously through the swamp.

But he was happy in a way. The omens were returning. The beautiful embrace of fate itself was wrapping around him once more. A twitch of his spriteling's wing proved it, a terrible sense of depravity within the village causing him to change his walk to begin towards the center of the village.

And what he saw made him smile. Truly, fate was present, without a doubt.
(Quazla Mabon)
[12:02:08] Oh fuck what a mess this is going to become... Asami could sense the deep depraved humonculus entering the village along with Thom, her closest friend.

Azure eyes gazed at the oncoming duo as she raised her chin and head towards them. Though seeing Thom in a hood, Asami squinted. Their letters sent back and forth were heart breaking and truthfully it was a pain to see him.

"Approximately three thousand still reside here, Nashandra. Currently there are people signing up to help defend the village from the crellus that invade the lands here. Many more seem to be recruiting others to help."

A faint smile given on her lips. It was great to see the villagers working together and growing strong again. From Nash's silvery eyes to Thom's, Asami squints before they lighten up with a half-asses smile.

"Thom, welcome back to Sunflower Village. You have nothing to fear here. As I've said, you're always welcome."

The woman's ears twitch and tail flicks side to side contently. That was until she glances and her sight falls upon Quazla who neared the center of the village. He was here and not in Cinderfall? She squints again and raises her voice.

"Quazla.. what are you doing in the Village? I assumed you'd be in Cinderfall by now. Hm?"
(Asami Mabon)
[12:07:15] "So it isn't entirely helpless? Good."

Arms crossed, the homunculus would scan the area. Silver eyes would often peer at Thom's direction, enough to be easily remarked by others. Villagers were scarce, but at least this place could still have a future, as long as they kept that Sunflower alive.

"And what's keeping the Sunflower alive? I understand that with all these ... Changes, it may have complications."

There were too many things to consider, between Sansevaria's change of sides and Magis simply leaving, it was hard to pinpoint what would make the Sunflower fall.

And then, Quazla came to be. The conglomerate of righteousness was foul to her nose. He was to the homunculus what she'd be to him, albeit in a far less intoxicating manner, and more of a psychological thing.

"Mister Quazla. I'm going to assume you're not going to shamefully attack us. As such, why approach us with Thom here?"
(Nashandra)
[12:11:31] Thom would have remained mostly quiet as he was adressed, the bolts of red lighting still around him and cackling loudly. Asami said that he had nothing to fear here, and that he was welcome.. Yet within a few seconds the golden hues under the hood noticed something very much to fear. Within a few seconds the form of Quazla Mabon came into view and there would be a gritting of Thom's teeth.

".. I told you that I shouldn't have come. One minute in and they already have people for me. We're leaving."

Thom's hand would move, attempting to grab Nashandra's arm as almost as quick as he had arrived he began to leave, face unreadable but the cackling lighting hinting towards his anger.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[12:14:04] A laugh escaped, his smile growing as the situation began to escalate at his very presence. Batkem was confused, yet also thankful for this strange habit of the druid returned, evident in the flapping of her wing which sat over his shoulder. "Am I not supposed to be in the village I made?" he says with a sly grin to Asami.

His brown hues turned to Nashandra and Thom. How curious. "I'm not here for you, but why not approach to see what would happen? There's no such thing as coincidence in this world, after all, so it would be stupid to not approach," Quazla states, that same smile on his face.

"I wanted to ask you for the runic tome. I need it as soon as possible."
(Quazla Mabon)
[12:24:19] A nod given to Nashandra fr the village's not entirely helpess state. Thom didn't seem comfortable with Quazla's approach and she watch with interest as he grabbed at the homunculus' arm.

Crimson pops of electricity indicated the man's anger, which caused Asami to grow annoyed greatly. Letting a sigh from her maw, Quazla had been quick to answer her question, but at the same time he came back with words that appeared threatening.

Sparks of azure lightning power flashed near Batkem's flower and Asami had disappeared for a mere second and reappeared before Thom and Nashandra! Immediately spread out her arms in a protective manner. Illuminated and threatening eyes gazed into his own.

As much as the ookami wanted to unwield her scythe, show her sharp, toothy grin, and unleash a storm on this man, she opted to do so not to worry the villagers who may have been watching.

Being aware of Thom and Quazla's last meet and how it ended, she had stood more in his way to block Quazla.

"Nashandra, Thom. He won't be attacking you under my watch. Thom.. no one is after you here. Quazla's appearance was.. To be honest.. quite unexpected from last time." Asami glanced back to meet eyes to Thom if she could!

"The only person interested for you here is just me. Quazla won't harm you again under my watch." Turning back to Quazla, she let out a sigh.

"Don't threaten those who come here, Quazla. Mercy and forgiveness is what we aim for, remember? Not to be remorselessly attacked! Do you understand?!" For now, Nashandra's questions would have to wait until they came into a more private area for discussion.
(Asami Mabon)
[12:29:26] Thom's desire to depart was to be expected. As he tried to grab a hold of Nashandra's arm, he'd be met with the lass locking her hand on his, more precisely, her fingers interlocking his. Quite awkward, and now he would be stuck here, unless he forcibly struggled out.

"No, nothing's going to happen Thom. If violence occurs, he's outmatched. There's no need to be alarmed."

Silver eyes now focused themselves onto the druid who had made quite the unexpected appearance. Skepticism ruled, but she would give the man the benefit of the doubt. After all, he did have the clemency of passing the depraved staff.

"The Tome? I will have to consult Miss Phoebe. I can lend it to you, but, I expect it back ASAP. It is ... A valuable my progenitors cherish a whole lot."

Her frame came ever so closer to Thom's likely agitated one. It didn't help that she was cooperating with the Sarradian, which would likely not come off as positive for the vindictive Thom. Nonetheless her free hand would come up to caress the wanted male's shoulder.
(Nashandra)
[12:32:51] One does not simply calm down in a moment of flight or flight.

Both the women seemed to be completely fine with talking to Quazla, but Thom on the other hand? Thoughts of the last bout occured, of the painful process of having his mana circuits ripped appart, attempts to render him a non-magi. A sheer tunnel vision entered his mind with one simple command;

I have to get away.

His eyes looked to Nashandra who drew closer to him and held his hand.. But he shook his head.

"No."

He drew back. Much like before be was in the caves he was shaking, and the red haired man would attempt to bolt off in a flash of hellstorm.
(Thom M. Takashi)

Notice: At this point Thom rolled a flee

[12:36:16] With Asami teleporting before Thom and shouting at him, Quazla raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I just said that I wouldn't attack him, didn't I? There's no need to be so hostile," Quazla says with a slight look of offense on his face. "I was interested in seeing what your relationship is now, given all that happened. And."

His gaze turned to Nashandra. "As fast as you can, please. Unless I get it soon, I won't be able to use it at all."

With Thom's sudden escape, he couldn't help but still smile. Was this man so traumatized by the Sarradian? It seemed everyone here was, in one way or another.
(Quazla Mabon)
[12:42:14] God damn it this was going to shit fast. Thom wanted to desperately leave not even an hour after arriving. Asami knew right away his reasoning for wanting to leave.

'Poor Thom is leaving.'

The woman's eyes gazed towards Thom as he attempted to escape in a bolt of crimson lightning, but Asami's own had been much faster in her village. Appearing before Thom, she growled angrily at him!

"Thom!"

Eyes set upon Quazla momentarily to observe his movements and actions of the current situation. Villagers had been aware of the ookami's power to bring about storms albiet they had been little. Would this be where she'd unleash true hell?

"Don't fucking leave me here after you just arrived. You're here to speak with ME. Quazla has NOTHING to do with our discussion with Nashandra, got it?!"

Claws hands grabbed at his shoulders with a tight grip.

"You're in no trouble. I don't intend to battle, but if I must, then so be it. Nashandra's right and you have nothing more to fear. Should anything happen to welcomed friends, then expect this not to end well."

She hissed and growled as she attempted to give him a push backwards lightly to keep him here.
(Asami Mabon)
[12:46:30] With Asami's intervention, she'd easily grasp Thom's hand once more, and clench it this time around. Added to that, her essence would come into play, though instead of the revolting sensations typical of the nerebian God, more soothing echoes would run through Thom's body. Nothing really groundbreaking, but it'd put some edge off him.

"Thom .. Please ..."

She pleaded with a whisper.

Silver eyes focused now onto the druid as Asami was giving her piece for Thom. It was indeed quite an issue to have Quazla near him considering their past. But never will she allow what happened in Loranthis happen against to the ginger.

"... Tell me what your project is about, Mister Quazla, and it may accelerate the process. Giving a good reason to the owner always helps, and I won't be anything less than honest with that wonderful, old woman."
(Nashandra)
[12:49:55] Pushed and grabbed. The route to safety was blocked off. But if they thought that such a thing would calm him down.. They were very mistaken. Although one of his hands were quickly grasped by Nashandra as Asami pushed him back and made him stumble.. The other was clear. And it reached for his glaive.

Without a moment of hesitation the weapon would be brought to Thom's own throat. The blade dug into the skin as red hellstorm cackled around him at an increasing rate. His gaze moved from Nashandra and Asami silently as he would once more attempt to take steps back, away from them both.

A look of betrayal was in his eyes.

"Either I leave on my feet, or in a body bag. Let me walk away, or I'll slit my own throat."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[12:53:20] Asami stopped him. Quazla didn't really have any qualms with him leaving or not, but he was interested in what he had come to talk to Asami about that needed Nashandra too. He could only wonder when a member of Cinderfall, Nostvale, and Loranthis came together. Clearly not what meets the eye, at the least.

The druid's eyes shifted to Nashandra, contemplation in his eyes for a moment. What could he exactly tell her? Not the extent of his plans, but some of it, at least. "A full body rune to increase my connection to the lifestream," Quazla says.

And then, his gaze fell upon Thom, who placed his glaive to his throat. "That's what you threatened to do before, Thom. Threatening to kill yourself is unoriginal, not to mention that it's cheating life. Fate doesn't like suicide."

A little side-comment.
(Quazla Mabon)
[12:59:18] The last thing Asami needed was her closest friend to slit his own throat. Even Nashandra's attempt to calm him down didn't work which was beginning to scare Asami.

Ears leveled against her head and eyes widened to watch him stick the glaive at his throat. Quazla's very INAPPROPRIATE words had been noted, triggering her... terribly.

Darkened clouds overhead began to flush away those that were white, bright, and causing a much more tranquil scene, but now it had grown dark, gloomy, and terrifying.

Asami side glanced towards Quazla with hatred in her eyes.

"Quazla..." At first she spoke softly as her very shadow grew into an occultic flaring apparition. "SHUT THE FUCK UP RIGHT NOW." She screamed at the top of her lungs. Any remaining villagers ran for their homes.

Illuminated eyes focused back to Thom with absolute pain.

"Are you going to take your life and abandon me and leave me, Thom, like you said you wouldn't?! What happened to you always being here for me when others weren't?! Are you.. really going to kill yourself and leave me in a time I need you the most?!"
(Asami Mabon)
[13:06:59] Now her eyes narrowed in frustration. Nashandra did not appreciate Thom suddenly going full ham. Without any real shame or precaution, her palm would set itself over the glaive's blade, allowing it to cut her as it would move anywhere but downards. He could cut through her, but that wouldn't be very nice now.

Quazla gave the information she needed, and it would be met with no tangible response. No, Nashandra's focus was on the perturbed Ginger she had taken in as lover.

"Yes, abandonement. Would you really leave me to wither and die for just this man, Thom? Was it all a lie, Thom?"

Her hand still clenched on the blade as she approached her body's to his, eyes fixated on his golden hues. There was no doubt as to what kind of exchange this was, though there was no need to go overboard in public!
(Nashandra)
[13:12:06] Thom's eyes looked between the forms of Nashandra and Asami. A frown on his face, likely visable despite the shadow cast by his hood. For a few seconds he did not move, merely look at all there.

"Asami, Nashandra. You both are betraying me. You're speaking to him, the man who tried to take away my magic. You're speaking with the man who broke his honor. You'd side with him over me. And you won't even let me-"

But before he finished those words he heard Quazla's. The whole little speech he had going on quickly died off at the little side comment. The golden eyes looked over to the Sarrdian.

"Yeah. Fuck you."

Thom's free hand moved, setting itself upon Nashandra's arm, aiming to lower it out of the way just a bit as he dragged his blade across his neck, blood begining to flow onto hte ground.
(Thom M. Takashi)

Notice: At this point I had them roll to see if Thom survived. First person to roll had to beat a 2, second would have to beat a 3, and so forth. Rolls were: Nashandra 5, Asami 2, and Quazla 2.

[13:20:38] His daughter shouted at him at the very top of her lungs, yet it didn't quite dissuade him. The only thing that bothered him was the amount of swears she was using. Quazla himself never did, so it made him wonder where she picked up that habit.

Quazla shook his head as to what Thom had to say. "I didn't betray my honor, you did, giving me a false spar when a loss meant capture. And you have the gall to join Loranthis, criticize every leader of this land, hope to burn the world, and then try to kill yourself when things don't go your way, like a child?"

He shook his head. The other two weren't fast enough. Given the way fate was turning, Quazla likely had the power to save him if he wanted to. But should he? Thom was an occultist who had a lot of bad. He was one of the strongest soldiers in the Red Queen's army, if not the strongest.

The druid smirked. Fate was beautiful, the whole world was beautiful. A test of his conviction. He took a step forward, but- no. The lifestream had decided.
(Quazla Mabon)
[13:24:03] Her hand already grasping the blade was going to be Thom's saving grace. Clenching it tight, she would bleed perfusely from the gash form on her hand. Immediately, a tentacle emerged from her lower back, and attempted to smack Thom in the gut in the hopes to get him to stop.

Since she rolled high, it'd work, duh. And with submission came Nashandra's wrath. The glaive was tossed aside, and as she nothing was preventing her clut up hand from cupping her lover's chin.

"... I'd never betray you Thom. I'm asking you to be patient ... But you can't even do that for me. You can't just let that man walk away in five minutes. You ..."

Her gaze never crossed his, not until now at least. An immense amount of sadness and disdain reigned on her expression.

"You hurt me, a whole lot right now, and over absolutely nothing."
(Nashandra)
[13:28:19] Asami Mabon: <*just remained silent and teary eyed*>
[13:31:44] The blade was supposed to kill him.. Yet it was knocked aside by Nashandra. The golden hues blinked a couple of times before being smacked in the gut, causing a grunt to escape him. His chin was cupped and a frown wore on his face, still the fight or flight entirely in his mind.

"I said we were leaving, and you said no. You never listen to me Nashandra. " He leaned in, whispering into the silver haired woman's ear to force her to listen for a second.. Before scrambling over towards his glaive. The man once more would attempt to pick up the weapon and leave. Everything that had occured here now..

He was sure he was going to regret it. But he really needed to get out of here: here and now.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[13:32:35] Thom M. Takashi whispers: I didn't make you stay near the person who tried to kill you... And you make me stay near the person who tried to take my magic from me?
[13:36:51] Nashandra: And you never listen to me when it's important! You just ... RUN or BREAK EVERYTHING.
[13:37:42] The glaive was slapped away by Nashandra, Thom even cutting into his apparent lover in an attempt to kill himself. While suicide would hurt those around who loved the victim, it was ridiculous to literally cut another in an attempt to get to your own throat. While Quazla's own behavior would certainly be looked down upon by those present, he couldn't feel any real sympathy at the moment for this man.

"You don't understand betrayal," he simply states as Thom began to leave. There would be no point in catching him unless he had the intent of ending his life, which the druid did not. The wing of his spriteling continued to twitch and quiver as conflicting emotions bashed against each other.
(Quazla Mabon)
[13:50:30] Salem. Seeing Thom's negative reactions were nothing but a pain. Asami's mother. It caused a painful trigger and a flashback to the woman from so long ago. Time around at the very moment felt like it was on paused.

Asami's illuminated eyes faded and her jaw dropped to see Nashandra's hand being cut in attempts to slit his own throat. Words were exchanged between the three while the ookami could only stand in utter fear.

Salem... a woman Asami trusted with her life. A woman who raised her to be the way she once was until her very own death before her. Back when Asami had been younger she only knew that anyone who loved you ever leaved you. No one ever stayed.

That's the trigger. Her eyes widened, but she stood trembling. Salem. The first human she came to know and trust was gone before her very own eyes, but for reasons unknown?

Here.. this was Thom, someone Asami had grown up to know, love, and be close to. These were mere things held in her mind. Her tail had fallen against the back of her legs and her ears remained at her head. Truly she wasn't paying attention to the situation, but was seeing memories play again in her mind close to this here and now.

Betrayal.

Asami knew that all too well. Actions performed by her or from others. It was a difficult action to express. Maybe that's how Quazla felt when she joined Nostvale. That's how she felt when Thom had joined Loranthis along with her brother, Caligula. Her brothers joining Cinderfall.

In the end.. betrayal was all that anyone knew, especially her. She had many alliances with those she loved, even if they were within different factions. It was incredibly difficult to remain friends with any who sided against the faction she had pledged allegiance too. Nostvale.

A light shake of her head snapped her back into reality the moment Thom attempted to pick up his glaive and run. Unadulterated anger washed over the shocked, yet void expression given to them before.

"Salem.. I remember when she killed herself..." She spoke softly. "My own mother.. and now my closest friend.. wants to kill himself..?" It was almost speaking to herself upon the matter. Disheartening to say the least with him attempting to leave yet again.

"Nashandra.. I believe it's best you go with him..." Her voice shook with rage, but the moment she turned towards Thom if he had been running off, that's when she pressed on her anger. The woman's voice boomed through the village.

"You don't understand what it's like to be betrayed! Go then, think I betrayed you when I haven't! It just shows your TRUE CHARACTER! BE JUST LIKE MY MOTHER WHO KILLED HERSELF. DON'T EVER COME BACK, THOM! DON'T EVER RETURN."

Tears had dripped from eyes and down her cheeks as she turned away. No longer were they going to be welcome. Any negotiations that would be attempted to converse over had failed miserably.

This would change quite a bit now.
(Asami Mabon)