Slice of Life

[The Raven Basilards]

I threaten none. I have told you my purpose. Though only equipped with dulled emotions, the basilard felt that it was receiving irrational responses to rational communication. It was frustrated, small notes of which crept into the whisper of its telepathic voice. I seek to avert the calamity which destroyed the ancient Ispoli.

The jester tilted her head to the side, continuing to paralyze the basilard with her presence. It could not move back with her trailing behind. The suspicious mortal named Dray would accuse it of causing her mental status. It could not move forward because her appearance was far from discreet, arousing all manner of suspicion and drawing the ire of government figures.

A cool breeze brushed softly down the alley, toying with her once radiant locks of hair. The weapon’s eldritch illumination played devilish games with her open wounds, casting her dried blood and sore bruises at odd light. The boy held the weapon up to her face, gathering no reaction beyond a craning of the neck so that her eyes could remain upon the glow.

It slit her throat as she knelt. They boy’s eyes callously watched the final spasms of her life as her own remained, even in her final moments, upon the object which had so deeply held her admiration. It remained buried in her neck as she toppled sideways, the final twitches of her life rapidly crumbling to nothing. It was a murder without the barest trace of resistance.

The blade’s glow intensified several orders of magnitude, painting the walls a vibrant, living violet, but the basilard hoped to complete its work before those inside worked up the courage to investigate. Within moments, the flesh before it was obliterated. A newborn raven was buried beneath the tattered and bloodstained remnants of a jester’s garb.

Cautiously, she poked her wing out, then a beak. The basilard whispered soothing words to her, infiltrating her mind. She moved nervously, approaching the child with one hop only to hop away with the next.

Frustrating, though not unexpected.

[Drayel]

One can't be too sure. Drayel pointed out with a mental huff. You'd mentioned you're meant to keep a demon locked up then?

"No, it didn't say anything about you." Drayel said gently as he gave her a small quirked smile. "Just wants me to be quiet about it being here."

[Talia Idris]

"Good." She said quickly. "I mean that...we have to be careful it doesn't try to turn us against each other." She said nervously. She wanted to tell him everything the basilard told her, and deep down she felt that the chances of Drayel being understanding were rather high. Yet she still was afraid. And what if it was lying and she really was useless and he just wanted to turn her into some brain dead tool like the child currently appeared to be.

"Can you...I means do you think it's okay if I ask it what it wants with me besides just eating my bread and sleeping here that is? Maybe if we know that then we will know how to appease it and get ride if it or something." She started to shake a little and she wrapped her arms around herself again to keep it from being too noticeable.

She was going to ask Drayel to ask for its demands but it would be more likely spill her secret. And Drayel must have some skill in negotiation in which case he could guide her through all this, to some extent, instead of her going I to this. Lind and alone. This was why she had him come over anyways.

[The Raven Basilards]

This was the third time the basilard had been bidden to confirm. Yes mortal. Yes, yes. A chorus of otherworldly noise flowed outwards from it. It was a repeating, gushing uproar which bore a passing resemblance breathing. A pair of bats, flooded with emotions and sounds they did not understand, fell from their perches and squeaked as they struggled to stabilize their halting wing beats. I was forged for this single purpose. The magnitude of any failure is catastrophic. If it is proof you desire, look to the stones of the Ispoli’s church. You will see the marks left by the beast’s talons as they tore through wood and stone alike.

The weapon did not care to push its luck any farther. It stood fully upright and clutched the blade before it. The knife and the child resembled a miniature knight clutching his sword before him in reverent piety. In place of a flowing cape, the tattered rags which hid the blade’s light fluttered in the cold breeze.

The eyes upon its hilt caught moonlight as they stared down at the fledgling, and it delivered its ultimatum. She attempted to fly up to his shoulder, but her novice flaps gained her no ground. The failure stirred something within her, and she let loose a harsh shriek. The shrill cry carried across the night, a grim reminder to others that the dark was where monsters thrived. The once proud jester took halting, half-flying steps away into the shadows. The child’s eyes watched it go with no trace of expression gracing their corners.

The basilard’s attention shifted from the fledgling to the two it had sought to convince of its good intentions. Judging by the lack of response neither had noticed the flash of light, but more unknown factors were weighting on the situation. The basilard could not be sure the same was true of her neighbors or idle wanderers. It was due time it fled the area. To stagnate would be to face too great a risk.

The basilard’s thoughts clawed their way into the minds of the two mortals. Its words flowed to both, as unrelenting yet passive as the Ofriyu Mar. Matters now conspire to remove my attention. I must go. Think well on what I have told you, and do not visit unto me any fate you would not suffer yourself.

The basilard cut the link, its consciousness rolling back to within the child’s form. At the same instant the child’s feet hit the ground and propelled it outwards, away from risk and uncertainty. In moments it was lost to the night, invisible to the prying eyes of mortal men.

There was time for one last word.

Goodbye

[Drayel]

Drayel growled irritably when the last words traced his mind before flashing away again. He looked at Talia, eyes softening a little when he saw her arms clamped around herself. He didn't bother to give her a smile or a pat on the shoulder this time. No, he had to figure this out. So, he cleared his throat and began to pace the small room.

"Did you hear anything just now from it?" Drayel asked her, eyes pinning on the floor as he began to burn whatever words uttered by it into his memory. Not that he wanted to hear that voice nor remember this night if he could help it. He shuddered. He hated the paranormal. "I'm not sure but I don't think it will return here. You ought to be safe but..."

Drayel coughed from deep in his chest, eyes narrowing slightly as he huffed a rough sigh.

"It claimed not to be a demon yet it possessed a boy. Though, at least now I know it is in the sword." Drayel muttered to himself as he paused by the window, peering out into the dark with a grimace before continuing his pacing. "It said something about a church as well. Which was it though? Is...Is something. Hmph."

[Talia Idris]

Talia was a bit disappointed that it had left. True she had heard some small noise, and her peripheral vision might have caught some sort of light from the alley below her window which either meant that it hadn't been too far from them this whole time and was up to something or perhaps it merely was some homeless boys searching for scraps in the trash. Either way she was still unsure of what it wanted from her or what to do about it in general and Drayel didn't appear to have been given any more answers then she had.

Relaxing a bit now that the basilard had left Talia took a few calming breaths before answering Drayel. "I haven't heard anything from what you two might have been talking about but I did catch that last bit before it.....left. Don't tell anyone otherwise we'll be in big trouble. "

"I am sorry I can't help more. I hope you don't mind that I brought you in on this....I just didn't know what else to do and having that...that thing in my house when I was alone was just too much." She thought for a moment before standing up and moving towards the door. "I can't think like this, let's go down and make some tea...or coffee if you prefer? I doubt I will get any sleep tonight anyways." She didn't know how long she could expect Drayel to stay but a few more moments in his company would at least allow her a little more time to calm down and think of some course of action.

[Drayel]

"Whatever you're making is fine." Drayel answered gently, noticing her distress with a sad twinge. He really wasn't good at this 'friends-help-friends' thing yet. He grimaced. "Though I admit, I'm not sure how much I'll be sleeping either. It certainly had a bit of an... impression on it, didn't it?"

He gave her an awkward chuckle as he quietly moved to the corner of the room to allow her freedom to move.

"Though, I apologize I couldn't help more. I'm afraid demons aren't my specialty. Give me bandits, thieves, or even a indecent man and I will gladly knock them about for you but this.... I'm afraid I haven't much experience in." Drayel sighed, glancing dully at her from beneath furrowed brows. "I'm afraid I'm just a loss as you are."

[Talia Idris]

"Coffee it is." She decided as she started downstairs. She tossed some old newspapers and kindling into the stove and started the fire, adding larger chunks of wood when it seemed to be going strong enough. With the kettle warming water for them Talia sat down and just focused on breathing for a moment before smiling at Drayel.

"Regardless of experience or not, I am glad you were here. I didn't know what do to and it was rather scary....I see why some people are so up in arms against things like that. Not that I condone some of the measures taken of course, but then again fear is a strong motivator. Anyways, thank-you. I feel much better now that it's gone."

[Drayel]

"Well, if you're feeling better about it all." Drayel frowned after her as he stayed to her heels the entire way down. He shivered a little as he eyed the kitchen a little dully. "How on earth did it talk you into letting it inside? Surely it didn't just tell you it was hungry. I'm startled it got through the front door."

Drayel hesitated before taking the seat across from her, itching the back of his head as he frowned sharply at her.

"Stupid mystery that this is, I'm glad you're alright at least." He stated gravely before giving her his awkwardly quirked smile. "Couldn't live without your breads after all. The other bakery isn't near as good."

[Talia Idris]

A paniced feeling grabbed at her heart for a moment before Talia calmed it down and answered Drayel's question. "It said it was a child and needed nourishment and you know what I'm like when it comes to kids." She grinned thinking about Jackal "I tend to be a tad protective about them. Although I suppose after this I shall have to start waiting until morning ...or maybe toss food out my bedroom window if they insist they can't wait the night." She laughed, half joking and hoping he wouldn't push further.

Getting up she silenced the whistling kettle and set about making coffee for the both of them, setting a cup across from him before adding a small pitcher of milk and a cup of sugar. Sitting down with her own mug she added both to her cup before speaking up again. "I hope you don't work tomorrow. I would hate to be the reason you are tired while working...although I suppose it's not really late for you. Bakers tend to keep crazy hours."

[Drayel]

"As do guards." Drayel agreed with a chuckle. Taking his cup he blew across the top before seizing the milk and adding just a bit. He liked black but today he simply didn't want the bitter taste. Perhaps a bit of sugar. He hummed. "Though, with you and children I shall soon have to find you a dog of somekind. First you were robbed by one, now you let a possessed one in. I hope your first child doesn't turn into a boy or who knows what havoc will happen."

He gave her a gentle nudge with his toe, snorting sharply at her as he gave her a tired yet scolding stare. Honestly, this baker woman must have a magic sign somewhere that only troublemakers could see. One that read 'EASY TARGET'. He snorted into his cup. He'd have to look into that, see if there was such a thing. Certainly explain why she kept getting into trouble.

[Talia Idris]

Talia turned a bit pink at the mention of her having a child. Laughing to try and cover it up she grinned. "Oh you know me know, I am decently good at scolding I am sure if I ever do have kids I will keep him in line. Or I will threaten to send him to you for a home cooked meal." She teased, sticking her tongue out at him before sipping her tea. "A dog would be a nice alternative though. Of course that isn't an option right now. Pets and kitchtens do not mix." She shuddered at the thought of dog hair getting in the baking. "So now what are your plans for the night? Going home and making sure that boy of yours is going to bed and not pilfering the neighbors chickens. Or what was it that one time? Ah yes a cow." She smirked over her mug at him.

[Drayel]

"Sheep mostly. He seems to think they're there just for his amusement." Drayel sighed dully as he gave her a grimace. He dully wondered if the boy had gone to bed as he'd asked. He doubted it. "I'm simply glad our neighbours are so... patient with him. Anybody else would demand he be flogged."

Drayel let out another grumpy sigh as he settled into his regular grumpy mood. Honestly that boy, what was he to do with him? Though given the time of day... he snorted again.

"Oh well, he's doing better than what he was." He grumbled before taking a swig of his coffee. "At least borrowing a couple sheep is nothing compared to stealing straight from a bakers shop. He's going to school now too. Likes reading though he likes cooking and gardening more. Can't imagine where he got that from."

He gave Talia another look.

[Talia Idris]

"Hey! Cooking and gardening are good hobbies to have. And girls likes guys who can cook so that will help when he gets older and you want him to finally move out." She stopped teasing for a moment and smiled softly. "I'm glad he is doing better. It's been a while since I've seen him. You've certainly have been good dad to him, at least if you can trust everything he says." Talia said with mock seriousness as she stood up to grab more coffee. She had finished her first cup so fast and out of nervousness that she barely had a chance to enjoy it....but she had all night if she needed it. Either way she didn't think there was much chance she would be sleeping tonight, which wasn't going to be too fun for work in the morning.

[Drayel]

"I'm a shit Father." Drayel stated with a hearty grunt. He eyed her for a moment before taking another drink from his cup. "Don't kick his ass half the time I should. Soon he'll be as rebellious as Shade and I shall have white hair before I hit my forties. What a catch I'll make then."

Drayel chuckled dully into his cup.

"As for him getting girls, have no fear. He is the mightiest lady-saver this side of Marn. Beats up the boys who act unkind to the girls and will gladly escort them home. At least he got that from me." Drayel rolled his eyes a little at that. "Though, I don't doubt Shade had some influence as well."