Open Chronicles Freedom's Shadow

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Vulpesen

Vulpesen

Ain't Dead Yet
Fae Courts
Can't Stop! Seriously Likeable II Lore Maker III
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"Just head north to the nearest tavern. Rent a room on the third floor and I'll be there soon," came the hushed tones of a seemingly elven man. Hiding in the alleys of Cerak At'thul's lower town, he kept his ears and eyes alert for anyone that he might not wish to take note of his presence. Such was the trouble of his service to Varos. The black bay was a hive of scum and villainy unlike most that he had seen before, a home of pirates and worse yet, slavers. It was a place that welcomed all kinds of filth. Unfortunately filth was not on the elf's agenda. Rather, he was here to help eradicate the cancer within the city. Sure freeing a few slaves wasn't likely to do much, but those he could escort to the nearest portal stone would find a new life away from the misery of a master's chains and whip. Of course, such a new life came at a risk to all those involved. For those that valued slavery as a source of labor, running away was generally regarded as a crime. Aiding people in such endeavors, was equally frowned upon.
 
A set of softly glowing, golden eyes peered down towards Vulpesen from a nearby windowsill, just a story above him. The owner of said eyes had been watching the comings and goings of the alley leisurely throughout the day and night, and the two below her had interrupted its nap. Rude.

As the he-elf whispered to what appeared to be a soon-to-be runaway slave, the cat canted its head and watched the interaction with interest. The slave bounded away nervously, clutching at his own coat with the thoughts of risky freedom. The cat took that opportunity to speak.

“An elf helping a slave?,” it began. It was a feminine voice with a light echo. Strange. Magical. “Odd. Unless you’re sending him off to his doom."

There was a slight pause as she blinked at him. "That'd be more typical, I think."​
 
A dagger shaped ear flicked towards the cat, like that of a dog's to a strange sound, as the surprise of the new being drew Vulpesen's attention. Distracted for the moment, he was unable to stop the distinctly un-elven reaction, though he recovered his façade quickly.

"Typical perhaps, especially in a place such as this," he plied while turning fully to face the feline, with his own shining gaze. "Thankfully, I am anything but typical." All around him, the shadows condensed, his magical presence taking a defensive stance. After all, this was not a place where he had many friends. "And what of the speaking cat who discovers this? Are you disappointed by the lack of betrayal?"

Within his own mind, Vulpesen would send his thoughts to his patron. 'You wouldn't happen to have a lil sister would ya?"

"Very funny. You know of my brothers. And last I checked, my tail was fluffy not slender."

Kthell
 
As the man’s ear flicked towards her, Kthell pushed herself up and leaned over the edge of the windowsill, peering at him with narrow eyes and taking in his appearance. Hm. Had she seen an elf’s ear twitch and move like that before? Her thoughts scrambled as she sifted through her memories, dodgy as they were.

As the shadows around him gathered and his eyes shined, the cat let loose a chiming laugh. “So quick to prickle,” she called, tsking. The feline stepped from the ledge and dropped to the ground, shadows flickering around her paws to soften the landing. She looked up at him and tilted her head, smiling wide, from a few yards away.

Without her glowing eyes and the eerie smile, she'd look no different than a common black housecat.

“I’m only.. surprised,” she continued. “Though you don’t have the look of my elves, especially with that shine to your eyes. And that magic.. different from my former slavers.”
​

Vulpesen​

 
Seeing the cat move towards him but seeing no hostility, Vulpesen relaxed his posture, a hand drifting away from his waist, though not quite giving in fully to the lull of complacency. Whether it was a soldier's instinct or paranoia, was hard to discern. Perhaps the two were one and the same. "And I'm a bit surprised you haven't tried to have me arrested and flogged, or worse. This place doesn't smile upon my kind, which as you may have guessed, does not include slavers."

Of course, the comments about his differences didn't go unnoticed and for a brief moment, he considered revealing himself. Though, the possible addition of more eyes, and a slight nudge from his contractor convinced him otherwise. "The magic is relatively new to myself as well. Though, you seem familiar with its kind. As for my eyes, I must simply agree that they aren't like most other elves. Most simply assume its due to my unusual magic." Indeed, as Vulpesen had relaxed his shadows, his eyes dulled, though the light persisted, only dimmed as opposed to being extinguished.

Kthell
 
At the mention of arrests and floggings, the cat scoffed. “Executed, more like. But why would I say anything to the guard? I’m just a strange cat in a back alley, eavesdropping on conversations and stealing tastes of pies from windowsills,” she replied, coy.

As he relaxed, she approached him leisurely, moving to slink between and around his ankles, tail lingering at his calves. Each touch, if welcomed, would pulse with a dark, cold, and strange magic. “I’ve no love for slavers and I usually have no love for elves. But you’ve a touch of.. different magic. Interesting magic. And you seem sincere. And for that, you can consider me.. friendly."
​

Vulpesen​

 
"Strange indeed. But this is also a strange place to meet any sort of friend." If his pact with Varos had taught him one thing about the shadows, it was that they weren't always to be mistrusted. Sure this cat seemed mischievous in its own way, but that didn't mean that she meant any trouble. However, the cold of each pulse of magic sent a light shudder through him, his skin prickling at the unfamiliar sense.

"Might I ask your name? I've a feeling that despite your shape, you don't go by Mittens." Vulpesen let his eyes wander back to the alley, searching for signs of anyone on their way that might take notice of the pair's conversation. Even if they saw, would they believe that the cat was speaking? Or would they simply believe that he was insane?

Kthell
 
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“Strange places bring strange things together, I think,” she chimed in reply, lips pulled wide. She slipped around his ankles once more to loop her way to his front. The cat gave him some distance, a little less than a yard, before lowering herself and lounging on her side. At the mention of ‘Mittens’, her eyes flashed.

“Children usually call me such things. I let them,” she said before pausing to yawn and stretch out her paws. “No need to correct such innocence, I think, though some of the names get absolutely maddening. Shadow, Moonlight… Beans.” A pause as she looked away. “I quite like Beans.”

Her eyes shifted back to his. “My name is Kthell. And yours if we’re to be introduced?"
​

Vulpesen​

 
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He couldn't help but laugh at the final name, and a part of him wasn't sure which she was admitting to enjoy, the name or the namesake. "I think Moonlight and Shadow are rather regal names. However, it is a pleasure to meet you miss Kthell. I didn't expect to find someone with such striking similarities in this place." Moving to the wall, Vulpesen leaned up against it, giving himself some security as his back was guarded. "I'm Vulpesen."
 
Kthell’s grin widened at his laugh but faltered briefly at the mention of ‘regal’ names. “Boring names, I think. So boring. But if a child wants to call me Shadow and offer me treats from their window, so be it.”

As he introduced himself and moved to the wall, leisurely enough, the cat drew herself up to sit. Her tail wrapped around her while the tip flicked to-and-fro. “Vulpesen, then. Look how friendly we are.”

An ear flicked towards the road and her gaze briefly left his own. “And now that we are friends.. why, Vulpesen have you come to this terrible, strange place? To free slaves? If so, you’d best move on,” she said, attention split. “Each you free will be replaced. Wasted effort; this city will not change. Your potential is suited elsewhere."

Her head swiveled to peer up at him yet again.
​

Vulpesen​

 
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Hearing the cat's incredulity, Vulpesen simply offered a shrug. It wasn't something he hadn't heard before, indeed it seemed that every free man and woman he spoke to shared Kthell's thoughts. "Perhaps the city will not change. That might require an army to bring down its gates. Perhaps that master will simply buy a new slave. I would need to silence him to cease such actions. Aye, not much has changed for the world. It moves on and keeps its status quo. So many have echoed your words... you cannot change it." He lifted a hand from infront of his chest, motioning to where the slave from earlier had gone. "But not him and his ilk. They never speak of the unchanging world. Rather, they praise me for changing their lives. Every slave I free is one more man who is freed from the whip. Its one more life that may live for its own opportunities. One more live filled with possibilities."

A sad smile touched his lips as he continued to look down the alleyway. "My potential has already been tried in armies and the big picture. I'm tired of bringing fire to the world. Its time I start sewing sparks. Sparks are small its true... their effects whither and die in a breath. But sometimes.... every once in a while, they catch. And when they catch in a place like this, the blaze can be enormous." Turning to face Kthell, Vulpesen showed the conviction in his golden eyes, their light burning like a flame.
 
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Kthell’s ears perked forward, attentive, as Vulpesen spoke. Her mouth twitched into a secretive smile at the mention of armies. “So you have tried it. War, I mean,” she replied. “Break the masters in two, toss them to the rocks. Blood. Destruction.” She shuddered, cooing, “Wonderful.”

The cat let free a cackle as she stood and began to pace at his front, watching him. As she turned, her gaze didn’t seem to move from the elfish man. No.. her body simply glitched and shifted to take her new direction into account. “Sparks in cities like this will take a long time to grow. Too long. How many slaves will die while you struggle to save one? To convince them to leave with you? How many generations will it take to free the city? You’ll be waiting for the next age, if your kind even live that long.”

She paused, sniffing the air as a light breeze moved through their alley. Whatever it was seemed uninteresting – she continued with her pacing. “I prefer to rid the city of the masters,” the cat said, a purr in her words. “One by one, disappear them into the dark. The same purpose you strive for, I think.”

At that, she looked at him and smiled. The grin was toothy and wide. Too wide.​
 
The cat's initial reaction brought about a furrowed brow. For him, war was anything but wonderful "That's not war. The masters stand behind the lines, watching as their servants take the field. For one of them that dies, there falls at least a hundred normal men."

Her turn further unnerved him, but he stayed where he was a finger tapping against his arm as he thought on Kthell's replies. "Remove a master and his property is sold, slaves and all. Worse yet. word gets out that some blasted vigilante is on the prowl. Slaves get punished to remove their hope. Guards increase, and my job becomes harder." It was becoming increasingly obvious that this cat was not some altered pet. Rather, it was another being entirely and even Varos was seeking for answers as to what it was. "Our goals are aligned. Our purposes are not. I am not an assassin. I exist to serve, save, and protect. My master bids me to ensure the survival of people. Not their death."

Kthell
 
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The cat snorted derisively and began to groom her paw. The tip of her tail twitched. “A quick, brutal war and all would be free,” she replied. “But perhaps you’re right. Too many slaves dead, not enough masters.”

Her tongue found something unpleasant in her fur as he spoke. She paused mid-lick and hacked off to the side, flinging something black and no bigger than a grain of rice off into the darkness. Kthell frowned before returning to her grooming. “Perhaps I serve to make your work more.. exciting,” she said, coy. “And if the slavers all disappear, one by one, then eventually only the slaves will be left, mn? Perhaps I can.. remove more at a time. Two by two, three by three…” She stood, cackling, and began to prowl towards the far side of the alley.

At Vulpesen’s mention of his own master, Kthell stopped and turned to face him. Her eyes took on a heavier glow and her pupils narrowed as she once again looked over the ‘elf’. “You’ve a master then?” she said, words slow. “A seemingly benign master, if it wants you to free others. But what does this make you?”

"You don't need freeing, do you?"

Vulpesen ​
 
Hearing the admission of the potential risk put Vulpesen a bit at ease with his odd companion. At the very least, they understood the danger of collateral damage. In honesty, it was something more than he had seen of some of the soldiers he had personally worked with. For some, war was excuse to simply show off the worst parts of themselves.

The feline's gagging shook him from his reverie and brought an amused smile to his face while he watched what he assumed was a flea get shot out into the darkness of the night. "My life is plenty exciting, thank you. And there's a lot of slavers. Not only here, but across the world. This port takes slaves from all over. If they lose business here, they'll take notice and spread what they've found to others," he noted. "I'd be fine with them knowing that I'm coming. I just wish to be more prepared when they do."

Hearing her questioning his own status in freedom, Vulpesen gave a small nod. "He's quite benevolent. As for what it makes me, I am a willing servant. I am paid for my work, if not in gold and goods," he spoke, his smile persisting as he thought of his relationship with his patron. "So no, I really don't require any freeing."


Kthell
 
Kthell stared at him and a plump, awkward silence sat heavy in the air. She finally let free a soft dismissive grunt as she turned from him and leapt to reach a windowsill. It was much too high for a cat to reach, but she reached it all the same.

“I’d never resign myself to be a servant, regardless of the reward,” she chimed from the next story. “I was one once, you know. A slave.” Kthell stretched one pawn over the side of her ledge. “I suppose I still am in a way.. the shackle sits around my neck.”

She peered down at him and canted her head thoughtfully. Not once had she heard of an elf being a willing servant. Or slave, as she would call it. Though.. she was still new to this world. There were many elves, many masters, and many slaves. The sect that had snatched her from the void could have been odd.

“How long will you remain here? I'll allow you some time before I start disappearing masters again."

Vulpesen ​
 
"We all serve something. Often its ourselves. Others serve a cause. Its all an attempt to find meaning in existence. I was found when my purpose had left me. Besides, since I am rewarded, its easier to think of my servitude as employment. True I'm not sure the difficulty of leaving my employment but I've no reason to test it out." Hearing of Kthell's previous status, Vulpesen dipped his head a bit. "I suppose that would explain your hatred of slavers. If its any consolation, you look plenty free to me."

At her question, Vulpesen offered a small shrug. "Not very long. I'll likely stay the night in a tavern and head out by morning. I'm sure those I've gathered will be eager to start their new lives. Then I'll be back on the sea and going where I'm guided. Hopefully, my next trip will be more enlightenment than work." Such was his life since becoming a warlock of Varos. Go to a town, do the mission, then leave for the next. Sure he got to see more of the world, but it was a fast paced life with little time to rest. Certainly less time to make any sort of connections.

Kthell
 
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(( Sorry for the delay! Been busy with guild and tabletop stuff. Will get you a post today or tomorrow! :) Vulpesen ))​
 
“Mn. Well.. at least your master treats you well,” she replied with a lazy slur. “Mine still mock me in their own way.” Kthell drew back, her form blending into the shadows of her perch. Her golden eyes continued to glow as if circular lamps in the darkness.

“I wish you luck, Vulpesen. And luck to those you’ve freed,” she said, tail thumping against the brick. “I hope you’re offering them coin and food as well. They need it or.. or they’ll just become slaves again. And that'd be a pity, wouldn't you agree?"

A pause. “As I’ve offered, I’ll leave the masters here alone for one night. A night of peace as a gift to you."

Vulpesen ​
 
"I'd leave him if he didn't. But he's a route to a victory I'm sorely needing." In truth, Vulpesen wasn't entirely sure what such leaving would entail, but thankfully, it wasn't something he felt he would need to explore any time in the near future. Even before his hour of need, serving Varos would have been seen as an honor among his people.

"Food they will have for the night. Coin to get them on their way. For those without options, I offer those as well." His eyes glanced out towards the exit from the alley, keeping a constant vigil for other wanderers of the night. "It would be quite the shame, thus why I follow my lord's direction. To simply topple random estates may cause more harm than good in the long run. He does the recon, I run the mission." He offered his thanks as Kthell agreed to give a night of peace for him to go about his work. "Maybe some time I'll be able to return such a gift."
 
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