MASKTOURN

Clove wakes in a dark, square room. The floor is dirt, but she's sitting on a woven rug. The walls are stone brick, and enclose her on every side. There’s no way in, and no way out. The room is suffocatingly warm, dark and dry. Clove would soon begin to feel thirst clawing at her throat. She'd wake on her side, and soon find she's been chained- ankle chains tether her to the ground and prevent her from moving around or getting up. Before Clove, sat a small, low table, covered by a rug similar to the one they sat upon. Two oil lamps flicker at either ends of the table, their small lights the only in the room. The only other objects on the table are three small wooden bowls, all filled with an unidentifiable liquid. The first is white, opaque and creamy. The second is glassy and clear, with a slight cloudy, brownish color to it. The third is just as opaque as the first, but is a deep, muddy red in color. Across from the table is the only other person in the room. A young adult. They’re incredibly pale, with skin so light it’s almost translucent in the low light. Their straight, white hair is cut choppily over its brow and shoulders, and it wears a black-and-white tunic draped haphazardly over a shoulder. Their gaze is brilliant-gold and haunting, piercing through the barriers of Clove's mind. The person smiles widely, and finally speaks. Its voice is that of the flaming apparition. “Welcome to the Halcyon Citadel.” @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove would awake slowly, then move to sit up. She spent her first few moments awake in pure silence as she took in her surroundings, eyes lingering on the flickering oil lamps before finally settling on the figure. Unlike her ‘companion’, she paid no mind to the chain around her ankle. She met the stranger’s eyes, then smiled as well. It was soft and genuine. “Oh, thank you,” she bowed her head. “You’re the one that summoned me! Thank you.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The pale figure only continued to return Clove's smile. "Of course. You answered my call." It inclined its head slightly back. "Though I will admit, you do seem more... enthusiastic than most." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove shrugged in response. “You asked for me, and well, I chose to accept your invitation. I can’t quite go somewhere if I’m not invited!” she chuckled, holding a hand over her mouth. She then lowered her hand. “There are some here that… aren’t excited to be here?” her gold eyes widened. “I mean, I’m simply happy to have been offered a change of scenery, and am very grateful for everything thus far…” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Many are not appreciative of my hospitality," The person drawled. "But a change of scenery, you will have. I have brought you here to compete." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Ah… well, that’s their loss. I think you’ve done a fine job with your invitation, though… I don’t think you’ve introduced yourself yet. I’d love to be able to put a name to a face!” Clove hummed as she twisted a strand of hair around her finger, still very much unbothered. “I do recall you mentioning a tournament of… bloodshed, yes, that was what you called it. If that’s what all this calls for, I’ll do it.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(Divine intuition please :3 @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 | )

Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

used /r

# 19
Details:[d20+2 (17)]

(wow)

2:37 PM

"A tournament of bloodshed, yes. I hope you are prepared to both cause death and meet it." The person said, their smile not faltering for a second. "I," it pressed a hand to its chest, "am Naiyta Hauryan- the Primal, Nascent Lifebringer." Though the words wouldn't be particularly familiar to Clove, she'd get the idea pretty easily. She was talking to a God. An ancient god, who had existed far longer than she had. And more than that- she was within that God's domain. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Ah! That would make sense,” Clove’s head bobbed up and down, her own smile faltering slightly. She didn’t feel very compelled to hurt anyone- without reason, of course- but… she’d done it before, and she’d already come this far. She simply couldn’t say no to a God. A a very gracious one at that. Leo surely would’ve fared better in a situation like this… …Why think of him now?! “Well, Naiyta, it is more than a pleasure to meet you! I promise you, I’ll do you proud in the time I’m here, and with that, I will disclose to you that I do not fear death. I’ve embraced her before, and if we are to meet again…” she took a deep breath, then smiled widely, her fangs glittering in the low light. “I will hope she takes me to dinner first!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta didn't seem especially swayed by the flattery, but their smile didn't falter. "Good. When you are thrust back into her waiting her arms, you will be prepared." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove nodded, then clicked her tongue. “But just because I don’t fear death doesn’t mean that I won’t fight for what I’ve spent my un-life building. So I must ask, why are we fighting to the death? Surely someone like you isn’t just looking to enact a plotless gladiator fight. I’m sure you’ve seen enough of those in your time.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you ask what's in it for you- I am rewarding the victor with their life, immortality if they want it- though, I figure that won't be a problem with you, and any one thing their heart so desires." "If you ask why I do this," They paused. "There is a cosmic imbalance in my domain, and in what I reign over. I am righting this wrong, and you are playing your part in it." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Oh! Those are rather valuable rewards. Anything, huh,” Clove mused, trying her best to hide any possible interest. Though if she could have anything… …She could save her bar… …She could right any wrong… …She could bring back her… No, those were selfish thoughts. She couldn’t get hung up on winning. And so, she snapped back to reality. “I was mostly asking about the latter, yes. What exactly happened to your domain, if you don’t mind me asking?” And why me? But she didn’t dare ask. She was sure Naiyta had heard that one many times already. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You do not need to know anything more specific than what I have already told you." Naiyta said. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Ah, I understand,” Clove replied simply. “I hope this tournament is exactly what you need to put everything back into balance. I’m sure it’s very difficult being burdened with such important responsibilities.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"When you carry a burden for ten thousand years, it becomes less of a weight on your shoulders and more of a facet of your being." Naiyta shrugged. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

At least they were honest. In a way, it was relieving. Ten-thousand was far more than two hundred fifty, and Clove was having a difficult time wrapping her head around it. “Becoming your responsibilities… that does sound like something that would happen over time,” Clove agreed. “But surely you still have time to enjoy things?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta considered their words carefully. "I will indulge in the pleasure of this all being resolved, once it finally is." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Oh! Well, in that case, hopefully all will go smoothly,” Clove nodded. She had perhaps been expecting the God to mention something like a favorite hobby, but she could work with this. “What will you do while all this happens? Will you simply just wait for it to end? Pardon my interfering, but that sounds rather… difficult.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Something shifted in Naiyta's expression, displaying a slight annoyance and displeasure at being asked so many questions- questions they viewed as quite obvious. "I have my own duties to attend to. After all, I have to make sure all this runs smoothly, without interference or... ideas of sabotage. The work I will be doing here is crucial to the survival of the world as you and I know it." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Sabotage…? “I see,” Clove opted to keep her words short and sweet upon noticing Naiyta’s change in demeanor. “I’m sure you’ll do that without issue.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hold no doubt in your mind. I am more than capable of dealing with... petty mortals and their whims." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Oh! No, I never doubted you for a second.” Clove hummed, offering the God a small smile. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta said simply, and waited for whatever Clove asked next. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove would defy Naiyta’s expectations, as she… said nothing, simply looking around the room once more, and then at the God themself. Her gaze lingered on the bowls of liquid, mostly trying to discern what they were. The blood was easy, but the other two… @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took note of Clove eyeing the bowls. "Are you thirsty?" @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove lightly put a hand to her throat. “Yes, I suppose I am. All this excitement got me a bit worked up.” she chuckled softly. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Then, be my guest," Naiyta gestured to the bowls. "Have a drink." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Ah, thank you,” Clove hummed, though she didn’t move to pick up any of the bowls quite yet. “What exactly do you have prepared?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm certain you can identify one of them," Naiyta signified, "And I only require you drink one, so the others' identities are not relevant." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

It seemed they wanted her to drink the blood, and well, Clove wouldn’t argue with that reasoning. She slowly picked up the bowl containing the blood and held it to her lips, taking a delicate sip of its contents. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It was definitely blood! Human blood. Yup. Naiyta watched without comment or change in expression as Clove delicately drank. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Suddenly, Clove wrinkled her nose and set the bowl down, her hands shaking slightly. “Oh. That’s human blood.” she concluded, thinking out loud. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It is." Naiyta nodded, their eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you take offense to that?" @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“No offense at all,” Clove shook her head. “I just… haven’t tasted it in years, so it threw me off guard. That’s all.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, if it's a taste you enjoy, I recommend you savor it." Naiyta said, and made no comments about the blood's source. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“I suppose I will, then.” Clove’s words were a bit more carefully chosen as she eyed Naiyta with reserve. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta simply met Clove's gaze with distant, wide-eyed interest. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

…And so, in the following moments, Clove looked back at them. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Have you had your fill?" They asked. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove simply nodded. “That’s really all I need. Thank you again.” she mused. It didn’t feel quite right, drinking any more of that blood. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Very well." Naiyta said, and stood. They moved around the table to where they could stand over Clove. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove tried to stand up as well, but as she did, the shackle interfered, and she was sent toppling down, as if in a contorted bow to the deity standing above her. Hopefully she hadn’t angered them… @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 16
Details:[d20+6 (10)]

@Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 | def

Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

used /r

# 8
Details:[d20+3 (5)]

Naiyta crouched down over Clove, and rested a hand on the back of her head. She was out before she knew what was going on. Goodnight! @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |