QUIET MOUNDS - STEF HEART

[abardacttofollow]

You find yourself in a stone room that looks like some sort of medieval dungeon. There are (thankfully), no torture instruments, but there is a man strung up here. One large manacle is around his neck, chaining him stiffly to the door. His hands are free, but each foot is manacled to the matching bottom corner of the doorframe. There is a visible lock on each of the three manacles.

It's Stefen, and there's a knife in his chest. Despite that, he's alive, apparently alert, and doesn't look to be in pain, perhaps due to the lulling, sense-dulling music that seems to be coming from nowhere at all—in fact, if you were in pain before you entered, it's gone here. His wound is bleeding, but only a little, and he smiles his usual bright smile at you.

Behind him, but in front of the closed door he's bound to, you can see three double sets of strings running vertically. Where they meet the floor, they are fastened, and then each runs across the floor to the three doors on the opposite wall, then under them.

There is nothing else in this room.

((OOC: Here's how this will work! Since we're doing individual runs, rather than me putting up individual top levels for areas, just jump the post itself, and I'll run everything for you within your one thread. If you're wanting to do a run with someone else, just stay in the same thread together.))

Comments

[abardacttofollow]

"Well, mostly, what kind of Bard would he make? What sort of attention to duty does he bring? Will he, you know, cause a scandal. He's been terribly scandalous as a student."

[twicebonded]

[smile going a little sharp]

Boring people seldom make history. But I hardly think that reflects on his ability to sing about it.

[abardacttofollow]

"Hm, it'd affect what people think of us for promoting him, and possibly impact his career as a result," Dellar says. "Come on, give me your thoughts on his capacity."

[twicebonded]

[tilting his chin up]

I think he's wondrously capable. I think he'll be of great service to Valdemar, and the throne. And he'll do those that care about him very proud.

And he'll do all that in spite of those that doubted him, or called his abilities into question just because they disagreed with his choice of bedmates.

[abardacttofollow]

"Well, fair enough." Dellar offers you the key. "I mean proof would be better, but ultimately, it's all opinion, isn't it?"

[twicebonded]

[takes it from him, plucked neatly and firmly from his fingers]

Time will tell.

[. . . heading back to meet Stefen]

[abardacttofollow]

[He's looking sort of wistful when Van comes back, but smiles as he approaches]

Hello, love. I see you got it.

[twicebonded]

[visibly huffy, but not really that upset. he's a little contemplative, mostly. coming to unlock him]

I did.

[abardacttofollow]

[tilts his chin up for that.] Oh, something got to you?

[twicebonded]

. . .

[kisses that chin]

Just apparently ready to fight the world in defense of your honor, it seems.

[abardacttofollow]

What honor, love?

[a good kiss! He pushes gently down to make you kneel a moment later tho ;)]

[twicebonded]

I'll defend you against you, too—whoa—

[o-oh ///!?]

[abardacttofollow]

For my foot, don't get excited.

[teasing, teasing. Get excited if u want]

[twicebonded]

S-shut up . . .

[unlocking that]

[abardacttofollow]

[with the last lock undone, Stef steps forward. The strings across the door that he'd been tied to snap with a sudden discordant sound.]

[twicebonded]

[draws in a sharp breath, expectant]

[abardacttofollow]

[looks down, then draws the knife out of his chest, bloodlessly. Or at least with no more blood than before. The blade is carved into a key shape, and he holds it out]

This is yours. Nobody else can have it—no matter who else is in and exploring my heart, they won't get this key. It belongs to you. I don't know what it unlocks, but I know it's something in Truth. I honestly don't know anything down there. I just know that there's a drop, and no going back from it but when you get to the end of Truth you can get out. There shouldn't be anything you have to solve down there because it's just... all Truth.

[twicebonded]

[his breath hitches, but he takes the key]

What . . .? And you're sure it's alright for me . . .

[abardacttofollow]

I don't know what it's for, but I know that it's yours and only yours.

[twicebonded]

. . .

[lightly touches Stefen's cheek with his free hand]

I . . . I love you more than I can possibly express. You understand, right?

[abardacttofollow]

I love you the same.

I don't know what's back there, so I'm a little afraid it'll be something unpleasant. But... everything in here is me. All of it.

[twicebonded]

You want me to see it, though? All of you?

[abardacttofollow]

I trust you with all of me. I'm sorry I kept things back so long! I just don't always know what to say or do. Or, I suppose, what there is.

[twicebonded]

You know . . . I feel like I was hardly surprised by anything here. Really, I felt as though I knew each part of you intimately already. Given how short a time "I" have known you . . . I'd say you've been more than open with me, ashke.

[abardacttofollow]

Do you think so? [touches Vanyel's cheek] I'm really glad.