The room was full of shadows; the single flickering candle allowed only a glimpse of the coiling smoke that wafted through the air. The scent of milkweed stung her nose, but Raelisanne cared not. It was one of many drugs she had become immune to.
The man splayed out in front of her had enabled her to do so, so many years ago.
Due his current state of impairment, it was obvious the man had not followed his own teachings. Precise measured quantities administered at regular intervals, steadily increasing the dose over a period of time… the process of gaining immunity against mind-altering substances was a mere matter of alchemy. Committing to continuing the small doses over the years would have been a matter of dedication. It was a small price to pay for an assurance of self control.
This was something Raelisanne always believed was of utmost import to the man in front of her. But his shallow breathing, glazed eyes, and slowed reflexes all spoke of a man who had surrendered his own fundamental code of self discipline and preservation.
To see him brought so low by despair… it displeased her.
The man eventually stirred. While Raelisanne made no effort to be silent, she said nothing after entering his tent, and the rest of the inhabitants of the brothel had made themselves scarce. The herb in the metal vase was left to burn, and any passing observer from outside the tent would only spot two silhouettes within, one standing unnaturally still, the other struggling to sit up.
“Of course you are here,†the man growled at her, his disgust obvious.
“You are in poor shape,†Raelisanne observed as she continued to stare down at the Monestarist noble. “You need assistance.â€
“Do not presume to know what I need,†the Midlander retorted hoarsely. His lips were chapped and his cheeks sunken in. “Begone from my sight. I do not need you.†The bloodshot eyes belonged to a man who lacked purpose, ambition, and will--all the things that Raelisanne had once admired about him.
My, but he was still so stubborn. That brought a small curl to her lips.
“You seek to break free from the fetters that weigh your conscience.†She slowly tilted her head, and even in the dimly lit room, she could see the lines of his jaw tighten. “I too was once lost. Deprived of all the things that I thought I needed to be whole. You remember the damaged little girl. That was when you found me. You made possible a whole new life.â€
Raelisanne lowered herself onto one knee, her violet gaze peering over the rim of her glasses to level with his. “I would like to return the favor.â€
“Favor for favor…†the Hyur mumbled groggily. His focus waxed and waned; the air was still thick with tainted fumes. Raelisanne watched him struggle to maintain his composure, flashes of emotion contorting his angular features without warning. She wondered if he too was recalling their very first encounter. Did it leave an indelible mark upon his memory as it did hers? But so much had passed between them since. And it was the latter years that he seemed to remember with crystal clarity. He suddenly bared his teeth to her like a threatened animal. “Last time you saved me, I was forced to endure your toxins running through my veins.â€
“You were nearly dead, I had no choice,†she answered matter-of-factly. “You eventually fought to free yourself from those effects.†Her tone remained neutral, even though her expression brightened slightly. She had been mistaken. He still had some resolve yet. “I never believed you would remain crippled for long. Consider my methods unusual, but they remain effective.â€
To that the man said nothing, his gaze shifting away from hers. There was bitterness that remained in the downward curl of his face, that fought off the weariness that weighed his entire frame.
“You lost what you had built in Ul’dah. Then you lost again your second chance.†Her voice carried no sympathy. “Is that it? Do you have nothing left?â€
“How childishly simple you make it sound,†he spat out. “Is that how you have framed your life? You lost what you were, and so you made yourself anew? You see that I have lost my toys, so you are going to give me new ones? Or am I to be another one of your experiments? Torn down like Wolfsong? Made a freak of nature like Renatus? Or whatever twisted games you are playing with Grimsong? Deneith? Don’t forget…†he hissed. “I know you and your obsessions.â€
Raelisanne remained still as a stone statue. Her expression did not flinch, she did not blink, her violet gaze did not waver. But she also had no words for the man.
His eyes narrowed at her stillness, but when she continued to stare in silence, he glanced away. “What do you want from me…?â€
“As I said, to repay what I owe.†Her face did not show it, but there was a sting that lingered with his rebuff. He understood, and yet he did not. She adjusted her spectacles, her gaze shielded by its reflective surfaces.
When his eyes returned to her albeit reluctantly, she continued, more coolly than before. “The aid I now offer is of different nature. It will mean the end of your old life. You will no longer have a place here. Not in Ul’dah, nor Coerthas.â€
“A new life…?†he rasped. He was fighting for consciousness now. The air was thicker. “Away from all this?â€
“Yes.†Raelisanne nodded.
The man’s amber eyes darted to various points throughout the room, and yet to nothing in particular. His dark brows were pulled low, his struggle and doubt screamed loudly in silence.
“Marcus,†she said his name softly as she extended her gloved hand. “Do you trust me?â€
“No.â€
“But you will come with me?â€
A long moment passed between them.
“I have no choice,†he finally said, his voice cracking, failing on that last word.
"No," she quietly agreed. She guided his hand to hers, so that he might grasp it.
The man splayed out in front of her had enabled her to do so, so many years ago.
Due his current state of impairment, it was obvious the man had not followed his own teachings. Precise measured quantities administered at regular intervals, steadily increasing the dose over a period of time… the process of gaining immunity against mind-altering substances was a mere matter of alchemy. Committing to continuing the small doses over the years would have been a matter of dedication. It was a small price to pay for an assurance of self control.
This was something Raelisanne always believed was of utmost import to the man in front of her. But his shallow breathing, glazed eyes, and slowed reflexes all spoke of a man who had surrendered his own fundamental code of self discipline and preservation.
To see him brought so low by despair… it displeased her.
The man eventually stirred. While Raelisanne made no effort to be silent, she said nothing after entering his tent, and the rest of the inhabitants of the brothel had made themselves scarce. The herb in the metal vase was left to burn, and any passing observer from outside the tent would only spot two silhouettes within, one standing unnaturally still, the other struggling to sit up.
“Of course you are here,†the man growled at her, his disgust obvious.
“You are in poor shape,†Raelisanne observed as she continued to stare down at the Monestarist noble. “You need assistance.â€
“Do not presume to know what I need,†the Midlander retorted hoarsely. His lips were chapped and his cheeks sunken in. “Begone from my sight. I do not need you.†The bloodshot eyes belonged to a man who lacked purpose, ambition, and will--all the things that Raelisanne had once admired about him.
My, but he was still so stubborn. That brought a small curl to her lips.
“You seek to break free from the fetters that weigh your conscience.†She slowly tilted her head, and even in the dimly lit room, she could see the lines of his jaw tighten. “I too was once lost. Deprived of all the things that I thought I needed to be whole. You remember the damaged little girl. That was when you found me. You made possible a whole new life.â€
Raelisanne lowered herself onto one knee, her violet gaze peering over the rim of her glasses to level with his. “I would like to return the favor.â€
“Favor for favor…†the Hyur mumbled groggily. His focus waxed and waned; the air was still thick with tainted fumes. Raelisanne watched him struggle to maintain his composure, flashes of emotion contorting his angular features without warning. She wondered if he too was recalling their very first encounter. Did it leave an indelible mark upon his memory as it did hers? But so much had passed between them since. And it was the latter years that he seemed to remember with crystal clarity. He suddenly bared his teeth to her like a threatened animal. “Last time you saved me, I was forced to endure your toxins running through my veins.â€
“You were nearly dead, I had no choice,†she answered matter-of-factly. “You eventually fought to free yourself from those effects.†Her tone remained neutral, even though her expression brightened slightly. She had been mistaken. He still had some resolve yet. “I never believed you would remain crippled for long. Consider my methods unusual, but they remain effective.â€
To that the man said nothing, his gaze shifting away from hers. There was bitterness that remained in the downward curl of his face, that fought off the weariness that weighed his entire frame.
“You lost what you had built in Ul’dah. Then you lost again your second chance.†Her voice carried no sympathy. “Is that it? Do you have nothing left?â€
“How childishly simple you make it sound,†he spat out. “Is that how you have framed your life? You lost what you were, and so you made yourself anew? You see that I have lost my toys, so you are going to give me new ones? Or am I to be another one of your experiments? Torn down like Wolfsong? Made a freak of nature like Renatus? Or whatever twisted games you are playing with Grimsong? Deneith? Don’t forget…†he hissed. “I know you and your obsessions.â€
Raelisanne remained still as a stone statue. Her expression did not flinch, she did not blink, her violet gaze did not waver. But she also had no words for the man.
His eyes narrowed at her stillness, but when she continued to stare in silence, he glanced away. “What do you want from me…?â€
“As I said, to repay what I owe.†Her face did not show it, but there was a sting that lingered with his rebuff. He understood, and yet he did not. She adjusted her spectacles, her gaze shielded by its reflective surfaces.
When his eyes returned to her albeit reluctantly, she continued, more coolly than before. “The aid I now offer is of different nature. It will mean the end of your old life. You will no longer have a place here. Not in Ul’dah, nor Coerthas.â€
“A new life…?†he rasped. He was fighting for consciousness now. The air was thicker. “Away from all this?â€
“Yes.†Raelisanne nodded.
The man’s amber eyes darted to various points throughout the room, and yet to nothing in particular. His dark brows were pulled low, his struggle and doubt screamed loudly in silence.
“Marcus,†she said his name softly as she extended her gloved hand. “Do you trust me?â€
“No.â€
“But you will come with me?â€
A long moment passed between them.
“I have no choice,†he finally said, his voice cracking, failing on that last word.
"No," she quietly agreed. She guided his hand to hers, so that he might grasp it.
