Lead me into the dark and I shall follow; Any

[Valdis]

And in the darkened underpass I thought,
"Oh Satan, my chance has come at last!"

”I’m quite the welcoming committee, no?” A sly grin wrinkles the edges of her mouth and brightens her eyes as they sweep observingly across him as he rises to his feet to now look at her. Valdis doesn’t step back; she doesn’t even move as he clambers from his rest to meet her at eye-level with a face just now breaking into a smile. ”I think it’s too boring being chipper and welcome everyone in the same manner.” A shrug ripples through her lean shoulders and her head inclines smugly. ”I’m not a cookie cutter.” Perhaps that is the draconic blood coursing through her veins, her rogue genetics surfacing through small phrases and quips. One-half of her is fire and brimstone, the other as placid as Hyaline’s lake.

After only a few breaths – they cloud in front of her face as hot mingles with the winter cold – he provides his own introduction. ”Ruinam,” she repeats coolly as she plays with it on her tongue, ”well met.” Another pawn in the forest, another chess piece for Sinner as he builds his empire from the ground up. She is playing a role in this, too, but what’s Ruinam’s place? Their contributions will come to fruition soon enough, she knows, but her impatience makes it difficult to wait.

An idly shuffle of her wings fills the quiet pause in their conversation as they take a moment to drink in the scenery. Spring is soon upon them meaning Mary will deliver her child – their heir. Distaste prickles down Valdis’ spine but he masks it by narrowing her eyes and looking into the distant shadows for a moment before returning her attention on Ruinam, preferring the distraction he provides. ”What do you think of Sinner?” At least it isn’t Mary, or the child, that crosses her mind. The hellhound resides in his own chamber of her thoughts. He frequents her thoughts, but not in an adoring way. Just always there, lurking just as he does here in the shadows. ”Will you fight for Sylva, or take on a pacifist role?” Once, she had laughed at her brother for choosing the latter, but nowadays, she has matured enough to perceive it as a still-respectable position.


VALDIS

But then a strange fear gripped me and I just couldn't ask.

@[Ruinam]