[closed]

[Variks is moving to the provided coordinates as quickly as possible, but between his injury and his nervousness, it takes time. He is a stranger in an unknown land and to him that amounts to danger. He feels like he's been thrown back in time to when he'd just betrayed Skolas; displaced from his people, from everything he knew, left exposed and in danger to cower alone.

At leas there is one key difference here. In the wake of his betrayal, he'd had no where else to go, no one else to be. But now he has both of those things. He has a place to go and if he can just make it there, he'll be at the side of someone he knows and trusts, and perhaps he can reclaim his old role--or at least adjust it to fit this new world. Perhaps House Judgment can continue to survive.

By the time he finally makes it to the residential district he is feeling an unpleasant mixture of skittish and exhausted; the wound in his back had made it particularly painful to travel this far. Now, staring up at the house he's been directed to, the Eliksni has to double-check the coordinates Petra gave him. This structure looks so odd an plain... but he trusts that she wouldn't misguide him. He approaches the door and knocks with one of his prosthetic limbs, the other gripping his staff tightly just in case someone more hostile shows up in the doorway.]

[Petra is quick to answer, as if she'd been waiting near the door. After a quick glance through the peep hole she opens the door wide and puts a hand on one of his lower arms to urge him in. It's easy to see the change in him, reminding her of when he was first discovered.]

Come on, lets get you patched up.

[That's one of the things Variks appreciates Petra; she doesn't waste any time. Always so efficient. Right now he really appreciates it, given how exposed he was feeling just waiting at her doorstep. The hand on his staff relaxes slightly and the Eliksni nods. She's not the only one who can see how they've changed. Even though he saw her over the video feed, seeing Petra in person allows him to note every little difference. She doesn't look as prim as proper as she always had when back in the Reef... in fact, now he's realizing she looks a little bit run down--though as always she's keeping her composure well.

He'll have to have a talk with her about that after they cover the essentials. Variks allows her to lead him inside.]

Petra, thank you... for taking me in... again. [It is strange, how history repeats itself. Once again she's given him a place to stay, a place to belong. It means a lot to him, even though he doesn't know how to express that.]

I couldn't leave you out there, now could I? Not with how helpful you've been to us.

[Run down is a good way to put it, but she does her best to hide it. All her own concerns immediately vanish, however, as he enters and she gets a view of his back. She hadn't known where his Mark would be, or necessarily what it would be of, but given her own and her Queen's she hadn't nearly expected something so extensive.]

[Unless, of course, this was something else entirely?]

Variks ... your back ...

[She takes his arm and leads him in to the ktichen, where she's got everything set up.] Take off your tunic.I need to see the extent of your injuries.

[Variks gives off an odd rasping sound, the noise colored with pain and unease.] Am... aware. Woke up in the bottom of a small boat like this. Has been hurting and bleeding since. No knowledge of how I attained the injury; no knowledge of how serious it is, either, as I cannot see it.

[Which really is all the more reason to get it looked at, but here the Eliksni falters. Petra has seen him without his mask before, one of the few people who had, but to disrobe from the torso up... it feels almost improper, even if it is for a perfectly clinical reason. Especially because he's just not used to people being this invested in his safety. In the end he defers to her because that has always been his way, but he seems oddly tentative as he goes about the process of removing all of his traditional garb that marks him as a scribe of the House of Judgment. The large ruff of fur gets pulled off from around his neck and goes aside first, and then he pulls the draping, weathered green and gold fabric out from behind his belt and does the same with it. Now all that's left is to remove the lightly armored bodysuit that his people wear, which he does in pieces.

When he's finally bared himself just enough for Petra to see the wound, the Eliksni turns around. Now the nature of his mark is revealed: the emblem of the House of Wolves that Skolas had worn on his own garb has been carved into the flesh that runs down the length of his spine. Variks, feeling rooted to the spot as he is, works his mandibles underneath his mask as he waits for Petra's assessment.]

[It's a new step for both of them. Petra has done field dressing before and isn't shy about the partial nudity that's about to take place, but she's never even seen an Eliksni unclothed and, well. This isn't just any Eliksni; this is her friend. While she is more sure handed in her movements, she keeps her back to him while he disrobes to offer him his privacy, focusing on pulling out cotton swaps and salves to properly dress the wound. Looking at the meagre amount she'd pulled together, and judging by the stains on his tunic, she's wondering if she should have brought more.]

[Once he has his back presented to her, she turns and pauses for a moment to take it in. She hadn't known what to expect; Varik's life was long and she didn't know even half of it, as much as she had an intimate knowledge of his actions in recent times. She cannot say, however, that she's entirely surprised by the appearance of the mark of the Wolves, but the extent of it stops her in her tracks. After she's able to get over her initial surprise, she reaches out as if to brush her fingers along it; is it even real? But she hesitates, and then steels herself and gets to work. There's much to do. Cotton balls aren't going to cut it.]

No wonder you had such a hard time of it; Themis saw fit to mark the whole of your back. Stay put, I need one thing more. [She goes to fetch a clean towel, trying to keep her tone from betraying the horror of the wound. When she returns, she tries to explain as she cleans him up, in part using the moment to inform him, as well as offer a distraction to what can no doubt be a painful experience.] Themis is in charge here, and however she brought us in, we are each marked with ... a brand of, guilt.

[Variks merely flinches as he feels Petra begin tending to the wound, but he offers no complaint, nor does he shy away. Pain is something he has been made all too familiar with during his life, particularly during his time with the House of Wolves under Skolas' vicious ideas of punishment. Skolas had cut off his upper arms. Compared to that, this was easily tolerated.]

Themis is in charge? It is... odd to be in a place that the Queen does not rule. But then, we are just two of her subjects. Without her fleet, without her people... [Variks can imagine that it might be hard to stage a take-over, given the circumstances. He can also imagine that the Queen is probably not too happy about it. He gives a growling rasp.] What of the Harbingers? Without her Techeuns... would the draw be too much?

I, don't know. [Petra imagines it would be too much for the Queen. As well they're still learning the extent of this place and its power.] As well, the nature of the being we face isn't an easy target to pinpoint. We can do our best, but we are no army. I think it wise we focus on keeping her safe until further assessments can be made.

[She works steadily, with a light touch. The wounds themselves aren't deadly, just deep enough to scar. Frowning, working the lines, the sight of the sigil leaves her feeling ill, and on the tail of her own words that tiny, reasonable nugget of doubt shifts slightly. Her primary concern here was the Queen's safety, and that meant seeking out every corner for possible threats, no matter how unlikely.]

[Her tone is careful, curious, and non-accusatory when she speaks. She couldn't in good faith leave this unasked, even if she could already guess at the answer.] Variks, have you ever regretted betraying Skolas?

[For a moment the question seems to come out of the left field, but then Variks feels her touch against the edges of his marks and he remembers Petra's explanation, and he understands. The Eliksni gives a rasping, guttural sound from deep in his throat.]

Regret? No, Petra. I perhaps feel shame over the betrayal--[For Variks knows he will never be big or strong like Skolas, nor will he be able to lead like Skolas]--but... Skolas was too vicious; I could not stomach his hate. His raging war against extinction was causing too much death on both sides, and in recent years my people... we have lost so much...

[Variks dips his head slightly; he doesn't want to do anything improper by turning around and making this less than a completely clinical procedure, but right now he knows his superior would probably benefit from knowing that he can meet her gaze as he responds. So he does, all four glowing blue eyes locking onto her own.] The Fallen need a new way. I no longer had any place with the Wolves. I have betrayed Skolas twice now and would do it ten times more, if it meant preventing further loss.

[Even if it's something of a response she'd already anticipated, actually being able to hear it does assuage the little nugget of doubt for now. She halts her movements as he turns, returning his gaze and giving the moment the full gravity and respect it deserves.]

[She smiles softly at him, to assure him his response was appropriate.]

Perhaps you are the new way they need. [Which is ... problematic with him being here. But there's an insistent hope that they won't be here for long, whether or not she actually believes it yet.]

[With that dealt with, she gives him a small motion to turn back around so she can continue to tend to him.] I only ask because ... your mark, here, is the sigil of the House of Wolves.

[That he shares that in common with Mara is not her place to voice, but he should know what he's been scarred with.]

[Petra had suggested that before--"Maybe you are Kell of Kells"--and at the time, a timely distraction had come in the form of a rabid Wolf Kell and he had been spared having to think about it, trying to figure out how to respond to it. Of course Variks missed the respect he garnered as a Scribe of House Judgment, and he had grand plans for the Eliksni... but the thought of actually leading the way made him... nervous.

Thankfully that rabid Wolf Kell does provide another distraction here, albeit in a very different, nondirect way. Variks blinks, then tosses his head briefly.] Does not surprise me. Betrayal is not something to be proud of. Cowering like a Dreg is not something to be proud of. But my loyalty to you and the Queen, does not waver. You can be assured, Petra.

I am assured, Variks.

[She can understand. Cowering isn't her way of things, either. She's at least glad that he took that route instead of any alternatives and landed himself in her care; he's been a reliable informant and friend.]

[She finishes cleaning up the wound and goes about bandaging it.] I'm going to have to replenish our medical supplies after this, it's no small brand. At least I can rest easy in the knowledge that now there is someone else to guard the Queen while I am out.

[Variks turns patiently as Petra bids him to so that she can sufficiently wrap the bandages around his torso. His body is not bulky, but it's made of tough, sinewy muscle--toned from a hard life, and scarred and numerous places. Even when she's done dressing his wound and his upper body is more concealed, he's draping crossing his two prosthetic arms over his chest as if to cover himself.]

I can run supplies for you, to make up for... for needing them at all. Will find ways to make trades. Variks is good at trading, you have seen.

[Finished, she starts to put away the remaining supplies.] Maybe later. You just arrived, and you need rest. There's food in the pantry, I can take care of this.

[She snaps the lid closed on the kit and stands back, looking at him with a faint smile.] While I'm sure it would have been better had you stayed at the Reef, I'm glad you're here.

[Variks makes a sound in the pit of his throat--low, drawn out, with a rasp in his throat so deep it almost seems to gurgle.] Not sure what I can do here, separated from the Awoken and the Eliksni, but... am glad to be here too. Your side is a... familiar place. [And she has always watched over him, which is a comfort in and of itself.] I will not rest until I am useful to you once more.

[She answers softly, with a little more of her exhaustion coming through.] You can help me guard the Queen. That will make you more useful than you can even know.

[It is a large relief to her to have him here, someone she trusts with Mara.]

I... I have not been a guard before. Have schemed, have plotted, have been an informant, yes. Have protected her by letting her know where threats lay. [This was new, and he feels slightly nervous for it. Guarding Mara so close was an honor and a challenge all in one; any mistake would have such high costs...] But I will not shirk from my duties. Will learn, will adapt. Will help you, Petra. You no longer have to do this alone.

[She smiles, reaches out to grip his shoulder for a moment in solidarity, then goes to put away the medical supplies. She knew he'd adapt. He had before.]

I should warn you; not all threats here are flesh and blood. Those would be easy to deal with. We are beset by something else entirely.

Do not understand. You have said no agents of the Darkness have been found here. What else... what other powers could threaten us that are not ones of flesh and blood? [He was thinking of the Vex and their entheogens, the sinister substance of their realms that infected body and mind. He was thinking of Oryx and his ability to call out to would-be subjects from beyond dimensions. What else could she be referring to?]

Intangible plagues of the mind, hallucinations ... [She leans against the kitchen counter and crosses her arms - casually, but there's a tightness to her knuckles and she's focusing off in the distance rather than at Variks. She's speaking from experience.] From no known source. Rumors are, of course, Themis, who's yet to make any appearance.

Not exactly to easiest things to combat.

Edited 2015-11-02 20:10 (UTC)

[Given that the concept of multiple universes is one Variks has yet to grasp, he can only contextualize what Petra is telling him with what he knows of their universe... and that means that 'plagues of the mind' are still drawing up Hive and Vex imagery. The Eliksni chitters in uncertainty, his lower arms shifting.] This... is troubling news. Will have to learn more of this Themis. Will have to be... waaary.

Yes. Definitely be wary. [She doesn't even realize she moved her hand until she's brushing over the scabs on her head. Her hair does a pretty good job of hiding it, now that it's down, and she tries to shift motion that she's just brushing it aside. Thinking about what Themis is possible of has her remembering the sensation of bugs in her hair.]

This is unlike anything we've faced yet.

[The motion does not go unnoticed by Variks, but one of the reasons he and Petra get along so well is that they don't pry into each others lives, outside of what is required of Petra's job--when you're a member of the race that betrayed the Reef, you don't get much privacy. So while he can tell something isn't quite right, he doesn't lean forward and try through the gesture to determine the injuries. She just let him pass with grace through her examination of his bared upper body; he owes her this much.

He does, however, reach out to settle one prosthetic hand tentatively on her shoulder.] Have faced much, you and I. Will face this as well. Will get through it, yes?

[She does appreciate it, both the deference he gives her to her malady and the reassuring arm on her shoulder. She takes a final moment to make sure her hair is in place (because even without the wounds she would have liked it to be perfectly in its place), and then returns the gesture and claps a strong hand on his shoulder.]

[It felt good to know she had a confidant here.]

We'll get through it, one way or another.

Of course, Petra. Will not give up. Will not rest until you and the Queen are back in the Reef, are safe. [After a moment of keeping his hand under hers and holding her gaze, the Eliksni respectfully draws back and stands at attention, the hands of his lower arms hooked into his belt.] Is there anything else you can tell Variks of this land? Anything else I should know, as I attempt to orient myself?

It's liveable enough; there's a market, and a clinic. I'm a member of a patrol, take shifts to make a perimeter sweep and keep an eye out for abnormalities. Other than that, I haven't been out often; there's still much to learn.

May visit the market. May see what people here... need. Attempt to set up trades. Barter for useful things, yes? [It was familiar work, in a way; he'd exchanged plenty of weapons and armor of his own design with Guardians who had braved the Prison of Elders. If he could replicate something like that--subjecting others to harrowing dangers was an aspect he could give or take--then not only could he make himself useful to Petra and the Queen again, but it would give him something else familiar to focus on. It would be good for him, he knew.]

Yes, Variks, I think that's a very smart thing to do. [She smiles at him.]

Clever Eliksni. It is so good to have you back.

[That gets a rasp out of the Eliksni, but different in tone, rolling around in the pit of his throat. Closer to... a purr? He finds the compliment suitable, or maybe he's just flattered... or maybe both.] Thank you, Petra. Is... good to know that even despite the changes, I can still work with you.

[closed]

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