It was a second too late, the deep breath, as the ground beside them cracked. Out of the small fissure crawled the skeleton of a field mouse, skittering about before approaching them. Amira muttered a curse, releasing Zar’s hands and pulling back suddenly. “I’m so sorry. It-the memories and the panic-fuck.”
Nordali blinked in slight alarm, the nature around the fissure letting out a distressing aura. He froze for a second but relaxed when the skeletal field mouse approached, offering his hand to the creature. He hoped his animal skills applied to the undead. “Amira, it’s alright, really, come here,” he assured, holding out his other hand for her to take. “It’s alright to make mistakes and to fear. But you have to learn how to control that before you’ll be able to have free choice over your powers.”
Amira shook her head wordlessly, eyeing the mouse with what was definitely fear. Not fear of the creature, quite, but more fear of herself and something else. Memories continued flashing through her mind, of bony fingers clawing at her arms, legs and neck, of rotting carcasses racing towards her, nearing and getting closer- She took his hand. She didn’t move much closer, just a bit, but she took his hand. I won’t be scared of her anymore. I won’t be scared of her power. “I don’t-I can’t control them, only bring them to life. They’ve done things.”
Nordali carefully scooped the creature up. He kept it away from her, but he held it near to himself, willing the creature not to attack. “This one is a field mouse, Amira, it shouldn’t do more than bite a little. It’s alright that you can’t control them, maybe after you figure out your powers a little more you might be able to.” He said softly, bringing her hand to his lips in a soft, reassuring kiss. “They have done things… but I believe you’ll be able to figure out how to work this, my lady.”
The field mouse seemed perfectly content to curl up in his palm, watching Amira almost more curiously than maliciously. The Necromancer’s cheeks darkened at the kiss he pressed to her hand, out of habit even as she kept her eyes warily on the mouse. “It’s….so small. Not like the other ones.” She said softly, moving just a bit closer as she pushed her hair back from her face. “I can bring them back. I just can’t control them. Do you…really think I could someday?”
Nordali smiled at the blush upon her features and hummed softly. “It is small. Rather harmless. Though can’t say I’m too thrilled with the feeling of bone against my skin.” He made a face, but held the creature nonetheless, finding it rather cute. “I do really think you can. Necromancy, right? I haven’t heard of a necromancer who hasn’t been able to control what they bring back. And I’m certain you won’t be the first.”
Taking a deep breath, Amira held her hand out, trembling slightly but looking determined about something. She muttered something in her home tongue, the words seeming to reaffirm that determination. One cannot be brave without fear. Fear is not the absence of bravery. "Necromancy. I received it from my mother's blood. Isn't that befitting of her?" Her eyes flicked up to his as he continued, widening slightly. He really sounded sure of that. In her distraction, she didn't notice the mouse rising, moving like it was sniffing her hand, before skittering up onto her palm. She froze, turning her gaze back down to the mouse as she took in shaky breaths to try and calm her panic.
Nordali listened in with a soft smile, nodding his approval of the words. He repeated them in his own tongue, but the words were slightly different in translation. Something more along the lines of: ‘Bravery does not exist if no fear is in place.’
He met her eyes with a willingness that exposed his general like and comfort for her. The panic that suddenly returned to her body language made him fear for her wellbeing, grasping her free hand. “Breath Amira, breath. It will not hurt you.”
"Do you understand the power you hold, Amira Sultan? A power you will never be able to control, a power that will kill you one day-" "It won't hurt me. It won't hurt me. It won't hurt me."Amira repeated the words like a mantra, her eyes shut tightly and grip on his hand just as tight. The mouse, thankfully, seemed to sense her fear, staying right where it was and curling up in her palm, making itself smaller and less…strange. One cannot be brave without fear. Fear is not the absence of bravery. The mouse will not hurt you. It will listen.
Nordali watched with eyes of molten silver, a harsh expression that offered something kind and gentle. “You’re doing alright, my lady.” He murmured gently, giving her hand another squeeze.
Those silver rings never left her face, interest and awe in them. Amira was nothing like he had ever seen. A woman so broken and yet so strong. She was closed off and yet opened up to him after a bet.
It took Amira longer than she would have liked, but less time than it seemed in her mind. Eventually though, she opened her eyes. Still gripping his hand, she pulled her other hand a bit closer to herself, lifting the field mouse up closer to eye level. "Hello there." She whispered, voice shaking slightly, but overall even in pitch and tone. "You are very small, and terrify me. In theory. Not just because you are a mouse."
Nor let out a small sound, a proud smile lighting up his features. He tilted his head and watched her for a moment before his hand moved to repair the fissure as much as he could. The only thing he really could do was place a sunflower there, letting the roots hold the dirt in place. Sunflowers were incredibly good at keeping dirt in place.
His eyes returned to her once he was sure the flower was flourishing, looking a little tired.
She blinked once, eyes moving almost heavily, as she continued to speak. The energy it took to bring things back was quite a bit, even for something small, and this time around, she had brought it back permanently, even if she hadn't realized it yet. "I am Amira, and this is Zar. He's the one who isn't afraid of you." It seemed, the more she talked like this to the reanimated mouse skeleton, the calmer she grew, like it was soothing her fears. It helped that she had, at some point, moved closer and closer to Zar as well. His presence was comforting to her. "He can make the flowers dance-" That was the best translation she had. "-and he likes curry."
As silly as it seemed, Zar waved at the little mouse as he was introduced. He chuckled at himself, casting a warning look in the direction of his guild members, warning them not to tease him about the pretty Necromancer who held his hand and drew closer to his side.
“Zar, or Zarskana. I prefer Zar.” He rumbled happily. The word Zarskana was from his native tongue of Valdorian. It simply meant ’a freed traitor’ or could also be quite literally translated to ’he with sin who walked away’ He liked the idea of that word. It fit his motives, it fit for the group he had created. They were all sinners to the public around them. He was one who had freed himself before he could take the throne and end up destroying himself with the noble title of King.
The word sounded vaguely familiar to Amira. Her parents had tried to get her a tutor in Valdorian, and succeeded, but the problem was getting Amira herself to pay any attention to the language that she would one day share with a man she had never met. She had despised everything about the language, but Zar…he made it seem even more beautiful than she had wanted to admit.
When he waved at the mouse and introduced himself, she found herself smiling, the look in her eyes so soft and grateful and open that she almost looked like a different person. Zar, in short, was simply amazing to her. She had met a few genuinely kind people in her time running, but Zar was by far the kindest, and the only one she'd met who could put up with her that long. And his voice sounded somewhat like music to her. "Aren't his eyes pretty? They look like the stars, and sparkle like them too. He's a good dancer, too."
Nordali was taken by surprise at her expression. No one had looked at him that way before. It confused him for a moment.
“Me? A good dancer? You must have the wrong male. I can’t dance, Amira.” He mused, leaning closer to her warmth.
"You can dance perfectly fine, hallaski. You just have to get out of the mentality that you can't." Amira said decisively, nodding once. She pressed her shoulder against his, shifting to do so comfortably, not for warmth but more for general comfort. She was always plenty warm. "I can't dance either, but it's still fun to dance."
“It really is quite fun… I haven’t had that much fun in a long time if I’m being honest with you.” The Valdorian, though quite strong in stature, seemed timid and nervous around the small female who pressed herself so willingly against him.
“Won’t you take up my previous offer, and stay in my living space? There is a cot and everything there. I will not intrude, I have a raid to plan and some work to do.”
"We'll have to dance more often then." She decided, tucking the hand with the field mouse close to her chest. The undead creature cuddled up against her like it was cold, despite having nothing to feel that cold. "I…are you sure? I usually just sleep against Malakai. I don't…he wouldn't fit, and I really wouldn't want to intrude on you. Or your space."
“The tent is rather large. It’s a military tent after all.” He told her with a soft smile. “I wouldn’t mind at all. I might pop in to grab a coat or a few more papers every now and then but I won’t be noisy about it.” He glanced around the camp and shifted. “And I wouldn’t want you out here… I don’t want anyone bothering you.”
"Do you think he would fit? He-he keeps my nightmares away, most nights." She admitted softly, playing with his fingers. Her hair seemed to permanently be stuck in her face, but her eyes still sparkled softly in the campfire lighting, dark like a starless night sky right up until the shocking rings of color around her pupils. "You wouldn't bother me. I don't get much sleep anyway, Zar. Just an hour here and there, every few days."
“I do think he would. Maybe not through the front but we can always lift the tent’s side a little for him.” He fell silent in thought, already having a plan in mind. With a grin he reached out to try and brush her hair from her face, tilting his head.
“You should try and sleep some more. It’s healthy to sleep. And while you’re under my protection in this camp you will not be touched, woken, or harmed.”
She leaned into his fingers just slightly, an unconscious movement paired with the dusting of warm color along her cheeks. Every time he did that, she was unsure just how to deal with the butterfly wing feelings in her gut, but liked them all the same. Even if they scared her somewhat. "I hope it works. I really wouldn't feel right be separated from him like that. And it's…you really don't have to do that, Zar. Make that promise."
Nordali flashed her his stunning grin and slowly moved to stand, bringing her up with him. “Oh, my lady, I must. I promise that to all of my guests.” He smiled politely at her and gently tugged her along. “Follow me and I’ll show you the place. It’s really quite comfortable.” He chuckled lightly, hoping she’d be alright with it.
"Whether you promise that to all your guests is beside the point. And besides, wouldn't I be less than a guest? You did insist that I join your guild, thus making me more a soon-to-be regular here than a guest." Amira pointed out, letting him drag her along anyway. She kept a hold on the field mouse, lifting it and setting it on her shoulders, where it happily scampered about. "Are you really sure letting me sleep there is alright?"
“Of course not! No one here is less than a guest!” He cried out, faking a hurt expression. “We’re not barbarians, Amira. We’re only friendly thieves, murders, outcasts, and traitors.” A grin settled onto his face, one of the more true expressions he showed to those he cared for. “Of course it would be alright. I only ask you be careful where you snoop. Do not open the chest under the cot and do not touch the books wrapped in animal hide.” He warned, his expression suddenly darkening and his eyes flashing dangerously.
Nordali once again seemed to relax, leaning her past the tent folds of his tent, glancing at the desk as they passed and traveled deeper, beyond the makeshift curtain. The space was rather large, containing nothing but a cot, the chest under the cot, a crate or two and a small bookshelf that held many books.
“Do not touch the books, and do not touch the chest.” Amira repeated, a re affirmation and a showing that she understood. She was plenty used to limitations on what she was and wasn’t allowed to do. But in this case, she didn’t want to break the rules. This wasn’t about defiance, or pushing limits, this was about staying in a place that made her happy, with a man who made her feel warm and safe. Save the looks, Zar, for someone else.
He seemed to relax when she reaffirmed, looking around at his space. It was rather tidy for someone like him, except for the many bottles of alcohol lying about, some half finished. He blushed lightly and went about cleaning them up.
“I apologize for the mess… I have a problem.” He admitted, throwing the empty bottles in one of the crates and ducking under the walls of the tent to dump the rest of the alcohol from the half filled bottles. “It’s a safe space… if you ever need more blankets we have plenty. And I think you’d enjoy a change of clothes. Would you like to pick out something else?” He asked, diverting the attention away from his bottles.
Weirdly enough, the sight of the bottles didn’t draw up the same panic it normally did. She trusted him. Trusted him not to harm her, while drunk or sober.
“I have been wearing these clothes for a while..” Amira admitted, chewing on her bottom lip as her fingers plucked imaginary strings. Her eyes continued to flicker around the tent, taking in the space. It was nice, much nicer than some of the places she’d stayed before. “If it’s no trouble, clean clothes would be much appreciated. Who should I go to for that?”
Nordali looked her up and down for a moment, his face scrunched up in thought. “If you wouldn’t mind it, I have a few things you could wear. I think they’d fit a little big but the offer still stands. That way you wouldn’t have to wander camp looking for something to wear.”