video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

[ Koltira sits in a comfortable albeit sparsely furnished room, on the edge of a neatly made bed. There's someone sitting with him, but only her hand--slim fingers clasped in his, gold bracelets on her wrist--is visible. He looks to her for a second, his expression briefly unsure, and his long ears twitch at her inaudible (but presumably encouraging) reply.

He clears his throat. ]

Some of you already know this, but I'm told it would be best if I shared the information broadly.

[ He has doubts, but what Olivia wants, Olivia gets.

Koltira raises his free hand. Purplish-black shadows engulf it, shimmering darkly, writhing around his palm. He repeats what he has said to Sieglinde, to Princess Sonia. ]

Those who stand with me do not fall. If you perish in battle--against these slugs or otherwise--I can restore you to life.

[ He makes a fist, and the shadows dissipate. ]

It is a true resurrection, but there are caveats. Firstly, I must reach you quickly. Preferably within a day's time. Second, the process is unpleasant. You will suffer pain, and you will be sick. Likely for almost a week afterwards. Third, it is not guaranteed. Occasionally the Light decrees that our time has come, and the spirit cannot be reunited with the body.

[ Koltira shifts on the bed. The thick duvet is cream-colored, red-checked. Homey. He seems to be in the guest room of a farm house.

Olivia squeezes his hand. ]

This is not an invitation to be reckless. It is merely a safeguard against catastrophe.

[ He pauses, as though thinking about what else to add. His expression goes slightly sour. ]

Again, I stress: it is a true resurrection. You will not be as I am. You will be whole, and you will be hale, once you recover from the trauma of the process.

[ He has the ability to bring them back as undead, of course. He could make them as he is, he could turn them to ghouls. But he wouldn't. Not ever. ]

Still. Try to stay alive.

Comments

[respired]

Sieglinde, speak plainly.

[ His ears fold against either side of his head. He doesn't like these implications! ]

[grunehexe]

[someone actually wanting her to speak plainly- this is new...]

It was merely... shocking, that is all. I suppose your world must be far more liberal than mine. It seemed to me a thing that lovers do, in a place where lovers... do.

[but he said if wasn't so maybe... it.. wasn't...]

[respired]

[ Plain speech is the only kind Koltira's interested in, tbh ]

Lovers?

[ He balks. ]

Never.

[grunehexe]

[Say what? Never???]

That is a rude thing to say, Koltira. Olivia is a fine woman! And I vouch for her purity. Of heart!

[respired]

[ This is not going well. He groans. ]

Yes, she is very fine--among the finest I have met--

[ Look, that's not the point. ]

But I am not open to such things.

[grunehexe]

... Well, you have a very bizarre way of showing it, that is all I am saying. I can hardly be faulted for misinterpreting.

[respired]

I do not fault you. I only seek to correct you. There is nothing romantic between us--nor will there be.

[ Because that's already happening with someone else. ]

[grunehexe]

[Way to leave out the important details???]

Just. Handholding on beds. I understand perfectly.

[respired]

[ He sounds put out. ]

You speak as though I'm sharing the room with her. She is merely visiting us.

[grunehexe]

[Radar: beep beep beep]

Us?

[respired]

[ Er ]

Myself and Fate.

[grunehexe]

... who is Fate?

[respired]

[ Well, they're on this road now. ]

Twisted Fate.

[ Not his real name ... obviously. But Koltira has resolved not to use 'Tobias', despite vastly preferring it. ]

[grunehexe]

... who is "Twisted Fate"?

[That's a... special name... of a man she has actually spoken to before, but only under the username "cardmaster"]

[respired]

[ Don't ask him this ... he's not good at articulating these things! ]

A--fine man. Tall. Dresses expensively.

[ He speaks in a halting tone. His ears curl at the tips. ]

He likes to play card games.

[grunehexe]

And he is your... roommate?

[SHE IS GONNA MAKE U SAY IT dish, Koltira????]

[respired]

[ why ]

We are seeing each other. That is why there will never be anything between Olivia and me.

[grunehexe]

... Oh.

Why did you not simply say so earlier?