[center][h3]Uncovering Shadows[/h3][/center]
[u][color=pink]Lyn,[/color] and an old friend Hysteria (Djarkel) [/u] 

Lyn hesitated when she heard the vampire comment on her experience or bravery, her feet grinded to a stop almost immediately. Her eyes studied his Yarsomere complexion, his curly black curls and willow stature seemed to draw her in. He didn’t recall her, she realized, when he called her a lady and never once looked back. Lyn thought it would’ve hurt more, but found herself not surprised. It had been at least a year since they last met. She doubted he would’ve bothered remembering a young, mute girl lost in the Djarkel wilderness.  


[color=f7941d][i]”Is everything alright, Lyn?”[/i][/color]


Ssarak’s voice broke through her ward fairly easily. It caught her attention causing her to shift her focus, his magic able to gain the sense of calm and even joy. [i][color=pink] ‘Yes. I am just meeting a old friend and wanted to thank him.’[/color] [/i]


Letting the words stray back to Ssarak, Lyn pushed onward when the vampire turned to face her. His expression become rather confused at her appearance, something easily seen in his eyes, and it softened her expression. His mannerisms quickly recovered, even altering some, when he again addressed her. [color=pink] “It’s nice to know you name now. My name’s Lyn. I never got to tell you since I couldn’t speak back then.”[/color] 


Her hand reached for her head, then pulled away the Lucilia flower from it. She held it out gently toward the vampire to example it through she wasn’t sure if he could tell its age or even realize it was the very same one. She continued with her words, seeking the correct ones to choose. [color=pink] “I’m not surprise you’re confused. Not many people know that Naga Hybrids are able to grow at very strange rates and it’s just recently, my aging has actually slowed down to a reasonable pace. I never got to thank you for teaching me the difference between the Lucilia Flower and Death Blooms. I’m sure you’ve got some questions budding on your mind right now… right?”[/color] 


Fate was strange indeed. After all this time he had thought he would never meet this girl until she was much older. Well, she at least looked older now. He listened intently as Lyn introduced herself and reminded him where he had seen her before. Barely a year ago and this little girl was only knee high. A year later and now she was just about to his shoulder. He was indeed confused at first though when she mentioned she was a naga hybrid he started to understand, or at least, was able to come to his own conclusion. He doesn’t know much about the Naga beyond that they are serpentine like people being hunted down in Yarosmere, and the fact that this little girl from a year ago was one of them really did affirm that fate had a strange way of interacting with him.


Touching the flower that Lyn had extended to him, it only confirmed to Iscariot that this was the same girl from before. He didn’t realize it was the exact same plant, but not many would decorate themselves with a Lucilia flower. Their proximity to Death Blossoms made most peasants avoid them and the Death Blossom’s status as weeds and pest tends to eradicate them and the Lucilia flowers that grow near it. That and the flowers fell out of vogue about two years ago but that was beside the point. Taking in the flower’s scent he thought about a few questions for Lyn. Mostly about Lyn. [color=a0410d]”A naga hybrid? Who are your parents?”[/color] Iscariot doubts he’d actually know them but it would be useful for later. He could also guess that the girl was with the college. He didn’t exactly pay attention to their company before but it would be like the Twilight College to be the home of someone as unique as Lyn. Which only made him wonder why the college had sent this obviously shy and mousy girl to the courts of Djarkel. [color=a0410d]”And how is life at the Twilight College?”[/color]


Lyn chuckled lightly as she stepped over to the balcony, her torso leaned forward over the edge. She rested her arms upon the flat stone while her eyes studied the outside scene. However, her voice was focused on Sir Iscariot and their conversation. [color=pink] “My mother is Mar, a naga that came to the college because she had developed vitamancy. My father, Athalus Marik, is from Port Slaughter within Djarkel and has noxomancy. Their relationship started off rather rocky at first, but it’s obvious they love each other deeply and with everything that’s happened, it’s made them stronger.”[/color] 


Slightly amused by the fact both her parents had different bloods than herself, she took the flower once more. Her mage blood flowed causing the flower to twinkle and shimmer, a fresh life filled it while it bloomed. [color=pink] “The college is a peaceful and pure hearted place to live within. They are everything their reputation claims they are: generous, neutral, and open doors to anyone who seeks them out for help. However, anyone that threatens that will feel the full wrath of her students and find themselves facing a force like no other. I feel wanted and happy whenever I’m safe within those walls.”[/color] 


She placed the flower back upon her head. Her words continued a bit longer, her arms folded underneath and her eyes turned to him. [color=pink] “I chose to come, through many felt it was a bad idea. However, I wanted to see you and thank you so it was worth the risk.”[/color]  


Iscariot nodded his head. Just as he thought, Lyn was almost painfully naive. But the college has done well to hide it’s horrible secrets from her, especially when she mentioned who her father was. While arguably not famous (Professional assassins try not to be after all), the vampire did know the name Athalus Marik. An assassin who, up until recently, suddenly betrayed his own guild and vanished. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised that the college had accepted him considering the other company they keep, and frankly Iscariot felt more the fool for not suspecting it. Someone would pay a pretty penny for this information.


But that was beside the point. It seemed that despite the college’s own reputation as both a haven for the lost and the damned, it hasn’t quite corrupted this pure and innocent girl. Where Iscariot a base-level vampire he would relish in corrupting the girl by spreading lies or even telling her the truth, but he had other plans. Namely when he saw Lyn use her magic to make the Lucilia flower bloom, it made the vampire realize that he wasn’t quite certain what the college’s students were capable of. He simply assumed they were just here to save the college some face for neglecting their own courts. But perhaps there was more to it then that. There usually was.


[color=a0410d]”Ha! You wanted to meet me, a complete stranger? Up until now, you did not even know my name. But it must be fate for us to meet again during this auspicious evening.”[/color] Looking up to the moon, today truly was a fortunate day. First the Lord Count was blessed with a son, then Iscariot was able to meet Lyn again. And of course, he had his own purpose to be here, and for good reason. [color=a0410d]”You’ve grown rather quickly since I’ve last seen you. If you are an herbamancer, then even Death Blooms would have been no trouble for you. Of course when I first met you, you were a child, so I would not have expected you to have done much. But now you are a woman, and even your small display of magic right there shows more skill than what some people would learn after years of training.”[/color]  


That was only a slight exaggeration. Djarkel’s mage school tends to teach their students how to control their powers well enough not to harm themselves, and those who could afford it could do even more. But even for those who find out about their mageblood during their childhood, they don’t have Lyn’s level of training until at least four years, or whenever they mature in both mind and body to handle that power. The fact she was able to do this in one year interested Iscariot. And he wanted to know what else she could do.


[color=a0410d]”If I had to guess, you aren’t just here for celebration. Surely you have some mission or job for the college? They normally don’t send their students to events like this unless they have a good reason. Perhaps I could help.”[/color]


[color=pink] “I don’t think it’s much as I’m still a novice really. I’ve seen advance and masters do so much more than simply make a flower bloom.” [/color] Lyn stated honestly as she smiled, her hand curled a lock of hair around her ear. She found it curious why he seemed to focus his attention on the college now, but pushed it aside. Surely he didn’t have any ill intentions or he would’ve never saved her, right? The question pulled a sicking sensation settling in her gut and weighed in her middle. Shifting to a comfortable position, she thought a moment. [color=pink] “Personally, for me, it’s my first official time outside the college. At least one that hasn’t nearly gotten me killed so far. As for our reason here, we are here to represent the college and attend the gala. In addition, it’s always a good idea to get acquainted  to those the college is on good terms with. Maybe make some new friends too.”[/color] 


She carefully hinted to the fact they were there to remind everyone that the college existed. The young girl hoped it was  in a vague enough way it would seem to be polite and didn’t attract his attention to press farther. [color=pink] “Considering you’re so interested in me, might I ask why you’re here? You don’t seem to be enjoying yourself very much so I’m curious why you would put yourself through such misery.”[/color] 


Smirking, Iscariot could tell the girl was hiding secrets. But then again what girl doesn’t have her secrets? While the vampire wasn’t sure what Lyn was hiding, he had a feeling that her reason being here was just the tip of the iceberg. When she directed the questions to him he thought about it and then answered. [color=a0410d]”Well, you’re not wrong. I don’t find any particular entertainment being here. It’s not miserable mind you, just… Boring. I came hoping to see some old friends with new ideas, but well… Vampires, you know, are creatures of the past. Once they set their minds on something they won’t ever give it up, no matter what day or age. That is to say, a lot of the other guests here I’ve already met, spoken to, and know much about. They haven’t really changed last I saw them and not much has happened since then.”[/color] 


[color=pink] “I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I know a lot about people being stuck in the past as my mother is one individual like that. Then again, considering her and my whole race is being wiped out in Yarsomere… Someone has to keep their traditions alive. Not that it really matters since few of the Naga accept me because I’m a hybrid,”[/color] Lyn stated, idly. Her legs pulled back and her chin lowered to rest upon her arms, her eyes focused on the scene a bit more then she felt like doing. Despite the cursed nature of Djarkel, the air was cool and lovely on her skin as the goosebumps raised across the surface. She knew staying out here too long was likely to make her sick or worst, but she didn’t want to go back into ballroom. 


The place reeked of hidden secrets and tensions, something that brought her more awareness about the dangers than she wanted to acknowledge. It was strange. So different from the college, less safe, but then again… what place was? She inhaled to calm her jittery emotions then hid it with a smile. 


Looking at the little girl Iscariot felt he may have been a bit wrong about her. Surely even she couldn’t ignore the naga genocide going on. Even for people who’s never seen a naga would have heard of it, or at least of the violent uprising in Yarosmere. Though he did wonder if she truly knew the reasons it was happening. Though the fact that she’s even met other naga also piqued his interest. He could understand one or two arriving to the college, such as her mother, but Lyn made it sound like an entire community had shunned her. And while nagas escaping Yarosmere was certainly believable, how did they arrive to the college without notice? It was something that Iscariot was genuinely curious about.


However there was other ways to ask it. It seemed like Lyn was having a bit of a crisis of her own, being an outcast for who she was. Nagas hardly have a good reputation here in Djarkel, and either no one knows who they are, or they only know them as xenophobic snakes who are more annoying dead than alive. And Lyn certainly wasn’t like any naga by that description. She was just a girl born into a very unique situation. [color=a0410d]”Acceptance… I suppose that’s something everyone wants, don’t you think? Like all those people inside. They may laugh and joke among each other like old friends, but each one is a different person from the other. They have secrets that they won’t share, and everyone wants to know way. And it’s because of that they can’t trust each other. It’s unfamiliar, unknown, and beyond their understanding. That sort of thing scares them. However…”[/color]


Iscariot reached out and touched the Lucilia flower on Lyn’s head. He just had an idea. [color=a0410d]”Lucilia grows where death blooms. While there are certainly dangerous things in the unknown, there are also beautiful, good things there too. It’s because of ignorance and fear that people would hurt them. But if someone were to show them the truth, that they are kind and mean no harm, no different from them or at least allow them to understand who they are, then they won’t be scared. They’ll know who you are and that you can be trusted. It won’t be easy, but with dedication and help you can change their hearts, Lyn. You just need to show them yours.”[/color]


Lyn leaned her head, letting the vampire touch the Lucilia flower, as her mind absorbed what he had said. [color=pink] “I tried, but it didn’t seem to work. If it wasn’t for the students at the college, I’m pretty sure my father would’ve killed their already small number, the ravine dangerous even for their kind. The only two out of the six or seven that didn’t hiss at me were the matriarch and my mother’s brother. Now, they’ve been relocated to Tidewater because there’s nowhere else to put them where they wouldn’t be killed.”[/color] 


She exhaled, her thoughts drifted to her current mission. [color=pink] “It just reminds me of how little I know. About the outside world or even here, our host’s name is the only thing I know. Personally, it’s rather discouraging because I’m worried I’m going to mess up. What if I say the wrong thing or something goes wrong… I don’t know what will happen or how badly it will turn out. I don’t want the college or my parents thinking that it is best just keeping me home.”[/color]  


Remembering the things Lyn was telling him, Iscariot had to think carefully about what to do next. Technically speaking, he just heard some very, very valuable information and he should leave now to go report it. However he was not a heartless monster. He didn’t want to leave Lyn depressed at this gala, full of doubt and self loathing. It brought too much painful memories about himself, and he’ll be damned if another falls into that same darkness. [color=a0410d]”Hmm… Well, that’s why I said you’ll need both dedication and help. You shouldn’t give up yet Lyn. A solution comes to those who seek it. And help will come from those who help themselves.”[/color] Taking a napkin from his jacket, Iscariot began to write something down in very fine print. It was small, but clearly legible, as well as very neat.


[color=a0410d]”There will come a time where you can’t do it by yourself, Lyn. So you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, be it from friends or strangers. If I may be so bold, do not be like the other nagas. They are dying because they don’t have friends to help them when they need it most. Even the college couldn’t help them since they have never tried before. You certainly have a lot to learn Lyn, and now is a good time as any to begin.”[/color] Iscariot handed Lyn the handkerchief, which had quite a bit of information written on it. Despite it’s small text, even Lyn could read the writing. He made sure to use simply words too, as to not confuse her.


On the handkerchief were just some notes that Iscariot had obtained from various nobles at the part. Important information that could help Lyn and the others earn their favor, as well as prepare for possible threats. Baron Bryland for example is an astute individual, but would never back down from a challenge. His honor would also prevent him from using his full ability, as well as being more cordial for others to take advantage of him. Alfstanna Eremon was a kind woman who’s very sympathetic to children, or those with a childlike demeanor like Lyn, and Iscariot has noted that not many traders go through her lands. If more trade were to increase, she could gain much needed resources by trading with the merchants for her valuable Mithrils, which she has in abundance. As for Sighard the notes for him were more like a list of various herbs, spices, drinks, and a direction to make some sort of odd cocktail. For some reason or another, it involved letting a piece of Godstone of all things soak in the mixture for a few minutes.


On the other side was more notes, which looked more like gossip. For Lyn it might go over her head, but for others they could glean some valuable information. Namely, that one of the Psychomancers here had obtained a powerful Daemon Art that allows them to amplify their magic powers for a brief duration. Details of the Daemon Art was unknown aside from it’s power, but it was certainly here. And whoever has it was a Psychomancer. And lastly, it was information about Lord Carmine himself. It seemed that he hasn’t come up with a name for his child yet, though he wants it related to Aarem in some way, in honor of his blessing. There wasn’t any suggestions for names beyond that.


Lyn read, her face filled with confusion then slowly evaporated to realization. The information was over the current barons at the gala as she looked up, meeting his eyes. Without warning, her figure jerked forward and her arms wrapped about his shoulders in overjoyed hug. She lingered there. Her body held close and arms rested enough for a firm, but not suffocating embrace. After a few moments, she released him then smiled brightly. [color=pink] “Thank you. Thank you so much. I wish you luck on your endeavor to pursue your ideas with the other vampires and if I can return the favor, please let me know. As for the Naga… My mother suspects their behavior is something much deeper and lost to history. If what she once told me about her vision was right, then I don’t blame them in the least for fearing or wanting nothing to do with something they don’t understand. It nearly wiped them out once already.”[/color] 


The girl started to move away before her feet sudden stop then looked back. [color=pink] “Ummm, if you ever need to get in contact with me then request my name at the college gate. If I’m around, I’ll be sure to come running. Again, thank you with all my heart.”[/color]   


The hug was… Awkward to say the least. How long has it been since Iscariot has been shown such affection? Centuries at least. He doesn’t even remember the last time he was given a hug. He merely smiled at the girl as she turned to leave, but once she was gone he turned back towards the moon and was solemn. He took out his pipe and went through the motions once more, sighing to himself. [color=a0410d]”Ignorance is bliss, little girl. You’ll learn that soon enough…”[/color] His time here was over. Now that he was alone, the man walked towards the opposite side of the balcony where no one could see him, jumping off the edge and into the shadows below. There was some important information that needed to be known.