Completed Set in Stone [Tydus Tempest]

[Ragdoll]

Aedre found she was surprised, even impressed, about just how much insight Tydus had. The young Svefra had really matured since the desolation that befell all of their pod. It was, Aedre supposed, a pleasant change. One for the better and hopefully permanent.

When he smiled, she hesitantly returned it with one of her own before turning to face the sea.

"I do. Her cutlass was the only part of her that I could save from the wreckage. Tatianna was everything to me. She was the reason I continued on. The Lia's memory was the only thing that got in the way of me coming to you when it was made clear that we were stuck in Riverfall."

He confirmed everything she'd suspected about his relationship with Tatianna, and Aedre had a feeling that he was telling the truth. Why would anyone lie to her-or anyone else, for that matter-about such personal things? Especially Tydus?

"It was wrong of me, Aedre. I resented you for leaving us. For contesting Tatianna's leadership despite the fact that I agreed with you. You were right about... everything. Tatianna's clinging to the ways of the Svefra was something that I argued with her about repeatedly, as well. Perhaps I was wrong to choose her..."

His next words didn't exactly hurt Aedre.

Of course I was right. She needed to let go, and if I had only possessed a greater deal of skill with the cutlass, then I could have convinced her of that fact! There was no need for anyone to get hurt. Maybe, just maybe, the pod wouldn't have died if I was only more skilled than she was!

And then he intrigued her by mentioning closure. Aedre turned back to face him, a hand reaching out for Tydus' own.

"Closure? How can you do that?"

Then the blonde woman hesitated, mulling over everything the past few chimes of their conversation had entailed. The next thing to say was obvious-the Hypnotism Tydus was using on her would have done nothing to change her choice, for her mind was made up. She wanted-no, needed the closure he offered her, and Aedre Tempest would pay any price to get it.

"What do I need to do?"

[Tydus Tempest]

How could he do that? It was a reasonable question, to be sure, but the Tempest scion had an idea. The reaction to the cutlass was just about what he had expected from the woman. She was likely replaying the incident in her mind, when her body had been torn by the cutlass that was so close to her body. Rather than touch the cutlass, she reached instead for Tydus, seeking his reassurance, a gesture that the Svefra appreciated tremendously. It was something he could easily use. She relied on him now, sought him out. Perhaps time and tragedy had moulded the Svefra into someone who was more mature, or perhaps his breakthrough, the sorting out of his grief by restoring his faith in the Sea... it changed him.

He had grown, both spiritually and mentally. He felt the strength bound in him anew, weakness replaced in part by a surge of confidence in himself. He was a Svefra, the Masters of the Sea underneath Laviku. His children and his chosen people, the collective that basked under his guidance, and thrived from the sustenance he provided. And so, he felt entitled to what he deserved. In this particular situation, he deserved whatever it was that Aedre Tempest, an exiled Svefra by choice, had to offer him. He squeezed the woman's hand, offering a gentle smile as he allowed his other hand to move a strand of hair from the woman's face before he pressed towards her, his deep, blue eyes of Laviku's blood boring into the woman. Djed was woven into his stare as he watched the intonation of his voice,

"The cutlass, Aedre. It's yours to have if you desire it. Having Tatianna's weapon to wield as yours will be the closure that you require. The very blade that imprinted the scar upon your body will become your tool to use at your disposal. My price, dear sister..."

He began the culmination of his efforts, pausing in this moment to allow a breath to escape his lungs, a hand rising to caress Aedre's cheek as he called her 'sister' before lowering to take her other hand in his as the suggestion made itself clear.

The cutlass is Tatianna's symbol. Having it in my possession is worth... everything.

Though the Tempest made the suggestion broad, his price was by no means everything. He would make it reasonable. He was beginning to empathize with Aedre as her mindset became so clear to her. She was very similar to Tydus in a great deal of ways, but her resolution, her weakness, made her useless. He had, for a moment, considered inviting her along with them as their shipwright, but it was for naught. She was a Svefra without a mark, akin to a Svefra without a soul. Laviku forsook her, without deigning her worthy to curse.

No, she's meant to live a life on land like a normal. She's forsaken by Laviku, so she is forsaken by the sea. I'd rather have her here as a potential tool to be manipulated later, as well.

There was a small pause before he finally named his price.

"My price is simple. I wish to take your cutlass in exchange so I am able to defend myself, with the additional price of supplies for Kel's and my ship, which would include an amount of mizas left to your discretion. We need your help, Aedre. And I'm willing to offer you closure in return for Kel's and my new beginning."

The Tempest layered the last suggestion he would place upon the woman with his last words.

They need my help.

[Ragdoll]

Would he truly be able to provide closure for Aedre with Tatianna's cutlass? The blonde Svefra could only assume he planned to use the cutlass in some way with her, and though she didn't know exactly what he wanted in return, Aedre knew what she would say. There was almost no price she wouldn't pay in return for posession of the cutlass that was currently the last piece of the former Lia left in the world-save for her daughter Callipsia, but that was different.

Ideally, it would be Tatianna's blood, not her blade...or failing that, Callipsia's, but this? This sword? It would do, absolutely it would do. Aedre understood now just how much it meant for Tydus to trust her with this blade, and she was touched.

It was Tatianna's symbol, this cutlass! Priceless to one inside the Pod. Surely the favor Tydus needed from her would be nothing in comparison to what this sword was worth.

The pause was anxious for her. Nerve-wracking. What could Tydus possibly need that would take this long to express?

"My price is simple. I wish to take your cutlass in exchange so I am able to defend myself, with the additional price of supplies for Kel's and my ship, which would include an amount of mizas left to your discretion. We need your help, Aedre. And I'm willing to offer you closure in return for Kel's and my new beginning."

Aedre barely even hesitated before she stood up and pressed a finger to Tydus' lips. "Wait...just one second. There's something I need to get, and then absolutely yes."

She turned and walked quickly, more of a bounce in her step as she moved. A bit of rummaging around in the warehouse she called a workplace revealed her own cutlass, still sheathed. There was also the matter of scrounging up mizas to be worried about...

I have to fix this. Fix it for Tydus and Kel and everyone else.

She returned a few chimes later, a pouch of mizas clenched in her hand and a pair of backpacks sling over her shoulder. Inside the pouch were fifty gold mizas, and this she handed to Tydus. One backpack contained a box full of oranges to prevent scurvy at sea and a small bag of honey candy as a treat. The other had a light crossbow and fifty bolts, kept in a backpack to draw less attention.

"This is nothing compared to what the blade means to me. Thank you, Tydus."

Her gaze stayed focus on Tatianna's sword as she sat down, looking at the weapon with revere. This was hers now, she reminded herself. Hers to do as she wished with.

This would work very well.

[Tydus Tempest]

When the woman returned, she had exactly what he sought out from her in her possession. A pouch of mizas, which surely contained, by itself, far more than the cutlass was worth in monetary regards. But, there was more. Aedre's very own cutlass, presumably equal to Tatianna's in sheer quality, was presented to him, as well. And the last, two ruckpacks filled with supplies, which he could only assume were extra sails and other ship supplies that the Svefra needed at sea. Truly, it was a bounty to be had, but there was a greater pasture in the works.

Trust.

Aedre's fervent desire to have the cutlass as a means of overcoming her despair over leaving the pod left her open. Tydus had used his Hypnotism to allow her to open up to him, but also there was a necessary factor in her favourable disposition towards the Tempest. She trusted him, she liked him. Perhaps she even cared for him beyond that. It was a factor that would surely come into use in the future, and having a shipwright on the side of a sailor was a benefit that even the most incompetent of fools could see as necessary. Hypnotism had allowed him to augment his own abilities in influencing the minds of this woman, it swelled him with the capabilities of a greater man. The art was more than simply so, it allowed Tydus to live outside of the bounds and means of manual labour or combat in order to earn his keep.

It allowed him power over the minds and hearts of those around him, a weapon far, far stronger than a simple trident or cutlass. This day would be the beginning of something greater, the absolute proof of Tydus' capabilities and the ushering in of a new life for the Tempest. He felt the capability rush in his mind, the surge of realization of the craft that was Hypnotism. The power was there, a political and economic advantage over others that he would seize and monopolize upon. Piracy, after all, was not solely combat and looting, but could also involve espionage and social class. Tydus was already the brains between himself and Kel, he would perpetuate that notion.

When Aedre thanked the Tempest scion for her peace of mind, the latter simply smiled at her, pressing forward to press his lips to hers in yet another kiss, holding the gesture for several ticks as his hands placed themselves at the woman's waist. When he pulled away from her, his smile had turned to a grin, a wink flashing towards the woman before he gathered his new cutlass, the pouch of mizas, and the supplies he had been given, placing them upon his back and the blade at his waist before he called back to her,

"I'll be back for you someday, dear Aedre. You mean a great deal to me, there's no way I'll let you be. You should know that by now."

He chuckled at the Svefra before stalling in the case that she wanted a final word with him.

After all was resolved, he would leave.

[Ragdoll]

You've Been Graded!

Skills

Skill	Points
Hypnotism	5
Persuation	5
Rhetoric	4
Socialization	4
Observation	3
Seduction	2
Acrobatics	1
Swimming	1

Lores

• Evading Emotions
• Sploosh!: Oops
• Turning the Shakes into 'Empathy'
• Hypnotism: Needed at the Foundations of a Thought
• Hypnotism: Using in a Whole Thought is a Waste of Djed
• Hypnotism: Influencing Physically and Mentally
• Practicing the Art of Hypnotism
• Hypnotism: Meant to Shape Minds
• Callipsia: Not Ready For Tatianna's Responsibility
• Aedre: Forsaken by Laviku
• Aedre: Going to Stay in Riverfall
• Aedre: Needs Closure
• Aedre: Weakness Makes Her Useless
• Want: Improve Acrobatics
• I Won't Be An Observer
• I'll Always Have A Chance

Consequences

• Lost Tatianna's cutlass, which is currently in Aedre's possession. At any time, you may do a modded thread with a Riverfall Storyteller to get it back.

Loot

• 50 GM, at least 15 of which should go to Kel
• Backpack 1: Oranges (24), Honey Candy (20 pieces)
• Backpack 2: Crossbow, 50 Crossbow Bolts
• Aedre's Cutlass: Unadorned steel.

Comments

I had a lot of fun doing the thread with you. c: Would love to do another Aedre thread sometime-just talk to me about it.

Don't forget to edit your grading request! Though I try my hardest to award you what you deserve, I may occasionally mess things up! If there's something you'd like to discuss about your grade, then please don't hesitate to send me a PM and I'll be happy to work things out with you.