Legion (Episode 2)

Radu dismisses the relationship with a wave of his hand, but listens intently. He was, too, curious as to the question of aging. After Marythel answers, Radu poses another question: "Why Lord Orb? I understand he was a Champion himself at one time, but surely so were others in the city. What makes him special among past Champions so as to lead this city?"

"I must admit to not knowing all the specific details." Marythel informs his guests. "What remains of old Tanelorn is somehow beholding to Lord Orb's intervention. Or so it is said. The demiplane seems to only obey his will."

He casually rises from his perch on the stone railing of the balcony and takes a few steps toward the interior of the tower. Looking back over one shoulder, he says, "I going to make some tea. Would either of you gentlemen like to join me in a fresh cup?"

Radu nods, "I would enjoy that. Your hospitality is appreciated."

Lucian had to admit that the idea of the entire demiplane following one person's will was rather unnerving. But tea sounded great. "I'd love to. Unless you're rubbish at tea, then perhaps not. But that remains to be seen." He noted in his head that the ageing question hadn't really been answered, but perhaps it had been.

"Well then. Come on back inside." Marythel says with a wave of his hand. The old man proceeds into the next room and puts on some water to heat and collects three cups from a cupboard. He places them on counter and turns to regard his guests once more. "I hope my tea is not rubbish, young Lucian. I've had many years to perfect it. Though, granted I have had few guests to sample it with."

He rubs his bearded chin and glances over to Lucian. "Yes. The vampires have an advantage when it comes to traveling through to the realms from T'Lorn and back. The Eldren do as well, with their naturally long lifespans. Age catches up with short-lived mortals quickly who have spent considerable time here. That's a big reason why Sanguinor is the chief Procurer for the city."

Lucian follows him in after whistling down to Marengo and motioning that he was headed inside. His horse always seemed to understand him, and neighed in response. The whistle also served to let Marengo know that, should trouble come, he could move freely as needed. Otherwise he ran the risk his horse might just stand there. Useless hopped onto his shoulder and watched Marythel with interest - human types had the strangest and most interesting eating habits. "I imagine you are more qualified than I am regarding tea, then. How long is 'considerable time'? I'm not quite at Eldren or vampire level there myself. Nor are my companions." Which, really, was why he cared more than normal.

"Neither am I, though not for lack of trying. I have vampiric blood, but am born of mortal flesh. My lifespan is questionable - long-lived, but perhaps not forever, and certainly not for my penchant for throwing myself into danger." He shrugs and takes a seat. "It does worry me, having left my kingdom in the hands of my seneschal - well, it is, I suppose no longer a thing I should worry about. That pains me, but as I say it now, feels quite relieving as well. Strange."

He awaits the pouring of tea and takes a sip.

Marythel pours the hot water into the cups, steeps the tea, and sets out various ingredients for enhancements in small containers. Once his own cup is prepared to his personal liking, he takes a sip as well. "I believe I have weathered more than a hundred and sixty years. Though, I also must admit the exact number escapes me here in T'Lorn."

Taking another sip of his tea, Radu asks, "Whom of the Council were here when you first arrived in T'Lorn? I imagine there have been some changes over the years, but aside from Lord Orb himself, I'm curious who's been here the longest."

Marythel sips his tea. "Ahhh..by the time of my arrival, Master Fane, Lady Sibylla, and Lady Tormtor were already sitting on council."

Lucian tests the tea, finds it quite to his liking, and drinks it comfortably. "Interesting. You pre-date most of them, then? I wonder if there is anyone besides them who pre-dates you that isn't 'hazy'. Wonderful tea, by the way." He looks at Radu, curious about what he was. "Well, you can always worry about it. You just have bigger problems now, it would seem. Have you already lived a while?" He paused slightly before another question popped out. "Are your people the same as you are? Are your...queens - did I get that right? - as long lived?"

Radu shrugs, "I am long-lived, yes, but not by the standards of someone such as our host here, or a true vampire. I count just over 100 years, and have ruled my land for sixty of those. I am in no immediate danger of seeing my last days, at least not naturally, but truth be told, I do not know how many more years my body might last - could be hundreds, thousands, or ten."

He shakes his head at the other question, "No, they are not like me, not in that way. Yes - my Crimson Queens, as I like to call them. We are alike in thought, in many ways, and they are loyal. Perhaps they share the same desire as I for immortality, though I wager there are many like that across the planes."

"Well, thank you young Lucian. I don't think there are others older not hazy." Marythel says and takes another sip from his cup while he listens to the exchange between his two guests.

"What, pray tell, do you desire, Lucien? Are you here out of a thirst for something specific, or just to scratch curiosity? Something surely drew you to this place beyond the dreams they pushed upon you."

"Hmm, a good question. I suppose I'm bored over all. No grand hopes or plans, just another place I've drifted to. I seem to look for a place where I'm safe to be who I am, if anything at all." Lucian looked to Marythel. "I just don't know what else to call them, and I hope you don't turn to one anytime soon. Based on our limited encounter, I do enjoy talking with you." Lucian lifts his tea cup up to Useless, who sniffs it and takes a drink. "Not being killed is always a goal, as I told Kris. Do you go around and murder people as they sleep? I'd like to keep tabs on how dangerous night time could possibly be. I don't by the way, if it matters to you. At least, I haven't yet. Maybe one day."

Marythel's eyes lighten up with Lucian's new line of conversation, but manages to keep his amusement contained in silence, as he listens.

"I do not. Too cowardly for me," Radu says, taking a sip from his cup, "I prefer to face problems head on. In the event a quieter approach is necessary, I have solutions for that as well, but it is not my preference. Is there someone you suspect to have a proclivity toward night-time murder, Lucian?"

Lucian retrieved his cup from Useless and drank some more of it himself. "You know, I should have expected that answer. Suits you. As for suspecting someone...well, generally everyone. It's an unpleasant way to wake up and, as you saw earlier, I'm not especially sturdy. Do you not expect everyone might try and kill you?" How novel.

Radu nods, "I suspect they might try, yes, as many have before. Indeed, I have woken up with blades to my neck. They...faltered, and I made examples of them." He waves his had dismissively. "Truth be told, I did not come to rule my kingdom easily and there were many that were left unhappy with my, hm, approach."

Lucian let out a snort of a laugh. "Generally, they never are. But they'd do the same thing if they could get away with it. I've gotten...lucky shall we say, a couple of times. I don't think any serious killer of skill would be surprised a tiny dragon has clamped on to their face, but thankfully it's been limited to irate drunk people." And he always had to leave afterwards. Usually, he just weirded them out or ended up stuck in something from bad timing, but he tended to react poorly to attempted murder. Wasn't his fault they were dumb. "As someone who severely lacks the desire; why do you even want to rule a kingdom?"