castlenim | I saw rise in the heat settle soft and as pure as snow

I saw rise in the heat settle soft and as pure as snow

[This, honestly, took a lot of work. More work than some of the battleplans, but admittedly the machinations of the Victorian nobles are predictable. The only thing Talulah knows about the northern territories is what she's gleaned from her father's journals.

Edward Artorius apparently had a decent enough relationship with the ruler when he'd been alive, and since the wendigo race of Sarkaz live for a very, very long time, perhaps any goodwill towards her parent might be extended to her.

She has also gleaned the northerners are not unreasonable; they've crossed paths during various skirmishes at the border, and they ignore all rebel forces once their own task is complete. Talulah has made it very clear no one from her side is to engage with any other party that isn't either obviously Victorian, or strikes first, and it seems the courtesy is returned.

That said, isolationist policy is hard to overcome, and what she's asking isn't a mere favor. To be embroiled in civil war in another country is an idea most people would scoff at, but...the north has undoubtedly seen the writing on the wall for what will transpire after the dust settles. Victoria's appetite is ever unsatiable.

The Gaulish castle she walks through is a testament to that. It's nothing but ruins now, good for little else besides neutral territory. She's brought two members of the rebels with her, two with a calm rationality suited to negotiations. She'd be fine going in alone, but, well...if Talulah saw another group's leader sitting all alone during a meeting that was meant to be a peaceful talk, she'd think there was an ambush waiting.

Still, no matter how rational one is, curiosity tends to win out, and she can hear her escort party gossiping even behind their masks. They're wondering if the northern princess is as beautiful and strong as the rumors say. If she's half as strong as that Cautus she'd seen once during a border skirmish, then her alliance would be more than a boon.

By her estimation, the meeting time is near, so she supposes she'll find out soon enough.]

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[Yelena's arts do flush their attackers out, and even as she's trying to drive through the mess and avoid any other projectiles, she recognizes the younger Dublinn sister, Loughshinny, easily.

The feline next to her is unfamiliar, but she's the one lobbing boulders at them. Talulah slows the vehicle just enough that she can focus, and the air heating around them is the only precursor to flames bursting from under their attackers' feet, like a flower blooming straight out of the earth. She doubts that will keep a fellow Draco at bay for long, but it's enough for her and Yelena to prepare.]

I don't think it's a good idea to keep running with those two on our tail.

[At minimum, it would draw the attention of every Victorian soldier in the vicinity. She'd really rather Loughshinny realize that Talulah and Yelena are not here to bother with politics or tensions boiling over, but that option has been off the table since Talulah realized they'd been planning to use her as a hostage at the party.]

They started this fight. Let's end it quickly.

[ how the Dublinn commander and her feline companion managed to follow them out here is beyond Yelena. why they're even this far away from the bulk of the fighting is another good question, unless they're chasing after the two of them directly, which isn't an impossibility.

she slips back into her seat, narrowly ducking another boulder flung in their direction. ]

I can start channeling when you stop. Freezing the ground will take care of whoever's with her, but I'll need you to keep Dublinn off me.

[ even after the energy she extended at the base, she should still enough left in her tank for a second showing. they can't afford to hesitate, not when they're this close to getting away, but Yelena knows this fight isn't going to be like their scuffle with the soldiers. ]

If you can't incapacitate her, let me handle it. It'll be better in the long run if I'm responsible for only one Draco walking out of here.

[They might have heard that a "hostage" went missing, which led them here, but Talulah really isn't concerned with that so long as they're standing between her, Yelena, and the road out of County Hillock.]

You could show a little more confidence in me.

[She stops the truck completely and hops out, the space around her turning hot enough to warp the air. Even if she hadn't been up against a fellow Draco, the situation is either their escape, or they get captured and killed. And Talulah won't let that happen, not with the information she has tucked into the inner part of her jacket. And especially not when Yelena is with her.]

Do what you need to. I'll keep her corralled.

All right— if you make this quick, I'll let you order me around for real.

[ Yelena doesn't make quips before battle too often, but the words leave her mouth before she can think better of it. whether it's the mounting pressure of their situation or Talulah's glibness rubbing off on her, she doesn't have time to ruminate on it now. as soon as the truck stops, she's out on the other side, her eyes on their opponents.

there's no sparing Talulah from her cast range this time. even through the blaze of her arts, Talulah will feel the full effect of the rapidly dropping temperature in the air around them. the wind stirs as FrostNova's voice cuts through the sound of fire and breaking earth, a tune she often hums under her breath taking the shape of a full, disarmingly soft lullaby.

within seconds, the ground beneath them freezes solid. a sheet of ice spreads from where Yelena stands like a rising tide, ensnaring anyone who isn't strong enough to break themselves free in time. ]

[Talulah has, after all this time, gotten used to the cold from Yelena's arts. Even if it's much worse than normal to be in the thick of it instead of during a spar or when they're more coordinated, she's used to dodging around the frigid wind and ice pillars.

In fact, it's giving her a subtle advantage. She knows how to melt the frost around her feet and when and where to move, but the Dublinn sister does not. And she also has to deal with Talulah's arts, streaking through the air and across the ground like they're a living thing, strong enough that the roar of their advance can be heard over the crack of Yelena's ice.

Her main goal is to keep Loughshinny far away from Yelena and the other target, or split them up entirely if possible, but Talulah notices quickly that she seems quite determined to stay in a predetermined range. Which usually involves things like Sarkaz witchcraft rituals, or combined casting, or--

Ah. It would be that her arts are both entirely the same and utterly different from her sister's, wouldn't it?]

Yelena! Change of plans. Her arts can heal. We'll be here forever if we don't focus on a single target.

[ Yelena doesn't stop singing immediately, her attention split between Talulah and the feline caster struggling against the cold. her screams of frustration are audible over wind and flame, not quite able to keep up between the ice crawling up her legs and how impenetrable the ground has become around them. only Loughshinny's halo of arts keeps the other young woman's skin from turning black and brittle under the extreme conditions, but it's not enough to let her stay in the fight.

the more important target here is obvious. Talulah won't get a verbal response, but Yelena's decision will become clear after her voice quiets and spears of ice shoot up beneath Loughshinny's feet, forcing her move and split the concentration of her flames partially away from Talulah.

given her casting aptitude, people often underestimate FrostNova's physical capabilities. when Loughshinny stays to the side, Yelena has darted across the road to greet her, a mere exhale of her breath calling a cloud of freezing down onto her. ]

[Talulah immediately takes the opening to put up a wall of fire between them and the feline caster. There's no way after dealing with Yelena's arts that she has the capability of throwing more of those boulders, but her flames are strong enough that they'd be slowed down regardless.

Unfortunately, it's a simple application of science that the hot and cold interplay along the ground is forming small cracks here and there, and the caster's earth arts are exacerbating the problem. It would be to their benefit if they could widen one of the fissures where they wanted it to go, physically splitting Loughshinny from her companion, but that would require her staying still long enough that she'd be an easy target.

It's better that she turn the full concentration of her arts towards Loughshinny. Between the fire and Yelena getting into her space, she has a choice between retreating beyond where her healing arts can reach their target, or take the full brunt of the flames and ice bearing down on her.]

[ Yelena never thinks in absolutes on the battlefield, but she does favor some outcomes over others. their opponent is being attacked from two sides now, given the option to withdraw to a safer position or try to repel both of them at once. with no chance of backup, moving is the better option by far, but Loughshinny's legs lock in place, her own fire desperately encircling her as she stands her ground.

FrostNova can see the tremors in her arms as she struggles to keep her weapon up. she can also see how her eyes aren't focused on either of them, but cast beyond Talulah's wall of fire, where the other caster's been pinned down. the feline's still yelling, practically barking orders at the draco who should be her superior by what little Yelena knows of Dublinn's hierarchy. she seems like kind of a hassle, if FrostNova's being honest, but if Loughshinny refuses to give up her position, there can only be one reason why.

wreathing her body in cold, Yelena darts out, grabbing Loughshinny by the sleeve and pulling her close enough that Talulah will have to diminish her own flames to avoid hitting them both. ]

I can rupture the ground beneath your friend right now and run her through on a spike like the Vampires do when they want to show off. Can you heal her through that? Should we test it?

Edited 2025-08-13 06:14 (UTC)

[Talulah drops her arm to her side, and her flames immediately split to either side of Yelena and her newly acquired captive. There's still a blistering wall of hot air that breezes by, but Yelena's arts likely mitigates the worst of it.

She keeps half of her attention on the other caster, making sure she doesn't break through the barrier between them, but otherwise, she simply advances a few strides.]

She's not bluffing. And I'll do something worse if you're thinking up some kind of escape plan.

[There's an obvious threat in the flames still wreathing her hand, as pointed as a finger on a trigger.]

We don't actually have much of a quarrel with you right now, Dublinn. And in my opinion, your loyalty is wasted on your current company...that "leader" of yours included. Cut your losses.

Loushinny is shaking from exertion and what Talulah first assumes is fear, but after a beat recognizes it as pressure instead. Considering all the players and events of the night, she must be at a very heavy crossroads. The orders of her sister. The safety of her companions. The hopes and dreams of the Taran people.

Talulah can't say she doesn't sympathise, in some way. But that's not as important as her and Yelena's escape. Which might actually be viable now that Loughsinny is so distracted. Minutely, Talulah flicks her tail, a signal she hadn't been able to use at the party, but one Yelena hopefully takes as a sign to do what she needs to so they can both get out of County Hillock once and for all.]

[ from another sort of person, Yelena would take Talulah's signal as sign to do what she'd mentioned a few minutes ago. there's only one way to make absolutely certain Loughshinny won't continue her chase, and with the other woman in her grasp, all it would take is a flick of her wrist to spill the red dragon's blood over the frozen ground.

it wouldn't be the worst move, long term, on FrostNova's part. as lost and desperate as she looks, the inferno claiming the city behind them was started by her flames. she's not innocent, and anyone weak-willed enough to be swung around like a blunt weapon by a sycophant doesn't seem like they'll be of much use in the future.

but she hasn't made a move to attack her, as close as they are. her head is turned toward Talulah, eyes glassy as she absorbs her words, and Yelena has a wide opening to use her arts without fear of reprisal.

with surprising force, she shoves Loughshinny back. the sounds of fire and wind are eclipsed by a thunderous crack as the ground shakes beneath them, tendrils of ice weaving into the broken ground to tear the minor fissures into gaping chasms. the cold around them is bitter— each breath in like a knife to the lungs, the temperature dropping well into the negative double digits. snow and ice roll off Yelena like waves from a frozen sea, becoming so fierce that she's barely visible through the squall, her feet lifting off the ground from the unbridled power of her arts.

when it quiets, the landscape is transformed. great ruptures in the earth separate Talulah and FrostNova from their two pursuers, a wall of ice further trapping the Dublinn commanders on their respective islands. Yelena stands straight-backed, a minuscule tremor in her knees and the bone-white color of her skin the only sign that she was the source of the storm. ]

All right. That's— they can't get through that.

[Practically speaking, killing her might cause some serious problems down the road. It really would be taking a chance that some aspect of Eblana's arts wouldn't let her discover who did the act.

But despite the fact that this night had to be spearheaded by Loughshinny, Talulah really does think it would be a shame and a waste for her to die here.

Yelena reads her intentions well, which she'd banked on, and she has to redirect most of her energy to keeping on her feet and staving off the bitter cold that shocks the whole area. There are tiny, sparkling motes of frost that float and glimmer faintly around them in the dark in the aftermath, and Talulah's crossing the short distance between her and Yelena automatically.]

Let's not stick around to find out.

[She takes the other's hand, sending a faint surge of warmth through their connection, before moving to head back towards the truck. Hopefully, after all the fighting around it, it's still functional.]

[ Talulah reaching out so casually takes Yelena be surprise. it shouldn't, given their last interaction after she dipped heavily into her arts. she'd gotten the sense that Talulah felt rebuffed by her reaction and might be reluctant to touch her again. Yelena would've been completely fine with that— she'd told herself, eager to refocus her attention on their escape and ignore how much the thought stung her for some reason.

the sudden flash of heat is a relief, bringing a trace of warmth back to her skin, but Yelena's eyes go wide when she realizes the source of heat is Talulah's hand. if that weren't bad enough, Talulah starts walking while still holding onto her, and Yelena's forced to remember how to put one foot in front of another while unbelievably comforting licks of warmth pass roll up her arm. ]

I should— probably stay back when you start up the car.

[ if it even starts at all. Victorian engineering is second to none, but the sudden cold fronts FrostNova's capable of summoning can fry just about any tech. ]

Huh? Why? I think the damage is already done if you've frozen it.

[Yelena still feels a little cold, but not to the point where she'd damage the vehicle if it isn't already broken beyond all saving.

Talulah's already using her free hand to send little flares swirling around to warm up and defrost different parts of the car, hoping that it's enough to get the engine working. She doesn't let go of Yelena until she's at the driver's door, and that's only because she assumes the other will go around and open up the passenger's side.

When she hops inside and tries the key, there's nothing but a few ominous clicking sounds. But after a few more tries, the engine whines and then rumbles reluctantly to life.]

Okay, let's go. I'm sick of this place, and have no idea how long this truck is going to hold after what it's been through.

[ FrostNova's movements are little delayed after Talulah lets go of her, idly clenching her empty hand once before she seems to remember that she still needs to get into the truck. the stupor doesn't last for long, and she's lifting herself back in on the opposite side before it becomes too obvious. ]

Are we still heading for the train station? We'd have to steal tickets or smuggle ourselves on board.

[ the adrenaline from the fight that lingers in her system keeps her focused, but Yelena can feel the repeated use of her arts beginning to set in. she slumps incrementally in her seat as Talulah drives off, keeping here eyes on the road. ]

Any train that's still running is far enough away that we might as well drive to the next city where we can meet up with someone.

[Knowing Victoria, they're probably going to have a high presence at stations one stop out from County Hillock, too.

Talulah starts driving again, at a little faster clip than they had before. There's probably no threat bigger than the one they just took care of, honestly, so being too cautious will just hinder their escape.]

If we're lucky, all of the damage Dublinn caused will have made a way out of here with no Victorians.

Incoming troops could be a problem, if they got a distress signal out. No one's going to follow behind us.

[ the chill from Yelena's arts and her towering constructs of ice hasn't entirely faded from the air yet, even as the high walls she put up to separate them from the Dublinn sister shrink into the distance.

it's too early to relax, she knows, but every meter they put between themselves and Hillock lifts a weight from her shoulders as the car rolls along. there's some guilt in that she can't quite shaking, knowing how many innocent people are trapped or fleeing in worse condition, but there would never be a chance to help them later if they had stuck around and gotten captured. ]

Do you have a place in mind? We'll have to dump the truck somewhere before we get close to anywhere with people.

Edited 2025-08-18 06:23 (UTC)

I think a signal might have been delayed, since I'm sure the army thought it was simple unrest for at least a little while.

[Despite how far they still have to go, likely, it is a relief to finally put County Hillock behind them. A little less constant vigilance, a little less uncertainty about their next steps. Although, it's regrettable that the destruction they're leaving behind them had been all but inevitable. Even if she knows there's nothing she and Yelena could have really done on their own.]

As for where to go next...I'm pretty sure there's a small town between here and the next biggest city that's friendly. And has comms.

Okay.

[ between their previous discussions and the local maps Yelena's spent her time in Hillock studying, she has an idea of the place Talulah means. this is her homeland, her area of expertise. Yelena doesn't see any reason to question her at this point, relying on Talulah something like a second nature to her now.

it's obvious, in retrospect, why she was successful in mounting a resistance when similar movements in Victoria have been swiftly dismantled. she makes you want to believe her, put your trust in her, follow her through to the impossible fairy tale ending she promises. ]

If you get tired driving, I can take over.

I think I'll be fine for the rest of the way.

[Talulah had to destroy the weapon part among some other things, but none of her arts usage had to cover the same ground as Yelena's.

"Home" is a bit of an odd concept. She doesn't truly feel it for Victoria in the way that maybe she should. Certainly not more than the other draco they've left behind in the city. It's ill-fitting in the same way Lungmen is, but Talulah had a lot of experience carving out places to exist for herself. And others, now that she's leading the rebellion.]

You can get some sleep if you want. It'll probably be daylight by the time we have to ditch the car.

You can't watch the road and keep an eye on everything else.

[ Yelena snorts dismissively, propping her elbow against the window and leaning her chin onto her palm. ]

What's your plan after you drive all night and we need to walk the rest of the way? Have me carry you?

I'd just walk. Do you really think I'd collapse the second I step out of the car?

[She casts a quick glance over at Yelena, nose scrunching slightly.]

Don't tell me the act rubbed off on you. Honestly, it'll be a relief not to play the naive and fragile noble anymore.

I think you're the type to keep walking until you're dead on your feet and hope no one catches you asleep standing up.

[ shrugging one shoulder, she turns her attention out the window, familiarizing herself with the shape of the rolling hills around them. the mention of the act makes her pause, the silence acting longer than it should for teasing little jab. Yelena played up the protectiveness in front of strangers for convenient excuses to keep their distance, but it wasn't all for show. she'd admitted that much the day the got split up in the city.

it's not an unfamiliar role to her— a lot of it was probably fueled by her drilled-in leader's instinct. once they're able to meet up with more of Talulah's rebels, FrostNova's sure the feeling will pass. ]

You don't have to worry about me, I hear you loud and clear. If I ever have to move you somewhere, I'll drag you by the ankles.

I definitely won't, no matter how far we have to walk.

[That might be the adrenaline or the relief of finally getting out of the town that felt a little more like a cage every day the tensions there rose, but Talulah is feeling fine.

Really, the only thing she'll probably miss is how easy it had been, out of necessity and then habit, to rely on Yelena to watch her back.

She could trust the other with a lot of things. In fights, with information gathering, with speaking her mind if Talulah asked her for an opinion or advice. It's not the same as when she trusts the members of the rebel group to carry out orders, either, but she supposes that when they get back to their respective duties properly, that dynamic will change.]

So I guess you'll have to wait for another chance to drag me along like a sack of flour. Maybe if you win our next sparring match.

You're going to make me wait that long? I don't think we'll have an excuse to train together seriously anytime soon.

[ using their arts against one another in mock battles was feasible back in Ursus where they had ample military facilities to practice in. if they wanted to fight seriously in Victoria, they'd have to make a day trip out to some deserted spot in the countryside to avoid any collateral.

which doesn't sound like an awful way to spend her time, if Yelena's being honest, but they're in the middle of the war. they won't have the luxury of moving that freely until their controlled territory expands beyond the north. ]

If you're afraid of losing to me, you should come out and say it.

Aren't you the one making excuses when we could fight with practice weapons any time we wanted?

[It isn't always as interesting as when they can spar using their arts, but it's still an option. And definitely not a bad way to spend their time.]

I'll even give you the advantage of a polearm if you're worried.

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