Leaving Desarith

[Ariadne]

Lust stepped out of the trees and ran off ahead of Restraint towards the road. She ran past a tree nearby and didn't stop to look at it. She didn't need to be reminded of the fight that had taken place there.

She walked directly to the center of the paths, the intersection of all the dirt roads. Without the protection of the forest's trees, the wind was biting and frigid, much worse than how it felt in the woods. The snow crunched beneath her booted feet and she came to stop in the center.

"I'm sure he'll be here any moment," she called out to the Virtue behind her. She looked at the sky. It was still night, but it had begun to take on a more violet hue, indicating that the sunrise wouldn't be too far off. Their summon guide would take them North, to Lehaita, any moment and she would leave all this behind her. She took a deep breath. This wasn't the Empire any more. The Empire was up north now. She shivered in the cold and wrapped her arms around herself. North...she'd come all this way just to be taken back north. She rubbed her hands together, warming them. Being of the fire element was certainly a boon in the winter. She touched her warm hands to her cheeks and looked at the sky again. Yes, Larketh would be arriving any second.

ooc - this thread is for Lust, Restraint and Larketh

[Seya.]

As expected, the great wolf melded into existence near the sin, and padded up to her without hesitation. Even if Lark wasn't overly familiar with all of the Empress' followers, Larketh was not one to forget. He pushed his great muzzle into Lust's arms fondly, before sitting down on the path.

It will be a long night, he commented.

ooc; short post, waiting for Restraint. Or you can reply. lol.

[Ariadne]

Lust let her arm be pulled around the larg wolf's neck, and she ran her fingers through his coarse, but warm fur. It had been so long since she had been home. She threw her other arm around the wolf and buried her face in his fur. It must have been long for him too, without the Empress Taint. She hugged the large wolf, thankful for his company and his willingness to be close to her after all that she had done. She suddenly felt guilty.

"There have been so many long nights," she whispered. She pulled away only marginally, stroked his neck where she could reach. "And there will be so many more." She looked into his eyes. Perhaps Larketh was really the one she should be warning, but she wasn't sure. Her conflicting emotions showed in her eyes. She leaned forward to cling to the summon again. She wanted things to go back to the way they were. She wanted the Empire back. She wanted only to worry about Virtues again. She wanted the freedom to go where she wanted. She wanted to be with who she wanted again. She held tighter, thought she felt her bracelet catch on his fur but didn't care. "When will she be back?" she wondered aloud. If anyone had the answer it was him.

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint stumbled out of the last few feet of the forest. He was feeling a little clumsy. He had not meditated or rested properly in a few days, not since he had run into Purity. His hair was begging to grow from his normally bald scalp and it was already an inch long. His facial hair had also begun to grow. He looked quite different than what he looked like before all of this started.

He regained his balance and looked around the small clearing. He could see Lust and Larketh before him both looking somewhat content. He approached and sat down cross legged, near the two of them. "Notify me when we are to proceed," he asked as he sat down. He closed his eyes and focused on the calm and strength deep within himself. He suspected he would need both in the coming days.

[Seya.]

Larketh huffed in laughter, and crouched down so that his back was merely a few feet off of the ground. Let's not make this take longer than necessary, he mumbled, motioning for the two of them to mount up. The thin flames encircling his feet subdued, as to not burn his to riders-to-be.

Soon, we will see her again, he growled sympathetically for only Lust to hear. She's in the girl's mind, safe for now. When the Empress and Emperor meet next... well, we'll see.

[Ariadne]

Lust nodded and moved to the side of Larketh and swung her leg over Larketh's back the way she'd seen Empress Taint do so many years ago. She leaned down, so her body was flush with the summon who would bear her to Lehaita. "I'm glad she's safe," she whispered then looked towards Restraint. "Come on," she called, "We're heading north now."

ooc - short post, but I guess we're trying to move things along.

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint stood and shook off the dirt from his pants. He eased towards the wolf feeling a bit of fear. He swung his leg over Larketh as Lust had. "Umm is there something I can hold on to?" he asked looking around nervously. He gingerly reached around Lust's slender waist and held on."Let us be off then."

OOC: We're off to see the wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz. I couldn't help it.

[Ariadne]

Lust looked back at Restraint when she felt his hands wrap around her waist. She smiled at him and pulled his arms tight around herself, so his upper body was against her back. For a moment she thought she saw a flash of want flickered through him, but the feeling passed as soon as it had surfaced and she couldn't be certain of what it had meant. Facing forwards once more she pet Larketh on the head. "We're ready Larketh, please take us to the North."

ooc - just waiting on you, Seya.

[Seya.]

Larketh nodded his great, sleek head, giving a guarded glance at the two on his back.

And then, they could have been flying.

Muscles bunched up and released in sync, the light padding pattern of his paws hitting the ground ever so reminiscent of a a heartbeat. The sin and virtue he gave ride to were weightless, an insignificant factor to the speed at which they were travelling. It was only minutes before the grand stone towers of Indafell disappeared over the hills, and within the hour the sun had parted with Pax once more, leaving the world in which they moved to be lit by only the soft, iridescent glow of the two moons.

Time passed slowly, but Larketh's steady beat of travel didn't alter. When the moon seemed to be at its highest in the sky, he let out a slight wuff. Do you need anything of me? He asked, not sure of what their conditions were.

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint could feel the mighty beast moving underneath him. They moved at a speed he had believed impossible and his body did not agree. These past few days had been filled with the impossible. I learned that I have an amazing power, and met others with powers not unlike mine. Discovered the truth of their past and left the Virtues for the Sins. Now I ride on the back of a giant wolf traveling faster than I ever have before holding on to a women I barely know for dear life...

"Not bad for a simple monk I must admit," Restraint muttered to himself. He risked raising his head to ask his companions, "How much farther do we have to travel if I may ask?". As soon as he had asked the question he lowered his head once more to avoid seeing the ground and scenery going flying past.

[Ariadne]

Lust looked up at the sky. "I'd say we're about half way there," she called over the rushing wind. Her ears were freezing from the cold air rushing past them. While she enjoyed the ride, she would have enjoyed it better if it weren't so cold. She looked back at her uncomfortable companion. "Lean forward against me," she offered, "it'll keep us both warm and help you relax." She smiled at him reassuringly, though she wasn't sure if he could see with his head tucked under like it was.

She leaned forward on Larketh, holding on tight to the great summon and laying her head down in his course fur. Soon, she thought, Soon I will be with my brothers and sisters again... She her head so it was mostly obscured by Larketh's fur so she could frown without Restraint noticing. He probably thinks he's with a great Sin because of what Lark said. Did she know what I did? she wondered. She wished Restraint would hold on to her just a little tighter. Even that small comfort would be appreciated. She felt so alone, as if she was neither Sin nor Virtue any more.

As the wolf's muscles continued to tense and relax in a rhythmic pattern, the night flowed past her like water. The stars seemed to blend together like sequins pouring out of a velvet blue bag. She watched them whiz by, and tried to relax. There would be enough tension when they arrived. She had been gone for so long, and now she was returning with not only horrible news, but with a Virtue on her arm. She hoped they wouldn't kill her or imprison her on sight. She wouldn't blame them if they did, though.

[Seya.]

Larketh blinked to the side, then forwards again. We are almost there. He could faintly feel the chill, and realized how could it must be for them. Carefully, slowly, he loosened some of his power and created a warm bubble of heat around the two riders on his back, raising his own body warmth as well for a more comfortable seat.

The night continued to swallow the trio of them, both calming and eerie in its vast darkness. The ground around them all was white, hardly a hint of dirt left through the tundra and frost-infested earth. A few times, the wolf crossed old caravan paths, likely heading in the same direction he was.

Finally, after hours, a soft glow and light could be seen in the near distance. A fire; element-made, tamed and in control. Even from afar, Larketh could easily... see. He woofed slightly in reassurance, not sure once more if those on his back had slept for the last four hours of journey since he had spoken last.

Look, he commented.

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint wiggled closer to Lust and clutched tight. He could feel her warmth and his fear diminished. He raised his head and looked quickly around. We have traveled far in this short time. It took me 3 long years to make it to the home of the Virtues and yet it only takes but a day to return. He now suspected that his life would irreversibly change once more.

He laid his head on Lust's shoulder and tried to sleep. He drifted in and out for the remainder of the trip neither truly asleep or awake.

Look. The summons command brought Restraint back to consciousness. He hugged Lust tighter with fear as he could not remember where he was. His memory returned shortly and he relaxed and loosened his hold on Lust. He raised his head and looked upon the fire in from of them. Restraint now felt that their journey was nearing its end.

[Ariadne]

Lust's stomach churned as she looked towards the fire the summon had indicated. She wanted to be welcomed back. She wanted to be home again. She had to remind herself that this wasn't home. Home was where she had came from. Home was destroyed. She did her best to appear strong. Only a few more moments. She realized that nothing could completely prepare her for whatever was waiting for her, but she also knew she couldn't not face it. So she clutched tighter to Larketh and waited for him to make his descent.

Whatever was to come next was coming now. There was no changing her mind now.

[Seya.]

ooc; Have to hold this for a few while people free up some characters. Shouldn't take too long.