My World [Alecto]

[Haley]

Though Haley was accustomed now to the random bouts of insomnia that she had been experiencing since her re-entry into Alanor, she was running out of ways to amuse herself during them. A naturally hyper creature, insomnia did little to hinder her energy reserves. Thus Haley often found herself engaging in strenuous activities late at night during her sleepless periods. The more engaging the activity, the more she forgot about just how much she hated Alanor and the blasted Seelie Queen. She blamed that woman for the majority of her troubles. After all, she had practically scratched Haley from her list of possible high-court recruits; dismissed the little Nimbus without much thought and with a blatant disregard for the talent and mind that Haley had to offer. This, combined with the fact that the bitch had yet to act in response to the attack by the Shades on Imbolc was cause enough to fuel Haley’s hatred even further. The Nimbus woman had become restless in frustration – she needed to do something to remain sane. All this sitting around and waiting had her on edge. She was a woman of action – appropriate, well thought out action of course.

Those who came to know Haley often found her to be a bit more impulsive than to their liking. What they often failed to understand is that Haley was forward-thinking creature. While her opponents in chess and Othello would sit there for long periods of time contemplating their moves, Haley would have already assessed each possible move, her possible responses, and three or four moves even further ahead. She was a quick, snappy thinker full of impatience only for those slower than her. Just because she was able to make snap decisions did not mean she would come to conclusions without viable information or that she was a reactionary instead of a thinker. Haley was a thinker, a strategic one at that. She just did it faster than people were normally used to, and thus she often found herself unjustly criticized for what people saw as impulsive and foolish.

The Seelie Queen on the other hand was taking her sweet time. Perhaps it was because she didn’t have the ears of the shadows - much like King Cel did - and was thus unable to procure information regarding their enemies. However, just how proactive she was being in her research was beyond Haley and the majority of the court. As a Queen the woman should have been able to foresee the attack on the Imbolc. Instead, she had shown herself to be the woman Haley thought her to be: arrogant and self-centered, blinded to the dangers of Alanor and her own follies. Annette was weak. She would never be worth her title, and to this day Haley had refrained from ever speaking of Annette as ‘her Queen.’ As far as Haley was concerned, Annette may be the Queen of the Seelie, but she was not Haley’s Queen.

Haley was lost so deep in her thoughts that she failed to realize just exactly where her feet were taking her until she walked right into a tree. Jolting backwards in surprise, one hand rising to rub her nose in an attempt to ease the pain shooting through it, Haley’s eyes adjusted to her surroundings quickly. It was dark out, save for the light cast by the moon. The Exordium was exceptionally quiet, though Haley should have expected it to be – it was well after midnight. The woman brushed some strands of hair from her face, her expression morphing into a scowl as she heard Akuji’s snort of laughter. Haley stuck her tongue out at him before she turned and started into the clearing, the wild dog taking his place by her side.

A beautiful fountain adorned the center of Exordium that night; appropriate, considering just how parched Haley was. She bent over it, peering into the water at her pale, ghost-faced reflection. Without the airbrushing of glamour she usually applied, Haley looked a fair bit younger than her years. Granted, she was a mere pup compared to the majority of fae present in Alanor, which only served as yet another reason for her to be overlooked. Haley inwardly scoffed as she dropped her petite hands down into the water, cupping them and scooping up a fair amount of the cool liquid to bring to her lips. She went to repeat the process when a sudden growl from Akuji alerted her to possible danger. The woman turned sharply, though she made no movement to reach for the switch blade that was nestled at her waist, nor the blades housed in her forearm bracers. Haley was a weapon in her own right, and if whoever approached intended to harm her they would quickly find themselves dealing with an onslaught of pain.

[Alecto]

If only Haley had known just how forewarned the Red Queen had been of the attack on Imbolc. The Fury herself had warned the haughty regent, though she was no friend to her, much as their monikers might suggest otherwise. Annette had received the Unseelie envoys with impatience and mockery, disregarding their warnings and suggesting that none of them were her problem. The Darkling Denwyr had been tempted to purge the Seelie of their pretty pestilence right then, but it had not been her purpose in coming there to make war upon her neighbors. Not then. And now, if Segwyn were to be believed, the Shining court’s days were numbered unless they shirked their customs. No doubt the Queen fell into that list.

Alecto contemplated this as she slid through the summer grass, grateful for her temporary invisibility. Moonlight glittered on her gray-green scales, like chain mail. The vibrations of a distant fountain, footsteps, and the movements of a thousand animals thrummed against her, but she was untroubled by them now. “I believe the Seelie Court to be doomed,” he said. But how can he know? The fury took no pleasure from the idea. If unity was required for the faerie to survive this Drow invasion, then unity was what they should be working toward. If her offspring were so likely to charm both the Unseelie and the Sluagh, perhaps he could win the shining throng as well -- if not as an extension of his court, then as family, bound by a common cause. No. They will never be his family. Not when the blood of the Sluagh runs through his veins.

The idea filled her with despair. In her heart, she wished she could hide her child’s identity forever: allow him to remain the son of Kobaalt, a nimbus on the verge of Power, destined for great things because his father had been great. But Segwyn would never let this be so. He had his own agenda for the seed he had planted, and though Alecto was greater in natural power, the Sluagh King was not an enemy she could afford to fight. So overcome was she by a sudden flood of rage, she hardly noticed the wild dog that bent his head to sniff her passing form. She wheeled, recoiling, and bared her night-black maw.

But the hound was not alone, and Alecto could see that she was not the only one prowling neutral lands, tonight. It was tempting to try and slide away unnoticed, but she doubted the nosy canine would let her escape so easily. Instead, she drew herself up into faerie form, several paces from the Seelie pair. The Fury was of a height with the girl before her, but that was where their similarities stopped. Alecto was a part of the night with her shadow-cast skin and black leather armor: darkness herself, except for the burning glow of her eyes. She raised her empty hands.

“I did not mean to startle you,” she murmured, taking a step back. “Will you call off your bonded?” Her voice was gentle, despite appearances -- as had been the case with Reika, weariness trumped fierceness on the hell-hound’s face, these days. Instinctively, she dropped one hand to her belly, to shield the sleeper there from any unexpected attack.

That was a long-ass post, miss Ev. I don't know how you do it!

[Haley]

At first she saw nothing. With no obvious threat lingering in her field of view, Haley dropped her eyes immediately to the ground, their green flecked depths glittering with alarm. A snake. It was a species Haley did not recognize, but her reaction was immediate. Even as Alecto removed herself from their immediate vicinity, Haley was already in the process of grabbing Akuji. Her small fingers ensnared his nape, harshly bruising his skin as she yanked him backwards, lifting the eighty pound animal off his feet in the process. Within two seconds she had situated herself in front of the beast, her fingers hovering over the trigger to the weapons clasped about her wrists. The only reason she stayed her blades was due to Alecto’s sudden transformation back into faerie form. It was unexpected, but a welcome appearance when compared to that of a snake. Her heart beat ferociously in her chest, though no outward panic flitted across her face as the realization of just how close the love of her life had come to possible harm hit her full force.

On the other hand, Akuji, alarmed by his mistress’s harsh reaction snapped at the side of her leg as he came to her left side as customary. His teeth grazed skin but Haley did not react. Still, her tensed body was already relaxing, the rush of adrenaline ebbing slowly as she straightened out and fixated her sharp gaze on the Unseelie woman before her. Haley’s observant gaze did not miss Alecto’s hand as it moved to shield her stomach, and instantly her face softened. Her hands loosened, and Haley stretched her fingers out to ease the ache that had settled in them from their previous stressed position. She ran a hand through her hair, taking time to draw in a deep breath. Her other hand dropped down to caress the top of Akuji’s head, her voice soft as she spoke, ”Hush boy. It’s alright.” The Wild Dog’s snarl ceased, his lips closing over his canines in a sign of passivity. Still, his ears remained flattened against his head as he glared at the dark-skinned woman.

”Thank you.” The words came from Haley’s mouth without her consent, fueled by pure relief. When Haley realized just how idiotic and out of place her words of gratitude might have seemed she quickly offered an explanation, ”For not biting Akuji.” Haley shifted her weight slightly, her fingers maintaining their position on Akuji’s head, almost as if seeking to ensure that he was still there, by her side. Normally her tone would have held a veiled threat to it, suggesting that had Alecto chosen to harm her bonded Haley would have ended her life without a second thought. However, she had no intentions of threatening a pregnant woman.

She rolled her shoulders back and took in a deep breath of the night air, an unconscious action done to placate the remaining bouts of stress riddling her body. Haley suddenly shot a toothy smile at Alecto, feeling relatively friendly towards the Unseelie woman. It wasn’t exactly the most honest of smiles – Haley had ulterior motives behind it. Alecto was her first Unseelie contact. While she didn’t necessarily despise the Unseelie, Haley knew nothing about them besides what she had garnered from the Seelie servants and books. Mysteries always excited Haley, hence the smile on her lips, and the little Nimbus was inclined to use this opportunity to answer a few questions she had rotating in the depths of her mind.

At the same time, this woman was a Sidhe. While Alecto did not come off as combative, Haley had no idea what powers lay at Alecto’s fingertips. ”I’m Haley, Denwyr of the Seelie.” She made sure to tack on her title this time, to let the woman know she was more than capable of defending herself should the occasion arise. For once Haley hoped it wouldn’t. She really wasn’t in the mood, ”You’re up late. Can’t sleep?” Haley was of course alluding to her own problem in her statement as she sought to formulate something resembling small talk.

[OOC: They may be long but they're full of fluffy crap. I need to learn to tone it down ><;;;]

[Alecto]

If Reika had seemed unusual for a member of the Seelie court, this new faerie was a complete anomaly. Alecto nodded to her, her face a momentary wash of confusion, and let her raised hand fall to her side. “Thank you, for not cutting off my head,” she replied with a wry smile, once she had recovered her wits. It was interdicted that faerie from the two courts should fight here in Exordium, true, but that did not mean that it was unheard of. The Fury could recall when the war of the courts had spilled out into this meadow, and the grass had run red. How odd, that every Shining fae she encountered these days was so amicable, and grateful to be left unmolested.

Like Reika, this blonde faerie had the trappings of a warrior, though hers were less obvious. As a fighter herself, Alecto did not miss the woman’s assumption of a protective stance before her bonded -- a trained stance, and one that indicated some hidden weapon. The Sidhe found it curious that so many of the Seelie warriors would be wandering around sleepless, instead of guarding their Queen. Was it possible that the political situation there was as strained as the one in the darkling caves? The idea gave her a glimmer of hope. Perhaps if the Seelie throne were usurped, there would be a chance for the rest of their court to survive.

“Alecto, Denwyr of the Unseelie,” she answered in kind. A more self-involved Sidhe would have tacked “princess” to the introduction, and might have added “mistress of havoc” as well, but the darkling Denwyr avoided speech that was unnecessary or exposing. It would be obvious that she was pure-blooded, through she was not the most beautiful of her kind. Her hand of power would not be obvious, but Alecto was certainly not interested in laying all her cards on the table. As such, Haley’s question gave her pause. She could sleep, if she were so inclined -- her pregnancy had been fraught with exhaustion. But sleeping meant dreaming, and her dreams were all intolerable. She stood silently for a moment, debating. “Avoiding sleep,” she said at last. Then, “It is a wonder how many Seelie I have encountered lately that do not fit the mold. After meeting your Queen, I had assumed the lot of you were so wrapped up in parties that you had no time for caution, much less civility.” The twin swords at her sides creaked in their scabbards as she cast her gaze up at the glittering sky, recalling the details of her visit with obvious displeasure. “Forgive my rudeness. I mean it as a compliment,” she added softly.

Looking at that sea of stars, Alecto felt inexplicably lonely. Despite the fact that Kobaalt’s visit had been planned by her attacker and co-conspirator, it had been a welcome change to interact with a kindred spirit again, and temporarily forget her position. It had made her remember a time when the Unseelie worked together more than they stabbed each other in the back. Meeting with Saalyn had returned the once-Denwyr to reality, however; there was nothing like a cold bath of disapproval and suspicion to rinse away the sensation of belonging, after all. It made her sad, how familiar it felt to be the outcast, now -- the actor. Alecto was not used to feeling sad. She shook her head, as if to scatter these thoughts to the wind.

“You are not worried that the Drow will sneak up on you in the night?” she inquired in a jesting tone, returning her fire-bright stare to the other woman. Cavalier though she sounded, she was testing for some reaction from the nimbus, trying to discover if anyone amongst the neighboring court had any sense of the danger lurking in their world. Perhaps if they had some warning, something could be done...

[Haley]

Haley had been hoping Alecto would have offered her hand of power when introducing herself, but it seemed rather that the woman was a smart one. While she had to stifle her disappointment, Haley realized that in Alecto’s position she would have done the same thing. Besides, ultimately the little Nimbus enjoyed the company of fae who tended to discard their long titles. She had been forced to rely on proper titles for four years of her military life – Haley wasn’t keen on doing it again. She listened intently to Alecto speak, though her expression was somewhat blank, portraying a faint boredom that seemed ever-present. While Alecto piqued Haley’s curiosity, the very fact that she too was a Denwyr had raised the competitive beast crawling beneath Haley’s skin. Forcing herself to look somewhat disinterested was her way of coping with the fact that this was a warrior (and thus a rival) standing before her.

”Mold?” Haley scoffed, her features contorting into one of disdain, though it was not aimed at Alecto. The Sidhe was right. The Seelie Fae were so wrapped up in their beautiful shining world that they hardly thought about the danger just outside their court boundaries. Life had continued with little concern for the rumors of the Drow and Shades and the situation was certainly not helped by their inactive Queen. Though the rumors were vicious, the Seelie were so content to simply maintain face that they dared not confront the Queen about her lax attitude in regards to the Shades attack and the threat of the Drow. It sickened Haley.

The little Nimbus loosened her stance and shifted her weight from side to side, almost impatiently. ”Forgiven.” She stated almost instantly, partially due to the fact that Haley always accepted apologies, and partially because there really was no reason for the woman to apologize. Haley watched Alecto, the fingers of her right hand lightly drumming against the black clothed flesh of her thigh. The contempt layered in Alecto’s voice had been easily picked up on and though Haley was normally one to refrain from speaking of matters that would be better kept from the enemy, the fact that she felt no allegiance to her own Queen loosened her tongue, ”Though I can see how you might arrive at such a conclusion. The Seelie Fae are no better than sheep and their Queen is but an arrogant, simple-minded herder.” She said no more, but a smart woman like Alecto would easily be able to discern the feelings behind Haley’s statement.

The follow-up question was unexpected. Haley’s drumming hand stilled as she rose an eyebrow, ”I am.” She spoke the truth – there was no reason to not admit that she harbored some fear of the night, ”Though admittedly they’re a lot less scary once you’ve met them in person.” Her meeting with the arrogant asshole Erogsal flashed through her mind, but she did not offer it as an explanation of her words. Instead she simply tilted her head, strands of blond hair falling into her eyes, ”But fear will not keep me from walking freely in the place that I live, especially when there is much to be done and no one doing it.” That alone was a jab at the mighty Seelie Queen, though a highly concealed one. Alecto had touched on a very curious subject for Haley – fear. It was fear that ultimately fueled her burning curiosity, which in turn caused the formation of a subconscious desire to meet the masterminds behind the Shades attack…for various reasons.

[Alecto]

Alecto laughed aloud at Haley's description, her reaction fueled as much by surprise as by appreciation of the analogy. She crossed her arms over her chest, peering at this strange nimbus with renewed curiosity. "Your description is kinder than the one I had in mind." She paused before explaining, "When I came to your court as an envoy, before the attack on Imbolc, the Red Queen completely disregarded our message and told us that our problems were not her problems. It is a wonder that you do not overthrow her. She may have a Goblin Blade, but there is only one of her." Speaking with such disregard for propriety seemed to energize the Sidhe -- her eyes flashed with passion, and her previously exhausted tone took on a timbre close to mania. It was a reflection of who she had been, at the dawn of her existence; a justiciar, an assassin whose personal quest it had been to rid the world of people like Annette. Instincts died hard.

But her strange good humor was dampened by further surprise when the blonde indicated she had met a Drow. Her mouth parted vaguely, astonishment gripping her before she finally had the presence of mind to respond. "You encountered a Drow?" she repeated incredulously. Then, shaking her head, "You are lucky to be alive, Denwyr. The dark fae have...strange magic." She did not add that this "strange magic" included the ability to truly end a faerie life -- she had her doubts regarding the accuracy of Segwyn's claim -- but the gravity in her voice suggested as much. She hugged herself a little tighter, and with a jerk propelled herself toward the fountain, about forty-five degrees from Haley. The Seelie's words had unsettled her and loosened her tongue, and amidst Alecto's loneliness she found herself both unshackled and terrified by her sudden lack of fear. The fury was so tired of secrets. Her whole existence was filled with secrets, and exposing them to this stranger produced a kind of high in her -- the ecstasy of relief.

"I am more disturbed by what is being done, in secret and silence, than by what is not," she said softly, staring off into the darkness. A voice inside her was screaming to share whatever she knew with this woman, in case something should happen to her; to tell at least one other faerie what dangers lay ahead. But another voice was concerned for the well-being of her child, and cautioned against speaking the truth in such shadows. Every shadow had ears, and eyes. "You seem like a survivor," she continued mindlessly, her voice sounding queerly unconcerned, "For thousands of years I considered myself a survivor, but now I am not so certain. Such strange times..."

She laughed hollowly at the irony, and caressed the amulet around her neck.

Total crap. Sometimes I astonish myself.

[Haley]

Haley had decided she quite liked this woman. Their shared contempt for the Seelie Queen was a link the served to effectively quell Haley’s ever-present distaste for the presence of other Faerie. She no longer just tolerated Alecto’s presence – she was beginning to enjoy it. The woman propped herself back against the fountain, ignoring the faint traces of liquid that penetrated her black yoga pants. She crossed her pale arms over her gray tank-top clad chest, resting them there with an ease that suggested she feared no attack from this woman, yet an aura that maintained her aloof personality. By now Akuji had dropped to his rear, though his eyes traced every move Alecto made, his ears flat against his head.

It is a wonder that you do not overthrow her. Haley didn’t immediately say anything. She had no intentions of immediately letting on just how much she desired to end the Queen’s life and take the throne for herself. To Haley, securing the throne was more than a quest for power. She felt…no, she knew she could govern the Seelie court far better than that woman did. Alecto’s words confirmed this and Haley fought to hide the scowl that threatened to rip across her face in full force. She had known of the Unseelie’s envoy, but the purpose behind it had escaped her. A warning? Dismissed? The sour taste in Haley’s mouth grew and she bent over to spit on the ground rather rudely.

The Nimbus perked up slightly at Alecto’s next words and she tilted her head. A smirk creased her lips, ”I’m well aware of this. His desire to shake my faith in the Seelie Queen and his obviously penchant for the dramatic loosened his tongue a fair bit.” She knew nothing of Alecto’s knowledge, nor would she let on the nature of what she spoke of. Haley would not turn over what she considered to be one of her only weapon against the world – just yet. The very fact that Marat also knew of the power of the basilisk as well still haunted her – she regretted allowing him to travel with her especially since his loyalties appeared to lie with the woman she considered to be her greatest enemy.

Haley raised an eyebrow at Alecto’s allusion. Did this Unseelie woman know something about these Drow that she did not? Haley itched to ask her, her tongue twitching in her mouth. Instead she inhaled deeply, ”I suppose, but I am young and my mind is consumed by thoughts of mortality. Growing up in the human world has taught me to be cautious, to consider every possible path before acting. Though,” Her expression grew thoughtful as she redirected her eyes towards Alecto’s hand and the amulet, ”I suppose it is better than the alternative.” She gave off a wry smile.

Knowing it would be rude to stare for too long, Haley removed her eyes from Alecto and glanced up towards the night sky. She remained silent for a few moments before she spoke, her voice soft, ”Alecto. I must confess I know little of the Unseelie court save for the propaganda that the Seelie masses distribute. However, I am fairly certain that despite whatever dark intentions the Unseelie may or may not harbor, they too are concerned with the safety and survival of their court above all else. In times such as these I see no reason for us to maintain such blatant segregation.” She dropped her eyes and cast them out across the Exordium, ”I am a naturally distrusting woman, Alecto, but you are the first faerie I have met that is not so wrapped up in delusions of their own immortality that they are blinded to the dangers around them.”

She paused, aware of the impending gravity of her words, ”Because of such I feel it only prudent to inform you of just exactly what we are up against.” Haley shifted her weight so that she was better facing the Sidhe woman, her sharp hazel eyes sweeping over Alecto’s dark visage. Her lips quivered, as if hesitant to give up the secret she had just moments prior concealed through omission. Then determination set it, ”The Drow I met previously revealed to me the presence of a material within Alanor that is capable of claiming faerie life. He himself wielded a dagger of that very material, or so he led me to believe.” Haley would allow this to set in before she shifted her gaze away from Alecto again and let out a short chuckle, ”I must admit, I was tempted to snatch that dagger from him just to end the life of the miserable Seelie Queen, though self preservation won out in the end.” It was obvious that Haley was still sore that she had not followed her gut instinct, as heard by the sour notes in her voice.

(ooc: gah, dialogue intensive post ><)