A quiet Elisabeth was undoubtedly a dangerous creature. A wounded Elisabeth, more so, because for all the words that wanted to be said and thrust into the light, she couldn’t find the right ones. Balthazar occasionally cut to the heart of things in a manner that Elisabeth knew he didn’t intend to be sharp but was. Jacien was always bound to be a touchy subject, and she was very understanding about that.
Balthazar knew what pulling away from her would do, and he had done it purposefully. He wanted them to focus on the conversation at hand, and as such, Elisabeth pulled back up the discipline that lowered when they were alone together and acted as though a room full of people surrounded them. Despite being the man she loved, the conversation was business, and she granted him that, pushing aside the swirling, conflicting emotions. She would deal with those at a later point.
“I haven’t. I would not have asked you your view on things had I, and I appreciate what you said. I will certainly consider those points. Thank you.“ Her tone was steady and neutral – a rarity for words between the two of them. Turning, she slowly walked back into the room, leaving the balcony. Even being under Saoire’s sky failed to comfort her at that moment. His words had indicated that he had nothing more to offer her on the subject.
Was she putting a more significant amount of importance on her abilities to help? Elisabeth didn’t know. She had continuously operated under the belief that when people could help others, they did. It was a simple philosophy to her, but showing others how she felt was a challenging proposition. She had thought Balthazar would understand.
At that moment, Elisabeth knew she needed to free herself of the beautiful things that linked her life to Balthazar’s and consider a more logical standpoint. She supported his desires and wants and always would, but she equally had things she wished to do with her life.
“Balthazar, if you could do anything you wanted, what would it be? If you could fill your trials doing something you loved without negative consequence or the need to earn money or the like, what would it be?”
Softly spoken, the young woman glanced at him curiously.
Last edited by Elisabeth Black on Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:57 am, edited 2 times in total. word count: 394
Balthazar lingered outside for a few trills after Elisabeth moved inside the room. He looked out at the sky one more time and the turned to go in as well. He did not want to argue, so he would not continue down the path of conversation that seemed like it would lead to them arguing. The silence between the two of them persisted while Balthazar moved around the room towards where he'd left his boots. He nudged them with his foot for a moment and then took a seat on the bed. Just then, Elisabeth asked him what he would do if he could do anything he wanted without needing to worry about money or the like. He took a deep breath and laid back on the bed while he thought about it.
He'd pursued magic before he was worried about things like coin. He'd pursued it so passionately that at the age of twenty six arcs he felt like he was one of the more powerful mages across Idalos. Not most powerful, but four sparks with three at verge of their potential and one with room to grow certainly set him apart from most. Not that it mattered while the sparks were blocked by the rings on his wrists. However that pursuit could not continue without turning him into something he did not want to be. He had to be careful if his magic was ever returned or taken back.
Having ruled out pursuing magic, Balthazar thought of alchemy and crafting. He had some experience in both but never really considered it a passion. So... not that either. He considered going around the world as a prize fighter but even then it felt wrong. He enjoyed brawling and contests and tournaments but he could not do that alone and live contently. He thought about going back to Yaralon and officially becoming a Dastrion. He'd aspired to be one for a short time before he began his pursuit of magic but never acted on it. He took another deep breath and sighed. No one thing felt right. Not with everything that had happened. He couldn't envision a world without negative consequences. He'd been a mage and a detective for too long. He'd seen too much he could not forget.
"I don't know, Elisabeth." Balthazar's voice was low, a little lost even, "Maybe the same thing I did that got me into the trouble I'm in now. People can say what they will but I helped people everywhere I went. So if there were no consequences, I'd probably travel again and do what I did then. I know how to navigate things a little better now. Scalvoris is big enough for me, for now, but every corner of the world is worth seeing" He sat up slowly on he elbows and added, "I might also try to find a better way to serve Vri... but I'm working on that." He figured she would understand why.
"What about you? What would you do?"
word count: 516
Mutations
Once Paradigm Is Removed: He glows faintly, his skin is warm and sometimes hot to the touch, and when he gets angry sparks literally fly off him. He's a the middle of a field of static electricity so every once in a while when you touch him, you get shocked. Fire leans towards Balthazar and droplets of water seem magnetically attracted to him. He has a series of cracks on his right pectoral that glow of soft emerald. His eyes and the cracks reaching down to his cheeks glow a dark blue. The etheric cracks spiderwebbing up his arms glow orange.
Scars
Oops, Oops, Ouch: Balthazar Black has twenty scars across his back from a lashing as well as scars on his hands and arms from jagged rocks in Faldrass. There are two scars on the sides of his abdomen from being stabbed and a slash across his back which blends in with the whip scars.
She watched him walk into the room and meander over to the bed, prompting her to smile just a bit. No matter how strained a conversation might be with Balthazar, Elisabeth never forgot how she felt about him. They had supported each other almost from the beginning of their unique relationship, which had endured through many things. Their bond was stronger because of those conversations and hurdles.
Padding over to the bed, she gently climbed onto it and laid down next to him, looking up at the ceiling to consider his words. She didn’t touch Balthazar, simply existed next to him, sharing the same space and being together, listening to him answer her question.
He mentioned travel, which made her smile. The young woman wanted to travel and see other places, but their responsibilities kept them grounded in Scalvoris for the time being. A few things he said stayed with her, so when he popped up on his elbows and asked her about what she would do, Elisabeth took the opportunity to say something. “Me? I think the same. Traveling around and helping people. Seeing what’s out there to be seen. Solving mysteries.”
Rolling over, she glanced at him with a soft look. “By the way, you did help people. You help people all the time, Balthazar. I’ve never questioned that, and if others do, then they aren’t taking the time to get to know you very well, which is their loss and a shame.” Elisabeth was always supportive of him, and while it could seem vast at times, it was just something that made Elisabeth, well, Elisabeth.
There was a difference in the way the young mage spoke to people. Some would consider the way she said things insincere or false flattery, but it wasn’t. She was a straight shooter when it came to others, and she’d say it as she saw it. How Elisabeth looked at other people was different too, refusing to stop at the surface and digging deeper into each. She looked past the differing facades people raised and tried to view them as truthfully as she could.
She loved Balthazar, but that had never colored how she viewed him. Elisabeth had seen him go out of his way time and time again to assist people. It was who he was, and she wanted to help him however she could.
“Vri? I would be happy to talk over ideas with you. I have this whole honor and remembering task to do. Maybe there’s something we can do that would help serve both purposes?”
Leaning back up, she gently propped back against the headboard of the bed, letting her eyes fall to Balthazar again, voice soft. “I may not know exactly what I would do, but I do know who I’d want to have with me. I’ve been pretty certain of that for a while now.”
Balthazar couldn't help but feel Elisabeth's answer was cheating a little bit but he didn't protest. He was hoping to hear something a little more unique, maybe something he could try to help her with that wasn't something he already did or wanted to do. Yet he could be content to just travel with her. It would be more dangerous than the lives they lived now but still nice. Elisabeth turned to face him and insisted that he had helped. She insisted that if others didn't see that it was because they didn't take the time to get to know him. It meant a lot that she was trying to be supportive, but coming from her it was difficult to accept. She had never really been a critic of him. She always seemed to agree, even when he was far from agreeable and he knew it.
"They shouldn't have to get to know me, Elisabeth." He said simply. He thought it was fair. They couldn't expect the people of Viden or Melrath to learn the things Elisabeth had learned about the mage who rolled through town, burned down things, and then left. Sure, he burnt the creep. Sure, he burnt down an Empty's anchor. Yet he objectively did not paint a good picture of mages to the layman who listened to the rumors their friends heard from siblings and cosmetologists. He was content to leave it at that but he wasn't sure she would be. She always thought the best of him and he did not always do the best. He did his best, but it was rarely enough.
When Elisabeth mentioned the task she had been given and he nodded. He knew exactly what they could do but he did not know how. He knew who they needed to reach out to but he hadn't. He had been working on the cases pertaining to the living because he'd been assured he had time. However before he could say anything about it, Elisabeth mentioned that while she didn't know what she wanted to do, she knew who she wanted to be with. Balthazar grinned and rolled his eyes. One trial they'd get through a conversation without Elisabeth feeling the need to remind him how she felt about him. "You choose dangerous companions." He said with a smile before going back to what they'd been talking about.
"I have an idea what we can do, but give me some time to look into it. It's been some time and I need to make sure nothing's changed before we act on it."
word count: 450
Mutations
Once Paradigm Is Removed: He glows faintly, his skin is warm and sometimes hot to the touch, and when he gets angry sparks literally fly off him. He's a the middle of a field of static electricity so every once in a while when you touch him, you get shocked. Fire leans towards Balthazar and droplets of water seem magnetically attracted to him. He has a series of cracks on his right pectoral that glow of soft emerald. His eyes and the cracks reaching down to his cheeks glow a dark blue. The etheric cracks spiderwebbing up his arms glow orange.
Scars
Oops, Oops, Ouch: Balthazar Black has twenty scars across his back from a lashing as well as scars on his hands and arms from jagged rocks in Faldrass. There are two scars on the sides of his abdomen from being stabbed and a slash across his back which blends in with the whip scars.
Comments: I appreciate that you decided to write a thread that takes place after the feast in Telka. Elisabeth has been through a lot, and you described that well, and Balthazar’s life hasn’t been uneventful either. I’m glad that they finally have a few quiet moments together!
I liked how Elisabeth and Balthazar shared their memories and made plans. Balthazar is indeed a contrary little devil, but the fact that the two of them didn’t always agree made this thread interesting to read.
It is obvious that Elisabeth and Balthazar care about each other. Elisabeth’s thoughts about their relationship were well-written, and I like how Balthazar said that he had taken all the best parts of Viden with him!
I found it interesting that he wanted Elisabeth to refuse the job that Jacien had offered to her. I wonder whether she will really end up talking to Jacien and how she will ultimately decide – and what Balthazar wants to do for Vri. I’m curious about that, I have to admit!
No matter what ultimately happens, I wish both of them good luck!
