Nill takes one last glance at the faerie, then hops back onto her barstool. The die is already in her hand as she resumes her quiet game, feet kicking idly.
Now and then, she glances towards Storm before returning to the steady roll.
Read More...
Vesta turns to look at Zukar, reaching for his hand. Her fingers curl around his, giving them a small squeeze. She looks back to Jade, offering a nod.
“Of course. We’re rather stuck here at the tavern while the fighting outside the city continues, so we don’t have any real plans.” She moves to stand. “A change of scenery might be… refreshing.”
Read More...
Vesta lets out a soft chuckle, then shakes her head.
“I really wouldn’t recommend a drink right now.” She waves a hand dismissively. “It’s mostly water at this point.”
Her lips curve into a smile again.
“But- hopefully not for much longer.”
She turns to exit the guild, her pace unhurried but purposeful as they make their way towards the tavern.
Read More...
Vesta exhales sharply, lifting a hand to her temples.
“Stars, why can’t anything be simple…” She mutters under her breath.
With a sigh, she straightens, drawing herself back into composure, arms crossing neatly over her chest.
“I suppose the tavern would suffice,” she says. “There aren’t many people hanging around because of the famine.”
She tilts her head and gives a small, dismissive shrug.
“Zukar and I are staying there. We could speak privately enough, I think.”
Read More...
Vesta drops into a practiced curtsy, graceful and precise. When she rises, she offers him a faint smile.
“Yes,” she says, smoothing her skirts. “I was hoping to get your opinion on something. Perhaps even your assistance.”
Her gaze drifts about the room, noting the other members present.
“It is quite a delicate matter, however.” She lowers her voice. “I would prefer not to make a spectacle of it.”
She pauses briefly, then asks, “Would it be possible to use one of the warded rooms?”
Read More...
Vesta moves to sit at the edge of the bed. The mattress dips beneath her, hands smoothing absently over her skirts as she settles.
“No, I don’t, unfortunately.” She shakes her head. “I sent a missive.”
Her fingers lace together in her lap, thumbs brushing restlessly against one another. She glances down at them for a moment, then exhales softly.
“I… didn’t feel it was appropriate for me to stay.” A faint, self-conscious smile tugs at her lips. “I made quite the scene last time.”
Her gaze lifts, drifting around the room nervously.
“Remember Baroness,” she says quietly. “There are no wards here.”
Read More...
When Jade approaches the room, the low murmur of two voices chatting in the Ramtovi tongue can be heard behind the door. The moment she knocks, the conversation cuts off. There’s a brief shuffle of footsteps before the door opens.
Vesta stands there, dressed down from her usual finery. Her hair is swept up into a loose bun, with a few strands framing her face. For a second, she looks caught off guard.
“Who-?”
Recognition hits. Surprise and unease flash openly across her features, but she smooths it over almost immediately. She steps aside, her lips curving into a polite smile.
“Hello, Baroness,” she says, her voice warm but measured. “I wasn’t expecting you to stop by.”
She opens the door wider in invitation, retreating a step into the room. Behind her, Zukar sits on the bed, and Vesta gestures lightly inward.
“Would you like to come in...?”
Read More...
One afternoon, Vesta enters the Mage’s Guild alone. She approaches the front desk, offering a polite smile to whoever stands behind it.
“Good afternoon,” she says. “I’m looking for Lord Balasar Levine.”
There’s a brief pause as she folds her hands neatly in front of her.
“I understand he recently joined the guild.” She continues, tilting her head slightly. “I thought it best to check here before searching elsewhere for his whereabouts.”
Read More...
Vesta reaches for Zukar’s hand, giving it a quick squeeze. She smooths her skirts with her free hand, and gives Stella a smile.
“Of course,” she says warmly. “Let’s go.”
Together, the three of them make their way towards the Guild of Light.
Read More...
“A healer?” Vesta’s face brightens instantly, her whole demeanor shifting as excitement slips easily into place. “Oh, that’s perfect!”
She leans forward, hands coming together lightly on the table, as if an idea has already taken hold.
“I have a friend in the Guild of Light who’s from the Elven Kingdom as well,” her smile widens. “Her name is E’ni’cala. You have to meet her, she’s one of my dearest friends. I think the two of you would get along wonderfully!”
She gestures lightly, already halfway standing.
“I was planning on heading there this morning anyway. You should come with me,” she says, expectant. “If there’s anyone who would know how you could help with all of this, it’s her.”
Read More...
Vesta nods, though there’s a slight tension behind the motion.
“Yes,” she says, smoothing it over, “I’m working on the famine. We have leads, but it’s… complicated.”
Her gaze drifts over Stella, taking her in.
“Are you a mage?”
Read More...
Vesta nods once, slow and certain.
“Alright.”
Her attention drops fully to the pouch in her hands. She brushes her fingers around the stones, searching for subtle pulls. One by one, she draws out three runes and places them carefully on the table, aligning them with deliberate precision.
She studies them in silence for a moment.
“Wealth. Life. Star.”
A soft, pleased chuckle escapes her, her gaze flicking up briefly to Stella.
“How fitting,” she murmurs. “Stella draws the star. This is a very positive reading.”
Her finger taps the first stone.
“Wealth does not always mean coin.” She says smoothly. “It is abundance. Prosperity. Opportunity.” Her eyes narrow slightly in thought. “Doors opening. Paths presenting themselves.”
Her nail traces the edge of the rune.
“But abundance is meant to be shared. Remember that.”
Her hand shifts to the next.
“Life,” she continues. “Growth. Change. New beginnings.” A small tilt of her head. “Whatever brought you here, it is not an ending. It is a beginning that hasn’t fully revealed itself yet.”
She leans in slightly, voice lowering just a touch.
“These kinds of changes are rarely gentle.”
Then, finally, her finger comes to rest on the last rune.
“And the Star.”
She pauses.
“Guidance. Destiny. A pull towards something greater than yourself.” Her lips curve faintly. “The sort of path that finds you, even if you try to walk another.”
She sits back, studying her.
“It seems to me that you were meant to come here, to Volaire. This place will shape you. It will offer you the chance to grow into whatever it is you are meant to become, and prosper in it.”
She smiles and begins to gather the runes, but as she lifts them, another slips free from the pouch, striking the table before dropping to the floor with a sharp clatter.
Vesta stills.
She bends to retrieve it, turning the rune over in her fingers. Her brow knits as she studies it, and she frowns.
“Hm.” A beat. “Shadow…”
The word leaves her quieter than the others. She looks up at Stella, searching.
“Hidden truths.” She says slowly. “Secrets. Fears…”
Her thumb brushes over the carved surface of the stone.
“Sometimes they are hidden for protection… and sometimes because we are not yet ready to face them.”
Her expression softens, but only slightly.
“But facing such things is part of growth, isn’t it?” She tilts her head. “So whatever it is… it is only another step along your path.”
She turns the rune once more, then slips it back into the pouch.
Read More...
Vesta lets out a giggle as if he’s said something funny, and leans in to press a quick kiss to Zukar’s cheek.
“Don’t worry,” she murmurs. “I’m only using runes to distract her. Storm looks uncomfortable.”
She pulls back, clapping her hands together.
“Now then. Let’s see, shall we?”
Her fingers slip into the rune pouch, the faint clink of stone following as she stirs them absently. Her gaze lifts to Stella, sharp with interest.
“Is there anything in particular you'd like to know?” She asks. “Or would you prefer a general reading for your future?”
Read More...
Vesta watches the exchange between them, surprise flashing plainly across her face, but just for a moment. Then she smooths it into an easy, practiced smile as she clears her throat softly.
“Secrets about Storm?” She echoes, giving a light, dismissive wave of her hand. “I think the far more interesting topic of conversation is you.”
She leans forward, one hand reaching for Zukar’s to give it a light squeeze before resting her chin in the palm of the other. Her attention settles fully on Stella now, bright and deliberate.
“Are you from the Elven Kingdom? What brought you all the way out here? Is Volaire what you expected, or is it disappointing so far?” She asks, the questions quick, not quite leaving space for the conversation to drift back.
“Oh-”
Without breaking eye contact for long, she reaches into the bag at her hip and draws out her rune pouch, setting it neatly on the table between them.
“Have you ever had your fortune read?” Vesta’s smile widens. “If you’d like to try, I’m quite skilled.”
Her fingers tap lightly against the pouch.
“The people here have become far too predictable to read. It would be nice to have something… new.”
Read More...
Vesta looks between the two of them, one eyebrow raised. Whatever conclusion she comes to, she keeps to herself, offering only a small shrug as she slips into a seat and tugs Zukar down beside her.
Her nails tap idly against the table as her gaze shifts to Storm.
“I see your shadow isn’t clinging to you today.” Her head tilts, just slightly. “Not that I’m complaining. She kind of creeps me out, if I’m being honest.”
She leans back, settling in, then turns her attention to Stella.
“So, Stella,” she says, her voice lighter now. “Are you new to Volaire? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
Read More...