Let the fallen dead rest [Ilethia Rathos/request]

[Trésor de Lys]

    Tres hadn't ventured far from the second district in a very long time. But with the rise of the dark clouds washing over the blue skies, and her night terrors only growing worse, she felt that it was finally time. In her time alongside Helena, she had been involved in many of her affairs - not directly, but always knew of her schemes. One of these instances involved a young woman who fancied necromancy magic, born in the time of the Great Dividing War. A woman who only knew death and darkness, who now lives her life among the dead because of Helena. She knew not if the priestess would be there, but it was worth finding her, if only to speak to someone who understood the Morgg (hell) she went through.  

    Tres on this day, wore her white v-neck ankle-length dress with a tie at the front, covered by a navy blue cloak with a tie at the neck and a hood with a black silk lining. Her hair was down and worn naturally in a wavy fashion to cloak and frame her face. She wore a brown belt that had a hilt along it to hold her sword, her round pendent to cloak her wings, and a pair of worn chestnut brown combat boots that laced up her ankles. She knew that the priestess was resentful of Helena, but knew not if she was resentful of her - as a healer, and as a past follower. 

    Tres flew from the alley behind her home, over to the Gallows in the third district, an area that she hadn't previously cared to visit... until now. Tres landed far enough from the entrance, behind a tree so no one would see her land, then entered the grounds with her hood up - her white dress not visible from behind her cloak. She brought with her a bouquet of white flowers wrapped in thin paper, that she carried against her chest, with both hands wrapped around the base so not to drop it. Tres made her way over to a bench that rested under a tree within the graveyard, she sat down with poise, and waited to see the woman herself. While she waited, she rested the flowers on her lap, her hood shadowing the features of her face. 

[Deleted]

Ilethia had just finished her rounds and sending out her orders for tombstone repairs. She was heading down the path that lead towards the old mausoleum that she used as her quarters since it belonged to a family that didn't exist anymore. Her boots could he heard hitting the paving stones that were used to mark the main paths through the graveyard. She slowed slightly as she spotted a woman sitting on a bench along her path she suppressed a sigh before approach her.

"Hello, may I help you find someones resting place?" she asked as she drew close to the brunette. The white flowers were nice and seemed to be quite fresh, hmm someone who is still willing to spend good coin on the deceased. Her tone was that well practiced and oddly smooth one she used to make it seem like she cared about this part of her duties. Her purple eyes looked down at Tresor and were as dead looking as her body was after Helena cursed her.

[Trésor de Lys]

Tres sat patiently on the stone bench, her back straight as shivers run down her spine. She couldn't help but feel uneasy, her stomach turned in anticipation of meeting the cursed woman for the first time. The air felt thick, or thicker than she was used to. She really never came to the third district. In the distance, she could hear the weight of clicking boots against the stone path. Tres did not turn her head, or acknowledge the woman until she acknowledged her. After hearing her question, a matter that was probably well practiced since she was damned to this place for the rest of her life... or unlife.

Tres raised her delicate hands, felt for the edge of her hood, then gently pulled it down, revealing her naturally wavy hair that framed her slender face well. Her skin was pale against the dreary grey of the tombstones, and as she turned to face the cursed woman, one would see the glow she had about her. "Actually madam... I was looking for you." Tres stood up to meet eyes with the woman - who was much taller than she - to create a sense of equality between the two. She held the flowers in her left hand, ad extended her right to shake hands with her.

"I'm not sure that you'd know me... however, it is important that I speak to you." As she shook the woman's hand, she would take a deep breath in, and exhale heavily. "I am Trésor de Lys, I was a follower of Helena for many centuries. However, I am now fallen... which means I no longer follow her." she said clearly "and within good reason too..." she mumbled after her observation. She would let her hand go after the appropriate amount of time, then would take a step back to give the woman some space.

"You see, I came to speak to you about recent affairs... and to talk to someone who may understand the damnation that comes with following her... unwillingly." Tres bowed her head before the woman, waiting for whatever may come to her...

[Deleted]

When the woman said she was here to see her she slightly narrowed her eyes, no one came to just see her. Hell most of the time they put off talking to her until the last minute even if it was to set up funeral rites and get a plot in the graveyard. She took the woman's hand and shook it though there seemed to be nothing welcoming about her grip or the amount of time she allowed her to have hold of her hand.

Once the part about having served Helena in the past came out she actually narrowed her eyes and her stance became even less friendly. What the fuck does one of that bitch's fallen angels want with me... was all that crossed her mind in that moment. The woman, Tresor she had said, actually bowed to her full on bowed and stayed that way as if apologizing for something. Rage, pity, and exhaustion all washed over her in a single moment before that cold indifference settled back in place.

She didn't answer Tres right off the bat but in stead she moved past the woman, "Follow me, this conversation will need to be had in a less public place." Her tone showed more of her emotional state than her face or movements did and now she moved at a slightly faster pace. Leading Tresor to where she spent her time when not having to go through her duties. It was an old mausoleum who's family had died off entirely during the Dividing War so now it would just be left to collect dust if she hadn't found it somewhat comfortable to hide out in. Opening the thick cast iron door that lead to the above ground portion of the building was easy enough since she kept the hinges well oiled and the door's latch in good repair. She stepped aside and let the fallen angel enter before closing the door again just to brush past her and head down into the below ground portion of the building.

There were about twenty steps with a landing in the middle to turn the stairs to go back under the entrance to the building. The light gems set in lanterns would light up as they passed them just to go out again once they were far enough a way, they activated in proximity to manna. Once they reached the lower level there was a dark purple carpet that lead back to another heavy cast iron door though this time Ilethia didn't open it but raised both hands with her palms up. The tattoos on her hands and about halfway down her forearms light up in a pale purple glow as she summoned two skeletons on the other side of the door and directed them silently to turn the handle on the inside and unlock it. A semi loud thunk was heard as the handle reached the open position and the door swung outwards towards them. Both skeletons moved aside to let them pass and then went to sit in their chairs on the inside of the door.

The room that was revealed held a long padded couch with again purple fabric for the upholstery, along with a set of matching high backed chairs. In the center of these was a wooden table stained a very dark shade of brown, it almost looked as if it was black from the right angle. She walked into the room and went to the left first and opened a cabinet that wasn't visible until you entered the room to pull out a bottle of wine and two glasses, "So what did you want to talk to me about? Please don't tell me you are here to ask me why the bitch went full on bat shit crazy because I don't know nor do I really care." She had poured both of them a glass of wine and sat down in one of the high backed chairs while speaking to Tresor. Her tone was giving a distinct impression that she was at the very least highly annoyed right now.

[Trésor de Lys]

Tres was not surprised by the deceit that framed the face of the woman before her. She felt as though she had betrayed her, though having done nothing to her. Her unfortunate association to Helena was like a curse that permanently lingered over her - much like the clouds that now formed in the sky. She did not want to pity the woman, but out of her nature she felt sympathy towards her. This was a woman who knew what she knew - a rare occurrence. She could tell that the woman immediately resented her. The tone of her voice was shaky, and unsure. She was emotional, and of course Tres understood why.

The angel followed closely behind the woman who seemed to walk faster than she was accustomed to, almost double her regular pace. As they quickly walked, she looked at the names on the graves, though she did not recognize any of them, she couldn't help but notice how impeccably well kept the graveyard was kept. She was in awe of how the woman made the best out of a bad situation. Though, what else was she expected to do. Tres could relate in that moment, making the best out of a bad situation. She admired the woman in secret, not showing it on her face.

She followed the woman to a mosque entrance, also well-kept. She stood a few feet behind the woman, giving her space to open the door, and just providing her enough space to feel comfortable. To her surprise, the woman opened the door for her. Her eyes widened in surprise as she walked down a few steps. She was caught off guard after the door closed because the woman decided to cut her off. A cold move on her part, but a move that she understood nonetheless. She followed behind the woman, taking her time down the steps. She observed the light crystals flashing as they walked past. Tres once again kept her distance. She watched as the runes on her body glowed in a similar purple, and the door opened. Tres walked through the doors, examining the skeletons that sat on either side. It would have creeped her out, however with her upbringing and seeing the undead followers of Helena every day... it was the least concerning.

Upon entering her main room, she couldn't help but applaud the decorations... she really made the best out of her situation. However Tres was not there to admire the woman - though she did see the bright side of the situation. Her face was neutral, almost unreadable. She let her settle down, and watched her anger brew as she reached for wine.... of course this has to be over wine Tres thought. She took in a deep breath, "No... I don't expect you to know anything about that since I know nothing of it." then set across from her in the high backed chairs, being cautious of her movements.

"I'm here to reach out to someone who understands..." her voice sounded helpless, as if she was at her last straw. "I know not of what she has done to you, and me apologizing for it will do nothing for you, i'm sure." she took a deep breath, tears in her eyes. "But you, very much like myself,
have been cursed by the name of Helena... and have suffered since." Tears began streaming down her face as she thought back on everything Helena had done to her. Tres had come so far since falling from the pantheon, and now Helena is haunting her in her dreams, and is covering the sky with ash. A stream of tears flowed down her cheeks like rivers. She didn't expect to get this emotional, but she had held in these feelings for so long... she just released.

"You know just as well as I do, what this woman is capable of... and if you tell me right now that you are not petrified of what she has in store for this kingdom, then I would think you a fool." her breath was coarse and choppy. "She is capable of dragging you through the worst, and makes you know death in every day life...
One cannot know what it means to truly live while under her wing." She breathed in deeply, picking up the wine glass after it being filled, taking a big swig. After drinking to calm her nerves, she continued. "I cannot imagine the trauma she has put you through, but you must understand that I know the pain that comes from her wrath..." her breath sputtered like an old engine "Having been her right hand... I... You cannot imagine the torture I have endured..." she stopped, feeling incapable of speaking more about it. She clutched her wine glass with every inch of her life, waiting the woman's response... she knew not what to expect.

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If she had the ability to feel emotions like she did when she was mortal she might have actually felt bad for the woman sitting in her home. Looking over her a little she sighs and takes a drink of her wine while listening to what she has to say about things regarding the bitch of a goddess that she was forced to serve. "I understand you've suffered under her watch since she has a tendency to lash out at those around her when things don't go her way. As for my suffering I've been made a lich, so long as I perform my duties then I won't decay but if I slack off I will start to decay. One of the perks of this is that most of my emotions went away which has lead to me being able to act the part the grieving party is needing me to play."

She did get up though and walk over to Tres as her own emotions on this kind of subject were being dragged to the surface the more she spoke. Taking the glass from her she made Tres get up and pulled her over to the couch, taking a seat and having Tres lay on her side with her head in Ilethia's lap. Slowly petting the woman's hair to comfort her while she was sure her body felt as cold as the stone that made up this mausoleum. "Hush now little one, take your time for now. It must be bad for a fallen angel to seek out someone still in the employ of their old patron."

[Trésor de Lys]

Tres did not know that Helena had made a lich of this poor woman. Tres pitied her, the thought of her being forced to follow her making her skin crawl and sending shivers down her spine. She wished that she could do something to help the woman, but realized that her life was made to serve Helena - as much as she may hate it. She could not imagine the feeling of your body decaying on you if you did not do what you were made to do... though she could sympathize as Helena tried to make Tres replicate that feeling of decay and deterioration when she ripped her wing from her back when she fell.

Tres clung so tightly to her wine glass, and she had not realized that she had been doing so. So when the woman took her from her hands, it brought her back to the moment in time. Her eyes were full of tears, they spilled over onto her cheeks. She followed the woman onto the couch, laying down as she gestured with her head in her lap. The tears from her eyes would spill into her lap. Tres felt an overwhelming amount of emotions in that moment. She never spoke of what she endured with anyone... she supposed that that was what her intentions were when she decided to approach Ilethia. Rediscovering her past, reminding her that she had come so far.

"Not seeking out someone under the employ of Her... seeking out someone else who understands." she sputtered through tears. "I could speak to those I have befriended of what I have endured, but they will never truly understand as they have not experienced it for themselves." Tres' tone grew serious. "Though both of us had different experiences, we both understand what she is capable of." Tres bit onto her lip and closed her eyes. She could see flashes of the dreams behind her eyes. They even haunted her in her daily life.

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With a sigh she leans her head back and looks at the ceiling, "You know what is worse than what she has put me through I can't even drink to make it go away. My body doesn't really process the wine, hell I can't even taste it which means it is just a familiarity and comfort of action process for me." She wasn't trying to make it a contest of who has it worse she was just being herself as she was now about it. In the past she might have been more empathetic with Tres about her suffering but being dead made feeling anything rather hard for her.

Oddly this all reminded her that tomorrow she would have to be up at the temple to take care of the offerings or lack there of and cleaning of Helena's shrine. She really wondered why the other gods hadn't dealt with her like they had Vennessa, she was fairly certain that the goddess was mortal right now and wandering around among the Novians somewhere. At the very least she could let the fallen angel vent her frustrations, fears, and anything else she needed to.