The illusion broken

Set the Scene

Complication: [3] Wouldn't it suck if... their reunion is interrupted

Altered Scene: [3] Normal

—

As she holds Melira tight, Lavorra admits with a lump in her throat how typical this is of her friend. Even in captivity and servitude, to have retained a last vestige of her drained magic to make herself presentable.

She recalls one adventure that saw them imprisoned in the dungeons of Korvoron: she had awoken one morning to find Melira adjusting her hair and glamours in front of a sliver of glass.

Darling, one has to keep up appearances, even in the worst of times. Especially in the worst of times.

It hadn’t even occurred to the silly cow to use the glass in an escape attempt.

She watches as the painstakingly maintained glamour recedes from Melira’s form, revealing dark-ringed, puffy eyes, a bruised lip. Her perfect skin marked with the signs of lashes and impacts, her hair in disarray and matted in places. All over, stained by tears, and other fluids.

Melira clutches on to Lavorra, who stays silent but for gentle wordless murmurs. She knows how important this is: any other time, in any other place, it is Mel’s charming confidence and maddening arrogance that holds them all together. For her to be so broken moves Lavorra to her own tears, and keeps her there for as long as her friend needs, stroking her hair, cradling her naked body.

Finally, Melira looks up, tired eyes meeting Lavorra’s. “Darling, you look like shit.”

They both laugh at that, till Melira shudders again, clearly trying and failing to collect herself. “It’s been… terrible. The things I’ve done. The things he… made me do.”

“He made you.” Lavorra asserts, “And there will be time to tell me everything - or not to, whatever you need - later. Right now, I’m sorry Mel, but I need you to be strong.”

“You’re right, I -“ she halts, eyes wide with terror as she stares at a point over Lavorra’s shoulder. “Oh no. No - he’s coming back.”

Her voice breaks with a squeak, and Lavorra turns around, watching as the portal begins to pulsate, a shadow rising from it.

“Hide. Lavorra. You have to hide.”

“Not going anywhere, Mel.” Slowly, she rises from the bed, putting herself between Melira and the portal.

“You can’t beat him. He’s too strong, he’ll break you.” The Dark Elf sobs behind her, voice trembling.

“Then whatever power you have left, start gathering it. I’ll keep him busy - however I have to - take from the portal, from whatever you’ve got hidden away, take it from this damn place. Just get ready while I keep him back.” She looks back over her shoulder at her friend, her eyes fierce and steely.

I just have to keep him busy. Till Mel can get her shit together; till Skrain and Zeya can get here. I can do that, right?