Lila Lacrimosa

Lila Lacrimosa

Violet and Violent
Character Profile
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Old Vapna, South Ilica. The ghost town is not yet submerged, and a lone figure, clad in black, makes its way from the dry outskirts towards a series of wet, dilapidated buildings.

It was a weeping night: stars not yet obscured by the dark clouds shown dimly through the soft drizzle of rain. The moons were bright regardless of the clouds, though they encroached further and further into the bright sky from the dark sea. Waves could be heard, but the horizon couldn't be seen. The inky sea mirrored the black sheet of the sky of the east. Sea salt and mold lingered in the air, and when the wind blew to the west, a spattering of warm rain hit Lila's cheek as she turned her head to pull her hood further down her brow. Her violet tresses began curling around her face, the ends plastering to her cold neck and ears.

The old town had been raided long ago, nothing left of interest-- or shine-- to catch her eye. When the wind picked up from a whisper to a scream, and the drizzle transformed into large, fat drops that hurt when pelting her, Lila found shelter within a small home with fewer holes in the roof than the others. Or so she thought before sloshing up a slurry of dank water with her heavy boots. The house was built wide yet squat; no stairs led to a room above, and there was no sign of another room attached to the main room. Only one window had been built by the door, but that was all that now adorned the walls.

The shadows from the roof leaned in closer to Lila, hiding each corner from her view. If she stared too hard into the obsidian dark, shapes, and visions would begin to dance before her eyes until she blinked. She kept seeing a small hanging man in the southeast corner, blurry and moving despite being stationary.

Against her better judgment, she strode forward, the water rising above her feet, then her ankles, and soon the man-made waves were lapping against her knees. The chill penetrated her clothes, seeping into her skin and bones. But Lila could see it now, an upside-down hanging man strung up on a high hook. She grabbed his legs, strings tangling themselves into her fingers, tugging lightly at first and then with more force. She reached her other hand up, fiddling now with the hook and the strings, grunting with exertion to let the puppet become free.

She didn't hear the footsteps outside the home nor bother to give attention to the shifting of shadows as a group of red-cloaked figures moved down towards the sunken ruins in a single file line.
 
"Well isn't this evening just perfect." Mathis mumbled to himself as he jogged through the rain with his cloak pulled up around him. His usual greatsword was left back at camp for a rather peculiar setup he enjoyed for nights like these. When he first got the call, Mathis didn't believe the news. Who plans to kill an aspiring student in the Empire? How the hell did this person even know about it? Lastly, why the hell did it end up on his deck? Was this Sixth's idea?

Half of him said not to worry about it, the other was curious to know the answer. Rain pelted his cloak like falling pebbles on stone. Salt mixed with fresh water assaulted his senses as he approached the podunk village. Taking a few breaths he concentrated on the shroud around his body lightening his weight and muffling his heavy steps. Red cloaks moved into a lone house part submerged in the water.

Metal met rain as he began to spin the weighted end before he let loose one end. He did not wait letting the length fly it struck home into the lower spine of the first in the door frame. Yanking it back the man cried out over the sound of the storm in the closed room. As bodies turned the chain was already on its return strike nailing another in the side of his skull. Two down by surprise the last two were ready. Short swords out they wheeled to face the deva as he passed the threshold. The closest on his left caught a dagger in his neck as he approached to stab.

The last stood a better chance, parrying Mathis the red cloaked figure retreated further from Lila and Mathis. Without hesitation, Mathis engaged his enemy their steel clashed several times before Mathis cut the man open in exchange for a cut along his left shoulder.

"Piss poor day to wet," He exhaled while cleaning his with the man's clothes. Groaning could barely be heard from the first figure Mathis had maimed. "Either way, carry on I guess. I will deal with this unfortunate soul.." Addressing Lila he observed the body she was pulling down with disinterest. 'What an odd child..' Vibrant orange eyes glowed in the shadowed darkness of the makeshift shelter. "Rather he can wait. Do you need help?" Rubbing his chin he awaited the small woman's reply.
 
When the red cloaks snuck up on her, it would have been too late if not for divine intervention. She turned once she heard the whistle of metal, watching the cloaked figure in the doorway fall to the ground. Lilac eyes widened in shock, and Lila froze as she put together what was about to happen. She had been so transfixed on the puppet that she didn't even notice a group of people creeping up on her. They had daggers and short swords, and if their intention was not to kill her, then she shuddered at the prospect of a kidnapping.

She may have been an esteemed student at the Brahman Magisterium but no one would pay a ransom for her. Her parents and eldest brothers might as well have rejoiced to discover that she had disappeared on her journey to the old capital. Lila swallowed the lump in her throat, only realizing she could move again when it was too late. A cold sweat had broken out on the back of her neck. Lila took a step forward but winced, looking back at her hand still tangled in the strings.

Was this the work of some magic or curse? Indeed, she wouldn't have been so enthralled by a puppet not to notice her attackers. Then again, it had been raining, and... she cursed under her breath as she tried to untie her hand from the puppet strings. She thought she heard a dark echo of a chuckle, but when she turned her head to see the situation outside, she only saw the outline of a large horned elf man.

"Deva," Lila whispered, momentarily in awe of his size and stature. Look at his horns! But staring was rude. She turned her head to the side, lowering her gaze. "Did you set this trap?" She eyed one of the red cloaks behind him, still flat on the floor. A breeze ruffled the edges of the hood, pushing it back. Lila gasped at the realization, the clouds parting above to let the light of the moons trickle through.

"Puppet." She said, pointing behind the deva. "It's a human-sized puppet." The whorls and curls of the wood was evident, the head devoid of any features one would expect to see on a face. Its hands were segmented and pieced together by an invisible string. And yet, despite clearly being made of smooth wood that glistened from raindrops and the moon, it bled red like any person would.

@Mathis Omin
 
Confusion followed Mathis as he now observed the puppets in shambles. To him they were very real, he could have sworn they were real. Was this a setup? Who was testing him? What was the reason they sent him here? Blinking slowly he shook his head at her question. "I would ask you the same. Either you are a mastermind, or we are both dancing in someone's palm."

Stepping back a few paces, the man moved away from the flooded section of the room. He did not want to be stuck in this proximity with puppets. If she was not the source someone else was and they were not far. Truthfully she was the most likely suspect with all of this. Luring one in to cut them down on all sides.

Adjusting his grip on his tools, he placed himself on a higher section of the cabin. "What are you doing in these parts, little lady?"
 
"I am not little." Lila huffed, nostrils flaring at the horned man's arrogance to call her 'little.' At least he had the sense to call her a lady. She glared at him with indignation, brows furrowing to cast shadows over her eyes in a display that she hoped was half as intimidating as her mother's expression when she felt cross. "And I am not the mastermind, clearly," Lila rolled her eyes as if it were so abundantly apparent that she was innocent. "If I were, I wouldn't be stuck, would I?" She shook her trapped hand, the puppet's wooden legs and arms clacking together like ungraceful windchimes.

"Duh," She huffed, returning her attention to the upside-down puppet. Was it just her imagination, or did those strings feel hot now, like a pan that had just been set to flame? Lila was quiet, focusing on the sensation, and yes, it did feel warm. It almost felt like it was getting... warmer. Was her body heat transferring to the slender threads, or could it be because of something else?

Fear trickled down her spine, and she shivered. Something was amiss. Puppets the size of her brothers were about to attack her, and this puppet in the corner kept her trapped, even now. Had she triggered something or upset someone on the way here, and they thought to play a mean trick? Oh, yeah, something had happened two days ago.

"I am here on an assignment for a final project for one of my classes." Her voice didn't shake, though she placed much thought into keeping her breath even in hopes it would calm her rapidly beating heart. "I ditched my group and told them they were stupid and should be ashamed for their simple thesis about the Shroud. I came here to find something to help me with my superior thesis. Not that I'll tell you. You could be working with them.... they might be upset with me." Lila didn't look sorry whatsoever. She went to tap her foot, but only a water ripple came from it. "Are you going to help release me or not?" The strings were getting hotter, now feeling like a steaming bath.

The hanging puppet's arm smacked against its head, and slowly, the head turned like an owl's, displaying an empty open mouth.
 
"Even Masterminds can play helpless.." Waving his hand he dismissed her objection of being little. Facts were facts whether she liked it or not, honestly, she reminded him of his little sister. How was that runt doing anyway? Exhaling slowly his face became somewhat dismayed when Lila mentioned classmates. He hadn't seen any on the way here, perhaps he had missed them?

To be fair he wasn't intently looking for anyone either. Sensing the usage of the shroud Mathis whipped out Shroud Cutter attaching the blade to the other end of the chain. "How did I end up mixed in a research project? You mean you told your help to go fuck themselves 'cause you felt differently." Spinning the rune-inscribed blade he launched it at the strings accurately its keen edge cut her bonds and stilled the puppet. "Your people skills either need work Sparky, or you may be extremely effective at what you do?" He questioned it, but then again he could not say he had never been caught lacking like this. Curiosity is a powerful tool.

The puppet itself fell submerged into the murky water clapping the mouth shut upon impact. The threads fell away releasing the lasses fingers. Beckoning for the door he waited for her to go first; with blade, in hand, he wanted to see what would happen with the puppets once she had left the enclosed space. "I don't care about your project, the study of Shroud itself is admirable work. Perhaps at some point, we may cross paths again. We can trade a soldier's tale for academic knowledge." Shifting on the balls of his feet he remained at ease and ready to strike.
 
"And I am not helpless." She ground her teeth together as she spat out the lie. She might have cursed at him if she didn't need his help right now. That felt natural, especially after he called her little and then helpless. She closed her eyes when he used his weapon; it was instinct, not fear, she told herself. The strings were untangled from her hand almost too quickly for it to be natural, and the puppet fell into the water beside Lila.

She didn't waste any time getting out of that corner, once intrigued but now thoroughly spooked.

"I'd rather we didn't," Lila said regarding his suggestion of them meeting again. "You've insulted me thrice now. I'm unsure if I can hold back my mind much longer." She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, grumbling about something or other. Should she thank him? Yes, but did he deserve it? Debatable. Lila was leaning more towards no. Her dour expression only worsened when she considered the strange puppets lying on the ground. She turned to the deva. He didn't move over them. She didn't want to move over them herself.

Her dagger had a poisoned edge, but that only worked against people, not wooden puppets. She could conjure up an intermediate burning spell; the shroud was strong in these parts, but would that admit to the deva that she was scared of them? She was, but she couldn't let him know that!

"Why are you here?" She asked, gesturing with a hand as if to say 'after you.' The water behind Lila rippled once, then twice. There was a pause. Another ripple, but this one started much closer than the last had.
 
Rolling his eyes visibly as she stepped free of the water and wreckage. Moving over to the far side of the room he pointed toward the door. "It would be your loss, not mine, but that is perfectly okay. It's only an insult if there's something wrong with the statements. In this case, it does not apply.." Raising his shoulders he moved to investigate the puppet that fell into the water.

"At this point it is either pure luck or someone has a reason to play games." He ignored her gesture paying no heed to her movement as his eyes fully adjusted to the shadows he saw the ripples to his left. Glancing in her direction his fingers wiggled as he pulled a small blade from his sleeve. He was ready to strike again. "Get away from the water please brave one." He snickered at her while preparing for hopefully a third ripple. Turning his body to face her direction his weight remained on the balls of his feet.
 
Well, he had a point there. It would be her loss: it was Lila's first time face-to-face with a deva, a being she had been raised to idolize. Sometimes, she thought about having horns and pointy ears; at least then, the purple hair and eyes would have matched such an appearance. Unfortunately, Lila looked painfully human. When the Deva came close to her, Lila pivoted away, even if he had saved her, his large stature was unnaturally fearsome with the grace he carried with each step.

The third ripple caught attention in her peripheral vision, and just as she took a large sidestep away from the dark water, the puppet from before leaped from beneath the rippling surface. There was a glint of strings, transparent yet brightly illuminated, despite the clouds covering the moons above. Its puppet mouth was open, revealing something sharp lodged in its throat.

Lila was quick enough to use her dagger, hearing the clash of steel as she leveraged her blade against the wooden corners of the puppet's mouth. There was a whisper of string, and the puppet was whisked away, back into the shadows of the building. The clacking and smacking of wood could be heard as the limbs of the human-sized puppet began to twist and flail.

"My classmates couldn't concentrate enough to weave something of this magnitude." Violet eyes regarded Mathis cooly, nerves steeled with the moment of action. She felt braver already, more capable, having stopped the small puppet's attack. "It would make sense if the puppet master is close by, and if so, what are they hiding?" She grinned. "Perhaps an ancient Deva artifact, hm?"

@Mathis Omin
 
'Interesting..' The Deva thought as he observed her agility and precision, watching the skull arch up and into the darkness his eyes locked onto the strings. She also brought up a very good point, what was so valuable that you'd kill a youth over it? Thanks to his dark vision Mathis followed the wires to a space in the darkness. The back section of the wall had collapsed into the next building over. The room beyond had other puppets and several boxes within. Perhaps it was in there with the main body? Or was the main body in a different location than the room beyond?

"I am going to say, it could be. Either way, leaving isn't an option. We are too close." Mathis returned the small throwing blade to his sleeve keeping a hold on Shroud Cutter in his left hand. At the base, he unhooked the chain attaching it securely around his arm. "I don't know how good your sight is, but what can you see beyond this dark gap?" Mathis gestured with his head as he returned his gaze to the rattling limbs in the air.

Rolling Shroud Cutter in his grasp the wheels in his brain turned about what could be found in these parts. What did the contractor know about this location? Was he sent to collect and protect? Or would this be a moment for him to loot something else useful for utilizing the shroud?
 
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Lila turned her gaze from the deva to the black void of the room. She squinted, but that did nothing more than worsen her vision. Humans rarely found themselves extraordinary without magic. She whispered an old spell that was easy to learn but hard to maintain for those who found themselves without mentors to guide them. The words were recited quickly yet phonetically accurate, and her eyes glowed like liquid gold in the purest sunlight on a summer day.

"A collapsed wall," Lila informed the deva, turning back to him. "We could cross the water and cross over, though you'll have to duck down quite a bit." Her lips quirked into a cocksure smirk, and she tossed her head towards the gaping hole. "Before we get into this, I think now is the time for introductions." She stuck out her hand without the dagger towards the savior. "Lila Lacrimosa, a student at the Brahman Magisterium." She beamed with pride. Indeed, this Deva would find her an excellent weaver by hearing of such a name. "I'm adept with poisons and a wide range of magic, offensive and defensive spells. I should also add that I am in the top one percent. You'd have nothing to fear with me. And you are?"

@Mathis Omin
 
Watching Lila utilize her magic gave him a small measure of comfort. Aside from her knife work, her brain was at least in working order. As he moved to step forward this silly woman felt it was time for introductions. Staring at her oddly he questioned reality at this given moment. Was she for real? "Top student?" Mathis said questioningly as he looked back at the chair behind himself. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. Just uh don't get caught in any more strings." Snickering at her commentary, Mathis rolled his shoulders, measuring the gap.

"Mathis of House Omin. Sell Sword from the Free Cities." Stepping into the waters, he climbed over the crumbled foundation onto the creaking boards. Deeper in the shadows to his left were two more doors; to the right, the open room had boxes and several tables set on their sides. They had four rooms to check; thankfully, Lila had shown herself capable.

Gesturing for the two doors to his left, he beckoned for her to follow him. He did not wish to leave her alone to investigate.
 
"Free... Cities?" She was appalled and disheartened all at once. Lila gaped at the Deva, unable to understand how someone as powerful as Mathis could be a sellsword from the Free Cities. There was unease in her eyes, unsure now if she should have bragged of her status. What had she thought Mathis to be when she first saw him? A hero, she supposed as she followed after him through the dank water, sloshing and splashing as she pushed her thighs through the cold.

Maybe this was a trap-- she shook her head, crossing the last physical barrier and climbing up to a level above the water. If he wanted to kill her, he could have. A fact that Lila didn't quite like, but it was better to assess her enemies accurately. Although, when it came to her classmates, she could only look down upon them. They were all idiots, all were sheep. She nodded her head at Mathis, for once quiet. Any moment they could come across the puppets or even the puppet master themselves.

The first room on the left was a child's bedroom. This home must have belonged to a family that needn't need to worry much about money. The door was slightly ajar but a small chest with wooden toys could be seen alongside a bed that would barely be large enough to fit Lila. The next room to the left looked like a kitchen and the doorway was larger and wider, showing counters and cabinets.

Lila didn't wait for Mathis to choose, she chose for them, going straight into the kid room, thinking that if puppets were lying in wait for them that it would be in the old chest filled with toys.

"There could be a clue in here," Lila said, pulling out wooden animals. A dog, a horse, a cat, and then a wooden soldier with far more detail than any of the animals. He was painted, not expertly, but well enough to see that he had a mouth and eyes a different color than the hair just below his helmet. She tossed the toy soldier over her shoulder, looking towards the bed and the dark space below it. Only dust bunnies. She looked up at a shelf above her and then to the other wall, a wardrobe and a bookcase beside each other.

@Mathis Omin
 
Mathis knew she would be shocked upon this discovery. It would have to wait till later, however, right now they had a killer on their hands with a secret. She was no threat to him so long as she didn't try to stab him in the back. Observing the rooms, the Deva did not let Lila go far by herself. Stepping into the kid's room, he checked every corner while she checked the toy box. Picking up the toy soldier, he held it in his hand and smiled at the details.

It reminded him of the stories the Matriarch used to tell him when he was just a boy. Whether people thought she was crazy or not, the stories were very real to Mathis. They drove him to bring back some form of power to the Deva despite being lost to it for generations. The world itself was in heavy turmoil as is, he was not yet strong enough to be a piece on the board. Discarding the toy onto the floor, his eyes scanned the wardrobe. Closing the door behind them, he did not want anyone to get the jump on them first from behind.

Moving to the doors, he opened them slowly, Shroud Cutter in hand, he poked into the wood back to check for a secret space. Gently poking around the side walls, base and top there was nothing there besides cobwebs. Reaching the top of the wardrobe, he felt around, grabbing hold of a small book. Taking it down, he dusted off the purple cover. Yet the book itself looked fairly clean for such an abandoned place. Was it a clue?

"Pst.. Come check this out." Mathis said in a hushed tone of voice, holding the book out in her direction, his eyes scanned for anything else interesting. She was the scholar after all, perhaps she could find more information inside of this book. It could become a stepping stone to her growth in the Academy.
 
Lila craned her head towards Mathis, too engrossed in her own investigations to realize his own. She strode confidently towards him, taking the book and opening it up halfway as everyone did. She didn't even bother reading the title.

"Fables." She assessed, glancing at Mathis. "Stories with warnings-- or lessons, as my Mother would say." She looked back at the pages. "This is about the Frog and the Scorpion." Lila's face was now solemn, an expression often portrayed in statues. "There was a wide river, and a scorpion needed to get to the other side. It asked a frog to carry it across to the other side. The frog said that the scorpion would sting it if it allowed it upon it's back, but the scorpion assured it that it wouldn't do such a thing. After all, if it stung the frog while carrying it across the river, they would both drown." Lila frowned and tossed the book over her shoulder, hearing it thud on the stiff bed.

"Scorpions are just so evil that they just sting the frog, and they both drown." She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as if the story was ridiculous. "The frog asks him why it stung him, and the scorpion said it was in his nature to do so. Like, why tell that story to little kids?" Now flustered, Lila spent time plucking at imaginary wrinkles in her attire, slicking back hairs that were already slicked back. "Hadn't this person ever heard of nurture over nature?" Lila asked, looking at Mathis.

@Mathis Omin
 
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