i have loved the stars too fondly [ ranni + anastasia ]

[deathstealer]

The mist that wreathes the ground of the Church of Elleh is barely moving in the light breeze, curling around grass and crumbled stone, just barely touching the hem of Ranni's long skirt as she sits on what was once a portion of wall, waiting patiently.

Last night, Blaidd had come to her with a tale of a Tarnished riding atop a spectral steed in Western Limgrave. It was a story hastily passed from one person to another, and so Ranni expects that the details have changed somewhat in the telling. But if the core of it is true -- that Torrent has entrusted someone with their care -- then Ranni feels this is worth a visit to see with her own eyes.

She, and those in her service, have been busy lately. Their primary mission is searching for the Fingerslayer Blade. After that, Ranni will entrust someone to go forth and procure at least a couple of Great Runes, enough to be able to face Radagon and Marika. There, she will finally be able to begin the journey down the dark path she has chosen.

A strong Tarnished may be of some use in that venture. Ranni has no real intention of roping them into her cause, but should they prove to be a worthy inheritor of the title of Elden Lord... perhaps Ranni will consider their involvement.

First, however, she has to meet them.

With her hands folded neatly in her lap, Ranni waits. The sun is just barely beginning to crest the horizon, lighting the top of the crumbled structure of the church, and animals are beginning to stir to life in the nearby trees. Ranni lifts a hand, and a tiny bird lands on her outstretched finger, shaking its wings free of overnight dew. When she hears hoofbeats, Ranni doesn't move, but her idly curious gaze watches as the Tarnished makes their way into the church.

"This way, Tarnished." Ranni's eye gleams from under the brim of her hat. "May I have a word?"

Comments

Screw it I'll make a proper icon later when I'm less lazy WE WORDS NOW-

[lowbornlord]

Typically when one dies this is usually where their story ends, at least as far as Anastasia ever thought. Your final breath usually doesn't come with a following chapter, and yet...

And yet.

She had been called, by what and to what end she was far from certain. Pulled from death's embrace back into something kind of like life, something certainly warmer and less lonely, but also far more terrifying than what had come before it with naught but a vague sense of direction, these wordless rays guiding her forwards with little more than the concept that she was to pursue the Elden Ring, seek the title of Elden Lord. She would be lying point blank if she pretended to understand any of it, or if this beautiful yet twisted world she found herself in made any further sense.

Her circumstances did her little good, while many to come before were warriors of renown, great nobles and honorable knights, gifted with valor and strength and no shortage of martial skill, she awoke without so much as clothes on her back. Naked and armed with naught but a sizable stick, with all the world seemingly standing against her, part of her wondered if this was some twisted afterlife, a punishment for some sin she must have committed but could not remember, she found herself alone in an unforgiving world with not a single edge on her side...

... and yet... she did not succumb. Melina's words made little more sense to her than anything else- but with that flicker of hope, and no small amount of help from Torrent, she'd found her footing. And so here she sat, upon Torrent's back- her armor was far from fancy, well worn and likely previously used chain-mail she'd bought from Kale, who'd since become her only source of conversation and carrying a sword she'd looted off of one of Godrick's men, she'd since managed to turn the patrolling, undying soldiers into a source of supplies and strength, a way to practice and hone her skills.

For as terrifying and lonely as this was- there was a sense of confidence within her she'd not felt before, even if her previous attempt at marching into Stormveil had been soundly turned away by a... thing, a monster she could scarcely describe. And so she ruminated upon that as she rode back into the church, sharing a simple, dried raisin with Torrent-

"Honestly, I'm not sure how you eat these, I've never tasted anything so bitter in my life! But... I suppose all the more for you, hmm?" A smile crossed her face, she'd never hoped in her life to ever own or ride a horse and yet Torrent was so much more than that, a reliable ally she'd not hesitate to draw steel for. Really, he deserved a treat after everything they kept going through. Absentmindedly, she noticed the air suddenly seemed to take on a chill that wasn't there before, hints of blue mist hovering in the air around-

'This way, Tarnished.' she heard, her attention suddenly derailed. At the very same time both her and Torrent's head turned in the same direction before she briefly smacked her heels into his sides, shifting her weight backwards and sliding off of him as he vanished into the mist he so readily came from, her off-hand hovering near the sheath of her blade just in case. A woman in blue- no, in white but with unmistakably blue skin (or was it something else...? It was difficult to tell from any distance.) beckoning towards her. As wary as she was, she felt compelled to step closer, taking a quick look around to ensure it was only her, this newcomer and Kale who appeared to be content to merely watch in silence. So... she responded.

"... yes, certainly- I beg your pardon, I don't believe we've met before...? You aren't trying to kill me, so I suppose the least I can do is spare you a moment, right?" Despite the slightly grim comment, the smile to cross her face was honest, warm.

What path this might lead her down, she could scarcely yet understand or grasp...