New Developments

"New Developments" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread written on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi scrambles into one of Liam’s havens, where he can hide away from most of the rebellion. Luckily, he’s in the one she tried first. “Liam!” she pants, skidding to a stop. “I… we need to talk. Right now.”
Liam Arnason: Liam nearly spilled his meal down the front of his shirt. “Loki’s dick, Verdandi, stop doing that,” he complained, setting his plate down. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
Verdandi Ostergaard: Everything comes spilling out of her all at once: Milae approaching her, the clearing, her vision… the healing, right at the end. She barely stops for breath the entire time, then, upon finishing her tale, Verdandi slumps to the ground, resting her forehead on her knees.
“I’m scared,” she whispers.
Liam Arnason: Liam reached for his spoon in the middle of her explanation, as though intending to continue eating, but instead he just toyed with it, scraping a little notch in the handle with his claw. “The fuck did that weird goat do to you?” he said, frowning. “What does it all mean?”
Verdandi Ostergaard: “I… I don’t think he did anything,” Verdandi says hesitantly. “I think it was all me.” She looks up at Liam through tired eyes. “I don’t know what it means, but… that felt more real than any of the dreams. I think it really happened. And… whoever that woman was, she’s dangerous.”
Such powers can only come at a cost. 
Verdandi blinks a few times at the unexpected voice. “Powers like that… they come at a cost,” she says slowly.
Liam Arnason: “I mean sure, but if you’re having real visions, she could still be literally anywhere. If it makes you feel better, we could tell Lila, but…” He shrugged. “I don’t know what this means any more than you do. There’s a lot of big names out in the field right now. Maybe she’s a faction leader. Orrrrr she could be some crazy hermit. Right?”
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi makes a face. Somehow, she thinks this woman is more than some crazy hermit. “Maybe we should talk to Nala first. She’s been traveling around, right? She might know something.” 
Liam/The Warden: He shrugged and started shoveling the rest of his food down. “I guess we can try.” He got to his feet and looked up and down the road. Nala?
Yes, Liam?
Need to chat. Where are you?
She sent him a mental image of her location and he started down the road, hands in his pockets. “She’s over here.”
Verdandi Ostergaard: Right… he can do that, she thinks, trailing after Liam quietly. It’s starting to take more effort than it should just to put one foot in front of the other, and she has to wonder whether she’ll make it through this conversation without outright collapsing from exhaustion.
Liam/The Warden: The Warden was currently standing overlooking the coast with one of Grey’s men; it was clear they had been discussing something as the man carried two or three scrolls as he passed them, heading back into the village. The demon turned and looked at the pair of them, nodding. What do you need, Liam?
“Ah, it was Verdandi, actually. She’s been seeing some shit and wanted to talk to you about it.”
Expansive.
“Shut up.”
The demon stepped forward and bent to one knee in front of Verdandi. I assume he means you have been seeing visions or something similar. What questions did you have, young one?
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi waves a hand. “Erm, can I… show you? I don’t know how to do that. But… it might be easier to talk about it if I don’t have to describe it.” She yawns. “I’m so tired, I’m not sure if I can explain it coherently again.”
Liam/The Warden: She chuckled. I see. Well then, try to show me with your thoughts, and try not to let any mental defenses interfere. And she easily reached out to Verdandi’s mind, searching for what was troubling her so.
Verdandi Ostergaard: She closes her eyes, once again thinking of what she saw with Milae. Even removed from the clearing, and his uncanny presence, revisiting the scene causes Verdandi’s heart to start racing all over again. She bites her lip, trying to hold onto the vision long enough for Nala to see it.
Liam/The Warden: The Warden blinked in confusion and reached out a hand to help her investigate, her fingers drifting back and forth. You have nothing to fear from me, Verdandi, she said in faint amusement and bewilderment. You can go ahead and show me what you saw, your mind still seems to be…unclear to me.
Liam looked at Verdandi oddly. He didn’t even know his new friend could block out a demon. “Too tired?”
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi’s eyelids flutter open. “I–but… I’m not doing anything?” she says, her voice pitching it up into a question. She hisses through her teeth as her thoughts shatter, leaving her to have to track down the vision all over again.
Liam/The Warden: “Huh. Nala, what are you running into?”
A barrier of unusual strength. The Warden projected an image to both Liam and Verdandi. It resembled a thick web of golden light and energy surrounding the abstract image of Verdandi’s mind. A stream of bright scarlet essence attempted to penetrate it, but it was handily repelled by the barrier. The demon’s confusion was apparent. Verdandi, correct me if I am wrong, but you have had no experience with mental magic, yes? she asked. I cannot see what you are trying to show me, but you can see this?
Verdandi Ostergaard: “No, I’ve never… done anything like that,” she says. Tilting her head, Verdandi inspects the projection closely. “I don’t even know how I’m doing that,” she murmurs. “I don’t want to be doing it.”
Liam/The Warden: I could try to force my way inside, but that would be most uncomfortable for both of us. Does this have to do with the things you’ve been seeing, little one?
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi shrugs helplessly. “It must, but I don’t know how.” She groans. “Oh, this is all such a mess.” 
Liam/The Warden: “Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Liam put a paw on her arm. “Tell her what you were telling me, about the goat and the magic lady and stuff.” Nala narrowed her eyes at the mention of the half-breed.
Verdandi Ostergaard: “Okay, um…” Verdandi pauses, gathering her thoughts. “This half-breed approached me, he said his name was Milae. And he knew things about me that… I’ve only told Liam. And we were alone.” She wraps her arms around herself. “He did–something, with his magic, that let me see something like my nightmares, but it was… different. It was dark, and I saw this woman, she was controlling this black fog that would wrap around soldiers and kill them.”
She takes a deep breath. “I was… wondering if you knew anything about her.”
Liam/The Warden: I encounter many unpleasant figures in my travels. She may have been one of them, but she does not stand out to me without further details. She rubbed a porcelain thumb along the edge of her mask, her mind turning the information over. It would be easier to see her myself, but no matter. Verdandi…this is an odd question, but are you sure you are alone in there? She reached out a finger and very lightly touched the center of the girl’s forehead. If you are not guarding your mind, my only other conclusion is that someone else is doing it for you.
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi starts to object, but then she stops. The strange voice in her head… “No,” she whispers. “I’m not sure at all.”
Liam/The Warden: “Well, that’s not ominous at all,” Liam remarked.
Please, Liam. As I said, Verdandi, I am…quite familiar with the ways of breaking down mental barriers but I believe the process would be incredibly painful. I will not do so unless you request it, as a last resort, if your difficulties become too great. And I may wish to speak to this…Milae. I have heard several things about him. Her tone turned a little sour and dark. None of which are things I enjoy hearing.
Verdandi Ostergaard: “I…” Verdandi glances between Liam and Nala. “I think… I think that this woman is a danger to the rebellion. We need to know if you know anything else about her.” She closes her eyes. “Just do it.”
Liam/The Warden: The demon looked very uncertain. Liam looked over at Verdandi and then back at Nala; the two of them were communicating incredibly fast. Nala straightened a little and set her forearms to brace against her knee. You should have a seat.
“It’s gonna hurt like a bitch,” Liam agreed in a low voice.
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi nods her acceptance and sinks down to the ground. “I’m ready,” she says.
Liam/The Warden: The Warden, not wanting to prolong the incoming encounter any longer, gathered all of her mental energy into a billowing cloud of energy and surrounded Verdandi with a slowly-increasing experimental pressure, testing to see how well the barrier withstood. She was expecting an incredible amount of resistance, with how easily it was able to deflect her earlier. Liam bent down next to Verdandi and took her hand.
Verdandi Ostergaard: At first, Verdandi doesn’t feel much of anything–just a slight pressure at her temples. As it builds, though, it becomes harder to bear, and her grip on Liam’s hand tightens.
She grits her teeth, even as pained tears slip down her cheeks.
Liam/The Warden: Porcelain clinked against porcelain as Nala’s fingers curled into a fist, her apprehension building. This was powerful. This was something she had never encountered before.
She changed the probe from a general pressure to a single, pointed lance, and began to pry it into the barrier, like a crowbar trying to find purchase in a rugged stone floor. 
Verdandi Ostergaard: White spots dance across Verdandi’s vision as what feels like every nerve in her body is set aflame. Everything goes completely white, and she doesn’t notice when she starts screaming.
Liam/The Warden: Liam almost shot to his feet, squeezing Verdandi’s hand tighter. “Stop, Nala, stop!” he yelled over her drawn-out scream.
The demon was already pulling back, eyes wide with shock. She felt absolutely shaken now–her confidence in herself especially was crumbling. The half-breed knelt in front of Verdandi, holding both her hands now. “Holy fuck, hey, are you okay?”
Verdandi Ostergaard: It takes several long moments before Verdandi gathers her wits enough to respond. “No,” she whispers. “No I’m not.” She shuts her eyes, trying to will the splitting pain in her head to dissipate. “I don’t understand,” she continues.
Liam/The Warden: “We’ll just…keep working on it.” It’s not your fault.
I have never seen anything like…I can’t…
Then it’s double not your fault if you haven’t seen this shit before. This is some high-level stuff if you can’t crack it. Calm down.
She steeled herself. You’re right. To both of them, she said, I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. This is incredibly powerful magic…we need to take a closer look at a different time. Everyone is under stress. I should not add more to you by pursuing this.
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi looks at the two of them. “I want to know what’s going on. Is there… anyone else we can ask?” She throws the idea out wildly, not feeling very optimistic about the answer. All the same… asking won’t hurt.
Liam/The Warden: Liam shrugged. I’m afraid not, she said gently. I know not of any creature strong enough that would assist me in trying to overcome a barrier of this power. She reached out and rested a few of her fingertips on Verdandi’s arm. At the very least, rest easy knowing your mind is well-protected. There is little in this world that could pierce this shield.
Verdandi Ostergaard: She gives Nala a weak smile. In the moment, it’s a small comfort. If she can’t share what she’s seeing with anyone, how can her strange new powers be of any use?
Slowly, Verdandi asks, “Is there, maybe, a different way to go about it?”
Liam/The Warden: “It’s like,” Liam started, “made of gold…light…stuff, right? Nala, what if that’s–”
–celestial?
“Some kind of…godly shit, yeah. That’s why it doesn’t like you, maybe?”
I suppose, but the only god around after Ragnarok, as far as I know, is H–hmm… She lapsed into thought, remembering what Akkey had said, and through her memories, remembering the figures connected to the half-breed Verdandi had said she’d met with. Something clicked.
Celestial, she repeated, her gaze distant and calculated. Verdandi, I assume you know what a valkyrie is?
Verdandi Ostergaard: “I… don’t know much about them,” she says slowly. “They were… soldiers of Odin, weren’t they? Or something like that?”
Liam/The Warden: Concisely, you are correct. They are creatures of light and battle, the choosers of mortal fate. Because of their lineage, they are…well, the opposite of demons, if there could be such a thing. I wonder if perhaps one of them is…influencing you, protecting you, somehow. Their powerful nature could easily repel my own attempts to investigate, but maybe…something else could get through to you. She held out a finger and shook it a few times in sudden realization. You know, there is a man who just–
“What the fuck, no way,” Liam said, his mood immediately souring. “We’re not going to Darien for help. Are you nuts?”
Have you even met him yet, Liam? Nala said in exasperation.
“I don’t need to. He’s a high-tier dick and we’re not gonna ask him to poke around inside her head.”
Verdandi Ostergaard: “It’s my head,” Verdandi snaps. She takes a breath to calm herself, then turns to Nala. “Who’s Darien?”
Liam/The Warden: Liam looked a little stung at her outburst. “He’s literally the guy who did all this bullshit with the dungeons in the first place. He was in charge. He’s the reason my family lives out in the middle of the Wild South, and a whole bunch of other half-breeds were torn from their families and killed and who knows what else.” He tightened his hand around hers and his mouth seemed to struggle to work for a few seconds. “He…he tried to kill m-my dad. And plus he’s real good at cutting out memories…he did that to my mom. So long as Grey’s got a hold of his leash, I don’t give a fuck what he does for us, but you shouldn’t let him in your head.”
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi looks back at Liam squeezes his hand. “I need answers,” she says. “There’s this thing in my head, and I need to know what it is. If he’s the only one who can help…” 
To Nala, she says, “Where is he?”
Liam/The Warden: “Are you not fucking hearing what I’m saying?” Liam demanded. The Warden held out a hand to make him stop, looking seriously at Verdandi.
I can assure you he’s changed, and he means you no harm. But he is also occupied with assisting the Rebellion. I would be happy to help you approach him when he is available.
“Nala,” Liam hissed.
Verdandi Ostergaard: “Liam, I don’t have a choice!” she exclaims. “This woman… she’s… she’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. She scares me almost as much as Rhenco. And I can’t share this any other way.” Verdandi sighs. “I need his help, no matter what he’s done in the past.”
Liam/The Warden: Liam rubbed a paw over his face. “Okay, but like…what have you seen? You grew up on a farm.” He winced at his own words. “Sorry, I don’t know what I’m trying to–listen. Get it figured out, whatever. Just don’t try to go after her or anything. We’ve got lots of monsters to deal with right here at home.”
Verdandi Ostergaard: “I just want to know who she is,” Verdandi assures him. “I don’t think I could go up against her.” She sighs. “I’m… really sick of not knowing what’s going on in my own head.”
Liam/The Warden: “I know. I am too. Not because like–I’m just–because you’re so worried about it, I mean.” Holy shit, I’m messing this up so bad. Why do I even care? 
“It’s gonna be okay, Verdandi.”
Verdandi Ostergaard: Verdandi looks down at their joined hands, then back up at Liam’s face. She leans in, raises herself up on her toes, and kisses his cheek. 
“Thanks, Liam,” she whispers.
Liam/The Warden: Oh…fuck.
Cheeks aflame, Liam ducked his head and nodded, at a complete loss of words. “Uh-huh.” He could feel Nala staring at him and turned his head aside, fumbling with something to say. Was that like…what does that mean? Is that like a ‘thank you’ or like a…I don’t know!! What the fuck!!!
“Uh…d’y–d’you–did you wanna…um…I think they…need us at the…on our rounds…or something…” He pointed vaguely over his shoulder back at the village. Gods, he wished his face would stop burning.
Verdandi Ostergaard: She can’t help but smile at how flustered Liam is. It is, quite frankly, adorable. “Yeah, I’m probably late for mine by now,” she admits. Turning towards Nala, Verdandi says, “Thank you, by the way.”
Liam/The Warden: I am sorry I could not assist further. She was greatly amused by Liam’s reaction and smoothly got to her feet, dipping her chin to the both of them. Enjoy your day. I will continue preparing for the raid.
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Events
Category:Act I
Category:Verdandi Østergård
Category:Liam Arnason
Category:The Warden