In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
It wasn't unusual for the raven-haired assassin to be awake at the current time of the day, not that she understood the flow of time anyway. What was odd however was that she and Jin were travelling from Jin's 'home' in the middle of the night. In honesty, she was thankful as even though their was light from the moon it didn't bother her eyes as much as sunlight did. She guessed that he had noticed how light hurt her at varying degrees and was trying to show her kindness by travelling now. She didn't know why they had left the house or even where they were going, the one thing that she had noticed was that whatever was going on had Jin on edge. She was curious as to what was causing such a thing but she remained quiet, she wouldn't dare ask a question such as that even if she was a little more open.
"Aeila..." she said suddenly holding her grimoire and red spider lily close to her chest, she looked anxious as she spoke almost as if she was afraid to speak that one word. In honesty, she was. She had just went against what Kurai had said and she had been told that his words were as good as the words of her father. She had no reason to think differently, but then he had abandoned her or at least that was what had been hinted at over the time she had known Jin. If, he really was suppose to be the one acting as her caretaker then surely he would have tracked her down by then. She had never questioned anyone's decisions or actions, she was taught not to but she knew that Jin had been right. Had he really been a caretaker then he would have never let her out of his sight.
She was now had an issue that she knew she had to go home because the punishment was going to be bad enough for 'running away', even though it wasn't her fault, she would still be the one blamed and punished. What made it worse was she knew she would also take the real traitors punishment on top of her own. "Jin, find home?" she finally asked, her voice was small and would have been easy to miss if it wasn't so silent. She had just asked him to help her find her way home, to help her go back to the one who abused and used her. She had no idea if he would agree to help her but he did tell her if she wanted to know something she could ask him, this was what she wanted to know, she still looked anxious and uncertain about asking such things though.
Other than those two things she just continued to walk down the dirt road with the taller white haired male, though it had been rare they had passed other travellers and nothing untoward had happened either way. After all, the pair just looked like an average pair of teenagers out on a nightly stroll, albeit in the middle of nowhere. She hadn't made any action or greeting to anyone though the were stopped once or twice and given information if there were reported dangers ahead. Jin of course done the talking when it came to gaining the information required, when her silence was commented on the 'they're mute' excuse was used, it was the excuse that was used when she had tasks to do in regards to 'dealing' with nobles as it didn't look to good to have one of their own with broken language. Soon enough they came across a fenced estate which caused her to stop and look at Jin confused.
Word Count: 625
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
The white haired rogue was more on edge than usual, he was always on his guard even when he was in his more laid back moods. Jin always had a sense of calm about him, when doing a mission he was calm, when taking the life of another he was calm. Even when telling his corny one liner jokes to people who didn't give a damn he was calm. But at this very moment he was not his calmest self, where they were headed too took risk. And Jin did not like rely on risks. Relying on risks led to death sometimes.
But then A had spoke that had taken his mind off things for a while, she didn't say anything before hand. She just simply stated her actual name, Aeila. Jin stopped for a moment and looked at her with a shocked face, he knew she had an actual name. But he wasn't sure she would actually know it and use it. But she did and so randomly, did this mean she was beginning to trust him now. "Aeila is your name. It's a nice to finally meet you Aeila. Jin...Jin Zhongli." Jin had stated his real name for only her to hear, it wasn't many times he introduced himself with his actual full name. But he would allow Aeila to know it, she knew better than to use it in front of people they did not know. She was already trained in such things, which made it easy for him.
They walked some more to the destination, approaching a large estate. But he was hit with another question, one he almost missed because Aeila's voice was so quiet and small. She had asked him if he was finding her home, and it was a quick reminder not that he forgot. But it did remind him that Aeila probably still thought she was going to go home, the place where she was abused and beaten and used as a killing tool. Kurai had broken her out of such a place, but left her on her own. This made Aeila's reliant on Jin now, she probably saw him as some sort of caretaker. Which was fine for now, but Jin's true intentions for her was not just that. He was going to teach her how to live on her own, and rely and wait for no one but herself. She would break the chains on her, as he did when he left his father.
He didn't want to lie to her, but he had to be careful with his words for now. He didn't know what kind of reaction she would have, if he just said no. Instead he would ask her a question instead, the objective wasn't to mislead her or have her think something else. He wasn't going to be truthful to her, as much as he could. "Does Aeila want to go back home?" he asked her honestly "Or do you want to find a new home?" he followed up with another question. Jin left the two questions in the air for her to answer, surely they wouldn't be easy questions to answer for her.
Eventually the pair arrived at the estate, and this is what Jin was so on edge about. This was the Ravencrests estate, they had been given a contract to do work for the Ravencrests. This was the risk. They had reason to worry, but also reasons not to. At this point they weren't known assassin's in the slightest, the way their magic abilities worked it was very difficult to actually pin anything on them. Also because of the way they worked and how efficient they were, getting contracts from noble families wasn't rare. It was just a risk, but it was a risk they needed to take for now. He had to pay for a suitable hideout somehow, he couldn't just continue to use the homes of people he murdered on jobs forever.
Soon enough though a older man with a tailored suit came and opened the fence for the pair with a light bow. "You two must be J and A. Please come in. As per contract you both allowed on Ravencrests property anywhere but the inner house of course. On the left side of the estate you will find a house lounging for your resting needs and other work." And that was all the butler needed to say, Jin took the first step in. Looking back at Aeila to see if she would also walk forward. "We work here, and it will help us find a new home." This would be the first new step of many for her.
The raven-haired assassin stopped the moment Jin had done, it was instinctual for her to do such things. She saw the shock on the others face under the pale moonlight when she had suddenly spoken her birth name. She knew his birth name and all he knew her as was what Kurai had called her but he had abandoned her, she came to understand that he had used her for his own ends and when the opportunity came to run he had done just that. If she was the vengeful type he would be the next person she killed, not that he would ever end up in her grimoire. He was a liar who had put her in a situation where she was going to be punished for something that she had no power to prevent, she was raised to listen to those who were her 'superiors' which she was taught was everyone.
"Go by what called... never name." she tried to explain to him, it was something he himself would likely understand on a more personal level. Going by whatever name they were called by the ones that used them as puppets and tools for their own selfish reasons, never by the names they were born with. It was the sad existence they were raised within and the life they would die in. It gave them anonymity but at the same time, it kept them separate from the world that they were a part of. It was a blessing and a curse, it all depended on the day and what they were doing. They were never going to be 'normal' they were trained killers, tools that were bought by the higher bidders to take care of problems they, themselves couldn't do for it would dirty their pristine hands or reputations.
She nodded a little when he repeated her name and almost seemed as if he was asking if it were her name, it was the easiest way for her to confirm that he was right. "Remember meet." she said calmly indicating she remembered when they first met he had introduced himself by his name to Kurai, she didn't mention Kurai's name, of course, it wasn't her place. How could she expect him to trust her with his name if she told him someone else's when they only gave a letter. He was insignificant to her now but would take great pleasure in ending his life if she was given the order to do so. She never really felt anything doing what she was trained to do, she was deadly efficient and precise. She never made her pray suffer, she didn't play with them. When she saw her target they were dead within moments but for him, she would make an exception.
They continued once more towards their destination where she had asked him if he was going to help her find her way back home, it seemed as if the other hadn't understood fully as he asked counter questions that didn't line up with the questions that she had asked. She knew it wasn't her fault when she spoke her sentences were broken, missing huge gaps in words but she had been trying her best but it seemed as if it was never good enough. She had always been called stupid and pathetic hearing it constantly it was hard to believe anything else. It was her fault he hadn't understood what she was asking, if she was smarter he would understand but she wasn't so he couldn't and that wasn't his fault for her shortcomings, she knew that.
Still, the questions he put forward made her stop once more as she thought over them, the first question was easy for her to answer "Must." she said simply, she was expected to be at home, at her father's beck and call like some mongrel animal, she knew no other life. She was nineteen years old and she had been like that for as long as she could remember. That was quite hard though given she had no sense of time and so she had no real idea just how long she had been treated the way she was. She was also taught to believe she would never survive on her own, that the only person who loved her and would take pity on someone like her was her own father. She was thankful that he did show her such compassion not knowing any different, but then Jin being freed from his chains for so long would recognise manipulations and understand them on a personal level no doubt.
The second question made her confused, she didn't understand what he meant. The confusion was written over her face as she had no idea that someone could have a new home or what a new home was. "New home?" she asked her voice mirroring the confusion on her face. She shook her head "Have home." she eventually said as she walked home as if she was trying to get rid of the confusion she was feeling. She had been taught many times that people would try and confuse her, that they would try and turn her against her father and home and that was why she was sent with a caretaker who would help her simple mind remain clear. "Not want... no" it was clear she was fighting against the suggestion he put forward but he would likely have been in a similar situation at least once even as a test.
She started to walk again and there it was, the main estate of the Ravencrest family, she didn't know much about them only what Jin had taught her. They were powerful and expected everything to be efficient and precise, they wouldn't accept sloppy work. Given their upbringings, they were as close to perfection in their field as a person would get more so because of how their magics worked, nothing could really be pinned on them. She, herself, generally made those she killed wraiths inside her grimoire so there were no bodies left behind. Jin on the other hand could make himself invisible or have things phase through him, she hadn't seen much of his magic but she could understand the basics from what she had seen. They perfectly meshed with each other which was rare in their line of work.
Aeila looked at the older man who had open the estate gate and bowed to them slightly as he gave them details, instinctually Aeila gave courtesy like she had been taught if she was interacting with nobles as a noble. She had been trained for everything that came with their line of work which also meant espionage, which had its own set of rules and requirements. After the man spoke Jin walked into the estate where she would follow closely, her eyes going to him as he spoke "No." she said simply, she had already told him she needed to go home and that she believed that he was trying to confuse her from what was real. It was upsetting to her because what she was taught compared to what she was going through was far different and she didn't know how to cope with it. She was very childlike in that aspect, it wasn't her fault, her father had stunted her after all keeping her as a mindless tool.
Word Count: 1229 Total Word Count: 1,854
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
Jin's questions for her hovered in the air for a few moments, he placement was still in the Ravencrest estate waiting for her to walk in. But based on her reaction she wasn't going to. Jin had maybe pushed a little to far with Aeila, his main focus was for her to learn and think for herself. But he was rushing to that end goal, it wasn't going to come so quickly. It was clear that the two had very similar backgrounds, but ended up developing into very different people. Be it their personality or the way they were raised, they way they were taught to kill. Nevertheless getting Aeila out of her normal mindset was something that could not be rushed. It had be built on thoroughly, luckily enough though he had a plan.
After Aeila's reluctance to walk in, Jin turned and faced the butler. "You can leave us for now, we'll be inside shortly." he said simply. The white haired rogue then placed his hands in his pockets and walked towards Aeila. Her face was full of confusion, to her getting back to her 'home' was her priority without question. He understood why, he just wished it wasn't this way. His face wasn't angry, or annoyed or even spiteful. It was just empathetic. He remembered when he struggled with the ideas of running from home, the horrors he could face if his father found out. The rogue took a breath in and let it out, taking a few steps to the light right outside the gate to sit on a bench.
He looked at Aeila again. "I know your smart. So i'm never going to lie to you. The truth is I don't know where your home is. Where you come from is very well hidden. Almost to good. Now i'm not saying I'll never find it, i'm not saying I'll stop searching. But what I want to ask you is for time. Give me time to find where you come from, and I will take you back. In the mean time though...stay with me, lets work together so we can live and so we can survive. I think we can accomplish allot if we work together, and that includes finding your home. Is that ok?" he said leaning forward toward her still sitting on the bench.
Talking so openly wasn't like him, being an trained killer didn't really come with lots of opportunities to talk so openly and honestly. It felt weird doing it usually he forcing people to do what he wants with an invisible blade to their throat. Or holding hostages, and many other things. But he understood when it came to Aeila, it needed to be done with open and honest conversation. That was best for both of them.
After that though he stood up and walked to the entrance of the gate, waiting fro Aeila to come along. Deep down hoping that she would.
Aelia looked to the man who was to escort herself and Jin to the training ground, it was then that the man left the two alone without a word. She turned her vision to Jin, she was wondering what was going on as she was afraid that she had done something to upset him. She knew that the two had many secrets even from one another and that meant someone outside of them would and should know less about their business, so understood why Jin had sent the man away. Jin had said they were similar but from what she had seen and could tell they were vastly different, he seemed to have a lot of the freedoms her carers had when she still believed that she needed permission even to breathe. She had been learning but the progress had been extremely slow, in the time they had known each other.
She now, however, slept with a pillow and a blanket over her and would eat at the table so longs she knew it was okay to beforehand even if Jin wasn't there and learned about currency. That one had taken a few weeks but she managed to go to market one day on her own when Jin had gone to do something and bought a gift for him that she was currently carrying with her. Before entering the town she had summoned the noble she later found out was called Fredrick and he had played her off as an adopted daughter who had learning difficulties due to being abandoned at a young age. It wasn't questioned, he was a noble after all and so many wouldn't call him out on things. He explained to her what the numbers were and even called out people who tried to rip her off.
She had eventually gotten a nice dagger and at a steal of a price, thanks to Fredrick's negotiation skills so brought back a lot of what had been given to her but kept the gift hidden as she wanted it to be special when it was gifted. Fredrick had told her it would mean more than if she did it right away, she kind of felt as if she would have gotten into trouble if the first thing she bought was for Jin when he had told her to buy herself something so that may have added to the reasoning she agreed to wait before giving it to him. That was in the past but she was carrying it with her now between her chest and her grimoire, she had made sure to do it in such a way that he wouldn't have suspected but she wanted to keep it close since they would likely be changing location soon.
She watched as Jin walked closer to her, she knew that he wasn't angry with her and understood that she felt that she needed to go home even though he was inviting her to start a new life with him. She could, of course, have been reading the last bit wrong but she didn't read many social cue's well so at best it was right and at worst her reading the room wrong. She listened to him take in a breath before slowly releasing it as he sat on a nearby bench, she walked closer to him and sat on the ground knowing that they were going to have a bit of a conversation. He spoke about her being smart, he had been the only one alive to actually say that to her, even Fredrick treated her as if she was stupid.
The pixie sticks as she called them thought she was smart but then they called her mommy in one form or another, so she tried her best to live up to what they expected and needed her for. They were innocent but then again she herself was naive but she tried to get better little by little and she thought she was doing well. Jin praising her as he had done gave her the courage to continue to learn and improve to prove that she was smart. She listened to everything he had to say and tried to process it to the best of her ability. She knew he couldn't know where it is because even she had no idea where it was and the only person who did had ditched her after getting out of the town. She honestly wanted to kill him for that but she didn't kill without orders.
Jin was saying her home was hidden far to well but that he wouldn't stop looking to help her find her way home, he was just asking for time to gather the information. It wasn't as if she could say no and be on her merry way, she knew he was her best chance to go home and not have a harsh punishment. He had met Kurai after all and could explain or even lie about the whole situation. He was asking for her to stay with him in the meantime, that they could live together so they could work and survive. In honesty she didn't see any issue in that, she wasn't equipped to live on her own, she was still learning and he was helping her do that "I patient." she said showing that she would give him all the time he needed to help her home.
"Stay. Work. Survive. Together." she said with a smile showing she agreed to what he had said to her with a nod. "Understand, do lots together." she said putting her hand between her grimoire and her chest bringing out what looked like a crushed velvet bag and held it out for him in one hand by the drawstrings for him to take "Surprise." she said with a grin, she thought after him saying what he had that this would be the best time to give him the dagger she had found that day she first spent yul. "Hope like." she said releasing it as he took it. Within it would be a beautifully ornate dagger that was razor-sharp and clearly designed to kill and do damage efficiently. "Man say Fredrick shadow." she told him trying to tell him the element the merchant had told Fredrick was imbued on it.
Word Count: 1052 Total Word Count: 2,906
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
A sigh of relief poured over Jin when Aeila responded stating she was going to be patient. For a moment he thought he had lost her, and pushed to far. But luckily for him he did not, and he was able to tell her his honest plan. He was going to find out where she was from, he was going to take her back. But he was aiming for the right time for that to happen, when she had a better understanding on life and most importantly herself. So the goal was the same, help the girl think for herself, live for herself and make decisions for herself. To break the chains on her so she could be truly free. At the end of it all, that's all he was chasing. Freedom.
Aeila continued stating she was willing to stay, work, survive and do it together. The white haired rogue couldn't help but smirk and he walked over and patted her head softly. "Haha. I'm glad to hear it. I thought you were getting upset with me there, for a sec." he said in a comical tone. Now that they were beginning to learn more about each other, Jin was able to show her more of his comical laid back side at least for moments. Considering where they were, and who they were working with he still needed to be on point. But Jin had a perfect balance of mixing his humor with his work, once should never look at his humor as a sign of weakness. It is in fact used as a strength and a tool.
Oddly enough though Aeila reached into a random and odd velvet bag she had hiding behind her grimoire. She held it out for him claiming surprise. Zhongli looked at her and then the bag with a very confused face, did she really get him a gift? He thought. Jin didn't receive lots of gifts growing up, usually a lashing from his father when he underperformed was a 'gift'. If Jin truly wanted a gift of his own, he had to steal it or kill for it. Very rarely did his father actually give him a true gift, but that was so far and between it didn't really matter to the rogue. Jin took the velvet bag slowly feeling the sharp metal underneath. He pulled it out and gazed upon the ebony colored blade, it was a sharp and dangerous weapon that if not in the proper hands would easily cut themselves. With a couple of flicks and finger twirls Zhongli was spinning the black dagger expertly. It was a magnificent weapon. He looked back at Aeila with rare and honest eyes, his deep blue irises were lighter than usual. "Thank you. You didn't have to get me this..."
He understood her speech, and realized the dagger was made of a shadow element. A smile was on his lips looking at the dagger then back at her. Then he started to laugh a little bit, realizing she used probably the little yul she had and bought him a weapon. Instead of buying herself something, she wasn't selfish or self centered. Had she been born under different circumstances, who knew the kind of person she would have been. Probably not a killer, not a person who struggled with words, not a person whose eyes were sensitive to light. Aeila probably would have been a wonderful and giving kind of lady. And now her makers needed to pay. Jin sheathed the ornate dagger and held it with his left hand, for a flash of a second his face was deadly serious. Before going back to normal and smiling again, patting and ruffling her hair. He just made a new decision, in that one flash of a second. Everything he said had remained, he was going to help her find her home and bring her back. But now when that happened he was going to figure out who was responsible for Aeila and he was going to kill each and every single one of them.
"C'mon lets head inside now." he said with a smile, walking through the gate. They had lost their tour guide now, but he assumed they didn't really need one. He started to walk to the left housing area of the estate, that's where the guide said they would be allowed to stay. Jin started to speak to Aeila with a lower tone, so only she could hear. "Were just going to be working and training here for a little while. Until we have a safe place for our own, where we can really gather the information we need and map out our next moves from there. We will need to make connections with certain people for better or worse, like I said I know next to nothing about where your home is and neither do you. But I guarantee someone does, we just have to meet them and get that information. But that will take time." Jin stated his tone was rather serious up until this point. "So I appreciate your patience little Aeila." he said in more high pitched and light tone of voice with a smile.
Aelia remained sat on the ground looking at him, she had no idea what was going through the other's mind as this was all playing out. She was innocent and naive not realizing that she was on the razor's edge in a delicate battle between the man before her and the same man that had chained her and turned her into a mindless tool for his own selfish reasons, the man that she called her father. He was moving slowly carefully undoing years of programming all the while knowing if he pushed too hard or went too fast that it would do nothing more than strengthening the chains that were still in place and start the ones he had began to remove to grow back while growing mistrust against him as she went to try to find her way home on her own. She wasn't jaded or sceptical as was shown taking things at face value.
She had been taught not to question things and just accept what was being said as truth and so she always had, that was one hell of an uphill struggle that Jin was facing with her but it was getting easier day by day. Before they had left Jin had done the normal evening exercise by asking her what she would like to eat, normally she would say what he would give her, but, today she actually had requested something. It had been the first time since they started living together that she had ever dared to do such a thing. She had asked for pancakes, she was growing quite a taste for them and enjoyed trying having new things within the batter and on top. Jin had seemed surprised that she had done it and laughed, but, he wasn't as surprised as she had been when he gave her what she had asked for.
It was strange but the pair seemed at ease with each other's company, she had listened to the sigh but she just believed it was because he was worried that she wouldn't be willing to wait. She understood that it would take time to find her home and until then she could do nothing more than be patient and useful to Jin. He had taken the role of her caretaker when he hadn't needed to. He hadn't treated her like any other she had ever had, he showed her kindness, understanding and patience when she had done things that would normally get her punished, she knew it wasn't how she believed she should be treated but she was told never to correct a person above her and because she was taught that everyone was above her she had no right to tell him any different.
When he had laughed she smiled, she was glad to see him laugh it made her feel more at ease but it had come to an end when he walked over saying he thought he had upset her while raising his hand. She went into full panic mode as she clenched her belongings closer. "No... no... no... sorry... sorry... no upset... sorry... sorry..." her knuckles were white by just how tightly she was clenching the book and flower she was holding. Her eyes were clenched just tightly as she awaited the punishment to come but it never did, her eyes opened as she felt her head getting petted. It was a rare kindness she knew from home, she looked up to him not understanding, she believed she had done wrong and that he was going to be punished for it but he was showing her kindness it really was sending her mixed signals.
When he took the bag from her and brought out the dagger she had bought he honestly seemed surprised that she would have done such a thing for him. She had been learning about giving gifts to show appreciation to another, and that's why she had bought the dagger in the first place. The thing was other than pancakes which she didn't know how to make she knew only that he was raised as a tool like her and so a good weapon would be a perfect present. She of course had been very picky about what she wanted to give, it had to be perfect. She knew if he was anything like her then he would be very particular on the weapons he wielded. She managed to find one that she thought he would like and by how he flicked it around his hand it was clear that she had chosen well.
He had told her that she didn't have to such a thing but she merely smiled and took a long moment and a deep breath before she went to answer "Want to thank you for caring me." she said calmly, it wasn't perfect but it was as close to a whole sentence that she had managed in the time that they had been with each other. It was clear she had been practising at least that sentence showing that she was as smart as he kept telling her she was. She silently watched as he looked back to the dagger and then to her, she hadn't realized that he had put two and two together knowing that she had used the funds he gave her to buy the weapon that he was currently holding.
She remained silent as he laughed, she noticed the flash of seriousness that had crossed him for a mere second, has she blinked she would have missed it, then again if she hadn't been trained the way she was she would have likely missed it regardless. People like herself and Jin were trained to notice every small detail, being hurt often if they failed to detect even the most minute of differences. "Unhappy?" she asked showing she had noticed the change even though it was brief. He had returned back to normal so quickly to what she was used to seeing but she knew something was wrong, even as she petted and ruffled her hair. It worried her but she had no idea what to expect, but it had put her on alert because she didn't know what was going to happen. Right now, she had no idea if she could trust him due to that one second flash of seriousness.
When he said that they should get inside she stood up silently and fixed herself, she knew that going into such a place nothing but looking her best would do. She followed him looking around the area carefully, her eyes took in every small detail. Her eyes were in their element so to speak as she saw everything perfectly within the darkness, she took note to subtly point to areas that could be used for ambush points and quick escapes if the worst should happen. They were cautious, they had to be with their line of work and given the size of this place she knew that their current employer wouldn't take sloppy well. She heard his words and nodded but remained silent, she didn't like being in this place as there were far too many unknown factors and too much open space for her liking.
"Not little." she said simply, her tone legitimately annoyed to be called such a thing, she had been killing since before she could remember. People who were little should never have to have to bloody their hands and so she never viewed herself as such, she was never treated as such and so would never allow him to do it. She knew he was saying it out of kindness but she just couldn't allow it, something little was innocent and pure. She had been told she had never been pure nor innocent even before she had taken her first breath she had killed. It hadn't been natural like out of childbirth, at first believed it had been a curse cast upon Aelia but when she gained her grimoire they realized it was her magic that had claimed her mother and that was why she been treated as poorly as she had throughout her life. She had made peace that she was a murderer when she was still very young, it was hard not to when you were constantly reminded about it.
Word Count: 1,384 Total Word Count: 4,290
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
Jin was taken aback a little with Aeila's response, she immediately started to shriek in a panic when he started to approach her. He thought he proved to her so far he was no threat, but if he was being honest her not having complete trust in him was for the better. Not because he would do her harm one day, he honestly never planned to at all. But sometimes to much trust, can make one soft to soft for the world they lived in. He wanted her to think for herself, but not become to soft in the process. But perhaps this reaction she had was different, perhaps this reaction was a trigger for her when someone approached with a hand raised. Some of his siblings had the same reaction when father approached them, he knew what this was like for her. Terrifying and afraid.
After she calmed down when she realized he was no threat to her at the time, she started to explain why she got him the gift. She wanted to thank him for taking care of her. But Jin didn't see it this way, he wasn't taking care of her. He was teaching her. Not in the traditional sense, she was extremely smart and very capable on her own. What she lacked was a drive and purpose for herself. "I appreciate the gift, it will come in handy I am sure. But lets not think of this as a taking care of one another." Jin said with a comical smile with a finger waving in the air. "Let's say this a team effort, a partnership perhaps! But again I am very grateful and not unhappy."
As Jin was explaining to her what they were doing their, she kept silent for most of it. But he knew she heard and understood every word, but what was interesting was that she decided to respond when he jokingly called her little. He meant no offense by it, he knew she was more than capable when it came to dangerous situations. But he could tell by her tone, she wasn't a fan of it. But what he found most interesting was her shifting mindset on things, certain actions triggered entirely different responses. And it didn't make much sense to him, but that in itself made sense. Aeila was a far far far from a normal young women, it was sad to say she will never be one. That was taken from her, early on in life just like him. "Oh. Did I strike a nerve?" he asked her looking back with his deep blue eyes showing some concern. Just a minute ago she was scared for her life, but now she was willing strike back with such verbal force. It showed him that there was definitely a chance for her to break her chains, this was a good outcome indeed.
Jin kept walking to the location he wasn't upset with her at all, but he did have an interest in continuing the little conversation. "So not little? Understood. It won't happen again. Although I will say out of the two of us, you are definitely the shortest. Although I guess I can be called little Jin. It's what my annoying brother used to call me." Jin replied at his attempt of a harmless joke. It probably won't put a smile on her face, but it made him smirk. He opened the door to the housing they were supposed to stay at, and would let her enter first. "But tell me why? Your response was very sharp and very direct. I've only seen that from you once before, when we met that idiot light user. Which was more than justified, don't get me wrong." Jin started to look around the room getting a feel of the place, and most importantly to make sure they weren't being watched somehow. "But being called little bothers you, why?" he asked her again.
It was an instinct to fear someone with a hand raised coming towards her, she had been taught when such a thing happened that she was going to be punished. She never blamed them, they were better and smarter than her, she was at their mercy at all times because of how she was kept. She didn't mean to have the reaction that she had with him, the worst he had done was thrown a towel at her when Kurai had abandoned her. No matter how bad she had been he had been patient with her and corrected her but not with violence, he took the time to speak to her as a person. He didn't dumb it down, he explained it as if he was talking to an equal. She had never had anyone do that with her and so she was still trying to get used to it.
"Sorry... I not mean." she whispered as if she had done something wrong "I know not hit, but..." she trailed off, he said that they were similar so she guessed that the pair kind of had that sort of treatment in common, she just had no idea how much of a difference there was. She truly looked sad that she had acted the way she had against him, but she couldn't help it as it was a natural reaction of anyone who was a badly hurt as she was. "Try not do again." she said, she couldn't promise but she would try. She smiled as he said he appreciated the gift that she had gotten her but he said that it wasn't so much as looking after one another, she didn't know how she had been looking after him. She hadn't done anything but take his time, she didn't believe she had given anything in return.
"J. I not look after, can't." she said hoping he would understand what she was getting at, she knew her sub-par language skills made it hard but she was at least trying, normally she wouldn't even speak unless being asked a question but she was now speaking outside of that albeit cautiously in case she did get into trouble. "Team effort? Partnership?" these things confused her and that showed across her face "What mean?" she asked before covering her mouth instinctively, she was showing signs of her chains loosening but the moment it clicked in her mind she instantly reverted "Sorry... Sorry... not mean... just accept." she said her voice panicked, if anyone had seen them they may have thought it was him she was scared of but she wasn't she just didn't want to break rules because she would have to pay for it when she got home.
She was glad to hear that he wasn't unhappy with the gift, she had taken her time testing it and the balance before she had Fredrick barter for its purchase. Her language skills were no were near as good and as she couldn't read or write the merchant could have said anything and she'd have to believe them. Fredrick was mean to her but she took it, he never tried to harm her so she was thankful for that and did help her so she was thankful. She really didn't know what to do if she didn't have him, she realized perhaps she should really thank Echo next time she saw him for giving him such a gift even if he was more than a little out of his depth within the world of shadows and darkness. It was a dangerous world to live in when you knew what you were doing but deadly if you didn't.
She remained quiet when he asked if he struck a nerve, she didn't understand and wasn't in the mood to learn what it meant, he knew that he was trying to make a joke of things but it was clear that she wasn't amused. Quietly she followed him to the house they would be staying in while on the Ravencrest estate, with the door open she moved to a corner and sat on the ground in the far right corner of the room away from the window. He then asked her why being called little bothered her so much and how she had only ever acted that way once before though to him it was justified that time. He then asked why being little bothers her, she just moved her grimoire and red spider lily out of reach and curled up on the floor. It was clear he was getting nothing out of her on the subject. They each had secrets, they each had things they wouldn't tell the other and even if she was willing to tell him she was upset and just wanting to rest before training began.
Word Count: 802 Total Word Count: 5,092
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
It was clear there was now a bit of confusion between the two, which had come right after the pair just took a few steps forward. They exchanged their actual names for the first time, and even agreed to stay, work and survive together. All this happened just a few minutes ago, but now things were back to being awkward and unclear. Jin's need for humor in situations where it wasn't needed didn't help much, but this was his way sometimes. The white haired rogue was capable of being precise, detailed, organized and as analytical as the best of them when need be. This was do to his training, his upbringing. But no matter what harsh punishments his mother put him through, one thing always remained. His sense of humor. His willingness to crack pretty bad one liner jokes.
It usually ended up with someone being annoyed with him, and now this time that person was Aeila. His attempt a joke referring to the difference in height between the two ended up backfiring on him tenfold. She was upset with his choice of words, and even after he apologized and tried to get to the root of it, she ignored him. Which he was used to, whenever his other siblings had enough of his antics they usually just ignored him as well.
"Aahh the silent treatment. It's ok I'm used to it. No biggie." Jin said looking around the place getting used to what was inside. It was a large space with room for some training, and some benches inside. He decided to sit on one, then looked at Aeila. He knew he had to use his words carefully when speaking to her, which was annoying but he could get used to it. "You can sit on a bench if you would like to do so." he said to her "I don't think we have to jump into training our first day here. Unless you want to." Jin told her resting his chin on his hand.
"For now we can do a different type of training. A practice of words and their meanings. Earlier you said you don't know what the words teamwork and partnership means? Then you apologized saying you'll just accept it. Well if we are going to survive together. These words are important and you must know them, but you also shouldn't just accept anything that you're being told." Jin paused holding up one finger in front of him, activating his magic creating a small void rift in the shape of a circle that was dark blue in color. He held in front of him, simple looking at it. Something he liked to do when no one was around, he trusted Aeila so there was no need to hide his magic. He would explain it to her if she showed interest, if not he would just continue with what he was saying.
"You don't have to accept everything you're being told. Even from me. It's ok to question things, it's ok to be upset and disagree with things. I think that's going to take time. But anyways i'm pretty sure you can figure out what teamwork means. Separate the words. Team and work, teamwork. I know you know what work means. So we'll jump straight into team. Team would be you and me completing that work together. For example let's say the next job you are given tasks you with taking an object back let's say a gold necklace that some people stole and dealing with them permanently. You and me using teamwork. Would be you taking back the gold necklace and me taking care of the people that stole it. Does that make sense?" Jin had asked her hoping he didn't loose her in his explanation.
It wasn't the raven-haired young woman was irritated with the other and she understood he couldn't understand why she acted as she had. He wasn't from her home, he didn't know of her treatment and she only got one gift a year. A request that was kindly always granted by her father. She had no idea that normal children were lavished with gifts and had parties on their birthdays, she was granted one thing and usually, it would be something trivial she would ask for; something that a normal person or perhaps even the white-haired assassin would take for granted. It had gotten better since they had first met, they formally introduced themselves to each other after several months of living together and had even agreed to work, stay and survive together. She didn't believe she had the authority to do that in all honesty, it would only be until she was taken home so she didn't see any harm in it.
In the corner she just curled allowing the tears to silently fall, the world she was now in was a difficult one for her to understand, she hadn't been trained or prepared for it. It was almost like she had been pushed into the deep end of the pool without floaties and told to swim. She was trying but she felt like she was drowning, it was far too much far too quickly for her, she had always been taught and kept one way and now it was the complete opposite, it was as if her world had been knocked on its head and she was struggling to deal with her new reality albeit she believed it to be temporary. Fredrick seemed to give her a sense of normalcy but she had never said anything to Jin about it.
She was still gauging things with Jin as she never been treated the way he was treating her and so she was to scared to push to far and everything came down on her at once. "Little mean pure... innocent..." she started sitting up and holding her knees to her chest "I never been... always kill... since baby..." tears fell from her eyes as she genuinely showed sorrow and shame "First victim... momma..." she continued, her eyes looking to the floor "I ask father never call little... not deserve... not pure... not innocent... dark... tainted..." her voice was still the same even though she was silently crying, it was clear how she was raised painted as a villain from the moment she breathed her first breath. She had a secret though that she wasn't ready to share because she didn't know how he would talk it, most people wouldn't take it well she believed.
She knew that given her limitations on understanding the other may get frustrated with her, it wasn't as if she asked to be this way, she was raised broken and was doing her best to adapt. Hearing she could sit on a bench if she wanted she shook her head and remained in the corner she was in. Using her sleeves she wiped away the tears that were drying on her cheeks and looked to him for a moment, to look at her currently you wouldn't believe that she was a trained killer but a lost young woman trying to find her own path. It wasn't that far off the mark but she wasn't like normal young women even if she could mimic them, it was the price those in her profession paid. She understood everything was give and take thanks to her magic, just sometimes she wondered if it was equal trade.
She listened to him and how he wanted to do a different kind of practice with her, one where she learned words and what they meant. He went on about how the words teamwork and partnership were important to understand for their survival, she honestly didn't understand how as she had always worked on her own outside of her caretakers guiding her to and from their home. He was right she understood what work was, she had understood that since she was very little, it was one of the first things she did understand easily. She tilted her head as he explained what the word team meant, though he was being clear and a normal person would have understood it she just looked lost and confused. It just seemed like they were working independently of one another in her opinion.
Her eyes now caught sight of the void ring he had made, it was the first time she had saw his magic "Void." she said simply showing she understood the element she was looking at. She had been introduced to a host of them over the years, specialized ones she had been taught the strengths and weaknesses of but there were quite a few that she had yet to come across. Like herself, her elder brother Ryoshi was blessed with a four-leaf clover and the element of beast aura. She couldn't help but shiver at the thought of the pain he brought her. "Equilibrium." she whispered to a point even Jin wouldn't hear it, beside her appeared what would be a traditional looking wraith. The wraith took her by the wrist and she stood without a word following it to the door. "Momma..." she said trying to stop her movement but she continued walking.
Word Count: 903 Total Word Count: 5,995
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
Post by Jin Zhongli on Nov 8, 2021 17:51:02 GMT -5
Jin Zhongli
There was a chance that everything he was saying to her was all just foreign language to her, perhaps it was all to much at one time. And now he was caught up in babysitting this girl. The white haired rogue sighed to himself, he was used to this though. In the house of Zhongli he has younger siblings whom everyone is responsible of taking care of, until they are of the right age. His mind started to ponder back to what life was like back then, he took a deep breath and let it out. Right now what Aeila needed the most was patience. "My sisters are much better at this than me, especially Varia." Jin said to himself, when it came time to heal the mental wounds this life could do to you Varia was much better at it.
The chances of Jin having the words she needed to hear were slim. These words were something he struggled to form his whole life. "I know this isn't the life we asked for, but it's the one we have. So we have to make the best of it, and destroy anyone who gets in our way." was what came out of his mouth and the was the best way for him to put it. Aeila started to sit up and was holding her knees to her chest, and started to speak but her words were more broken than usual. But the individual words were horrific in a sense, to her being called little was trying to call her pure and innocent, which she was not. Jin was referencing just the difference in height between the two, since he was rather tall and she was on the shorter side. But that little comment seemed to spark some kind of emotional breakdown. Then came her confession as if things couldn't get any darker, she mentioned her first victim was her own mother. To which Jin's reaction was a blank face "All this from the word little? I guess it was only a matter of time. The breakdown always comes sooner or later." Jin said noting he had seen this before, and he had from most of siblings. If it didn't happen at a young age, it only meant it was going to happen when they got older. For Aeila she had probably never been given the chance, so it all came out now. He still vividly remembered his first breakdown.
She continued saying she asked her father to never call her little, as she was worthy of it. She was anything but pure or innocent, she was dark and tainted. It was truly sad the life she was born into, but nothing could be done to change it. There was no magic to rewrite history and change the past, what was done was done. This was Jin's outlook on life, the only thing he could focus on was the future for him and his family. The white haired Zhongli stood up and walked towards Aeila, with his hands in his pockets. The wraith user mouthed something to herself and suddenly after that a traditional looking wraith appeared. Jin was shocked for a moment seeing it happen, and saw the wraith take her wrist without a word and it headed towards the door.
Aeila said the words Momma as she was trying to stop it's movements. Jin put the two together and assumed this was her mother that she spoke of earlier the one she killed. This was quite the interesting situation to be in, her wraith magic while potentially very powerful seemed to be in a state where it was out of control. Jin walked to close the distance between them and would attempt to place his hand right where Aeila's wrist and the wraiths hand will be. "The past cannot be changed, we can only accept it and move on." he lacked the words needed for this situation, he could only speak to what felt best for him. Aeila needed to let go of this, it probably wasn't going to happen now but she needed to start taking steps forward.
STATISTICS
POW: 016 DUR: 002 SEN: 026 STA: 015 CON: 015
SPEED: 5m/s HEALTH: senior MANA SKIN: senior MANA POOL: 095 / 095 MANA REGEN: 20 IC / 25 OOC
She was trying her best to go through everything in her mind but it was just so difficult, she had been kept in the dark about much to the point calling her broken would have been charitable but she was trying her best. She often wondered if she was a burden to the white-haired male since the two had started living together, if she was then she wondered if the only reason he remained was so when they found out where she came from he could deliver her back into the hands of her father and brother while gaining a reward. Her life was harsh regardless of if she remained away from home or if she went home just for completely different reasons. She knew she took much patience her brother, father and the caretakers told her as such as they belittled her but Jin never had so that was yet another confusion.
Hearing him speak more to himself than to her she looked up at him but then he turned his attention to her and spoke once more. He told her that this may have not been the life they wanted but it was the one they had been given to live, that they had to make the best of it and remove the obstacles in their way. This made sense to her, she just looked down nodding showing she agreed and understood his words. When she had spoken her words were more broken than normal, this was because she was emotional and didn't spend too much time trying to form the sentences as best as she could do. She had never been given the chance to speak her mind, in fact, she was never really given a chance to speak on her own it was always when spoken to or permission was given but even then it was like she was navigating a minefield.
She looked towards the elder male, she had no idea what was going through his mind about the situation but he had come towards her with his hands in his pockets as she was brought to her feet by the wraith she had summoned. She knew it would look as if she wasn't in control of her magic and that actually wasn't the case, she could control her magic perfectly but she lacked the resolve or will to bring the traditional wraith to heel. She continued trying to stop the wraith but she couldn't so started walking. It was the only wraith she had that she couldn't hear them, couldn't help them but she wasn't sure if this was because of a failing on her own part or that the wraith didn't want to speak to her.
Her eyes looked back to Jin as he spoke the wraith coming to a halt, it almost seemed as if it was contemplating the white-haired male's words. It was then the wraith let go of Aelia and a noise came from it like it was trying to speak but the words sounded more like white noise before it seemingly dismissed itself. "Was momma... no hear words... no hear thoughts..." she explained showing the issue, it wasn't for her lack of trying. "Momma protect." she continued, it was the one wraith that kept her father and brother at bay, the one that reminded them of their potential fate if Aelia ever broke free of her chains, it reminded them of how powerful she was with her control over the dead and her potential as she continued to grow.
Word Count: 590 Total Word Count: 6,585
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
Post by Jin Zhongli on Jan 6, 2022 17:20:28 GMT -5
Jin Zhongli
Aeila's magic was something he had not seen before, and he had seen plenty of weird and rare magic types in his life. But nothing was like this, her wraiths definitely had a mind and personality of their own. And this wraith in particular seemed to have it's own will, but it was still under Aeila's control somehow at least it seemed that way. Jin spoke to Aeila and the wraith listened not only hearing his words, but coming to understand them. She tried to communicate back to him, but only white noise came from her mouth and then it disappeared.
Aeila spoke right after stating that the wraith was indeed her mother, and how her mother protected her. But why did she come out now? Did she suspect that Aeila was in danger here? Perhaps this place was not safe, and it wasn't the correct move coming here. "So that was your mother? And she was your first? I think you said earlier." Jin asked trying to make some sense of this. "And now she protects you, even when you deem yourself safe." Jin also noted with the way Aeila tried to resist her but she ended up not being able to in the end.
"I'll admit I've seen somethings, lots of things. But this is definitely up there near the top of the list." Jin said walking back to his side of the room. "I'm starting to think you going back home, may not be in your best interest. But you are your own woman, if thats what you want. We will see it through. Unless...you happen to change your mind in the future. But I leave that up to you. For now you should rest." Jin said to her.
"You've been through allot the past couple of days. Just rest for now. We'll take our leave at night." Jin sat on his bed once more but his eyes were looking out the window focusing on something. A black bird in a tree looking about every now and then sharp caw would release into the air. Of course there would be ravens at the Ravencrest estate. Jin's favorite animal in fact, but this symbolized something allot more to him. The raven had nothing to do with the Ravencrest or any nobility. The whispers of the Eclipse Raven's was becoming ever more apparent, and it was peeking more and more of Jin's interest. "Aeila...do you like ravens?" he asked the necromancer randomly.
[Exit]
STATISTICS
POW: 016 DUR: 002 SEN: 026 STA: 015 CON: 015
SPEED: 5m/s HEALTH: senior MANA SKIN: senior MANA POOL: 095 / 095 MANA REGEN: 20 IC / 25 OOC
She had no idea how rare her magic was or what it really meant to have such magic, all she knew was that it was the cause of everything in her life up until the current moment. She also had no idea that her wraiths keeping their personalities was unusual as this is how it always had been for her. It could be because in death she welcomed them to her, that she put a bit of her own life force in when claiming them with the isolation and loneliness she felt, she even prayed afterwards giving thanks for their passing so she and others could continue moving forward. It was likely a strange sight to see but for whatever reason it may have been, they remained who they once were even having their own wills and motivations for doing things. Fredrick proved that each and every time they interacted.
She looked at Jin as her mother vanished leaving the two of them alone once more, she hadn't heard what was said by jin and she didn't even hear the white noise the wraith gave out. She nodded to his first question asking if that was her mother, it was and unbeknown to either of them she would have marched her daughter home. The wraith knew of the cruel treatment that her child went through on a day to day basis but still wanted her home. She nodded again looking to the ground confirming that her mother was indeed the first person she killed and became a wraith to her. She was ashamed of that fact, she couldn't control it having just been born but still, she was blamed and reminded of it constantly. The caretakers she had told her that her father had never been an overly kind man but when she arrived and his wife was taken he became a lot worse.
They blamed her for the treatment they got, the blame was unjustified but she had always just accepted it believing their words because she never heard kind ones, her wraiths were a mixed bag. The pixiesticks were one of the few she could verbally understand and they had never once spoken cruelly to her, they saw her as their mother because she had given them new life when they were killed sadistically in cold blood by one of her carers when they came across them inside a petrified forest trying to survive on her way to kill someone. That birthday she asked to care for the five faeries and it was granted but since each was an individual she would have to give up five birthdays of gifts for them. She agreed without hesitation.
She didn't have any understanding of time but knew it would be a long time before she gained a gift, the pixiesticks understood the change of seasons rather than time and so far it hadn't returned to the season of her birth so not even a year had passed. She didn't mind, they were more important to her than a question because it was a symbiotic relationship, they needed each other even outside of the magic that kept them alive. Hearing the next statement like question she nodded once more, as far as she understood mothers would protect their young even from themselves. She had no idea if that was correct or not as she herself never had a mother to teach her so she was going off her own instincts when she looked after the pixiesticks and her other wraith, it was why she stood in front of them if she believed they'd be hurt.
She didn't understand what he meant by that he had seen some things, a lot of things and what he had just seen was up there. He then said that he believed that her going home may not be the best option for her, in his opinion, but that she was her own woman and if she wanted to do it still he would help her. She was thankful for his input and that he was still willing to help her if this was what she truly wanted. He was going to leave the decision up to her and currently, she honestly didn't know what to do, part of her was telling her she should go home but the stark-white haired male was showing her a new world in more ways than one and though it was difficult for her to understand and adapt she was still trying.
He suggested that she should rest for now, that the last few days had been taxing on her. She didn't feel as if her body had been taxed in any way nor her mental state, her eyes being surrounded by the constant light on the other hand had been affected. She could do with some time to rest them before they continued. She disliked the fact that bright light hurt them so badly but then moonlight wasn't much better nor the light of candles. It wasn't her fault and she had no idea why she was so sensitive to such things, Fredrick surmised it was likely due to her always being kept in the dark and that her eyes would eventually adapt. She already knew her eyes weren't adapting to the light, she knew her body and just how much it could take. She knew if any slight change happened and nothing was adapting, if anything her eyes were getting worse.
She was glad that they were going to be leaving in the evening, from what she had heard tonight there wasn't going to be a moon so it would give her eyes additional time to heal. She did as was recommended and went to the area of the floor she had been sleeping and laid down to rest, her eyes went to Jin for a moment before looking out the window to what he was looking at himself. Though the view wasn't as clear for her she did more hear the raven than see it before she turned her gaze back to Jin as he spoke. The whispers of Eclipse Raven was becoming more common if you were in the right circles and believed this was what he spoke of rather than the bird. Without acknowledgement, she closed her eyes but there was a knowing smile on her lips. She believed today was the evening they would be travelling to see what this group had in store for those like them.
[Exit]
Word Count: 1084 Total Word Count: 7,669
I can end and prolong the life of all, but I can't change the fate of those who fall. I can't turn back time once death has arrived...
