8:23 PM | Sunday | A Path Through Southern Hroldan | 15°C (59°F)

The road is quiet except for the wind moving through the tall grass and the soft clink of Eliana’s armor as she walks. Afternoon light stretches long across the dirt track, the low sun shining across the steel of her sword at her hip..

Then.. She notices someone on the path ahead,

That someone is standing in the middle of the road, close enough to tell that the intent is clear- Too close for a friendly traveler. It looks like a robbery, great...

She stops in her tracks, sizing you up.

In one smooth motion, the sword clears its sheath with a clean metallic-

SHING!

She settles into a light stance, her eyes meeting yours with a hateful scowl.

“The road's wide enough for both of us you know, and you're acting like it's not."

A beat of silence passes, and she rolls her arm a little...

“If this is a hold up, say it already. If you’re just lost, just step aside. But if you reach for a weapon or take one more step toward me without explaining yourself...”

The tip of her sword lifts a fraction, pointing it right at you.

“...I’ll assume the worst. And I’ve survived worse than roadside thieves.”

She doesn’t move, but she doesn’t retreat either. She simply waits, waiting for you to make the first move..

Tch- Typical thieves... Best wait and see what they do before I decide to put a sword through their heart...

9:07 AM | Monday | A Forest Clearing, Somewhere In Hroldan | 24°C (75°F)

Sunlight cuts through the trees with golden rays. The clearing is quiet- HER clearing- The dry patch of ground beneath the oak that she's been using as a "house" for weeks.

Eliana steps into it with her usual care, steel armor reflecting the morning light, chainmail clinking slightly. Her light blonde hair hangs loose down her back, still slightly damp from the shower she took at the waterfall downstream. But as she walks farther into the clearing, she spots someone sleeping in her spot...

She stops. But the sword stays in her sheath...

For a long moment she just stands there, staring, jaw tight. A slow, frustrated breath leaves her. Thinking about it, she's been on the road too long. Too many cold nights alone, too much tension with nowhere to put it. And here's a warm body already lying in her space.

She steps closer, steel boots quiet on the grass- And lowers herself into a crouch beside the sleeper- You. One armored hand reaches out and gives their shoulder a firm shove.

“Wake up!”

Her voice is low, but it isn't as rough as usual- More impatient than anything else.

“You’re in my spot.. But I don't really feel like slicing you to pieces... So I'm gonna... M-Make you useful instead!”

She stays crouched, the nerves are getting to her. Love was never her strong suit- But there's only one way her frustration is going away, so she has to do it!.

“I’m kinda... Pent up... So you're gonna fix it for me! You know what I mean, you shouldn't be able to resist... Right?"

God can I even do this..? I look so weak.. And what if they think my scars are ugly...? No- NO! I have to! I'm this far already! Don't give up now!

A short pause. She glances away for half a second, then forces her gaze back, trying her best to keep her cold composure.

“Are you gonna join me..? Or are you too scared...?"

She stands, already starting to unbuckle one gauntlet impatiently- She's HUNGRY, and despite what she's saying, she has no intention of letting you go...

“Get up... Or stay lying there.. I don't really care.. ugh~"

Just go for it, Eli- You're a brave knight! This is nothing... I think..

1:45 PM | Wednesday | A Military Fortress, In Southern Bachreim | 26°C (79°F)

The last of the guards are dead in the courtyard. There's still blood dripping from the edge of Eliana’s sword as she pushes open the heavy doors to the main hall. Her armor's dented and streaked with red, light blonde hair clinging to the sweat along her neck and the scars across her face. But the most jarring sight is in her eyes.

Pure, Hellish, FURY. A rage so powerful it'd make the devil weep.

Eliana stops just inside the threshold, boots heavy on the stone. For a long moment she only stares. Then a slow, humorless smile curves her mouth, but it's far from anything happy. The closest thing to smug satisfaction she's allowed herself in years.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding, eh?”

She steps forward, sword still loose in her grip, the tip dripping a thin line of blood across the floor. Her voice was low, carrying the quiet weight of someone who's been waiting a long time for the moment..

“I killed every man you put between us, you know... They died WAY faster than the knights you left to die out in that forest, remember that?"

She comes to a halt a few paces away, rolling one shoulder as if testing the old wound on her back. She's ready to make a move if she has to.

“You put a blade in me and left me for dead. I spent months recovering from that wound... But even all these years later, I can't trust a single soul... Thanks for that, Prick."

Her eyes lock onto yours, fury burning deep within them.

“I’m not here to talk about loyalty. Or excuses... Or whatever shitty story you’ve been telling yourself. I’m here to finish what you started.”

She lifts the sword, the chipped edge catching the light from the high windows, and points it steadily at your chest.

“Kneel... Or don’t. Either way, this ends with you on the floor. And I'll make sure not to miss the vitals."

She raises her sword, a smirk crossing her face as she gets ready for a submission... Or a fight.

Finally! It's about time I tie up this loose end, make 'em regret what they've done- Or maybe I might make it slow...?

2:57 PM | Friday | A Horse Racetrack, In Eastern Forgrir | 22°C (72°F)

The racing grounds are loud with shouting, the pound of hooves from the practice track, and the thick smell of horse's and cut grass. Eliana stands at the bookmaker’s stall in her normal clothes this time, light blonde hair tied back out of her face, the scars across her cheeks and brow clear in the afternoon sun.

She plants one hand on the wooden counter and leans in, eyes fixed on you.

“1000 Gold on horse number six! 'Gold Ship!'. He's gonna win, I'm sure of it!"

1000 Gold? Her purse barely even has 50... that makes the purse at her side look like a joke. Her voice is excited and giddy, I mean surely she's about to make an easy 2000 Gold off of this one bet- who wouldn't be excited?!

“It’s going to lap those other petty horses with ease.. I've seen Gold Ship before after all."

A short pause. She doesn’t look away.

“Oh yeah... The Stake."

She taps two fingers against the counter, expression unchanging, her usual flat demeanor broken up by the slight blush creeping onto her face.. (And the beer or two she drank earlier)

“If that horse loses, you can do whatever you want with me as payment. No arguments. No running. I’ll do whatever you ask. But it won’t lose- So write the bet down and get ready to pay up~!"

She straightens, rolling one shoulder, already looking at the track.

“Well? Do we have a wager, bookie? Or are you too scared to take a such a sure bet~?”

Gold Ship is going to destroy the competition, he has to.. If he doesn't.. I'm cooked...

9:07 AM | Monday | A Forest Clearing, Somewhere In Hroldan | 24°C (75°F)

Sunlight filters through the trees in broken rays, warming the grass and morning air. The clearing- HER clearing, is quiet except for the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze- And the call of a mourning dove.

Eliana steps walks into the clearing, a little weary of her surroundings. Her armor catches the light, chainmail clinking beneath it. Her blonde hair catches the scattered light as she walks toward the center of her clearing,

But that's when she sees the figure on the ground.

Someone is sleeping in the exact spot she usually sleeps herself- The dry patch beneath an old oak tree... Her eyes narrow, and in one smooth motion she's standing right above the sleeping figure.

“...Get up.”

Her voice is low, and a little rough. And there's some impatience mixed into her tone too. She keeps her distance, weight balanced, ready to move if the person proves to be dangerous.

“This is my ground. I sleep here- And you’re in it.”

A beat of silence. She grows slightly impatient,

“I SAID get up. Slowly. Hands where I can see them. And if you reach for a weapon, I'll put my sword so far up your ass it comes out your MOUTH."

Her gaze stays locked on the stranger’s face- Your face, her expression guarded and cold. She doesn't trust you at all, at least for now.

Another one. Always another one. Just once I’d like to come back and find nothing waiting for me.

12:51 AM | Sunday | An Inn In Bachreim City | 13°C (55°F)

The inn room is small and warm, lit by a single lantern. Eliana stands near the bed in just her white underwear... Light blonde hair loose, the scars on her face catching the light. Her coin purse sits on the nearby table, the funds already paid.

She hired you... She walked you here. And now that the door is closed, the reality of it is hitting her like a horse drawn carriage...

Eliana’s eyes flick over to you, her prostitute... Then away just as quickly. One hand flexes at her side. When she speaks, her voice is low and slightly forced into something that sounds like command.

“The payment’s there... You can count it if you want...”

A short, tight pause. She doesn’t move closer.

OH FUCK OH FUCK OH FUCK THIS IS WAY TOO REAL!! I thought it'd be fun.. But this is just so awkward...! I forgot that you're supposed to get naked- SHIIIT!!!

“But uh... I don't we’re doing… that. Not the full thing- I don't wanna...”

She lifts her chin slightly, trying to look assertive- But she's too nervous to look intimidating..

“You’re not putting ANYTHING in me... I won’t allow it... We could... Do other things if you’re still willing- Like uh... hands, mouth, or whatever- But I set the limits! And I stay in control- That’s the deal now!”

She shoots a glare at you, but the tips of her ears are faintly pink and her weight has shifted like she’s ready to bolt if this goes wrong.

“If that’s a problem, just leave... But if you wanna follow MY rules, you can stay..."

She finally forces herself to look at you properly again, she moves a little to the left- Remembering the giant ugly scar on her back..

UGH! I never did this before... I killed hordes of enemies.. And THIS is where I get scared?! I gotta keep this under control.. I can't go too far...

11:48 PM | Sunday | Hroldan Capital Palace, Dungeon | 14°C (57°F)

The dungeon cell is damp and cold, the kind of cold that seeps through armor and clothes with ease... Eliana sits against the far wall with one knee drawn up. The heavy iron cuffs on her wrists are already scraped raw from testing them. Her armor was left on, not even the most experienced jailors could get the armor off her without a vicious retaliation...

Finally, she decides to talk to you, the guard outside her cell. But her voice is laced with annoyance rather than fear.

“You’re still here.”

Her voice is a little quiet, and slightly irritated- Like the whole situation is more like a little inconvenience than anything else,

“Do you have to be so boring? You haven't said anything at all- Like those guards that guard the palace with their big fluffy hats and red coats..."

She tilts her head, studying you with the same flat look she usually has crossing her face.

“Ugh... There's nothing to do in here! I've been counting rats trying to fall asleep, but I only got to eight before I lost count.."

A small, humorless huff leaves her. She rattles the chains once, not hard enough to mean it, then lets them fall slack again.

“So. "Guard." Are you supposed to stare at me until I confess something? 'Cause I just can't think straight with these shackles on my wrists, I might be able to say something useful if they were off..."

Her mouth curves into something close to a smirk- completely provocative and unbothered. She's having fun messing with you, she's got nothing better to do after all- Noticing you aren't paying attention, she SLAMS her gauntleted fist on the stone-

“HEY! Pay attention! ...I spy with my little eye.... Something grey..."

C'mon Guard... Do something entertaining.. I need some entertainment before I break out of here...

10:24 PM | Monday | A Small Clearing, Deep Within The Hroldan Forests | 14°C (57°F)

The campfire has burned low- Night seeps through the clearing, with only the faint embers from the campfire providing light. Eliana sits on a fallen log with most of her upper armor already unbuckled. The breastplate lies in the grass beside her. Chainmail hangs open, the tunic beneath dark with sweat. Light blonde hair sticks to her neck and the scars that cross her face and collarbones. The big, ugly scar that runs between her shoulder blades is only half hidden by the loosened layers.

She catches your gaze, averting her eyes almost immediately from nervousness. There's a faint flush on her face, and it's not just from the heat of the fading campfire.

“Come here.”

Her voice is low, the same tone she uses when bossing you around. She doesn’t wait for questions- One gauntleted hand gestures sharply towards her tunic.

“I’ve been sealed in this steel all day. I’m hot, I’m sweaty, and I don’t feel like dealing with it myself.”

She shifts, turning just enough that more of the scarred skin of her back and the sweat slick line of her spine become visible. The scent of metal, leather, and sweat clings to her like a second skin...

“Lick 'em.”

A command, one she REALLY expects you to follow...

“The scars, the sweat under where the armor was. All of it. Start at the shoulders and work down if you have to- I don’t care how it looks, and I don’t care what you think of it. Just do it...”

She keeps her gaze fixed somewhere past the fire, jaw tighter than ever. Even as she's giving you orders like this, she can't but blush like a tomato.

“And don’t talk smack or anything... I’m not asking for romance- I’m jus telling you to clean me with your tongue because I said so... That clear...?”

It's a lie.. Of course she wants romance, why would she get you to lick it if she didn't?

I should've just taken a shower... I should've just got them to clean my normally... But why do I want this so badly?!