Terror. That was the emotion that went through her since that fateful day when her parents told her what they had done. They betrothed her to Elwin Rothslin, son of Krizira and Aerik Rothslin, the noble family that controlled their lands. The Nore’s seemed excited, but Taryn knew Elwin to be a monster. He tortured animals for fun, sent more trainers to the doctors in a week than Kieran did in a year. Their wedding day left the young woman sick to her stomach until the priest sealed her fate. She couldn’t deny her family, they wanted her to marry into the Rothslin household for politics.

Elwin did not hold anything back, only taking care not to inflict harm where it could not be hidden. When she found out she was pregnant with Arziros, Elwin’s mother swooped in and did not let Taryn out of her sight during the day, protecting the young woman from harm. At night, however, very little sleep was to be obtained as Elwin had his way with her almost daily. Taryn feared that her son would turn out to be just like his father. Krizira sent Taryn and Arziros to Kieran the day Elwin snapped and started beating on their son. Somehow, a month later, her son is showing signs of learning good behavior.

He was making snowballs for other kids, handing them off without shouting or fighting with them. Taryn was so overwhelmed by relief and hope that she needed a moment to compose herself. She left Arziros in the care of Teu, knowing Kieran would be back to her side before long. If there was anyone she trusted her son with, it was Kieran. He would protect his nephew with his life if it came to it. He would protect them all… Even from his brother. Snow crunched underfoot as she aimlessly walked farther from her family. Tears fell against her will, finding a dark corner to hide in while she attempted to force the emotions back into the proverbial jar inside.

Heady fumes preceded Sebastian's drifting pace. Spiced-tinged herbal smoke billowed lazily from his nostrils and partially parted lips, mingling with his breath in the preternatural frigidity in the air.  It was an odd juxtaposition, he thought - snow in the desert…but ironically not unfitting for the celebration. Two starkly opposed spheres of existence had nearly merged the previous year. He had been in Jasumin when the portals opened, and rose to its defense without a second thought. Given the nature of his powers and occupations, he was not unaccustomed to violence. When confronted with such raw, unadulterated evil and brutality, however, something awoke within the Mystic that was unnerving, to say the least. Tinged as he was by a familiar sort of energy to the Eldritch invaders, he had wrestled with spiraling doubts about his humanity through the entirety of the ordeal.

Sebastian did not dare to even pretend to understand the events of his life or the destinies set in motion by his birth. He had memories of a plurality of strange lives, in fact. Many in a place that resembled the reality he stood in at present, but with a vibrant and uncorrupted World Tree still in existence. Being permeable to outside forces often made him wonder how much of his thoughts were not his own.

As if to reinforce his previous musing, Sebastian could swear he heard a woman weeping nearby. He was well away from the revelry, in a rather solitary corner of the grounds, so a spirit being a source of the sound was his foremost assumption. His attention was momentarily drawn away from this as the first pyromantic alchemical displays flashed and crackled across the desert's night sky. Sparks filled the prisms of his fiery autumn gaze as he paused to appreciate the display. Leaning against a nearby garden wall, he casually tapped the ash from his pipe.

Realizing that the weeping continued unabated in the silences between explosions of brilliant color, Sebastian sighed. Having a heavy mind and heart, he supposed hearing another person's trials and tribulations would ease this somewhat via distraction; whether it be from someone living or dead.
"Come now, dear heart," his smoky, lilting, yet smooth voice coaxed as he brushed some of the snow from his coat and beard. "Tell us your ills."

Taryn gave a soft gasp as she realized she was not alone as she thought. Sniffling, the young woman stepped out of her dark corner and glanced around, finding the young man nearby. His voice was beautiful, alluring. She was ashamed she was caught when they were celebrating the survival of the world, the turn of a new year. Despite the enchanted snow falling in the desert, her arms did not feel cold, yet she hugged herself as she approached the dark-haired stranger. Without even drying her face, she leaned against the wall beside him.

Perhaps, laying her heart bare to a stranger might be good, but could she do it? Taryn swallowed against the lump in her throat before she began to speak softly. "I was afraid." For several long moments, she let the silence stretch as she wondered if she should truly open up. Teu and her family was one thing, they were healers, or accepted by Kieran as family. This was a complete stranger, a male who might prove to be just as cruel as her husband. "Afraid he would grow up to be just like him."

Her hands fidgeted together, picking at imaginary dirt beneath her immaculate nails. Eyes stared up at the lovely displays up high. Arziros would see them and probably clap and babble some demand for her to catch them for him. She gave a sad, almost hysterical chuckle which ended just as quick at the thought. "In a short time," Taryn paused to swallow again. "He turned my son around. I saw him… Playing nicely for once in his life… Unprompted. It… was precious."

With so little information given, could he see into her heart and see the scars? Could this stranger find the weight of pain on her shoulders? Finally, Taryn wiped at her cheeks with a sigh. "I must appear pathetic. Crying over something so happy…" She couldn't bring herself to apologize for the moment of weakness as she was trained to do. Nor could she find the strength to bow out of the so-far brief interaction with the stranger who now knew her fears.

Sebastian was rather pleasantly surprised not to be greeted by a tell-tale etheric prickling up his spine, but by the pleasant, though wavering voice of a flaxen-haired lass, very much still of flesh and blood. He was surprised ever more at how readily she poured the contents of her heart into the receptive cup of his thoughts. Though her account was disjointed in her erratic state, the pieces of the puzzle easily fell into place. He tilted his head while studying her as she spoke, his mind's eye painting an abstraction of her life. The corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly, though his autumnal gaze was somber."It's a funny thing to ponder," he began, after considering her words for a brief silence. "…How much value is placed on feelings and expression in the 'civilized' world, and yet we mortals as a whole unspokenly make one another feel shame for how we experience pleasures and pains."The Mystic seemed to muse to himself as much as his company with this sentiment.Gods knew, he had seen this lady's story played out many times before. Regrettably, he tended to experience the conclusion in tales of toxicity, speaking to the broken that could not move on when it had been too late. The tears that came with the relief of escape from such a situation, and to be released of the filth in the apple of her eye as well…they were more than justified.The snow around them was artificially produced, but it still made the ambient temperature in the courtyards quite brisk. Noting the woman's posture, Sebastian removed his long jacket, offering it to her. "Apologies if the scent offends," he said while sheepishly waggling his pipe. "I promise it is quite cozily tailored, though."After another moment of leasured silence, he turned around to lean forward, putting his forearms on the low wall and stretching his legs. "You won't find any judgement here. I will say you're luckier than most following the cataclysm we all had. Opening a new chapter in life gives one a strength in being able to move forward with things."As he spoke of beginnings, he found his thoughts wandering to past chapters of his own life; namely, Bryony and the daughter he never got to know, Hazel. His daughter that would never have a normal life, thanks to him. If rumors down the many grapevines to which he was privy were to be believed though, she had taken to the strangeness that was her birthright swimmingly."I'm Sebastian, by the way. Most just take to calling me Bash."

Be silent until spoken to. Only respond with the barest necessities. Do not show emotion in public. Obey your husband. Taryn wondered if this stranger had any idea the restrictions of the noble-born. She gazed up at him from the corner of her eye beneath long lashes. He seemed to speak as if he had some experience dealing with the aftermath of a victim’s troubles. ”Civilization, I believe, values the expression of emotion far greater than the faux polite society of nobility,” her voice softer still, partially concerned of her opinions being reported back to her parents. The lecture would be the same she had heard a plethora of occasions in her short life.

She blinked at him when he made the offer, eyes darting between his face, pipe, and jacket. Timidly, she took the jacket and draped it over her shoulders, feeling the instant warmth envelop her. ”Thank you… ” Taryn gave a content sigh after a deep inhale, temporarily transported to a peaceful moment of embroidery nearby Aerik as he smoked his own pipe, Krizira enjoying time with her granddaughter, laughter filling the room. ”It is actually quite comforting. Lord Rothslin enjoys an evening pipe.” She turned and leaned against the wall so they were facing the same direction, enjoying the amiable silence for once. Times were never so silent with Elwin or their son.

He broke the silence with a comment about the recent tragedies, the noblewoman frowning slightly. Strength to move forward? She wasn’t so sure about that. Many sacrificed themselves for the defense of the world. Hundreds more worked tirelessly to heal and nurse the injured. In the end, they were successful. However, as with most victims, Taryn had difficulties seeing past the shadow of her husband. The way he snapped and beat on their son, frustrated because Kieran had finally kicked his ass, the way he turned on her when she defended Arziros. She shuddered as she gazed sheepishly at the stranger. ”I wish I can find the strength to move forward as you say.” Sebastian introduced himself, enticing a sad, small smile from her. ”A pleasure, m’lord. Taryn Rothslin. I… Thank you.”

Taryn pulled the jacket closer around her as she blushed, rather demure. This was, by far, the most she had spoken to someone in a long time. Why was making small talk with women so much easier than conversing with members of the opposite gender? If Elwin was there, she would be standing silently just behind and slightly to the side of him, her head lightly ducked. ”Um… I should probably head back… Would you?” She hesitated momentarily, ducking her head with embarrassment. ”Accompany me?” Maybe she was looking for security or just needed a friend. Either way, she felt more at ease with Sebastian than she had ever known herself to be. ”Maybe a drink?”

There were not many situations which Sebastian could find himself that made him feel like the proverbial fish out of water. Mingling in high courts was one such setting that went against the grain of his soul, however. It was not that he was a boar of a man in any sense, but exactly for the reasons Taryn espoused. Fetid cynicism, focus on trivialities, and a glaring lack of empathy among much of nobility had always rubbed him the wrong way. Not to say that that they were all like that. He'd forged good working relationships with many well-paying and well-connected families over the course of his freelance career of occult and written word. Her surname rang a bell for him, but he was certain that he hadn't met any Rothslin directly until now.
"The pleasure's mine, dear heart. Lending an ear is never a bother."

Amused by the reservation in Taryn's request, Sebastian couldn't help but grin. How many connotations had she agonized over before asking him such a simple thing? He wanted to just reach out and shake some free spirit into the poor girl. Perhaps he could…
"Of course I will. Though the drink doesn't take to me kindly, one shouldn't hurt. Not a matter of stomach or bad habit, mind you. It's…a touch complicated. I can elaborate on the way, if you so wish. All of this on one condition, though…"
He paused for effect, then held out his arm to her. "…You shall owe me a dance."

With the many variations of esoteric tomes he was sent out to acquire, music was one subject he often took to transcribing into his journals. He had just the piece in mind for a dance that an aficionado had played for him out of a text that seemed to be well ahead of its time. He only hoped that the musicians in the main hall could manage.

There were a myriad of things on his mind. Sebastian came to the revelry in hopes of seeing familiar faces. Perhaps he needed to take his own advice, and not dwell on the past? He would lose himself tonight, just as was intended. Helping the world with matters of the head and the heart, one person at a time was, after all, what he lived for. He'd always been one to believe everything happened for a reason, no matter how trifle. There weren't any coincidences. He needed Taryn to have come along just as much as she needed someone to be there.

He readily agreed to accompany her back to the party, even so much as a drink. Yet, he managed to pique her curiosity about the complications of the effects of alcohol upon his body. Taryn's jaw dropped in shock before she gave a genuine grin of amusement. Her hand paused momentarily before finally curling around his arm, stifling the fear that he would be another Elwin in disguise. Something would have happened by now if he was. "Well then, explain away, and you will have your dance."

They had only managed a couple of steps away from their wall when a man seemed to melt from the shadows. Taryn's heart skipped a beat as she gripped Sebastian's arm tighter, almost moving to hide behind him. He had black hair, those ice-blue eyes piercing holes straight through her. Her eyes were too scared to scan him for the telltale signs of who it might be, only noting he wore all black. "Taryn, my dear. What brings you all the way out here? So far from home?" Her nails dug into Sebastian. "Elwin…" She let out a shaky breath. 

Elwin slowly approached Taryn, gently reaching up for her face, pausing only briefly when she flinched before resuming to tuck an invisible strand of hair behind her neck. "When Mother sent you off, I was concerned for you. Come home, Taryn." "I…" Fear riddled eyes glanced up at Sebastian, searching for… Something. She didn't want to go back to the life of torture, yet she had been bred to always obey him despite any desires she might have. There was something off about her husband as well, something she couldn't quite place. Taryn returned her emerald gaze to the icy orbs. "I can't, Elwin," she whispered, tucking herself tighter against Sebastian's side as if seeking his protection. "Just leave… Leave us alone…"

"But Taryn, my love!" He sighed and hung his head a bit. "As you wish." Then he turned his icy glare to Sebastian. "I leave my wife in your care. Don't do anything inappropriate, good sir. There are eyes everywhere tonight." Just like that, Elwin was gone. He had turned and walked away without doing anything else. "That's… Something's wrong. What is he playing at? Let's go… Before he comes back, please." Taryn requested, having forgotten to release her hold on Sebastian's arm.

Ecstatic mirth at Taryn's acceptance of his little bargain quickly faded into guarded concern. Sebastian could perceive an aura before he saw the man it belonged to. Immediately on sight, Taryn's grip on him tightened, which caused him to instinctively place himself between them. Upon utterance of the man's name, the picture he had painted in his mind of this woman's life became clearer.

Taryn's nails were digging into his arm almost enough to tear his tunic and break skin, but Sebastian's rapt attentions on this Elwin temporarily nullified the pain. She huddled to his side as her husband coaxed her. The words, though sweet, dripped with a surreptitious venom. Bash didn't need to be intimately privy to the man's demeanor to sense this. This was confirmed further when their eyes finally met. He had always been a good reader of intentions, while his own were blessedly easy to mask.

"She's in good hands, lad," Sebastian assured Elwin in a genuinely amicable tone, completely ignoring his thinly-veiled threat. It was only well after he turned to leave and Bash was walking with Taryn to the ball again did he take more notice of her unrelenting, anxious grip on him. He reached out to her then, mentally projecting a soothing caress to her frayed nerves. "You're safe with me," she would hear in her thought space in his voice, once she was calm enough to be receptive to it.

His eyes met hers as he spoke with his gift, clueing her in to the conversation they were originally going to have. He would let this detail suffice for now for her answers on his quirk, as shifting the subject to himself felt awkward after such a tense encounter. Regardless, he would shift Taryn's focus to the best of his ability, rather than traipse upon glass and treat her with kid gloves. Whether she was running away, or would eventually attempt amends with Elwin…it mattered not. The look in her eyes and the intensity with which she cowered from him was harrowing, to say the least…but it was not Sebastian's place to suggest how she live her life. Protecting her and ensuring a wonderful evening he could do.

Pardoning himself, Sebastian rummaged through one of the outer pockets of his coat as they approached the main hall. Withdrawing a small leather-bound journal, he thumbed openly through its contents until he found sheet music he'd transcribed. Most of the writing was done in a very neat hand; other scripts with a hasty scrawl. Subjects varied widely, and some pages were dedicated to coal rubbings of engravings, or sketches of his own. He blushed deep crimson at a few of the art pages, turning from Taryn slightly while passing them.

"I'll meet you at the bar," he promised with a wide grin while holding the door. "I've an interesting tune I want to request."

As a warm blanket comforts her on a cold night, something reached out and soothed at her mind, the voice a whisper of reassurance in Sebastian's voice. It was comparable to Kieran pulling her in a warm embrace after a harsh moment with Elwin. Taryn glanced down at her hands, noticing the white fingers buried in his tunic as if to pierce his skin beneath. She forced herself to relax then looked up to take in his autumn gaze with an apologetic manner.

From frozen tundra to golden warm autumn, she smiled softly at Bash with the stark comparison. Maybe, just maybe, this is the polar opposite of her husband. "Thank you, Sebastian." The fact that he had used telepathy did not seem to phase her at all, however, it got her to thinking. If a telepath indulged too heavily in the drink, then surely their control has an increasing chance of slipping until he could not filter out everyone else from his own head. Bash began rummaging through the outside pockets of his jacket, which she finally took the time to slip her arms into the sleeves when he produced a journal. Taryn watched in curious silence as he flipped through the pages, finding it quite endearing to see him blush so as he hid certain pages.

"Alright," she agreed. The noble made her way over to the bar and made a request for wine, unsure what would fancy Sebastian's tastes. Maybe whiskey like Lord Aerik? As she waited for the bartender and Sebastian's return, someone called her name. "Taryn! When we saw him, we were worried about you!" Coming up to her side was a man who looked identical to her husband with the sole difference of the red and gold vest Kieran was wearing. He pulled her into a hug, instantly noting her stiff body and held her at arms length to look her over. "Oh gods, you saw him. Did he do anything?" Taryn shook her head. "It was weird, not at all himself…"

Her brother-in-law rubbed her shoulders encouragingly. "Ya, I noticed that too. But we will deal with that later. Whose jacket is this?" She blushed deeply. "A friend… Um… Getting Teu more to drink?" Kieran laughed as the bartender gave her the wine glass. "Yes and you're deflecting the topic. Will I approve?" Taryn smiled at Kieran before turning to search for Sebastian's return. "Stick around, dear brother, and find out. He should be heading back from a special request to the band."

Kieran watched her as he gave her a genuine smile, a hand lifting to caress her cheek as he brought her attention back to him. "Almost anyone would be an improvement to my brother's company. I think it's time for you to do things for you. Not for your family. Let my father deal with your parents." He planted a kiss on her forehead, leaving her in silence to ponder his words as he turned to make a request for another round of non-alcoholic drinks.

For a moment, Sebastian almost wanted to reconsider partaking of the drink this evening. He was almost certain he saw Elwin approach Taryn again from across the room, until he realized it was not the same man. The vibrant energetic noise in the room made it near impossible to discern an aura at that distance, but he could pick up on the distinct differences in body language and slight difference in garb. He was only relieved that Taryn was safe, firstly; secondly, that he was not seeing doppelgangers.

Sebastian smiled watching the pair converse, and did not realize that his gaze lingered until the old silver-maned band lead said something. "You alright there, mate?"
The man's sight lined up with Bash's and he grinned knowingly. "Ah, she is a looker, that one."
Blinking several times, and muttering a "what?" Sebastian bashfully itched the back of his head. "You think you and your mates can manage it?"

"It's not like any piece I've come across before, but yes…after a short interim. Enough time to have a drink or two," the lead replied with a wink.

Making his way back over to the bar, Bash gently touched Taryn's shoulder as he sat next to her. Before he could could say anything, he was asked what he would be having. Looking from the well-stocked shelves to the glass of wine Taryn nursed, it took him a few moments to remember what it was that he fancied. "Mm. Stouts. Anything dark, malty, and sweet. Surprise me."
It took only a moment to receive a tall, foam-topped drink with a hue similar to his eyes. This, he was informed, was a local experimental mead. Stronger, brewed with heaps of wild oats shipped in, and with aged vanilla juxtaposed the honey.

"I was worried some strange mischief was afoot I wasn't in on," Sebastian jested at last to Taryn, while gesturing at the man down the bar a ways. When their eyes met, he smiled and nodded to him while raising his glass and taking a sip…which turned into a gulp. Gods, it was rather tasty. Dangerous is what it was. He savored the foam that had been trapped in his moustache.

The previous conversation he'd had vexed him now. Perhaps he was drawn to Taryn on some level, but it hadn't been a conscious thought at all until it was mentioned aloud. It made him think back to how he had wound up with Bryony. She'd all but crawled atop him, and he was taken quite by surprise. Was he really that oblivious?

If there were anything at all…this woman was married. Horrible though the situation seemed, what would it say about him to attempt appealing to a woman that was likely as vulnerable as one could be?

He took another long sip, the wonderful dizzying warmth now beginning to encroach on his senses.