After Fen had given an attempt to reason with the terrifying hybrid of woman and snake, the bard did the same. The monster had a name, and both Vashti and the other bard apparently had history, although it was hard for the boy to identify what exactly that history was, other than obviously not being a pleasant one. What he did notice however, was the barrier that only moments ago danced with a wonderful vibrancy, had begun to morph into a mournful shade of dark blue. Much like they conversation Vashti and the bard were having, Fenriz was unable to tell what the cause was precisely, but knew that this was not a sign of good news.
Vashti screamed at their words, causing the startled Fenriz to nearly leap outside of the protective light. As she continued her angry tirade, the boy once more took his place behind the minstrel, though his eyes never strayed from the shadow’s disturbed face. With little other option, he did his best to piece together the past that these two shared, while simultaneously hoping the barrier didn’t give out. Even if somehow, someway, they were able to appease Vashti, he knew that somewhere nearby his own demon lurked, biding its time like a vulture.
Which of the two, if not the both of them, Vashti was speaking to was impossible to tell in such a hysterical state, but the line about not knowing what it was like to be forgotten struck a chord somewhere within the child. Though deeply buried by a much stronger feeling of fear, a part of him was almost offended by it. Though mentally, he knew that his parents hadn’t abandoned him by choice, that they would certainly be here if they were capable of doing so, the emotions of someone so young were rarely that logical. Every now and then before it was time for him to rest for the day, tired thoughts would turn to his parents and he would wonder: if they were still alive, were they looking for him with the same fervor that he searched for them? Or had they simply cut their losses and moved on? What of the few friends he had made along the way? Despite being an unknowable distance away, he they were frequently in his thoughts, but he couldn’t help but wonder if the inverse were true, or had most resumed their lives without him with barely a remembrance of his name? Of course these answers lied with the people in question, so in that regard Vashti may be right. He might not know what being forgotten was truly like, but he did know that the possibility was almost more frightening than Vashti or his own shadow.
Despite this brief twinge of anger, Fenriz was able to escape his own thoughts to paint a broader picture of where Vashti was coming from. Her diatribe was one of jealousy. The one he was standing with was a musician, that much was obvious, but apparently so was Vashti, though in this context it was difficult for Fenriz to imagine her playing any music even half as wonderful as her counterpart was capable of. Perhaps that was the source of her envy.
Vashti violently insisted, however, that she was every bit her equal. As she continued to rant of the injustices against her, the frail threads of her sanity had seemed to finally unravel, as she tossed herself at the barrier of light, desperately trying to destroy it, as well as the one that had summoned it in the first place. Fortunately it still held, yet even Fenriz knew that this would not last for much longer. Though the prospect of taking his eyes of Vashti for even a moment was not an appealing one, he turned to the friendly bard, intent to question her on what the next steps might be. Fenriz had heard her voice waver a moment ago, audibly fighting a battle against tears, though now he could see that she had not triumphed in that fight.
It only took a moment for the boy to realize whatever was to happen next, it was up to him to set it in motion. But what exactly was he to do? The both of them had tried reasoning with it, to no avail. Trying once more to command the shadows all around also produced no tangible results. Instincts began to suggest that he flee. After all, he wasn’t the one Vashti was after. Whatever background they had, whatever this business with the guild master was, none of it concerned him. If he ran now, and just kept running, he just might be able to…
No. Even if it might save his own life, it wasn’t right. Without even knowing his name, she had protected him. If he had abandoned her now, he’d be no better than the self-serving vampires that gave his kind a bad name. If this woman were to perish, than he would do so as well.
Almost as if spurred by Fenriz’s unusual display of bravery, some of the previously motionless corpses began to rise once more. This time, however, with Fenriz’s own doppelganger still nowhere to be seen, the corpses began to descend upon Vashti. Even now, he was uncertain where this loyalty the undead were showing him had come from, given his prior experiences with the risen saw them very much on the opposite side of the battlefield. He was certain, however, that the momentary distraction would be a welcome one, albeit short-lived
“Umm… Miss?” the boy gently tugged at his protector’s arm, just enough to hopefully get her attention. As he spoke there was a noticeable unease to his voice, only natural given the circumstances. But there was also a sense of childlike honesty in his words.
“I’m sorry your friend is mad at you. But if it helps, I really liked your song. And the lights were really pretty! I don’t know a lot about music, but not even my mother could make lights appear when she sang, so I think that must mean you’re really good at it! It’s not a bad thing to be good at something. I kind of understand why Miss Vashti is upset. It must be kinda hard, being friends with someone that good at something. But real friends should be supportive of their friend’s accomplishments. At least… that’s what I think”
Despite it all, Fenriz actually managed a genuine smile, momentarily forgetting about the macabre scene around him. His speech was a bit rough, about as eloquent as someone his age might manage. But the sentiment was pure.