Even a fleeting glimpse revealed the extent of harm she had done to herself. The faintest, surgically precise slits evident in each pale eye lid and their sunken flesh resting over freshly emptied sockets was an image that would no doubt linger with the Godbound. That she breathed and stood was remarkable in it's own right but in contrast these were also not the worst of injuries he had seen inflicted upon his fellow man.

Her hands once more steady, she reached for the box and took it gently from him. Fingers tracing over it's features to open it with care and draw out it's contents. There remained a lingering physical component that made her hesitate as she felt the cold of each of these harvested eyes in her hands. Another steadying breath, another false start, and yet another steadying breath before she committed and carefully deposited each frozen eye into the vacated sockets. Her breath hitching with pain that threatened screams but mystical force now compounded the will there.

Alessandro could feel that much as Oriana began to whisper in soft words of her native tongue. Her hands, steady and careful despite faint quivers throughout the rest of her form, moved through arcane patterns as she engaged the energy that had been gathered here. That feeling of energy growing in tempo with the words as she twisted and forced the natural world to her whim through the conduit of will and body. A vibrant heat followed by a deep cold flowing from her as the nexus point of the ritual and accelerating the mending of damaged flesh and the revivification of dead organs.

There was a pregnant silence as the lingering magic dissipated... and then the woman started to scream and swear as hands clapped to her face. It was an anticlimax in every way compared to the immense will that had been demonstrated moments before. Her voice going hoarse as she retched for a moment... Hands still covering her eyes.

"I hate this. I hate doing this and I hate her." she managed to hiss out in yet another insightful breaking of composure as she shook her head and rubbed gently at her new eyes which now glowed with health in the brief glimpses Alessandro could steal from between the woman's fingers. "It... takes some time for the nerves to fully integrate and it's... unpleasant as they do since muscle tissue and everything is also shifted and moved into the correct places around the new eye." she concluded, some distance away now from the man as her staggering steps had carried her.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

Alessandro isn't a callous man and the woman's screaming fit has shaken him even if he shows none of it. It was a terrible fate and a warning to the young man of the dark side of high sorcery. There would always be people ready to inflict horrors for the most petty of reasons. Assuming, Alessandro reminds himself, that this Oriana wasn't simply subject to justice for some horrible past crime of her own. Mustn't let a pretty face sway a business deal.

Still...there was little point in having a person suffer so if there was something he could do. A thought occurred to the trader's son.

"I'm not surprised", Alessandro agrees with steady voice,"the process required of you is awful. Whoever she is exceeded basic humanity in her revenge."

da Vigo! Don't let a pretty face and a woman's pain make your plans for you! Alessandro thinks wryly to himself, still repulsed by the whole thing.

Decision made Alessandro adds in a strange voice, "I am sure that you, Oriana, will find the process you need to make this whole procedure nearly painless very soon."

An hopeful expression of good will and concern rolls off his tongue like the passing toll of a enormous church bell. The world shivers as a god speaks and drives his wishes into the warp and weft of the future. A wish that forges a mere future possibility into a absolute certainty, wishful thinking into true prophecy.

[Using Prophetic Insight to ensure that she will find some alchemical, theurgic, or mundane aid in removing pain from her curse and the procedure to replace her eyes within the week. Committing 1 Effort for the day.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

Oriana stole a glance between fingers before covering her eyes once more. The prospects of light still too much for her eyes at the moment. It was almost cute if the unsettling nature of what she had done to herself was not so fresh in motion. It made the powerful woman seem almost cripplingly shy as she continued to hide her new eyes behind those hands, peeking only as necessary to ensure she was not victim of a cruel joke.

Still, something in her posture radiated suspicion about the change in the man's voice and the suspicion of the powerful was always a dangerous thing.

"I... appreciate the vote of support. I suppose I've been focusing more on the curing of the disease then some of the less pleasant symptoms... To use a bit of the Doctor's parlance." she offered quietly and thoughtfully.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:11, Sat 23 Dec 2017.

Alessandro notes Oriana's suspicion but continues on amiably as if nothing of consequence had happened. "Perhaps you should look into it. No reason to suffer unduly if there is no immediate solution...at hand", he corrects himself from saying 'in sight'.

As the woman settles down from her ordeal Alessandro changes the topic, "About our other business. While I am skilled enough on my own did you mean to attach me to a group of specialists for our expedition into Howler territory? Who should I meet up with?"

"I'm not all seeing. Sometimes little things can escape me when I get a little bull headed." Oriana replied with a hint of dry humor despite her pain and discomfort in the moment. The man's hesitation noted, filed away, and touched upon in good spirit though that suspicion remained. It was inconceivable to assume that she did not have some appreciation of what transpired but might not, in the instant, have the means to classify it.

The Proprietress shifted somewhat as she continued to shield her eyes, a hand reaching to draw out a slender envelope with care and extending it towards Alessandro. "Mathias D'Angelo. He isn't possessed of an infectious good cheer. He's another proprietor of a small... guild for lack of a better description that caters to special requests, orders, and acquisitions of exotic goods. Most would just call him a grave robber and raider but he fancies himself a little more honourable than that. So far he's dealt straight and true with me."

Alessandro takes the envelope and inspects its content with a critical eye. Everything seemed in order as he pushed it into his coat.

"No doubt he is used to dealing with freelancers on his expeditions. As for trust...as long as he does his job I'll do mine. I'm not looking to be contentious." He grins, white teeth flashing in a pale face,"This should be very interesting and profitable. Much better than attending parties with bored debutants."

"Dealing, berating... occasionally cuffing. Whatever really ensures things flow smoothly. All of you men in Vissio are obsessed with excellence beyond reason." the Proprietress replied with another quick peek from behind her shield hand as she carefully made her way towards the small work bench and once more secured that veil of silver and silk in place once more. Her tone was droll and dry with the touch of warm humour beneath. Though it could be noted the quiver had not quite left it as she still struggled through the lingering aftershocks of her ritual ministrations.

"He's a man that likes to live his life lustily. He'd have probably been happier aboard one of my sister's ships in better years... As to bored debutantes... Just don't let them near your eyes or ears. They're worse than cats." Oriana added with a smirk and a hint of nostalgia for some scrap or energetic disagreement of her past and youth. She then guided Alessandro, carefully, out of her shop with another soft word in her native tongue to relax the wards and release the tense energy that had slowly built in the air around them.

The day was flowing quickly with such company and errands as he had found himself yet the life had yet to leave the streets. The bustle as warm an embrace as ever as he was buffeted by the crowds that passed this way and that in the act of retrieving his loyal steed. The animal as well looked after as ever by the stable hands of the Square.

The ride, by contrast, was a smooth and pleasant affair as he was brought to the Square of Arms. A place of commerce in all things martial and mineral. The visceral scent of smithies, coal, and enthusiastic shouting beyond the hawking of wares drumming into the skull as readily as the smith's hammer upon the anvil.

To the far right of the Square rested a building squat and utilitarian in contrast to the colour and vibrancy of it's neighbours. It's sensibilities seeming to force a comparison between the reliable and the fanciful... and it succeeded in a strange way by subverting the tendencies of it's neighbors. A gilded sign above it's door matched that upon the letter of recommendation; depicting a coiled serpent around a heavy gauntlet above the words Special Acquisitions. As blunt a name as one might imagine yet it seemed successful from the horses tied to posts before it and the periodic visitors that came and went.

da Vigo ties Marengo off on a nearby post. He takes in the plain exterior and while it admittedly works it was also unimaginative. Some fanciful marble work would do wonders for such a dour business. The artist in da Vigo is in tears as he finally shakes his head and head on into the business.

To any nearby assistant he announces,"I am Alessandro da Vigo here on business with your employer, Mathias D'Angelo. Tell him I have a letter from the proprietress of the Old Memories."

It was a loud voice from the second floor that drew Alessandro's attention upwards to the impressive bulk of a man. His bald head and severe, weathered features giving the venerable air of a veteran of some campaign of past glory and bloody deeds. His attire was no more or less than a somber rendition of the colourful garbs and vests of the Vissian rakes. A signalling of his growing tenure among the dueling circles of the City and his own ruthless pursuit of excellence.

"And what has that hawk of a woman tossed my way?" he called down with a force that left one unsure as to if there was a positive relationship between Oriana and Mathias.

The interior of the building was far more to the tastes of the Vissian architect. Rich marbles, colourful fresco depicting great moment's in the Guild's history, and the numerous banners of it's most successful mercenary groups. All forming a pleasing a lively riot to the eye that spoke to a pride in it's efficacy over the edifice from which it operated.

Standing arms akimbo, dueling garb shouting the his allegiance to the Coltello Affilato School and flashing blades on his hip, Alessandro calls up with equal animus, "That hawk-nosed woman said we are to be working together! Matthias, I'm guessing? I am Alessandro da Vigo.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:39, Thu 28 Dec 2017.

"Ha! A man with short steels with wits to him. Every last rake of the Coltello Affilato could never make heads or tells of why you need to dodge with a pair of short steels." the bulky man declared with a tip of some phantom hat in acknowledgement of his identity. There was a jovial spirit behind the stings and bites of insult that spoke to a friendly competition with the academy of Alessandro's own education.

"Are the old boys still butting heads with men of the Duellatorum?" Mathias asked with a grin as he walked the length of the upper floor towards the stair case and descended with thudding steps that only gave testatment to the power and weight of his frame. Neither or obese or weak in appearance, he seemed simply one of profoundly solid construction.

Alessandro grinned at the old adventurer's witticism. "Why bother evading? Its usually not a skill you need when facing those clumsy steel clubs the Duellatorium insist on calling swords."

His sharp Howler features are pale against the heavy dark décor of the establishment. Wiry muscles gave the impression of a quiet strength as the da Vigo turns to watch the descending guildsman,"My master Benedetto and his gang of white hairs would have it no other way. They put the young among his pupils to shame in their eagerness to cross blades."

He had reached the base of the stairs now, his voice as loud and booming as ever and now upon the level floor it became all too clear that he was tall as men went. Easily above six feet in height and broad as a horse in build. This was a man that was used to pushing weight and a life lived in pursuits most physical. Alessandro's own training picking out at the little details like the nature of his stride; light but solid. The length of his arms and the reach they gave alongside the length of his preferred weapon... All things that spelled out an opponent that was dangerously adept in his craft but not in the way of Oriana. This was a man without magic, merely the prowess of sound body and sound mind.

"Even the slowest beast knows to stay clear of the path of a falling stone!" Mathias quipped back, friendly and energetic... and refreshingly uncivil in his methods.

"And the men of the Duellatorium will beat themselves stupid just as readily on that old wall. The blood's thinning and there isn't so much of that fire any more. Maybe one day we'll all manage something useful with our energy." he concluded as he held out a calloused and massive hand.

"So Oriana has sent you with her recommendation? Figured you have something useful to pitch into her endless train of library visits?"

"You could say that," da Vigo agrees as he own hand grasped Matthias' in turn in an hearty shake. "It was an exchange of mutual interests. I have some skill in theurgy, historical academia, and...well...I speak the Howler tongue and know something of that land's customs. I suppose my specific skillset looked useful to her interests on your expedition so here I am."

da Vigo's understatement about 'some skill in theurgy' is to test the waters since that alone intimated a potent supernatural ability to the sensibility of the common man. As he releases Matthias' hand he pulls out Oriana's envelope and hands it over.

"Its all in her envelope."

"Bit of serendipity in that then. That woman has always had some of the worst devil's luck to her. Now let's see to that letter since we are making to push a bit into Howler lands and dig into some of those ruins. Old archival texts are valuable pieces lately with the revival among the Archaeological societies." Mathias replied, his own grip shockingly just as strong and sturdy in their shake of hands. His other taking the envelop with a care and gently sliding a thumb beneath the lip to pry it open and drag out the letter.

A quick skimming of the pages spoke to a seemingly glowing enough recommendation.

"Skill in Theurgy can go a ways towards fixing a problem but hopefully there won't be a need for it. Still not going to bank on hopes. We're pulling in some of our veteran team members given the reputation of those old ruins and the things lurking around them. Better to get men used to the rigors of random chance and misfortune than fresh academy graduates. You've been a fight proper or two?" Mathias asked as she carefully folded the letter and deposited it in an inside pocket of his outer jacket. A gesture that spoke to a certain refinement at odds with the rough exterior of a dock laborer.

da Vigo's youth is plain on his face as the veteran questions him about past engagements. His face reddens slightly as he replies, "Before my father passed he made sure I had an extensive education and trained in basic skills for a soldier. I've fought a few duels here in the city as part of the usual fracas between schools but I can't claim to have experienced real combat."

It pained da Vigo to have to admit this hole in his experiences but it felt necessary to be honest with the old man. New powers or not such information could be critical.

"We'll just have to pair you off then with one of our own vets. Follow her lead and listen to the instincts the Lord's given you and thing should pan out fine for a lad like yourself. Amelia should be around here somewhere. She's another one of our men and women here that will be joining us on the dive into the ruins." Mathias replied with an understanding air and a shrug of shoulders at any embarrassment Alessandro might feel about his lack of true blooding in the circumstances of battle. It gave the impression of safety but not in the way of a fortress or quiet and remote estate.

It also spoke to a plan, over all, for the expedition that was heartening all it's own. This wasn't the cocksure swagger of the first time adventurer but someone that had grounded and sound knowledge of the dangers to come and a system to overcome them.

 "Amelia", da Vigo lets the name roll of his tongue and nods in response to the old veteran's advice. There was no point in resenting being paired up with a mercenary experienced in the field. It would be a good way to learn.

"So when are we leaving? Oriana was vague about the details and where exactly are we going?"

"A week's time. Gives most of me and mine time to sort to the business of logistics and negotiating any permits we might need to drag back whatever we found in advance. The rest comes down to the scattering of coin and who can bellow the loudest before drawing steel." Mathias replied before sparing a glance towards the back of the building and offering a lopsided grin that suited his dock worker's countenance.

"Don't let the pretty name fool you. The woman's a helion in her own right. Only person in this whole building that isn't above giving me a cuff on the ear for getting out of hand." the Guild Master joked giving just a little insight into the camaraderie of the men under his command. It also made it clear enough the man had never lost the boyish drive for adventure. His heart still knowing the thrill of the moment even as hair and youth had left him.

A week's time was more than reasonable to set his own affairs in order, such as they were due to his house's debased fortunes. Alessandro listens attentively to the veterans expansion on the plan, nodding,"I'll be here bright-eyed and bushy tailed on the morning of the seventh day. Sounds like things are well in hand."

da Vigo chats with the veteran a bit more to nail down some details of his own contributions before letting Matthias go about his business. It was time to see to his own business for the evening as well. With a cheery wave da Vigo heads off to find Marengo and the Girl...

There were certain... details to be seen to prior to the gala and his duties as escort to the eponymous Girl. Namely, matters of social decorum and the proper attire for a man of Alessandro's standing and present employ. Neither onerous or difficult, it was merely a trip once more to the ancestral seat of his family to ensure he was presentable in the ostentatious and vibrant way of Vissio. Such seen to with ease, there was not left to do but meet up with his fellow rakes and the Lady herself at the stated point of rendezvous.

It was there that a splendid carriage awaited with the young lady no doubt sequestered within it's shielding curtains and frame work so as not to spoil her famed pale complexion. The rakes that had answered the call of her family's coffers arrayed around it in various states of readiness and awareness. Their own mounts freshly brushed and stately black and gleaming with an intensity almost entirely reserved for good steel.

A few eyes turned his way as Alessandro approached, a hand rising in familiar greeting. It's owner a small and slender woman, Gwyndolin, who had served as the most intimate guardian of the Girl and in many ways the manager of those affairs she found too onerous to trouble herself with... Which if the woman's inebriated complaints were to believed seemed to be almost every facet of existence that did not involve the indulgence of flesh and ego. Still, she was a stern woman with dark hair that had begun to prematurely grey despite her young 30 odd summers and a hawkish countenance that was better reserved for someone near double her years.

Alessandro slips into the persona he had constructed for these forays into the social whirl of Chieri as the bodyguard da Vigo: quiet, efficient, and slightly arrogant. After today's events da Vigo found it harder to do, his thoughts far away. Marengo is skittish as he senses his master's mood.

"Madame Gwydolyn", da Vigo remarks with a bow from the saddle as he takes his place. His eyes rove over the rest of the bodyguards, identifying the rest of the detail for familiar faces or pests. His pale Howler face was enough for some of them to be aggravating little pricks. He thought it was part of the reason the Girl kept asking for him, her tame savage. "Good evening."

"Master Da Vigo. We had thought you might be late." the severe woman concluded in a calm and strong voice that seemed more used to being raised in anger or command than speaking in conversation. It was perhaps that inscrutable gravity of command that made it easier for her to handle the more rambunctious of their small group than one might expect... and failing that, it was well known that her blades had tasted blood over such disagreements as might arise from an undisciplined rake.

Those more friendly among the gentlemen guards nodded their heads politely towards Alessandro but their number was punishingly few compared to the sneers or cocky grins. Those were the ones, grounded in the idea of their superiority to any half breed, that caused the most trouble and their insults as often whispered as shouted still stung in memory. For now, at least, they were quiet as they sorted their equipment and weapons for the coming gala... One even preening over his mustache in a small pocket mirror.

"You thought wrong, Madame Gwyndolin", replies da Vigo with a smile. He returns the nods of the few who could be bothered to be polite. Unable to contain himself he adds enigmatically, "Though perhaps you won't be seeing me again on this detail again in the future."

As the train of men and horses settles in and begins to meander its way down the road. "How is our charge tonight?"

"Evidently. I am hoping for a quiet evening but hot heads have always prevailed in Vissio." Gwyndolin replied with a glance towards one of the rakes, Luca Moretti,  who offered the sort of arrogant grin that so often marked a trouble maker. A gesture of defiance accompanying it the moment the older woman's eyes turned else where. Her attention seemed focused on that second statement of Da Vigo's for a moment.

"Found better prospects? As to the young lady, the usual." Gwyndolin offered in what could be considered diplomatic regarding the famously difficult youth. Her tone alone implied enough that it was a topic that was best steered from whilst the Lady Rivera was technically within ear shot. That sternness ever present in her voice and promising a steady hand at the proverbial rudder. A fact that more than a few who hadn't become consumed with their own self importance appreciated.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:21, Sat 06 Jan 2018.