CALLI: THE DAY AFTER THE PARTY
(so this one takes place after multiple games, all logs can currently be found on https://thesavagetimes.com/ if you were interested in the whole story, I'm just collecting some of my bits here, as well.)
Calliandra barely slept after the heated conversation with her mother. Too much on her mind. She’d finally get to sleep, only to wake in a cold sweat with her heart pounding in her ears. She dreamt, when she slept, of sitting in a dark carriage as war raged against the doors, hearing the screams cut short of people she loves all around her. Blood seeping in through the cracks in the boards, soaking into rotting drapery and pooling at her feet. As soon as the day had respectably dawned, but before her mother had risen for breakfast, she gathered some of her things and took off.
She hadn’t been staying home lately, anyway, many of her most immediate necessities were still in the last tavern Nightingale had booked them into. She wasn’t ready to face him, yet. Her closest confidant, who had shared her obsession with Gaedren Lamm, who helped her regain her confidence, who helped arm her against what might come, had lied to her the whole time. In believing it would protect her, her parents had created a giant blind spot. She tried to imagine what she might have done different had she known. Certainly not wander dangerous streets alone… like she was doing right now.
But the man who’d haunted half her life was finally dead. In the face of the world telling her to let it go and move on she was able to clear her brother’s name and put down the mad dog who’d hurt so many. And then somehow she’d manage to immediately upset another powerful influence. The story kept repeating. She’d do something for good, save someone, condemn another. She put up her hood and used the disguise clip to stay uncharacteristically unremarkable as she moved. She had to get indoors somewhere safe. She started with the familiar and visited each of her best friends for a catch up.
Daesha Endrin, first, to apologize again for how “ill” she had been the night before. The imposing home of the Sable Commandant had more couriers than usual flitting in and out, and the guards on duty didn’t give her the smiles she was used to from them. They waved her through, familiar with her after years of visits, and she was directed to her friend taking her breakfast in the kitchen, staying out of the way of the activity. Daesha was very forgiving and described in great detail everything from the party Calli had “missed out” on. Then, in a hushed tone, told Calliandra about the robbery that had happened afterwards. That explained the tension in the air. Calli thought of the fire breathing menace and how Gale had covered for her. Daesha saw the surprise on her face and read it innocently as someone shocked it had happened, instead of someone beyond frustration. She wondered if Nightengale knew about that, yet, and whether they’d ever be able to find her again. She had seen how the Flame had flirted with him and had hoped to encourage him to consider… but certainly not with that woman now!
She next called on Oriel Jeggare, to see how ill she actually was and fill her in on the party she’d actually missed. Oriel had been the one to obtain and sell Calli’s vital hairclip to her, and thus was the second person after Gale to know what she had planned. She trusted her entirely. Calli had been eagerly hoping to have a more honest conversation with her about some of the events of the night, and to warn her that Nif had figured it out. The lavish mansion was practically a small palace. Opulence was in every unnecessary detail. She used to marvel at the magnificence and delight in the artistry, but this time coming to the home felt different. She stopped in the entrance hall to consider how many families in Old Korvosa could be fed with just one of their vases. Her stomach turned a bit as she started piecing together that this family being the richest in the whole city must have some blame for the street after street of poverty she’d been witness to the past fortnight. But her head was already too full and her heart was too heavy to follow that thought any further just then. Their butler led her to Oriel’s room, where Oriel was still in bed. The girl was definitely ill. Oriel assured her it was nothing serious, they’d sent for their healers, and she’d be back on her feet again as soon as they arrived. Calliandra could tell she was tired, and decided to regale her with her adventures another day. She did give a brief summery of the party, holding back some key details, and described Nif’s face as the truth had dawned on them, to which Oriel’s laughter set off a coughing fit. Calli promised she’d tell her more another time, and sang a lullaby for her friend to help her get back to sleep, blessing her with a small spell to cure her just a little until the dedicated healers arrived. Dedicated healers… her mind went again to the people of the city that had been surviving… and not surviving… the riots and chaos of the streets. She did not look back as she left.
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The home of Nif Leroung was next. While House Endrin had no garden - nowhere for intruders to hide - and House Jeggare had one that boasted overwrought paths, fountains, and statuary- House Leroung had one that existed merely to decoratively connect one potential study spot from the next. Here a shaded table, there a swinging bench, around the back she knew there was an area with large stuffed pillows to lay sprawled in the grass. Whether you wanted to read outside or in, the house featured many such spots perfectly curated for optimal studying throughout it. It resembled more a university library than someone’s family home. The academic lineage boasted no end of learned citizens, and through history had held many important posts in schools and government alike. Nif greeted her at the front door themselves. “I knew you’d want to spill, been keeping watch for the past hour,” they taunted. The two retreated to one of many cozy reading nooks in the house and Calli had to decide how much she could admit to. A few days ago she might’ve given an account of every moment. But she kept hearing Lady Arkona’s words, the veiled threat within them, and as much as she needed her clever friend’s insight, as desperate as she was to unburden herself, the story dried up on her tongue. She wouldn’t put anyone else in danger who didn’t need to be. She did some quick revisions and gave a highly sanitized version of what the bard Calli E-K had been up to, and the new companions she had made. Nif, however, was neither naive nor ill, and was full of questions. Calli found herself giving away slightly more than she meant to about Gaedren’s demise under the interrogation. Nif hugged her tight, and she realized she’d been crying. When Nif heard that the Harrow reader, Zellara, who’d gathered them all had been dead the whole time, they were shocked to hear none of the group had gone back to where they’d been summoned in the first place. “How often are you talking to ghosts that you have no curiosity at all?!” Calliandra admitted everything had been happening so fast it just didn’t occur to her the ghost might still be there. She had suggested going back once or twice, but no one else in the group had been particularly interested as of yet. She managed to smile when she described how she’d finally gotten her audience with the queen. She rushed through the recruitment with Croft, giving few details of the jobs they’d been given, only that they’d been instrumental in helping return the streets to safety. And that brought them to the birthday party the night before.
”About that, Calli, we've had to listen to you singing, unprompted, for literally years. Of course I was going to work it out! You didn’t even change your name!" The two laughed together, Calli couldn’t deny there was much she hadn’t considered. But she had never expected the people she knew to be front row at a performance until she was ready for it, either! Nif then asked about the other members of her adventuring crew.
”Well, there’s Taylan. He was the Dragon Boy last night. He’s sweet, but it seems like he’s had a whole life of people taking advantage of him. First impression was that he’s a bit of a doormat, honestly. But his magic! He really does have a talent. Very capable in a fight, in spite of appearances- which are often unfortunate. We’re working on that. He’s really likable once you get the bugs off him. I think this group might be good for him. Give him something of his own to be proud of. He’s an optimistic man, which is a relief. Because some of the others…
Trevor is a bouncer at this safe little pub in Old Korvosa. Safe thanks to him! He looks like a fearsome half orc, but honestly he’s a giant teddy bear. Hates to harm a fly. He will, though. And he’s got such a dark side. Nif, I don’t even know exactly how to describe it, but it’s like there’s a whole separate person inside him. And that person is as vicious as Trevor is kind. When he emerges it’s in a fit of fury and foul language, the most violent and bloodthirsty creature I’ve ever seen. He’s so different you wouldn’t even know to look at him it was the same half orc! I’d suggest he come here for you to study, but I wouldn’t risk bringing him into certain circles until we figure out how to calm the rage. The night the riots started had me so out of sorts, I was stood in front of my mother with them all before I knew what I was doing. My idea of living a double life, keeping Calli far from Calliandra, fell apart immediately. I hope I can avoid mother meeting them again. I don’t see my facade holding up under too much scrutiny, if it isn’t me doing the talking. Trevor is so fixated on keeping the peace that it’s to his detriment at times, sometimes he works himself up into quite a state picturing every possible worst outcome. I worry that if questioned at any length he'll crack.
Byron, the Korvosan Bear, is as remarkable as his reputation suggests, but not the scoundrel the rumors imply! No, I will not tell you what the rumors are. It isn’t fit for polite company. He’s intimidating to be sure. But… unlike Trevor’s dark side, I’m somehow not afraid of Byron. The glimpses of him outside of the battles have revealed unexpected depths. In a fight he’s focused, disciplined, a machine practiced and successful at taking any opponent to pieces. Where Trevor’s dark side is a hurricane that will destroy everything within range, Byron is the blast of a cannon. Point it in a direction and stay to the side, you should be alright. He’s incredibly strong, and somehow even manages to hold down Trevor when he changes. It seems they used to know each other, back when they worked for Gaedren. I have some serious reservations about that. How much did they do for him? Were they involved in the attack on the fisherman? On me? They’ve protected me lately, but was that just convenience or can I trust them fully? I want to. I’ll need to get closer to them. When he isn’t fighting though, there are people he looks after. People who rely on him, and say kind things about him when he’s not around. He’s gruff, but can be funny. Not comical, but a dry humor that suits him. He’s level headed, and has this presence that tends to command respect. He’s got the most beautiful sleeve of floral tattoos, as well, if you’ll believe it. I wonder if he’s got a calliandra, anywhere? I’ve not exactly had a chance to inspect them in detail.”
Nif cut her off to point out, “Calliandra Eudicot-Kalissreavil, you’re blushing.”
”Nif, no.”
”Calliandra the untouchable, who has dodged hearts strewn at her feet like flower petals, who has always been interested in the song of romance more than the flesh of it-”
It was Calli’s turn to cut them off. “That had as much to do with my ever-present Shadow Bird as it did my own interests. You know that! It’s hard to steal away for kisses between classes with him tracking my every move! Besides, there’s not anyone who’s been interesting enough to fall for. Our school peers were largely predictable, different flavors of wealth and privilege, many who were only ever interested in my family names in the first place. If I’m going to be a great bard I deserve great characters for my story. And anyway, that isn’t what’s happening! I’ve known him two weeks. Give me some credit.”
”I didn’t accuse you of falling for him, I accused you of lust.” Nif dodged the decorative pillow Calli chucked at their head, laughing loudly. From elsewhere in the house the sound of someone shushing them carried. “Where is your shadow today, anyway? With what you’ve said about how dangerous the streets are you should have him with you more than ever.”
Calliandra swallowed. “I need a break from the weight of other people’s choices for me.”
Nif looked from their friend to her bag. ”What happened now?! It’s been a while since you slipped your leash. I thought that was all behind you.”
The words began tumbling out of her before she could reconsider. ”That night of the attack on my carriage was an attempt on my life, and my parents and Nightingale knew the whole time. They ordered him not to tell me, he says he wanted to, and damn it all I believe him, but knowing he lied for so long, to my face, about that night of all things... How could he stand it? I’m so mad at him and my heart breaks for him and I don’t know how to help him. In some ways he’s been a better father to me than my own all these years, but it never felt like he babied me. I appreciated that. But this feels like he’s been treating me like the clueless child just like my parents. I don’t think it was the only attempt on my life, either. The more I think back over the years the more it all starts to make sense. Various times they’d suddenly take back freedoms and liberties for seemingly no reason. The conversations that would cut off if I got too close. With Gaedren trying to kill their children they were never going to let Archie come back, and they kept me under surveillance to make themselves feel better about needing to save face by keeping one of their offspring local. The first scandal was bad enough, sending me away as well would certainly reflect poorly on them as parents. And that would be used as ammunition to cast doubt on their professional roles. They needed me to fall in line. And I was so desperate to do whatever it took to get Archie back that for the most part I behaved. But that got me no where!” Calli realized she’d been clenching her fists so hard that her nails had started to cut the delicate skin on her palms. She took a deep breath, and let the hairpin change her dark hair back into the bright pink momentarily with a wry smile. “So much for that idea. Nif… did you know? Did everyone know but me? Am I really that oblivious?”
“Absolutely not. I can’t speak for the others, but I never did. And why would any of us have ever have considered it? You don’t expect your life to be a lie. You were just a kid. We’re not much more than kids now! And think what a damn good job Nightengale has done keeping you safe if you didn’t have a clue. He thinks the world of you. And helping you pursue this dream of yours is the furthest from babying you he could get. You could be in your dorm room right now, studying for a history test, like the rest of us. You’ve gone out and become a hero instead.” Nif hugged Calliandra again, who gratefully held on while the tears returned. When she calmed again, Nif tried to cheer her up. “You’ve put an end to that chapter now. It’s over. The monster is dead and you’re free. Archie can come or go as he pleases. You can do what you like! Once the city calms down, anyway.”
”If only things were that easy.”
”What aren’t you telling me?”
Calli looked at them silently for a moment, and then stood to leave. “You just have to wait for the finished ballad. Now, please excuse me. You’re right. I stopped him. We stopped him. And he actively tried to kill me. I’ve survived YEARS of that, apparently, thanks to Gale. I’ll be fine. Everything’s fine. I’ll make it fine.”
”There’s the Calli we all love. But seriously, whatever it is that has you so shaken. Please be careful. All lessons are valuable once learned, but they don’t always come in time. Can I call you a carriage to take you to wherever you’re going next?”
The sun was setting, and at the thought of a nighttime coach ride Calli’s nightmare rang in her ears. “No, thank you, Nif darling. Being a hero requires quite a lot of physical activity, as it turns out, so I should get more comfortable on my feet. Ta-ra!”
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She needed somewhere to go for the night where she knew she’d be safe, but was absolutely not ready to go back to her homes or to Nightingale, just yet. But she didn’t want to be alone, either. Somewhere good at being discreet. She needed to go to Ruby’s Rest. That created all new problems. It was getting dark, it was dangerous, and she was alone. A coach to most people would seem the smarter move, but she knew first hand it was only the illusion of safety. She also didn’t want it getting back to this side of town where she ended up. So before the dark could solidify, she took off on foot as fast as she could manage without drawing too much attention. When she’d left the comparatively safer streets she was used to she became more cautious. Judging which groups she could join and walk with and which to avoid. Which lights were havens and which were traps. She had to duck into a tavern along the way at one point when she felt someone might have been following her, and counted every breath weighing the risk of heading out too soon versus waiting too long as night fell.
Crossing into Old Korvosa felt like the point of no return. She’d remembered to remove any jewelry and wear plain clothes this time, even wrapping her parasol in plain cloth to look more like equipment than decoration. Without Taylan to bring her back from death’s door and the others to stop the attackers she’d be done for. Remembering Taylan in that moment she noticed she had still been avoiding the filth in the roads as much as possible. With a grimace, she knew her disguise wouldn’t hold up as it was. She was too clean. Her eyes darted around for options. She found a building that had been caught in the fires of the riots, still charred black up the side, and tried to rub it in places that might make sense, and smudged up her face a bit. She splashed a bit in a puddle and her stomach briefly turned as she tried not to think about what it might be. It was, without a doubt, the worst she had ever looked or smelled in her life. She apologized inwardly to Shelyn for hiding the beauty she had blessed her with, but she wouldn’t survive the trip otherwise. Her heart was racing. She made herself go slow here, and tried to look like someone on the prowl themselves rather than someone on the run. She kept a dagger in one hand, and had to flash it at a figure she caught trying to sneak up on her at one point. It worked, the figure moved on to find an easier target. She released the breath she’d been holding and kept going. At another point she had to bolt from a group that moved in on her, and managed to lose them with a combination of breaking line of sight and using the hairpin to make herself someone else in a cluster of people huddled around a small stove. The thugs ran by, and the people minded their own business. This was clearly not uncommon for them.
Eventually she made it, and she nearly wept. She’d made her way alone across the city for the first time. Something about this journey helped heal something broken in her. She was capable all on her own, if she had to be. And she can get herself, and all of them, out of the mess with the Arkonas, too.
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She used prestidigitation to clean herself up (with great relief), used the hairpin to bring back her vibrant pink hair and green eyes they would know her by, and presented herself at Ruby’s. Even though she'd been there half a dozen times now, she still thought of Archie's sad tale every time she had to cross the threshold. It was getting easier to push away; as her familiarity with the brothel grew, it dulled the teeth of her fear. She moved into the sultry and inviting communal area and let the exotic incense and heady perfumes clear her sinuses of the disgusting streets outside.
Her luck held. Byron was not immediately in sight. She was exhausted, and hungry, and not sure she had it in her to explain what she was doing there just yet. Especially alone. She looked around the room and workers who had started to rise to see to a new patron’s needs recognized her and returned to what they had been doing. For one of them, that was reading. Calli grinned and moved over to the woman.
“Judging by how far you are in to that, he must’ve just been pulled into the cloak room at the ball he’s supposed to be guarding,” Calli offered. The woman was holding a well-worn novel with a cover that read, 'Love Takes Flight 2: Sable and Rope.’
She looked up with a surprised smile. The woman was older than Calli, maybe by a decade, and tonight wore her red hair in a thick braid that trailed into her cleavage intentionally to draw the eye. “And how often have you read it to know such a thing?! Isn’t it just delicious? You think for sure someone will catch them, so many coming and going like that.”
“That’s one way to describe it.” The woman laughed at Calli’s crude insinuation. “I hate to interrupt what I know to be a riveting read, but I have need of a room for the night, and I’d feel more comfortable with someone of such good taste.”
She closed her book and stood. “Just full of surprises tonight. I could see to your needs…”
Calli stopped her, glancing around to see who all was eavesdropping. “A bed, a meal, and conversation. I’ll pay the same but I’ll not need any personal attendance tonight.” One of the other denizens failed at hiding their mild disappointment that it wasn’t anything juicier.
The woman inclined her head and began leading her through the building. “Happily done! My name’s Portia. Wait in my room while I grab you something to eat. Did you want me to find Byron for you, miss?”
“No,” she may have answered a bit too quickly, “no need to disturb him tonight, Portia, thank you. And you can call me Calli.”
The next two hours passed swiftly. Portia was fantastic company as they held intense debate over which scenes in which books were the steamiest. Portia hadn’t read near as many series’ as Calli, it apparently was very hard to get your hands on printed literature for the average Korvosan. Something Calliandra had never considered. But still, she had a good memory and a professional’s insight to what was spicy and what was impractical. Being able to forget everything for a little while and just laugh again had been such a great relief, she felt the need to thank her.
"I have a present for you." Calli pulled a similar book out of her bag and presented it. The title read Love Takes Flight 3, Sable and Lace.
Portia’s eyes lit up and she practically snatched it out of her hands. "Wherever did you get this?! I feel like I've been waiting an age for the next one to be released!"
"It's with the publisher now, that's an advance copy he's sent me for being such a loyal customer. I'm just so happy to know someone as passionate as I am for them."
"Ha! More than one of Sable company have come here asking for ropes since the last one came out, but they'd never admit where they got the idea. This is business as much as pleasure, I'll get ahead of the trends!" They laughed together, until Portia set the book aside and opened a drawer nearby to remove lengths of cord. "Speaking of, I could teach you some, if you wanted? I'll demonstrate, and then you show me what you've learned. This is something you can practice on your own without needed to own anything too obvious."
If Calli hadn't been wearing a magic hairpin that was transforming her features, the woman would've seen a brief blush. Her bravado caged the butterflies in her tummy and Calli pulled out her own silk rope. "Let's use mine."