She's got the devil's eyes

It’s easy to admire the beauty of the kingdom that stretches out before her. With the stunning vistas and picturesque, fog-shrouded waves, it would always be easy. But for all that, Nerine is rarely an easy kingdom. The northernmost reaches of the land stretches cold distant, surpassed only by Icicle Isle in chill temperature.

It’s ironic, in a way, that the former Amazon’s had landed in a place like Nerine in the wake of the world ripping apart. But then, at the time, most had only been glad to have a tract of land to call their own. They had not questioned anything beyond that.

Heartfire had not spent her youth in the jungle however, and so, Nerine had come to suit her far more than anything else ever might. She had long ago shed the vestiges of attachment to the desert in which she had been birthed. And now, Nerine is all that remains. Likely all that would ever remain.

She’s aware of the stallion approaching. Aware that the leader of Island Resort had, at long last, come calling. As they are tied so closely to Tephra, Heartfire had not felt the urgent need to visit (not with so many other pressing matters to attend to), though she had the thought in the back of her mind, once current events had played out. It seems that has become unnecessary however.

When he lets out the call, she is already on her way. With no supernatural means of travel, she must make do with the use of her own four feet. Still, in a suitable enough amount of time, she arrives, the steady clip of her hooves assuredly unhurried. Her blue gaze fixes on Ruinam, sharp and inscrutable in the dark mask of her features. She settles comfortably a conversational distance from him, head tipping faintly as she finally offers a mild greeting.

“Ruinam. Welcome.”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

Heartfire had never been a woman strongly inclined towards diplomacy, though neither has she been one to incite unrest or violence. For a long time she had been content to remain a bystander, observing the dramas and foibles of the world at large. Unfortunately this world is not one content to leave those who keep to themselves alone. She had known this, and so she had readied herself well in advance.

And when, inevitably, trouble had come knocking, she had set her carefully laid plans into motion. Of course, what they say of the plans of mice and men is regrettably all too true, but that had hardly kept her from pushing forward.

And now the entirety of Beqanna rests upon a precipice, holding its breath as those who care wait to see which way it falls. Heartfire had, of course, worked very hard to tip the balance.

It surprises her not at all that Lepis had sought out each and every kingdom, territory, and otherwise to extend careful neutrality towards. Though the fact that they had offered an allegiance to Island Resort does cause a raised brow. She had thought Lepis more cunning than that.

She considers Ruinam’s words for a moment, blue eyes steady and watchful as she weighs what he had just revealed. Though she tends to be more blunt than circumspect, as Ruinam had already proven relatively skilled at, she can see the need for carefully choosing her words in this situation. “I’m not certain they know either,” she finally replies rather dryly after a moment of silence. “You can rest assured it’s being handled. I have already established an alliance with Tephra in any case. And, if I’m not mistaken, that in turn means Island Resort, does it not?”

Though she had phrased it as a question, they both know there is only one answer that can be given. Unless, of course, Ruinam’s intention was to wage war on Tephra. And Heartfire very strongly doubts he has any such thoughts.

She had not paused to acknowledge the personal request he had made of her, but now she does turn consideration towards it. She does have to wonder what had inspired him to seek her out. Of course, it is becoming more widely known the knowledge she has directly at her proverbial fingertips, but she suspects this is not a request for direction to others who might fulfill that request. Finally, after he’d no doubt begun to wonder if she would even deign to acknowledge that comment at all, she slowly replies, “I cannot imagine there are many who would be so eager to divulge such a personal failing. Especially when it comes at the request of someone so fickle as a fairy.” She pauses then, her blue eyes boring into him for a long moment before continuing, “I might be able to offer you the kind of insight you seek, but tell me Ruinam, why should I?”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

She does not miss the careful response he gives in answer to her rather bluntly worded probe. Nor does she miss the fact that he had given neither confirmation or denial. This does, of course, stir a near immediate curiosity, and her gaze sharpens on the ruler of the small, quiet island with which she’d developed some familiarity. Her children had been born there, after all.

But that fact is neither here nor there.

She had been under the impression Ruinam had chosen to keep the island more or less a sanctuary. But it seems perhaps that was a mistaken assumption, and she should have been watching the goings on there much more closely. Of course, it is still a small and sparsely populated territory. In the grand scheme of things however, that does not always matter. After all, Lepis had mistakenly assumed Nerine weak as well.

She does not comment though, instead choosing observation to provide the truth rather than words that could be carefully chosen and presented so as to blur lines and ambitions alike. She is silent for a length of time, blue eyes studying him with open directness. Of course, what she finds there and her thoughts on it is something she leaves up to his imagination.

“It’s deed, not word, that proves the worth of one’s honesty in my opinion,” she finally offers rather bluntly, though does not indulge any further. He could make of that what he would, but she’d rather he not attempt to make promises he could not keep. “You offer me nearly anything for such information,” she continues levelly, her voice thoughtful. “I do hope you realize just what you have done.” Her lips quirk briefly then, a faint thread of amusement quickly vanished. “Your prize must be a great one if you would make such an offer, in any case.”

She pauses then, breathing calm and steady as her eyes take in the entirety of his countenance in light of what she had just said. “So then Ruinam, without knowing what I might ask of you, do you still stand behind your offer?”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

There are many in this world who would say Heartfire is a cold and heartless woman. Were that true however, she would have ended this tense stand-off with Lepis and Castile long ago. So, while it may not often appear that way, she does actually care about far more than she ever lets on. And she is certainly not a petty or malicious woman who would  eviscerate someone for such a bland, if somewhat probing, request.

Ultimately, her hesitance to answer stems far more from a disinclination to reveal information that, in the wrong hands, could be used against her rather than a desire to be obstinate or difficult. However, the incentive Ruinam had placed before her is one of the very few things that might actually stir her to give him his request.

She considers him quietly for a long moment, noting the sincerity with which he affirms he would stand behind the offer. While it’s just as clear he is coming to understand the import of it, that he would have so much to gain from it seems to outweigh any misgivings he has. Even one so large as giving away something that could just as easily be used against him.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, if it came to pass), Heartfire would be unlikely to use it to destroy him, unless, of course, he made himself her enemy. Still, she had just garnered a very huge incentive for him to remain on friendly terms with her.

“Very well,” she agrees, a note of finality to her voice. A faint smile kicks up her lips for the barest of moments before she continues, “My price is knowledge, freely given. Past, present, and future.” She pauses heavily before finishing, “Agree to that, and I will share with you what you wished to know.”

and they'll cut you like a weapon

She's got the devil's eyes

Silence is a tool she uses often, though there are few who truly realize the value in it. Too many seek to fill silences, and that is an often made mistake Heartfire takes full advantage of. Those who could learn to harness their tongues however, garner a respect rarely granted. After all, what fun would it be if everything were too easy?

Today though, her silences are less prying and more thoughtful. This is not a small request, after all.

For all that, Ruinam agrees readily to her price, seeming disinclined to consider it too deeply. Of course, were he to consider it that deeply, he might not gain what he seeks. And that would be a pity, wouldn’t it? Almost as much as if she had lost such an opportunity.

A slow smile curves her lips, exceptionally rare in it’s very presence. There is satisfaction in that smile, as well as appreciation. Though it does not last, it tells a story of it’s very own. One that could be either alarming or comforting, depending on how one chooses to look at it.

“Oh, you needn’t tell me anything at the moment Ruinam,” she replies almost gently after his steady agreement. “If I have questions, I will ask. But everything else I need,” for the briefest of moments, his eyes would flash, as though gently prodded, “is right here.”

She wonders if he would come to regret his decision. Perhaps, but she’d seen enough of him to know it unlikely he would renege. And even should he do so, it wouldn’t matter anyway. The bond she needed had already been established, as it were.

“Now, would you like to see what destruction I’ve wrought before you ask your questions?”

and they'll cut you like a weapon