...

About this image

Character: Konyaeva. The Sin Eater. Chaotic evil, and completely batshit insane.

Disclaimer: If it looks too good to be true, chances are, it is. I used a massive amount of photoshop.


=========================

I approached her in the Windhelm inn, Candlehearth Hall. I left Agaile at the bar, who was now once again an ever-present companion. Why did I do this despite Agaile baring her teeth at the woman the moment we sighted her? Simply for that very reason.

I sigh as I page this. Though I may be intelligent among both men and mer, I can never say that I have been accused of actually having common sense.

Agaile rarely has any emotions toward anyone. Yet this woman of regal bearing in intricate and, I believe, very old, armor, made her hackles raise immediately. What creature could possibly do this to a veritable god among mortals?

Her skin was pale, even in the rosy fire of the light, she seemed almost ghostly. She turned at my approach, as though expecting me, and smiled softly.

My breath caught in my throat, and I was terrified. I don't know why.

Though her skin was white, her eyes were more so, the area between the dark Fleischer ring and the pupil itself so blank there seemed to be an acute void of sorts.

Agaile was terrifying in that she had no morals. She was blank and open, like a child.

But this... this woman. Here there was evil so deep I'm not sure anyone could truly put it into words.

"Hello, Galena." She whispered. My mouth opened soundlessly and I was rooted to the spot on that floor as I watched her reach long delicate fingers to my face, tracing the jawline. Her voice... I cannot describe her voice. It was soft, and loud, and gentle, and harsh. She spoke in a chaotic chord of multiple voices. Yet nobody around us even seemed to notice. I think, truly, that they could not hear her.

I shivered in sudden disgust, "You're brave... little one. So young... so innocent..."

Young? Innocent? I fought against the will pressing down on me. I was nigh going on four hundred years old and had buried two stillborn children and finally my own husband. Yet to this creature, I was just that.

I was overwhelmed by the dark taste of copper in my mouth. I couldn't tell if I was feeling this from her or if I had actually bitten deeply into my own tongue. Her hand gripped my throat as she stepped closer and she felt dark, comforting, and beautiful. So beautiful. I wanted to fall on my knees for her, love her, worship her... I wanted nothing but to be there for her in any way she required--

Stunned, I found myself on the floor, gasping for air. Agaile was there, between us, glaring at the pale woman. The other smiled, unintimidated and tilted her head, studying the avatar. "Take your pet and go, or I will take her from you and swallow her."

Agaile had gripped me by the arm and was hauling me along the floor toward the door. We got a couple of curious glances, but I didn't care. I clung to her as she pulled me to my feet and led me out the door.

"You are f...far too curious for your own good, my fr-iend." Agaile's curious stutter was an endearing quality to me. "You will die some-d-day."

I nodded, "I only hope that you are there to share it with me."

Agaile tilted her head, "When you are old. So not for awhile yet, but yes."

I blinked, and looked at her, "You... I... how..." This sudden insight of Agaile's was strange. She had struggled with the understanding of aging and living.

She smiled, "I understand the concept of time now because she is older than I am."

I sat down in the snow.