Settling In
The Garrison, Lecture Hall
Svetlana and Praetor Zell stood in the centre of a large room,room next to the large basin of water that had been in the basement, as the forty or so members of the Spiritual Garrison crowded around her, eager to finally see a rusalki up close. Zell noticed she was getting agitated, and started to gently gesture for them to back up.
"Don't crowd her, please." Zell stated, starting to shoo people away. "And don't pretend she can't hear you either."
"I can speak and understand both Gilnan and Karandi. I have some knowledge of Elven as well." Svetlana stated. "If you're going to gossip about me, make sure I can't hear you."
"Optio Svetlana has joined the Garrison. She will be joining you on select missions that play to the strengths of a rusalki." Zell explained, to some dubious looks and raised eyebrows.
"That thing can be civilized?" A man asked, only to find himself tossed to the ground by Svetlana less than a second later.
"I'm an apex predator, food." Svetlana replied coldly. "Treat me with the respect I am due."
"That thing, as you called her, is a respected member of the Garrison." Zell answered in an annoyed tone. "You would do well to learn from her."
"Miss Svetlana, what was that language you were screaming out in the foyer earlier?" The hooded Centurion asked.
"That was my native tongue, Rus." Svetlana answered, holding her hands behind her back and standing up straightly. "All knowledge of it has been strictly forbidden by our leaders. I will not teach you it. No rusalki will."
"Are rusalki spirits?" The hooded woman asked again.
"No. We are born, live, and die just like the rest of you. I was born in the Sunken Depths like most of my race. I have a question for you in turn. Who are you?" Svetlana asked, staring at the hooded Centurion but not moving.
"I am Centurion Herydark." The woman answered as she removed her hood, revealing jet black hair and pointed ears. "I'm in charge of necromantic affairs."
"Show of hands. How many of you would qualify as undead?" Svetlana asked, getting an idea. She was surprised to see six people raise their hands, including Zell. "With the Praetor's permission, I would like to demonstrate why the dead should not approach one of the Rus."
"Approved, assuming no permanent injuries." Zell replied, nodding his head.
Svetlana motioned for the area near her to be cleared, and the soldiers stepped back more. Slowly, she began to dance in a haunting motion. The candles at the edge of the room flickered for a moment, before their flames turned blue. Five of the undead soldiers but not Zell collapsed in a few seconds, and Svetlana stopped dancing. Clapping her hands, a large mirror rose from the water basin that was next to her.
"Observe." She stated, gesturing at the mirror.
Centurion Herydark gasped when she looked in the mirror. Hundreds of ghosts were crowding around Svetlana, all trying to break through the mirror. Svetlana calmly broke the mirror, and the six soldiers on the ground stirred.
"We are a conduit for the dead. If I had finished that dance, you would have all crossed over and met your final death with Lady Frost herself. Stronger rusalki can outright command the dead. The Moonfall Prince could take your mind." Svetlana said in a musical voice. "Only the living can challenge the rus, such is the agreement with Lady Eigengrau."
"Why was the Praetor not affected?" A soldier asked.
"Why indeed." Svetlana said with a smirk.