Frostborne

Flight in the Night

"No, you need to think smartly, young lady. You need to be discreet. That dress simply will not do." Alexi looked at her choice with deep reservations, especially after having voiced them directly.

Alina looked down at the dress. It was nothing too fancy. At least by her standards. It was a maroon dress with gold accents, with a ruby in the center, a broach. Granted, she was proud of her heritage, so... maybe not the smartest choice, but certainly one she loved. With a huff of annoyance, she acquiesced to her father's advice. Going back behind the cover set up for changing, she took off the dress, careful to not wrinkle or crimp it too much, and carefully set it over that very cover. Accepting the offered clothes, she found that they were a two piece suit. Dark trousers, a little worn, but serviceable. Secured with a brown leather belt, another pair of them hung at both sides. For now they served as decoration, but they might have a purpose later... Who knows?

Next was a pair of simple black leather shoes which were slightly loose over her socks, with a vertical striped white button up shirt. A maroon suit vest fit well enough, only slightly tight over her chest... but it was designed for men, not women. It was also vertically striped, but with subtle gold, easily missed at a glance. On top of that was a short black mantle, which disguised her feminine form, the hood attached covering the top part of her head. This would be suitable enough, with the colors of her family, without directly linking it back to them.

Good enough.

Next was the necessary resources. While they were reasonably well off, they weren't exactly rich. They were related to minor nobles, at best, and it showed.

"Let's see..." Alexi counted out the coins. Several gold, silver, and copper coins... and gave her enough for a whole month's journey. Alina would not stay in Yharnam long... but, if they also had Ashen Blood... then they wouldn't be able to live long enough to use the remaining money, regardless.

The rest of the day went by with exceptional stillness. Since Sonia was bedridden, the house remained silent. However, Alina took up her mother's violin. Carefully, she began to play her own tune. Not one of her mother's elegant ones, but a somber, yet unique. A remembrance for an era coming to an end. Everyone in the house knew it. Due to the combination of ailments, it was unlikely that Sonia would survive until Alina returned. So, she would leave one last musical gift for her mother. One from the soul.

Later, dinner was somber affair, with just the two mostly healthy souls remaining at the dining room table. Her father was beginning to show signs as well. Coughing, a sickly ashen coloration to his skin, compared to his usual pale skin... it would not be long before he would be bedridden just as Sonia is. Afterwards, they both went up to her, to give the older woman some company before Alina's departure.

Sleeping, she almost seemed peaceful... with the exception of blood running out of her mouth, a sign that the Ashen blood had taken hold. It was already lethal enough, but the fact that due to the Royal Disease, Sonia's blood wouldn't clot as easily... meant the disease itself would be exceptionally terrible.

Kneeling by the bedframe, the young woman clasped her mother's hand, tightly. "I will get the medicine from Yharnam. I will save you. Both of you..."

To Alina's surprise, not that she displayed it to them, the bedridden woman stirred, gripping her hands tightly with her own, too weak to do anything else. "I have faith in you."

Meeting her clear eyes, it was now to Alina that just how tired the woman was. Bags under her eyes, several shades darker, the labored breathing, all of the symptoms painting an ugly picture, defacing the beautiful woman underneath. Her heart, nay, her soul was still strong, and the warmth from her voice echoed that. So much so that a tear ran down her cheek, reminding her of the urgency.