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The Land of Ayeriel [ROLEPLAY]
Forum-Index → Roleplay → The Land of Ayeriel [ROLEPLAY]
Posted: Mon, 11/07/2022 14:39 (2 Years ago)
On the other side of the continent, nestled in the banks of the Nandra river, a group of elves sit around a table. The intricate jewelry entangles around their pointed ears and works its way down their necks, curling through the thick silver shoulderpads and running down their bloodless arms. An onlooker might gasp from the bushes where they sit- genuine diamonds glitter in the light, only a shade lighter than that of the noble elves. The jewels here could buy half of Tilon. But the onlooker knows the truth- the knowledge which the elves possess could buy all of Ayeriel. The jewelry is unworthy of the skin which it touches.
Not even the Prince will hear of this. It is to remain off the record.
Of course.
Good. This is to be the most important meeting in all of Ayeriel.
And the onlooker would listen...
Brooksook Myel
It was a chilly autumn morning that Brooksook stirred to. For a long moment, she lay in bed, listening to the incessant screeching of Owlins. Her thick blanket was comfortable against her bones, entrapping her with warmth. Mmm… maybe she could sleep in today… She snuggled deeper into her sheets, her eyes starting to close-
kHAWWWW
She threw herself to her feet, padded over to the curtains and thrust them out. "Get out!" she yelled. "Go away!"
The birds gave cries of alarm and bumbled down the tree. Oh, Cloudian, she hated those things. The minute she landed here, they had refused to leave her alone. Weren't they supposed to hate warm-blooded creatures-?
Her mouth dried up. Oh. She was definitely awake now.
Fantasy died in the light of the morn.
Brooksook breathed in, the chill air sharpening her throat. Her magic settled warmly into the center of her chest.
She thrust it back down, the warmth vanishing in an instant. She whipped on her heel and stormed towards the stylistic dresser. She yanked the polished handles open. One drawer tumbled out, smashing onto her foot.
She cursed the thing out for the rest of the morning.
—
Brooksook tugged on the collar of her tunic. She preferred prettier, softer things. Silks didn’t dig into your throat, or itch at your shoulders. But of course no ordinary
This was so worthless.
She strolled through the bustling market square of Briar Glen. All around, people bartered, threatened, and claimed, tugging another stack of fruit into their arms, dropping another small child to clutch at their skirts. She paused to admire a peggy square blanket.
The vendor noticed her interest. “Haven’t seen ye ‘round, girl. You like that?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. The blue center of the knitted square- it reminded her of ice. Cold, cold winters, something indigenous to Snavia. She brushed her hand over the fabric, marvelling at the roughness of the stitches.
“Whatchu gonna pay for it?”
She pulled her hand back as if burned. The vendor raised his eyebrows. “What? Thinkin’ of just takin’ it?” His eyes narrowed. He leaned across the counter.
Brooksook whipped on her heel and took off.
She collided with a brick wall.
She staggered back, cursing, her hands flying up to clutch her screaming nose. The wall moved, crouching in front of her. She thrust out a fist and the wall yelped, stumbling back.
"H-Hey!"
For the first time, she got a good look at what she'd collided into. Her magic twisted with disgust, something she couldn't even contain.
"Orc," she hissed.
"Yep. That's what I am!"
"You! That girl tried to steal from me! Get the mayor. I'm collecting my fee from whoever this brat's parents are."
"Good try," she shot at the vendor. "But, for your information, I didn't steal from you. I was uncomfortable being around your freakish face." She crossed her arms, pretending to fume. But she really wanted to examine the Orc from the corner of her eye.
He was short, for his species. Lines criss-crossed his face, digging into his cheeks, and lining his forehead. He didn't wear any armour, as far as she could tell. Only the typical shoulder pads of a Briar Glen resident.
So he was a fool. She could work with that.
"Hey, hey, calm down. Nothing's happened, has it?" The orc raised his arms in surrender. Blood dribbled out of his nose and spattered on the pavement. Worse than mine, probably. She felt a flash of guilt. "We're all friends here. Citizens of Snavia, amirite?"
"Snavia." Brooksook's magic stilled. She breathed in and out. "Yes, we're all Snavians here." Human, for the most part. For his credit, the Orc hadn't ripped either of them apart.
"Are you a collaborator?" the stall owner hissed. "I can have you both arrested." His brown eyes flicked back and forth.
"Run, small human child!" Brooksook startled as the orc lunged past her, breaking for the alley.
"Hey!"
Feeling a flash of delight, Brooksook tore after him. The howls of the stall owner rose to a crescendo.
--
---
----
They both stopped by the Church of Abra, panting and wheezing with delight. Brooksook burst into giggles, and the Orc managed a grin.
The silence was broken by a bee. Brooksook watched, fascinated, as the Old Continent creature hovered by her ear- and then darted off into the bushes. An Owlin swooped down and landed on the ground, beginning to peck around at the bushes.
"So, who are you? What happened there?"
"I'm Brooksook." Joy faded. "Who're you?" The alley had gotten very chilly all of a sudden. Her magic shuddered in response.
"I'm Shurkul. I travel all over Snavia, being an awesome badass." Shurkul beamed at her. It made her feel odd, noticing his nose. "You didn't answer my question." Something intense passed over his face, and he leaned in closer. "Did you really try and rob him?"
"No!" A flash of annoyance went through her. "I didn't trust him. I thought he was going to try something. I didn't want one of his stupid blankets." That, and-
"Something else?" he guessed.
Huh. That was creepy.
"I don't think that's any of your business."
"Maybe." He studied her for a long minute. "Are you a shapeshifter?"
Brooksook burst out laughing.
"Hey! Hey? What? It's a reasonable question!"
"How- how the heck did you-" she could barely speak between wheezes. "Where'd that come from?"
"Well, you're cold-blooded. And you know a lot more about social interaction than I do."
"I see." She didn't. She actually wondered how he'd thought of either. But then, he stiffened. The sound of a horn reached her ears a second later. Brooksook felt a pang of alarm. "Is that for us?"
"No. It's a general village alarm. It's a warning. An invasion is happening."
Brooksook went rigid.
"Let's go."
She broke into a run.
...
...
...
The sound had come from the village square. The polite orc had vanished somewhere in the crowds. Brooksook pushed herself towards the center.
The Mayor of Briar Glen sat in the square center, his smooth face betraying nothing. The peoples of his nest crowded around his throne, peasant ants to his queen.
Brooksook collapsed into a family of humans, panting, hands on her knees. They inched away. A child began crying.
"Where's the attack?" The orc from earlier appeared next to her, blinking up at the wooden stage. The mayor's plastic chair shrunk in grandeur.
"Shh," a woman hissed. Her face was Freysian, but her eyes were fierce. Brooksook shied away from her.
"Peoples of Briar Glen," the mayor rumbled. "Welcome."
The hubub fell to a murmur. The mayor looked satisfied. "You are all privy today, to the uncovering of the true Bane of Glen."
Brooksook perked up. That was what the jokester setting up the meaningless runes was called. "Bane of Glen" was fitting, she supposed- named after the disease which had wiped out the ubiquitous briars of the town. Leaving it "Glen."
She chuckled a bit at the thought. Shurkul shushed her, his eyes still fixed on the mayor.
With a swift gesture, the mayor had a human child brought out, dragged in chains. Brooksook inhaled sharply.
"What?" She whispered.
"That can't be right," Shurkul muttered.
The Freysian woman didn't say a word. But her venomous glare spoke for itself.
The runes-
Who would go so far to cover up a teenager's prank? As to blame that terrified child whom-
She recognized?
Briar Glen? I have never heard of such a place.
It is built upon a grave. The hatred that permeates the air there is unmatched by any place within or outside Snavia.
The runes-
Of no importance. If-
The onlooker would strain to listen- to hear the name which could very well mark the fate of Briar Glen. But instead, the poor, hapless fool knocks over a pot. A clang resounds around the room.
Did you hear that?
I did.
And nothing would be left of the onlooker, but a scream caught only by the ears of a child Owlin.
Posted: Mon, 11/07/2022 19:50 (2 Years ago)
Who seemed familiar?...
Posted: Tue, 12/07/2022 00:37 (2 Years ago)
"The gates of hell open at the sound of my laughter~"
Envy Baby - English Cover (Trickle)
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
Further away from the capital in a somewhat seperated district, a man pushed through the people hanging around in the cramped alleyways, earning curses and grunts of complaints as he bolted past them, running from what other's couldn't see. It wasn't long before he had reached a dead end in the labyrinth of building walls. Terrified, the man looked behind him, hoping he lost his chaser through the maze.
It was wishful thinking.
"You thought you could run from me in these tight walls? I grew up here, I know this place better than you do. You fell right into my trap," a deep voice teased, giggling at the man's look of fear and despair. He toyed with the blade in his hands as he closed the distance between the two. "You wouldn't have found yourself at death's door if you were a good man and keep those hands of yours to yourself," he added as he snatched the glowing purple crystal out of the man's pockets, the menacing aura itself symbolising a bad omen. "This is one of my precious treasures, and you dare put your filthy hands on it?" he said as he buried the blade into his victim. A scream rang through the area.
"Please, forgive me. I swear I'll never do it again'" the man pleaded through the pain.
"Now, that would be unfair. I've always killed my prey, why would a scumbag like you be an exception?" he tsked, digging the blade deeper, the cries he got was quite melodious to his ears. "Now sing me one last song before you go, won't ya?" he laughed as he pulled the blade out and putting it against the neck.
"What you're doing is a horrible sin. I hope Cloudian's curse falls upon you," the man spat. The killer made a fake surprised face.
"Oh? Acting all mighty before you die? Wow, what a man," he said, slicing through flesh with a quick swipe and watching the man drop to the ground. He wiped the red fluid onto his black jacket with a smile. The thrill of his kill still coursed through his body, resonating in his sick laugh. The onlookers only hid behind the crates and walls, not the least excited to cross paths with him.
Everyone knew him. The devil of the streets, Asmodeus Ichor. Though the bounty on his head was high, enough wealth to live as grand as kings in fact, the task of capturing him was double the pay. With many bounty hunters dying before him, no one dared to challange him. And so, he walked through the dull streets without much to worry about, whistling a merry tune.
"Hey, are you the fabled 'devil' going around the streets?" A voice whispered. Asmodeus turned to see who spoke to him. A man wearing a long black coat, the hood conceling their face. Asmodeus smiled.
"I see I'm quite famous. What have you heard about me?" he asked.
"A cold-hearted criminal, killing with no mercy. Is that true?"
"Why of course, did you not hear the beautiful song from my last dying prey just a few seconds ago?" Asmodeus hummed. The man let out a shiver through his crazy words.
"I havem which is why I have a task to ask of you," the man started. Asmodeus raises an eyebrow.
"Oh? And what makes you think I'd do as you say?" he questioned. The man showed Asmodeus a suitcase full of bars of shimmering gold. Asmodeus smirked.
"Is that it? But, oh well, I'm in a good mood today, I guess that will do," he whistled. "So? What's the deal?"
"I have this person I need to rid, near the capital of Snavia. Most of my hired killers have failed so you're my only hope. Bring his head to me and all this gold is yours," the man explained. Asmodeus almost jumled in excitement at the mentions of another killing spree. Oh, this will be fun.
"Deal, now who's this poor person you're hoping to see dead?" he asked. The man handed him a picture. A boy, quite bright and beautiful, with the face of angels. Asmodeus was slightly taken aback at why he wanted the boy deas, butnhe didn't question it. He nodded and dissapeared into the shadows and made his way to the center of Snavia in search of his new target.
The boy was pretty, his white hair would be dazzling in the sunlight to match with his golden eyes. Too bad, he'll have to dye it red instead.
Now, Asmodeus stood on the roofs of the buildings, seeing the commotion happening below, watching the confused child being chained and shown to the people as a curse. It was so stupid and silly Asmodeus couldn't help but let out a cackle.
"I can't believe noble people have the brains of a chicken. Blaming a child is so stupid, it would be more reasonable if you blamed me instead," he laughed from the rooftops. He didn't care about the stares of the crowd, he was having way too much fun. He scanned the flood of people in the are and caught a glipmse of snow white hair. He smiled.
There he was~
"I am dreaming. Still dreaming"
Birds of Time - Enna Alouette
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
The stained glass windows spilled it's marvelous colors onto the white tiles of the library like paint decorating a canvas. The faint outlines of the angels reflected by the light bathed the boy in it's golden warm glow as he skimmed through the pages of the book, his other hand writing notes with a quill. He pushed the rim of his golden glasses up as he jotted, word by word, of the facts he needed for his current research.
"Hello, Raziel, still searching about the cursed runes I see?" a familiar voice popped up besdies him. He broke his focus with the book and saw the librarian taking the spot besides him, peering over at his notes. "You need to stop being so serious about it, take a break somtimes, ya know?" she added. Raziel smiled warmly.
"This research is really important and the capital leader is in great need of more information regarding this matter, I shouldn't let them down," he sighed as he marked his last reading spot and packed his things, preparing for yet another excursion to the Snavia borders to inspect the runes. "Well, I should get going now. See you tomorrow," he waved to the lady, lifting his satchel filled with books out of the building.
"Be careful out there!" she replied worriedly, knowing how dangerous life was for the boy. Raziel only gave her a reassuring smile before making his way out of the doors. He was met by two black suited men who took their places alongside him. The boy sighed. He hated this, hated pulling other people into his troubles, but there wasn't much to be done. He continued his way through the busy town streets.
Suddenly, the vibrant bustle of the town was shattered by the blare of the alarm horn. Surprised, Raziel stopped in his tracks and watched as people started to gather at the center. He didn't like having to postpone his excursion to the borders, but he decided he's better follow the flow and merged with the crowd.
Only to be met with a rather disaapointing sight. A human child to be blamed for such serious matter? It was wild to think about it. Since he was researching the area, he waa itching to ask what evidence they had to claim the child was at fault and he was about to question it.
Until a rather taunting voice rang out from the rooftops. He looked up to see who dared speak to the high powers like that.
He was met with scary crimson red eyes that made his blood freeze. He recognised the look too well. The glare of a predator buring with the intention to kill. The man smiled darky at him, taking out a blade from his pocket and twirling it around his fingers, the soft clank of metal hitting metal echoed too loud in his ears as the blade brushed at the chains on his hand. Everyone else seems oblivious to the looming threat and the last thing Raziel wanted was to pull the entire town into danger. He slowly backed away, the two men with him following suit.
"Threat identified," one whispered as the three retreated from the busy area. One of them readied their guns to shoot and defend the boy.
It took a matter of seconds, it only took the blink of an eye before both men dropped to the ground, not even given a chance to scream. Raziel stared in horror at the dead bodies. His breathing was suddenly cut off as the person choked him and dragged him to a quieter alleyway, out of earshot of the crowd. He coughed as the grip let him go, looking up at the man.
His red eyes glowed in the shadows as he kneeled down to see Raziel's face. A tear was starting to form on the boy's eyes. The man scoffed.
"Please, I didn't do anything and you're crying already?" he laughed. Raziel winced as the tip of the knife grazed his skin.
"You look familiar," the boy muttered, earning a rather pleased chuckle from the other person.
"It's Asmodeus. Carry that name with you and tell all the residents in hell about me while you're on the way up there will ya?" Asmodeus smirked. Raziel let out a small laugh.
"Yeah, sure, I will," he answered. Asmodeus cocked his head in confusion.
"Aren't you scared that I'm about to slit your throat?" he asked. Raziel shrugged.
"I am, I am scared of what lies for me after death. I still have much to achieve too and plenty to care for," he sighed. "I don't want to die, but I'm sick of people losing their life for me," he continued, looking at the two corpses in the distance. "Even if I didn't kill them, I feel like a murderer. I feel like I was responsible for all the deaths that happened for my sake and it's killing me," he went on, his voice starting to break a little. He looked at Asmodeus straight in the eye.
"So, I wouldn't mind if you killed me. It'd just stop this madness," he ended, smiling at Asmodeus. The killer met his gaze, staring right at his sould before he withdrew the knife with a scoff,
"Forget it, a prey who does not struggle is no fun game," Asmodeus complained, returning the blade to it's small sheath. "I think I'd rather watch you suffer for a little longer," he added as he brushed Raziel's hair to examine his eyes, the golden color reminding Asmodeus about the rewards of piles of gold bars.
"Say, what's your name? You have mine so I must know yours too," he inquired. Raziel gulped.
"Raziel Lux," he simply answered.
"Quite nice. I like it," Asmodeus comlimented, standing up. "Well, I'm going now. You better watch your back, Raziel," he hummed playfully as he dissapeared into the shadows. Raziel looked at the empty spot for a moment for putting his head in his hands.
Another two lives lost. Another two innocent humans taken because of him and there will be more to come. Raziel started feeling sick. He sat there while his voices screamed at him for all the deaths he caused.
For the millionth time, the boy wished yet again for his death to come faster.
Posted: Tue, 12/07/2022 02:18 (2 Years ago)
"Oh, a beggar boy. I assume you want something in return, yes?"
"Oh, not at all. I just recognized, due to your exquisite clothing, that you might need this one extra coin."
The woman went silent, Chervil striding right past, flicking the coin to the woman with his thumb. She caught it clumsily, stunned by the audacity of the thief. How sarcastic was he, how arrogant, that he could speak in such a way? His receding figure was seen descending towards the ocean, mere minutes away from the perfect tranquility of his Great Sword Sanctuary.
Only he held the key, and only he could ever learn to find a way in, through the hangman's maze of rope and chain, built to hold the catch of the day above the floor to be gutted and sold. Though, despite the silt to desperate to claim what floorspace there was left, no danger was posed to the agile thief. Chervil knew every slip and every false path, so rotted were the floorboard that they might swallow a fool whole. No, it took the most careful of steps to know which boards might betray the unwary, and which would strain to support those who tread upon them.
However, as tempting as the lovely hideout of the thief sounded, something else drew his attention. Not with the hideout, no, but with the air around him. Had it been but a few minutes earlier, no disturbance would have sought the ears of the awoken, no creeping tone clawing desperately for the attention of those that heard it. Chervil turned back towards the town, hearing the alarm ringing high overhead, a shrill screech to ears too sensitive. Some kind of furry beast vanished into the earth further along the shoreline, tormented by the hellish sound. However, the infiltrator seemed eager to approach the horn, to know what issue disrupted the town.
Chervil Bartholomew started at a quick trot towards the center of the township, his mind plagued with questions, and his body plagued with quivering energy... Perhaps purchasing that odd, strong-scented dark drink wasn't such a bright idea, it made him shiver so violently. Though, his energy was boundless now. The merchant came from no near place it seemed, with a drink made of a plant that dared to bless the consumer with plentiful energy. It pushed Chervil to run faster, to find out what all was happening.
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 18:06 (2 Years ago)
A point so near the capital- why would the B'lyth want it? What a wonder. Perhaps they like the weather?
Hush. They wouldn't have come to us if they were planning an invasion. It's something else.
There's nothing special about Briar Glen. A fishing town, smaller than some villages. Mostly human population.
Hmm. Perhaps a Rebel Squadron is hiding out there?
A rebel squadron-
What? What is it?
Shurkul
"That can't be right," Shurkul whispered. He wasn't familiar with magic, but he could recognize a magic base when he saw it. Why would a human scribble out a few runes that he couldn't even control?
If Shurkul recalled correctly, magical bases were one of the requirements to begin a high-cost spell- and a high cost one only. To actually implement the spell, you'd have to have infused the base with an extraordinary amount of magic which would ordinarily only be found in Water Fae or Elves.
But he wasn't the voice of authority. Surely there was-
No. There's something wrong here. Something's not right.
Shurkul glanced back and forth, studying the crowd. Angry murmurs rippled through the peoples. A small girl threw a tomato. It splattered at the feet of the child on stage.
He recoiled, disgusted. But an appreciative murmur and laughter rose up through the people of Briar Glen.
Did everyone believe it? What-?
His Orc ears; accustomed to tracking small animals; picked something up.
Laughter. Far away. Undoubtedly the person had thought the noises of the crowd would allow him to pursue his mischief.
This may be the key to the mystery.
Shurkul slipped away from Brooksook. She didn't even seem to notice him. She was staring at the stage, tremors running through her small frame. He felt a pang of guilt, but stifled it. She would live. Whoever had just been the target of that laugh would not.
He heard two loud thumps. The drains gurgled with fresh liquid. He increased his pace.
Two people were talking. "...killed me... stop this madness..."
Shurkul stopped in his tracks and pressed his back up against the wall, listening. Was it possible that there were two killers? Or was one the victim, albeit a very calm one?
"Forget it, a prey... not... no fun game... watch you suffer for a little longer... name? ..have mine, must know yours too."
He couldn't quite make out the name. That person was quiet, scared. The victim. Shurkul reached into his belt and withdrew a knife. He ordinarily didn't use it; he disliked the 'violent orc' stereotype, and preferred words. But if someone was in danger, he would need to defend them.
"...I like it. Well... going now. ...better watch...back..." He strained his ears. "Raziel."
Shurkul snapped around the corner and rushed into the alleyway. Only one person was there. Was he crying? Clutching at an injury? Or-?
"Hello?" he called.
Brooksook Myel
"Shut up," Brooksook whispered. "Shut up." The girl was looking at her. She felt it, she knew it. She hated it. It was a plea, surely. Save me, save me. You know I'm not guilty.
Who would listen to me, anyway? I'm just a human child.
But that was all a lie. She was just scared.
She didn't want to say she recognized the girl on stage, and she didn't want to say that she was anything less than ordinary.
Still so obsessed with her own blood, when someone else's had a high likelihood of being spilled.
The Mayor waited for the cries to quiet down. When the last child fell silent, he began speaking again. "This creature-" he gestured to the guards encircling her, and they drew the chains taut, yanking her up. "Was found, yesterday, by my office. Upon further inquiry, we discovered that she was an illegal immigrant to our beloved Briar Glen. And with hair a shade like hers, she undoubtedly contains elf blood- enough to have the magic to put our lives in jeopardy."
The cries of the people rose to a crescendo.
Does he even understand basic genetics?
Magic was a recessive trait. White hair was a dominant. The girl could very well have no magic at all- and white hair wasn't unheard of in humans without elf blood.
This was the stupidest frame up job she'd ever heard.
"Filthy beast." Brooksook jumped as the Freysian woman spoke. "The Fae will punish her." Her eyes glowed with an intensity that made Brooksook sick. She tore her eyes away.
She should speak up.
She should save her-
"She will be stored in the County Jail while we wait for the B'lyth. They are willing to accept responsibility, if the girl, is in fact, of elf blood. Undoubtedly, the runes will be all the proof they need."
B'lyth.
How could she leave an innocent girl in the hands of those monsters? They would take her, whether she was guilty or not. And either they'd suck her soul out of her body, or they'd crush her like a bug, beneath the stones of Chu'dol.
"Shouldn't she have a trial?" Brooksook could only whisper. "Shouldn't there be more proof then white hair and circumstancial evidence?"
The woman beside her twitched. "The force here is incompetent. Due to the criminalistic nature of humans, they cannot release important evidence which might inspire others. They're likely giving the fools a few reasons which appeal to their animalistic natures." Her eyes narrowed. "They're pathetic."
For once, Brooksook agreed with the Freysian. She stared at the girl as she was hauled away.
I'm so sorry.
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 19:18 (2 Years ago)
This day was turning into a travesty it seemed. Just this morning, Emika Tenshi-Smith had woken up, thinking today would be like any other; a day of staving her desire for bloodshed. Instead she had found a commotion near the center of the town, where the people were staring at glaring at a girl in chains. Emika frowned when the mayor called the young girl the 'Bane of Glen'. His reasoning was horribly flawed, "Does he know nothing about genetics?", and worse of all were the villagers. They dared to believe the mayor, even throwing a tomato at the poor girl and laughing at her. Emika hid a sneer with her hand, as to show that not everyone was onboard of the decision. As the girl was dragged away, Emika chose to move away from the crowd. "Such a disgusting display..." she thought to herself. But there was nothing she could do. She was just a human after all...
Despair. That was all Eris felt as she was dragged away to her cell. Her cell. That didn't sit right. She shouldn't even HAVE a cell. She was not to blame! No one would dare stand up for her, not even the girl she had recognized. And there was something else to fear; the B'lyth. Creatures feared by many, but seen as punishers by many as well. Similar to stories of vampires or wendigos who could suck your soul dry from your body. And she was going to be their fresh kill, whether she was deemed guilty or not. As she was forced into her cell and chained into place, her mind raced. Why her? Why her of all people?! This was like being with her family all over again; despised simply for existing. Maybe... This was for the best...
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 19:20 (2 Years ago)
Nats Morrow's POV
They felt the anger brewing inside of them, and it happened before they could stop it. They darted through and pushed aside the people around them, barely brushing past some of them. "HEY! YOU! Let go of her!" he yelled, face red with fury. Out came a pocket knife from Nats's pocket.
They'd regret this soon enough-- but they weren't thinking right now. All that brewed within them was the anger at this witnessed injustice. "OR ELSE."
°*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪ °*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪
°*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪ °*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪
"Everything is going to be okay."
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 20:27 (2 Years ago)
That can't be. It's been disproved over and over again.
Regardless, we have to give them an in into Briar Glen. They're not the kind of people you want to make enemies of.
If the runes are truly as powerful as they seem to believe-
Then they wouldn't be asking. We have no choice at this point. Contact the Mayor of Briar Glen. Tell him to make up an excuse for the townspeople. Don't want a riot until they're all subdued.
May Cloudian forgive the blood on our hands.
Brooksook Myel
The girl was being dragged away. Brooksook's nails dug into her palm. She couldn't breathe. Sweat trickled down her back.
And then someone was pushing through the crowds. "HEY! YOU! LET GO OF HER!"
Brooksook was snapped to attention. She watched, horrified, as a human headed for the front of the crowd. Don't do it! she begged internally. Don't! They'll punish you!
The Freysian woman hissed. "What in Ayeriel is that fool thinking?"
Winthrop Airaldii
Winthrop truly found humans... disgusting.
They pleaded for ideals such as "justice" and "freedom" and yet they punished small children for the most ridiculous of crimes. As if the Water Fae would not handle them for them.
This, she supposed, was what happened when the natural order was abandoned. The Water Fae had justice. The creatures that were meant to be in their care did not. It was foolish to think that anything could work outside of the established rules of the world.
But humans were foolish in every which way.
She hissed as someone carved their way through the people. Their shoulder touched hers and she recoiled, letting them forward. What a fool. What a total fool.
"This country is a cesspool of fools and arrogants."
From the look on the strange girl's face, she agreed.
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 20:53 (2 Years ago)
Nats Morrow's POV
"My deepest apologies." As if that would be enough... "But I have to say this. You can't just punish a possibly innocent child like this! They deserve a fair trial. And if anything happens, I'll accept responsibility."
WHAT. THE HELL DID I JUST SAY?! I DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS PERSON!! But the look upon the girl's face... the heinous crime, the punishment...
They couldn't stand the thought. And it was too late to back down now.
°*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪ °*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪
°*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪ °*•★ • ° ★ : ; . • ° ★ : . ; ° ♪
"Everything is going to be okay."
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 21:04 (2 Years ago)
Brooksook Myel
The Mayor swivelled around. He stared at the human for a long moment.
Brooksook found herself holding her breath. Don't do it! Don't make him madder. It won't help anyone. We're just dooming ourselves. You shouldn't...
The Mayor released a dark, deep laugh.
The uneasy feeling in Brooksook's stomach tugged at her other organs.
"What is this... child doing up here?"
"They don't mean anything!" Brooksook blurted out. "They're not- actually trying to take her punishment." WHAT AM I SAYING, WHAT AM I SAYING- "You don't have to listen to them."
The intensity of the Mayor's stare made her knees buckle. But she still said, "Please, sir."
He turned back to the stranger. "Do you mean what you say?"
Posted: Wed, 13/07/2022 22:38 (2 Years ago)
"The gates of hell open at the sound of my laughter~"
Envy Baby - English Cover (Trickle)
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
Asmodues was evidently pissed.
He watched as another person rushed in to check on Raziel, the boy pathetically sobbing his heart out. He wondered if the orc was one of Raziel's associates. For future plans, he memorised the face of the stranger, taking a good look at the orc from behind the walls before he walked away from the scene.
His frustration was tugging at him, his hands itching from the feeling of restraint. He craved for blood, he wanted to feel the adrenaline rush through him as he played his role as the grim reaper. The boy, Raziel, was a perfect opurtunity to let out his urges on.
But he didn't feel it. It wasn't thrilling nor exciting just like the normal 'hunts' he did. Worst of all, for a moment, he even felt reluctant to kill the boy, the bright golden eyes almost staring right at his soul, pulling at something in the man. It infuriated him.
He heard the thump of tiny footsteps in the distance. The sound of a laughing child. His instincts triggered, he flinged the knife through the gap in the alley. A cry followed soon after before the target let out a gurgled scream from the effects of the poisoned tipped blade. Many more terrified shouts of their friends resonated through the walls and the hurried footsteps told him they had left the scene. Asmodeus walked over to his kill, retrieving his knife, staring back at the lifeless eyes. He thought maybe a kill would brighten up his damp mood.
But it wasn't enough. The dead person wasn't Raziel. It wasn't fun at all.
With a silent curse, he walked off, approaching the rundowm parts of the capital, towards the mass of abandoned buildings that were long past their prime. Some had crumbled from the effects of time, their pillars were all that remained from the rubble. One building in particular, though, stood out from the others. The building of what looked like an abandoned fishery, still stood firm. Though the walls had cracks in places and was covered in vines, it look sturdy and well maintained. Asmodeus decided he might as well stay there while he's out in the capital. It would give him time to rethink his choice on sparing the boy.
And maybe he'd find some valuable souvenirs to bring home while he's at it.
As a thief, something about the place posed a red flag to him. Though it may look abandoned, there was an aura of life to it. Compared to the other buildings which are clearly inhabitable, the fishery gave Asmodeus the picture of a perfect hideout for a criminal. With that in mind, just like how he'd safeguard his little home of diamonds and gold, he was wary of the traps he'd find. Nevertheless, he's been through tighter security. This'll probably be a walk in the park.
The door to the inside was locked, surprisingly not budging under force even when Asmodeus used full strength in attempt to ram it open. He chuckled, how unprofessional of him. Theives should be silent, not barging through doors like an idiot, how silly of him. He took out his set of lockpicks from his pocket and easily opened the door, the creak of its hinges welcoming him. He peered inside and scanned the area, looking down to the floor with a smile.
Just as he expected, the pitiful floorboards had already decayed leaving a hollow pit in the ground. It was probably to catch trespassers for god knows what. Still, it didn't pose much of a threat to the man as he leaped above the pit, catching the edge of the floor on the other side and hoisted himself up.
The board creaked before it gave in underneath him. Thank goodness for his speed, Asmodeus didn't fall through the gap. He tested the plank in front of him, feeling the unsteady wood threatening to crumble and break. It took him quite a while but he managed to figure out which planks would be strong enough to support him and which ones would drop him into the abyss below. He finally reached the end of the room, finding an opening to the lower floor. He slid down the rope and jumped halfway down, avoiding the spikes just below it. Looking around, he saw the outlines of rope and chains above him through the dim light that escaped through the gaps. He also saw a wriggling figure among the ropes. He smiled.
A fly got trapped in the spider's web. How sad. Asmodeus climbed up the walls and swinged himself onto the chains, hanging in the air. He looked at the victim through the weave of ropes.
"Look who had fallen. I pity you idiots, you're in for a train of pain," he whispered. The girl, looking at him in horror, only cried louder.
"Please! I was only playing hide and seek," she wailed, giving Asmodeus headaches.
"Oh for goodness sake, fine. Just shut up. I'll put you out of your misery," he groaned. The girl looked at him gratefully.
"Thank you! Thank-" she said, cut off as Asmodeus stabbed her in the head, the blood spilling to the concrete floor below. He let go of his grip and landed on the ground, scanning the area for valuables.
The room was filled with junk, boring trinkets and maybe some stray trash in places. He started feeling bored and was about to leave.
Until he saw the beautiful sword mounted on the wall. Asmodues eye's twinkled and he smiled.
Now that is what he came here for.
"I am dreaming. Still dreaming"
Birds of Time - Enna Alouette
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
"Hello?"
Raziel looked up in surprise at the new voice. He looked at the orc holding the knife. He glanced around to see where Amsodeus is. He caught the faint crimson glow behind one of the walls looking at the orc before the man dissapeared from sight. Raziel scratched at his neck, the red marks from Asmodues's hands, small cuts in places where his sharp fingers dug into, really stinged. He returned his attention to the stranger.
"This is none of your business. Stay away from me," he warned solemnly. His bright demanor seemingly crushed after the devil's visit. He wasn't letting anyone else die because of him. Even if it hurts him, he'll push people away to keep them away from Asmodeus radar. He got up, wiped his tears and tried to look like nothing ever happened. He forced his lips into his usual small, warm smile as he walked past the orc and returned to the safety of the crowd.
A smile was his only powerful shield from the merciless world. Hence, he must keep on smiling.
He watched the commotion unfold before him, looked at the person who was brave enough to challange the mayor's choice. He was grateful someone had the courage to speak the words he couldn't bring out. He felt the urge to support them, to help the innocent child and so he spoke.
"If I may?" Raziel started, his voice slightly shaky. He's never gone against the words of the higher-ups, but this matter had no logical reasoning to support it. "How can you tell she's one of the elves subordinates without proper testing? Have you done any DNA tests to confirm this? It's hard to believe a mere child like her, human, elf or other species, can even build up enough power to set up those runes. The power from them suggest that only those with very high magical ability can surrect them," he inquired. He tried to be more confident. He's worked on figuring out the mystery of the runes for years. The mayor knows of his research. The least it could do was give him some level of authority. Then, just hopefully, they would come to their senses and reconsider the girl's sentence. "And judging lineage based on physical appearance is not accurate nor reliable," he added. He hated the fact they decided, blindly, that she was an elf based on hair color. He literally had the same snow-white shade. "I don't think it's right to imprison someone, let alone a child at such a horrid place without a proper full trial," he concluded. He knew the horrors of the prison, he's seen them in some of his excursions. It was a complete nightmare.
Posted: Thu, 14/07/2022 05:35 (2 Years ago)
I waded through the crowd, pushing past orcs and fellow humans alike. Both species are monsters all the same, judging by what I saw up front. The thing people were gawking at, silently staring at, some even laughing at... was an innocent child being falsely arrested with a single piece of circumstancial evidence. What kind of horrible person would let such a thing happen? What kind of horrible person would do such a thing?
I felt anger boiling up, builing pressure, and a few seconds after some other people yelled out...
It popped.
"How dare you!? I thought this town, this entire land, was supposed to stand for something! For freedom from unfair oppression, for equal treatment and everyone to have a choice! And now here you are, arresting an innocent kid without so much as a trial!?" Good job, me, you have officially fucked up.
Posted: Thu, 14/07/2022 17:20 (2 Years ago)
Shurkul
"Stay away from me."
Shurkul recoiled. The words hit their mark. He watched, numbly, as the boy breezed away. Had he been crying after all? Or had he been lied to? Was that survivor's guilt, or unfeeling towards the death of-
Death.
He inhaled sharply and whipped on his heel.
He came face to face with two corpses.
Oh.
Well. At least he hadn't wet himself.
He staggered backwards, choking and gagging. The blood- there was so much blood. The drains continued to gurgle, gulping down the red liquid like elixir, as if it were its own life, instead of two men's.
"Oh," he breathed. "Oh. Oh."
Oh- Time to get the Ko out of here, right? Oh?
Brooksook Myel
More people? What were these idiots doing? Brooksook felt like crying. This could be easy. It could just cost one life, and the monsters wouldn't come here. One life, just one life.
She clutched her hands together. They were clammy and weak, shaking like the pitiful things they were. But they were hers, she still had them. She still had her tongue, so she could speak, so she could write. They hadn't taken that from her yet. The B'lyth hadn't done anything yet-
But they will! she wanted to scream. They won't, if only you shut up!
The people shifted uneasy, a murmur spreading through them. "Freedom" and "justice" were the right thing to preach to the new blood of Briar Glen. Everyone was united not in history, but in ideals. And the newcomer seemed to understand that.
Oh god, she hated these fools-
"Enough. You do not realize what is at stake for humanity. If there is no opposing evidence, then a danger to the state will be removed." The Mayor nodded to the guards. "Remove her."
A wave of relief crashed over Brooksook. Her legs wobbled beneath her. She wanted to collapse, burst out laughing, start crying-
But the look on the Freysian woman's face stopped her.
"Filthy beasts," she hissed.
And all the joy rushed out of Brooksook.
Suko Nobu
"Eh? What's going on over here?" Suko tried to push into the crowds. A bigass Orc blocked their way. They scowled at the towering figure and swept by her. What a jerky jerk. Suko just wanted to see whoever was going to die!~
Going to die, going to die-
It was a child. They faltered.
The crowd didn't seem too happy. Suko felt their chest tightening. What was going on? Was someone being accused? They spotted the chains. Probably, yep! Someone was boutta die, and Suko wasn't. That was good, yes, that was good. Alright.
"Figures. Elves, Water Fae- they're all cut from the same cloth." Someone with the angry eyes of a new-Snavia muttered. "No wonder they all want to enslave us."
Suko perked up. "Is she an elf?" They tried to look around the angry weirdo. "I don't see the ears."
The person glanced at him, and instantly, a wave of dislike fell over Suko. The new-Snavia was glaring at them, evidently having spotted their hair. WHICH WAS NOT DYED, NOPE. Stupid meanie. "Of course you don't. She doesn't have them."
"Oh. Okay." That was cool. Did she like, get in an accident or something? They peered at the stage.
Winthrop Airaldii
The human girl was shaking. Winthrop felt a flash of irritation, but it was not directed at the girl. Phillipa Jenmar, was this your dream? Allowing these fools to run a nation?
"Filthy beasts," she hissed. She hated them so much.
Posted: Thu, 14/07/2022 17:30 (2 Years ago)
CALM DOWN CALM DOWN CALM DOWN CALM DOWN
"Fine. You want evidence? I'll get your damn evidence." I spat my words out, before walking back out and blending into the crowd.
Posted: Thu, 14/07/2022 20:15 (2 Years ago)
But something was terribly amiss, he saw that as soon as his eyes settled on the ruins of Old Town, the wreckage of the older parts of the city where his sanctum stood resting. The door, it stood ajar, when mere minutes ago it had been shut tight to the world and locked. Chervil knew of no other skilled lock thieves that might take interest in his cove, or even let their eyes rest upon the building for more than a moment.
The thief let a few indecent words slip across his tongue, approaching the building at a hasty jog. Peering silently into the door, he saw several rotted boards were missing from the maze of the fishery flooring. Pausing, Chervil stepped into the warehouse and dangled his legs into the pit before him. With a sudden movement, he flung himself across, scrambling for a hold on the braces that held up the whole building. Hoisting himself into the rafters of the lower floor, the thief began to crawl, pressing himself flat against the wood to make the best time possible, his ears straining to hear another life within the rooms around him.
He heard nothing, though the picklock hastily swinging down from the rafters and landing on a makeshift bench, which was really just an overturned trough, originally meant to hold water and dead fish. The thief swung his arms for a moment, the trough nearly tipping sideways as he found his balance. Directly in front of him was the trinket he'd found one day on the beach, the very same blade that gave the fishery its new name; Great Sword Sanctuary.
The sword was a beautiful thing, not a spot of tarnish upon it, even before being pulled from the silt of the oceans and tides. Some metal that never succumbed to the woes and greed of nature. It gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight as well, a different color reflected from every angle. Of course, Chervil might never wield it, for so small was he, compared to the sword, that it would no doubt betray him as master and be too heavy for his lithe frame to support.
A great sword was a very special weapon, of course, as it was everywhere. Only the most skilled of blademasters dared to wield it, the massive blade offering no extra protection, and denying the user any choice of a shield. No simple child might carry it without strain, though it made for a glorious spectacle, especially when it stood mounted on the wall of the sanctuary. The weight of the blade would hopefully discourage other thieves, though it wasn't exactly a tool best used for self defense, either.
Chervil, now relieved that his prized possession hadn't been nabbed away from him, turned to retreat back to the door, to lock it. However, as he turned, his eyes met with the crimson stare of another, a bewitched terror sulking in the umber lighting. The smaller thief went very still, his body suddenly bristling with jealousy and aggression.
"Hold there! Show yourself!"
Posted: Thu, 14/07/2022 22:00 (2 Years ago)
ꎇꍏꍟ꒒ꍏꈤ ꀸꍏ'꒒ꌩꈤꈤ
"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE RAT-"
"I'LL FEED YOU TO THE ORC THAT LIVES NEXT DOOR IF YOU DON'T COME BACK!" Yelled a grumbling elf, sweeping green and blue hair over her shoulder. A sphynx cat leapt from cabinet to cabinet, yowling at her. Glasses tumbled from shelves, smashing on the floor. The elf cursed, hopping from foot to foot. "Ow. Ow. Ow- curse you, Déjà, you filthy demon-"
"Why, oh why, do I still keep you? I should've cooked you ages ago.." The cat leaped at the elf's face, scratching her across the head in response.
"OW?-" The elf shrieked. "Point taken. I doubt you were going to taste good anyways." The cat spat at her and scurried off.
Mopping her bleeding head, Faelan grumbled to herself. "Bar's opening soon....mess on the floor- crap. This isn't good, Fae. Not good. Maybe I should cook that cat after all and save me more trouble.
A loud yowl could be heard from another room.
"OKAY! IT WAS A JOKE, ALRIGHT?"
She sighed, trudging along to the sign on her door. Faelan turned it around.
ꂦꉣꍟꈤ.
"Better sweep up for the customers, don't want them cutting themselves on the glass, do we, Déjà?"
The cat hissed.
"Yeah, I know." Faelan muttered grumpily, sweeping shards of green and yellow into a trashcan.
Posted: Thu, 14/07/2022 23:44 (2 Years ago)
"The gates of hell open at the sound of my laughter~"
Envy Baby - English Cover (Trickle)
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
He heard the tiny footsteps, almost unnoticable with how agile the person was on their feet. He looked up at the hole to see the shadow of the figure leap past, the tinh creaks of the floorboards telling him where they were. The person was avoiding all the unstable planks, obviously aware of where they were going. Asmodeus smiled.
This person was definitely the place's owner. He decided to blend into the shadows to get a good look of the person. Their brown hair barely lit be the dim light leaking from the trap above. He looked relieved that Asmodeus hadn't took his valuable sword.
Well, not yet.
Sadly, his crimsom eyes, though great for scaring the living souls out of innocent people, is also the very thing that stops him from hiding in the dark, their glowing colors alerting the person of his presence. As asked, Asmodues stepped out of his hiding spot with a smirk.
"Look who's here. It's the king of this hideout it seems. Your traps are way too easy to get past. You should make it harder," Asmodues giggled. "It would be way more fun. Say, is this sword even yours?" he asked, surveying the sword carefully and comparing the height of the person. He almost laughed in amusement. "You're way to small to even carry this blade. It's sad to leave something so beautiful hanging on the wall collecting dust," he said, suppressing his laugh, though letting a chuckle leave his mouth. He grazed his fingers on the blade.
"Wouldn't it be better if you gave it to someone who can wield it?" Asmodeus questioned before his hands grabbed hold of the hilt, lifting the gigantic sword from the wall. It was unbelievably heavy, dense with magic that was strong yet hard to handle, but since Asmodeus had really strong arms, he carried the sword's weight with little problem. It was definitely not crafted by human hands, which made it way more valuable. He looked at the other person with a smirk, almost showing off how well he could handle the weapon.
"Wouldn't it be better if someone like me could put this baby into good use?" Asmodeus grinned.
"I am dreaming. Still dreaming"
Birds of Time - Enna Alouette
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺
1:35 ───ㅇ───── 3:47
The ignorance of these people was really getting onto the boy's nerves. He had never felt such hatred for them. He had always looked up to them but this was really showing him how stupider humanity is becoming. He briefly glanced at the child, the fear and terror etched on her innocent face. He couldn't just let them take her away, to that hell hole. She'd die before she even gets a fair trial. His rage outrunning his logic senses, he stepped up. His politeness and manners tossed aside.
"You want opposing evidence? Fine, I'll get you evidence that shows this child is innocent. Leave her to me for ten days and I'll show you your decisions are nothing but [retracted] up bull[more retracted words-]," he growled. His words earned a shocked gasp from the crowd but Raziel didn't back down. "If by the day I cannot gather enough evidence to convince you, I'm willing to go down to hell with the child," he continued. He stared directly at Freysian woman's eyes, almost defying the fear that her locking gaze had on him. He didn't tremble in fear or silenced himself in obedience like before. No, that would be wrong. How many years, decades, centuries had it took for humanity to rise against the other powerful creatures, to build a peaceful community only for it all to crumble to dust on this day?
"Also stop calling things 'filthy beast' would you? You're nothing better than that having to blame such serious matter on a goddamn child," he hissed. He felt someone slap him in the back.
"Don't say that! You're going to get yourself killed!" one of the citizens said.
"I wouldn't mind. My life has only been a burden anyway," he said, grimacing again over the countless painful memories that resurfaced. "The least I could do before I die is to stand up for justice," Raziel added.
Though, it looks like Raziel might be down for more trouble as some citizens started suspecting him.
"He has the same white hair"
"What if he's also an elf?"
"What if he's that child's associate?"
"Is that why he's fighting so hard to save her?"
The cursed rumour spread across the crowd but a voice fought back. One so familiar to the boy he felt like he was back in the safety of his home.
"Don't you dare think that my son is one of them! I'll curse you fools to your grave!" she cried. She had pushed through the crowd and took Raziel's shoulders. The boy looked back.
"Mother," he nodded. The woman's eyes were filled with tears, her hands shaking with worry.
"Please, don't do this. Just let them be. You're going to get hurt," she mumbled. Her face nearly broke the boy's heart. "I'm not ready to lose you. I cannot lose you," she sobbed, gripping Raziel's hands. She looked into her son's eyes, a burning determination in them telling her he won't give up in the battle for justice. Raziel returned her stare sadly.
"Mother, you know I can't let this go," he sighed, holding back his own tears. The woman let out a sad chuckle as her grip on his hands loosened.
"I see. You're just like your brothers aren't you?" the woman mumbled sadly. She hugged her son tightly, pulling Raziel in a tight embrace. She knew deep inside, she probably won't feel the boy's warmth again.
"Please, just come home safe, okay? We'll be waiting," she said as she let Raziel go. The boy smiled.
"I can't promise that, but I'll try to," he replied. The woman walked back into the crowd and Raziel heard the movement of the carriage fading into the distance. She had gone home, probably couldn't take it anymore. He detached himself from his family again and turned to face the current situation.
"So, do we have a deal, you filty scum of the earth?" Raziel reminded.
Posted: Fri, 15/07/2022 01:07 (2 Years ago)
She couldn't believe it. Someone was...willing to defend her? And willing to leave their life behind just to save her?! Eris's eyes welled up a bit at the prospect. This had never happened to her before... No one had ever looked past her appearance and seen the innocence within her. It didn't matter that this person, this man, looked very similar to her, he was kind enough to see past the bigotry and come to her aid. She vowed to prove herself to the people, for this man's sake...
Emika eyed the new person. A male with silvery white hair and amber eyes. He looked a lot like the child on stage. But based on the woman's reaction, the mother's reaction, they weren't related. So why? Why was he willing to give up his life for the sake of a stranger- no, of a child... Her expression steeled. If this didn't work, she'd find a way to save the girl herself...
Posted: Fri, 15/07/2022 04:57 (2 Years ago)
Despite his small stature, the boy was impressively defensive of the weapon, the one he could not lift. It was more than a weapon, it seemed, to this brother in thievery. He pointed at the wall where it had been mounted but moments before, a silent demand that it be placed back upon the small nails that held the massive blade upon the rotting wood.
"When I buy this place and rebuild it, that sword is going to be the symbol of it. So I need it to stay here, where it's already the most useful it can be. We are not at a time of war. At least, not yet. Besides, great swords take the skill of many years of swordsmanship.. You seem more akin to wielding a dagger and stepping through shadows. Am I wrong?"
The analyzation was sudden and grotesque, though it seemed to be the watchful eye of a thief that had drawn that conclusion. Indeed, even now, a knife could easily be seen hidden upon the boy, a single metal lockpick bundled with it. His silken shorts also seemed to be that of a more skilled master of the shadows, every movement bringing out a sound closer to nix than the sound created by more average trousers. The abhorrent lack of a shirt seemed to aid with his silence as well, the simple sash across his chest a perfect cradle for something valuable...
Indeed, this was a thief, a picklock who knew his trade better than most of his age. His blade stayed sheathed, though, despite his treacherous words and dangerous stance. His tongue was plenty sharp to harm the victim, though, but those seemed to be his only weapons; a thief out for not money, but for satisfaction. His mind worked differently, maybe, not quite seeking to fulfil the lustful bite of Apollo's greed, but to see the look on someone's face when they realize they've been outfoxed by a mere child.
"Oh, the traps, by the way, weren't set by me. Mother Nature let the settle upon this place. The rotting boards were caused by Zephyr, by the salted breeze. The ropes and chains fell through the flooring after this place was abandoned. And the spikes near the rope are sea urchins, nothing too special about them. You'll have noticed how this place is rather flooded..."
Posted: Fri, 15/07/2022 17:40 (2 Years ago)
Shurkul
Shurkul paused at the mouth of the alleyway. His heart lurched in his chest. The crowds of people were ahead. They hadn't even noticed- they'd been too busy clawing hatred up their gullets and lurching it at some poor child.
Was this was humanity was, when it came down to it? Willing to hate anything that was not like them?
An elf-
Just how soon would that hatred shift? When would they decide that elves were not to blame, but orcs? Would Shurkul still be in this alleyway? Or would he be up on that stage, arms lashed behind his back, listening to the boiling fury of thousands of hypocrites?
He noticed too late.
He whirled around, but not fast enough to feel a knife sink into his chest, smashing into his ribcage. He roared, and gave the person a shove.
He clutched at the wound as they staggered, stumbling over a bag of garbage. Shurkul keeled over, sobbing and gasping for air. The person was pushing themself to their feet- the hood was dipping over their head, cloak brushing away from their shoulders, revealing an array of knives-
I need to run.
This person wasn't acting alone.
He stumbled back through the alleyway, gasping and choking, dragging himself along the walls. The person was up now, and they were running, pattering of bare feet through an alleyway, piercing blue eyes staring directly at him, a knife extended-
His hand bumped a doorknob. There was a backdoor here. He turned it without hesitation.
And threw himself onto the cat inside.
Brooksook Myel
What- what were these people doing? Were they suicidal? Didn't they care for anyone but themselves and their selfish morals? Couldn't they think of the danger they were putting people in, calling the B'lyth?
It may be you, who is selfish, a voice murmured in the back of her head. You choose to kill a child to avoid your own death by your parents' killer. Are they selfish for ignoring a trauma of yours they aren't aware of? Or are you selfish for expecting them to?
Her jaw clenched. Who cared about that? No person could prove that girl's innocence. Death had already decided she was guilty.
Why? the voice argued. Why do they need a victim?
Who knew why the B'ylth did anything? Perhaps she really was elf- and they wanted to rid the world of another halfling.
Suko Nobu
"Oh." Suko blinked. "That's loud."
What was that cutie doing up there, being so loud and soft and adorable? Was he defending the sad child up on the stage? Suko considered it for a minute, then grinned.
"Hey!" they called. "Hey! Can I join you?"
Winthrop Airaldii
How dare he. Winthrop's jaw clenched. How dare this pathetic creature-
"Treat your elders with respect," she said coldly. "I know far more about human nature than you ever will." Her scraps of dignity were being carried away by the wind. What a selfish child. So, so selfish. As all Snavians were, she supposed.
And this one was from new money, too. The way he carried himself suggested it irresistibly. Spoiled, naive, no manners- there was nothing she couldn't hate this pitiful thing for.