Fairess

Airedale's Rebirth

Cicely sighed as she leaned back against her chair. For the last few hours or so, she’d been pouring over the paltry store of maps detailing the known countryside. All of them were outdated, and from what she’d heard, been formerly used for military purposes. Some of them even had markings where suspected enemy camps may be located and the routes to take around them. Had she been studying history, it would have been mildly interesting, but what she needed were accurate maps and sightings that might lead her to her fellow fae. She finally gave up, folding up the maps and presenting them back to the librarian. According to him, there were still more maps available for use, but express permission from the residing earl was needed to use them. Cicely had no intention of making contact with political figures of the area, so she abandoned that idea without hesitation. It didn’t help that the earl had already barred her previous intention to support herself with doctoring work while she was abroad—apparently one needed documented permission for that as well. While she understood such formalities, she was much more accustomed to the villages of Gesen; there, anyone who could prove themselves capable to clients was free to work as he or she pleased. Instead, Cicely was forced to mull about on her own, trying to find leads based on the scraps of gossip she caught from the locals. “Faeries, eh?” The portly innkeeper who welcomed her back after her little excursion was just as helpful as everyone else she’d asked thus far. “There better not be any around here. You can be sure it’d have an arrow through its heart long before it stepped foot in town. Our good Earl is very vigilant about keeping us safe.” There he is again, that annoying Earl. Cicely nodded her head at the man, promptly refusing his following offer to get her some ale to ‘brighten your spirits.’ Somberness was a near-permanent expression on her regardless of how disappointing the day had been. Creak, creak, creak. The old, noisy staircase was conversational as usual as she made her way up to her room. Both her cloak and dress were damp from the drizzle of rain outside, so she found herself undressing almost immediately after stepping into her room. Only when she was down to her chemise did she realize that the small, iron furnace in the corner hadn’t been stocked. It looked to be a disappointing evening, too. Rather than bothering the innkeeper for more wood, Cicely curled up in some blankets and watched the sky outside. She’d brought a few books to occupy herself, but all of them were volumes she’d previously read several times, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at them again. Thinking about them only made her remember the disappointing lack of literature in Airedale’s library—apparently all the good works were under the earl’s protection as well. “Miss Cicely?” A knock sounded at the door. She knew that voice too well already—it was that innkeeper again. Wielding a beaten quilt about her shoulders like a shawl, Cicely went to the door and opened it. The resulting shock on the innkeeper’s face almost made her smile. “Yes, Mr. Bates?” “S-s-so sorry to in-interrupt! This c-c-came for you!” The red-faced innkeeper shoved an envelope towards her and quickly turned away. Before he could disappear down the hall, Cicely leaned out and called out to him. “Thank you very much, Mr. Bates! While you’re still here, could I trouble you for some fuel for the furnace and perhaps a hot kettle of water? I’m more than happy to pay you for the extra trouble.” “Not at all necessary, Miss! I’ll have them left outside your door!” The man didn’t even turn back, although he did trip over himself just before he made it to the stairs. His cursing finally brought that clandestine smile to her face, and she quietly retreated back into her room. She sat on her bed and gently eased the envelope open. Though she didn’t recognize the wax seal, the parchment was fine and creamy—certainly nothing her family would manage to send. Her curiosity was piqued right up until she found the signature on the bottom of the letter: Lord Gideon Eisenhorn, Earl of Airedale. For a moment, she simply stared in disbelief. There was no possible way the man knew her, and yet there her name was on the envelope. Apparently his shadow wasn’t just annoying; it was aware of her, too. “Miss Cicely Goldburrow, It is my great pleasure to personally invite you and the celebrated members of Airedale’s society to my estate this evening. The festivities will begin shortly after six o’ clock, so I have taken the liberty of preparing a carriage to come for you twenty minutes prior to the event. Please dress accordingly. I look forward to the honor of greeting you in person, Lord Gideon Eisenhorn, Earl of Airedale” Color flushed to Cicely’s face, her fingers trembling. Was this a prank? Had the letter been delivered a few days late? There was no possible way she could have been sent such an invitation a mere hour beforehand, and honestly, she couldn’t imagine why she would have been sent one at all. She wasn’t the celebrated member of anyone’s society, being an eclectic midwife and closet fairy doctor. How the earl even knew she was visiting his country was well beyond her. I have to think up an excuse! Th-this was delivered on such short notice that I couldn’t possibly be expected to attend! If someone comes for me, I’ll just tell them I have a headache! A fever! The cramps! Anything… Cicely tossed the letter aside and pulled the quilt tighter around herself. She’d never actually been invited to a party before, so she had no idea how to refuse, and refuse an earl, no less! “Miss Cicely?” Her heart thumped so hard against her chest she felt like it might burst. She couldn’t bring herself to go to the door, so she simply remained on her bed. “Yes?” “I’ve brought the wood and the kettle. I’ll leave them out here for you.” Thank God, it’s just him. Cicely took a deep breath and went to retrieve the items, creaking open the door just the slightest bit. Before the innkeeper could disappear once again, she called out for him. “Mr. Bates?” The man froze. “Eh?” “I’m afraid the chill has finally gotten to me. I’ve something of a fever, so if anyone happens to visit and wants to see me, could you kindly tell them I will attend to them tomorrow? I’d appreciate it so very much.” To accentuate her need, she added a pitiful little cough at the end. “O-oh! Of course! I’m so sorry to hear that.” The man’s head began to turn her way, surely feeling concerned, but he stopped himself and headed back down the stairs. As she went about lighting a fire in the furnace and preparing some tea with the set she’d borrowed from the innkeeper earlier, she managed to calm back down. Illness was a perfectly good reason to refuse an invitation no matter the person. She could feign it easily enough, and then she’d be off the hook. She told herself that, over and over, as she enjoyed the herbal blend of tea she’d put together. It was a shame her nerves heated right back up when an unfamiliar voice sounded at her door. Surprisingly, it was female. “Lady Cicely? May I come in?” Cicely promptly set her teacup on the nearby bedside table, pulling her quilt close again. Hadn’t she told that blasted innkeeper not to let anyone visit her? “I’m sorry, I’m not properly dressed. I’ve been rather ill and I’d hate to be seen like this.” “Oh dear, that’s no good!” The door swung open on its own accord and in came some woman in her late thirties. She was dressed in a long black uniform with tufts of lace—quite formal serving attire, if ever there was one. Even her hair was immaculately done, sporting springy blond curls under her white maid’s cap. The woman wasted no time in bustling over to her, setting down a package in one arm as she bent down to feel Cicely’s forehead and wrists like she was her very own nursemaid. “Eh? You seem quite healthy, Milady.” The woman smiled suddenly, and a bit too devilishly. “Is it the jitters you have?” Cicely blinked. Then she gently pushed the maid away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t send for a doctor. Who might you be?” “Ah!” The maid curtsied. “I’m Lisa Burgham, servant of the esteemed Lord Eisenhorn. He gave me very strict orders to help escort you to the castle. He said to me, and I remember very distinctly, ‘Miss Lisa, see to it that her ladyship is properly prepared. I don’t want her first impression to be one of embarrassment.’” Cicely’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Did he, now?” “Indeed!” Lisa flashed another uncouth smirk. “Did you plan to go in that, Milady? While I’m sure Milord would appreciate it, being a man, it seems a bit forward.” “Ngh!” Cicely blushed despite herself, wishing her quilt would conceal a little bit more. “I had no intention of going in the first place. I am ill.” “Ah, of course.” The maid’s smile never disappeared. “He’ll be so very sorry to hear that. He may even be forced to make a personal visit to see that one of his personal guests is alright.” This time, the blood drained from Cicely’s face. “You jest.” Lisa shrugged. “No, no. You must understand that Milord was very, very insistent on me completing my task. If her ladyship is well enough to go but refuses, I’m afraid he may take such a gesture quite personally.” “Is that a threat, Miss Lisa?” “Perish the thought!” Lisa began to unwrap the parcel she’d brought, turning back to smile at Cicely. “I’m going to prepare you thoroughly to see his lordship and no one will be disappointed.”

~40 Minutes Later~

Cicely entered the grand earl’s castle, a maid on her right and a footman on her left. Polite as they pretended to be, the accompanying pair felt more like wardens than servants. As it turned out, Lisa had brought a splendid green dress (curtesy of the earl), and had masterfully fitted it to the unwilling victim. While the thing was finer than anything she’d previously worn, the gaudy puff of sleeves and tiers of lace and satin were far too gaudy for her tastes. It was an awfully long way to go just so one of his guests wouldn’t be “embarrassing.” He didn’t just overdo it there, either. Lisa had Cicely’s hair pinned up so all her wild curls could cascade back down her neck. Her corset was strung tighter than she would have liked, too (apparently being unable to breathe was in fashion for nobility), and she hardly dared to touch anything with the pair of silken gloves running up to her elbows. She felt utterly ridiculous, like a fragile trinket meant purely for show. As she steadily made her way into the castle’s foyer, however, she saw the standard set for her dress was merely modest in comparison to the other ladies present. Though she understood that the country was still repairing itself, Airedale was doing quite well if the nobles could present themselves in such a way to their earl. Strings of pearls and jewels, feathered, flowered hair pieces, dripping silk and intricate ribbons—the women looked more like walking show pieces than guests. Their male counterparts were no less worthy, dressed to the nines in coats with buttons of precious metal and trousers of silk and fine linen. The earl was mental, Cicely decided. By no stretch of the imagination did she belong with any of those people. If she could have fled, she would have, but the footman was intent on guiding her over to the castle’s great hall. Brilliant lights awaited her, along with elegantly set tables, floral arrangements, and gently drifting music from a terrace far above the seating arrangements. Cicely was set down at a table near the center of the room and told to wait. From there, she could only gaze about to see if she could find the earl responsible for her rough handling and await his other guests who may have met the same fate as her.

Airedale's Rebirth

I won't lie--this is mostly copy-paste. I edited the history and a few personality tweaks, but she's mostly the same. How do you like it? NameCicely Goldburrow Occupation:Alchemist Age:40 Apparent Age:21 Gender:Female Race:Selkie Height:5'5'' Weight:125 lbs Eye Color:Honey Hair Color/Style:Long brown hair perpetually pinned up Appearance: Cicely has a fair complexion with a clear tan, as well as a figure that knows comfort and exercise. It makes for an overall soft appearance, her figure neither full nor thin. Her gait is something between graceful and child-like, full of refined energy. Her full lips rarely smile, but her dark golden eyes are warm. She tends to favor colors of dark green or blue, and even has a set of robes sewn by Moon Elves. There's always some manner of mud on them, however, and she is perpetually wearing aprons. Personality: Melancholy is Cicely's constant companion. She doesn't hide her sadness, and takes a long time to warm up to anyone. Her disposition is a gentle one, however, and she has learned humility in her unfortunate circumstances. It makes her obedient and slow to speak in conversation, as well as making her an intent listener. She is sympathetic to any amount of suffering, generous and kind to those in need. Thus, she is slow to anger, though she tends to suspect the worst of people's motives. She is not one who trusts others easily, but is honest with her dealings to all. Likes: Herbal Tea, Rain, Spicy Food, Flowers, Seaweed Wraps, fish, Books Dislikes: Thunder/Lightning, Black Tea, Bland Food, Hot Weather, Merchants, Crowds, Noise Fears: Thunder/Lightning, Courtship, Imprisonment Hopes and Dreams: Getting to meet all different kinds of fae, becoming a better doctor, earning her family a more comfortable living. Weapons: Moonstone Dagger: A five-inch blade with a leather-reinforced hilt. It has no guard, and the blade is engraved with elven runes. It's also a soft metal, easy to bend, though it does “heal” itself of fractures over time. It also has a burning effect on the undead/necrotic. Armor: N/A Carried Possessions: Herb Bag- The size of a large purse, the herb bag is made of soft brown leather with a long strap worn on the shoulder or across the chest. It has a special inner layer that houses enchanted salted ginger pieces, keeping all its contents fresh over the course of a few months. There are no outer pockets, only a buttoned flap that opens up. Inside, there are numerous flaps and pockets where herbs, bottles, and tools are kept. Particularly important supplies carried are: ~Herbs, some dried and bottled, and others fresh leaves and roots. ~Charm bag supplies, which consist of 5 tiny leather pockets, a 2 inch needle, and a small brown spool of thread. ~Small well of Brain Ink, as well as a quill and small leather field journal. ~Glass potion vials and palm sized bottles. Some are empty, some are not; all potions that Cicely carries are listed in the magic section. ~ Medicinal and potion supplies, such as gauze, a mortar and pestle, as well as a small glass cup. Companions: Elam:

Hider

A cream-colored palomino from Airedale. He's a young stallion that's learning to become accustomed to travel. Bast:

Hider

A white cat with golden eyes--highly intelligent and capable of shape-shifting into a white panther. Little else is known, save that she is very fond of fish. She can almost always be found at Cicely's side, as long as she's not wandering off somewhere else. Powers/Skills/Magic Cicely wields herbal magic, which means that she draws all of her magical energy from plants. She channels this energy in four different ways, which are listed as charms, runes, transmutation, and potions. Limits: The power of Cicely's magic depends on the quality of her herbs and the depth of her focus. Growing small plants, healing small cuts, and dispelling mild diseases is a breeze, requiring a minimal amount of concentration and a small amount of herb use. The larger and more serious such things become, the more herbs and concentration they require. Healing a fatally wounded person would require the utmost concentration and the freshest chain of herbs. Inflicting a deadly disease would require the same things. Another requirement is direct contact with the subject, so only willing or unsuspecting people are viable targets. In short, herbal magic can kill and heal terrible injuries, but such extreme measures require time, undisturbed concentration, and available supplies. Side-Effects: Because the magic draws her energy from herbs, whenever she uses them as a source of magic, they will die. The herb chains she uses for spells with will wither after use and become useless. Charms and potions derive their energy from plants as well, and though they last far longer than spells, they will drain with time until they become withered and useless. ~Charms~ Charms are made by stuffing particular herbs in a small bag of any material. Once sewn shut, they are sealed with a spell that lasts until the herbs die. The higher quality of the spell casting and herbs, the longer it will last. Once opened or torn, however, the charm will loose its power and its magical effects will cease instantly. Moonstone can also be used to absorb a charm bag's effects, thus creating a permanent charm. Over time, its power can be recharged. Lovely Illusion Use: This charm must be placed on the subject, stuck to the clothes or directly on the skin. If it looses contact, the subject will no longer be influenced. Effects: This charm allows Cicely to influence the mind of the charm's wearer, prompting them to see, feel, and hear things that aren't there. It cannot make any physical manifestations, nor are its abilities completely assured, depending on the caster's concentration and the wearer's state of mind. This spell is generally useful only when the subject is in sight of the caster. Duration: Depending on the force exerted, it can last anywhere from ten minutes to one hour. Implements: Sweet Cicely, Bittersweet, Carob, and a sealed charm bag. Slumber Use: This charm must remain in a proximity of at least one foot from the subject. It is most effective when placed beneath the subject's pillow. Effects: This charm is known to ward off nightmares of the subject, and also sustains their sleep for a desired amount of time. Duration: Once activated, this charm can last for up to fifteen hours. In order to deactivate, it must be commanded by the charm bag's creator. Implements: Rosemary, Hops, Lavender, and a sealed charm bag. Ward Use: This charm must be kept in physical contact with the wearer. Its most popular use is that of a necklace or bracelet. Effects: This charm serves to ward off the magic of other herbal sorceresses (or spell/effects caused by spores, poisons, and chemicals), and also prevents physical disease from harming the wearer. Furthermore, it also is rather effective at repelling pests and insects. Duration: Depending on the force required to ward off magic and disease, it can last anywhere from one hour to several days. Implements: Garlic, Onion, Chives, and a sealed charm bag (these are generally such strong smelling ingredients that this charm is worn only when necessary). Paralysis Use: This charm must be within three inches of the subject. The most common use is sewing or stuffing this charm into chair and bed cushions. Directly placing it on a subject works just as well, though it takes a full minute for the paralysis to set in. Effects: This charm will render its subject frozen—though completely unharmed, the subject cannot lift so much as a finger. As the charm works to paralyze, the subject may feel a slight tingling in the toes or fingers before finding themselves completely frozen in their prior position. Though the subject cannot move themselves, they are completely movable by outside forces. Duration: Depending on the amount of concentration used, this can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Implements: Poison Hemlock, Lobelia, and a sealed charm bag. Preserve Use: This charm is most often kept in pantries and traveling bags to keep the contents fresh. It must be within the proximity of two feet to keep its subjects fresh. Effects: This charm will keep organic items as fresh as they were when first placed near the charm. Duration: Depending on the amount of produce, anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. Implements: Ginger, Salt, and a sealed charm bag. Animate Use:This charm is sewn into puppets, toys, or even stuffed animals to animate them. The most basic charm can simply cause the object to talk and move—more intimate charms (those that use the actual blood, hair, for flesh of another creature) can take on their own personalities. Effects: The charmed object moves and speaks at its own whim. Duration: This charm usually animates its subject for a few days before needing new herbs. Implements: Lunar Hood Stalk, Origin hair/blood/flesh, and a sealed charm bag. ~Runes~ Rune of Reading: It requires a portion of the alchemist's blood, which is then mixed with ink of any kind. This ink is then drawn in the pattern of a slanted rectangle with two doubly long sides on any surface. The correct incantation activates the rune, preparing a nexus between the alchemist and a desired object or subject. Rune of Binding: This rune is generally permanent, and thus is commonly carved on cauldrons or other common mixing vessels. A sigil is carved by a blade formed from moonstone (which is said to help channel energy from the heavens) at a time when three planets are aligned. As it carves, the moonstone is charged with magic, which melts the metal that forms the sigil. Its power to magically bind wanes the more it is used, and is never effective on the night of a new moon. The power of the sigil charges again on its own at the time of another planetary alignment. Rune of Extraction: Ink made from Azure Lizard saliva is drawn on a mixing vessel. As the substance within is unbound, the mark fades. ~Potions~ Vigor Ingredients: Cinnamon Bark, Hammer Horn Extract, Fog Sulker Extract Effects: One concentrated dose can flush a system with health, invigorating muscle, bone, and skin tissue. The effects are short-lived, however, offering only a temporary reprieve from sickness. Lesser doses are typically used to help nurse a recovering patient back to health. These lesser doses are used in the dough of cinnamon flavored “cookies” (each is roughly two inches in diameter). Dream Ingredients: Black Willow Bloom, Memory Cone, Passionflower Effect: One concentrated dose can induce pleasant sleep on the imbiber for a solid twelve hours. Lesser doses are typically added in tea or milk to aid in uninterrupted rest. Even less concentrated amounts are simply known to induce good dreams. Cure Ingredients: Green Stone Crawler (extract), Memory Cone, Plague Creeper Venom Effect: Cure is used only in highly diluted solutions. It is capable of purging many known diseases, but is extremely potent. The process of its curing requires the destruction of diseased tissue, which is then replaced by healthy tissue. This is extremely painful to endure, effective, but dangerous on those with low stamina. Mend: Ingredients: Fog Sulker (ground), Vision Plant Bloom, Chamomile Effect: Mend can be drizzled on skin externally or imbibed for internal effects. Concentrated doses are capable of closing large wounds and mending entire bones, but overdoses have been known to cause abnormal growths. Smaller doses take care of the typical cut or burn, and very diluted doses can be used to ward against common sickness. Lust: Ingredients: Purple Haze Weed, Lunar Hood Stalk, Cocoa Effect: Strong doses create a sense of joy and longing in the imbiber. Effects typically last four an hour, often causing elevated heartbeat and increasing hormone output. Purge: Ingredients: Hammer Horn Extract, Net Slime, Death Choke Spore, Lemon Effect: A powerful cleaning solution that cuts through grease, dirt, and any manner of grime. It is always heavily diluted (as it is toxic to consume), and rinse after use is always advised. Duration: N/A Reading: Ingredients: Visionplant Leaf, Lunar Hood Stalk, Memory Cone Effect: Diluted doses are imbibed after an object has been placed on a Rune of Reading. The imbiber then touches the object and is then able to meditate, creating mind visions of the object's history. This can also be used on living subjects to delve into memories. Duration: 1-2 hours. Brain Ink: Ingredients: Lunar Hood Stalk, Frillbloom, Sludge Bug Sludge Effect: Any writing utensil dipped in this ink can be influenced by its creator. It will obey the mental commands of said creator, as well as record spoken words. The color of the ink will also change by mental command, and can take on almost any hue. Duration: N/A Calm Use: This mixture is boiled, and upon uttering the word, sedare, it immediately calms and cools into a sweet and creamy liquid. This liquid is poured into tea, food, and various other drinks to be consumed and its affects absorbed. Dry ingredients can also be used as a charm. Effects: This simple mixture merely calms anxiousness, slowing a rapid heart and stimulating the autonomic nervous system (thus calming a person's body and relaxing them). Duration: 3-6 hours. Implements: Dried and crushed Passionflower, St. John's Wort, and Rose Hips. Grow Use: This mixture is boiled, and upon uttering the word, Crescere, the mixture will cool and turn a light brown, smelling strongly of cinnamon. Effects: When poured onto a plant or sprinkled on a bud, the subject will grow. Flowers will spring into blossoms and fertile blossoms will grow into fully ripened fruit. It is also a rather popular cure for baldness in men. Implements: Freshly crushed Cloves, Cinnamon, and Sorrel. Duration: N/A Purification Use: This mixture is boiled, and upon uttering the word, abstergo, the mixture will cool and become completely clear, smelling of honeyed basil. Effects: When poured onto anything dirty, soiled, or rotted, this potion will make it whole and clean again. It only affects the surface it is physically spread onto (thus, a large object would require a large amount of this potion). Implements: Dried and crushed Basil and Bay Leaf mixed with Honey. Duration: N/A ~Transmutation~ Transmute Metal Ingredients: Green Stone Crawler (extract), Rust Spore, Metal Effect: The origin metal is heated, then dipped in a boiling vat of Green Stone Crawler and Rust Spore. A Rune of Binding is then activated, and an appropriate portion of the desired metal is added to the mixture. After an hour of boiling, the mixture evaporates, leaving only the finished metal. While the effects are extensive, the resulting metal is never pure. Success rates vary depending on the metals used. Moonstone Ingredients: Silver, Elemental Dragonfly Wing (ground), Visionplant Bloom Effect: The silver must be in a liquid state, and moonlight is required (most effective at the time of a full moon). Once the liquid metal is bathed in moonlight, it is placed on an active Rune of Binding. Visionplant bloom nectar is then infused with the metal. After the silver cools, it becomes moonstone, a soft metal that is pure white in color. It never tarnishes, and if it ever bends or fractures, it will mend itself over time. It is also said to repel evil. Sharpness Ingredients: Metal, Ground Axebeak Bones, Black Willow Bark Effect: The metal must be in liquid form. The ingredients are melted and poured into the metal, which turns an opaque black.. One cooled and hammered out into a blade or piece of armor, it gains an edge that will never dull, and also absorbs electricity rather than conducting it. Seeker Ingredients: Lunar Hood Stalk, Shock Plant Root, Ground Elemental Dragonfly Wing Effect: These ingredients are heated together using a Rune of Binding. The resulting mixture is thin and clear in color with sparks of electricity dancing through it. Once placed on metal, the electricity is absorbed into it, shocking anything it touches. It also enhances weapons with a seeking quality, directing itself at the target its wielder chooses. Once it comes into contact with metal, its effects will end within an hour. Storm Sense: Cicely can sense an oncoming storm within 24 hours before its arrival. In addition to this, she can sense what kind of storm and how strong it will be. Fae Sight: Cicely can see through fae glamour, an aura of magic that faeries use to appear invisible or to take the guise of a human. History: Once upon a time, a young man fell passionately in love with a young woman. He saw her only once, walking upon the shore when he knew he had to have her—such is the nature of a selkie’s love. Over the course of a few evenings, he convinced her to leave the wealthy family that had her shackled to an unwanted marriage, and they eloped. It was the evening when they consummated their love when his lover discovered the truth; he was a selkie, a beautiful fae whose true skin was that of a seals. She felt cheated, deceived, and in her disgust, burned his seal skin while she was sleeping. Without realizing it, she made the selkie lose its immortality, and on top of that, he became very weak, unable to ever return to the sea. He had no choice but to stay with his lover and built a cottage by the sea. She was completely alienated from her family, but her husband could fish decently and trade with a nearby village. In that same home, she raised two young women: Cicely and Rose. Both girls were born with seal skin wrapped around them—a sure sign that they were also selkies. The mother again feared that the children would wish only to return to the sea, so she hid away these skins and watched in horror as those skins grew as the girls did. The father insisted on them knowing the truth, but she refused, right up until the day he died. Without his former strength, the father was very prone to sickness and passed away while the eldest girl was only eight. In the face of such sadness, the mother could not bear the idea of her daughters leaving her. She burned the seal skins, and shortly thereafter, both daughters fell ill. Cicely recovered over the course of a few months, but her sister remained weak and sickly. After watching this terrible turn of events, the mother finally confessed to her children the true nature of their father—a truth so harsh even he couldn’t tell them while he was alive. While there was resentment, both girls had been raised as humans and couldn’t imagine a life as a fae seal. Though they retained the strange gifts of their heritage (such as sensing storms and being able to see and converse with fairies), they also mistakenly attributed this to being human. Eventually, Cicely learned that her dual heritage could give her an advantage, and even sought out a nearby tribe of elves to learn about her kind, which had disappeared from the shores ever since her father had lost his true skin. At first, the elves were hesitant to interact with her, but one among them was just as curious about humans as she was about the fae. In exchange for helping the elf with her various experiments, she was taught about the world of monsters and magic beyond civilized life. As Cicely grew, her affinity for herbalism led to the elf taking her on as a full-on apprentice. She learned about spells and medicines that she brought to her family and the village of humans, only to receive mixed results. The village people had always accepted the family for being eclectic, but Cicely’s gift for medical potions was suspicious. Some even speculated that she and her family were all some manner of fae creatures, but the effectiveness of the medicine couldn’t be denied. Cicely later revealed her interactions with the elves and her desire to help the village with its various faerie problems, and after many, many rejections, her work was finally accepted. Although Cicely’s lack of aging eventually became accepted by the village, she learned to hide such facts when she left to work abroad. The Isle of Gesen was expansive and full of more politics than she’d ever realized, but everywhere she went, people feared the existence of monsters and fae creatures. To be an accepted midwife was one thing, to be a medium for faeries was cause for arrest. She learned more roundabout methods of making peace between fae creatures and humans, but was only known for her incredible work as a producer of medicine. For this reason, she was ultimately commissioned by Miren’s mayor to travel abroad and discover even more cures from other countries. She accepted, and has since left the island to fulfill that duty.

Airedale's Rebirth

Yay! The new thread begins!

Totem

I might post one more time before the weekend hits. Just in case, Adele would prefer riding beside the driver, if possible. Otherwise, she'd walk beside it.

The Illegitimate Baron of Burke (Fairess and Ontos)

Of all the nerve! It was Verity’s turn to be taken aback. Was the man accusing her of trespassing? If he was, he certainly didn’t look upset—no, those wide, soft eyes were full of surprise. How a man could have no qualms with a drake pawing at his head but stare at a maid like she was a ghost was well beyond her. “My name is Verity Lund. I was hired this morning to ‘Look after our tenacious and very troublesome master.’ You can go and speak to the housekeeper if you don’t believe me. While I haven’t visited the Burke estate before, my family has a steading some thirteen leagues or so away.” There was some bitterness in her tone, as if she resented the fact that the Burke family rarely seemed to even look at the people they taxed on a monthly basis. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to fix this mess you’ve so graciously made.” Verity all-too-happily turned her back to the man and began sweeping up the flour on the floor. They’d just have to go without scones tonight, so the cupcakes that Lettie had come up with would just have to do. Thankfully, the frosted pastries were still untouched on one of the tables, each with a decadent cherry on top.

The Illegitimate Baron of Burke (Fairess and Ontos)

Name: Dania Engberg Alias: Verity Lund Age: 22 Height: 5’3’’ (1.62m) Weight: 137lbs Hair Color/Style: Blond/long and braided Eye Color: Blue Appearance: Verity has a robust body with taut, feminine curves. She’s spent her life honing her body, and as such, has a toned, muscular frame. Her complexion is fair, though her shoulders and arms are riddled with long, faded scars from years past. She puts hardly any effort at all into her appearance, caring only that her hair is out of her face while she works. Bathing frequently is a habit foreign to her. History: Verity was born in the northern highlands and raised as the daughter of a lord. Her people had barely any written language to speak of, instead adopting dialects of civilizations they had conquered in ages past. Her family did, however, have a love of music and art, and even considered combat to be a form of art. As the eldest, Verity was trained to be the perfect image of Northern nobility, taught multiple forms of dance, music, and combat. Because of her small stature, she was forced to work towards speed and finesse with the spear, but she was still never able to best her instructor. In her late teens, the civil unrest due to famine and a brutal winter ultimately led to war. Revolutionaries breeched the family castle and her parents were captured. She managed to escape with her sister and former nanny, but sustained serious injury that made the venture almost impossible. Her left foot never fully recovered, but she was able to receive refuge from her nanny’s family in another country. Her nanny’s relatives took the motley group in, and in return, the three of them became farmhands. Verity adopted the family name of her nanny’s as well as a new name, forgetting all connections to her country as she learned how to care for a farm and its livestock. In an effort to return the mercy and kindness given to her, she took every opportunity to help others, doing extra work whenever possible as well as going so far as to help neighboring families during harvest season. This left little time for hobbies, and she found herself implementing her own kind of training into everyday chores. Eventually, however, Verity decided that she could not spend the rest of her life as a farmhand. She sought for better work, but had no valid references to back up her desires. She felt she had no choice but to falsify herself further, claiming to have worked at other wealthy estates in order to gain the position of a working maid at the Burkes’ estate. Personality: She is best described as overbearing, ceaselessly worrying about her sister and the state of their steading. She strives for excellence and continually falls short of her own goals, forever handicapped by her own people in the northern lands. In many ways, her goals to become a true warrior and leader are impossible, yet she pushes herself beyond the breaking point to achieve nearly inhuman stamina and reflexes. She is easily embarrassed, harsh on herself, and for this reason, is frequently labeled as a masochist. Basic Traits: Masochist: She only feels fulfilled and functional when she is pushing herself beyond her own limits. Artist: She enjoys culture and revels in what few opportunities she has to engage in arts and study. Passionate: Whenever she does something, she is nearly incapable of holding herself back. Guardian: She finds fulfillment in becoming a better fighter and uses her abilities to protect others.

Totem

Postecakealino'd! (Sorry, I had to at least try that once). Worry not, fair Commondore--Adele is already in the midst of switching tactics. She'll probably want to discuss more security measures with Djonn on the way to the estate, though. In the midst of my nerdgasm, I've already started to come up with ideas for guard detailing when they stay at the estate.

Totem

D-don’t look at me like that! You’ll give people the wrong idea. Adele used a none-too-gentle index finger to poke Rook’s cheek, trying to turn that charming little face away from her. She already seemed to have recovered from the sudden show of weakness in front of Rook; her shoulders were squared and her body was taut with spring-loaded preparation for their next move. “So sorry to interrupt, Sir.” Adele’s smile was full of saccharine sadism—the fire in her eyes left no doubt that she had a few choice words to deliver to both captain and caravan master. “But I couldn’t help but acknowledge your orders and feel the need to suggest an additional course of action. Since we seem to be moving forward with upmost caution, might I suggest leaning away from putting Mr. Hemming back in the carriage?” Honestly, she wasn’t even sure if Marcel would fit in there with whoever else Hemming had. “You see, my heart aches at the notion that something so fine may easily be targeted in the case of an ambush. This is only a suggestion in the humblest sense, but perhaps it might be safer if we traded Mr. Hemming’s hat for one of our surcoats and a hooded cloak of some kind? If we disguise him as one of our own and have him ride in one of the wagons with Marcel as a bodyguard, it’s bound to look much less conspicuous. It may seem like an extreme precaution, I am sure, but nothing is more important than the safety of our client when there are traces of bandit activity about.”

Totem

Wow, he actually… Adele’s eyes were wide as she stared at Rook. The line about her safety hadn’t been a demand so much as the culmination of an unvoiced suspicion—she hadn’t believed Rook cared about her. He’d shown interest the night before, but that had grown all too quickly into poorly disguised lust on both their parts. The fact that she hadn’t been able to actually do it with him in addition to there being other women among the mercenaries who probably would have (or more accurately, could have) made her suspect that he wouldn’t invest any more attention towards her. For a man like him, there were many, many other women who would be happy to entertain. Thus, when he gave a response other than, “Just take care of yourself,” she didn’t know what to do. There was no hesitation in his declaration, and his seriousness made it difficult to take as a white lie. Her heart, having been fed on a steady diet of angry adrenaline over the course of the day, puttered to a stop. She felt weak, sick, and bizarrely enough, afraid. Had her refusal to speak of last night turned him off? “W-wait.” Her hand moved before she gave it permission to, grabbing ahold of his sleeve. She couldn’t meet his gaze, and the cracking of her voice was already so embarrassing it was difficult to continue. “I’m sorry, too. About back there and… last night. This really is my first mission away from the barracks—paranoia is kind of typical for me in an unfamiliar situation. We’ve got a lot to talk about, so for now… I’m just going to follow your lead, okay?”

The Illegitimate Baron of Burke (Fairess and Ontos)

“Disaster! It’s a disaster!” Lettie, the sweet-tempered maid Verity had met just that morning, was clinging to her for dear life. The maid’s hands were clenched about her arms as tears rolled down—honestly one would think she’d just witnessed a murder! With the practiced calm of an elder sister, Verity gently took Lettie’s hands in hers, giving them a light squeeze. “Calm down, Lettie. Tell me what happened.” Lettie sniffled. “It’s--it’s that monster of Master Leon’s! I managed to avoid it all day, but then it somehow got into the kitchen! We were in the middle of the final touches for dessert and now no one dares go inside! I’m sure all our work has been ruined, oh… oh this is so bad…” Yep, that was really bad. The multi-course dinner of the evening was well into the fourth dish, with the next course meant to be chocolate-crème parfaits. The footmen had mostly attended to the guests while the maids took over tray settings and the food itself, but now Verity felt bad for having left to fetch more bottles of wine—specifically the Burke vintage from 36 or so years ago. Not only had she failed to find it, but now chaos had erupted and everyone feared the worst. Just as Verity opened her mouth to express her condolences, Elena’s harpy-voice cut right through her spine. “You! Verity! What are you doing just standing there? It was your responsibility to take care of the beast!” “Yes, but—” “Get to the kitchen and get rid of it before we’re all fired!” “Right away, Ma’am.” Verity parted from Lettie with a handkerchief, picking up the long skirt of her uniform as she rushed past the glaring housekeeper. Thankfully, the kitchen was just down the hall (poor Lettie had been brave enough to at least keep vigil just outside). The scene that unfolded before her eyes when she opened the door was unexpectedly tame. There was the drake, yes, a frighteningly black, scaly creature with enormous eyes. It was occupied with a ball of dough (presumably the very stuff for the scones meant to be freshly fried that evening), and as Verity carefully crept towards the broom closet for something to fend it off with, it wandered right on over to a bowl of dry ingredients for more scone dough. A series of metallic and ceramic clattering echoed across the room as spoons, whisks, and bowls tumbled down with the drake; apparently it’d lost its footing. With a broom held firmly in both hands, Verity edged closer, not sure if she ought to be terrified or endeared. While the creature didn’t seem particularly threatening, she knew better than to compare it to a dog or cat. It could bite, perhaps spit acid, maybe spit fire… “Arthur!” An unfamiliar voice made Verity jump, and not unlike the drake, she wheeled around to look. Her mouth dropped open as the creature bounded over to the intruder and affectionately rubbed his leg. Perhaps it was more like a domestic pet after all. This must be the master. No one else would react like that. Verity stared for a moment, taking in the sight of the gentleman. With the way everyone had been going on about his servant and how he’d brought everything into an uproar, she’d expected someone a bit taller. This delicate little creature looked more like he’d just left the boys’ choir of a church. His manners were strangely gentle as well as he apologized. She knew how she ought to act. This was her first real meeting, so she ought to bow and introduce herself, perhaps apologize for not having looked after his pet more carefully. Unfortunately, that same thought triggered an annoyance that ignited something irritatingly hot in her chest. It wasn’t her fault that creature had been left to run rampant—she’d been called to help in the kitchen. If the host of the house couldn’t be bothered to reign things in for such a big event, then it was his fault for causing chaos and making Lettie cry! “My apologies, Master Leon.” Verity stooped down to pick up the bowl the drake had tossed aside, her countenance absurdly grave. “But ‘sorry’ isn’t going to replace the scones, now is it? Please remove that thing from the kitchen and be courteous enough to keep your beasts in check while the house has such esteemed company.”