Time: Evening Location: Sailing aboard The Righteous Tern Interactions: Rue@Potter Equipment:Sword, hunting knife, a backpack with supplies, and a stoat named Raze who naps in the pocket of his vest.
“Luum is strange, even for an elf,” Bowyn mulled over his thoughts for a moment. “And I trust his loyalties but I wouldn’t count on him to risk his life for any of ours, not even Bardulf. I think Luum values himself over anyone else.” Bowyn’s thoughts lingered on Luum for another moment, the elf had gifted him a levitation ring. An action he couldn’t quite make sense of still. Was it just a gift, a veiled insult, or an attempt to buy loyalty? Maybe Luum just wanted him vexed trying to figure out the reason behind it. He shook his head, he’d have to figure that out later.
“But Zeva? She barely knows what she’s getting into. She might sell us all out the second things get dicey. Probably got a nice family, bright future up ahead, you think someone like that’s going to put that all at risk?” Bowyn asked, he took in deep breath of cold, briny air. Bringing Zeva into the group was yet another of Luum’s decisions he didn’t understand. “She knows what Bardulf can do, knows too much about us. We have to keep a close eye on her, can’t give her any chance to betray us.”
He felt the carefree breaths of Starfire as she followed the path of the ship. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d breathed that easy.
“The real question is, what do you make of Bridget?”
Time: Evening Location: Gaurav Village Interactions: Viola, Phia@princess, Menzai@samreaper Equipment: A pack with some supplies, seeds (in his pockets), a small knife, a mask that hangs from his belt, a weapon with a shifting charm that is either a sickle or a glaive, and a shield/drum with an unbreakable charm.
Nothing appeared to be happening besides the brief, intense, stare between Viola and Menzai, but tension clung to the air. His sister shouted out a single word, "ENOUGH!", and the vines of the Blood Rose reacted as if they were in the midst of battle.
Absentmindedly, Cyrus’ hand reached out towards a tendril of deadly vine, it had narrowly avoided impaling him, close enough his arm need not stretch to reach it. Even now it twisted to keep its thorns away from him. Of course, the Blood Rose was so intertwined with Viola that her wishes and the plant’s wishes were the same. He was no threat to them, his sister and her plant, and so the plant was careful not to harm.
If Viola held any true desire to harm Menzai the plant would’ve done so. Instead, the vines had reacted like the quills of a porcupine, an attempt to defend against and deter a threatening presence. Somehow Menzai had provoked Viola in a way Cyrus couldn’t see. Menzai was a man of many secrets and a wolf in more than just appearance.
As the wolf began to speak again Cyrus could only wonder how truthful his words were. If Menzai was at least honest about knowing who had answers for them, then he’d just have to work with the wolf until he got a clearer picture of what was going on.
“You make heavy requests and choose to refrain from explaining your reasoning for them. We are only trying to ensure your motives are not incompatible with ours. If the situation were reversed, would you not ask similar questions? Seek to understand the situation as much as you can?” Cyrus asked Menzai. He didn’t expect an answer, even before Phia showed up holding paints.
“Harm Menzai? Of course not, Phia. Viola was merely demonstrating how adapt her plant is at protecting her. Even the smallest threat and the Blood Rose reacts swiftly. Impressive isn’t it? Now a meal followed by painting, count me in.”
Time: Evening Location: River Port; Local Pokémon Center Interactions: Malachi@princess, Jun@JJ Doe, Kenia@Tae Equipment: A halberd, (lost in the forest?) hunting knife (with Jun or also lost in the forest?), and half-plate armor (left in the room).
Everything was dark.
Everything hurt.
Zion faded in and out of sleep, his dreams restless and his waking moments, brief snapshots of panic and confusion. Unfamiliar sounds and scents surrounded him, as he lay, barely able to move in a place he did not recognize.
This place smelled wrong, something sharp and bitter clung to the air. An uneasy feeling pulsed through his chest. I don’t want to here. I don’t want to be here.
He fell back asleep. He woke back up. Zion wasn’t sure how many times this happened.
Then, something familiar. A soothing voice he recognized.
Kenia?
But he wasn’t in the forest. Heavy eyelids struggled to open and once they did the light was blinding and disorienting. He couldn’t remember how he got here or where here was.
The last thing he remembered was fighting a pair of giant spiders, the burning sensation, trying to protect an elf cub. What happened after that? His arm still hurt.
He was lying somewhere soft.
Zion tried to get up, movement hurt and his arm hurt but he couldn’t get it to move.
His vision started to focus, blurry shapes in too bright room. If he was at the healing center why hadn’t they fixed his arm?
“Kenia? What happened to the elf cub?” His voice came strained, and the lion didn’t have the energy for a dozen other questions that floated around in his head.
He moved his other arm, the good one, as he tried to figure out how bad the damage was, but there was no arm. Gone. It was gone. His arm, a solid piece of him, was just gone.
His next breath was a haggard and frightened whimper. Zion held his eyes closed as a wave of nausea caused him to shiver.
“My arm is gone.” The mighty lion sounded like a confused child who’d gone outside to find his hoverboard gone. Beneath the shock was the hope that she would tell him it was just getting repaired and was soon to be returned.
Time: Night Location: Edge of Lover’s Lake-Roman Ceremony Interactions: Ari@Tpartywithzombi Mentions: Definitely not Wulfric…
“Ha! Your brother sounds like my brother, Wulfy not Auguste.” Callum couldn’t not throw that out there as Ari took another drink. He kept watching the shadow men, wondering if they could turn into giant owls.
So when Ari asked him to explain about the shoes, what he said was, “I think if I had to be a giant bird, an owl would be alright.”
… … … Wait, no, that’s not what she asked about!
“Oh and I took off my shoes and asked your mother to watch them for me. She did not like that. Went right over to Edin to complain about me and my shoes. Oh and then I told her friends she was scheming to prevent us from having nature walks. Callum explained it as well as he could, but his attention shifted from men in jackets turning into owls to his own, bare, feet.
Speaking of shoes, where had his gone? He didn’t remember taking them off. Cal gave a confused look at his bare feet. He checked to see if maybe his shoes were under his feet. They were not. “Look, right now, no shoes. Don’t even know where they went.”
Did I have shoes on before the tea? I should check there. Right! Ari wanted to get tea. Oh! I can have more tea! Should I drink more tea? The feeling of having forgotten something he should be remembering rose to the surface. He’d forgotten something, an important something, but what was it?
“Time for tea. Special tea. Hey. High tea.” Callum snickered as he stood up too quickly and found himself dizzy. He was on some sort of tea-high, it wasn’t a high he was used to but Callum had sampled enough to know that he was high on something right now. Something fantastic. This was his kind of tea.
Then he remembered he had plans for tonight that involved being sneaky and sober, both of which were states he was incapable of right now.
“I can’t have more tea.” He announced to Ari. “But we can get your tea and then, we have to look at the fire.”
Time: Evening Location: Gaurav Village Interactions: Viola@13org, Menzai@samreaper Mentions: Phia@princess Equipment: A pack with some supplies, seeds (in his pockets), a small knife, a mask that hangs from his belt, a weapon with a shifting charm that is either a sickle or a glaive, and a shield/drum with an unbreakable charm.
“…One thing to understand about demi-wolves and us Gaurav, especially so is that we always approach things honestly."
Cyrus did not interrupt but a lone green eyebrow raised at the irony; to claim honesty while asking for the truth to be hidden.
One single question, one that may or may not be answered based on Menzai’s discretion. Hardly a sufficient trade for what Menzai asked in return. Omitting the truth felt no different from lying, and it was a big lie. One that if uncovered had the potential to drive Phia away from him, Viola, and Menzai alike.
Viola asked her question, its words all sharp edges meant to jab at Menzai. But it was honest. Without Ophelia’s memories, Phia would never know that she had parents who died protecting their children. Their other siblings, grandparents, cousins, all the family they had lost; lived on in memories kept hidden from Phia.
“This agreement ends if you try to prevent Phia from speaking with us. That will be her choice as well.” It was a detached statement, not a cold threat or firey warning, but a simple line. The family that was kept from Phia would not include Viola and him.
They would at least have Phia as a friend, the chance to know who she was now. It was a better place to be than wondering if she still lived. He had asked to find his siblings, and Avalia had provided him twofold.
Menzai offered no reason for his choice, but difficulty was present in his voice. It did not feel like a rash or selfish choice. He had to trust Menzai’s decision over his own disappointment. If this was best for Phia, he had to accept that, had to be grateful for what he had and not merely focused on what was lost.
“Should Phia’s memories begin to return on their own, would you interfere?”
Time: Night Location: Edge of Lover’s Lake-Roman Ceremony Interactions: Ari@Tpartywithzombi Mentions: Doctor “Not an owl” John@Conscripts “Found in an alley?” Callum repeated the allegation as if it were absurd. That was old news, it wasn’t like he’d done that more than once.
“Is your brother spreading rumors about me? That’s not nice.” He asked, his went from Ari, to the bottle she mentioned, then to the two men appearing at the tree line. “Whoa, creepy.” Cal whispered as he watched two shadowy figures. “Those aren’t owls.” He shook his head, they were probably here to watch the fire too. He accepted the bottle of whiskey from Ari, took a long drink, and returned it with a thank you.
“Does Drake not like me?” He let out a long, exasperated sigh. “Guess I gotta add everybody with a duck name to the list of folks who don’t like Callum.” He rambled as he tried to think of what he might’ve done to get on Drake’s bad side. “Ohhh, did he hear about the shoe thing? I made your mom very mad today.” Cal laughed again as he remembered the look on Lady Edwards’s face at the tea party. “Maybe tea makes her too jittery, but I bet you’d handle it just fine, but it is not normal tea.”
Time: Evening Location: Masquerade Ball: Damien Estate Mentions: Charlotte @princess, Ryn @JJ Doe, and Nahir @Rodiak Daily Misfortune: An annoyingly high-pitched voice and random fits of laughter. Predictable Costume: Leo the Lion
"I h-have, well, uh, a quick question for Count Fritz about his findings…”
Alone? Leo wondered. Hadn’t they all agreed to work on this together? And Leo had plenty worth discussing with Hendrix around as well.
But it was clear Lottie didn’t want him to tag along as she attempted to distract him.
I think the girl you like is just over yonder by the way if you wanna say hello, otherwise, I'll be back in a moment."
Leo’s head momentarily turned over yonder. Nahir was unmistakable, few made perfection appear so effortless, like the lion that had accompanied Mayet, Nahir brought beauty and danger in equal measure. But he had to wonder if Lorenzo’s influence had affected Charlotte. What if the laughing came back? There was no way he would risk laughing in any royal’s face, much less one from Alidasht.
So Leo stood there, slightly annoyed, as Charlotte headed off without him. Hendrix was far too secretive to be trusted, Leo hadn’t heard a thing about what the Varian count had uncovered since their meeting at Charlotte’s house. Not that Leo had sought Hendrix out either but there was now a whole trove of information to be shared following the morning tea party. A few laps around the room should be an adequate amount of time for Lottie and Hendrix to discuss what they needed, and then Leo would interrupt. That seemed reasonably polite and no reason to completely waste an opportunity to have a chat about strange goings-on.
Time: Evening Location: Gaurav Village: Phia’s Room Interactions: Viola@13org, Menzai@samreaper Equipment: A pack with some supplies, seeds (in his pockets), a small knife, a mask that hangs from his belt, a weapon with a shifting charm that is either a sickle or a glaive, and a shield/drum with an unbreakable charm.
Frustrating; it was a good word for the bittersweet reunion. Of course, it was wonderful to know Ophelia lived, had found a place that welcomed and loved her, and was kept safe from so much of the pain that existed outside the secluded village. But it hurt to be forgotten, a pain that must be so sharp for Viola who was left forgotten by all that knew her during her imprisonment. Even if Phia’s life was not as idyllic as it appeared, she was not alone. In his suffering, Cyrus had not been alone. But Viola had suffered alone. Although Cyrus glanced in Menzai’s direction when Viola mentioned an intruder, he did not yet acknowledge the wolf, Viola got his undivided attention.
“I do not believe she chose to forget, but that does not make it hurt any less, does it?” Cyrus spoke once Viola had finished, a question that needed no answer, as his eyes fixed upon the twin moons above them. There was a great deal of suffering, but no true culprit for it here. Phia and her fractured mind were not the true cause of it, only symptoms of horrors inflicted by the Dark Elves. Something deeply buried flared and burned as he thought of the children of Halastra and what they had done to his family. His hand rested upon the mask that dangled from his belt until the feeling was again buried. Then he again looked only at his sister.
“Few have suffered as you have suffered, and fewer still could carry it with your strength and grace. I would have wilted had I been in your place. I faltered and stumbled along my path, a fate far kinder than yours. Though you never left my mind, I did not take action for you either, and that is worse. For my part in your fate, I have only shame to carry and a humbled offering of sorrow. And I am sorry Viola, for how deep your pain runs and my part in that. You deserved better.” He spoke as if Menzai did not lurk in the shadows, words Cyrus knew he should’ve said before now. Few things were harder to give voice to than guilt and shame, and what was more shameful than how little effort he had put forth to locate his siblings before now?
“If your thoughts are hard to ignore, then explore them. They ask for your attention, they will not settle without it. I will always listen, you will never be judged by me.”
Cyrus then turned to greet Menzai with a respectful bow. Where Viola might understandably see this wolf as a stranger, an intruder on a family discussion, Cyrus saw Menzai in a different light. This wolf threw himself to the mercy of the indifferent hands of fate simply to protect Phia. The wolf lost an arm but very well could’ve lost his life. Menzai protected Phia like family, and so now the wolf was as dear, and as trusted, as family.
“Noble wolf, you have my deepest gratitude for all you have done for our sister, Ophelia. You know who she is, the crest she wears even if she has forgotten where it came from. Our secrecy is an unfortunate necessity, our family name is dangerous to speak of; many wish us dead. Many have tried. I do not wish to continue hiding the truth from Phia but I believe you now know her better than we do, so I request your guidance. Do we tell Phia who we are, who she is, and possibly bring her pain? Or leave her in ignorance and spare her the pain of knowing what happened to her family?” If anyone could best predict how Phia would react, it was the wolf before then, and Cyrus knew he could trust that Menzai held Phia’s best interests above all else.
Time: Evening Location: Flying above The Righteous Tern Interactions: Rue@Potter Equipment:Sword, hunting knife, a backpack with supplies, and a stoat named Raze who naps in the pocket of his vest.
For the first time since his wings were severed Bowyn flew. Not of his own accord, but upon the back of the pegasus Starfire. He kept a carefree grip on the horse; a fear of falling was such an unnatural instinct for his kind when flying was learned alongside walking. The Fae were creatures of both the earth and sky. The earth provided for them, it offered stability, but it was the skies that offered freedom and the clarity of fresh perspective. The ability to soar high above the earth’s problems, to look down from such heights and see how small everything was by comparison, always able to see the bigger picture.
That was what had been stolen from Bowyn, more than just wings, but limitless freedom, a loftier perspective, and to never fear falling for fairies were gifted with wings they could always trust. It was a loss that could never be fully explained to creatures born only for the earth, what it was to lose access to the skies. Even to soar with the aid of a pegasus was a cold reminder that this was not a part of Bowyn’s world any longer.
Still, he was grateful for a small taste of what he once had; to see the vastness of the sea stretch out and the ship shrink away below them. To share the skies for a moment with Rue and the mighty pegasus away from strange faces. Although the ship Luum had picked out was about as nice as a boat could be, it was still far from the ideal place for either winter fairy or the horse. Bowyn got the sense that Starfire greatly appreciated the chance to fly free, the winged creature needed to fly as much as she needed to run, and above the sea at least drew less attention than a crowded city.
“Thanks, Rue, this is much better than trapped aboard that ship. Bardulf did well for his first encounter with an owlbear. Although Luum’s training method, if you can call it training, hold back and hope the human figures things out, it’s concerning.” Bowyn focused his attention on Rue, there was no need to guide the pegasus who followed Rue naturally with no need for correction.
Time: Night Location: Edge of Lover’s Lake-Roman Ceremony Interactions: Ari@Tpartywithzombi
As the ritual continued the strange brew Callum had drunk began to take hold. The fire danced in ways he’d never seen before. Not just the fire, slowly everything started to move in subtle ways, nothing was stagnant, and things that were moving maintained ghostly trails behind them. A wide smile spread over his face, everything felt lighter, and there were no burdens, only awe.
He walked around, a clumsiness to his gait, half listening to what was going on while becoming more and more unfocused. He did not want to stand still, so he walked in widening circles around the fire, each lap bringing him further away from the ritual. He did not want to be a disturbance and no longer knew what was happening in the ritual.
If the tea he drank was intended to make him see, then wandering around looking at things seemed fitting. He saw the night’s sky contain more splendor than it ever had before, he saw the branches of the trees sway as if they wished to dance around the fire, and he saw a cloaked figure fall to the ground.
“Hoo?” A voice from above asked.
“Good question.” Callum also wondered who it was. He headed in the direction of the cloaked figure as he heard the odd voice again. "Hoo?"
Cal up and all around until the looking began to make his head spin but his eyes landed on the source of the voice. His eyes met inky black ones, darker and deeper than the night sky, contrasted by plumage of warm browns and brilliant white spots.
Is that owl watching me? He stopped walking and stared intently at an owl perched upon a tree, its swirling feathers holding his attention for a long while. The owl cried out its constant question, "Hoo?".
“Callum.” He answered pointing to himself. The owl did not give its name, it only flew off, as if unappeased by Cal’s answer. “Oh, well, goodbye.”
What was I doing? He looked around, confused but content with his confusion.
He saw the cloaked figure lying down several feet away. Oh yeah. He meant to walk over there and then looked down at the grass. Wow! Did grass always look like that? It's so green. Callum paused and knelt in the grass and it was so much softer than he remembered it being. He giggled, like a crazy person, touching the grass as if he were petting a strange new creature. Soon he too lay in the grass and looked up at the trees and the stars, not moving for a while as he heard the songs and chanting from Roman’s ritual in the distance.
Then he remembered he was supposed to be watching the ritual but couldn’t quite find the will to get back up and go over there. There was more tree watching, the bark patterns flowed like water, moving, breathing, alive. They did not always look like that, he was almost certain.
The Bonfire! He did not want to stare at trees all night, he wanted to watch the pretty fire again.
Callum got back up and for the third time remembered the cloaked figure and his desire to see what they were doing. Finally, he made his way over there.
“Ari?” His surprise made her name sound like a question. “You’re here!” He went to show her his red cup but it wasn’t in his hand, he hadn't had it for a while now, and he couldn’t remember what happened to it. “I drank the weirdest tea and now everything is so pretty. You gotta try it!”
He decided he wanted to sit on the ground, as standing over someone felt awkward, but less than gracefully chose to just drop into a sitting position with a thump. He laughed at this for a bit too long. “Oh! And I just saw an owl, but it flew away.” Cal incorrectly pointed in the direction he'd seen the owl, and crossed his thumbs as he used his hands to mimic a flying bird.
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