Ariel nodded at Meesei's last sentence, "To experiment with Hist sap or Hist bark is a privilege for any alchemist. No comprehensive research has been done on it however, any that you can buy is through a black market and prohibitively expensive. To try and obtain it yourself, well, as you said, it would probably earn you a swift death." Ariel's eyes brightened, "I've heard some amazing things about the substances, however. Some have used it in applications such as communicating across, or opening portals to other planes, rearranging the threads of one's mind, and other things. It's quite potent." she cocked her head to one side, "I wouldn't know where to begin if I got my hands on some, however. For all its potency, it's very difficult to use without problems." Ariel looked to Meesei, "I think the knowledge that should first be obtained by anyone who wanted to research such things would be the trees themselves. Whatever they are, exactly, and how they work."
While Fendros was genuinely interested in the lore of the Hist, the day had drained him and the bath had relaxed him to the point where he was struggling to stay awake. Even though his skin was already a purple dark colour, darker shades were visible under his eyes. "I don't want to be rude, but," Fendros moved his hand from Ahnasha's waist and slowly got up, "I think I'm going to head to my bedroll. Goodnight everyone." He made his way to the edge of the pool to step out.
Janius raised his brow for a moment, "'Night." he took a deep breath and lowered more of his body into the pool until his shoulders were submerged, "I think I'll stay a little longer," He breathed.
"Goodnight Fendros," Ariel smiled, trying to ignore Fendros' nudity as he walked across the pool. Ariel turned back to Meesei for a moment, "Meesei, this might be a personal question, but... have you produced eggs before? Produced children at the hist tree?"
Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
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I warned you a shorter post would come. Bask in the horror of it being slightly closer to a one-liner than usual!
Also, Ayleth, my avatar is a shrunken and captionless version of this. The weird mouth is just its teeth as you can see. When I first saw it, I uncontrollably giggled for several days straight, and that was without the caption.
Also, Ayleth, my avatar is a shrunken and captionless version of this. The weird mouth is just its teeth as you can see. When I first saw it, I uncontrollably giggled for several days straight, and that was without the caption.
Before the farmboy could answer, there was a dreadful laugh that emanated from another cell near Sara. Turning her head, she saw the now conscious form of the gunblade mercenary. His behaviour wasn't helping the situation at all, but Sara couldn't tell by his words whether he was simply insane, or whether he knew more about the situation than she did.
He's been chewed up all the same. Maybe he was always crazy.
Despite her internal musings, Sara walked over to the side of her cell closest to the mercenary and looked over him with a quizzical yet impatient looking face. She was about to question him but was interrupted when a man in yet another cell gained consciousness. His clothing was familiar, but Sara couldn't quite dredge it out of her memory. Had she seen him before? Nevermind, back to captain optimism over here. "Hey, gunblade. You say they're just going to kill us?" She put her hands on her hips, "If you know something that we don't, you'd better speak up."
He's been chewed up all the same. Maybe he was always crazy.
Despite her internal musings, Sara walked over to the side of her cell closest to the mercenary and looked over him with a quizzical yet impatient looking face. She was about to question him but was interrupted when a man in yet another cell gained consciousness. His clothing was familiar, but Sara couldn't quite dredge it out of her memory. Had she seen him before? Nevermind, back to captain optimism over here. "Hey, gunblade. You say they're just going to kill us?" She put her hands on her hips, "If you know something that we don't, you'd better speak up."
Fendros frowned and looked at the surface of the water. "I honestly don't know what to expect." He looked up at Meesei, "Don't take this the wrong way, Meesei, but the only things that I ever learned about Black Marsh was to not set foot in it." Fendros gestured with his free hand to everyone, "But with what everyone's described, I think it would be fulfilling to simply take it in as we see it." He smiled and shook his head quickly, running out of words for a moment, "To explore."
Sabine seemed to be in the same state of thought as when she last made any interaction. Giving no indication that she had any preferences for what to see, attention was drawn to Janius.
Janius took a deep breath in and wiped his eyes with his finger and his thumb. Now that he had been given a bit of time to think, he had one answer at least. "I think just seeing a Hist tree would be interesting enough for me. I've heard a few things about them from books and the like, and from yourself, Meesei." Janius shifted and let his arms fall from the edges of the pool down under the water to his sides, while looking at them all with an eager expression, "You know, my father kept this old journal written by a long dead fighter's guild member who saw a Hist tree in Leyawiin of all places. This mercenary company had moved it there and was draining it for sap to use as some kind of fighting drug, moving it into a building and attaching all this machinery to it. It unfortunately turned out that the sap was causing those who swallowed it to hallucinate and mistake townsfolk for goblins. A few people were tragically killed, from what I read." he hunched forward slightly, leaning his hands on his legs and stretching foward, "The tree was virtually being tortured, though. I have a feeling that the sap was just passing on its anger, what with how sentient those trees are and all." Janius leaned back again and looked wistfully up at the wall of the chamber, "It's just that air of mystery they have that appealed to me, I suppose. What's in that sap and that tree that has earned the reverence of so many?" Janius waved a hand, "But what would I know, I'm just some Imperial." Janius pointed his hand at Meesei with his palm up, "It's probably all obvious to you, right Alpha?"
Sabine seemed to be in the same state of thought as when she last made any interaction. Giving no indication that she had any preferences for what to see, attention was drawn to Janius.
Janius took a deep breath in and wiped his eyes with his finger and his thumb. Now that he had been given a bit of time to think, he had one answer at least. "I think just seeing a Hist tree would be interesting enough for me. I've heard a few things about them from books and the like, and from yourself, Meesei." Janius shifted and let his arms fall from the edges of the pool down under the water to his sides, while looking at them all with an eager expression, "You know, my father kept this old journal written by a long dead fighter's guild member who saw a Hist tree in Leyawiin of all places. This mercenary company had moved it there and was draining it for sap to use as some kind of fighting drug, moving it into a building and attaching all this machinery to it. It unfortunately turned out that the sap was causing those who swallowed it to hallucinate and mistake townsfolk for goblins. A few people were tragically killed, from what I read." he hunched forward slightly, leaning his hands on his legs and stretching foward, "The tree was virtually being tortured, though. I have a feeling that the sap was just passing on its anger, what with how sentient those trees are and all." Janius leaned back again and looked wistfully up at the wall of the chamber, "It's just that air of mystery they have that appealed to me, I suppose. What's in that sap and that tree that has earned the reverence of so many?" Janius waved a hand, "But what would I know, I'm just some Imperial." Janius pointed his hand at Meesei with his palm up, "It's probably all obvious to you, right Alpha?"
Work shift again -_-
Everyone payed attention to Meesei's explanation, even Sabine opened her eyes and faced Meesei while she spoke. After their alpha finished, there was a pause accompanied by some glances until the end of the talk had settled in.
Ariel smiled and looked to each member of the pack. "It sounds like you're all to go on quite the adventure," She said, "I should wish to visit the Marsh myself some time."
At this, Sabine waded carefully across pool to Ariel and took her hands. "Come with us," Sabine said. The tone of her words were inviting, but her face was the same blank stare.
The smile Ariel wore became a sad one. "I'm sorry, sister. My place isn't with the pack. I would only be a burden on you and your friends."
Sabine's eyes lowered slowly, then she waded back to where she was sitting before, leaving the situation somewhat resolved surprisingly quickly. Perhaps she would bring it up later.
"Well, it sounds like Black Marsh is a bit more manageable than I was brought up to believe," Fendros remarked. He felt bad for Ahnasha, with her being destined for the middle stages of pregnancy by the time they arrived. It was the way it would be no matter where they traveled of course, and Fendros doubted that it would be the only time they would travel to the marsh. Regardless, all Fendros could really do about it was to give help where she needed it.
Janius brought his head forward again with a gruff expression, it didn't look like he was enthused with traveling to the Marsh in the first place, but it didn't seem to bring him to the point of protesting against it. "I'm more worried about just how far this daedric war is going to spread," he said with a low and concerned voice, "Don't get me wrong when I say this, but we're now the pack with Hircine's champion, I have a feeling that the war may follow us wherever we go." He shrugged and put his head back again, "Perhaps the dangers of the marsh will slow or deter Vile's agents for a time."
Ariel smiled and looked to each member of the pack. "It sounds like you're all to go on quite the adventure," She said, "I should wish to visit the Marsh myself some time."
At this, Sabine waded carefully across pool to Ariel and took her hands. "Come with us," Sabine said. The tone of her words were inviting, but her face was the same blank stare.
The smile Ariel wore became a sad one. "I'm sorry, sister. My place isn't with the pack. I would only be a burden on you and your friends."
Sabine's eyes lowered slowly, then she waded back to where she was sitting before, leaving the situation somewhat resolved surprisingly quickly. Perhaps she would bring it up later.
"Well, it sounds like Black Marsh is a bit more manageable than I was brought up to believe," Fendros remarked. He felt bad for Ahnasha, with her being destined for the middle stages of pregnancy by the time they arrived. It was the way it would be no matter where they traveled of course, and Fendros doubted that it would be the only time they would travel to the marsh. Regardless, all Fendros could really do about it was to give help where she needed it.
Janius brought his head forward again with a gruff expression, it didn't look like he was enthused with traveling to the Marsh in the first place, but it didn't seem to bring him to the point of protesting against it. "I'm more worried about just how far this daedric war is going to spread," he said with a low and concerned voice, "Don't get me wrong when I say this, but we're now the pack with Hircine's champion, I have a feeling that the war may follow us wherever we go." He shrugged and put his head back again, "Perhaps the dangers of the marsh will slow or deter Vile's agents for a time."
The mercenary was too distracted in his rage to heed Sara's attempt at a warning, even if he wouldn't have the time to see it coming. It was to no avail in the end, he was struck and there was nothing either of them could do. Sara had expected him to become vaporised just like little Erin and everyone else around them, but even though he was thrown with some force, he was otherwise left completely unharmed, just like Sara was.
That didn't stop others being killed. It was happening quicker now. Swathes of people were suddenly silenced in front of Sara's eyes as the Tendrils picked their targets without discrimination. She was horrified. She tried to steady her breathing as she stood on her feet again. Before she realised it, there were only a few shouts and screams left in the room. No more than two dozen, she estimated from what she could see and hear. The comparison to the screams of terror just a minute beforehand turned the room's ambiance into a quiet kind of deafening.
There was also something new from the crystal. Not the killer tendrils of energy from before, but now little motes of red light danced around the crystal. With a graceful flight, the specks moved to surround those in the room that were left. They gave little indication of their purpose. Sara tried to reach up and touch one, but quickly retracted her hand as all of the specks around her shot into her body. After stepping back to regain her balance, she was left at a loss until there was heat from her wrist. With a wince, she frantically took off her glove to try and find its source. It was a bracelet. She didn't have this bracelet on before. It was an odd design; a light blue band with green gemstones on opposite ends. She didn't have time to inspect it before the sound of boots clapping against the floor turned her attention.
Masked men, suited in black, armed with automatic weapons. Sara replaced her glove and clenched her fists, lowering herself to face them. There was still a lot of fear running through her from before, but she wasn't about to give up. Her determined surge was unfortunately short lived once the armed men tossed cylinders of sleeping gas. Sara slowly stumbled to the ground, failing to fight its effects.
Dreamless moments passed before Sara came around. She slowly opened her eyes and breathed in deeply through her nose. It was too late before she began to cough as the dust from the floor entered her lungs. She was lying flat and face-down, but the coughing fit motivated her to push herself up from the floor and bring her knees forward so she could kneel. She took a slow breath and coughed harder into the back of her hand, before hawking and... closing her mouth and pausing to looked around at the metal bars that surrounded her. A prison cell? She swallowed her phlegm outright and stood up, dusting herself off with both hands. In one corner she spotted where her hat had been unceremoniously thrown in with her. At least whoever those people with the has were had a shred of decency. Retrieving her hat and placing it on her head, she pondered for a moment. There didn't seem to be any more hints as to where she was or why she was there. Just the same clothing that she was abducted in.
"Wait, including?" Sara's eyes went wide and she pulled up the cuff of her glove to find the bracelet that had appeared in the room with the crystal. A light blue band with two green gemstones. One of the gems was a darker green than the other under this light. Upon seeing it, she closed her eyes and sighed with a sadness and fear. So that was real, she thought, opening her eyes and pursing her lips, Why did that have to happen? She lowered her arms and tried to look around, What is this place?
Sara's eyes quickly spotted movement from another cell, the one opposite from her. It wasn't just anyone, either. "Wait, I know you." Sara said, walking up to the bars and holding them while craning her neck to try and see him, "You're that Miris farmboy from earlier. Were you in the room with the crystal too?"
That didn't stop others being killed. It was happening quicker now. Swathes of people were suddenly silenced in front of Sara's eyes as the Tendrils picked their targets without discrimination. She was horrified. She tried to steady her breathing as she stood on her feet again. Before she realised it, there were only a few shouts and screams left in the room. No more than two dozen, she estimated from what she could see and hear. The comparison to the screams of terror just a minute beforehand turned the room's ambiance into a quiet kind of deafening.
There was also something new from the crystal. Not the killer tendrils of energy from before, but now little motes of red light danced around the crystal. With a graceful flight, the specks moved to surround those in the room that were left. They gave little indication of their purpose. Sara tried to reach up and touch one, but quickly retracted her hand as all of the specks around her shot into her body. After stepping back to regain her balance, she was left at a loss until there was heat from her wrist. With a wince, she frantically took off her glove to try and find its source. It was a bracelet. She didn't have this bracelet on before. It was an odd design; a light blue band with green gemstones on opposite ends. She didn't have time to inspect it before the sound of boots clapping against the floor turned her attention.
Masked men, suited in black, armed with automatic weapons. Sara replaced her glove and clenched her fists, lowering herself to face them. There was still a lot of fear running through her from before, but she wasn't about to give up. Her determined surge was unfortunately short lived once the armed men tossed cylinders of sleeping gas. Sara slowly stumbled to the ground, failing to fight its effects.
Dreamless moments passed before Sara came around. She slowly opened her eyes and breathed in deeply through her nose. It was too late before she began to cough as the dust from the floor entered her lungs. She was lying flat and face-down, but the coughing fit motivated her to push herself up from the floor and bring her knees forward so she could kneel. She took a slow breath and coughed harder into the back of her hand, before hawking and... closing her mouth and pausing to looked around at the metal bars that surrounded her. A prison cell? She swallowed her phlegm outright and stood up, dusting herself off with both hands. In one corner she spotted where her hat had been unceremoniously thrown in with her. At least whoever those people with the has were had a shred of decency. Retrieving her hat and placing it on her head, she pondered for a moment. There didn't seem to be any more hints as to where she was or why she was there. Just the same clothing that she was abducted in.
"Wait, including?" Sara's eyes went wide and she pulled up the cuff of her glove to find the bracelet that had appeared in the room with the crystal. A light blue band with two green gemstones. One of the gems was a darker green than the other under this light. Upon seeing it, she closed her eyes and sighed with a sadness and fear. So that was real, she thought, opening her eyes and pursing her lips, Why did that have to happen? She lowered her arms and tried to look around, What is this place?
Sara's eyes quickly spotted movement from another cell, the one opposite from her. It wasn't just anyone, either. "Wait, I know you." Sara said, walking up to the bars and holding them while craning her neck to try and see him, "You're that Miris farmboy from earlier. Were you in the room with the crystal too?"
Alright, it's a bit noisier on the second half than I would like, but let's try this for Sara's theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTQXOHkvUS4
Fendros stared into space thoughtfully, putting his hand around Ahnasha's waist. Courtesy of his upbringing, he had noticed a less than favourable disposition towards both Khajiit and Argonians was common for him. At first, he had thought that he had mitigated that kind of attitude by getting to know Ahnasha and Meesei, but from Black Marsh came stories of savage tribes and barbaric rituals. That wasn't even touching on the deadly environment and flora and fauna that would see you dead before you knew what they were.
"Hmph, can't say I'm looking forward to the humidity." Janius said.
The comment was something of a reality check for Fendros. So much had changed for him now. There would be no disease and likely few creatures that could harm the pack, and if Meesei was any indication, the tribal Argonians were not likely to be all a backward and limited race. The realisation caused Fendros to laugh quietly. "I think I would do well to forget all I was taught about Black Marsh before I became a werewolf. I'm not sure how much is true, especially with my previous family's... former business." Fendros shook his head, "I doubt the Argonians would be very forthcoming if they knew that."
Ariel turned her head to Meesei again. "Do you have any other business in Black Marsh, or is it only Sabine's ritual?"
"Hmph, can't say I'm looking forward to the humidity." Janius said.
The comment was something of a reality check for Fendros. So much had changed for him now. There would be no disease and likely few creatures that could harm the pack, and if Meesei was any indication, the tribal Argonians were not likely to be all a backward and limited race. The realisation caused Fendros to laugh quietly. "I think I would do well to forget all I was taught about Black Marsh before I became a werewolf. I'm not sure how much is true, especially with my previous family's... former business." Fendros shook his head, "I doubt the Argonians would be very forthcoming if they knew that."
Ariel turned her head to Meesei again. "Do you have any other business in Black Marsh, or is it only Sabine's ritual?"
"The bookshop owner?" Ariel replied, "I am... acquainted with him, I suppose? his shop is just across the street from mine." Ariel squinted her eyes thoughtfully, "He generally keeps to himself, but he seemed a reasonable man the last I talked with him. The other townsfolk don't seem to like him, but that was because..." Ariel then looked at Ahnasha again, somewhat confused, "You say that Earondil was reminded of his wife by you two? That's strange, his late wife was an orc if I remember what I was told." She shrugged, "Perhaps its more the different race fact."
At the mention of Ahnasha being compared to an orc, Janius couldn't help but chuckle. From his position with his head back and his chest out, the laugh resembled more of a mix between hiccups and a coughing fit until he decided to lift his head again and laugh more conventionally. "Perhaps Ahnasha has some orcish features," He quipped breathlessly through his laughs.
"Did you meet his wife, Ariel?" Fendros asked, smiling at Janius' antics, but genuinely curious.
Ariel closed her eyes and shook her head. "No, I set up the alchemy shop after she died." She opened her eyes and spoke to the rest of the pack, "From what I heard about her, though, she had a thick skin, even for an orc. In the social sense, that is." Ariel looked down slightly, "They both did. They suffered a lot of discrimination from some of the less savoury citizens. That was all before my time, however."
"This Earondil, he's the bosmer, right?" Janius asked, "I think I purchased a book from him a few days ago."
Ariel and Fendros nodded.
"Wow, an orc wife and a bosmer husband. That's different." He leaned his head back again.
Ariel turned her head curiously to Fendros and Ahnasha. "You probably wouldn't get much trouble for your relationship, being in the pack, right?"
At the mention of Ahnasha being compared to an orc, Janius couldn't help but chuckle. From his position with his head back and his chest out, the laugh resembled more of a mix between hiccups and a coughing fit until he decided to lift his head again and laugh more conventionally. "Perhaps Ahnasha has some orcish features," He quipped breathlessly through his laughs.
"Did you meet his wife, Ariel?" Fendros asked, smiling at Janius' antics, but genuinely curious.
Ariel closed her eyes and shook her head. "No, I set up the alchemy shop after she died." She opened her eyes and spoke to the rest of the pack, "From what I heard about her, though, she had a thick skin, even for an orc. In the social sense, that is." Ariel looked down slightly, "They both did. They suffered a lot of discrimination from some of the less savoury citizens. That was all before my time, however."
"This Earondil, he's the bosmer, right?" Janius asked, "I think I purchased a book from him a few days ago."
Ariel and Fendros nodded.
"Wow, an orc wife and a bosmer husband. That's different." He leaned his head back again.
Ariel turned her head curiously to Fendros and Ahnasha. "You probably wouldn't get much trouble for your relationship, being in the pack, right?"
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