Pascal

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Adrianna tilted her head as Lionel said he wasn’t looking for Kurt. Hadn’t he…just asked about the man? Was he really someone who remembered her face from years ago and yet couldn’t remember the question he had asked moments before? She opened her mouth to protest and ask him about it, but Lionel continued to talk. He explained the he wasn’t going to out her. Adrianna gave a small sigh of relief. Granted, she had been planning on leaving anyway, but there was no point in burning bridges here when she didn’t have to. Ideally, Adrianna might like to return to Mutebo one day. She might even want to help with their fighting more. She just…didn’t want to do that now. Adrianna had grown up doing exactly what others expected of her. She had followed their rules, obeyed their commands, and when she found out she was different, she still found a way to be what they wanted.

Hearing Lionel repeat her answer for leaving, only vaguer, was less than satisfying. While she might have been a little vague, he knew her, so she hadn’t felt it necessary to go into more detail. He already knew that she didn’t know who he was, though, so the fact that he gave such a brief and nondescript answer annoyed her a bit. On the other hand, Adrianna was pretty confident that Lionel was quite familiar with annoying people. It seemed to just be his natural state. So how come you don’t remember him? Adrianna was pretty sure he was a healer, though that was prompted mostly by him saying earlier that she was like him. He could have just meant a Church defector, in which case he might not have really left for the same reasons as her at all. He might have been a hunter. Adrianna didn’t…really imagine that he could do such things, but perhaps he was just very good with a ruse? And perhaps you are simply way too paranoid?

Lionel hopped up and sat on a crate, and Adrianna shifted the bag on her shoulder. She could tell that he was going to say something else, and since he was capable of annoying her into stopping and listening, Adrianna figured it was easier to simply stand here and wait. She wasn’t really in a rush. If she wanted, she could even wait until another day. No one was kicking her out, but the weather was nice and she was feeling the itch to move. No point in forming too close of ties with anyone. As her thoughts drifted to what she planned to do next, Lionel asked what she was planning. Once again, she began to answer him, but Lionel continued to ramble, and so she waited until he was really done before she spoke. “I’ve spent the last few years traveling around, picking up different skills, and I plan to do the same. Nothing against Taliya and crew, it just doesn’t feel…right for me right now.” She didn’t want to say how eerily church-like it felt, since Lionel had just admitted that he was here now, helping out Taliya’s people. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed, or perhaps that had been his very reason for joining them. In any case, it wasn’t her place to criticize, not after the choices she had made in her life.

“I’m not sure, really. I plan to head out of town, probably today, though I’m not really in a rush.” Apart from you knowing who I am and being completely untrustworthy—possibly. “If anyone else is heading out, I might join ‘em, you know, safety in numbers. But I don’t really have a direction in mind. Just going to see where the wind takes me. And you…are you going to stay here, help Taliya until…” Adrianna trailed off. That was the problem, really. With such fighting between the Church and the magi, and the Church still utilizing those with magic to carry out their dirty work, Adrianna didn’t know what the end would even look like. It was the Church’s hope that it ended when the mages against them were dead. And those who had helped them were…what? They certainly didn’t fit into the Church’s vision for the future. Would the loyalists be eradicated last for not fitting into the worldview? Or would the Church simply squash all future magi and let the current generation die off? Adrianna was a little cynical when it came to the church. She believed that they would continue to let loyal magi serve them, but tighten the reigns until the magic was nearly snuffed out. Why would they eradicate healers, for example, when loyal healers gave them near immortality?

Before Adrianna was able to come up with a proper way to end that question, she saw Lionel’s gaze wander back towards the main streets. She turned as well, and saw a quartet entering Mutebo once more. She thought she recognized at least one of the two in the front from being around Taliya, but her attention quickly shifted towards the pair in the back, who looked quite hurt. The man was cradling an arm, and looked like he was barely able to keep up with the ones walking in front. The woman had mostly bruises and bumps. Neither of them were on their death bed, but Adrianna could sense that it wasn’t just physical injuries. They hadn’t been jumped and robbed of their possessions, they had been fighting with their magic, and they were both quite drained.

It was rather easy for her to pick up on the signature of magic exhaustion. She had seen it from the hunters, at least the ones who had to really work to dispatch their targets. They came back injured physically, but their aura of magic was also dim or flickered about rather than maintaining consistency. She never talked about this observation with others, and the one or two times she mentioned someone being worn out in such a manner, she was reminded that of course they were worn out, they had been defending the Church against dangerous people who wanted to tear down its very foundation. Doing such holy work was tiring.

“Excuse me.” Adrianna couldn’t just ignore them, though. Whether or not they were fighting the Church directly, Adrianna didn’t like to see any one hurt and worn down in such a manner. They clearly weren’t prisoners, so she doubted they were enemies of Taliya. Though it certainly wouldn’t have been the first time she had healed Hunters, if they were. Not to mention the fact that it was rather dangerous, if there were to be an attack on Mutebo, for people to be in such a state. They wouldn’t be able to defend the city at all, and Adrianna much preferred for everyone to be in their best condition, physically and magically. Working in Taliya’s medical bay would have worn her down in days with such a disposition.

She turned and approached the group, though immediately heard Lionel’s feet hit the ground lightly behind her as he walked over to them as well. Good. Adrianna walked right past the men chatting in front and moved up alongside the boy with the hurt arm. “Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice that you look a bit roughed up…” She gestured to his arm but didn’t touch it. “May I help?” Her hand hovering near the arm began to glow a light golden color, the mark of her Luminous magic. She glanced to the woman who accompanied him as well, she was most certainly not Mura, but Adrianna hadn’t ignored her initially for that reason. The quite short Dimura was simply in better condition…and perhaps Adrianna would learn if Lionel really was a healer.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Adrianna blinked in confusion as some man appeared and blocked her path, apparently having watched the display. He mentioned something about not being alone, and she tilted her head. She couldn’t recall this man at all, and looked him up and down to try to place him. His voice certainly sounded like a man who had gone through puberty, but with his long blonde hair and bangs, Adrianna could have easily mistaken him for a woman. He was a bit taller than her, but similar in frame.

Before she had time to ask what he meant by not being alone, he mentioned her name and former affiliation. Her eyes widened for a moment before she recovered and adopted a more neutral expression. “I’m sorry. I think you have mistaken me for someone else.” She said. Adrianna stepped to the side to leave—all the more reason to get out of this town soon, really. Of course, his words about not being alone took on a bit more value now. Was he also a healer? Or had he also been with the church. She generally thought she had a pretty good memory when it came to people. Then again, this was quite a few years ago, and if he hadn’t hit puberty then, perhaps he looked…even more feminine? It was quite perplexing.

Lionel's smile lingered as he stepped in front of Adrianna, cutting off her path again before she could move away. "That disguise is pretty neat! Doesn't help with someone who knows you though!" he reiterated with a wink. As the crowd continued to move around them he leaned in closer, lowering his voice as his smile finally receded, "Why'd you leave? Not that I'm blaming you, but why? What did it?"

Adrianna had completely ignored his second question about finding the wood magi. She should have known, in a place like Mutebo, that there wasn’t any active threat or malice, but she had been hiding herself for so long that she didn’t know any other way. Lionel cut off her path again, and Adrianna glanced around to see if anyone was paying attention. No one seemed to give the pair a second look, which was fortunate. Lionel seemed to enjoy recognizing her and commenting rather bluntly about her choices. Adrianna was much less amused, and openly glared at the man. She hated being out of the know on things.

Clearly, he knew her, and she to contend with not remembering him in the slightest. “I’d rather not speak…out here.” Adrianna said. She gestured off of the main thoroughfare, and walked until she found a place that was very quiet. “The exaggerated wink, by the way, not very subtle. And if you are looking for Kurt, he is probably eating, or rooting.” Adrianna couldn’t help but grin at her own joke, a nice reprieve from the stress of dealing with this individual.

“I don’t remember where we met in the slightest, but I would appreciate it if you kept that to yourself. People here know me as Adrian. It is…easier.” She wanted to say that it would help if she ran across some of the Church’s hunters, but since this guy recognized her with ease, she wondered if she was getting too old to pull it off. “And I left…because I didn’t like the idea of constantly fixing people just so they could go out and hurt more people like us. Even the hunters knew how fucked up it all was. I hated seeing them eventually turn to the drink to soothe themselves, and I didn’t want to turn into that.” She grew quiet. Adrianna didn’t enjoy letting her guard down; it had been a long time since she let anyone in. “What about you?”

Most people who paid more attention to her assumed she was a younger boy, probably in the same way Lionel no doubt got mistaken for a younger lass if he spent too much time in a tavern after midnight. Those who thought he was just a lad rarely treated him as if he had any valuable life wisdom, and it was strange, in a way, to be treated more in kind with her age. Then again, perhaps this was how Lionel treated everyone. He certainly seemed to be an odd duck.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Kurt, as usual, took a more extravagant approach to showing off his magic. If Adrianna ever could not tell them apart by appearance, she knew she would be able to by the way they showed their magic. Kurt stretched, and wiggled his fingers for a few moments, humming a tune before he bent hit knees and crouched down to the ground. Taking a deep breath, Kurt felt through the ground to the nearest tree routes, and drew them towards himself. The roots burst from the ground around him, and began curling and intertwining in the air.

His humming ceased as he had to concentrate on the magic to get the roots to form the way he wanted. It began as a large bundle, and it froze for a few moments, looking like a large egg, before the inner roots began to writhe and wiggle. The outer roots began to crack open in chunks, and then a long arm of roots seemed to claw its way out of the egg. The roots formed a figure, which quickly became apparent as a dragon. The dragon seemed to grow, its root wings spreading out and seeming to flap. The dragon grew, and opened its mouth. The root teeth were barred as the figure froze, and a rather sweat-drenched Kurt stood, albeit a bit shakily.

Clapping from behind Adrianna drew her attention, and she saw that Kurt’s display had garnered quite a few people. He bowed rather extravagantly, though it caused him to wobble a bit on his feet.

“That was fantastic, Burt.” Angelo called out.

“No, wait! I’m Kurt!” He protested. Suddenly, the fact that he had changed his hair part was working against him, and he turned bright red as Burt laughed.

“That’s what you get for trying to trick people.” Burt said, shaking his head.

“Well, I think it is clear from the applause that I won.” Kurt said, still breathing heavily.

“Best two out of three?” Burt asked.

“No way! I won!”

Adrianna stood up, and walked over to both of their sculptures. “In other words, Kurt would pass out if he had to go another round. Go get some water.” He told the one. Most of the people had wandered off, and Kurt nodded to one of the women, walking off with her towards food. That left Burt with Adrianna as the rest of the crowd dispersed.

“How does he do it?” He asked, more to himself than to Adrianna.

“Hmm?” She asked.

“Like, how does he always wander off with a different woman? I mean…we are identical.” Burt complained.

Adrianna shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I think he is immature and impractical. What if his magic was actually needed for something today? He’s completely worn out.”

“What would we be needed for? When does anyone really need wood magic?” Bert asked.

“I don’t know…restoring the balance of nature after a woodland fire?” She posed. Bert sighed, giving a small shrug before heading off. Adrianna stayed there for another minute or so, looking over the results of the magic that had been cast. Kurt was annoying, but his dragon was pretty stunning.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

“Hey, Adrian, come settle this argument for us.” Burt (?) waved Adrianna over to a bench where he was sitting with his twin brother, Kurt. Both men looked very similar, but Burt liked to wear his hair with his part on the left, and Kurt liked to wear his part on the right. There were a few other differences between the twin Ydra, but neither man liked to point them out. They had been pranksters as long as she had been here, but she was pretty sure the men were born enjoying playing tricks on those around them. Kurt, at least, seemed like the kind of guy who made tree roots pop up when playing tag with other children so they fell. They were probably actually near her age, but they saw themselves as older. Fortunately, they had no illusions of being more mature than the healer.

Adrianna did a double take at the twins, however, when she saw that both of them had parted their hair on the left this time. “Kurt…?” She looked at the one who had called her over, thinking that she had initially gotten the men wrong.

“No, I’m Burt.” He began.

“No he isn’t. That is Kurt. You got it right Adrian. He copied my hair today to try to mess with people.” Burt said.

“He’s lying.” The other one said.

“Is this what you called me over here to settle?” Adrianna asked.

“Yes.”
“No.”

“Yea, well, he’s right. No. There is something else.”
“Well I am pretty sure you are Burt, and you are Kurt.” Adrianna said, pointing to each.

“How did you know?” Kurt asks, a bit annoyed that the younger fellow got it so easily.

“You had a smug grin on your face, which made me think that you were the one being deceptive, and thus not Burt.” Adrianna explained. “Plus you are a little heavier than your brother.” She teased.

“HEY!” Kurt looked mildly offended, and Burt laughed raucously, playfully punching the other man.

Adrianna rolled her eyes and shifted her pack. “Now, what is it you guys really want?” She asked.

“We were hoping you would judge us in a little contest.” Burt began. Though a lot of moving her head back and forth between the twins, Adrianna learned that they were trying to compare their spell-casting, and wanted to know which of their feats was more impressive. Adrianna put down her bag, taking a seat on the bench as the two men moved to the grassy area, standing a few feet apart from each other. The criteria she was judging them on were speed, intensity, and flair—their choice, not hers.

In truth, she found the whole thing more than a little silly, but it was their choice. If they wanted to spend their time casting magic merely to outdo the other in the comfort of Mutebo, then that was their prerogative. Burt cast first, and made some vines grow out of the ground, and intertwine with each other in a rather intricate design. He then used his magic to bring some flowers up the length of the vines, and had them slowly come to bloom. It was actually rather pretty, and Adrianna could see Bert using such a thing to court a woman someday.

Then, it was Kurt’s turn.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@Vena Sera I'll keep that in mind.

@Mogtaki Thanks! I'm not usually in the group game section, so if I start flubbing up, just let me know!

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@mogtaki
Just wanted to say hello! I've been chatting with Vena and Shy a bit, but didn't want you to feel left out. :)

Thanks for letting me join (even if you had no say).

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Packing the bandages into the small pouch at her waist, Adrianna confirmed that she had all she needed before checking her satchel as well. She might not be departing that day, but the magi started every morning ensuring that she could run that day without feeling like she had left anything ‘behind.’ In truth, Adrianna was tired of being alone. Though work on the ships was hard, she had at least been around people. She didn’t talk much, but she enjoyed listening to their stories, especially about the stars. It was from them that she learned a fair amount about navigation, at least at night. During the day, on the open ocean, the task was a great deal more difficult, but the ships she had served on all had half-decent Sailing Masters…even if some of them had been forced into servitude among more unsavory company.

Still, her time on the ocean had passed, and Adrianna found navigating among the trees, mountains and valleys to be a far easier task. Besides that, the maps were a great deal easier to read. Adrianna traveled on her own for quite some time, occasionally joining the company of another to share in the burden of catching their meals and preparing camp. Adrianna wasn’t really going anywhere in particular, she was jut exploring. It had been years since she had been to any of the major cities, or home, and the magi was rather confident that she had been forgotten by most, if not all, of her former associates.

Habits were difficult to change, though, and so Adrianna used a small pair of scissors to cut another inch off of her hair, letting the clippings fall into the grass. Once, the magi had long dark hair, stretching most of the way down her back. She used to braid it, and her mother would help her pull it into more intricate styles when she was younger, teaching her how to hold up the mass with clips, sticks, and pins. She had taken pride in her hair, and in keeping herself looking neat. Times had changed, though, and traveling alone as a woman was…no easy feat. Now her hair never stretched down much farther than the nape of her neck, and her fingers had grown a bit calloused, a permanent layer of grime beneath her now very short fingernails. Some of the changes had been instantaneous, and others had occurred gradually, but no one questioned the identity of the someone scraggly-looking teen boy. She had even gotten quite a few remarks that it would be okay, and her ‘voice will drop before you know it.’ Somehow, she doubted it.

With her items together and her appearance confirmed, Adrianna went to get a bite to eat. She had spent the past few weeks in Mutebo, having come across Taliya and a small crew just outside of Chetigol, a town a few miles away. Adrianna had stumbled upon one of Taliya’s underlings after an unfortunate mugging.

If there was anything more substantial going on, Adrianna was oblivious to it. She had simply been on her way to an inn and heard the sound of a gargle coming from an alley. Though it could have easily been a trap, she entered to find a man leaning against a wall, having been stabbed. The culprit was long gone, but there was still real danger for the man. He was applying pressure to the wound, but it needed stitches, and preferably some magic. Adrianna could sense that the blade that tried to gut him had perforated some of his internal organs. She could stitch the outside, but he would likely die anyway if she didn’t do more.

“You’re gunna be okay.” She said, kneeling down beside him as she began to pull his hand away from the spot.

The man chuckled, though it turned into a cough, and shook his head. “Doubt it, kid.” He replied. Before he had even begun to speak, however, Adrianna was pulling out some of her supplies, causing the man to raise his brow. Maybe he would live through the night.

With a sigh, she started to wipe away the blood with his clothing. If he lived, he could buy more later. She used her water to clean the cut as best as she could in the alley, and then dug through her bag until she found her needle. Fortunately, as she began to sew through his skin, the man groaned and passed out. After checking his pulse briefly, Adrianna confirmed that the man was still alive and used her magic to summon an orb of light. Guiding that to his wound, she could see what she was dealing with much better, and removed the needle. Looking up at his face once more to ensure he was still out, Adrianna placed her palm over his stomach and concentrated on her magic, drawing it from her body.

Healing him didn’t take terribly long, but once the majority of his wounds were handled, he began to stir. Adrianna got rid of the orb and pulled the bandage she had with her, securing it on his side. “So you live!” She remarked as his eyes opened.

The man assessed his wounds, and then looked up at Adrianna curiously. The pain shouldn’t have gone away so completely—he knew that the kid in front of him was not just a medic. “You did a really good job, kid.” He said.

Adrianna began to pack up her things, shaking her head a little. “Not really, it was just a surface wound.” She said. Before she could get away from him, though, he grabbed her arm with surprising strength.

“No, it wasn’t. But…I’m not upset. I’d like to thank you…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few coins. He handed them to her, and released her arm, having only used the strength to ensure she wouldn’t run. “But more importantly, there is someone I’d like you to meet. Are you staying in town tonight?”

Though hesitant, Adrianna confirmed that she was going to be in town. “Good.” The man continued. He gave her instructions of where to go in the morning to meet a friend that could ‘help.’ Adrianna wasn’t going to even consider going, and her mind was roaming over whether she had enough supplies to skip town that night, but then the man performed a small magic feat on his own, a tiny little vortex of air appeared over his hand, swirling about for a few moments.

Adrianna bit her lip, and didn’t say anything to the man before departing. He could have been a hunter, but he probably would have killed her after she healed him if she was. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the church, and she doubted a hunter would really be all the way out here, and interested in recruiting. Still, she was wary the next morning when she surveyed the area he said to meet his friends, looking for any signs of church followers before entering.

Mutebo wasn’t going to be her home, though. Really, no place could. Eventually, Adrianna would be unable to pass for a teenage boy, and hopefully by then she will have found a nice city to settle in. It was hard to imagine life beyond wandering about on the road. Would she work as a medic? Would that be too obvious? She didn’t have a lot of other skills. Adrianna made sure that her staff was secured on either hip, the pieces twisted apart to provide her with two smaller batons. It was easier to store, since she didn’t have to carry it around all the time, but they were still within easy reach.

Today, she was telling Taliya that she was leaving. She didn’t own these Magi anything. They had given her some supplies, food, and water, claiming that they were a safe haven for Magi...and they were, sort of. Taliya was also rather…adamant that people find a way to earn their keep, and Adrianna felt like in a way, it was trading one prison for another. Adrianna didn’t mind using her gift, but to continually heal people so they could get into more battles, knowing they would be healed again after, it felt…repetitive. Surely there were other ways to make a difference.

“Taliya,” Adrianna said her name as she entered the woman’s quarters. Taliya looked to be in a bit of a sour mood, but that was basically all the time. Through the few interactions she had with the woman in charge, Adrianna learned that there was no point in sugar-coating what she was about to say, or beating around the bush. It was better to be straight-forward and direct.

“What do you want? Can’t you see that I’m a little fucking busy?” Taliya looked up from the desk, tapping her fingers rapidly against the table.

“I’ll be quick.” Adrianna said. “I just wanted to say thanks for letting me stay for a while, but I’m going to be heading out, probably today or tomorrow.” She said.
Taliya, naturally, did not take the news well. "You whiny little bitches are all the same! You want things to change but don't want to put any work in yourselves! Fine, just stay out of my way.”

Frowning slightly, Adrianna felt like the woman was talking about a whole lot more than just her, but she nodded. “Right… Well, if you hear of anyone else heading out, feel free to send them my way…if they want any company.” She would inquire a bit as well, but Adrianna felt a little weird trying to pose the request to strangers. ’Hey, are you leaving Mutebo by any chance? I was thinking of going, but I don’t want to travel alone.’ Yea, because that wouldn’t make her sound weak and incapable of fending for herself.

With an unenthusiastic shrug, Taliya replied, “Sure, whatever,” and then looked back down at…whatever she had been doing. Adrianna excused herself. As she made her way down the halls to leave, a small child nearly knocked into her. Adrianna stepped to the side as she passed, the brown-haired girl clearly intent on getting somewhere fast. Adrianna watched her disappear before turning away and continuing. She had her own journey to begin.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Adrianna (Adrian)

Name: Adrianna Kirchner -- Adrian Vargas

Age: 24

Gender: Female, but dresses and travels as a male.

Race: Mura

Appearance:

Adrianna has dark straight hair with green eyes. Her complexion is a bit pale, largely unmarred with freckles or scars. Adrianna is very lean, but toned, and stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall. She binds her chest beneath a loose undershirt, though her chest is rather flat anyway. As she has cut her hair and dresses like a man, she looks much younger than she actually is. She does not bear facial hair, and her voice sounds like she might not have hit puberty yet. She has no tattoos or piercings.
Clothing:
Face:

Element Affinity: Edos

Magic: Luminous
Adrianna can channel the light energy to heal. She can also create and control an orb of light to illuminate a dark area. She does not have combat magic.

Gear: She carries herbs, salves, and some basic medical supplies that she has gathered together in a pouch that hangs on her waist. Adrianna carries a small dagger in her left boot, and a two section bo staff, split, one on each hip. She also carries a sling-shot, and is able to use a bow, though she doesn't currently have one.

She carries flint and firesteel, some dried meat for rations, and a container of water in a satchel over her shoulder. In there is also a small book and writing utensil, in which she has drawings and information about plants and their many uses for healing, eating, and poisoning.

Brief History:
Adrianna came from a long line of loyal church worshippers, growing up in one of the major cities. Her parents were both Acolytes, and she was raised to follow in their footsteps, with deep seated loyalty to the Church. She rarely got sick as a child, and though she played with the other children, the fact that she rarely got hurt was often contributed to her more careful nature. Though her magic manifested when she was a young girl, it was not noticed until she was eight.

Adrianna and the other children were playing with slingshots after their lessons had concluded, and one of the boys purposefully struck a bird. It fell to the ground, its wing damagid and obviously in pain. The children crowded around, and Adrianna stepped forward, scooping it up. She rushed it over to her parents, tears filling her eyes as she woefully told them what the boy had done to the poor, innocent creature. As the tears fell down her cheeks, however, her hands began to glow, and the bird healed right in front of them. It flew away as her parents stared at her in shock. They had all been educated about magis, and the children (namely Wesley Dimond, who struck the bird in the first place) immediately began to shout and cause a ruckus about the magi in their midst.

The young healer remembered sitting on a bench outside of one of the offices of the church as her parents sat inside, talking with two of the priests, and even a bishop. She was dressed in her nicest clothing, and her hair had been neatly braided that morning by her mother, who could barely hold back her own tears. Of course she still loved her daughter, but both parents worried that their faith in the Church had faltered, and that was why their child was afflicted in such a manner. The priest exited the room first, her parents in tow, and the bishop at the end, though the well-dressed man moved up past the parents to listen as the priest asked Adrianna about her loyalties.

She answered honestly, that she believed in the Church, and wanted to serve the church faithfully however she could. She had always been an avid learner, and followed all of the rules. After their questioning was finished, the girl bit her lip and looked up at the priest, too nervous to ask the Bishop directly. “Why is this happening to me?” She asked, her voice quivering. She heard her mother turn and bury her head against Adrianna’ father’s chest to muffle her own sobs, and Adrianna looked down in shame.

“Young One,” the priest began. “You may be afflicted, but we know that you are loyal. You have just been given a very special opportunity to serve the Church—to serve the greater good.” He said. He was the only person in the room smiling. The Bishop seemed to instead be appraising the situation with a completely neutral expression.

“Really?” Adrianna asked, looking up at the man with hope. “Will I get to be an acolyte, like my mommy and daddy?”

“Oh no, no dear.” The priest said, barely stifling a laugh. A magi couldn’t possibly be a messenger of the Church.
“Then…what will I do?” She asked.

-.-

Adrianna spent the next ten years faithfully serving the Church. She was permitted to study some about healing magic, and a great deal about herbs and medicine as well. Though her magic was not strong initially, she could stop bleeding and make a fatal wound merely crippling—then supplement with salves, stitches, and bandages. She healed and tended to hunters, mostly, when they came back from their excursions.

At first, she asked them about their adventures, longing to hear about life outside of the Church and the city. When her loyalty was called into question for wanting to know so much, however, she ceased asking and merely did as she was told. Adrianna retreated into herself a fair bit over that time. The children she had grown up alongside did not want to see her, and the hunters looked down on her. Her parents regarded her as some sort of defect, and the more she tried to remind them that she was the same, the more withdrawn they became.

When she was nineteen, Adrianna was asked a question that broke her resolve.
“How does it feel?” One of the hunters asked her as she lay her hand upon his shoulder wound.

“I’m sorry, sir?” Adrianna asked, her voice distracted. The hunter grabbed her hand, holding it against him, and forced her attention upon him once more.

“I said, how does it feel, magi? To turn on your own?” He asked, his breath thick with alcohol.

“I serve the Church, as I have all my life.” Adrianna answered, looking down and waiting for him to release her arm so she could continue her work.

“Yes, of course you do. Lucky you were born here, eh? Otherwise we’d probably have already rid the world of you.” He laughed raucously before releasing her arm. “Now finish healing me.”

Adrianna should have kept silent, but she couldn’t. Something inside her was boiling, a defiance that she had never let surface around others. “You have magic, too.” She said suddenly. “So I could ask you the same question.” She sat up a bit taller at that, feeling like she had defended herself rather well against the drunk magi.

“You don’t get it kid, I ask myself that every goddamn day.” He reached down with his free arm for the flask at his side and took another swig.

Adrianna thought about his words for weeks before she made her decision. She gathered her essential things in a bag, including a bit of money she had saved up from holidays, and left in the middle of the night. A few days later, she changed her appearance, cutting off the hair that had grown more than halfway down her back. She exchanged her clothes, and then found herself standing on the docks, looking at the ships at port. They had seen enough young boys fleeing home for adventure, and didn’t need along-winded explanation for her desire to work on the deck of the ship. She offered her medical knowledge as well, and tended to wounds without magic for a few ships over the next few years, along with various other duties on the ship.

Additional Info: She may know Remus and “Bernadette” if only in passing.

Sci-Fi/Fantasy 1x1 Plot (18+)

Updated

Sci-Fi/Fantasy 1x1 Plot (18+)

Right now I am looking to develop and RP the following plots only. PM if interested.

Logistics:

Advanced Level: I write at what most consider an advanced level. I write multi-paragraph responses in a word program first, to allow for better spell-checking. You can expect responses within a few days. If I take longer, I will definitely let you know in an OOC thread/pm.

OOC is a Must: Speaking of OOC, I really think it is important to have good communication with my partner. I am happy to create another PM for OOC chat. I can also plot and such via Skype if that is easier for you.

PMs: I prefer to play games in PMs rather than threads. I’m not sure what else needs to be said about that.

My preferred role is underlined. For all of the plots, genders and gender pairings are fluid. I will often write one as female and one as male for ease of pronouns in describing plots.

Alien x Human
Some time ago, a massive war broke out between humanity and the first alien race with whom they made contact, or rather, who made contact with them. Humanity was nearly destroyed, but with heavy losses on both sides, a tentative peace agreement was made. The alien race would not to try to expand into humanity’s solar system or force the human race to serve their empire, and humanity would stay far away from the already conquered territories. Now, a human working on sending objects instantly across vast distances accidentally teleports himself into the cargo hold of one of the alien race’s ships. This will likely have some dom/sub tones, but we can talk more about the details, ideas, and preferences via pm.

Vampire x Healer?
What happens when a vampire takes a bite out of something that isn't quite human? After a night on the town, Vamp enjoys the company and satisfies her thirst on what she assumes is just another meal. She leaves him for dead in his apartment. what she doesn't expect is to see him again a few days later, perfectly fine and without a mark on him. (Twist, he isn't exactly a healer, but would like to talk about the rest in PM.)
Thanks for reading.