POOHEAD189

The Deposed Dilemma

Berek gazed into her green eyes, and heard her voice. He'd grown so used to it, so familiar with it. But now she spoke in a different way. He'd never heard her speak his name like that. "Ferona," he breathed, practically melting at her hands on his shoulders, her body language. He saw her lips part, and his breathing deepened as he lost himself in her eyes. His hands slipped around her waist and back, and he spoke her name again, even more softly.

Berek leaned in and kissed her, breathing her in as he did so, his arms wrapping around her ever so more tightly. It felt very right to do this, and he enjoyed the moment, knowing she was safe and so very welcome here. He'd never known what love was, but this was probably it.

After their lips separated, Berek rested his forehead against hers, simply holding her. He smiled, so very comfortable here and now. The warmth of the room only added to the comfort. "Would you..." He began, his hand reaching up to grip hers gently. He felt so calm yet nervous somehow. "I'm..." He needed to say it. "I'm so glad to have you here."

The Deposed Dilemma

Berek hugged her, telling her it was ok yet again. And earlier, he didn't know if he had meant it because life was never as bad as you thought, of if she should be happy she was alive and well. But now he gave it a different meaning, one he felt confident she knew what he meant. He meant it would be ok because he would always be there for her. As he held her on that bend near the forest, he felt like he knew she was someone he truly cared for.

It was a very short walk back home, and Rose was quite happy to be back just as Berek and Ferona probably were. Berek took her into the workroom, still gingerly holding her hand. "Here," he said, taking the cloak out of his pack and slowly wrapping it around her. It was nice and warm, having been pressed against Berek all the walk home. It smelled like him as well.

"You're going to need a cloak of your own soon enough when winter gets here." He told her. "Then again...I can keep the bellows warm for you. I usually do that in winter time anyway." There it was, maybe not asking her, but implying it rightly enough. That he wanted her to stay for the winter. For good, actually.

Once the cloak was wrapped around her, he looked into her eyes and began to speak, but stopped himself short. In the light glow of the forge, he didn't know what to say. "I was so scared for a second there..." he admitted. Berek was actually shaking a tad, his normally carefree and stoic persona gone. He was truly afraid of her getting hurt.

The Deposed Dilemma

"The cloak is kind of small for you, isn't it?" The elderly tailor said, laughing. Berek grinned. "Not for me. It's for my...it's a gift." Berek replied, holding up the thick fabric and examining it. He felt like it would fit her snugly, though to him it would be a simple robe. He hoped she didn't mind how plain it was, but it was merely for the winter, after all.

Berek paid the man his money, and wrapped the cloak up so to better transport it. It wasn't quite cold enough for her to need it just yet-

Berek heard a shriek outside. It was faint, but he didn't exactly know what to make of it. Wait...

"Ferona," He breathed, his heart stopping. He moved on instinct, grunting in frustration and fear at what was happening outside. It took him all of four seconds for him to come bursting out of the door to see the three men manhandling Ferona, Rose knickering and stamping about, agitated and afraid.

"Let her go!" Berek said, but even as he spoke the words as a warning, he couldn't exactly stop his fist. The man who yanked Ferona closer was now on the ground, nose bloodied and dazed from the sheer weight of the punch Berek threw. The other two men were surprised to say the least, and they looked to one another as if to see if either wanted to attack, or if they both should. Berek strode forward, taking one of his smaller hammers from his work belt and brandishing it threateningly.

The men wanted no part of the strong young man, particularly when he had a weapon to use. "W-we were just funnin'. Sorry, we'll leave ye be."

"Get the hell out of here." Berek barked at them, causing them to jump. It took only a few moments for them to collect their friend and head on, looking back with a mixture of fear and anger.

Berek didn't care. He dropped the hammer and checked Ferona, not touching her entirely, but merely looking her up and down and idly touching her where she might be hurt. "Are you ok? Did they hurt you?" He asked, honestly afraid she might say yes.

Buccaneers and Blades (Fantasy, High Casual)

@Smystar99Kitty!

The Deposed Dilemma

He gave her a smile that showed his teeth, bright and happy at her sudden excitement. "Ok ok, we'll get some eggs and fish." He declared, looking around and gathering what she suggested. "Oh, broccoli sounds good too. Carrots as well. Jeffrey, Rose, and we could have some of those..." He was half talking to her, half talking to himself. Oh, they needed wheat too for the trenchers. Not to mention some more spices, though they were expensive, often from lands far away.

He purchased all of the above, slipping them into his sack and paying the merchants, content with the wages he had earned from all of his work at the forge. "We'll need some more milk as well, but not here. I usually get mine by bartering with a neighbor down the road." He gave Ferona a sly wink, showing they'd get to it soon enough. Rose neighed, and it drew a few faces in their direction.

"That's the handsome blacksmith." One of the maidens said, her face falling when she saw Ferona striding beside Berek. Her father laughed. "Looks like he's taken girl!"

"Who's that with Berek?" Another asked. "The rumors are true, but I don't recognize her."

They grabbed a few apples too, Berek handing Ferona one and taking a bite out of his own as they left the marketplace, Rose's tail swishing to and fro as they walked in their own little world. It took only an hour or two for them to shop, and once they were done, Berek halted near the edge of town. "Ok, sit tight. I'll go in and grab a cloak for you." He said, squeezing her shoulder. "Keep an eye on Rose."

The Deposed Dilemma

Berek held the reigns to Rose as they walked into the marketplace to fetch food for the next two weeks. The sun was shining, though the air was crisp and slightly chilly. Berek mentioned they might want to get a cloak that was Ferona's size. He could go and grab one when they were heading home, but for now it was time to grab things to eat.

The marketplace was down another two roads, stalls erected and men and women haggling and milling around. A veritable crowd that was doing their best to collect whatever foodstuffs they could for the coming winter. Which brought something to the forefront of Berek's mind, but he'd wait for it later. He knew she was well enough to leave now, her dignity in tact, her hair growing back, her health returning. But now that winter was setting in, even if she had somewhere to go, it would be dangerous for her. He just hadn't known the right time to offer that she could stay the winter.

"You and Rose seem to get along great." Berek said, giving Ferona a familiar nudge. "We'll need to get her some food here as well. What do you think'll taste good for the next few dinners, by the way?"

The Deposed Dilemma

The next week passed by quickly. As Ferona's hair grew, Berek's list of items to craft shrunk. He worked hard at it, spending breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Ferona, Humphrey, and occasionally Jeffrey. He'd taught Ferona how to cook the trencher, as well as a few mixed dishes and entrees she could make on her own. Ferona picked potatoes and tomatoes while Berek prepared the meat, and at night while he worked, she'd sew.

It was getting to be all too comfortable for them, simply enjoying one another's company and working to help keep the residence and land afloat with the cash. A few clients showed up midway through the week, but they were there to collect and pay the arming swords Berek had made earlier. One of the clients didn't realize how expensive it would be, but decided to barter a horse for it instead. Berek agreed, knowing he'd enjoy one and Ferona would love riding it.

As the week wound to a close, Berek needed to head back into the town for some new foodstuffs. At this point, they had spent two weeks living in the same house. Ferona was much healthier, healed, and her hair was now wavy and around her chin. Berek's hair had been cut by Ferona partway through the week as well, close cropped yet again, and shaved as well. Ferona had offered to teach him how to ride the horse, but so far he as a slow learner.

Yet again, Berek packed up his bag on his back and had his walking stick in his hands. Ferona was going to go with him now, on or off the horse was her choice. He didn't mind, really.

The Deposed Dilemma

He listened to her earnestly, and his face fell with such a story. "That's terrible." He whispered, shuffling in his seat. She might have been handed a lot of things in her life, but no one save the most vile deserved that kind of horror to go through. And all of that death she had to deal with... She had been yanked out of her old life in such a violent way.

He leaned over and gently gave her a hug. He knew she kept telling him to get away earlier, but this wasn't borne out of attraction or lust. He felt true sympathy, and he'd grown to care for her in a way over the past near week. He just simply held her, not enjoying her pain or discomfort. He felt like he did when he first found her and repeated the words he spoke even then.

"It's going to be ok." He said, looking down on her as he hugged her. His voice was soft and warm, wanting to ease her. She might be a haughty, arrogant, lazy woman sometimes. But...today she had been different. She truly tried. And even before that, no one deserved such a fate. "It'll be ok."

Buccaneers and Blades (Fantasy, High Casual)

Here's my GM reviews, folks.

@Skull

Hider

Good sheet. Very well thought out, and doesn't go against the lore a lot. You're accepted, provided you edit these bits.

• Tone down your traits/skills somewhat. And by that, I don't mean redo them. But you've made him seem more like a monk rather than a pit fighter. Pit Fighters can have such abilities in a way, but not to the extent he is at. Pit Fighters are a bit more savage and less disciplined than monks, though that's not to say they're barbaric. He can attempt to reach a higher martial and mental state, but the pit fighter was more of a gladiator rather than a monk so treat him as such with a few edited sentences here and there.
• You'd need to explain why he's worshiping Bael/Mikhail when (while it's possible) he's not a God of the Arad Luin.
• Please list what alchemical concoctions he has.

I know these are vague, but he was a good enough character for me to trust you when I say tone it down a tad.

@Stormflyx

Hider

She is accepted. But here are a few edits I'd need.

• All praelians are sent to academies and do bits of each part of society before they are allowed to graduate. Write a few sentences expanding on that about her life.
• Give a small explanation of her making her way from Praelior to the port they are at now. It's like lowland europe, so it wouldnt be too exciting. But still, why did she show up for the festival?

@Smystar99

Hider

Accepted. Love her^^. Here's a few edits before you put her in the tab.

• You can add another skill/trait if you want. Maybe a charisma one from her comely appearance, or perhaps another talent of hers?
• Please bold the names of her skills/traits.
• I understand the symbolism of the stab in her heart, but see if it could be a wound that's a bit less final. Perhaps an artery near the heart? Or just say it nicked her heart, but it would have been enough to kill her regardless.
• Give an explanation on her journey from the eastern side of Andred to south of it on the coast of the Sea of Swords. Did anything happen while she traveled there? Why'd she choose to travel that way? What does she think of large festivals like the one we're at?

@BoyMom035

Hider

Accepted! Though you might be sharing your position as medic with Smystar, depending on how y'all post. I already helped you with edits, but let's see...she is accepted if you add these:

• Give her a goal that coincides with joining a pirate ship in particular. Why join such a dangerous operation? Is it because she'd used to danger with her past?
• How old was she when Dr. Henry Tate took her in? What motivated him to do so (don't need to get too specific), and how long was she there?

@bleedingwords

Hider

Not accepted (yet). If you edit these well, I'll change my mind and you can put him over. But he needs some work. Here's what I need.

• Reread him for spelling and grammatical errors. There weren't a lot, but it still needs to be re-read.
• Bold your traits/skills, as well as category titles like 'name' and 'physical description.'
• I think he has a good backstory, albeit incomplete. All Praelian children are required to attend the academy for a few years. But that doesn't mean he still couldn't be apprenticed to the map maker. Just make sure to mention it.
• Mention how he made it to SeaCliffe, and why he wants to be a pirate. It's a dangerous profession. Why not join a regular ship? Explain this in his backstory and goals.
• Has he ever experienced death, a lover, anything?
• Give me a small idea of the sundry sailor items he has.

@Utrax

Hider

Not accepted yet. But edit this and let me re-look, please. I want you to join bc I like your character.

• Need a lot more detail in her background. Where did she learn to fight. Who was important in her life. Did she ever have a lover or someone she hated? What parts of her backstory back up her skills/traits? When did certain things happen? It was a vague backstory that, while you shouldn't scrap it, needs more detail.
• You can add another skill/trait if you wish^^

@Rekaigan
Give the edits I have via PM and let me see it before you put the character sheet over.

@Assallya@SouffleGirl123Still need to see y'alls sheets when you are ready.

The Deposed Dilemma

Berek gave a smile at her patting Humphrey's head. "He's a great dog. Helped me a lot over the years." He said, scratching Humphrey's rump with his foot. He scooted over so she could better sit at the table, and decided to ask something that had been on his mind a bit. "What happened?"

It was a simple question, but if he had to guess it was a loaded one. "If you'd feel comfortable telling me. I can't imagine what might make a Queen lose..." He didn't know how to finish the sentence, and so she could rest he went over to stir the pot some more, the light from the fire lighting up his eyes, making them gold.