ShwiggityShwah

Exalted: Fall of Creation

丂刀のW 丂ｱﾑ尺尺のW

"You might want to explain the 'somehow got away with it.' I want to hear the long version." Snow scoffed. The man didn't realize anything and his complete lack of taking this seriously only made Snow all the more condemning and convinced that this man was a liar. A liar, a coward, a spy. Offering up anything in order to save his own skin when faced with certain death. Its the only thing that made sense.

"You'd attack us one against four only if you were foolish. If you weren't you would lie your way into our ranks to stab us in the back, or maybe figure out where everyone who survived would be flocking too, and then report back on their defenses. Confess. I dont believe for a second you were just let go. An entire town of innocents slaughtered. You meet one of their deathknights in combat, teeth at your throat and just allowed walk away. I've seen men betray countrymen for worse things then their life. Now tell us the truth." The man was already injured and he's fought those with swords before. Snow was confident. He had more to lose and more to fight for.

Then he addressed Axley, and her response was nearly an explosion. The two of them bickering like some kind of married couple. Snow let the end of the staff hit the ground. This made things that much more complicated. They had a history, and Axley reluctantly seemed to vouch for him after their diatribe.

Snow remained unconvinced going to Ferguson and Cilia. "I dont like it." His eyes still on him incase he went for Axley for whatever reason. "The only thing that makes sense is that he is a spy. It even checks out with his profession. Fighting for coin over duty. He might not even realize it. I've seen the dark magics the Deathknights can employ. It can infect the mind, bring madness to those whom even speak to those enchanted. Still... the shared history between Axley will make abandoning him or dispatching him all the more difficult. And he is still alive. The last thing we need is conflict among the living. Regardless, we would be wise to keep your hands on your weapons, and keep him in our sights."

Snow castigated the sale sword whom remained on edge and the ready entire time. Snow sighed.
He didn't like him. He didn't like this. "Life must be given a chance... Snow Sparrow. Away with your weapon."

Exalted: Fall of Creation

丂刀のW 丂ｱﾑ尺尺のW

Snow offered himself for the second shift. The dead of night and to be honest, he didn't sleep until after his shift. He tried. He tried to think back to sleeping on the stone floor at the monastery or in the mud during the war. Compared to that, sleeping in the wild, buried in his robes, soft grass under his back and head, it might as well be a warm bed. But he couldn't. Too much thought on the mind. Too much to consider. He had understood where everyone came from and just like him, he didn't mind or care the previous sin. They were his flock. Redemption was but a kind word and selfless service away. He tried to offer the good to them, and if none were in the past they were in the present, the future. Their health. Well it was a start.

He spent his watch shift in meditation, breathing excercises. He did on occasion, go back to the Texts. The parts he believed in. The parts of Creation, the Dragons, Lethe, and the Perfected Hierarchy. He focused on letting go, focused on the here and now. Cilia, Axley, now Fergus. He watched them sleep. He swore he would try to make it right for them. Safe for them as long as he could. He muttered the prayers in a sing song voice. Axley taught him that the world is still beautiful. Cilia taught him strength despite it all. Fergus taught him that the most important thing is to find a reason to smile. They were his reason.

---

He had gathered his things. His walking staff out for the road ahead, and for protection. The Dragons gave them a peaceful night, and hopefully a peaceful day. "Unconquered Sun, keep shining upon this day." The Immaculate Order was not so foolish to not greet the sun and moon. "Dragons watch over us." He said in prayer. He cast a bit of incense into the wind to lay upon the skin of Sextis Jylis, The Dragon of Wood. He then looked to his group. "Another long day." He grinned. "Good thing I remembered some song to make the trip a little-"

Fergus raised the alarm, Snow gripped his staff and prepared to enter into a stance...

A soldier it seemed. He gave the name and immediately he proved himself among the living. A great sign. Even before Axley gave his blessing Snow seemed relieved. "Nice of him to open with his intentions." He kept his staff heavy but he was ready to give the man the benefit of the doubt after Axley cleared him. "A former friend is a friend in these times."he commented ready to take a stand, get close. Cilia was already looking out for them. He approached with an open palm to his chest, ready to bow. "Fear not Lord Stormwind, you are among friends he-"

Snow stopped in his tracks as his eyes narrowed, looking at an odd wound on the mans neck, it brought back memories. Grisly sights and he had long since know what they meant. He recoiled, his staff now in both hands. "That- that wound on you neck. How did you-?" He stepped back and entered a defensive posture. His eyes narrowed and his posture stiff. "I know bites like that. During the war, we'd find corpses with their blood drained. The only wound was two teeth marks. You met the enemy. You met them and you're still alive? Why?"

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

@BKburke@Stern Algorithm

Haley made her announcements and he made sure Ada caught up. Approaching the Guild he noticed the repaired hole in the wall and he grinned as they gathered for the day. "Hey just in time. It should get colder in a few weeks." He nodded to John whom seemed to be their repair man. He waved. "Great job John. Names Ozzy. This is Ada." He kept things brief so as not to interrupt her and Haley chatting.

When the twins made their way outside and began to speak with eachother he suggested. "I mean a coat of paint and it should be-" He had made his way to the door to stand in the group until-

@Restalaan

Yang suddenly tackled him. "SCRAAAWWK!?!" He screeched when suddenly lifted off of his feet and pulled into a big huge bear hug by his Sensei. She seemed nothing but sunshine and it was infectious. "Hi Yang! I mean Sensei Yang! It went great! Better than usual!" He suddenly remembered he would still have to notify the client. "I got her right here! Sensei Yang, meet Ada."

Her suspicions made Ozzy raise his hands in defense and offer a nervous little grin. "Well, the key word was investigating and honestly I have no idea what she actually is quite yet." He confirmed. "We know a bunch of things about her though. She's a strict carnivore, and alot smarter then a typical wild monster." Yang mentioned family and he had no response for that merely a single finger, then a hmmm... then a single finger but no explanations. He crossed his arms. "Well. She seemed keen to follow us, and she displayed social behaviors that would suggest she understands a family unit, so I dont think she'd follow us so easily if that was the case. But- whose to say really?" He looked to Ada, maybe he stole a baby from her mom. That was a terrible thought.

She was right of course. He nods and raises a fist. "Don't worry. I will, and more then that I think Ada would make a great member of the guild once she gets cultured. Shes actually highly intelligent. Recognizing hunger, flowers, locations, smiles. I think a few days around us and she'd be a great scout or a tracker. She certainly knows her way around the wilderness. Not to mention she might be a first for her kind. Shes an extraordinary discovery." Then Yang petted her. "See, shes adorable!"

@13org

"Ada, this is Yang. Shes the toughest around. And my sensei, err, umm well a dear dear friend. Oh, and those two are nice too and talented. Sylvia and Vivian." He had to point to all of them, knowing thats how she learned. "And that last one is John. He makes houses like this one." He patted the wall. Maybe an over stretch of his skills but Ozzy was making introductions. When Freyr came forward he grinned. "Oh and he's Freyr. He's like you. One of a kind. As far as I know..." He added that little caveat.

He looked at the group and with the arrival of Ditzy it became apparent that the kaiju of the group did not return, which put a rather damper on the reunion.

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

Whoops i might need to add more to my post

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

Hushabye@13org@PaulHaynek

Ozzy talked most of the trip back. "We succeed on the job and if we can get Ada to learn something, she'd be a valuable asset to the guild. Everything's going to work out and everyone's just going to love her." He made sure to check back with her and fly at Ada's side so she wouldn't get lost. He talked to her, telling her about the others of the guild, particularly Bart, Yang, Morgan and the others, though he was fairly sure it wasn't going to go over her head, but he didn't want to set the precedent of talking down to her. If he had his way she would be just like everyone else. Unique and wonderful.

The forest gave way to roads and open plains. "See! You can run as much as you want out here Ada!" He laughed seeing how she managed to keep up. He kept the pace until the Guild House came up on the distance. He flapped his wings and landed on the road, finally slowing down and coming to a stop. "Easiest job ever. Though we still have to let the client know that the 'problem' is resolved."

He smiled at Ada and he waved his arm. "Ada. Welcome to the Guild. It's our home. It could be yours too" Before he approached the door.

Exalted: Fall of Creation

丂刀のW 丂ｱﾑ尺尺のW

He sat crossed legged in the camp listening as Fergus asked a general question to the group. Names, who they were. Snow didn;t need to know anything more then their own hearts and bravery, but- but it was something innocent and pure. Something that would pass the times in a few moments of peace. It would be something nice and pure. A welcome distraction.

"Please. I have to remind myself of names through the morning." He listened, discovering more and more about their benefactor. He gathered as much, though there was always more depths to everyone. Always something deeper. "Another fortutous turn of fate. Your family has the power to do some real good."

He looked over to Cilia, her words and care. She was a survivor. She was in her words, a mother. Compassion and strength. "I actually had no idea you were so gifted. You should be teaching rangers and scouts Cilia. A the madame of a hunters lodge on the Sword Coast eating salted mutton and white peaches." He wanted to chuckle, his mind that she would an excellent soldier, but wanting none of that life for her. This was enough violece for ten lifetimes.

He looked into the flames and noticed they were starting to dwindle. He took a stick and poked it. Causing the embers to reflare. "Its moments like this that I have to look at the stars and wonder if destiny is true or not." They all seem to bring something to the table. Something to allow the others to survive. He wanted a moment or two, just watching the sparks raise.

"Suppose its my turn then." He went to his knees, sitting as if it were a tea ceremony. "My name was simply Snow. Named for my skin tone I suppose." He chuckled. "Sparrow was given by the Immaculate Order. Snow Sparrow. Simple. I joined when I was very young and, well monks are supposed to forgo wordly attachments. Family being one." He quickly changed gears. "With the monks, I learned everything. How to read. Fight. Talk to spirits. Preaching for hours and hours on end. How to annoy priests of other gods. How to keep my head bald." He said to lighten the mood.

He tried to remember the times afterwards. None of it was pleasant. None of it was good. "When the undead appeared on the threshold... thats where I went. Anyone that knew how to excorcise and banish ghosts." He glossed over it all. "Its hard to keep to the Texts when you're in battles like that. I was done with others telling me where I should be. How I should help. So I left the order upon my return and went to where I'm needed most. The Ruins. Ready to spend the rest of my days doing what I can. Was kind of hoping things were going to stay boring." He didn't want to dwell. Didn't want to bring back the negative things when they just found a moments peace together.

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

Its been a very bad week and i havent even sat down at a computer for a few days. Will respond soon.

Exalted: Fall of Creation

丂刀のW 丂ｱﾑ尺尺のW

And just as his heart filled with rage, kneeling in the cold ground. A gentle hand reached into the fire and pulled him from it.

He felt two hands and he looked to one, Fergus. He said nothing. The man only giving the faintest barest act of true sympathies. It was enough to remind him that he wasn't alone. Remind him that his feeling an actions still had effect on people. It reminded him that he wasn't allowed to be angry. Or despair. He wasn't allowed to act like a human. Those creatures had attachments and emotions. He had to be a pillar of strength. His life wasn't his own. His thoughts, feelings, body, soul. You dont own those things. You don't get to feel. They belong to others. You serve them you selfish coward. It hurt as much as it was right. His heart began to harden again.

Another hand then rested on his shoulder. Axley was looking down upon him. Her face soft, her eyes stern. Concern and drive there. She was stronger then he was. How pathetic. She spoke of him leading them into battle. His face tightened. No. Never. Not them. He should die. Not them. He would protect them. She then said it was what they wanted and this was enough to remind him what the voices had. To give everything. Live to give. She smiled at him, he looked away. He felt ashamed. A moment of weakness. You don't get to feel. But he was. He felt sad, angry, and now grateful. He raised a sleeve and wiped his reddening eyes, looking slightly better then before.

He smiled back his little grin. "I'm sorry... I'm alright now." He took a moment looking up into her face and then closed his eyes, took a deep breath before getting to his feet. "Thank you Axley. I was in a dark place for a second. Though I have to apologize again. I need to do something." Before saying anything further. His arms went around her shoulders and his head ducked low to rest in her mane. It was a fast moment, merely a quick embrace, but for him, it meant the world. A moment of selfish comfort to hold something warm, feel safe if even for a few seconds. As quickly as it started, he released her and stepped back. He gave her a soft smile.

Thats when Fergus had his own little outburst. Throwing a temper tantrum and screaming profanities out to the world about how unfair it all was. There was no reason to laugh. No reason to smile and yet, Snow lunged on the opportunity. He sputtered a bit before covering his mouth, a soft chuckle on his lips. Cillia was already seeing to him. She proved stronger too. "What an awful example we're setting Master Fergus. Neither of us can keep a cool head and as typical it takes a woman take make everything right again. Honestly we are fortunate."

Snow now sat with them, his team of survivors. His friends. He apologized again for a momentary lapse in sanity before doing things like offering to play music or attempt to atleast improve the mood either in reminiscence or coordinating with the plan. A night to rest, and then a days walk. They'd need to sleep in shifts... who knows what monsters were marching now.

A Guild Adventure: An RP with Monster Girls! (ENDED)

Hushabye@13org@PaulHaynek

"I also like Ada." He concluded when Haley agreed with him. "Its simple. It's identifiable and it's unique." He said pointing a finger up in the air. He was going to turn and do the whole Ozzy, Haley, Ada thing again when Haley kept talking.

She talked about the north and that brought back bad memories of his first day among the 'wild' monsters and he almost ran into an unfortunate fate. "Oh no." He said making light of it. He swung a fist into an open palm. "We must protect Ada's innocence." He then thought about it. "She might not talk but she's smart enough. Give me a few days and she might even be just like us. Lets take her back to the Guild. I'll ask Bart if she can stay a few days. We might have a fast and clever scout for some jobs. Need to get her some clothes though." She was stark naked but Ozzy knew better. It was just biology.

Again he was about to address Ada, but then noticed she seemed to run away. For a moment he thought all his talk of taking her somewhere scared her off. Then she came back and she had a flower in each hand. A violet and a- Ozzy's realization at her word association made his eyes light up. She even smiled back. It was just like the meal. She wanted to show them that she could understand them. That she wanted to be friends and that she recognized them based on colors. It was a simple act, a child like act but it meant the world to him.

"Ada... you are the sweetest-!" He accepted the gifts of her flowers and let Haley finish before he spoke up. "Those are wonderful ideas, but I think for now she might get confused. But honestly the more we talk to her, the more she learns." He offered Haley the Violet since it matched her wings. "This is proof of that. If we call her Violet or Rose she might think we want more of them. She deserves something all her own. So that when someone says it, she knows they are talking to her." He pointed at her a big grin as he brought the flowers to his chest. "Ada. Your name is Ada." He couldn't help himself. He put his arms around her shoulders and brought his head over hers in a very quick hug, his fluffy eyebrows tickling her brow. "Our wonderful new friend Ada."

He let it go, taking her flower and pressing it into his journal, a way to dry the gift and make it last longer. "I can't wait to show her." He walked backwards away from Ada and then his wings held him aloft. "We could fly, she'll be able to keep up. We're going to show you our home. You'll love it. Way less bear traps." He made sure she got the idea before he turned and began to fly keeping low to the ground so that it wouldn't look like he was flying away.

Exalted: Fall of Creation

丂刀のW 丂ｱﾑ尺尺のW

Snow had continued, trying to focus on the here an now. Trying to offer some semblance of support and calm to his team. When they stopped, though his body ached and was sore, he found the drive to move by looking at them. Three survivors, three now good deep friends to him. He helped Cilia with collected water, branches, firewood, he began to cook what was available and was suggesting atleast some music in honor of those lost, but then something happened to draw the eye.

The dome. That magic. It brought back flashes to his time in the threshold. He thought he would never see it again. Well, he thought he wouldn't see alot of things again. This was enough, this was enough for his eyes to go wide, his hands to tremble, before putting them over his mouth to stiffle a scream of abject horror. By the Dragons. A Soul Breaker Orb. A weapon of such mindless senseless destruction it poisoned the land. The enemy... and us. They used them. And now the blessed island might be stained forever. This was it. The enemy was on their door step and they were salting the earth where stood. The tears streamed down his face. He couldn't hold it anymore. This was a final gut punch to everything. Something in him broke.

He honestly didn't know why he was surprised. Of course they would. of course, they were undead monsters seeking to spread misery and end everything. The selfishness. The unabashed diabolical audacity. His eyes went to the ground, he held his chest and he let out a long languished heart rending scream."GRRRRAAAAAAAHHH!!!" It echoed out into the wilderness, a cry from a man who kept his emotions and feelings bottled up to keep a smiling positive face. He didn't cry for his dead friends, his flock that he couldnt protect. He cried out for all creation. Despite everything he did. His whole life to make Creation better. It was going to end. End in the face of monsters. Monsters too strong for him to even touch. It wasn't fair.

Creation was going to die and there was nothing he could do about it.

"You're here to serve."

He heard his master's voice. Back in the days of the monastery. His tear strained eyes went wide as he looked at the ground. He's been like this before.

"Get up. I need you."

He heard the voice of the Solar general who offered him a hand for him to join him in a desperate push.

Snow survived. Snow, who hated fighting had always fought and always survived. He always served. The Order. The General. The people. He was still alive. He survived. He still had to serve.

His hands balled into fists, Axley's words fell on deaf ears as he was in his moment of anguish and self reflection.
Calm Snow, gentle Snow, smiling Snow, grinded his teeth. "I'll... kill them." He swore to himself.