Maybe being a tiny critter was not too bad. Nauta had the chance to laze around while being carried along through the efforts of the others. The aukari was still aware he had to contribute a little despite expectations to the contrary; something he learned from working with a squad back in Sirothelle. It made scents for the ferret and the cook, quite used to distinguishing ingredients by smell did not need much to get used to his newfound boon. The same applied to his improved hearing although that was a result of some other experience of the aukari.
When lost in the wilderness, following the water was always the better idea but while the ferret tried to get a whiff for a hint of that salty air to the west for the direction he believed was correct; he was interrupted by the strange sounds of the east. His attention brought there found the scent of a human- no idea how he could be certain of it as it suddenly popped into his head but along with it, the telltale smell of moss and leaves the alchemist was familiar enough with. Perhaps like him, the human was an alchemist but the aukari was surer of one other possibility grounded by the circumstances they were in.
"We may be walking in ambush." That or the girl was no good at hide and seek even if it was the game she forced onto the group.
Nauta could have scouted ahead but he did not have any confidence in meeting any troublesome surprises. His ferrety self no longer bore the protective shell the violence adverse aukari enjoyed nor did it have the proper appendages to make use of the alchemist's favoured tools. Instead he merely reminded the group of the possibility of an ambush from the presence he sensed, "look out for baddies. May be hiding in bush or tree." He did regret his decision to not go on ahead as that direction turned out safer. Whatever he detected, it already made its way to them; from the west, if that made scents.
Not in any bush or tree, the human was the tree! Nauta scampered away behind Pepper to hide away from the grotesque creature. He could not rely on the rest of the group as the fools demonstrated. Instead of acting to preserve their longevity, they thought to treat with the wrathful tree. Nauta sent a telepathic message to the girl, only the girl. A quick suggestion to prepare a few items ferreted in his bag along with a quick brief on their use should the worst happen. Pepper was unfortunately no aukari which limited her options unless she worked on the other tools a little. It left the extra bombs Nauta made for Noth last season the best option if she could get past the idea of handling the nasty skulls.
Regardless of how their attempt ended up, Nauta was not going to stick around in reach of the malignant growth. He took to the trees, the ferret climbed as naturally as he walked to "keep lookout," or so he claimed. In actuality, it was to put him into a better position to escape or, to sneak past the Heartmourn while it was occupied with the fools. For all he knew, it was in between them and their goal. The timing of its appearance was too good to suggest otherwise.
• Event • The Lights on the Water [Ashan Seasonal]
93rd of Ashan 718
Moderators: Pig Boy , Basilisk Snek
- Nauta F'mos Geey
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The Lights on the Water
word count: 571
But I don't want to cure cancer. I want to turn people into dinosaurs.
- Oracle
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The Lights on the Water
The Heartmourn was a curious creature. It appeared every bit a ferocious beast that had seen its humanity stripped away but as the others spoke there was a moment where it gave pause and listened. The man that he had once been was still somehow buried inside and for a brief passing of trills he paused in his rampage.
The creature leaned over Vega, dwarfing her and likely making Arlo feel like an ant. Glittering emerald eyes stared down at her and a strangled sound came whispering from the Heartmourn’s throat.
“Eeeevvvva.” He croaked, speaking her birth name in a strangled faintly human voice. At that moment Arlo spoke and somehow the Heartmourn could also hear him as well. His great hulking antlered head turned slowly to peer down at the raccoon.
“Heeellllpp meeeee?” He asked hesitantly as if unsure about the group’s true intentions.
Then at Vivian’s mention of a ‘wispy moron’ the Heartmourn’s head snapped up with a savage ferocity and he met the Lightning Knight’s eyes with such intensity that the crystallized amber heart in his chest glowed a little brighter, illuminating the woman’s face.
“Vyrelle…” he growled sharply, his voice gaining clarity and focus for the briefest of moments.
The heart occupying the open cavity in his chest was now well within reach of anyone that cared to try and take it. Legends suggested that the only way to defeat the Heartmourn was to steal its heart and take it away from the island. Although legends had been wrong before, and any attempt to steal it might also merit heads being removed from shoulders.
The Heartmourn’s bark covered face creased into a deep frown as he spoke again, his words becoming clearer and clearer as if being in the presence of those that wished to help him was granting him back a small sliver of his humanity.
“Go to the top of the mountain, there you will find the Source.” The creature said while pointing toward the mountain path.
At that moment the trees above the group shuddered faintly with the sound of Nauta’s claws scampering across the branches. The leaves rasped against each other and the Heartmourn howled with rage, straightening up and looking into the bright luminescent canopy with his dark arboreal eyes.
“LIARS!!!” The Heartmourn roared, his thunderous voice shaking the boughs and branches above and tossing Nauta about. If the ferret lost his footing then it would be a very long, uncomfortable fall to the ground.
“YOU TRY TO SNEAK AND HURT, NOT HELP!!! ” The creature’s massive thick right arm swept out to impact the truck of the tree that Nauta was perched in. Wood splintered, cracked and shrieked as the tree began to fall sideways, right toward Arlo, Vega, Pepper and Vivian. They would risk being crushed if they remained and Nauta was faced with trying to escape the collapsing branches if he wished to survive.
The mountain path lay to their right, open and waiting, but first they had to escape the wrathful Heartmourn.
word count: 678
"Without the dark, we'd never see the stars"
- Vega
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The Lights on the Water
Assuming that they all made it out of this alive, Vega would tease Arlo mercilessly about both the waddle and the hat. But right now, she simply grinned at him when he "said" that he saw her smile and responded, quick as he had, "I don't think I've ever seen a cuter furry-bum-waddle. An' the hat? Fits like a charm." She was willing to bet that he was loving the experience for what it was, enjoying the rushing sensations and new ways of seeing the world like the mad man she adored. He confirmed that when he looked up at her and said that it was amazing. His grin was rather more... filled with teeth than usual, but Vega grinned right back. "Well don't get too used to it," she warned. "It goes on too long an' we hit all kinds of complicated." She had to admit, though, she was pleased that he responded the way he did. She didn't think she would have, but that was part of the difference between her and him. And why he was such a good devotee of Cassion.
But then, things changed in a flash and they were faced with a great big hulking tree-bloke who really needed to calm down, as far as Vega could tell. She didn't know Vivian's wondering about her understanding of the danger and Vega would have been quick to respond if she did. Yet for her there was a bottom line and it was simple. Fear would rule you if you let it. With a prayer to Xiur, she stepped forward and hoped that she was doing the right thing. She was the best swordswoman here, without a doubt. Vega didn't doubt it for a trill, but not because she knew how good anyone else was, or wasn't - but because she knew how good she was. Obnoxious, difficult, stubborn and argumentative were all titles she bore and proudly - but she was fundamentally a kind hearted woman who relied on precisely two people in this world. Herself, and her currently small and furry boyfriend.
So, that being the case, Vivian, Pepper and the weasel-like bloke were unimportant to her. It was her job to protect them, to try and help them if she could, but she couldn't rely on them because she didn't know them. So, she relied on her and she relied on him. Anything else, if any of them turned out to be more use than she assumed? Well that would be a right nice bonus.
And so, she spoke to the big tree fella because he fell into the same category and things seemed to be going pretty well. He called her Eva and she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Eva." He told them where to go and Vega nodded. "How can we help you? You must be right miserable here, aye? Can we help?"
And then, the stupid, self involved asshat of a weasel-ferret-idiot was so busy looking after himself that he ruined it for the whole group. Vega felt fury hit her as the selfish actions of one furred pillock put them all in danger and, in that moment, she would have quite happily turned around and stabbed the little thing on to her sword in order to prove to the Heartmourn that they weren't with him. If it would have helped, she'd have got instructions from Arlo on how to roast it, in fact ~ ferret on a sword might become a new Rhanian delicacy. But even as the thought went through her mind she knew that there was no going back with this creature now. They had their opportunity, but it was gone. The calming overcast had even seemed to be working but there were levels of rage and hate which were just not breakable.
No. No she wasn't believing that. This Heartmourn, he was the victim here and Vega wasn't going to hurt him. Just because Furry McAsshat-Weasel-Smith was too stupid to walk and think at the same time didn't mean that she was going to be forced into anything wrong. She wasn't going to hurt him - but equally, she had to try and stop him hurting the others. So, Vega acted and she did so immediately and with complete confidence.
Because hope trumps hate. Every time.
So Vega stepped into the Heartmourn, almost like she was stepping into his arms. Almost like she was going for his heart, which she was. But not to remove it. Because when she had asked him how they could help him, she'd meant it. So, her action was simple - stepping forward, right up close to the Heartmourn she put both hands on his heart and , with a prayer to XIur, she used her ability granted by him "Flow Of Morale" on the Heartmourn. On his heart. "We'll help you. We will. I promise you." Vega spoke to him loud and clear and she pushed every bit of devotion, hope and optimism she had into him.
"Come on Xiur, we can do this, yeah," she prayed internally. "Cause we know hope wins over hate, an' brave wins over stupid, too. Come to that, an' if you ever talk to that ferret weasel bloke, you might wanna tell 'im that true gingers don't hide in trees." And so, in her own unique but incredibly devoted way, she prayed and used her ability to try and just calm this whole thing down.
But then, things changed in a flash and they were faced with a great big hulking tree-bloke who really needed to calm down, as far as Vega could tell. She didn't know Vivian's wondering about her understanding of the danger and Vega would have been quick to respond if she did. Yet for her there was a bottom line and it was simple. Fear would rule you if you let it. With a prayer to Xiur, she stepped forward and hoped that she was doing the right thing. She was the best swordswoman here, without a doubt. Vega didn't doubt it for a trill, but not because she knew how good anyone else was, or wasn't - but because she knew how good she was. Obnoxious, difficult, stubborn and argumentative were all titles she bore and proudly - but she was fundamentally a kind hearted woman who relied on precisely two people in this world. Herself, and her currently small and furry boyfriend.
So, that being the case, Vivian, Pepper and the weasel-like bloke were unimportant to her. It was her job to protect them, to try and help them if she could, but she couldn't rely on them because she didn't know them. So, she relied on her and she relied on him. Anything else, if any of them turned out to be more use than she assumed? Well that would be a right nice bonus.
And so, she spoke to the big tree fella because he fell into the same category and things seemed to be going pretty well. He called her Eva and she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that's right. Eva." He told them where to go and Vega nodded. "How can we help you? You must be right miserable here, aye? Can we help?"
And then, the stupid, self involved asshat of a weasel-ferret-idiot was so busy looking after himself that he ruined it for the whole group. Vega felt fury hit her as the selfish actions of one furred pillock put them all in danger and, in that moment, she would have quite happily turned around and stabbed the little thing on to her sword in order to prove to the Heartmourn that they weren't with him. If it would have helped, she'd have got instructions from Arlo on how to roast it, in fact ~ ferret on a sword might become a new Rhanian delicacy. But even as the thought went through her mind she knew that there was no going back with this creature now. They had their opportunity, but it was gone. The calming overcast had even seemed to be working but there were levels of rage and hate which were just not breakable.
No. No she wasn't believing that. This Heartmourn, he was the victim here and Vega wasn't going to hurt him. Just because Furry McAsshat-Weasel-Smith was too stupid to walk and think at the same time didn't mean that she was going to be forced into anything wrong. She wasn't going to hurt him - but equally, she had to try and stop him hurting the others. So, Vega acted and she did so immediately and with complete confidence.
Because hope trumps hate. Every time.
So Vega stepped into the Heartmourn, almost like she was stepping into his arms. Almost like she was going for his heart, which she was. But not to remove it. Because when she had asked him how they could help him, she'd meant it. So, her action was simple - stepping forward, right up close to the Heartmourn she put both hands on his heart and , with a prayer to XIur, she used her ability granted by him "Flow Of Morale" on the Heartmourn. On his heart. "We'll help you. We will. I promise you." Vega spoke to him loud and clear and she pushed every bit of devotion, hope and optimism she had into him.
"Come on Xiur, we can do this, yeah," she prayed internally. "Cause we know hope wins over hate, an' brave wins over stupid, too. Come to that, an' if you ever talk to that ferret weasel bloke, you might wanna tell 'im that true gingers don't hide in trees." And so, in her own unique but incredibly devoted way, she prayed and used her ability to try and just calm this whole thing down.
word count: 934
Vega's skin has a reflective metallic sheen with a red glow. Her eyes still swirl biqaj colours, but one colour is always bright red which glows like fire. She has a bright red glow in her chest, situated directly under the mark of a heart (Daia mark) in the middle of a glowing silver dragon on her chest (Xiur). She's unnaturally warm to the touch
- Arlo Creede
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The Lights on the Water
"Eyes on the trial, Vega. Eyes on the trial," Arlo, in waddling raccoon form, admonished her, but with something of a toothy grin when he'd scampered off across the forest floor. His newfound, black and silvery brown ringed tail might be an object of amusement and fascination for her. But for him? It was a newfound boon that helped him do any number of things quicker and more easily. He darted along narrow fallen logs as easily as he would have, had they been nothing different than flat even ground, due to that tail acting as a natural counterbalance. The same could be said for those leaps through the air, from one object to the next.
But yes, it went without say, considering the nature of their relationship, things could become not just tricky but outright impossible, were they not able to fix this. They would though. Of that, Arlo had no doubt. It wasn't a matter of getting too comfortable. On the contrary, due to his confidence in their ability to turn it around, this was only a lark. And a temporary one at that. Whichever the case, it appeared that he and Vega and Vivian might be getting somewhere with this Heartmourn creature, as if he could be reasoned with and his legend was much more terrible than the reality was.
It appeared that way, at least, and as if they might actually get some help. That was, until that damned ferret went and messed it all up. Vyrelle, Heartmourn said, and Arlo was about to ask him about that. And at least they'd been heading in the right direction. If they'd have gotten any more from it, something helpful...No more, unless they could turn round the damage that the ferret had done. First, Arlo ducked his furry head when Heartmourn lashed out at the tree, then scampered out of the way. But not far away from Vega. Never away from Vega.
"He ran up there 'cause he's a coward," Arlo shouted up to the creature. "And he's not with us anyway," he added then. After all, the man who was the ferret had only followed them into the forest, hadn't really introduced himself anyway...and well, to say he wasn't with them, was to say that his actions shouldn't reflect on the rest of them. But then Vega strolled towards the towering creature rather than out of its path, and somehow he knew she wasn't looking to steal Heartmourn's heart away. It might have been easy, had she wanted to try it. But while he went with her, staying always near her feet, he left her to what she was doing, without him interfering.
But yes, it went without say, considering the nature of their relationship, things could become not just tricky but outright impossible, were they not able to fix this. They would though. Of that, Arlo had no doubt. It wasn't a matter of getting too comfortable. On the contrary, due to his confidence in their ability to turn it around, this was only a lark. And a temporary one at that. Whichever the case, it appeared that he and Vega and Vivian might be getting somewhere with this Heartmourn creature, as if he could be reasoned with and his legend was much more terrible than the reality was.
It appeared that way, at least, and as if they might actually get some help. That was, until that damned ferret went and messed it all up. Vyrelle, Heartmourn said, and Arlo was about to ask him about that. And at least they'd been heading in the right direction. If they'd have gotten any more from it, something helpful...No more, unless they could turn round the damage that the ferret had done. First, Arlo ducked his furry head when Heartmourn lashed out at the tree, then scampered out of the way. But not far away from Vega. Never away from Vega.
"He ran up there 'cause he's a coward," Arlo shouted up to the creature. "And he's not with us anyway," he added then. After all, the man who was the ferret had only followed them into the forest, hadn't really introduced himself anyway...and well, to say he wasn't with them, was to say that his actions shouldn't reflect on the rest of them. But then Vega strolled towards the towering creature rather than out of its path, and somehow he knew she wasn't looking to steal Heartmourn's heart away. It might have been easy, had she wanted to try it. But while he went with her, staying always near her feet, he left her to what she was doing, without him interfering.
word count: 459
- Vivian Shiryu
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The Lights on the Water
Vivian smiled as the Heartmourn said Vega's apparent birthname, responding to their words. His response to her own words was more aggressive, but she had been a soldier long enough to know when aggression was aimed at her, and this wasn't. "Vyrelle, yes." she said, not sure if he meant the girl or the island. When he gave them directions, however, she smiled warmly. "Thank you." she said, her tone simple. Then the damn ferret clambered into the tree and pissed Heartmourn off, undoing all the work that the three of them had done.
Growling, Vivian gathered lightning in her hand and threw it. However, she didn't aim for the Heartmourn, she actually fell back away from him, but rather into the tree above them. "Coward and fool!" she snapped at the ferret, before she stepped towards the Heartmourn again. She could see that they were unlikely to convince him to listen to them a second time. Then Vega stepped forward into Heartmourns arms and tried to calm him again, using some sort of Blessing power from the feel of things. Vivian, almost against her better judgement, decided to follow Vega's plan.
"Look, the ferret's a coward. He ran up there because he's too afraid to stand his ground by nature, and too stupid to realize when he needs to defy his nature." she said, raising her hands again. "We have no desire to harm you, none at all. You and I, we're both protectors, we should be working with each other, not coming to blow over a ferret like starving wolves." she said, her tone intent.
Growling, Vivian gathered lightning in her hand and threw it. However, she didn't aim for the Heartmourn, she actually fell back away from him, but rather into the tree above them. "Coward and fool!" she snapped at the ferret, before she stepped towards the Heartmourn again. She could see that they were unlikely to convince him to listen to them a second time. Then Vega stepped forward into Heartmourns arms and tried to calm him again, using some sort of Blessing power from the feel of things. Vivian, almost against her better judgement, decided to follow Vega's plan.
"Look, the ferret's a coward. He ran up there because he's too afraid to stand his ground by nature, and too stupid to realize when he needs to defy his nature." she said, raising her hands again. "We have no desire to harm you, none at all. You and I, we're both protectors, we should be working with each other, not coming to blow over a ferret like starving wolves." she said, her tone intent.
word count: 274
Please send all PM's to Basilisk.
- Nauta F'mos Geey
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The Lights on the Water
He reached the top, not a moment too soon but not even long enough for him to properly survey the part of the isle they were in- the part under the monstrous tree thing's dominion. Perhaps it was because he was just as distracted by the conversation which happened below him as he was with the unnerving presence of the creature or maybe, he was just not as used to the ferret form as he thought he was. It took him seasons of practice to get used to that other form if he recalled properly and at least, it had something as beneficial as wings to make it a worthwhile investment.
Regardless the means the creature used to find him out, the aukari's tree was in a quick descent. Had it not been for the fact the ferret's claws was needed for his climb, claws which dug in deep at the slender part of the top to conduct his observations of the situation below and his surroundings, he would already be in the air on his way for a painful crash. Nauta knew he would have to be in the air eventually unless he wanted to follow the tree crashing down to its end but at least, he now had the few precious thrills for some choice in how he would end up on the ground. The less painful it was, the better.
Fortunately pain was something Nauta already paid for plenty when he started out learning how to fly. While the ferret form he was stuck in lacked wings, it was still similar to what he was practised in; a small furry mammal. Four thrills and he at least had an idea on how to do it. In the fifth he was in the air towards a nearby tree. He twisted his body a little as he lan- crashed into a branch and then continued on to twist into another, and another, and another, and... well... at least he was down on the ground with only some sores and bruises. Better the branches to break his fall than the one crash he anticipated.
The added protection he had certainly helped as well although he would prefer to believe the landing was a result of his own abilities. After all being a not avriel without the advantage of getting used to having wings for most of his life meant the aukari still had to get used with the motions of his body in the air before he could advance into the more fun aspects of flight. If he ever had to describe it, it was like... drowning, only the pain of drowning was from the inside like an eruption. Not the queasiness in the air without something solid to hold him up and, not the pain from the impact of a crash.
Had Nauta not been too occupied with getting to the ground intact, he might have noticed how the others tried to throw him under the bus. Maybe even noticed the lightning bolt which was aimed for where he was just only thrills ago if not for the chaos and rush in between. However there was something else more important; to get away from the danger the creature had proven itself to be. To think the three actually believed they could treat with something which had been hostile to the group from the very start but at least, something came out of it. Their next destination.
And so, Nauta scampered off into the foliage away from the scuffle instead. At least, the aukari's training should be more effective on solid ground where he was more used to- instead of the flimsy body of some tree.
Regardless the means the creature used to find him out, the aukari's tree was in a quick descent. Had it not been for the fact the ferret's claws was needed for his climb, claws which dug in deep at the slender part of the top to conduct his observations of the situation below and his surroundings, he would already be in the air on his way for a painful crash. Nauta knew he would have to be in the air eventually unless he wanted to follow the tree crashing down to its end but at least, he now had the few precious thrills for some choice in how he would end up on the ground. The less painful it was, the better.
Fortunately pain was something Nauta already paid for plenty when he started out learning how to fly. While the ferret form he was stuck in lacked wings, it was still similar to what he was practised in; a small furry mammal. Four thrills and he at least had an idea on how to do it. In the fifth he was in the air towards a nearby tree. He twisted his body a little as he lan- crashed into a branch and then continued on to twist into another, and another, and another, and... well... at least he was down on the ground with only some sores and bruises. Better the branches to break his fall than the one crash he anticipated.
The added protection he had certainly helped as well although he would prefer to believe the landing was a result of his own abilities. After all being a not avriel without the advantage of getting used to having wings for most of his life meant the aukari still had to get used with the motions of his body in the air before he could advance into the more fun aspects of flight. If he ever had to describe it, it was like... drowning, only the pain of drowning was from the inside like an eruption. Not the queasiness in the air without something solid to hold him up and, not the pain from the impact of a crash.
Had Nauta not been too occupied with getting to the ground intact, he might have noticed how the others tried to throw him under the bus. Maybe even noticed the lightning bolt which was aimed for where he was just only thrills ago if not for the chaos and rush in between. However there was something else more important; to get away from the danger the creature had proven itself to be. To think the three actually believed they could treat with something which had been hostile to the group from the very start but at least, something came out of it. Their next destination.
And so, Nauta scampered off into the foliage away from the scuffle instead. At least, the aukari's training should be more effective on solid ground where he was more used to- instead of the flimsy body of some tree.
word count: 620
But I don't want to cure cancer. I want to turn people into dinosaurs.
- Oracle
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The Lights on the Water
What happened next was unexpected and it was all because of Vega’s choice to try and save the Heartmourn rather than fight the poor creature. She wrapped her slender fingers around the glittering green amber heart and infused it with the power of her mark. Glittering flecks of starlight popped into existence around her hands as the power from her mark flowed into his heart. The struggles of the Heartmourn suddenly ceased and before the tree could come crashing down on them he reached up and caught it mid fall and gently tossed it backwards and away from Vega, Vivian , and the raccoon that was Arlo.
Nauta on the other hand barely made it through the air and past Vivian’s lighting. However his fur was caught in the electric charge surrounding the bolt and ever fiber on his body was set completely on end. He appeared like a giant puff ball that had danced a little too closely with a lightning bolt. Nauta scampered off into the underbrush, electing to hide and find a safe place to gather himself before deciding what to do next.
The Heartmourn on the other hand stood silently in the glade with Vega’s hands on his crystalline heart. The light within began to glow brighter and suddenly a subtle wall of hardened air blew out from him knocking Vega and Vivian back a few steps, but neglecting to hit Arlo who was low to the ground. Even though Vega had lost contact with him the Heartmourn continued to stand there passively. His form began to shift and painful sounds erupted from his maw as if he was screaming in discomfort. The rough bark that made up his hide slowly began to compress and become smooth like human skin and his bulk shrunk down until he was merely a few inches taller than either of the two women. The amber heart at his center glowed brightly with the flecks of starlight as his shape shifted completely of that of a man. The heart vanished beneath normal human skin but continued to pulse lightly beneath it, still visible to the others.
A man now stood before them and he was utterly and completely naked. He had light brown hair that was clipped short with bangs that curled attractively around his brow. The man had somber blue eyes and a strong handsome jaw. He rather looked like the sort of prince you would find in stories that had once been turned into a frog.
“What…..what did you do.” The words came out of his mouth and he seemed startled to hear himself speak. The man gently touched his throat as if he was surprised at the sound of his own voice.
At that moment the glowing impression of his amber hear pulsed brightly and veins of green light spread further out from his chest, as if it was fighting for dominion of his body once again. The man stumbled for a moment before clumsily lunging toward Vega and Vivian before he took both of their hands.
“She’s coming….she knows what you’ve done.” He said through a gasp, his attractive features creasing with pain. His skin began to take on a green and brown hue.
“You can’t trust her Eva.” He said, glancing up to meet Vega’s Biqaj eyes pleadingly.
“She likes to play games that no one can win. So they stay trapped forever….like me.” He hastily looked toward Arlo in his raccoon form with pity in his eyes.
“She’s leading you the wrong way.” He hissed painfully though gritted teeth
“Don’t go up the mountain, go through the forest instead. There is a path that leads south…to an old well. Inside is where she hides her true self. Destroy it, destroy her, and this nightmare will end.”
For a moment the man leveled his eyes at Vivian, where there was a glimmer of respect. He remembered the Lighting Knights from his time and he knew that she would do her duty. "You must protect Rharne and it's people. Vyrelle does not know what she does. All that is left of her is hatred."
Leaves began sprouting from his head, and the amber heart in his chest pulsed again with energy, spreading veins of emerald light out further and further until his arms and legs were encircled by them. Vega’s ‘Flow of Morale’ was wearing off.
Bark began to form on the man’s skin, wiping away his humanity with cruel brush strokes.
“Thank you, for letting me be human again…even for a little bit.” Tears glimmered in the corners of his soft blue eyes. “I don’t deserve your help… I’m the one that caused this. But thank you, I won’t forget.”
With those final words the man that was the Heartmourn became the Heartmourn again. Bark flowed across his skin and he began to grow in size as the cursed heart ate through the ‘Flow of Morale’ and returned him to his monstrous form.
Then a shriek came from the direction of the mountain and a white floating figure in the distance descended toward the group. It was Vyrelle, the girl from earlier and she was surrounded by a cloud of the same colored floating orbs that had transformed Arlo and Nauta.
“Dirty cheaters!” She swore hotly as she raced toward the edge of the forest. The Heartmourn took up a position between Vyrelle and the others as if to defend them.
“GO!” He said to them, his voice sounding just faintly more human than it had before.
The depths of the forest lay open to their left, a slender game trail leading in the direction that the Heartmourn had indicated. The sound of a gurgling creek lay in a southeastern direction acted as their guide; for if there was water then perhaps they might follow it to the well that the Heartmourn had spoken of.
word count: 1086
"Without the dark, we'd never see the stars"
- Vega
- Approved Character
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- Wealth Tier: Tier 10
The Lights on the Water
Her fingers closed around the Heartmourn's "heart" and Vega prayed. More than that, though, Vega believed - absolutely and completely - that this was the right thing. She wasn't a soldier, like Vivian, and she wasn't an adventure seeker like Arlo. No, she wasn't a soldier or a sojourner - that wasn't who she was; she was Xiur's and Qylios' and so she was herself. More and more, these trials, Vega was comfortable with who she was, where she was going and where she'd come from. It didn't make her less obnoxious or prone to speaking her mind. What it made her, though, was more confident in her choices.
And she knew it was the right thing to do. She couldn't fight this creature unless there was no other option, no other hope.
As the light grew in his chest, though, Vega felt a sudden blast of hard air and she stumbled backwards a few steps. But even as she did, her eyes swirled and she watched, entranced as the Heartmourn turned into a very attractive, and entirely naked, man. Vega's eyebrows shot up as she realised what state of undress he was in and she kept her eyes firmly on his face. "I prayed to Xiur. Put his energy into you. It's hope an' it's starlight, you know. an' it means yer never on your own. Never" She listened to what he said, the instructions he gave and as the power of Xiur left him, Vega stepped forward, just a touch. "You're never alone. Believe, pray. Every time that you see the stars you just keep hopin' an' don't you give up. You understand me? Don't give up, don't give in. Look at the stars!"
As Vyrelle , or whatever her name was, came back again Vega considered most sincerely that it was weird white haired females. And fire element things. Not to mention children. But now wasn't the time for such rumination and whilst Vega would usually be someone who would stand and fight, no matter what, she recognized that there were two things at play here. First, they had to get to where they were going, they had to turn Arlo back into Arlo and second? Heartmourn needed to stand up to this woman-child-ghost-thing. "Arlo?!" she called and, if he needed her to in order to travel as fast as them, she'd pick him up. But she made her way, as quickly as she could, following the water. Only, though, if Arlo was there with her. If he chose to stand and fight, she would stand with him, but if they were in accord as far as getting to the well as quickly as they could, then that was what Vega did.
As they moved, tears stood in her eyes and she blinked them angrily away. "No one deserves that torture. We're fixin' this an' then helpin' him. Maybe buyin' him some clothes, too, when we sort it all out." The only other thing that Vega was absolutely sure of? "If I clap eyes on that cowardly fuzzball what nearly caused us to 'ave to fight that poor bloke, I'm gonna show you what noise a ferret makes when you shove a longsword up its jacksie so hard the tip of the blade pokes out between it's teeth." She didn't stop moving, but she was upset and angry. no doubting. So, she kept looking for the path, kept following the water and maintained her list of ways that she was going to give Puffy McFerretFace (as she had dubbed him) a severe spanking when next she clapped eyes on him.
And she knew it was the right thing to do. She couldn't fight this creature unless there was no other option, no other hope.
As the light grew in his chest, though, Vega felt a sudden blast of hard air and she stumbled backwards a few steps. But even as she did, her eyes swirled and she watched, entranced as the Heartmourn turned into a very attractive, and entirely naked, man. Vega's eyebrows shot up as she realised what state of undress he was in and she kept her eyes firmly on his face. "I prayed to Xiur. Put his energy into you. It's hope an' it's starlight, you know. an' it means yer never on your own. Never" She listened to what he said, the instructions he gave and as the power of Xiur left him, Vega stepped forward, just a touch. "You're never alone. Believe, pray. Every time that you see the stars you just keep hopin' an' don't you give up. You understand me? Don't give up, don't give in. Look at the stars!"
As Vyrelle , or whatever her name was, came back again Vega considered most sincerely that it was weird white haired females. And fire element things. Not to mention children. But now wasn't the time for such rumination and whilst Vega would usually be someone who would stand and fight, no matter what, she recognized that there were two things at play here. First, they had to get to where they were going, they had to turn Arlo back into Arlo and second? Heartmourn needed to stand up to this woman-child-ghost-thing. "Arlo?!" she called and, if he needed her to in order to travel as fast as them, she'd pick him up. But she made her way, as quickly as she could, following the water. Only, though, if Arlo was there with her. If he chose to stand and fight, she would stand with him, but if they were in accord as far as getting to the well as quickly as they could, then that was what Vega did.
As they moved, tears stood in her eyes and she blinked them angrily away. "No one deserves that torture. We're fixin' this an' then helpin' him. Maybe buyin' him some clothes, too, when we sort it all out." The only other thing that Vega was absolutely sure of? "If I clap eyes on that cowardly fuzzball what nearly caused us to 'ave to fight that poor bloke, I'm gonna show you what noise a ferret makes when you shove a longsword up its jacksie so hard the tip of the blade pokes out between it's teeth." She didn't stop moving, but she was upset and angry. no doubting. So, she kept looking for the path, kept following the water and maintained her list of ways that she was going to give Puffy McFerretFace (as she had dubbed him) a severe spanking when next she clapped eyes on him.
word count: 624
Vega's skin has a reflective metallic sheen with a red glow. Her eyes still swirl biqaj colours, but one colour is always bright red which glows like fire. She has a bright red glow in her chest, situated directly under the mark of a heart (Daia mark) in the middle of a glowing silver dragon on her chest (Xiur). She's unnaturally warm to the touch
- Arlo Creede
- Approved Character
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- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 9:15 pm
- Race: Mortal Born
- Profession: Cassion's Champion
- Renown: 820
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Re: The Lights on the Water
As much as Arlo had resolved to embrace and to live the adventure, any adventure, for all it was worth, he also realized that when this was all over, there was a chance however real or remote, that he'd still be a raccoon. It wasn't most favorable outcome by a long shot. It would result in a very complicated relationship for him and Vega going forward. To put it mildly. But nonetheless, as a wholehearted devotee of the Immortal Cassion, he couldn't do anything else but to live in the thick of it. What would Cassion do? He'd do exactly the same. If he was looking on, he'd be getting a kick out of all this, and he'd have thrown himself into the thick of it. Probably not as a raccoon. It was making it tricky for Arlo to do much of anything more than observing and cheering Vega on.
But she was magnificent, and bold and fearless and brave, and he couldn't have been prouder of her when she waltzed straight up to Heartmourn and took his heart in her hands. At the same time, it worried him, but he had to trust that she'd be alright. Unlike the ferret, the last thing he'd do was to run and cower in the underbrush in order to save his own skin, while others took the risks that surely in the end, if all went well, he'd benefit from. The ferret never ran far, after all, when he turned tail. "Not very ferret like of you, is it!" he shouted after the electrified thing as it fled. "Where's your weasel war dance?!" It was a real thing. He'd read about it once in a book.
In the meantime Vega had worked wonders with Heartmourn and what had been a deformed and tortured creature was now a man. Wasn't an easy process either, from the look and sound of it, and Arlo took several steps backwards to give the man plenty of room. Still, he was being awfully familiar with Vega, from Arlo's perspective. Nonetheless, if it meant he was willing to help them, then fair enough. And they needed it apparently, since they'd been manipulated and tricked and lied to. But if what he told them was true, then maybe by solving their own problems, they could also solve his?
Whichever the case, the girl was coming and Heartmourn was right. It was probably better they were gone when she got here. The choice was easy after all. Ordinarily, Arlo's fighting skills were nothing to sneeze at. But in his current form? Teeth and claws were all he had. He'd do Heartmourn very little good and he'd be going with Vega. "Not if I get to him first," he told her when she imagined what she'd do to that ferret if she saw him again. As for how they got where they were going, she wouldn't be carrying him. As raccoons went, he guessed, he wasn't a lightweight and they'd both move faster with him on foot, or four feet, than if she was trying to carry him.
But she was magnificent, and bold and fearless and brave, and he couldn't have been prouder of her when she waltzed straight up to Heartmourn and took his heart in her hands. At the same time, it worried him, but he had to trust that she'd be alright. Unlike the ferret, the last thing he'd do was to run and cower in the underbrush in order to save his own skin, while others took the risks that surely in the end, if all went well, he'd benefit from. The ferret never ran far, after all, when he turned tail. "Not very ferret like of you, is it!" he shouted after the electrified thing as it fled. "Where's your weasel war dance?!" It was a real thing. He'd read about it once in a book.
In the meantime Vega had worked wonders with Heartmourn and what had been a deformed and tortured creature was now a man. Wasn't an easy process either, from the look and sound of it, and Arlo took several steps backwards to give the man plenty of room. Still, he was being awfully familiar with Vega, from Arlo's perspective. Nonetheless, if it meant he was willing to help them, then fair enough. And they needed it apparently, since they'd been manipulated and tricked and lied to. But if what he told them was true, then maybe by solving their own problems, they could also solve his?
Whichever the case, the girl was coming and Heartmourn was right. It was probably better they were gone when she got here. The choice was easy after all. Ordinarily, Arlo's fighting skills were nothing to sneeze at. But in his current form? Teeth and claws were all he had. He'd do Heartmourn very little good and he'd be going with Vega. "Not if I get to him first," he told her when she imagined what she'd do to that ferret if she saw him again. As for how they got where they were going, she wouldn't be carrying him. As raccoons went, he guessed, he wasn't a lightweight and they'd both move faster with him on foot, or four feet, than if she was trying to carry him.
word count: 539
- Vivian Shiryu
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Re: The Lights on the Water
As it turned out, Vega's gambit worked, and Vivian heaved a sigh of relief. "Good one, that. Blessing, I'm guessing?" she said, as Heartmourn turned back into a man. She listened quietly to his words, but when he turned to her, she nodded. "My life, my duty, and my sacred honor. Vyrelle will do no more harm to Rharne's people while I have the ability to prevent it. For their sake and hers." she said, her tone intent. When his curse started to take over again, she looked at Heatmourn with pity, even as he said it was all his fault. Such a punishment was more than was ever needed.
Vyrelle, however, didn't seem to be much better off, though at least she had some semblance of free will. To be lost forever to your own hate was a fate that must be horrifying. "Time to go." she said, gesturing the others towards the path that Heartmourn had pointed out, and waiting until all of them, even Nauta if she saw him, were on the way. Then she drew her rapier and raised it in a Rharnian salute towards Heartmourn. "Well met. We'll make good use of what you told us." she said, before she started down the path after the others, bringing up the rear in case Vyrelle got past Heartmourn.
"Come to think of it, aren't weasels and ferrets different things?" she asked Arlo, his insult to Nauta just catching up to her as they made their way into the forest. She was worried about the animals falling behind though, and she spoke up. "You know, I'm used to wearing armor. I don't think carrying either of you will slow me down, if you'd rather travel that way." she offered their animal companions, though she kept her rapier drawn in case she wound up needing it. "And hopefully, Vyrelle's true self ain't buried at the bottom of this well. Be a bit rushed for digging, I would think." she said, grimacing slightly as she said it.
Vyrelle, however, didn't seem to be much better off, though at least she had some semblance of free will. To be lost forever to your own hate was a fate that must be horrifying. "Time to go." she said, gesturing the others towards the path that Heartmourn had pointed out, and waiting until all of them, even Nauta if she saw him, were on the way. Then she drew her rapier and raised it in a Rharnian salute towards Heartmourn. "Well met. We'll make good use of what you told us." she said, before she started down the path after the others, bringing up the rear in case Vyrelle got past Heartmourn.
"Come to think of it, aren't weasels and ferrets different things?" she asked Arlo, his insult to Nauta just catching up to her as they made their way into the forest. She was worried about the animals falling behind though, and she spoke up. "You know, I'm used to wearing armor. I don't think carrying either of you will slow me down, if you'd rather travel that way." she offered their animal companions, though she kept her rapier drawn in case she wound up needing it. "And hopefully, Vyrelle's true self ain't buried at the bottom of this well. Be a bit rushed for digging, I would think." she said, grimacing slightly as she said it.
word count: 349
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