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+---- Thread: [o] sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide (/showthread.php?tid=10797)
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sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-03-2025
Flowerbirth was beautiful in the Greatwood, and nowhere was it more dangerously so than the Mathair.
The massive, ancient tree towered over the rest of the Greatwood, surrounded by carnivorous flora that sprouted in even the most unlikely of places amongst its roots. Liam picked his way through carefully before taking a seat on one of the larger roots and looking around. The carnivorous plants were interspersed here and there with Cursed Daisies, which Liam generally avoided like the plague that they were. Still, exploring the Greatwood meant that there was no avoiding its less pleasing aspects.
And explore the Greatwood, Liam did. Every day. For months and months. He couldn’t sit still in his little house in Sidhe Village forever - or even for a week. He needed to have something to do, or he’d go mad. And if the rumors were true, he’d soon have something to do - for the Family and the Void were strengthening, and if that were the case, then Liam was certain that war was coming to Caido.
So today was a farewell tour of sorts, as he’d decided that he would no longer hide in the Greatwood, but would emerge into the world to be a force of good - or, at least, he hoped he would. Exactly what he would do once leaving home remained to be seen.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-03-2025
It could have been a nightmare to traverse the continent, going from one end to the other and back. Fortunately for her, Maea was able to shorten the journey considerably by slipping through the fiery portal in the Grounds. She didn't linger in her old hometown. Braving the endless rain she winged her way northward, persistently scanning the landscape as she passed for any sign of flowers. This early in the season a fully formed blossom ought to stand out, and the largest obstacle by far to finding what she was looking for was the sheer size of the region.
Brambles toppled into ocean, waves lapped against tree-roots embracing the shoreline, and soon her progress was slowed by the dense canopy of the enchanted forest. She was reluctant to head in among the trees. There was a real risk of being led astray, turned around and spat back out without getting anything done. To avoid it as much as possible she set her sights on the towering canopy of the Mathair. Only when it loomed tall overhead did she lower down into the forest; a pale shadow that flitted over and under branches, weaving around trunks with practiced skill while her attention remained fixed on the ground.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-03-2025
Liam wasn’t sure how long he sat on the Mathair’s root, contemplating his existence and the state of the world at large. What all had happened while he had sequestered himself away in the Greatwood? After he’d left Stormbreak, he’d thought that he would start to heal, but now that it had been a few years, he felt, if anything, that he was right back where he’d started.
Maybe it was time to stop running away.
The ex-soldier saw a flash of something pale in the corner of his vision, and his head whipped to the side in time to fix his gaze on a white gore crow flitting through the branches. He’d never seen one quite like it, and he watched it for a moment in silence. Then, because he had no way of knowing that it wasn’t just a crow - albeit a strangely colored one - he went back to his silent musings.
That is, until a Whispering Will-O-Void appeared in the trees beyond the Mathair, its eerie lights enticing. Having heard plenty about the creatures, Liam knew enough to avert his gaze and leave it well enough alone. HE had no interest in being lured to his death today.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-03-2025
Barely registering the presence of the man, she would have flown right past him if not for the Will-o-void. The pulsing purple light drew her attention like a beacon, alluring as it was painful; she hadn't seen any type of wisp in years. Even a tainted one tugged on her heartstrings, remembered loss rearing its head all over again.
When the creature began to descend towards a figure seated by the roots of the tree however, the crow couldn't keep from sticking her nose in. Flying up to the voidling, she beat her wings so that it drifted off on the currents, pulsating with an unsettling aura of dismay as it was driven off, neither person falling for its trickery.
Once she was satisfied it wouldn't be able to return right away, she came back around and landed on a branch a ways above the man. Beady blue eyes blinked curiously, head cocking this way and that; then the bird shimmered, and changed, and in its wake appeared one petite looking woman, doll-like in size and complexion - except for the horns curving from her head, and the lazily flickering tail. Dangling her feet in the air, some birdlike quality lingered about her as she studied him.
[say]"You may want to move,"[/say] she adviced the stranger, calm like she was sitting in her own livingroom. [say]"It will only get more annoying - especially if it brings back friends."[/say]
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-03-2025
The Will-O-Void danced ever closer, and Liam grew restless. He wasn't inclined to follow it, but he knew that if he stayed much longer, he would be compelled to do so anyway. He was so focused on the Void creature that he'd lost track of the pale gore crow, and he was surprised when a voice sounded from somewhere above him. The ex-soldier looked up sharply, his hand going to a dagger at his belt, but when he saw a woman sitting idly on the branch above him, he slowly relaxed his arm.
[say]"You're probably right,"[/say] Liam said, regarding the woman with a raised brow. She looked younger than him, with a fair complexion that matched her ivory hair. White horns jutted from her head, and a spade-tipped tail graced her form. All in all, to Liam's eye, she looked like a frail little thing, but he also knew better than to judge someone at first glance. So despite the concern that she was in far more danger than he, he simply said, [say]"I should probably go, before it gets closer. Would you care to join me?"[/say]
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-03-2025
Considering, she looked off into the forest for a moment, then glanced between the stranger and the tainted wisp. Caution told her it probably wasn't a good idea to go off anywhere with someone she'd just met... but then again, she did have wings and could always just fly off if anything untoward happened.
[say]"Sure, why not."[/say]
Climbing down the trunk with relative ease despite the long skirts of her dark dress, the Ancient jumped the last bit of the way down and landed on her feet, nonchalant as a cat. She brushed bark off her hands and turned to have a closer look at her new travel companion; as he was a fair bit taller than her she had to crane her head a bit. [say]"Where are we headed? Got a destination in mind?"[/say] It didn't really matter to her; she could continue her search on foot just as well as in the air.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-06-2025
For a moment, Liam thought that the woman might refuse and wondered how he might convince her - but then she hopped down from the tree gracefully, and Liam raised a brow. Perhaps she was more capable than she looked, if she was able to shift and move so easily. In any case, he was glad of the company. [say]”I don’t have anywhere in particular in mind,”[/say] he told her. [say]”I was just… wandering aimlessly.”[/say] Thinking, mostly, although he wasn’t keen to share his innermost thoughts with a perfect stranger.
He turned away from the Will-O-Void, hoping that they could escape before it came back with friends. [say]”I’m Liam, by the way,”[/say] he offered, falling into step beside the woman. Whether or not she gave her name, he’d be happy to escort her wherever she wanted to go - just to be sure she didn’t get into any trouble. The Greatwood was wild and untamed, and for those unfamiliar with it, dangerous.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-06-2025
A fellow vagrant, then? Maea didn't mind, and her slight nod was one of understanding. She'd done much the same herself for quite some time; roaming aimlessly, walking only because it seemed better than lingering for too long in any place. It was her own thoughts she tried to outrun, in the end, so it became an endless loop of walking and stopping, walking and stopping... It had taken a long conversation and a lot of food to snap her out of the last spiral. Looking at this man, she absently wondered what haunted his dreams at night - though she never asked.
[say]"Care to help me with something, then? I'm looking for a flower... It's rare, very difficult to find. Supposed to grow in this region though."[/say] For the time being she simply focused on putting distance between them and the Will-o-void, even if the kept scanning the vegetation for a sign of anything rose-adjacent.
The man - Liam, apparently - introduced himself. Bowing her head politely, she smiled hastily. [say]"Maea. Nice to meet you."[/say] So far he seemed like an alright sort; she hoped it was an accurate first impression.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-06-2025
[say]"A flower?"[/say] Liam responded, cocking his head to one side as they strolled away from the Will-o-Void. [say]"There are plenty of those around, but if what you're looking for is rare... can you describe it? I'm happy to help if I can."[/say] And so he was, even if he wasn't quite sure why. Liam had been in the Greatwood for so long, sequestered away from any civilization or communication from those beyond, that he had no idea about the massive search for Vi's Roses.
Maea was the woman's name, and she seemed nice enough, if a bit distracted - though if she was here on a mission, Liam supposed that made sense. As the walked away from the Void creature - which, kindly enough, elected not to follow them - he began to scan his surroundings for any signs of flowers.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-06-2025
Looking grateful, her smile warmed the cool expression as he accepted. [say]"I've not seen it myself, so this is second hand accounts, mind. It's a rose, red of petal with a golden stem. The thorns... I can't recall if there was something special about those."[/say] Scowling at flaws in her memory she eventually shrugged. [say]"It should be hard to miss, this time of year. Roses shouldn't even bud until closer to Longheat."[/say]
As the trail narrowed for a bit, she had to walk ahead of Liam. It was a strange feeling, to have footsteps echoing her own; unusual overall, that she would have company at all after so much solitude.
[say]"I" appreciate this,[/say] Maea told him over a slender shoulder. [say]"Do you know the Greatwood well?"[/say] She didn't think he was born here, given how recently the fae had lifted their seclusion, but he could still be a resident of many years. So far they seemed undisturbed by the forest's magic - though that could change quickly enough.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-06-2025
[say]"Vi's Roses,"[/say] Liam said immediately, nodding in recognition. [say]"They're beautiful, but as you said - exceedingly rare."[/say] Still, at least it gave him something concrete to look for, and he renewed his search as they continued to walk. Overhead, birds sang as they flitted through the trees, wholly unbothered by the people walking below. Somewhere nearby, a creek trickled, the sound of running water echoing through the trees. Liam had always loved Flowerbirth, and this walk was only serving to remind him why.
Liam broke off to investigate a fallen log. [say]"I've lived here almost three years now,"[/say] he said as he searched, but came up empty, returning to Maea to shake his head. [say]"I've seen one of your roses once, right after I moved here. It's the only time I've seen one."[/say] He paused, thoughtful. [say]"There are easier roses to come by."[/say] In other words, why was she looking for Vi's Roses, specifically? What had Phoebe told him about the flowers, back when he'd first moved here? Something about them cleansing things?
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-06-2025
Unsurprised that he recognized the description, the Ancient nodded her confirmation. Vi's Roses, indeed. She could have simply said that, she supposed. Ah well.
What did surprise her was the revelation he dropped on her. Turning on her heel, she stared at Liam, stock still for a breath until she finally remembered to keep moving. [say]"Really? That's... good. Very good. Then you can tell if it's the real thing, should we find anything."[/say] She gave him a half smile. [say]"And sure, ordinary roses are easier to find, but nowhere near as useful. These're vital for keeping the Void in check."[/say]
Gazing about, Maea took in the woodland. The scent of mulch and moldering things mingled with one of green and growing things, of shy spring flowers peeking out in patches of sunlight as it filtered through the canopy. Birds warbled from shrub and branch, and though she failed to spot and, there was a sense of activity around them, of critters scurrying, foraging, hunting and building nests. What would it be like, to linger for so long? [say]"Three years, huh... So, since the war ended? Where did you live before?"[/say]
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Liam - 03-07-2025
Two and two suddenly pieced together for Liam, and his eyes lit with understanding. If the flowers could cleanse, then they could be used against the Void - and the Void was a plague that they all desperately wanted to see removed from Caido. [say]”I see,”[/say] he said, nodding thoughtfully and wishing that he’d picked the rose he’d seen all those seasons ago. If he still had that one in his possession, he would give it to Maea to use against the Void in a heartbeat. But that flower had bloomed and disappeared, and he’d never regretted its absence more keenly than now.
Not that it mattered. That was in the past, and there was nothing he could do to change that, no matter how much he might wish it. [say]”Yes. I was a Dragoon in Stormbreak during the war.”[/say] His jaw feathered as he clenched it. The memory was still painful, even after years spent trying to find a way to live with himself. [say]”I lost my family there. After the war, I came here. To start over.”[/say] And to try to find a modicum of peace.
RE: sins, like skeletons, are so very hard to hide - Maea - 03-07-2025
Falling back to walk beside Liam, her hand reached out to brush against his arm, only to lose the nerve at the last moment. Maes didn't have to look at him to understand the depth of such pain; she was living it, too, and had for a long time.
[say]"I'm so sorry for your loss,"[/say] she murmured softly. [say]"I get that - my brother disappeared after the war. He's still missing. I'm trying to start over too, though... it's harder than one would think, isn't it."[/say] The gaping hole where loved ones should have been never truly filled. The edges just grew less sharp over time, and you learned to walk around it, but it would never really go away.
Casting a quick glance up at the former dragoon, she wondered if he had lost a dragon too. Or maybe not all of them had one? It didn't seem polite to ask. [say]"We can talk sbout something else if you like. It was not my intention to step on a painful topic."[/say] Sweeping her gaze back out over the area, the lack of gold amid the browns and greens suggested they ought to move along to some other area soon.