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+---- Thread: [SE] but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins (/showthread.php?tid=12376)
but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Sohalia - 01-09-2026
In the days that followed Zavien's revelation that Stormbreak was crumbling, Soh made herself busy. She wrote notices, organized evacuations, catalogued relics - anything that she could find to keep herself from falling apart. When the topic of the Celestine came up, Soh volunteered to check in on the evacuation plans. It was the least she could do to spare Zavien from having to return and face the place of his lover's death.
The new Caretaker was someone she didn't know personally, but had at least heard of from Lena a time or two. So she'd posted a letter asking to meet, and at the appointed meeting time, she made her way to the city area just outside the Celestine and waited.
It was another hot day, which didn't surprise her, but there was a burnt, bitter scent to the air that Soh couldn't ignore, no matter how hard she tried. The sun was dim, hidden behind a hazy layer of smoke. It was so bad that Soh had tied a bandana over her mouth and nose in an effort to filter out the worst of the smog, but it wasn't doing much good. Maybe meeting out here had been a bad idea. She should have suggested somewhere indoors, or perhaps within the Celestine itself.
Oh well. There was nothing she could do about it now.
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Grimm - 01-09-2026
He didn't leave the Celestine often. There wasn't a need to when it was self-sustaining. Occasionally, he'd have to find supplies or new books in the city, but he preferred the silence of the gardens to the bustle of the city. It was too loud compared to Torchline, the people too rushed. Except at night, when he crept to the fighting pits to stretch his muscles. Then, he was free to move about the streets without risk of undesirables recognizing him.
Today, he'd been requested.
It had become a more common occurrence once he took Lena's position, people asking for advice or recommendations on various flora or fauna situations. He didn't usually have to travel far, but it still annoyed him. Beyond helping the animals, he couldn't be bothered with whatever issues were going on. But when the city's 'Ambassador' asked for him, he couldn't really say no.
The blonde was easily recognizable waiting on the side street, even with the bandana tied across her face. Grimm stepped up with a grouchy casualness, clothes slightly rumpled with sweat and dirt. His hair was tied back, obviously unfazed by the smoke that entered his lungs. It was almost as thick as the smoke that used to fill his house, and not nearly as threatening.
Sleeves in his pockets, he stopped next to the woman, eyes narrowing as he confirmed in a gruff voice, [say]"Sohalia?"[/say]
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Sohalia - 01-12-2026
At the sound of her name, Sohalia turned to find the new Caretaker stopping next to her. He wore nothing to cover his face, but what was stranger still was that he didn't seem bothered by the smoke. Soh, on the other hand, inhaled to greet the man, but began to cough violently as soon as she tried to speak. It took a moment, but when she had herself under control, she looked up at him with watering eyes and smiled ruefully, the expression clear in the crinkling around her eyes and she vague shift of her cheeks beneath her face covering.
[say]"Hello,"[/say] she squeaked, then flushed faintly pink at how gravelly and strange her voice sounded. Maybe she'd been out in the smoke for too long, helping with evacuation plans. [say]"Grimm, right?"[/say] She stuck out her hand, offering it for the man to shake. [say]"Thanks for meeting me. I'm sure you're very busy with... everything going on. I'll make this as brief as possible. I wanted to check and see if there's anything you need help with. I know Safrin said she'd protect the Celestine when Stormbreak falls, but are there any animals that are sensitive that might need to be moved beforehand? Supplies to pack? Things like that."[/say]
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Grimm - 01-12-2026
Grimm gave a wordless grunt in answer to her question, reaching out to take her smaller hand in his with a quiet demonstration of strength. The rough callouses were expected, but the collection of scars up his arm might not have been. Some were thin slices while others were large gashes, and interspersed between them were peculiar circles that were suspiciously round and pebbled with scar tissue.
He didn't seem bothered by them, not shrinking from how rolling his sleeves up had made them even more visible. They weren't even a blip in his mind, a familiarity that he didn't care to think about or explain, just as the smoke was something that didn't register as a concern.
Retreating back to his own space, Grimm watched Sohalia struggle with the condition of the air but didn't comment beyond, [say]"No."[/say] Some preparations might be necessary, but they weren't extensive enough that he couldn't manage them on his own. Still, to the 'Ambassador', it was probably rude to give such a short answer, and although he didn't care about being rude, he didn't want to burn bridges before they fell from the sky.
His head tilted towards the entrance to the Celestine, the barrier holding strong to protect the wildlife within. [say]"Tha smoke doesn' reach inside, but tha Commanda as'ed to set up a small camp fo stragglas."[/say] The glare in his eyes suggested it was extremely inconvenient for him, an annoyance to have strangers taking refuge in his sanctuary, no matter how short the stay. He didn't need to add that it was a burden he didn't plan to accommodate for on his own. He wouldn't stop them, but he sure as hell wouldn't make it his job to prepare the space for guests that weren't fauna.
Not his job. Not his problem.
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Sohalia - 01-22-2026
Soh shook Grimm's hand, noting the rough callouses and dismissing them just as quickly. Those were expected. What she didn't expect to see were scars lacing their way up his arm; she was no stranger to carrying the marks of the past with her, but she still hated to see others' pain laid out for all the world to see. It was why she rarely showed off her own scars, preferring to keep them covered. Better if no one stared, better still if no one asked questions. So her eyes skated over them with a practiced ease, even if her stomach dropped at the sight.
His answer to her query, when it came, was curt; it was quickly followed, however, with a statement about the small camp Zavien had suggested, cutting the perceived rudeness of the original declination. Soh nodded briefly, taking a few shallow breaths to guard against the smoky air before replying, [say]"Ah, yes. We can send in supplies and help set that up. Do you have a location in mind that won't bother the animals?"[/say]
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Grimm - 01-23-2026
Narrowing his eyes, Grimm shook his head. [say]"Just not nexta the shroine."[/say] Too many creatures entered the Celestine near the visages of deities, and if people continued to visit for their own reasons, he wouldn't have fights breaking out over privacy or favoritism. If he had to have people in his space, he'd prefer not to have them interrupting the peace over petty disputes.
His arms crossed, the scowl on his face from imagining all the inconveniences these unwanted guests would provide until they could be transported out. As much as he didn't want to see or hear them, the place where they were less likely to interfere with creature recoveries would be closest to him, and he grumbled, [say]"Prolly, nea' the office."[/say] Pursing his lips, he thought about people trapsing through the Celestine with supplies, having to seek him out just to confirm placement. He'd prefer not to be bothered, and if he showed the Ambassador now, he wouldn't have to deal with it again.
Turning to walk towards the Celestine, it looked like he might leave Soh standing in the street alone. But then his deep voice called over his shoulder, clear direction in it. [say]"I ken show you."[/say]
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Sohalia - 01-25-2026
‘Not next to the shrine’ seemed like a reasonable enough ask, and Soh had just opened her mouth to agree when another coughing fit took her lungs. When she’d recovered, she nodded, eyes watering, and rasped, [say]”Near the office. Got it.”[/say] She might have taken that moment to thank Grimm and go on her way, but then the man was turning away, walking towards the Celestine, and Soh blinked after him, bewildered by his sudden exit. Had she said something to offend him?
But then his deep voice called back, and she scurried to catch up. [say]”Thank you. That would be helpful.”[/say]
The difference in air quality was immediate as soon as they stepped into the Celestine. Soh took the first deep breath she’d managed since she first set foot outside and nearly cried with relief. But she didn’t think that would make a very good impression on the Caretaker, who seemed rather unimpressed with her to begin with - although maybe he’d just been trying to conserve words out in the smoke. She couldn’t blame him there. Taking the moment to recover, she said nothing as she followed through the Celestine, content to allow Grimm to fill the silence - or not.
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Grimm - 01-27-2026
The air cleared in an instant, along with his unease for being out in the open. His broad shoulders relaxed a fraction, his steps confident as he guided them down the pathway. It was well kept by frequent visitors and his own hands, but large leaves and blooming flowers still brushed the top of his head, framing his bulky figure in soft glowing colors and greenery. Quiet rustles and chirps hinted at the animals existing around them, going about their lives without a care for their presence. After all, the dirty clothes and wisps of dark hair falling from its tie fit the environment more, the man practically blending into the garden in a wild and free manner.
Grimm either didn't notice or didn't care, his eyes scanning the undergrowth as he found it important enough to say, [say]"Mos' of the Stormbreak fauna have fled, bu' if ye foind any, send'em my way."[/say] His accent was thicker with the longer sentence, his words gruff in their enunciation, seeming unbothered by the impending demise of the city. Other than some inconveniences, it wouldn't affect him anyways, but he did care if the innocent creatures went down with it.
Foliage thinned around them, a pocket of gentle sunlight peeking through before opening up to a grassy clearing that led up to his office. The building stood alone, a cottage cabin of sorts decorated with a flourishing and overgrown herb garden to the side and ivy splaying across the wood and stone fixtures. Various tools and equipment could be seen along the sides, a small path leading to a shed that was cracked open to show more, along with a small pen separating the field and the building, meant for treatments and temporary lodging.
[say]"Here."[/say] He stopped suddenly, crossing his arms to assess the space with a quiet scowl, already annoyed by the prospect of people and equipment filling the space, but the Celestine was meant to be a refuge for all - people included. Not looking at Soh, he sighed. [say]"'ow many people?"[/say]
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Sohalia - 01-27-2026
Soh followed along obediently. The Celestine was pristine; she felt a surge of grief, for a moment, that Lena would not be popping out from around the corner, where she’d only just been caring for an injured unicorn or some such thing. It was still strange to come here and not see her; perhaps that was why she’d gone so long without meeting Grimm. She’d yet to truly acknowledge the loss of her friend, and coming back here…
But she had a job to do, and focusing on that was the only thing that kept her moving forward as Grimm spoke of the Stormbreak fauna. [say]”I thought I’d seen fewer creatures around,”[/say] she murmured. [say]”I’ll spread the word to keep an eye out, though.”[/say]
The dense foliage of the Celestine thinned, opening into a clearing near the Caretaker’s office. Grimm stopped suddenly, indicating the area as the one he’d had in mind for their refugee camp, and Soh nodded, pulling a journal from the small satchel she carried and jotting down some notes. [say]”Got it. I’ll see to the arrangements.”[/say] At Grimm’s question, though, she paused. [say]”As few as possible,”[/say] she said after a moment’s thought. [say]”The goal is to evacuate everyone, of course, but… if people can’t make the journey by skyship for some reason, or if there are stragglers we miss in our last sweeps of the city…”[/say] She didn’t have an exact number. She doubted anyone would, in their shoes.
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Grimm - 01-27-2026
Grunting his appreciation for her promised assistance, he stood impatiently at her side. Out of the corner of his eye, Grimm watched Sohalia document whatever notes she found relevant. Other than the fact that it's a giant field, he wasn't sure what details she'd think important enough to take note. It's not like the clearing was hard to find, and there weren't any preparations necessary beyond the supplies.
Her answer didn't ease his thoughts, wondering if it would be two people poking around or a hundred. Although, he supposed if it was the contingency plan, she couldn't well predict how many people would be stupid enough not to evacuate. It wasn't like she could gauge the number of idiots that live in Stormbreak. From his experience, there would be too many to count.
His jaw feathered with frustration, but all he said was, [say]"Foine."[/say] Finally turning to her, he gave her an expression devoid of interest, a sliver of annoyance peeking through when he thought of the work he'd been pulled away from. [say]"An'thing else?"[/say]
RE: but what would you do if I break free and leave us in ruins - Sohalia - 01-28-2026
Soh finished her notes and glanced up to find Grimm’s eyes on her. She didn’t know the man well, but she thought he looked vaguely annoyed, as though she’d taken up more than enough of his time by following him all the way in here. Usually, she’d have backed down quickly and apologetically, but right now, with the fate of Stormbreak’s people in the balance, she met his gaze squarely as she finished up, forcing herself to be unbothered by the Caretaker’s brusque demeanor.
[say]”Thank you for your time,”[/say] she said, smiling sweetly. [say]”I’ll be sure to make all the arrangements for the clearing. If you need anything further, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”[/say] Tucking her journal away, she looked around one last time, missing Lena more than ever. Stifling a soft sigh, she turned back to Grimm. [say]”No, I think that’s everything. I’ll see myself out.”[/say] And then she did, following the path resolutely towards the exit, shoulders squared, already mentally preparing for the smoke that would no doubt reclaim her lungs the moment she stepped foot outside.
fin