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+---- Thread: [KQ] Hush (/showthread.php?tid=269)
RE: Hush - Amalia - 12-21-2018
The others follow suit, falling in line behind Amalia and Samuel, and the girl cannot help but feel gratified by this display of unity, the comfort of others making intelligent choices. Their journey is cut abruptly short, however, and Amalia's enthusiasm deflates a little as a crumbling wall rises ahead. No part of her wishes to turn back and find Archebold, though she still feels a great unease at being here in the first place. Perhaps this is a sign that they should abandon this quest? She cannot hear the sounds of crying anymore, and the Underground is notoriously dangerous and tricky.
But the copper haired stranger does not seem to want to turn back, and as the designated light-bearer, Amalia will not leave anyone behind. He declares the wall to be breakable, and though the girl is skeptical, she is willing to give it a try. Everything down here is likely breakable - the structural integrity of the remaining parts is what really worries the girl. She looks back at Remi and
[say]"I'll let you push,"[/say] she tells the men, [say]"And stand guard with the light."[/say] She's nervous, cautious, afraid of losing all the light they have, or worse, of being attacked - she shifts the staff held in her right hand, dark eyes attentive, and waits for the next step.
RE: Hush - Remi - 12-21-2018
Following in the wake of
However as the man suggested that they push again the wall, the alchemist tilted his head curiously. Neither one to argue nor lead, Remi merely looked from Sam back towards the wall considering it curiously. He could no longer hear the sounds of the crying which had propelled him from bed and down into this rubble, and given the barricade before them—albeit a breakable looking one—he couldn't understand why the suggestion would be to go through it. Surely they ought to turn back and find Archebold?
But Sam seemed determined and Amalia provided no argument, so with a bit of a skeptical frown, Remi looked at the wall. Given that he appeared to be the strongest among them (a rather laughable fact), Remi tried to be strategic. [say] "Perhaps if we pushed here and here—"[/say] He said gesturing to where the wall looked weakest, [say]"—we would have more success. And that way the rubble won't collapse around us?"[/say] So say, Remi offered Sam a gentle smile, but pressing his shoulder against the wall and shoving.
RE: Hush - Desmond - 12-23-2018
Desmond swallowed uncomfortably, as the group drew to a dead end. He looked cautiously at the others, as desmond
Talk to the Moon, Heal the Soul
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RE: Hush - Archebold - 12-27-2018
As Archebold continued and was greeted by the dead end, he gazed curiously at the wall and poked at it gingerly with his walking stick.
[Say]"Well, that was unpleasant."[/say]
He spoke under his breath before turning and finding the opening to his side. He observed the stone gargoyles frozen in place with no purpose. The water long since absent from their frozen lips.
Though as he gazed further he noticed the shimmer or liquid further down. He paused only a moment. Walking stick tucked underneath his arm, though he was ready to unsheath the makeshift sword concealed in it if need be as he cautiously approached.
His eyes passing the gargoyles in an observant gaze before shifting forward as he again amazed curiously to the liquid before stepping in.
They didn't step into this place only to turn back, the lure was strong and Archebold intended to find the source.
RE: Hush - Court Official - 12-28-2018
Samuel's initial hunch would prove correct - as would Remi's ability to pick out the weaker parts of the wall. Combined with Desmond's help and the light from Amalia's lamp, the group would be successful! Too successful. The wall did not merely crumble - it gave an uncertain tremor and then collapsed entirely, bringing large chunks of rock down upon the group. They would need to be quick to make it through without being crushed or trapped!
Some were successful - Remi and Samuel would make it through to the other side, but Amalia and Desmond would be left behind, separated from their companions by a new wall of impenetrable rubble. As luck would have it, no one would be hurt by any falling rocks. The latter two would have no choice but to retrace their steps to find Archebold. (Thankfully, they had light to see by).
The same would not be true for Remi and Samuel. Having made it through to the other side of the wall, the duo would be left in utter darkness... the Ascended, at least, would still be able to hear the cries urging them forward.
In another part of the labyrinth, Archebold would find the shimmering liquid to be ankle deep at best, but with unexpected dips and traps. In some places he would be submerged to the knee, in others to the waist; all very inconvenient. All of his splashing about would not hide the sound of something - several somethings - landing in the water behind him. Should Archebold glance around, he would find four of the gargoyles... missing. Curious. Would he press forward or investigate further?
POST ORDER:
Remi
RE: Hush - Samuel - 12-28-2018
Sam felt the wall begin to give way, but didn't have much time to celebrate before the rumbling got louder and chaos began, rocks falling down around him. Instinctively he rushed forward, unaware of the scream coming from his mouth until he was safe (he hoped) in the dark on the other side.
It took a moment for the ringing in his ears and his panicked breaths to subside enough for him to hear the cries further down in the tunnel, as well as Remi next to him. His shaking hands moving down from his face, he turned to look at Remi; he found himself immeasurably glad he was not alone, even if the man was a stranger.
"O-oh. I-I didn't think it would break like that..." He finally said, pointing back at the rubble. "Are you hurt...?" Gently, he placed a hand on Remi's shoulder, trying to look for any obvious injuries. Once he'd ascertained they were both fit enough to stand, he did, and looked down into the dark.
"I suppose the only way to go is forward..." He quietly mumbled, reaching out to touch the side of the cave as he began to step further in. "I-I hope there's another way out. I don't want to be trapped here."
RE: Hush - Remi - 12-28-2018
The rubble gave way, and as the wall began to fall down around him, Remi used his forward momentum to clear the waterfall of rocks. As they neatly closed up the path they'd just come from, Remi turned sharply to watch the last bit of light extinguished utterly and completely. The alchemist didn't even bother trying to shift his gaze—even with the eyes of a hawk he'd not be able to see anything. He needed some sort of light source, otherwise he was effectively blind.
Reaching out a hand to place it against the wall, he turned towards Sam's voice offering a crooked smile into the blackness. As the man's hand found his shoulder Remi flinched slightly before relaxing. It was strange to be touched by someone he didn't know in utter darkness, but reassuring as well, given the circumstances. [say]"I am unhurt."[/say] The alchemist confirmed after completing a quick mental probing of his body and finding nothing that seemed wounded or in pain. [say]"Are you alright? I did not know that would happen either.."[/say] Running a hand through his curls, the alchemist sighed.
Glancing towards Sam's voice, Remi swallowed. Forward? He supposed that was the only real solution but..Remi couldn't see. [say] "I cannot see any thing. How will we know what is ahead? There could be a chasm, or some sort of trap"[/say] Though Remi knew that Archebold was an ascended, he had no idea that the soft-spoken book-seller was as well, assuming him to be just as (literally) in the dark as the alchemist.
RE: Hush - Desmond - 12-29-2018
Desmond felt the wall give out, and rather than try to run through it, he took a step back to gather his footing. The young healer was thankful that he had, especially since the wall didn’t just come down. It came completely down, cutting him and desmond
Talk to the Moon, Heal the Soul
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RE: Hush - Amalia - 01-01-2019
The red-head's plan works - to an extent. Amalia gasps as the wall gives way, quickly followed by the ceiling. The bronze girl stumbles back as rubble cascades around the men, her arm raised to protect her face. For a moment terror grips her at the thought of being caught alone in the dark, but then the figure of
He proposes they backtrack, circle to find the Ascended, and Amalia's frown grows deeper but the girl does not complain. She hates to leave the others behind, but it's obvious they won't make it through the rubble: best to find some other way, reconvene on another side. She raises the lantern and grabs her staff, nodding to Desmond, falling in step. [say]"My grandmother used to warn me about these tunnels,"[/say] the girl murmurs, to stave off the uncomfortable silence and cold. [say]"She said there were demons that lived in here, darkness cast out by the Old Gods."[/say]
RE: Hush - Archebold - 01-02-2019
Muttering silent curses with each dipping step, Archebold had pressed forward about halfway before he glanced over the area.
Walking stick taken in his hand as his eyes squinted at the sight of the absent gargoyles he had just passed moments ago.
[Say]"Should have figured this not to be uneventful..."[/say]
The creatures could be anywhere, he was no fool in assuming such. Dark eyes glancing around up and over and around himself. They were no doubt lurking about...He could backtrack unless they were waiting for him, or press forward where that was a possibility as well.
Archebold chose to press forward, had he been deterred he would prefer it being while making forward progress. Archebold would tap a nearby wall twice before advancing. His walking stick serving as a defense against magic, had there been any luming around he dark trenches.
The former guard captain his himself at the ready as he cautiously, swimmingly advanced forward.
RE: Hush - Court Official - 01-02-2019
Circling back the way they came would prove to be an intelligent solution - with lamplight in hand and no injuries to speak of, Desmond and Amalia would easily trace their way back to the entrance and then into the winding corridors that their companion had disappeared into. They, too, would reach the long, claustrophobic stretch of stone lined with water and gargoyles. Well. Water, at least.
With the aid of their lamp, Archebold would appear in the distance, pressing onwards. And they would see the horrible little creatures launch themselves at the Ascended, only to crack and break and fwump back into the water, deterred by his magic nullifying barrier. At least that proved to work. Unfortunately, the two at the other end of the corridor did not have any such protection.
Any ripples produced by their footsteps in the water would have the gargoyles screeching forth in ravenous pursuit. It would be Amalia they would eventually zone in on, two of the gargoyles lunging at her. If she and Desmond didn't do something, she'd be swarmed and dragged beneath the water.
Elsewhere in the deep, deep dark, Remi would still be blind to the goings on. Neither man would miss the sound of the ruckus in the near distance, however - in particular the sharp knock of a lionshead walking stick against stone. It seemed that through the dead end, the group's paths might just join again.
POST ORDER:
Remi
RE: Hush - Amalia - 01-03-2019
They are able to retrace their steps without further incident, though as they near the original fork Amalia slows, half debating a hasty retreat. She pushes on - the girl is practical, not cowardly, and the thought of abandoning the others fills her with a steel shame. Besides, the haunting cry of earlier still circles her mind, tantalizing and promising of something, though whether greatness or grief it is still too soon to say. The lantern light flickers but does not falter as they pursue the wayward Ascended, their shadows stretching behind them like a tether to the outside world.
The light grows murky and inconsistent as they reach the water, and Amalia draws to a stop. [say]"Is this-?"[/say] the girl begins to ask, turning toward
Reluctance picks at her nerves, pins and needles creeping down her skin - this is a bad idea, this is a bad idea - but the girl takes a cautious step, her bare feet sinking into the dark water. As she enters the water she murmurs a repeated prayer, using the staff to feel ahead in the dark. [say]"Vi, protect my life today... Vi, protect my life today..."[/say] Her low voice echoes in the damp chamber.
It is not the only sound. The gargoyles hear her coming and turn their attention from Archebold, their stone eyes hungry as they glare the girl down. Amalia gasps, raising the staff into a protective position. [say]"Protect the light!"[/say] she cries to Desmond, struggling to set her feet in fighting stance, raising her staff in both hands and swinging it forward in a defensive arc, hoping to connect wood on ancient stone.
RE: Hush - Desmond - 01-04-2019
The healer was hesitant in reacting to Amalia, having never been much of a fighter. He was wonderful at taking care of the fighters once they returned, but he never knew what to do when he was faced with a fight of his own. He hesitated for a moment in letting her go first, but accepted the lantern from her. desmond
Talk to the Moon, Heal the Soul
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RE: Hush - Archebold - 01-06-2019
Archebold had turned at the sound of the conflict, watching as
He stood there, observing as his hands held his walking stick behind his back, rather amused by all of this. So quick to shun his aid, now in desperation they appeared in need of it.
It was these positions, Archebold relished. To be owed something...there was no other who knew how to capitalize on such a position better than he.
At first it appeared he would simply watch, a lesson to be taught for their own prejudice. His head tilting curiously. Before he spurred forward, the lionshead knob of his stick leading the way.
Had the creatures been closing in on Amalia and Desmond they would find their advance suddenly halted as Archebold positioned himself in front of them.
Had the creatures already been on the attack they would find their stone bodies rippling and crumpled as the dispel of the walking stick negated what magic compelled them.
Regardless, Archebold grinned at Amalia.
[Say]"Should never pray out loud...never know who will answer them."[/say]
Black, hollow eyes shifted to Desmond and back to Amalia.
[Say]"Stay close. You'll find my charity only goes so far. The next time you stray..."[/say]
Archebold shrugged as if to say, 'who knows what'll happen'. A motion of his head signalled for them to continue on.
[Say]"Shall we?"[/say]
Archebold would begin to advance forward. Had they decided to stay close to him or stray away further was there choice. He had conducted his charitable act of the day...though it was beneficial to keep portable meals near by, though they didn't need to know that.