a m a l i a Deepfrost is a loathed season; the dark and cold offer nothing to the girl, who dreams of sunlight and fire and song. Going out requires a level of effort greatly displeasing to the simple girl, who given an option would always choose to stay in an area of comfort, be it the Atheneum or her shop. Yet traditions must be upheld, ancient ways respected: and so Amalia ventures out at the earliest crack of dawn, her expression stubborn, sleep still heavy in her eyes. She wields a lantern like a shield and wraps herself in furs and scarves, hilariously over-armored against the winter chill but determined not to suffer any undue cold.It is some time since Amalia last ventured to the Oasis, but as the girl trudges through waning banks of snow the warm pleasure of familiarity thaws some of her displeasure, easing her mind. As the glittering ice comes into view the girl lets out a happy sigh. She cannot deny that this is one of her favorite places, even in the dreaded cold - especially in the winter, when it retains some semblance of the warmer months, unsullied by all but a light dusting of snow. Glow stones cast a warm illumination, even in the lingering dark. It is a perfect place to look for luxere, and it is for this reason Amalia has come, despite her aversion to the chill. Finding a relatively dry patch of earth beneath a tree, the girl hangs her lantern and drops her bag, kneeling down to rummage through and find the treats within. There is little, alas: her stores are woefully empty this winter, and she has only a few handful of oats to spare. She will have to rely on her voice this year, on song and supplication to coax the gentle giants of light. Rolling back onto her heels, the girl settles into a seated position, oats placed carefully in a nearby bowl. There are luxere nearby, Amalia knows this: she has seen their tracks, careful cloven hoofprints in the snow-kissed earth, tufts of their fur on wayward trees. Closing her eyes, the girl sighs, finding peace in the quiet of a late dawn. "O Rae, who governs nature," she softly prays, "Please smile on me today. Send your children to grace my home, that I may be protected on this Long Night." Her prayer finished, the girl sings, alto voice lilting in the cold. "For flowers that bloom about our feet, "For tender grass so fresh and sweet, "For song of bird and hum of bee, "For all things fair we hear and see, "Rae and the Old Ones, we thank thee, "Rae and the Old Ones, we thank thee." |
And it feels like me on a good day [seasonal event]
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the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
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01-10-2019, 06:21 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
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01-10-2019, 08:07 PM
Jigano was not, by nature, an early riser. He did his best work in the evenings, playing songs and stories in the Rathskeller (and many taverns before that) to earn his room and board, and then, if the night had been lean, hunted in his fox-form or just explored for awhile in the peace of darkness. No, he usually preferred to sleep until mid-morning before getting his day started, and since he was currently living in an abandoned badger holt near the Glade, he was rarely bothered or woken out of turn.
And never by someone singing at the crack of dawn. One blue eye pried itself open in the dark beneath the earth, and he wrinkled his nose where it was tucked beneath a fluff of white tail. The singing wasn't stopping and, more, it was quite good. He could go back to sleep to it, in fact, it was so sweet and soothing. Or... he could get up, and find out who had such a lovely alto that would complement his tenor nicely. A white fox emerged from the hole in the ground, obscured by a fallen log that also protected it from the snow. He shook himself, sitting down to take a moment and make sure he was presentable before trotting over the snow. A snort of a large creature caught his attention and he paused to look at a deer-like beast with softly shining horns heading in the same direction, though more slowly than he was. They had been drawn to his singing, as well, not so long ago. The thought had him smiling as he continued on in the grey light, hoping that whoever was calling this time had good intentions as well. He reached the edge of the Oasis in comfort before taking the shape of a man, winter-clothed and yawning as he neatened his braided white hair, hidden safely back in the shadows of the trees. Pulling his grey-furred cloak around himself his feet crunched quietly through the snow as he stepped out to discover the early-morning songstress. A girl sat there, sweet-faced and apparently unarmed but for a lantern and a bowl and a song. Jigano smiled at the tableaux, appreciating the artful arrangement even as he gave a cautious nod of greeting. "Good morning," he spoke softly, stifling another yawn. "I didn't expect anyone else to be up so early out here. Would you be kind enough to sing that song again? I didn't quite catch the beginning." His smile turned winsome as he offered a brief bow of greeting - too tired yet to do anything more flamboyant. "My name is Jigano, by the way. May I ask yours?" the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
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01-13-2019, 02:45 AM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
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01-13-2019, 03:13 AM
"Rae," Jigano mused, a little surprised. "The Old God of nature? I found his name in a book in the Atheneum. I went and prayed at the shrine in the glade but..." the bard shrugged wryly, for gods not answering prayers was the usual way of things.
Unless you were Remi, apparently. But it was far too early to be thinking about that young disaster. Especially with someone else so near at hand. "A pleasure, Amalia," he assured her with a smile, then had to cover another yawn. Ambling over at her invitation, the tall lorekeeper leaned against a sturdy tree rather than risk the damp ground, but there was a little smile on his face as he looked down at her, as if about to share a lovely secret. "And if you're looking for the old man, he's on his--" Her voice cut him off as she lit up nearly as bright as her quarry, pointing the direction Jigano had come from. He chuckled softly, glancing up at the reindeer he'd met twice before, and kept his voice gentle and quiet. "He, not it. I passed him on my way to investigate who was singing so bright and early in these woods." He grinned back down at the girl, feeling unexpectedly at ease with her clear delight in the beautiful creature - or perhaps it was just because he was so tired. "Sing for him, please? I'll pick up the refrain as you go and we'll see if he won't come close enough to investigate." As long as he didn't go looking for treats in Jigano's long mane again, the lorekeeper was just as glad to see the bright creature doing so well. It lifted its head and snuffled in their direction, taking a few cautious steps through the trees closer to the oasis. the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
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01-22-2019, 10:14 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
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01-23-2019, 03:21 AM
"It seemed... right," he said quietly, remembering that visit to the shrine under the starlight, with the glowing stones and folded paper he'd brought as an offering. But at least she didn't make fun of him for it, or view him with mistrust, as those who had experienced some of the... other gods might have done. It made introductions easier, and he approached as slowly as he would have a wild thing, both sleepy and not feeling particularly quick-footed, and not wanting to startle her.
He needn't have worried - the luxere provided a far better distraction and he couldn't help but smile at her joy in it. His request for the song was made innocently, but her reaction was not one simply of shyness, but distress. The lorekeeper straightened, looking down at her in worry as she stuttered. He forgot the luxere for the moment - the deer was more common to him than Amalia - as she tried to sing and not merely faltered but failed, throat closing tight on the first note. "I'm sorry," he spoke gently. "I didn't mean to cause you pain." He stepped over to kneel beside her, slipping a pack from beneath his cloak and dipping his hand into it with deft confidence, knowing exactly what was packed and where. He withdrew a wooden twintail flute, adjusting the blocks with practiced ease before raising it to his lips. The first note rang out in G minor, soft and coaxing, but soon other notes joined it in the morning air as Jigano played the instrument slowly. When the luxere blinked at him and took a step closer he stifled a smile, adding the drone side. It might not have been singing, but the deer seemed curious about the music - and, Jigano hoped, slanting a glance to his companion, Amalia would be too? the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
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the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
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01-28-2019, 04:22 AM
She seemed timid at times, but with a sharpness just beneath the surface at others. Mostly, though, she was a quiet creature, and her wariness of him was only wise. He had interrupted her call to the luxere though, and though she had interrupted his morning's sleep, it wasn't a fair trade to begrudge her the creature's blessing. It wasn't as though he owned any part of the woods, after all. If he wanted to be assured of quiet he would need to find a proper house... something he still shied away from. He'd been a wanderer too long to be comfortable setting down roots so soon after arriving, even with the bitter cold of winter upon them.
"I may ask you 'why' later," he murmured, settling down and retrieving his instrument. "I assure you, you've done nothing that would require an apology. Neither to me, nor to him." The morning was cold but still, the rising sun turning the east a warming pink in herald of its approach, and the notes of the flute rang out with soft clarity, coaxing the luxere closer. Jigano could have sung - and sung well, as part of his trade - but doing so would have been a rudeness the young woman didn't deserve. Rather than make her feel even more self-conscious about her voice in comparison to his - foolish, since he had training and made a living with it, but how often was the heart rational? - he chose instead an instrument that he hoped would give no sense of competition. He couldn't smile as he heard the humming begin beside him, soft and tentative at first but growing more confident as Amalia found his tune, but his blue eyes warmed and crinkled at the edges. When she began to sing he didn't miss a beat or change a thing, continuing to play the simple, cheerful little tune and appreciating how well her words fit into it. Her voice was fine and lovely enough for the luxere, clearly, who perked his ears forward and stepped towards them, wariness fading at the welcoming music - and smell of oats in the bowl. A few steps more and his velvety nose had found them, lipping up the meager offering and then stepping closer to sniff Amalia's hair for more of the tasty treats. the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
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01-30-2019, 10:22 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
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02-01-2019, 03:42 AM
He watched the gentle stag nuzzling at the young woman, fondly remembering his own first encounter with the shyly friendly creature. He continued to play his flute, more quietly now that Amalia had stopped singing, but enough to keep the luxere calm and interested. She treated it with such kindness and respect it was hard not to smile.
He let his song drift to an end on a light note as Amalia turned to him, and now he could return her smile. At least, he did briefly, before a questing nose in his silver hair had him laughing quietly and reaching up to scratch the warm, furry chin. "No, none for you this time, my friend," he protested as he was thoroughly whuffled. Satisfied that no more treats were forthcoming, the luxere stepped away, moving a few steps closer to the oasis to drink and paw at the snow to reveal grass beneath for it to nibble on. "My dear, the pleasure was mine," he reassured her, blue eyes sparkling in the brightening light of morning. His smile dimmed at her sadness when she mentioned her grandmother, and he dipped his head in silent acknowledgment of a topic it seemed she would rather avoid. But her question gave him an opening and he nodded, his smile returning with a little wryness to it. "Yes. I arrived in Leafchange. It feels like a long time ago already... or sometimes, as if it were just yesterday. There's been so much to learn about this place, to try and find how and where I can fit into the fabric of life here..." he gave a slight shrug, tilting his head at her beseechingly. "What advice would you have, for someone new to your world, Amalia?" the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
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02-08-2019, 02:56 PM
the Sage
Provost of the Loreseekers ✓ Soul Shepherd ✓
Portal Guardian Age: 36 | Height: 6'2" | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 12 - Strg: 30 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 38 - Luck: 42 - Int: ISUMA - Mythical - Griffin (Venomous)
Played by: Cirago
Change author: Posts: 3,914 | Total: 7,606 MP: 3590
He nodded at the admonition to be careful, hiding a wry smile. It was certainly his intention to not get into trouble! At least, nothing that he couldn't get himself out of. But the specification of Long Night had his expression falling into more solemn lines. He kept hearing warnings about it, but everything was so damnably vague it was hard to know just how bad it really was. Still, Amalia seemed less flighty than Sam, and now he had personal warnings from two native-born people. He really should start considering finding someplace to shelter besides his fox den...
Her question surprised a smile from the bard, and he tilted his head to the side as he turned his gaze to the luxere. "Miss it? Sometimes, I suppose... but I have been a wanderer and a bit of an adventurer all my adult life. Caido is new and exciting, still, and... it doesn't have the memories of those I have lost haunting it." He offered her a lopsided smile, making an effort to lighten the conversation by answering the first part of her question. "It was... bigger, there," he said, smile turning wry. "There was no barrier keeping anyone in. Not one made of force, at least. Politics could do so, and guards, and walls made by men... but if you were clever, or quick, or strong, you could usually find your way out of - or into - wherever you wanted to go." He nibbled his lip thoughtfully, looking around the dawn-gilded oasis and mentally comparing it to places he had known in the past. "The plants there are... bigger. Healthier. The animals, too. And there are many people who aren't human." He chuckled, giving a little shake of his head. "Most of my friends, in fact, weren't. Two legs, two eyes, a mouth, and a head... I think we all had that in common, at least. Isuma had four arms, though. It's a land of elves and dwarves and goblins as well as humans, and element-kin, and orcs and quite a bit in between. There are dangers - dangerous animals, brigands, monsters of all sizes... but usually only if you go out looking for trouble. There are small villages and large cities..." he trailed off, shifting as some of the dampness began to sink through his trouser leg. Blinking, he looked around at the warm light pouring like slow honey over the world as the sun crested the horizon. Realizing he'd been talking Amalia's ear off he gave her an apologetic smile. "Ah... I'm sorry. I do tend to go on sometimes. Miss Amalia, would you let me help you pack up? Perhaps I can walk you back to the settlement, if you wouldn't mind the company?" the Archangel
Baker ✓
Age: 30 | Height: 5'6 | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 5 - Strg: 49 - Dext: 45 - Endr: 52 - Luck: 49 - Int: JYOTI - Mythical - Starwhale (Humpback)
Played by: shark
Change author: Posts: 3,098 | Total: 4,667 MP: 2830
02-08-2019, 10:51 PM
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