Twigs snapped far too loudly beneath her feet, the sound resonating amidst gnarly, ancient bark. She pulled her coat around her shoulders and stopped to observe the wood. At first, she could only hear silence. Then, trees creaking and unseen creatures rustling the canopy. She spotted a bird, its dull colors blending into the dim surroundings. The ground was brisk and strewn with roots intent on tripping the unwary traveler. Its most successful residents appeared to be fungi. She approached a cluster of mushrooms and tapped it with her foot. Content that they were harmless enough, she plucked one from the ground. At first, it smelled of nothing, and then her nostrils were filled with the foul stench of rotting flesh. She dropped the offending fungus like it had bitten her. Fastening the straps of her bag around her shoulders, Iris carried on at a quickened pace, eager to leave the unsettling woods behind her and reach the Settlement before noon. She had been walking for a few minutes when she saw it – a rabbit, white as snow, barely two steps away. She followed it. She stared, wide eyed and out of breath, as the rabbit broke bones beneath its teeth. Dark brown stains on the grass stretched into the dark cave beyond. She carefully backed away from the beast and noticed, in her peripheral vision, a sudden burst of color. The grass shone like the crystalline ocean floor. Leaves rustled like hundreds of birds with a song as calming as a lullaby. Bright patches of sky appeared overhead, letting warm rays streak over the clearing. She realized that she was lying on the ground when, gradually, the colors started floating down in streams. Propping herself up, she watched them congregate and mix together like wrestling serpents. They formed a puddle, then a pond, and grew further into a lake. Iris watched, entranced, until on the other bank she spotted him – Elias. The colors dripped around his form, nothing more than a dark smudge, barely recognizable to anyone who didn’t know him so well. She swam toward him. Her throat was dry, making her voice crack as she called out to him. Her breaths came in heavy, so she saved them, struggling to keep up. She must have been trailing him for hours. The colors had faded and the Hollowed Grounds were once again dyed in plain browns and greens. The sight of Elias’ back was a constant, ignoring her calls, just out of reach, a misstep from disappearing from sight. Finally, she seemed to close the distance as they walked into an apple grove. A second later, he was gone. Turned around among near identical trees, she dropped to the ground, desperate and exhausted. “Fuck!” She called out, voice raspy, hitting the ground with her fist and instantly regretting it. |
(SE) Of Gods and Mushrooms
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Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0
11-21-2020, 05:41 AM
HENRY a knife twists at the thought that
I should fall short of the mark He floated through the air on strong wings, letting the currents of the wind take him with them. Eagle eyes blinked down over the vast grove of apple trees, honing in on the subtle movements of a rabbit down below their canopy. The predator in him was responding before the human in him could think, soaring down between a gap in the trees' reaching branches. The tips of them brushed through his feathers but, he was unperturbed. The rabbit darted away and he swooped through the brush after it.
That was, until the sudden appearance of a figure blocked his vision. He careened out of the way just in time, the eagle shift squawking in his alarm. He landed as a man, as himself again, and whirled around to see who was there. Only, they weren't really there. The ghost resembled his friend, a friend from a long time ago... whose end had been untimely. Yet, even knowing better, he found himself speechless, felt as if his feet were made of stone. Memories of that time, of that age, of that person, flowed through his mind. "What's wrong, Henry?" the voice was haunting, echoing with each syllable. It sent a shiver of goosebumps up his arm. "Aren't you happy to see me?" He didn't know what to say - or what to do. He knew it wasn't real. Asking how or why or what - or telling him anything... it would mean nothing. He clenched his jaw, muscles fluttering with the action. Then, he heard it; a real voice, hoarse and feminine. He cocked his head away and looked around in search of the source, realizing that they sounded distressed. "How long has it been? Nine, ten years?" the ghost pressed, stepping forwards. "Fuck!" the swear echoed through the trees and Henry moved away. "Go back to wherever you came from," he snapped at the ghost as it pressed closer, swatting at it with his hand. He wasn't entirely sure of its intent, whether it was good or bad. So he moved away and morphed back into his eagle shift. Broad, dark wings carried him away from his past - and whatever else awaited him back there - as he searched the treeline. There. Through the trunks, beyond the wilted undergrowth, was a girl. She lay with her fist against the ground but, otherwise, she seemed unendangered. He slowed down until he was hovering. As he lowered himself, he shifted back. His feet hit the ground with a thump! "Hey, are you okay?" He leaned down beside her and tilted his head at her, his eyes wide with concern, "are you hurt?" middle of adventure such a perfect place to start
Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0
11-27-2020, 08:48 PM
HENRY I was waiting for something extraordinary
but as the years wasted on... Henry didn't move any closer when the girl reacted defensively, reaching for a knife and moving away. He opened his hands in front of himself to reveal that they were empty. She seemed to realize that he was trying to help, though; he noticed the slight shift in her body language as she lowered her weapon.
His gaze followed hers down the length of her legs and arms, trying to decipher anything more serious than a few scratches. Had she been running from something? He glanced around in the shadowy trees to see if anyone was following her. Henry's blue eyes snapped back towards her when she asked if he'd seen someone come through before. Ah, so she's running after someone. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he wondered if she was seeing ghosts as well. Tied around his belt was a leather-bound flask, which he slowly unfastened (realizing that she was suspicious and thus, trying not to spook her). He stepped forward and carefully extended it out towards her. "Water," it was an offering of good will that he hoped she would accept, seeing how she looked pretty beat and her voice rasped when she spoke. "The sun will probably set in about an hour. How long have you been out here?" Concern built its way back into his expression with the raising of his brows and subtle tension that drew across his jawline, "You're the first real person I've seen out here today, the rest have been ghosts. Ludo's-" he looked around, half-expecting another ghost to pop out, "-up to his tricks again. Is the man you're talking about... is he actually alive?" nothing ever did unless I caused it
Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
11-29-2020, 11:29 PM
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0 HENRY a knife twists at the thought that
I should fall short of the mark Henry relaxed when she put her knife away and accepted the offer of water, proceeding to down it all after a hesitant test. He gave a crooked smile down at the empty flask, feeling the emptiness of it in his hand as he put it back in its place. The amusement disappeared from his expression, however, as she asked about the Sanctuary.
"Sanctuary? 'Too far', you'll probably say," he raised his brows, "but I know the way, if you need help getting back." Only, she didn't really look like she was from the Hollowed Grounds. She had sun-tanned skin and quick hands - he almost didn't see her retrieve the knife before it was a threat, keeping him at bay. No, he had an idea where she was from - and it raised a prick of suspicion in him but, he stifled it. Everyone deserved a chance, regardless of the place they were from. He hoped others would think the same way about him so, it was only fair that he did. "You're not from the Grounds, are you?" he said, though it wasn't really a question and more like an invitation for her to extrapolate on what she was doing here. She stood up, her hair flowing around her shoulders in chestnut waves, and Henry was a silent observer. He didn't step away to give her space. If she had some unseen injury, he was ready to help her in case she fell or something. But there was a scowl scrawled across her face and he couldn't help but wonder why, a frown easing onto his own broad features. Henry didn't see the problem in asking questions, whether they would be easy to answer or not. In fact, many of the questions he did ask were the hard ones. Call it insensitive if you must, but an adventurous life isn't lived by taking the easy way.. She never answered him, though, instead throwing herself into a brief panic in search of something. Her bag. Henry glanced around, too, hoping to see it materialize from the brush. Only, it didn't, and she must have lost it in her chase after a ghost... or not-ghost, since he still didn't know. He could assume, though. So she was sensitive about her past. Noted. "Alright, well, the best way to find what you've lost is to retrace your steps," he began, looking along the ground for what would look like a trail. It wasn't so hard to find. "Wow, look at this," he rubbed his chin with one hand as he gazed down at the clearly-beaten path, "at least it will be easy to do that, huh?" he glanced back over at her, "You're quite a trailblazer!" He did realize, however, that she must've been exhausted - and they had a whole trek back to Sanctuary to do. So, he put his hand up to stop her if she should try to follow him, "You stay here, alright? It's not that I think you're helpless," he added, taking her for the fiesty, do-it-herself type, assuming she would have some sort of argument for why she shouldn't stay behind, "but I don't want to have to carry you to Sanctuary, okay? So rest up, try to relax, don't talk to any spooky ghosts from the past, and I'll be back with your stuff. Promise!" He flashed her a quick, encouraging grin and then he was off before she could truly put up a fight about it. Returned to his eagle state, his impressive wingspan whooshed through the fields. He flew over the grasses and brush and overgrowth, torn through by a sloppy trail. Twigs and branches snapped all across the place, the trail blundered down by dragged feet. What was she doing? he could wonder at that, though; she seemed a private sort of person, not likely to open up. Whether or not she'd tell him what happened remained to be seen but, he didn't feel discouraged at all. No, in fact, she made him very curious. Aha! There, down in the grasses, was a makeshift pack. It was made well enough to stand out amongst the foliage, though it was smeared across by mud. He wasted no time getting it back to her, knowing that whatever was inside was clearly important to her. So, scooping it up by his strong talons, he took back to the air and swooped over the fields. When he arrived, it only felt like seconds had passed. But really it had been more like ten or so minutes. The eagle flew fast, and fast was what he felt like. Henry was going so fast, though, that there was a clear expression of 'oh shit' written all over his eagle face as he closed in on the girl. Wide eyes, agape beak, wings frantically working to slow himself down. He was a large, heavy bird flying at top speeds; it wasn't like stopping that motion was easy and he had never been good at landing. But he tried his hardest, using that weight as leverage to hold himself back in the air, just managing to safely, gently place the pack down on the ground a few feet in front of her. He landed beside it, wings brushing the material. He lifted his eagle beak rather proudly and peered up at her for her reaction. Then, impulsively, the curiosity of the bird made him try to peek inside of the bag with a scrutinizing tilt of his head, especially if she should open it to retrieve something. middle of adventure such a perfect place to start
Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
12-08-2020, 02:31 PM
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0
12-13-2020, 02:10 AM
HENRY a knife twists at the thought that
I should fall short of the mark Iris standing her ground in front of him, intending to stop his landing should he crash it, was pretty bold and likely would've ended in more injury than not. Luckily, Henry managed to dip to the side as he landed, narrowly avoiding her.
He glanced between Iris and the bag as she hurried for it, head still tilted at an angle that only a bird could manage. She pulled out a long bow and he let out a small squawk of intrigue, dipping down to level his beak with it. Before he could really examine the instrument, something shifted in the bag. He stepped back over to it, blinking as the girl pulled her hand away with a yelp. He noticed the bite marks on her skin. He squawked in surprise and flinched out of the way when Iris kicked the bag, spreading his wings slightly. Then, she asked him to get it. He shook out his feathers, fluffing up his crest, and stomped toward the bag. Peeling the flap back, he dipped his beak inside to see that there was a weasel in it. Quickly, before it could really fight against him much, he grabbed. Gripping it by the loose skin on its back, he tossed it onto the ground. Eagle instinct dictated that he go after it, to dig into its flesh and feast on it. With a raucous, threatening caw, he flew a few feet towards it. The weasel cried in terror and fled, disappearing into the undergrowth like a worm disappears into mud. Turning, he faced the girl. He shifted back, walking over with a heavy breath leaving his lungs. "So about that reward..." he began, placing his hands on his hips and looking at her expectantly, "I don't need one. You can repay me by telling me who you are, and where you come from. I'll start," he offered, pausing for a moment. "My name is Henry Walker, not uh... 'bird man'," he chuckled lightly, "and I've lived in the Grounds my whole life. My family owns a farm in the settlement. For the most part, we raise sheep. Now, you." middle of adventure such a perfect place to start
Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
12-28-2020, 12:38 AM
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0
12-28-2020, 02:26 AM
HENRY I was waiting for something extraordinary
but as the years wasted on... Siri was clearly from Torchline. He didn't find the information very surprising, nor did it clear anything up for him either. If anything, it only intrigued him more. Of course, his self-introduction was quite simple but, really, Henry's family was one of the most well-off in the Grounds. They made a good living off of their livestock and had prospered over the years - and they were one of the few Grounders to manage that. Perhaps, in comparison to Torchline's richest, it did not look or sound as grandios...
Henry was a simple man, humble and uninterested in being any richer, for what it was. He was perfectly content with what he had, and that was a bit of the problem, wasn't it? He wanted to see things he never had before, but he didn't mind that his own backstory was... well, uninteresting. It left plenty of room for others to share their wayward journeys with him, instead. And anyway, he was far more concerned with the story that lay ahead. So while she rummaged through her things, he gave the items cursory glances. The only thing that really piqued his interest was her weapon of choice, wondering what it looked like when she arced the bow and aimed an arrow at whatever sorry thing provoked her. Personally, he preferred something like a sword.. or maybe a glaive. He looked down at the bottle and accepted it into his hand, though he did not take a drink. At her command, he turned and led the way as if he had some sort of internal compass, knowing exactly which way was the fastest and clearest. "What is this?" He asked curiously, gazing down at the bottle before taking a drink. "Traveler, you say? I wouldn't mind a bit of that, myself. See new places, new things, meet new people," He mused, holding onto the bottle still. "What are you looking for? Adventure? A new life? Escape from a troubled past?" The last one was a tease, a quip at her dark and mysterious demeanor as he raised a brow at her. He frankly didn't care whether that was or wasn't the case, he just wanted to get to know her. So he moved on, "The Hollowed Grounds isn't much but, it's a safe place to rest until you're ready to move on. Except for LongNight, but, I'm sure you've heard of that already. Its reputation precedes it." He said it with a grim smile directed at her. nothing ever did unless I caused it
Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
01-05-2021, 07:34 PM
'Siri' "Spiced pineapple rum." The bottle's contents were sweet. Pineapple covered up the sharp bite of white rum so heavy on alcohol, while a concoction of minty herbs refreshed and balanced out the sweetness. It was a drink all too easy to overindulge in.
Iris strapped her bow across her chest, letting it rest on her back, steeled herself for the long walk ahead, and followed after Henry. She would make quick work of stringing the bow and pulling an arrow from her pack should the need arise. The day's events left her on edge. Before she had any time to consider what or who she'd encountered in the forest the farmer distracted her with a string of questions and a rather unpleasant assumption. She looked him straight in the raised eyebrow. "Troubled past." He seemed interested in her bow. Did he recognize it? No. He didn't know anything about who she was. Probably. Having to react quickly so as not to give anything away she conformed to the ancient proverb - When in doubt, laugh. And she did, though it came out as a hoarse scoff as she returned her gaze to the road ahead. "I've tried settling, but it didn't stick. I guess the problem is that I don't know what I want, exactly." She paused, suddenly pondering the complexity of the farmer's question. "I guess I'm just out to explore. See what stories the world and its people have to offer." She shrugged, glancing at Henry. As they were about to leave the orchard behind them, Iris strayed off the invisible trail Henry was leading them on and headed for the nearest tree. She plucked an apple, her mouth watering as it exuded its sweet scent, and sunk her teeth into it. Following a satisfied moan, she grabbed more, stuffing them in her pockets before moving on. LongNight aside, she was skeptical about the safety of the Hollowed Grounds after the day she'd had. "Is there anything...", completely batshit crazy, "... strange living in the woods?"
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0 HENRY I was waiting for something extraordinary
but as the years wasted on... If there were complexities to Henry's question, there were soon lost. Her answer spoke to a part of Henry that wasn't buried so deep as 'Siri's' truths. In fact, at this point in his life, it was a large part of his identity. His humor faded as he gave her a small, knowing smile, "I know exactly what you mean."
"I can appreciate that. There's always one thing after another holding me back, but I'm glad you don't have the same problem," he sighed, wistful, and dropped his shoulders. He continued onward, not actually intending to grill her with questions. If she thought he was ignorant to the subtleties, she was sorely mistaken. Alas, if she didn't want to open up to a stranger, who was he to judge? So he quietly guided her along the wooded pathways that trailed between the apple trees, fingers tapping against the bottle of pineapple rum he held in his hands, taking her words at face value. Yep, definitely a Torchliner. At least that part of her story held up. Admittedly, he was beginning to feel a little defeated right about then, though he didn't entirely chalk it up to the girl's guarded attitude. He'd also seen a ghost from his past. Memories were haunting the back of his mind, especially when he'd brought up LongNight with a flicker of a shadow in his eyes. He paused to let her pick a few apples, indulging in a drink of the rum while she did that. "Strange?" Her question caught his attention, causing a pinch in his brow. Incredulously, he added, "Siri, if there's one thing you should know about the Grounds, it's that everything here is strange. Especially around this time of year. Why do you ask?" He offered her the bottle back then, an {hopefully} easier question posed with it. nothing ever did unless I caused it
Wanderer
Age: 23 | Height: 176 | Race: Accepted | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Stormbreak Level: 1 - Strg: 5 - Dext: 18 - Endr: 8 - Luck: 15 - Int:
Played by: Nell
Change author: Posts: 114 | Total: 163 MP: 85
01-13-2021, 02:36 PM
'Siri' Having just recently untangled the complications holding her back, she had to wonder what might be keeping the farmer locked to the Grounds. Well, untangled was a strong word. Perhaps she merely severed herself from the whole mess and hid in some fields. Iris chewed on the apple in her hand, noticing Henry grow silent.
She appreciated the respite. Although her muscles were taught from exertion, her mind was fresh with questions. Gathering the thoughts that had streamed through her mind in the previous hours she felt lighter, if for the one thing she was still chasing. Throwing aside a gnawed out core she took a fresh apple from her pocket and kept eating, ravenous. Henry's answer gave no clarification, but it did make her glance around the fields suspiciously before swallowing a mouthful of fruit, taking the bottle and indulging in a long gulp. "There was..." She hesitated, wiping away a stray drop on her lips with a sleeve. "Well... A carnivorous rabbit, a mushroom that smelled of decay, a lake of colors and the trees appeared... grabby. But only when I wasn't looking." She looked at Henry expectantly, hoping for an explanation.
Advisor
Age: 32 | Height: 5'11" | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds Level: 2 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 15 - Luck: 11 - Int:
Played by: Catalysta
Change author: Posts: 278 | Total: 1,724 MP: 0 HENRY I was waiting for something extraordinary
but as the years wasted on... Henry's expression lifted and twisted with each detail she gave him to describe this rather strange thing that had happened to her. Only, to Henry, once he puzzled it together after a moment, this was one of the less odd things that could've happened to her in the Grounds. Believe it or not.
An amused light glimmered in his eyes and he grinned, huffing out a laugh. "Did you eat the mushroom, Torchie?" He asked, giving her a nudge before he headed back along the trail that awaited them. He had to chuckle again. "Don't know if you have many of them in Torchline, but not all mushrooms should be eaten. A tip?" He arched a brow over his shoulder at her, "If you aren't absolutely certain what kind of plant it is, best to probably leave it where you found it. Not ... give it a sample!" he laughed again, but he didn't really want to rub it in so he silenced his mirth with some effort. He stopped, held a low-hanging branch away from the trail, and gestured for her to go on ahead of him. The way was marked quite clearly now, she'd have no trouble determining it for herself. Still, he'd walk along with her until she was back in civilization, where she ran much less risk of killing herself by eating wild plants. "You're lucky that you only hallucinated, you know. You could've gotten hurt, or worse." nothing ever did unless I caused it | ||||
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