the scenery's turned wicked
Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
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Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#1
MAEA
A slight rumble of the ground was the only warning they got before another plume of water and steam shot up from the ground. Maea dodged aside just in time, hissing at the heat that scalded the skin of her arm even through the fabric of her shirt. For all that this place was beautiful, with its vibrant colors and constant eruptions, she was not in the mood to enjoy the scenery. Her brows had been fixed into a frown from the moment she arrived at the port earlier in the day, tension lingering in thin shoulders no matter how much she tried to relax.

She just couldn't forget the words Saiden had thrown at her before he left, last time. Arrogant, ignorant, naive... impolite even. It had stung her deeply to hear it was how she'd come off when all she'd done was be herself, intending nothing but to sate curiosities and acquire an item that might let her explore this land better. Maea just couldn't let it go, even as they left the harbor and ventured off along the coast, in search for the cloud manta.

"Are you sure we will find them here?" she asked through gritted teeth, turning to look at her guide. With the black shawl over her head to shield against the sun and the long flowing skirts set aside for very business-like breeches and a shirt that had seen better days, Maea had retreated back behind the reseved mask she'd worn when they first met. Gone was the open smile, the glitter in her eyes and the friendly demeanor; those had cost her, and she was not so generous as to offer them lightly a second time.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
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Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
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#2
Unlike Maea, the brief bout of annoyance had completely left Saiden. That wasn't to say he was his happy and cheery self: there were dark circles under his eyes and storm clouds in them, but they had nothing to do with the woman at his side.

Well used to the geysers after almost two years in Torchline, he deftly dodged aside as the rumbling began. However, he was actually dressed, in sandals and a shirt in addition to the shorts. He had a cutlass strapped to his belt, and an empty bag on his back. Three vials were slipped into loops on his belt as well, the liquid in them strange looking.

At her question, he glanced towards her and smirked. "I'm sure. But if you can't take the heat, we can go elsewhere on the coast." Unless she said something, he'd continuing leading her across the volcanic rock, in its strange mix of drab gray and brilliant rainbow.


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Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chan Online
Change author:
Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#3
MAEA
Sidestepping another outburst of steam, the girl shook her head. With a gesture of her hand, the spray of water froze into a flurry of ice instead; it melted quickly in the warm air, the few flakes that made it to the ground dissolving into the moist ground. "The heat is not a problem," she said. It wasn't entirely true; sweat beaded on her brow and it was clear she was uncomfortable under her black shawl, for all that it helped keep the sun off her face.

But she was stubborn enough to carry on despite these inconveniences, and her jaw was set, eyes focused as they scoured the ground for geysers and the horizon for signs of their prey. She had a bow slung over a shoulder, along with a quiver of arrows, and in her belt a pair of elegant white-gold daggers suggested she was ready for trouble. Beyond that, she traveled light; water was not an issue for her, and Maea had lost what little appetite she'd had lately. Her face was a little more gaunt than before, cheekbones jutting out far sharper than they ought.

"What do I need to know about the manta?" she asked him, as she followed in his wake.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
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♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
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#4
As Maea made the geyser into ice, Saiden tracked the movement. Then he grinned a bit lazily, some of his old humor returning to him. "Sure." He whistled a bit as he led them further down the Rainbow Road.

At her question, he glanced towards her. "It's called a cloud manta. It can swim through the water and fly through the air equally well. It's half plant, half animal, and it has a flat body and a billowy tail. The older ones grow the crystals you need." As a geyser erupted in front of them, he danced back, deflecting it a bit with his magic as he led them around. "They like to nibble on mosses, so keep an eye out for some." He did the same, scanning the pretty rocks for any sign of plant life.


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Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chan Online
Change author:
Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#5
MAEA
"Alright, that's good. Means we can leave any younger animals alone." This did not seem like the kind of environment that mosses would thrive in, however. Too hot, too much sunlight. But Maea did not object, just memorized the information as best she could and returned to keeping her eyes open.

"When we find one, what kind of talents do you have, aside from that sword and your water?" It would be good to know, preferably before they got into a sticky situation. "I've pretty much mastered the water, and have some weak telekinesis. And... wings, though they're not very useful." The last part came out a bit reluctantly; she had not yet gotten used to this new part of her, and talking about them somehow felt... obnoxious. Like she was showing off.

Which was the last thing she wanted to do in front of Saiden. Arrogant was bad enough.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
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♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
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#6
Saiden shrugged, not really understanding her reluctance beyond any hunter's desire to keep the populations stable. "Sure." Voice quiet, he tried not to attract too much attention, settling into an easy fisherman's patience as they walked along.

When she mentioned her own abilities, he glanced at her in surprise. "Wings? Like, Fae wings?" Turning his attention back to their surroundings, he grinned. "That's neat." There might've been the barest hint of jealousy in his voice. "As for me, I've got many talents. But none that will be useful in bringing down a cloud manta. Don't worry, though, between the two of us, we won't have a problem." His voice came out slightly distractedly.

There was a flash of movement in the distance. At first, he thought it was just another geyser. However, as they got closer it resolved into a cloud manta. He couldn't tell if it was old enough from this distance, so he just placed a finger over his lips and padded closer.


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Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chan Online
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Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#7
MAEA
Scowling deeper as he evaded her question without a straight answer - even though she'd offered information first, like an idiot - she shook her head. "No, not like Fae wings." But if he wasn't about to share then that was all he would get from her on the subject.

The man was hushing her anyway, sparing her from the effort to try and coax more tidbits from him. Maea quieted without needing to be told twice, and her footsteps grew softer, paying more attention to the colorful ground beneath her. Careful to avoid both geysers and puddles, or slippery rocks that might make her footing less stable. Slinging the bow down from her back, she checked the string as they went, and frowned. It was less taught than she would have liked, slackened from the moisture that clung to the air; she set about tightening it as they went.

Maea studied the animal with intense curiosity as they came closer. It looked quite a bit smaller than she had expected, but the fins that billowed in the air was both beautiful and eerie, and reminded her of Ludo's fluttering rags. Glancing at Saiden, she waited for his signal, leaving him to determine if the specimen was old enough. There was more movement further up along the coast; perhaps this was only one in a small fleet of them.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Crooked Offline
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#8
This one was still too young, as evidenced by the lack of a crystal on its forehead, but Maea's guess was right: there were more mantas further down the coast, drawn here (or driven, something he tried not to think too much about) by something or other. Saiden signaled for them to move towards the group, pointing and gesturing with two fingers in what he hoped was a universal symbol to move quietly in that direction.

Glancing at her as she fiddled with her bow, he nodded, still bringing them closer. Eventually a trio of mantas showed up. He examined them for a while, before pointing at the largest one, which had a sizable crystal on it.


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Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chan Online
Change author:
Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#9
MAEA
Well no, perhaps not universal. But as there was only one real way to go, Maea got the gist of his gesture and nodded, gripping her bow firmly once the string was properly adjusted. Pulling an arrow from the quiver, she nocked it but did not draw, just held it at the ready as they eased their way towards the creatures.

When Saiden pointed out the largest of the majestic animals, Maea nodded again. For a moment, something like regret passed over her face as she looked at them. They were so beautiful. Large and graceful, doing no harm to anyone... but then her expression set into a look of determination, and she nodded.

Angling herself away from her guide and closer to the mantas, quietly as she could. He could look for trouble while she did what she had come here to do; entrusting her back to him did not feel like the safest option, but it was better than nothing. He would not get to cash in his favor if she died, after all.

When she deemed herself to be in the best possible place, the girl stopped. Raised her bow in a single, smooth motion and loosed the arrow, barely looking like she aimed at all. It struck the crystal-bearing cloud manta just at the base of the large wing, where body connected with the billowing tail.

While the arrow struck deep it was not a killing blow, and Maea bit off a curse as the creature spun towards her, keening in pain, and came barreling towards her. Quick as a cat, she dropped to the ground, rolled away from the creature and came back up on her feet, hand reaching for the next arrow.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Crooked Offline
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Posts: 952 | Total: 9,913
MP: 0
#10
Saiden just waited as Maea took her shot. Sure, he kept an eye out for danger, but other than the geysers, the Rainbow Road wasn't the most dangerous part of Torchline. So he just kept his attention on their surroundings. As he did, he kept her in his peripheral vision.

Which is how he saw her arrow sink deep. Saw the larger manta swoop down towards her, even as the other two scattered. She dodged out of the way, and he sprang into motion. Unsheathing his cutlass in one smooth motion, he swept it in an uppercut strike. It lodged in the bottom of the manta, and he jerked it to one side, trying to slam it to the ground without damaging the crystal.


Coding base by Sky!
Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chan Online
Change author:
Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#11
MAEA
The Cloud Manta gave up a vibrating, mournful sound as the cutlass cut deep into its underside. But it was so big that Saiden's attempt to slam it into the ground only made it veer to the side in the air. One of the big fins came crashing down towards the man, threatening to knock him over.

Maea nocked her second arrow and drew the string to her ear. It was an awkward shot now that she was placed slightly behind the animal and she was careful not to aim towards Saiden, fearing he might get shot if the arrow went astray. But perhaps she was a bit too cautious, because the arrow only grazed the top of the manta's back, eliciting another scream of agony from the creature.

It flicked its frilled tail towards Maea, and this time she wasn't as successful in her attempt to dodge; she was smacked flat to the ground, reeling from the impact with the ground. Not really injured, but the air had been knocked out of her, and she gasped desperately, struggling to regain it.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Crooked Offline
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#12
The fin didn't just threaten to knock Saiden over. It actually knocked him over, leading him to fall back onto his ass. At least he had the presence of mind to hold onto the hilt of his cutlass. After a moment of resistance, the blade slid out of the manta, spraying the fallen cook with blood.

"Ocean take you." The curse came out muttered under his breath. Still on the ground, he saw the arrow go wide, saw Maea get hit, go down as well. Snarling, he thrust up with his sword, straight into the manta's body. He aimed not to hit the crystal, and succeeded in that goal, at least, but beyond that he couldn't see how much damage he'd done as his blade pierced the plantimal.


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Maea Valair
Hollowed Grounds Ambassador / Loreseeker

Age: 29 | Height: 156 cm / 5'1 ft | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 22 - Dext: 22 - Endr: 25 - Luck: 20 - Int:
Played by: Chan Online
Change author:
Posts: 3,023 | Total: 5,764
MP: 1897
#13
MAEA
Scrabbling to get back on her feet, Maea spat and coughed and got her lungs working again, if barely. She got up again just in time to see Saiden stab up into the manta with his sword again, and came running towards him as the manta gave up a final keening sound. It thrashed, showering the pirate fisherman in blood, and then began to fall from the sky, right down towards Saiden.

"No!" Maea growled and tried to throw herself in between the man and the animal; shield of thick ice appeared, as she attempted to protect him from being crushed.

She had no idea if it worked, just knew that the animal was heavy, far more than her ice could withstand. It cracked and broke, and before she could do anything to move or use her magic again, the whole manta came smashing down onto her. Just like she'd tried to prevent for Saiden.

Maea was knocked to the ground, and screamed as she felt pain shoot through her whole body with the impact. At least the manta lay still. It was very, very dead.
Nothing lasts forever, I thought you should know
BASE INSPIRED BY ODD <3
♦ Violence, magic, thievery is permitted with Maea at all times. DM me if you have any ideas ♦
Saiden Hali
Smuggler / Cook

Age: 33 | Height: 6' 2'' | Race: Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Torchline
Level: 5 - Strg: 15 - Dext: 17 - Endr: 20 - Luck: 17 - Int:
Played by: Crooked Offline
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Posts: 952 | Total: 9,913
MP: 0
#14
Saiden was about to roll out of the way of the falling manta, just planning to ditch the cutlass and retrieve it later. However, before he could, Maea threw herself on top of him, and some ice appeared. Unfortunately, it was not enough to stop the falling creature, which crashed into Maea.

Who in turn crashed into the prone cook. Her body slammed into his and he grunted and wheezed as the wind was knocked out of him. Then her knee slammed into his groin and his vision whited out for a moment, though he didn't have the breath to cry out. When he regained consciousness, she was still pinning him down, and everything hurt. "You dead?" He could barely get the words out through gritted teeth.


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