[open se] content knowing where my marbles went
Wessex Theskyra
the Wraith
General of the Hollowed Grounds

Age: 47 | Height: 5'8'' | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 61 - Dext: 60 - Endr: 61 - Luck: 58 - Int: 2
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
Played by: Astor Offline
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Posts: 3,156 | Total: 4,350
MP: 0
#1
WESSEX

The barrenness of the Ground has always bothered Wessex. Always. No one likes to live in a sad, brown little area. They like trees and flowers and things that make them happy. They like soil that can grow shit, and plants that can actually grow.

So how do you fix it? By making fertile soil? Did that last year. So now it’s time to seed the soil. Or something like that - definitely not dropping clods of dirt from hanging roots on the heads of her people. Flying over the rooftops of the Sanctuary, Wessex awkwardly drops first one flowering, horse-sized tree, then the other, from her talons before landing. Its not the most gracious maneuver, but she does her best to avoid knocking anything over with her various large, sharp appendages.
the resistance
never backing down
Ophelia Athanasia
Emissary

Age: 29 | Height: 5'3 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 8 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 30 - Luck: 5 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
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Posts: 188 | Total: 6,168
MP: 9427
#2
Ophelia

Gardening is definitely in Ophelia's wheelhouse, though they are not in the area by virtue of having being asked, nor really with any task in mind at all. The collision of dirt upon their fine pale crown is enough to alert them to a disturbance above however, and they look overhead with a curious, owlish blink to see a behemoth of a creature carrying - are those trees?

Intrigued and fearless in the domain of the Grounds, the creature jogs after the flighted monstrosity, fawnlike as they chase this newfound prey. The shudder of a tree being dropped to the earth vibrates up their legs, pinging their sensors and inspiring a short surprised laugh. Seeing it soon after does nothing to dim their amusement. "What are you, beautiful?" they croon as they approach, no need for breathlessness even after their pursuit. "Are you nesting?" Did metallic creations need to nest?
Feel the storm every night, hope it passes by
Hallucinate a shady grove where Judas went to die
Wessex Theskyra
the Wraith
General of the Hollowed Grounds

Age: 47 | Height: 5'8'' | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 61 - Dext: 60 - Endr: 61 - Luck: 58 - Int: 2
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
Played by: Astor Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,156 | Total: 4,350
MP: 0
#3
WESSEX

Phi seems to be turning up when Wessex least expects it; the patter of feet along the still-hard ground alerts the bird to a presence, but with such trees in the way, she can’t actually see who it is.

Beautiful, eh? Not quite the word she’d have thought to use, and most definitely not one that the demigod is used to hearing. She takes a moment to preen under the praise, fixing their youngest sibling with an obsidian-dark eye. She chirps back, but the sound isn’t quite like a songbird’s chirp, or even a falcon’s chirp. It’s a little more screechy. Like bits of metal are rubbing together, opening and closing, and working just like a bird’s throat might - but not quite.

And that’s fine, because Wessex couldn’t carry much of a tune in her human form either.

She’s very tempted to continue the ruse of not being who she is, but alas, they’d find out eventually. What do you think? she asks them mentally. Our Lady’s outdone herself with this.
the resistance
never backing down
Ophelia Athanasia
Emissary

Age: 29 | Height: 5'3 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 8 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 30 - Luck: 5 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
Change author:
Posts: 188 | Total: 6,168
MP: 9427
#4
Ophelia

Eyes like oil slick stare back at Ophelia, and the creature preens beneath the compliment. The phantom watches in abject awe as the metallic feathers shift and flex in the same way a real bird might, the motions smooth and nearly soundless. Not nearly so is the voice in their head, which startles Phi uncharacteristically, blinking quickly and jumping in their skin. Delight follows soon after they collect themself however, and their fanged smile beams with recognition.

“Sister!” They take the chance to dance closer, fearless now, and reach a hand to let their sensors translate the material and sensation of one of Wessex’s feathers. “She has indeed. You are extraordinary, Wessex; it is well-deserved.” Though soon their eyes turn to the tree - the elephant in the room so to speak. Phi’s hand falls away and their head tilts curiously. “Is this some instinct of yours, like the Attuned feel? Or are you conducting an experiment?” Perhaps gauging how much weight she could heft when flying?
Feel the storm every night, hope it passes by
Hallucinate a shady grove where Judas went to die
Wessex Theskyra
the Wraith
General of the Hollowed Grounds

Age: 47 | Height: 5'8'' | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 61 - Dext: 60 - Endr: 61 - Luck: 58 - Int: 2
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
Played by: Astor Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,156 | Total: 4,350
MP: 0
#5
WESSEX

There’s nowhere to hide from Phi’s positive reinforcement; even though their words are true and Wessex knows this in her heart of hearts, she’s unable to brush the compliment away in this form. Beautiful is one thing, when she, too, things the form is sleek and enchanting, the way a Damascus steel blade, or an artisan Samuraii sword might be. Deserving is another thing entirely. It iisn’t obvious that she struggles with the acknowledgement; a bird of prey, and a metal one at that, only has so many expressions. For this, she is grateful.

The question brings her attention back to the trees, the baby elephant in the room. Oh, no No Attuned instincts here. Stepping back to give herself room, Wessex peers around the area and indicates an open space. I thought the Sanctuary could use a few more trees. Keep the sun off, look nice… Here, her wings do manage to move up and down in a bit of a shrug. Why shouldn’t our home be beautiful too?

It won’t be, however, if they let the trees die because they’ve been uprooted for too long. Want to help plant these?
the resistance
never backing down
Ophelia Athanasia
Emissary

Age: 29 | Height: 5'3 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 8 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 30 - Luck: 5 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
Change author:
Posts: 188 | Total: 6,168
MP: 9427
#6
Ophelia

It is likely a good thing Phi cannot sense the struggle going on inside the Wraith’s mind. These things are black and white for the phantom. Easy and face-value. They are superior by virtue of escaping mortal shackles, but their souls are of an equal. The rest is all on merit, and Wessex has plenty to her name.

Turning to gaze around them as Wessex’s gleaming wings gesture about, Ophelia hums. “Shade is quite helpful, yes,” they muse aloud. “Though is it not still beautiful in its feeble attempts at life?” The wasteland of the Grounds is still appealing to Ophelia. “It will choose to return or it will not - and we will be here to watch it happen, no matter the time it would take.” It’s a peaceful idea to Phi.

Still, there’s no harm in bending the world to their whims either. Smiling gainfully, Ophelia strides closer to the tree. “You will have to do much of the work for the larger trees I’m afraid. But I can help with securing them in their holes - I doubt your form is flexible enough for that without tipping the tree over.” Saplings Ophelia can handle, anything else is beyond their abilities.
Feel the storm every night, hope it passes by
Hallucinate a shady grove where Judas went to die
Wessex Theskyra
the Wraith
General of the Hollowed Grounds

Age: 47 | Height: 5'8'' | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 61 - Dext: 60 - Endr: 61 - Luck: 58 - Int: 2
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
Played by: Astor Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,156 | Total: 4,350
MP: 0
#7
WESSEX

They differ in their thoughts about what is beautiful and what isn’t, but that’s the nice thing about family; they can disagree on something like that and it doesn’t matter. Have you been outside the Grounds much? Wessex asks before squawking a grating agreement to Phi’s assessment of what will or won’t happen. They’re right. Other than giving a good start and keeping the Grounds intact for another year, there’s little they can do to ensure the trees’ survival.

Holes and hauling I can do, the Wraith agrees amicably and she sets out to dig two holes a couple feet deep for each tree, using her talons to scrape the dirt up and out. They aren’t terribly precise, but they do the trick and it doesn’t take long before she’s gently taking the first tree in her beak and waiting for Ophelia’s guidance. I’ll need your direction, please. Then they can fill it in and she’ll keep it stable until it can stand on its own.
the resistance
never backing down
Ophelia Athanasia
Emissary

Age: 29 | Height: 5'3 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 8 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 30 - Luck: 5 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
Change author:
Posts: 188 | Total: 6,168
MP: 9427
#8
Ophelia

It's not a dissimilar question from the one Sam asked. "No, only once - to King's End, where I danced with Sam at a carnival." It had been a beautiful afternoon, and the lovely bookkeeper had been far too kind in his offer to escort Ophelia if they desired to explore elsewhere - and she says as such. "He offered to escort me to any places I desired to see. He warned me to try to keep close to home for now, considering how young I am." There is not a trace of disgruntled tone in their voice. In fact there is only appreciation and affection for Sam's worry over them. It is precisely the behavior they'd read about in battered books describing family bonds, the ones they'd yearned for most their life.

They watch with interest as Wessex goes about scoring the earth with ease, though they are quick to the mark when it becomes time for them to help. "A little more to your left, and tilt your head back a bit," they instruct, keen eyes watching the roots as they go in at the appropriate angle. Moving forward to shovel dirt in with hands and feet, careless of the stains it leaves on their clothes and skin, to cover the roots enough to get it to stand freely.
Feel the storm every night, hope it passes by
Hallucinate a shady grove where Judas went to die
Wessex Theskyra
the Wraith
General of the Hollowed Grounds

Age: 47 | Height: 5'8'' | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 61 - Dext: 60 - Endr: 61 - Luck: 58 - Int: 2
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
Played by: Astor Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,156 | Total: 4,350
MP: 0
#9
WESSEX

Following Phi’s direction as best she can, Wessex moves in minute increments until told to stop, at which point she slowly and carefully releases the trunk from her grasp and backs away. Careful in her attempt to keep from touching the branches and therefore knocking it askew again, it might seem like an exaggerated caution, but the General is slowly becoming aware of her strength and how it might hurt others.

Perfect, she declares with a ruffling clink of her metal feathers. A smile seems to linger for a moment in her open beak before she reaches for the next tree, just like before, ready to put it in the next hole with her sister’s guidance.
the resistance
never backing down
Ophelia Athanasia
Emissary

Age: 29 | Height: 5'3 | Race: Ancient | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 2 - Strg: 8 - Dext: 14 - Endr: 30 - Luck: 5 - Int:
Played by: Brit Offline
Change author:
Posts: 188 | Total: 6,168
MP: 9427
#10
Ophelia

They are a wonderful team, all things considered; Wessex's size and lack of coordination on this scale, Ophelia's general uselessness with their own strength. Still, neither seems daunted by the task ahead of them, and with a little maneuvering it is surprisingly successful. Wessex's smile is unlike that of a human's, but Ophelia can still somehow read it, and smiles brightly in return.

The next tree is a little easier, if only by virtue of the experience the first one gave them guiding their hands. As Ophelia stomps down on the earth with their foot, ensuring it's packed appropriately and won't be disturbed by rains or animals, the phantom pats the tree trunk in some sort of goodbye before steeping back and away. "Their roots will spread wide, and soon they may spread their seed and plant more without our involvement," they say dreamily, envisioning such a beautiful cycle of life. "I wish I could see them in the sun." Ophelia does not regret their ascension in any way, but at times they do miss the beauty of the sunlight.
Feel the storm every night, hope it passes by
Hallucinate a shady grove where Judas went to die
Wessex Theskyra
the Wraith
General of the Hollowed Grounds

Age: 47 | Height: 5'8'' | Race: Demi-god | Nationality: Natural | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 12 - Strg: 61 - Dext: 60 - Endr: 61 - Luck: 58 - Int: 2
LOKI - Mythical - Dragon (Energy Blast)
Played by: Astor Offline
Change author:
Posts: 3,156 | Total: 4,350
MP: 0
#11
we're all stories unfinished and we die to find some fitting words to write
Indeed, the two of them are a surprisingly adept team in the end, likely by virtue of both caution, patience, and the relatively easy task. The second tree is deposited into the hole, made secure, and as they both step back to admire their work, the Wraith takes one last look before shifting back into her human form. Her body shrinks and compacts itself, metal wings sliding inward and recovering themselves with skin in a reversal not many have seen.

“You’ll get there,” she says aloud, reaching out to pat them reassuringly on the shoulder. “It just takes time.” And they’d all gone through the same thing after their ascension - even Wessex remembers what it’s like.

{Fin}
WESSEX


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