Fantasy A World Untamed

[Babel]

Kelsa went to her parents after the ceremony. She simply shook their hands and she received very short hugs from each of them. Kelsa was then told to go have fun, then they left to go do something else. The young woman sighed softly. Sometimes she wondered if they loved her, or they just used her to make them more well-known. She tried to make herself think that they loved her. They had to. Kelsa looked back at the others and stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. She had gotten the text about the party, but where would it be? Kelsa sighed softly and took off her hat. This wasn't as great as she thought it would be.

 

[Sol]

MARCUS ORWELL, GRAD CEREMONY


Marc couldnt exactly tell who said what Jenna quoted. It must have been some philosopher in the past, it sure sounded like it.


She handed him her phone and said that Charleene called in sick. He had wanted to find that message as well as any that had her nickname for him in it but he didn't go through with it. He respected their privacy and it would have taken him a decade to find it anyway. He just held the phone and helped her round up the stragglers.


He did sigh and shake his head a bit at her proud announcement that she was a social person in her own definition. That and a very fragile view point of parties. It made him want laugh and cry.


"If it makes you feel any better, I havent gone to a party since I was your age and even then it was kinda boring but Charleene was there which was very nice. Oh and are you sure about that Hall girl? I dunno about her but I'll leave it to you. Anyway the ceremony is about to end, I'm heading out."


Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

 

[VainRochester]

Did he move? It didn't seem like he twitched even a muscle. It almost seemed like he glided through the crowd effortlessly, weaving around the crowd. There were too many people here. Just too many. What's worse is that he knew almost all their lives. He knew their dirty secrets. She was cheating on her boyfriend with his own father, he was homosexual and only kept girls around him to look hetero...all these people all the skeletons. He made his way towards where his eyes last saw Meredith, his one and only, hand still holding the bouquet. There she was, passing the guardrail, right into the arms of a man. Her father. Owens had mixed feelings about this man. One one hand, he was jealous, extremely jealous of him- he was close to his Meredith. He wanted that sort of distance between he and Meredith, even if it cost him everything. He could make the father disappear. He could make him vanish.


On the other hand, he was her father and she loved him. Doing anything to him will break her heart. He wouldn't want that. He wouldn't want anything happening to her heart, especially nothing that he would be blamed for.


"Meredith." Owens' calm, unintrusive voice said, as he shifted towards her back. Coal, black hair, magnificent body....Owens sighed. She will probably not love anyone but her father, especially not a lean, bespectacled loner like him. But he will do his best to earn at least a place in her heart. The place of an acquaintance will do.


"Congratulations, Meredith. May your future endeavours find you well." Owens held out the bouquet of roses, and pushed his glasses up. The light that glanced off his spectacles incidentally hid his eyes, hiding all emotion effectively as his mouth was set to the usual straight line.


@Killigrew

 

[minusultra]

Kronos, Ituro.


"Oh my," Kronos said after Camori's departure. "This is quite an eventful morning. But I guess it's over now, we can't hold an address without our third." Kronos stood and faced Hilde. "Quite scary that Franca. She doesn't even have to do anything, just her name puts the fear of god in a man. But now her sister has been assassinated?" Kronos made a low whistle, "Hell hath no fury."


Kronos turned on his heels and once out the door the smile slipped from his lips. This was a problem Kronos didn't know how to fix. Then again, Kronos' answer to all problems was to run. He couldn't do that here, he wouldn't. But if things continued the way they were going, Ituro would fall fast and fall hard. Camori was upset with Kronos for siding with Hilde. And Hilde, well that woman wasn't too worried with the welfare of her country. Only if it was apart of her agenda for Ituro to survive this war would she care. Kronos frowned. Was he naive to think that this day would never come? How long had it been since his parent's death? How long since he took Iso and ran? six, seven years? Kronos tried hard to forget his past. Born in Serrn to a noble family who kept their own as slaves. Changing both his and his brother's names not once, but twice as they ran from country to country. Lying about his enslavement and couching Iso to do the same, making sure he never told a soul about their two years spent in Upolo. And Iso, his curse that Kronos killed to protect. So many lies, it was a wonder Kronos kept up with them all. His copper skin might have paled, but could he keep his past under wraps much longer?


Kronos was snapped out of his own head by the snapping of someone's fingers in front of his face.


"Hmmm?" Kronos turned to see Serrah's annoyed face. Had she been walking beside him the whole time?


"It's nice to see you're not brain dead," she said with a roll of her eyes. "I asked if I was alone in my suspicions of Hilde."


"No," Kronos answered. "You are not alone."


"Then why agree to aid Upolo?"


"She would have did what she wanted with or without our blessings. Disagreeing would have been futile. I just can't figure out her motive for wanting war... Camori might." Kronos turned a smile on Serrah as a thought struck him. "I have a task for you."


Iso, Ituro, Street market.


Iso spent his last coin on a jug of milk and as roamed the marketplace with a bag full of sweeties. The young elf wondered if his tutor had alerted in Kronos of his absence from today's lesson. "Big brother's not going to be happy when I return home," Iso said between mouthfuls of fudge. Iso wondered how long he could stay out this time before Kronos came to retrieve him.


Munch, munch, munch.


Down went the banana bread.


Iso was wondering if he could make it till sundown this time when she ran smack into someone's leg.


"Oh sorry mister," Iso took a few steps back and tilted his head skywards in order to see the man's face, he was so tall. "Oh Camori, it's you." Iso looked left, and then he looked right, making sure Kronos wasn't around before continuing. "Kronos just wanted be to come out here and pick up some milk," he explained holding up the jug as some sort of proof.

 

[Syrenrei]

Shitty little town outside Hyr- Arcden and Greyden


"I can't believe she said that!" Greyden immediately announced as soon as Zaria had departed to find their next client. It had been surprising to Arcden that Greyden had traveled the entire way from their prior camp to the town without uttering a word. It was now that he realized why- Greyden had been dumbstruck that Zaria was considering taking them to a dinner with royalty. His suggestion had been more sarcastic than serious. Who in their right minds would take such deviants to a proper place deep within Itieri. Had she gone mad from boredom between their last few jobs? Unlike the twins, she had a bright future ahead of her so long as her allegiance stayed true and her skills kept developing. "Do you think she'd really take us?"





"She is a woman," Arcden simply stated. This did not satisfy Greyden completely, but it was clear that was going to be the only reply he'd receive. It was something that had not truly occurred to either. As ludicrous as the proposal had been, Greyden had lost sight of the fact that Zaria was anything other than a spy. This immediately made him suspicious of the impending future beyond a dinner engagement where she was expected to play princess. Would she someday return to Iesti indefinitely to marry, have little scary Iesti elf babies, and perhaps even join the government in some fashion? The thought of any change unsettled Greyden enough that told himself he'd have to pay some extra attention to their cunning brethren. If he wasn't so convinced she'd slit his throat for interfering with her life, he might even take it upon himself to sabotage her prospects such that she'd be stuck with them. It was more enjoyable than being alone with just Arcden indefinitely.


"I wouldn't take us," Greyden grumbled and sighed. Arcden was quietly sifting through the merchandise and analyzing its value. After some consideration, he wordlessly turned over the appropriate coin for two heavy cloaks that would keep their torsos and thighs warm. If they crouched it might provide warmth to their lower extremities as well. The merchant found it a little off-putting that Arcden didn't communicate in any way, but he wouldn't turn away the money for such a small reason. They rolled up their new outerwear and strapped it to their backs so they could travel more comfortably until they reached the cold weather that would necessitate its use.


With little else to do except to await Zaria's return, the pair wandered the small town. An ordinary casual stroll would have elicited far too much attention. Their hair was tied back securely and they swept through the streets and side-roads swiftly and stealthily. Little things caught their attention here and there. It was not spying, persay, but observing the common people going about their day. One might believe it was this sort of study that made them good assassins. Pure boredom drove their actions as well as a fascination with the lives they did not have. How were people this complacent? This happy?


A blacksmith was spotted at the edge of town. Arcden immediately abandoned Greyden outside to go inquire about using the blacksmith's tools to sharpen one of his blades. A whetstone was useful for the road but not quite as useful as a forge itself. Greyden sighed and leaned himself against the outside of the shop and stifled a yawn. He did not have such an obsession for the perfect razor edge that Arcden desired.

 

[Auren]

xBoldan - Small Town Just Outside Hyr - Zaria L’instxxxxxxx






Zaria finally found the home of the client, after knocking on three other doors. This town seemed to be fond of the trees in their yards, claiming theirs to be the biggest. They all looked the same to her. She raised her hand to knock, and a maid had already begun to open the door, leaving Zaria to almost knock on the girl’s face.




“Oh hello,”the girl said as she took a step back. “Can I help… you?” She hesitated. Zaria nodded.





”I need to speak with Mr. Thumble,”

she said matter-of-factly. The maid nodded and rushed back into the home, leaving the door open. Moments later, a man wearing a black suit and another limping with a cane walked into view of the front door. Zaria watched both men carefully. The one with the cane bowed. When he stood, his gaze met Zaria’s.




“To whom do I owe the honor, Miss?” he asked. Zaria nodded her head in acknowledgement.





”I am here on behalf of a letter that was sent to a certain pair of brothers in term of a service,”

she said just above a whisper. The men switched glances before the one in the suit ushered her in. He shut the door behind them.




“Whatever do you mean, my dear?” the cane-man asked. Zaria felt her patience lessen. She was not a fan of small talk. It was a mystery how Greyden could do it.





“I have many people to talk to today, sir,”

she lied, a reason she often used to quicken a conversation.

“Shall we cut the small talk? Do you or do you not have a wish to dispose of someone?”

She watched the men's expressions as they looked from one to the other. The one in the suit nodded before disappearing down an adjacent hall. Zaria shifted her weight and folded her arms, placing her hand on one of her throwing knives reflexively.




“Ah,” Mr. Thumble cleared his throat. “Yes. Yes, I do. Please, let us move to my office.” With that he swung his cane as he turned about, leading her towards a door just a few feet away. Inside, it was rather plain. Or, rather, it looked as if he had sold a few artifacts. There were areas of a large amount of dust on his counters, and spots where there was no dust at all. Ghost items sat there now. If the man had resorted to selling his materials, she wondered if he could afford the twins.




“I was not expecting to see a woman,” he chuckled. “Actually, I thought that the twins would come for me in the middle of the night.”





“Yes, yes. That is a romantic way to see it, indeed,"

she mumbled. The man was bordering small talk again. She just wanted her mission and to get out with partial payment.

“Who is it that you wish to use for corpse creation?”

She used the boys’ word.




“Ah yes. Here.” He dug around in his desk until he pulled out an envelope. When he held it out to Zaria, she took it and immediately opened it. She scanned the handwritten information.





“What is the crime?”

she asked, as the information on the papers before her were just the basic reconnaissance she could have gotten herself.




“He’s been known to terrorize the locals here, raping married women, and,” he leaned in closer to Zaria, “he kidnapped my daughter. I want her back.”




She narrowed her eyes, observing the man. He didn’t look as if he was lying, and the deeds were atypical of the deviants in society at best. But it was good enough. While she couldn't guarantee his daughter's safety, she knew that the target would not live much longer. That was her and the twins' job. She bowed to the man after telling him the price

”We require that one third of the fee be paid in advance,”

she lied, holding out her hand. They were running on fumes from their last job as far as coin went, and getting a bit out of this man in advance wasn’t a true offense. The job would be done.




The man glared, but complied, pulling out his purse and handing her the coin. With that, she shoved the information into her cloak and the coin into her coin purse.

”We will collect payment after the job is done. Be sure it is ready,”

She looked at the man again, her gaze stern.

”If you know the twins, then you already know what will happen if you do not have the coin.”

With that she left the house and slunk into the shadows. She wasn’t as keen in stealth as the twins, but she could manage to go unnoticed for a little time.




Reaching the marketplace she glanced around, listening to bits of conversation from the residents that may have noticed the pale Iesti boys. Though she knew the twins wouldn’t be so easily spotted in the town. She gathered a few bits of separate information, mentally creating a map of the town as she explored. Apparently there had been quite a bit of bandit activity in the area lately. She just hoped that they could find the target without having to deal with rogues. Killing people was unnecessarily, and without payment, seemed illogical to her.




She finally found Greyden, on the edge of town, leaning against a blacksmith shop.

”Arc isn’t going to spend all his leftover coin on another dagger, is he?”

she asked as she approached him. She glanced at the blacksmith’s door. It could take awhile if he saw anything he liked in there. Turning her gaze back to Greyden, she pulled out his portion of the money.





”Don’t spend it all on food or ladies this time,”

she warned.

”We may have to go a bit farther north into Hyr than we originally anticipated.”

she frowned at the thought. She leaned on the wall next to Greyden, pulling out her eagle totem and knife. She began to carve. She would tell the twins the information as soon as Arcden emerged. Until then, she needed to think, and to figure out how she was going to burn the envelope of information without creating attention.

 

[Sythril]

Graduation Ceremony | Lily Marceline Valdez




​

Lily couldn't help but stare curiously at Kazuto, who seemed to not bother to wait for the ceremony to end. He just walked out, which led Lily to have a few thoughts ranging from Coooool, to Does he need to go to the bathroom? Not that any of her thoughts would actually make sense to other people, so she'd just silently look around and have some commentary in her mind while she was at it.


When her phone faintly buzzed again, Lily stopped looking around and faced down, on her lap, checking the one new message. It seemed that a few graduates already didn't mind going to a party. Even if they there were people who did mind, Lily would still be asking (more like forcing in her own way) them to go. So it was all cool.


Except for the fact that she invited people to a party that wasn't at all organized yet.


There was silence in her mind, which was very, truly, rare.





Shooooooot! Lily exclaimed in her thoughts, quite panicked in typing down a text message to her older brother. Yes, she could just move one seat and she'd be exactly beside him and their parents, but for some reason she just chose to type up a message for him.

Spoiler

Lily: Heeeyo Clay ma brooo! DDD





Clay: What do you want, Lily?


Lily: Erm, well... :3


Lily: Call Rialda please please please :4


Clay: Let me guess. You're going to make her arrange one of your surprise events with people we barely even know.





Lily: Close enough, but just call her please :C


Clay: The last time you brought people at our house wasn't so great.





Lily: Then tell her to do it anywhere else! O:


Clay: ...





Lily: You still there?


Lily: Broski please :c


Lily: Please :C


Lily: Please :u


Lily: Onegaishimasu O 3O


Clay: Fine. But next time, you're contacting her, and you're not bringing me into this again.


Lily: Suuuueer~! Thanks Clay! ^^U^^


Seeing that her brother had probably no interest in texting her back, Lily flipped her phone close and put it back in one of the side pockets. She looked a little behind her to see her brother exiting the area and heading outside--to a bathroom, perhaps.


Speaking of bathrooms.


Perhaps Kazuto didn't leave to go to the bathroom, since it's been quite a while. Or maybe he just really needed to be there. Or maybe it was just Lily's thinking, who could mistake seconds for hours at this kind of event. Either way, she just sent him a message. Of course, he was invited too. For her, everyone was.


were gonna have a party! And youre invited! DDD





This time, she only placed her phone on her lap. Who knew when would be the next time she'd have to use it?


Before she even realized, the celebration was done. Lily did nothing less than waiting for people to provide her enough space to do a front tumble to her parents. Nonetheless, they both caught her and returned her hug.


"Party!" was the only thing Lily said excitedly, before any of her parents could congratulate her or even speak.


"What?" Her mother asked.


"Where's your brother?," said her father.


"Here." Clay jogged to them, grunting every now and then whenever a student or parent or whoever would bump into him. "Just had to call Rialda."


"What did she say?" Lily asked.


"The closest available venue is the newly-built log cabin near here." Clay sighed, handing Lily a small paper bag. "You're welcome."





Lily took the gift reluctantly. "Is it my birthday?"


"No, stupid." Clay said. "Congratulations."

 

[Syrenrei]

Graduation Party- Jenna


Jenna smiled at Marcus broadly, genuinely, with radiance dancing behind her eyes. The light illuminated all the hope, the friendship, the broadly accepting caring that consumed her entire person and at times burst through. For better or worse she had no caution for the strange behaviors of others or their faults; instead they were merely obstacles that could be overcome with goodwill. Everyone needed someone that would strive to understand them. Were not all books and stories filled with stories of villains who became twisted and darkened by their inability to relate with others? The world today was but another chapter in a grand novel in which she was but a footnote, but she'd cover that little corner of a page with a swath of affection. For everyone. Especially Mereth who walked halls of isolation without Jenna by her side.


"Don't worry so much, Marcus. There's greatness in everyone- we just have to look harder to find it in some people. You'll see. Thanks for the help!" Taking his stated intention he was about to leave as a cue for her own departure, she leapt to her feet with the bulging bag of books. Her reclaimed phone and Gameboy were shoved into her purse and she was merrily zooming down the aisle with reckless abandon. One parent barely missed being nailed by the bag in their hip before twisting out of the way at the last minute. A beautiful little fool, Jenna thought to herself briefly as Daisy's words from The Great Gatsby crossed her mind. Oops, who was she going to visit first with her gifts?


Jenna narrowly avoided careening into Chickadee. As she came to a stop her bag swung forward and then backwards, the plastic stretching dangerously thin before regrettably holding its shape at a resting position. The brunette remained blissfully oblivious to the manic way she appeared to others as she dug into her pile of wrapped tomes and plucked out the one for this particular friend. Wrapped in a blue wrapping paper that was painted with pink flowers and petals, a little tag had Chickadee's name on it to confirm its intended recipient. "Congratulations!" Jenna beamed as she held it out with pride. "I know you have just about every book you could want, but I thought you might like this!"


Inside was a vintage book of fairy tales. The page's edges were golden, giving it a richer look than it might have deserved. The front cover and back cover were embossed with grandiose, fantastical swirls that gave it a whimsical look deserving of any fantasy printing. A Collection of Classic Tales was the lackluster title. But what great things were contained within! The pages that were not covered in text had what appeared to be hand-painted depictions of the actions of all the various characters. Tissue paper pages preceded these pages to keep the ink and colour from smearing or otherwise becoming disturbed. In the bottom left corner of each carefully imagined scene was a signature of an obscure artist. "I hope you like it!" Where had Jenna found such a thing? And why had she given it to Chickadee? The answer was relatively simple. Instead of trying to find a publication that the literature guru had not already stumbled upon, she splurged slightly more to find something that was rare. It was not as valuable as she was sure other books her friend had, as Jenna was far from rich, but it would be difficult to find again and reproduce. That was what made it special- just like her friend. Special.

 

[Killigrew]

Meredith Hall


Graduation




​

At her name, her attention flickered to the bespectacled boy. He was a familiar sight, but what he held in his hand, an array of closely bunched roses, was a new, and not unwelcome, sight to see him with. A glorious red, they entranced her immediately, but she did not keep her gaze there long. Mereth raised her sight to his face and locked eyes.


"You came."


She almost smiled.


She wasn't supposed to, not to him. "Be cold, be distant." The words rung in her mind, froze her expression. "That's what this one wants." She felt her father's arm over her shoulders, a warmth spreading out from it, his palm rubbing into her the cheap blue fabric.


Mereth looked up at him and he smiled fondly down on her.


"Well, thank you, Daniel." Mereth's eyes sparkled as she turned. "You are much too kind. I couldn't..." But the flowers demanded she did. A little giddy, she took up the bouquet and pressed her face into the cushion of red; she was soon enveloped in the refreshing, intoxicating odor.


Father kept steady his hand upon her. "Have you got yourself a job yet, Owens?" Were his first words to the boy, a needling question. Friendliness abounded in the man's expression but it only went so far as his eyes. Those were sharp as knives as he regarded the boy.


A chortle shook his throat, and father readjusted his arm on Mereth, dropping it slowly and purposefully to her waist. "Oh, golly... that was rude of me." A smile ran across the lower half of his face. Mereth felt her father shuffle, heard the rustle of his coat as he withdrew his pocketed hand and raised it towards Daniel.


"Let me first thank you for coming."





@VainRochester

 

[Jays]

Thane, Graduation. After graduation.

​

All Thane got from his parents was a pat on the back from his father, who showed no sign of satisfaction or pride whatsoever. But it suited the gesture, which instead of "Good job" or "Well done" was actually "You are not a failure after all". And that was all he was going to get, ever. They weren't cold or cruel toward him, not exactly, nor were they unloving and uncaring. Oh, his parents loved and cared for him very much, he knew that. It was just that their way of showing it was rather...unique. Mr. and Mrs. Solcier, twice made it into top 10 businessman of the year each, geniuses in finance and administration, believed in self-achieving. No help, no affection, that is how the child grows up strong and confident. Instead they created a mentally unstable son. Of course Thane never told his parents about it, but he could imagine their reaction all too well.


Being near them made him nervous, and being nervous bring out the rational persona. Once they're gone, well. Thane turned back into his sensitive self. The emotional atmosphere started to affect him, everyone laughing or crying, making him felt sad and self-pitying. Where were his graduation gifts? Where were his hugs and laughters and cheers? Hell, a girl even got some flowers.


"Snap out of it, sissy. You're not 2. You're not starving on the street. You are not orphanage. You are a genius with a bright future and a corporation along with a mountain of money to inherit. Get over it." That's it right there, his logically side, not being optimistic but matter-of-fact. But his other side disagreed. And as always, Thane retreated from the crowd to find a quiet space to argue with himself. Or to brood. May be both. It's very likely. And his rational persona started at it again.

 

[Kal]

Alli Vorona, Graduation Aftermath


"DAAAD!" Alli exclaimed at a pitch closer to one end of the scale rather than the center. She had spotted him before he spotted her, but that was the usual case, he was quite tall and towered over most crowds, making him a beacon of sorts, as Alli often liked to tease him to be. The moment he was spotted, she made a straight shot to him, a missile in the crowd, a blur of flowing robes. Soon as he was in range, the missile of flesh and bone launched off the ground to strike!


He was obviously ready for her, she was by no means subtle. He caught her in the air, hugging his beloved child to him. "There's my little bird!" She squeezed him back as hard as she could, "Did you see me?!" she questioned excitedly as if she were ten again and had played her part as a tree in the school play. Come to think of it, that was exactly how she'd acted when she was ten and had gotten her first part in the school play.


"Of course I did, wouldn't have missed it for the world." He put his teen daughter down, and couldn't help but laugh heartily at the way she beamed. At his age, he knew the hype of graduating high school was merely that, hype. That the real world was not as exciting, and perhaps more heartbreaking, than the young ones would be prepared for. But she'd have plenty of time to figure that out on her own, that wasn't the sort of knowledge he wanted to impart her with.


She chattered away about a guy and his hat and how it'd fallen off, and how the rain of hats was fairly painful, surprisingly enough, after they'd come down from being thrown eagerly into the air by hundreds of hands. He listened to the motormouth, sharing a few stories of his own, till,


"Looks like I'll have to head back to the station," he said, checking his watch, "But I'm assuming you already have plans with your friends."





Alli nodded, "Mhm, oh! And there's gonna be party! Lily tex- ACK I never texted Lily back!" Or Jenna! Alli reached into her pocket, fishing out her phone. Her dad, used to her antics by now, didn't even blink an eye. This was normal. He hugged her and they exchanged goodbyes before he left. YES! she texted Lilly back, and then to Jenna, Jenna!! You're the best!!


Coincidentally, just as she sent the text and looked up from her phone, she saw Jenna and Chickadee. "Guys!" she exclaimed energetically, waving towards them before bounding over. She gave Chickadee a warm hug, "Congrats Chicka!" before letting her go and giving Jenna an equally warm hug, "Thank you so much for coming!"

 

[Babel]

Chickadee jumped a little bit when Jenna suddenly appeared. She had been deep in thought, trying to think about what she could possibly do then. A couple thoughts that had gone through her head was to goto the local ice-cream parlor and pig-out by getting all the flavors she could afford on one cone and eating them there. That surely embarrass her parents, but she didn't really care. Maybe she wanted to embarrass them. What could they do? Chickadee looked at Jenna, those thoughts disappearing, for now, then smiled brightly.


"Thank you, Jenna! " Chickadee said then took the present and are fully opened it, finding it a shame to just tear up the pretty wrapping-paper. A little squeal escaped her mouth when she saw what it was. Chickadee was never really allowed to read fairy-tales anymore because her parents deemed them "childish". Chickadee hugged Jenna on impulse, clearly absolutely delighted. ''I got something for you too!" the girl told her friend then took a present out of her bag for Jenna.


It was an old, rare game-boy game. Chickadee didn't know exactly what to get her, but tried her best. Chickadee squeaked in surprise When Alli hugged her and she hugged her back then got out a present for her. It was a pretty showglobe that played music. Again, Chickadee was not the best gift-giver, but was trying.

​

 

[Syrenrei]

Crappy Little Town Outside Hyr- Arcden and Greyden


Greyden straightened up and looked slightly more alert as Zaria approached and then leaned against the wall next to him. He cast her a look as he mulled over Arcden's reminder that 'she is a woman.' It was easier for his psyche to just think of her as just another man and the ladies of the brothel as women. Zaria did not dress in any way to draw attention to her gender and was neither delicate nor coy. It was a touch unsettling now that he actually thought about it. Shaking his head free of the thoughts, he stared skyward and distracted himself by thinking of his stern, somber sibling. "He's just sharpening one while we are in town and have some free time," he shrugged. Greyden spoke frequently, but was very rarely reflective or profound in any meaningful way. "It doesn't really matter how sharp the edge is or how cleanly it slices. He's in there grinding his emotions on that stone."


Arcden had few feelings that he displayed: annoyance, occasional anger, contentment, or the like. While neither man had cried in her presence, Arcden also never really smiled. Greyden deflected, joked, jabbed, and used words to paint a portrait of what passed through his mind. The elder twin simply sat in his silence most of the time, looking neither unhappy or happy, focused on whatever task he had in his hands at the time. It took some time to read the nuances of Greyden's emotions beyond the mask that he wore, but it was very possible as he did not take great care to conceal much. Arcden yet remained a mystery. Even his own mother and father had found him impossible to read, but his brother saw and read into those same features and could discern minute passes here and there. With a sigh, Greyden revealed one more nugget of information. "He's either worried or upset. It's hard to tell. I'll go get him or we'll be here all day."


When Greyden turned and stepped into the blacksmith he saw Arcden holding his dagger up to his eye, scrutinizing the right side of the blade to determine if there was a flaw that needed further work. His cloak had been removed and he was stripped down to his waist on account of the heat emanating from the forge where the blacksmith hammered away at a bastard sword. The gruff man had found approval in Arcden's stoic nature and knowledge. Had they not been purposefully hardened into assassins, Arcden could have easily found a home working in an environment such as this. The demanding physical nature of the work and the beautiful products that could be made was something that he greatly admired. "Arc, Zaria's back," Greyden yelled over the clanking of the hammer on steel. His last word was accentuated by the hiss of hot metal dunked in water.


Arcden nodded to the blacksmith as a sign of gratitude for being allowed to use the grinding wheel. He silently stuck the dagger back in its worn sheath and exited the building to rejoin Zaria where she was carving. Arcden nodded to their companion as well and motioned that they join him for a walk out behind the building wherein they might have some privacy. Without waiting for either he turned and strode forward, easing back into his tunic, coat, and cloak silently. Neither sibling had much in the way of scarring (be it on their torso or anywhere else), but Arcden had taken more wounds than Greyden- some on purpose. He tended to fling himself into the line of fire if there was a chance that anyone else of importance might be injured otherwise.


The grassy knoll behind the blacksmith was deserted. No homes were built in close proximity due to the fire hazard and noise produced every day by the work. Greyden didn't find it quite as soothing a place to be as Arcden but he couldn't complain about the lack of eyes on them. It would be easy to step further away should they still be worried that there would be prying eyes. Either was agreeable to whatever Zaria suggested as they didn't hide their profession so much as much be expected. "I really hope whoever they want dead is a particularly bad guy."


"I see we received an advance," Arcden stated as he noted the pouch in Greyden's hand. It was then that Greyden finished processing the warning from Zaria not to spend all his money on food and hookers and the smile upon his lips twitched downwards into a frown. Damned spoilsport. These two were so full of business they wouldn't know 'fun' if it crashed landed on top of them. Anyone who got into a staring contest with a campfire was pretty boring, in his opinion- no matter how much he liked them. "Don't worry, I won't spend it in a brothel or on food," Greyden sighed. "I'll wait until the target has been disposed of and then I'll spend it on liquor. For all of us! We can celebrate right before we go to Iesti. Heavens know only liquor can make it less painful to return." Arcden sighed but didn't disagree. Immediately Greyden began scheming to figure out a way to get his brother properly wasted. Only once, when they were teens, was he successful in doing so and it was something that was worth repeating.


@Auren


 
Never-ending Graduation Cermony- Jenna


"Red!" Jenna was just as enthusiastic as her senior, even though she was not herself graduating. It was a touch sad that everyone was moving on, but she still had plenty of people in her own grade to consort with over the next year. After a slightly-too-long-and-too-tight hug, Jenna accepted the game from Chickadee with wide eyes. "Oh, oh! I don't have this one! Thanks!" She started to reach into her purse to immediately insert it into the handheld console when she remembered the straining bag that was slowly slipping out of her hand. As grateful as she was, there were still several gifts that needed to go to their intended recipients before everyone left. There was no telling who would attend the party later and who would be busy with their families or other friends. To linger here would slight those that were still waiting for their congratulatory praise and recognition- even if it was from an eccentric junior.


"I got you something," she bubbled out with excitement. This book had been wrapped in red and brown striped paper and similarly tagged to Chickadee's. For Red she had tried to pick a tale that spanned several books, but had enough diversity to keep the attention of someone more flighty. She also knew her friend was quirky enough to toy with her appearance and perceived gender, so it wouldn't bother her to read something from the perspective of a man rather than a woman. The book was Dragon Wing and part of a series called The Death Gate Cycle. It had been a great read for Jenna and the world-building had earned her praise. The first book took place in a land of air and introduced the protagonists and some of the antagonists to the reader- enough to give Red a taste. It was difficult to pair people with fiction as it was impossible to predict their taste in such things. Still, Jenna liked it enough that Red might likewise find it enjoyable. Hopefully. It was between that and a modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but Jenna didn't want to be cliche.


And it also seemed extremely unlikely that her friends would appreciate computer or video games for graduation presents. As open and accepting as they all were, there was a certain threshold of tolerance that many had.


"If you like it, I can mail you the rest of the series one at a time until you finish," she offered. It wouldn't actually keep her from having the book to lend it out; she had both digital and hard copies of most of her favorite stories. The bag was looking slightly better at the removal of the two hardcover editions that had been removed and distributed. Lily was talking to her parents, Mereth was with her father, Thane with his parents, Kaz wandering around, and a few other casual acquaintances getting ready to make their exits.


@pastel stitchings & @Kal

 

[Killigrew]

Spoiler

Ludovic of Hyr


Northeastern Upolo Forest

​

The clanging, slicing, crying out all mixed in together, insulated by the cover of trees, as the mercs overcame the bandit camp.


They were outnumbered two to one, but the mercs had the advantage in skill, in discipline, and in spirit. The bandits fought ferocious, like wild animals, throwing themselves at the mercs. But their moves were sloppy, their drunkenness a bridle. Ludovic and Seurn had charged into the mess together, and faced five slimy bandits on their two, slicing and stabbing their blades at them. His long blonde hair afloat, Seurn deflected and danced around the attacks, a flurry of ducks, thrusts, and kicks. He was agile, light, quick, and deadly. Ludovic was a foil, barraging through his enemies, shouldering his way through steel and teeth and piercing his enemy through to the root.


Disaster struck when a merc fell. Osbourne, unfortunate green lad, was cut down by a flame-red bandit, the man's axe chopping his head clean off. The skirmish ended to Seurn's back, and that same bandit, heaving his axe from the dead man's body, turned on Ludo's oblivious friend.


"Aft!" Ludo roared, and Seurn made to turn, but too late. The axe cleaved into his abdomen, and Seurn fell to slam against the earth. The bandits he'd kept busy now moved for his fallen form, their blades raised, sneering.


As their weapons fell, Ludo threw his spear, and it plowed into the nearest of the lot, straight through his abdomen and drawing out a braying scream. Ludo didn't cease his pounding pace, and charged right into the next, tackling him down to the ground, pinning his sword arm into the earth. As the third of them turned his blade mid-swing towards Ludo, the Hyrian fell back, hands reaching behind him to grasp the shaft of his submerged spear. Pulling it out of the screeching bandit, a stream of blood to follow, the barbarian faced his two foes and roared like the Saber-Tiger, deep and guttural and wild.


The first one came from the right, his mace a-swing, not one to be blocked, only dodged. He went for Ludo's feet while the second's sword sang for Ludo's throat. Ludo jumped forward at the first of them, grabbing the man's arm and throwing him bodily to the ground just as the second one's blade connected to Ludo's speartip. Ludo twisted his weapon downward and the bandit withdrew, eyeing Ludo with surprising wariness. Ludo snorted. He lowered into a predatory stance, shoulders forward, legs shifting.


From behind, Seurn raised up slowly, groaning, a hand stemming the glaring flow of red from his abdomen. From his knees he swung his blade at the bandit's ankles, and the bandit, hearing it, skittering away, but Ludo's spear snaked out, catching him, its fang stopping just before the bearded bandit's neck.


Breathing heavily, chest heaving, Ludo realized that the clearing was silent. A snapping of his eyes to and from the last bandit's face showed a bloody battlefield, but a battlefield of victory. The armored mercs, tattered but grinning, had won.


His attention was to the man in front of him.


"Are you their leader?" Ludo's lip curled in disgust as he asked.


The bandit's mouth stretched wide, and a sliver of rotted teeth broke past.


"Are you?" Ludo asked again, pressing the point in further. A trickle of blood dripped down.


"Pfeh." The bandit spat. "Ye only ask so ye'll be havin' less to hold. Carry all our heads back, what's it to ya?"


"Nothing to me." Ludo growled. "But to you it's a last meal and a few more days of life. And someone's god to make right with, even."


"His face matches the paintin' well enough." Said one of his men. Tress, the chubby one. He sat on one of the corpses and leaned forward on his sword.


Ludo pulled his long weapon back, letting the blade graze against the man's neck as he did. "Then bind and take him." The bandit touched his neck in shock. A slight flow seeped from the cut.


The wounded Seurn staggered forward. Ludo hooked Seurn's arm over his shoulder and steadied the fellow, who laughed a little to himself. And then cursed at himself for laughing. Ludo set the man back down, ignoring his protests.


The blood was dripping thick and dark under his armor, which was really only a light layer of metal. Ludo unhinged the top of it, peeling it slowly off the wound. Seurn hissed, turning his head away.


"Well, how's it look?" His voice was tight with pain, but he did a good job of hiding it.


Ludo tore the end of Seurn's shirt into long strips. His face drawn and grim, he tied them tight around Seurn's abdomen as the man stiffened and groaned.


The pain was clear in the man's face. "You'll make it." Ludo said, but inside he was uncertain. They were far from the nearest town.


Ludo grit his teeth.


Standing, he raised his arm to the rest of them, palm open. The bandit was roped and tied; the mercs had taken turns kicking him and beating on him in the meantime.


"Enough, men." Ludo said. He pulled a muttering Seurn up. "It's time."


"Start walking."

 

[VainRochester]

Daniel Owens




​

She liked it. She liked the flowers. Owens can barely contain his ecstasy. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly in an attempt to curl into a smile, but the static expression that he always wore refused to shift, and silenced the twitch with no effort at all. Make no mistake about it, thought. He was happy. Really happy that she accepted his gift. He wanted her to accept more than just the gift. Accept him. He was there, always, for her. For her alone, he would be anywhere at all, even if he had to bury the whole world under his feet.


"Have you got yourself a job yet, Owens?"


The voice interrupted his thoughts. The father, he realised, was talking to him. Possibly testing him. Owens knew about the father as well. Marked down everything about him. Could get him hanged at least more than a few times with his own information. However, Owens did not need to tango with this certain individual. After all, his beloved’s beloved is something he cannot touch. Not now. Owens gave a huff and looked up towards the ceiling, once more hiding his eyes slightly. “I’m still studying in the area of law. I do, however, have a part-time job.” He tapped his glasses and looked back straight at Meredith’s father’s eyes, his own solid and unfeeling. No lies. No truths. Nothing. A blank slate. Like always. Unlike the daggers that dug into his eyes that differed from his jovial expression, Owens’ steely defense was as hard as his expression. The father gave a chortle and stretched out his hand, apologizing for his rudeness, before offering a strong hand that had been hidden in his pocket.


Owens’ hand twitched slightly, as if hesitating. Then he reached forwards and grasped the offered hand. “You’re welcome, Mr. Hall. For your daughter,” Owens shook the hand, “anything at all.”


@Killigrew

 

[Killigrew]

Meredith Hall


Post-Graduation

​

Father nodded, looking satisfied. He knew of Owens' talents, and, perhaps more importantly, he comprehended the boy's devotion. For that reason, he withdrew his hand slowly, caution deterring the movement. "Good lad." The words came out slow. "I'll hold you to that." His hand readjusted itself, rising up Mereth's side. "I assume you're attending that party, too?"


Mereth's attention wandered. She turned her gaze over the crowd of clustering bodies, seeing the arrays of flowers, ballons, and anticipatory grins. The auditorium was roaring with voices, cluttered with people, like too many animals stuffed in a cage. It was primed for marking. All of them swept up in sublimity, heedless of restrictions, of caution and care.


Mereth swayed towards it.


Father seemed to notice. He chuckled. "Don't let me stop you. Owens, why don't you and Mereth go visit your friends. I'll hole up in the car, don't you worry." His hand reached around her and pulled away the fragant bouquet. Mereth spun after it, picking out a single rose and twirling it just below her nose. Father grinned at that, his free hand ruffling her hair.


"She's always loved flowers." He informed Owens.





@VainRochester

 

[Kal]

Alli Vorona, Graduation Aftermath


Alli took the snowglobe from Chickadee in both hands, her mouth agape with delight. She, of course, immediately shook it and watched the little snowflakes swirl around in the created torrent. Then, predictably, turned the key on the underside of the globe and listened to it play. "This is so cute, thank you Chickadee!" she gave her fellow graduate a one-armed hug, holding the globe in the other hand.


As if that wasn't enough, Jenna too handed Alli a present. If Red could overdose on glee, now would be the time it would happen. Rip rip rip rip! Like a dog set on wrapped Christmas gifts, Alli instantly shred the outside paper. Though it seemed reckless, she was actually taking care not to damage whatever was inside, even if it didn't look like it. DRAGON WING was on its cover in big, bold yellow lettering. Below the title were two men on a large dragon, flying high above a kingdom's castle. She smiled widely, tucking the globe under arm to be able to flip through the pages.





"If you like it, I can mail you the rest of the series one at a time until you finish," Jenna offered her.


"Really?" Though Alli didn't seem like the book type, that wasn't the case. She loved a good read, but never quite found the time to peruse through shelves of books to try and find the right one. This one definitely looked like a good one, and perhaps she felt that way because it'd been given to her, but that didn't make a difference. Soon as she got the chance, she'd chuck all her pillows onto one side of her bed and settle in for the long read. Alli hugged the book to her chest, the globe not budging from under her arm. "Thank you Jenna! I'm seriously gonna miss you, chicka!"

 

[Sol]

Lazarus, Upolonian Plains.


"Who sent you on that job two years ago!?"


"I-I-I..."


"What? You can't talk so you'll just soil yourself!? You're human! Act like one!"


The man had resorted to whimpering now. Aside from the obvious fear in his eyes, the crack in his voics and stench of his droppings and the sight of it staining his clothes was a little too degrading. He delivered a swift decapitation to the man to save him from further shame. Another lead on the two year old murder of Ederra Stenhardt gone. He hoped that these bandits would have answers, instead they gave him sword blades and threats to which he returned them their dead and terror. Another wasted link.


"Serriah! We're leaving. Did you slay the rest? I don't want these bandits terrorizing the towns."


Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

 

[Babel]

Chickadee smiled softly and nodded. "No problem," she told the other girl. Actually, Chickadee had spent practically an hour at a store carefully selecting the snowglobe. She was positive that if she spent any long the workers would have called the cops on her because they thought she was doing some suspicious, which would have unpleasant.


Chickadee looked at Jenna and hugged her new/old book close to her. She would have to hide it from her parents until she headed off to the college she had been accepted to. After that, she could do what she wanted...as long as it was legal and not stupid of course. Well...maybe doing something stupid wouldn't be such a bad thing, just not anything too stupid. Chickadee snapped out of her head as she remembered something.


"Hey, um...are you guys going to that party?" she asked them.

 

[Kaine]

Serriah - Upolonian Plains.


She turned the corner with a man in his arms, pleading for this life. His cries and whines as shameful as the other who had lost his head at the same moment they entered the room.


“The rest were removed from their place among the living. This one though...”


She held the cold steel of her slender blade against the mans throat. Blood dripped from where the blade barely slid across his skin. Terror written all over his face. The man, or really a boy, only about 16, pleaded again and again.


“Please! Please! I joined dis gang ta feed my lil’ sista. Please! I know where his stash is! He use ta meet people n such up dere.! Ya might find sometin dere, please jus let me live! I’ll do anything!!”


His stature was up straight, on toes trying to evade her blade.


“This one may have intel. Do you still wish to end him?” Her cold, emotionless tone cutting more than her blade. She moved in closer to his ear, “If you’re lying, I’ll kill you and your ‘sista’...”

 

[Syrenrei]

Graduation Party- Jenna I can't think of another lame joke for a title here





"I'm going!" Jenna blurted out. "I ended up sitting next to Marcus, so I invited him to come too." After flashing a smile at Red, who was pleased with Jenna's choice of literature, her eyes traveled backwards over the crowd. As the various friends and families of the graduates swarmed their loved ones, it created a kaleidoscope of faces that were difficult to discern from each other. The bag still had a few more journeys to make before it was properly emptied and she was ever so anxious to make sure no one was missed. Rationally she was aware the seniors weren't exactly expecting a gift from their junior. Eager to rush off to college they were more excited to show off their diplomas, enjoy dinner out with the family, and maybe plan out their last summer at home. Still, she was eager to give everyone the parting favor they were due regardless of their status or anticipation.


"Oh, oh! I think I see Thane. I'll see you guys later. Hey, let me know if you want me to drive you!" Not many people rode with Jenna often. It took a certain amount of courage to ride with someone that viewed road signs as suggestions and frequently 'missed' speed limits. There was no accounting for why she had not been ticketed, in an accident, or scorned by the heavens for her inattentive behavior. There were blind senior citizens that were better operators of a motor vehicle. With a wave of her hand, Jenna was off through the crowd, her bag swinging wildly back and forth. People parted for the brunette lunatic lunging through them in a subconscious awareness of the the threat she posed on their safety.


Unfortunately for Thane (and Lily if she managed to make it over there in time), Jenna had spotted him. It didn't matter that they weren't really friends. Jenna had a soft spot the size of Jupiter for students on the fringes of social groups. Attempts to spurn her were rarely successful and usually required copious amounts of swearing, violence, and avoidance- and most simply didn't exert that effort. It was easier to humor the friendly geek. "Congratulations Thane! I got you something to take with you!" A book was yanked out of her bag, wrapped in a white and black checkered paper.


Inside was a book titled Nine Princes of Amber, the first installment in The Chronicles of Amber. It was an older serious, one she was willing to gamble that barely anyone in their high school knew about or read. The author had died some time ago, but his collection had earned him quite a bit of acclaim and praise. The book detailed the adventures of a gentleman named Corwin in his self-discovery. While she didn't know much about Thane, she was quite aware that most of her peers were on a path of self-discovery. Hopefully he would find something relevant contained within. Perhaps what she found most intriguing (other than world-building) in the series was that family was not just a collection of people with warm, friendly relations. Corwin's family was just as, if not moreso, dangerous than other people and creatures encountered. Hopefully he wouldn't find this notion terribly offensive to his ideologies.


@Jason Rorstiel

 

[Auren]

xBoldan - Just Outside Hyr - Zaria L’instxxxxxxx






Zaria snapped her gaze up towards Greyden when he mentioned that his brother was worried or upset about something. Her brow furrowed a bit in worry, wondering what could have Arcden to the point where he needed a place of familiarity to calm down. When Arcden emerged and nodded, she put her totem and knife away before following him around back. She couldn’t help but look at the scars on Arcden’s back. Some she knew the cause of, and some she did not. It was apart of the job, but she wondered if they ever thought of doing something else.




She glanced around, looking at the surroundings when Arcden mentioned the advance. She felt her lips tug up into a wide grin, a bit of mischievousness in her eyes. She met his gaze, about to say something when Greyden finally processed her earlier warning. Her grin turned into a lopsided one, though she didn’t approve. It was Greyden’s way to show his care for them, she supposed. And then she realized something. He said they would go to Iesti.

”You’ll really go to Iesti with me?”

she asked, her eyes brightening for a moment, her eyes crinkling with her smile. She was a bit surprised, and showed more emotion that she had intended. But, she held it, because it was her true feelings. After a moment, she let her smile go. Clearing her throat, Zaria walked over to Arcden and handed his portion of the pay before stepping away to pull the envelope out of her cloak.





”The target is pretty typical, Grey,”

she started

,”But according to our client he’s bad enough. Raping women, terrorizing the relatives, and kidnapping our client's daughter.”

She turned her gaze to Greyden’s.

”And no, I don’t know how pretty she is.”

She glanced over the information on the paper again before handing it to Arcden to read. He was more likely to take the time to read it over in case she forgot something. Not that she forgot much of anything, being her occupation to hold intelligence. But she let the twins have the assurance that the paper held.

”He was last seen running towards Hyr, and is probably still running if he has the client’s daughter. I’m sure I’ll be able to find him easily enough. From the information, he doesn’t seem to be the type to cover his trail.”




With that she glanced around them again, giving the boys time to look over the information. They may not have cared to keep their occupation a secret, but she did not like to be spied on. Her gaze finally fell on the road that headed outside of town. They needed to start walking soon. The journey was going to be a long and cold one.

 

[Sythril]

After a few exchanging of quotes and greetings and gifts between Lily and her family, they all decided that they'd just keep in touch and all communicate to each other about it. After all, they had their own things to do.





"You wanna join the party?!" Lily asked eagerly, almost bouncing off the floor.


"No." Clay said sternly and straightforwardly, and went off with their parents.


"Aw. Okay."





As Lily strode and walked around, looking for a few people, she couldn't help but momentarily and gratefully glance at every graduate (and non-graduate) that would walk up to her, and/ or give her a gift, too. This first one was a fellow batchmate.


"Congratulations, Lily!"


"Thanks, Al!" Lily beamed, looking at the paper bag that her brother gave her and the additional gift held in one arm. With her free hand she held her cellphone, which she would check every now and then for new messages. Althea nodded to her, and Lily went on and continued walking.


"Um, well, good job." Another graduate walked with her, which Lily didn't mind. However, the young man seemed a little down for an occasion like this. "I'm really sorry I couldn't get you a gift." He mumbled, looking intently at the gifts that Lily was holding.


"Get me a gift? That's okay!" Lily nodded to herself, and whispered next to the fellow graduate. "Just between you and me, it's really not my birthday." She said in a very suspecting tone that made the male beside her laugh and snort.


"Right on that, Lily." He said, a little happier this time. "Well, see you."


"See ya, Ron." And just like that, she continued walking.


"That's Marci for you!" A loud voice screamed delightfully beside Lily.


"For who?" Lily asked, pausing in her tracks, just to think.


"Forget it." Lilac chuckled. Lily just had enough time to swiftly turn back and see another fellow graduate there.


"Hey there, Lilac." Lily said with a big grin, and continued to walk again.


"Hey there, Lily." Lilac said back, laughing after that. She held up a small plastic bag with swirly decorations, which Lily stared at with awe. "You remember this?"


"Your little bag of sweet goodies, yes!" Lily nodded enthusiastically.


"Well, it's yours." Lilac placed the ribbon supporting it on Lily's fingers, just so that it was hanging from there. "Congratulations--ah, I gotta go." She said, and jogged away, waving off. "Those are limited edition!"


Lily stared at her fleeing back gratefully. "Thanks, Lilac." She said even though she knew it wouldn't be heard anymore, and continued her search.


"Heeeey, Valdez!" A non-graduate this time, put his arm around Lily's shoulder.


"Hi there, Rico-senpai!" Lily said, referencing a japanese honorific. She received a little pat on the head from her underclassman.


"So, you're out of high school now, eh? Oh..." He nodded to himself, and dug on his pocket. Lily stared at his working hand. Was he detonating a bomb in there? Was he secretly crushing jelly beans? Does he want to go to the bathroom? Countless thoughts rushed in her mind until he brought out something small... what was it?


A lollipop.


"Are you hungry?" She asked, and the only answer she received was a newly-unwrapped piece of candy in her mouth. "Werlp." She mumbled. "Thankes, Rerko-sernper!"


"Anytime. You need help?" He asked, and Lily shook her head. "Guess not. See 'ya on the other side, Valdez!" He grinned, walking away to another underclassman, perhaps.


"Whert ders det mern?" She said, and stopped in her tracks when she finally found the people she wanted to see.


A few more people walked and talked to her and gave her congratulatory gifts before she could actually focus on what she was doing in the first place. She shook her head and inserted all those little gifts inside the paper bag (which also had a gift) that her brother gave her, so that carrying didn't have to be so difficult. She could just check those gifts later, for now, she had to look for people. Over there was Red, Chickadee and Jenna. But at another, not too far, was Thane. He looked a little troubled. But he always did, though. Nonetheless, Lily walked to him.





"Heyr, Thern!" She grinned, looking at him head to toe. She didn't know why, but she'd always do that whenever Thane was in front of her. Maybe it was just to check if he was all right, all those times.


Then she looked at Jenna, whom she was surprised to see, kind of. "Heyr, Jernr!" Lily smiled, soon staring at the gift that was handed over to Thane.





Earlier, Jenna was at some other area, but now she was here. Maybe she teleports. Lily thought to herself in awe, snapping back into reality in what seemed to be a few minutes later. "Is irt Thern's berthder?" Lily muttered. Maybe it was everyone's birthday. "Irs nert mer berthder ther." She said, matter-of-factly.

 

[VainRochester]

Daniel Owens

​

“They’re as much as friends as those sleeping with the fish are.” Owens said, his voice ever controlled and level, as he too withdrew his hand from the strong grip of the father, slowly as if sudden movement would cause something to bite at him. He said this to no one in particular, just a reassurance to himself that he had nothing to do with the lively crowd ahead of them. Meredith was released from her father’s grasp. Her little twirl she did as she took one of the roses from the bouquet nearly stole the breath from him. Her hair flew in the wind and settled as she came to a rest and started towards the crowd that drew her attention. “The party, huh? I will only attend if Meredith allows me to, ah…accompany her.” Owens nodded to Meredith’s father and moved to Meredith’s side.


For just one second, a forlorn expression was worn on his face, cast towards Meredith. He reached forwards to her hand, paused, and instead raised it to scratch his cheek. His lips parted slightly as if to speak once more, then he sealed them again as he stopped whatever words were going to escape his tongue, which had been surprisingly loosed by her presence. After a moment more, he started. “Do you mind, Meredith, if I were to follow you?” He pursed his lips, then went on to add “Just saying, I’m fine if you…don’t require my presence. After all, I don’t,” he breathed in, exhaled, and continued, “have the adequate amount of charisma to match your beauty.” His eyes lingered on her face a bit longer before he turned away, and the look in his eyes and face left, hardening back to the straight, emotionless mask.


A whisper, almost lost in the crowd, escaped from his lips. “Sorry.”





@Killigrew

 

[Sol]

LAZARUS, UPOLONIAN PLAINS.


Serriah was indeed his grandest creation. He never intended for her to follow him around since her "birth" but she has proven quite the companion. It had taken him too much to craft her, yet the gain always outweighed his loss. At the very least Lazarus did not want to forget the man that was his namesake.


In any case, Serriah had hauled in a young boy. He was barely a man and yet he already consorted with bandits and brigands. His whole family must be ashamed of him. Since he was a bandit and therefore committed sins against the people of Upolo then he must be executed like the rest. However he was only a boy, Lazarus would at least allow him some chance to save himself from the cold steel of the axe.


"Tell me, boy, who is your sister? Where does she live? What does she do? Also, what do you know of what I am looking for?"


If he could answer those first questions and everything lined up, Lazarus would not kill him. However, one error and he will not live to see past the questioning. Lazarus had memorized the recent census after all.


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