Fantasy Crimson Streets

[Luminescent]

Prudence Caroline Ashford


She didn't respond to Alfyn, as she saw his comment rude and inconsiderate. Just because she was as so young, doesn't mean she isn't as smart as them. She was possibly smarter. If she were to say anything, it would've been a lecture, so she kept her mouth shut. She didn't like adults. They always underestimated her.


She nodded to Ishi, and turned to see the new person. Their group was getting too crowded. One more and she would hide. She could easily disappear after the feast and leave. Once she had what she wanted, she could go.


"What did they all have in common?" she pondered.

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi acknowledged the young man Alfyn’s words with a nod, and a “Pleased to meet you.” and with a quick look to the guard whom he was entrusted to, “I am sure we will be under way as soon as our escorts deem us ready. There seems to be some confusion at the moment…?” he answers, trying to see exactly what the source of said confusion was. His eyes moved between the group questioning.

 

[Dragongal]

"Thank you," Polaris said in response to Alfyn's compliment. When he asked Prudence if the letter was mistakenly addressed to her, She gave him a look of, "you shouldn't have said that...." She ignored Ishi's comment, not to be rude, but because she had no idea how to respond to it.


She noticed the lad wearing all black who had joined them. She also noticed that, despite Alfyn's introducing himself, the boy didn't say his name. "A large group we're forming," she commented to him. "I'm Polaris. What's your name?"

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi turned to face the woman with the beautiful auburn red hair, with a bold lock of white that ran down her right side. Polaris she named herself.


She was a strikingly pretty young lady, with a formidable air about her. Alexi wasted little time in determining that she no doubt could use both the sword and shield at her back with competence. It was obvious to him as well, that she was no stranger to a hard life. Her garb though flattering, was also of a practical design. She wore the deep greens of the forest, a color that complimented the lovely spectrum of reds of her hair that shimmered in the mid day sun.





"My apologies, my name is Alexi my lady. I meant no affront, I was merely distracted by the prior confusion." he said sincerely.





Drawing back his hood, revealed his thick black head of hair and long bangs that half hid his face, yet revealed the one piercing cobalt blue iris his bangs failed to hide.


Stepping closer he lifted his head of his barely five foot frame, to quickly pan the faces of each in turn.





"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you all." he said inclining his head in a gesture of respect.


"I am anxious myself to see more of what awaits us all, and ready when you all are!" he proclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.


There was a wriggling at his left shoulder beneath the cloak, when suddenly the pink snuffling nose, little black eyes and generous black ears poked their way out from under the cloaks edge. "Introductions all around then?" Alexi smiled. "Again, my name is Alexi, and this little guy is my friend Mika." he said, scratching behind the black rat's ear, the pale white of his own cheeks briefly taking on the tinged crimson of a blush.

 

[Luminescent]

Prudence Caroline Ashford


Prudence laughed at the boy to herself. The guard, having seen little magic, was still in awe of the disappearing act the child had pulled. He calmed himself a bit when the boy pointed it out.


"I apologize, sir. I thought I had lost the one I was to escort, but it seems I was mistaken. Please forgive me."


Prudence laughed at the guard. He was making up excuses now. She stared at the hooded boy.


"He fancies Polaris. It's clear to see. To my eye, at least." she thought.

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


Polaris laughed lightly with the guard at the boy's comment. She was surprised when the rat's head popped out, but not upset. She was surprised by the boy's pallor when he removed his hood, even more so by the vivacity of his eyes - or what she could see of them. She said, "Nice to meet you, Alexi, oh and Mika too, but please, no 'my lady' necessary."

 

[Aristos Fortuna]

Despina Vale ----- Vale Manor Forecourt ----- Inner Stein

Storming through the partially opened heavy front doors, Despina neglected her usual courteous greeting to the two guards stationed for watch. The two lightly armored swordsmen shared a concerned glance at each other, and one silently followed their mistress at a respectable distance.


Minutes earlier, Despina sat very still, knuckles gripped white as her parents ushered her into a seat closer to the head of the table. For years, she sat near the end with her brothers, and there was always some uncle, aunt, or business acquaintance of some sort to provide a buffer between them and Despina's parents. This was fine with Despina, but her parent's sudden enthusiasm ruined any appetite she had at the table. She managed to dine for a few moments before her father and mother began marketing the latest potential male suitor. If it wasn't about a government position, then it was about her future as a wife. Despina felt her brother's concerned glances from farther down the table and suddenly excused herself.


"Miss Vale..." The guard that followed her quickly caught up and about-faced, back facing her and front facing towards a steadily approaching figure. The sudden concern was less about danger and more about decorum. The incoming person walked steadily towards Despina and her guard with the setting sun to their back. Once the person got closer, it became apparent that they were a guard under the employment of The White Queen. Despina's mind flashed back to the letter she read earlier in the afternoon and gave The White Queen's guard a nod. After saluting each other, the two guards conversed a bit, and with Despina's dismissal, the Vale guard returned to their post.


"...My answer is yes. Now, please follow me as I have yet to eat dinner." Despina was still in a foul mood from earlier and in her mind, this "guard of The White Queen", no doubt hired by her father to play the role, would have no qualms about a free meal. As the walked, Despina peered at his face with scrutiny.


Hmm... either a new hire in the family or a literal stranger washed and dressed to play the part from The Second or Third?





The guard made no protest as Despina led them towards The Second Stein. True, it was the opposite direction they were supposed to head, but this lack of concern on the guard's end seemed quite telling that they had no real investment in this farce. Despina would lead him to a relatively nice restaurant in the Second Stein, but little would he know that it would be a one-way journey unless he was the real thing.


They crossed the barrier shortly, as the Vale Manor was located near the edge of a gate to The Second. After traveling some ways in, Despina and her guard came upon a group of people near the restaurant she was headed to. Normally, there would be no reaction from her, but Despina noticed that each of them had a guard accompanying them identical in uniform to hers!


"Hmm? Pardon me, did you all receive a letter as well?"

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi felt the curious stare from the young one Prudence, but didn't hold it against her. It was merely an indication of her intelligence. She was possessed of a keen and curious mind, and she well practiced in hiding it, though not so completely as her whole person apparently.


As they say Alexi thought to himself, "It takes one to know one, right?"


It was probably that she reminded him of Red of course, and what she might be like in just a few more years, but he could tell he liked her already. She had spirit.


"Oh my apologies again Ms. Polaris. Very nice to make your acquaintance. All of you in fact." he replied.


"Mika is quite pleased as well. Pastry seldom fails to get his full attention..." he added with a genuine smile as the stunning figure of a most beautiful woman, entered the scene. She was resplendent in garments of majestic purple, lavender and white. The colors of her dress played with the silver of her hair, giving the illusion of purple highlights. She had an overtly noble air about her, she carried a pair of finely crafted rapiers at her hips and her movements were of an elegant grace, almost whispering as to the deadly efficiency he expected she wielded them with. Effortlessly, she seemed almost to float across the flagstone.


Alexi had heard her question, but was physically unable to respond, so stunned by her entrance was he. He rallied, desperately trying to regain his mind and tongue before any direct call for his interaction might reveal his state of confusion.





@Mystella


@Dragongal


@Aristos Fortuna

 

[CentaurOfAutumn]

Alfyn Clements


Alfyn smiled at the interactions between the newcomers. They stood for a few seconds, before a young lady dressed in purple arrived, escorted by a guard.


"Hello!" He greeted her, "Yes, a presume we all did get a letter. What is your name? My name is Alfyn."


He pondered why they had all been chosen. They didn't seem to have anything in common. They were people of all shapes and sizes, ages and skill. Why had the queen picked them specifically? Was that all of them? How many more were on their way?

 

[Luminescent]

Prudence Caroline Ashford


She noticed the hooded boy staring back at her. That boy was smart. He wasn't an adult, and he didn't underestimate her. He knew better. She smiled at him, but caught herself and looked away.





"I can't let my guard down yet. Stiff like a board. Stiff like a board. Watch, listen, learn. Don't feel." She told herself.

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


Polaris took off her pack, and pulled out one of her two sweet pastries, offering it to Alexi and Mika. "Here. I don't want it."


She looked to the newcomer in purple, smiling to her. She glanced to Alfyn, raising her eyebrows; she mouthed "Six of us?" to him. She looked between Alexi and Prudence, noting their exchange of glances.


She returned her glance to Despina, saying, "Introductions all around, like Alfyn said. I'm Polaris. It's nice to meet you, madame."

 

[Aristos Fortuna]

Despina Vale ----- Second Stein

A man with blonde hair and a scythe greeted Despina first out of the group. The way he wore the scythe suggested that it was a weapon more than a tool for gathering wheat, as Despina had learned in her agriculture studies, not that she would have any use for it really. His choice of weapon piqued her interest and Despina made note to someday request a friendly duel.


"Alfyn... very nice to meet you, I am Desp-, I am Dessie."


My father... hired all of them?? Is he really smart enough to predict my coming here?? Or is this actually a genuine request from The White Queen... then that gracious meal sounds pretty fabulous right now, I wish I ate something before storming out, stupid me!


Another from the group greeted her as well shortly after Alfyn, a fiery-haired woman most likely close to her age, but probably much more experienced and mature than her. Despina smiled back at them and also introduced herself again to Polaris, despite her most likely hearing her the first time. It simply felt more personal and courteous.


"A pleasure to meet you, Polaris, I am Dessie."

 

[Luminescent]

Prudence Caroline Ashford


She noted the girl in purple arrive in their group. That was one more. Without introducing herself, she slipped out of the group like a magician would with his cards. She hid in an alley and disappeared. It wasn't like the alleys she lived near. It was open and the sun reached in all the way to the ground. The ground wasn't covered in mud and old garbage, and didn't have the occasional homeless man/woman taking shelter inside. She didn't like it much, but it was good enough to hide her for a few seconds to disappear.


She emerged from the alley and rejoined her group, careful not to touch anyone. A small smile grew on her face as she watched them and didn't worry about what they thought of her. She continued staring at the hooded boy. He looked at her lovingly before. She had reminded him of a family member or a loved one. She knew he didn't look at her as a possible love interest, because she was nearly half his age. He wasn't staring at a specific feature, but her as a whole, which means it was her aura that sparked his remembrance. The way she carried herself, or the way she dressed. Something. But what?


Now that she was hidden, she could do whatever she wanted. Her guard must have not noticed she was gone, because he was too involved in the pretty girl that had just arrived. He must have liked the way she looked. She looked around for something to do. The closer you got to the inner stein wall, the less opportunities there were for a curious child like herself. She decided to stick to the group she was in.

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi stepped toward Polaris and extended a hand, taking the offered morsel with a gentle reverence. “Mika and I both say, thank you ever so much.” he manages with a smile, having regained his composure.


"My name is Alexi, pleasure to meet you Ms. Dessie." Alexi responded to the request of introductions once more, as he had begun tearing small bits from the flaky pastry and waiting for Mika to take them gently from him in his little paws, and rapidly make them disappear into his happy little mouth. He was having some difficulty wresting his eyes from her. He had never seen anything quite like her, and he was intrigued to say the least. Which was likely the reason he had missed the second disappearance of Prudence, just a few moments earlier no doubt.

 

[CentaurOfAutumn]

Alfyn Clements


He shrugged to Polaris and smiled at Dessie. She seemed like a nice girl. The way she spoke was gentle and soft, and it calmed his nerves.


¨Is this all of us?¨


He thought he would voice his questions to the group. He figured, sparking some conversation other than introductions would be nice. He looked to his escort.


¨Do you know how many are coming?¨


The guard shook his head.


¨Damn, we might be here all night!¨


He covered his mouth at the remembrance of the child's presence.


¨Pardon my language, young one.¨


He looked around for her, but she was out of sight. He became slightly panicked.


¨Where is she, now!?¨

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi


Only when Fyn had brought it to everyone’s attention did he notice that Prudence had indeed gone missing again.


He kicked himself for not noticing earlier, but his thoughts had been, ehem, elsewhere at the time.


He had a hunch why she might want to disappear. This was all foreign territory to him as well, and to be honest the thought wanting to disappear had occurred to himself as well.


Alexi tried to imagine how Red might feel, having to meet all these new faces and with little warning of the event and having nowhere to escape to when feeling overwhelmed.


It was no surprise that she would feel a bit nervous and unsettled…


“Look guys, this is all quite new and somewhat terrifying to me. So I can well imagine it might be at least as harrowing and experience for her. If she’s anything like me, and I have a feeling she just may be, she’s probably just trying to give herself some breathing room. She’ll come back around when she’s ready. I guarantee you, she won’t miss a thing. Just give her a few minutes, there’s no reason to make her feel any more skittish than she already does.” Alexi shared, his voice only slightly muted.


He glanced about the market square, imagining where she might have gone to be ‘out of the way’, somewhere that she could just watch and listen. He hoped he was right, and that she’d heard every word.

 

[Luminescent]

Prudence Caroline Ashford


She did hear every word and her smile grew larger with each one. The hooded boy understood her like no one had before. He hadn't bothered to go out of his way to find her or cause panic in the group. He trusted she could take care of herself. She walked over to him and interlaced her hand with his. He was much taller than she was, so it was uncomfortable at first, but soon became comforting. She hoped that even though he couldn't see her, he would know it was her.


Her feet grew tired the more people stood and spoke to one another. Her stomach grumbled quietly as she pictured the feast in her head.


¨One more day of walking.¨ She told herself.

 

[KnightofShadows]

Alexi had no sooner voiced his thoughts on the disappearance of Prudence to the others when they had begun to act all too predictably flustered, then he had felt the soft and gentle grasp of his hand.


Although somewhat surprised, he was aware enough to not give a start at the touch without the familiarity of seeing what or in this case, whom had grasped his hand.


He smiled, a devilish little half smile down past his shoulder, the sort that spoke of the amusement of shared secrets between friends. One that anyone noticing, would dismiss as an affection toward Mika who sat contentedly chewing at his last morsel of Polaris’s gifted pastry.


He gave a quick and knowing wink in the same direction, and squeezing her hand reassuringly, Alexi turned his attention back to the group.


He was quite pleased that his words and insight had been comforting to Prudence, and in truth, was quite grateful himself for the comfort the trust of her hand had given him.


He wasn’t sure what lay in store for them, nor did he blindly trust any of them, except the heart belonging to the warm little hand in his own.


"The one thing he was certain of, was that he wasn’t going to let any harm come to this little girl, who somehow was being presented to the Queen. It didn’t take a genius to discern that the reason might have something to do with her wonderful gift, and that it, along with those he was certain the rest possessed, was somehow, someway about to be exploited."


Alexi would keep these thoughts to himself for now, and would do what came so naturally to him. Observation and deduction, would soon reveal their expected roles in the Queen’s game.


He gave another comforting squeeze, and brushed his thumb across the back of Prudence’s hand in an added measure of warmth…

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


Polaris smiled knowingly when the girl disappeared. She'd read in books about magci tricks like that, and had seen the girl appear herself. If the girl didn't want to be found, she wouldn't be. She smiled to Alfyn, saying, "Alexi is correct. When she wants to be found, she will be. Until then, well, we continue on."


She looked closely at Alfyn, wondering, if he had abilities like her and the girl... what would they be? She glanced to Alexi too, then back to Alfyn. She smiled to him, saying, "Personally, I think a bit of mystery adds to the adventure, and I am looking forward to an adventure. Don't you find it exciting?"





@CentaurOfAutumn

 

[Luminescent]

Prudence Caroline Ashford


The hooded boy smiled down at her and gave her a small wink. In that moment she knew that they would be friends. She had never felt this much love since she was a young child. Since then, her parents had grown busy with their work and spent very little time with her. She was grateful for at least one soul she knew she could trust in this group. When she looked around she saw many promising faces, but if none of them proved to be kind and loving, she knew she had at least one.


She wondered if they would be separated once they ate their feast. She told herself she would follow him. If, after the feast, they were sent their separate ways, she would grab hold of his hand as she had done just a few seconds ago, and follow him home. She wanted to meet this someone she reminded him of. She looked up at him and smiled, even though he could not see it.

 

[CentaurOfAutumn]

Alfyn Clements


He slowly calmed down about Prudence. She seemed like a smart girl, and was probably safe somewhere. He smiled at Polaris.


¨Well, yes, I find it enticing, but also nerveracking at the same time.¨


He looked around trying to spot the young girl.


¨I hope she turns up safe. I don't think the queen would be happy if we had a feast without one of her guests!¨


He looked at Polaris with an idea beaming in his eyes.


¨Have an extra pastry?¨


He smiled brightly.

 

[Dragongal]

She smiled sneakily at him, saying, "Why? Are you going to eat it?" She laughed little, then said, "No, I don't, sorry."


She knew he was planning on luring the girl out again, but figured the girl didn't want it. She'd seen the way the girl had hidden. She sighed, looking around at the group and their surroundings. She commented to him, "Maybe you shouldn't worry so much. Things have a tendency to right themselves in the end." This was slightly hypocritical of her, as she herself had been involved in a few black-market breakouts, freeing slaves and the like, but in a situation that was not life or death... things did have a tendency to right themselves in her eyes.


@CentaurOfAutumn

 

[CentaurOfAutumn]

Alfyn Clements


Alfyn smiled back.


¨I was going to offer if to the girl, like you had done earlier.¨


He laughed a little.


¨You're probably right, though. I should let her come back on her own.¨


He sat down on a chair at the table next to the group.


¨I'm guessing we're going to be here a little while longer?¨

 

[Dragongal]

Polaris Mentha


"I believe we weren't even supposed to stop this long." Polaris replied to Alfyn.


Polaris acted like she did not hear Ishi's question at all; while she had her guesses about the group, she still wasn't quite yet ready to reveal her abilities to anyone. Ishi's question revealed that she also, very likely, had some kind of ability. Polaris figured that if everyone in this group had an ability, that was why they were being summoned. So it was likely they were all being summoned for battle or something like that. She wasn't fond of the idea of acting as someone's army. Her schtick was defend the innocents, not fight for a noble.


@CentaurOfAutumn

 

[Unwavering Knight]

The Clipped Wings


The journey was largely uneventful, the guard allocated to Syrann saying little, courtesy of what appeared to be several missing teeth, preferring to answer the knight's attempts at light conversation with a variety of court nods and gestures to show approval or denial. Kaatl's superficial attempts at communication via cooing and pointing at several wares they passed by failed equally, the fairy giving a slight huff as she remained seated on the knight's shoulder, her arms crossed in disapproval.


Getting the hint, Syrann lightly tapped Kaatl on the top of her head, eliciting an overdrawn squeal. Reaching back into his pack, the knight retrieved the trusty fiddle, the fairy's sapphire eyes taking on a glint of amusement as the instrument was offered for her dainty hands to grasp while Syrann readied the violin's bow, though strange as it may have appeared to others, for the fairy and the knight it was a well-practiced exercise as she steadied the fiddle and adjusted the strings in harmony with the playing.


Some might have pointed out that in his disabled state, the knight would have been better off choosing a different instrument, or perhaps a different hobby entirely, something to pursue independently. Alas, this was what he enjoyed most of the things he could do while marching, and since he had the willing assistance of his friend, why not indulge?


The melody the duo produced was far from professional, though their twofold emotion was pleasantly audible, conveying a mix of simple wanderlust and cheer as they made their way through the organised streets of the Second Stein, their escort recognizing their efforts with a noncommittal shrug. But it slowly became obvious that the guard's movements were becoming strained, sluggish. Tired.


Syrann was used to marching for long in different climates, and Kaatl had the luxury of resting whenever she wanted to, but the guard appeared to have been up and about for longer than comfortable, and soon enohe asked for a break, tired hand pointing yonder towards a quaint restaurant, with the added benefit of already being inhabited by a number of guards and... a colorful variety of equally-numbered guests?


"Why of course, fellow perpetrator of goodness! A rest for the needy, that no villain may sneak up on us!" Syrann exclaimed with vigor, violin halting for a mere moment before his body turned straight into the direction the guard pointed, before setting himself in motion, carefully placing first the bow then the fiddle back into the pack, Kaatl rising in place to stand on his shoulder as she waved towards the other guards and occupants.


"Ho- uh, Hail, good citizens and law-upholders!" the knight called, taking a moment to stumble over his words as he greeted the crowd, voice first stuttering but quickly growing steady and loud "Mind if my fellow quest-mates and I rest here for but some time? The White Queen called, goodness must be done, but tired legs need rest!"