Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[Hel]

Anya Piper stumbled up to the gate, exhausted, aching, and longing for a hot shower. After her plane crashed, she'd spent days wandering first through some forest, than working her way towards the large city. Her cellphone got no reception, and was long dead. Her long blond hair was undoubtably a tangled mess, and her muscles were crying for rest somewhere normal. Because one thing she had definitely noticed was that this place where ever it was, wasn't normal.

 

[SilverFlight]

((ok, finally caught up))


 
"You know Nyr, the raven isn't a symbol of death to everyone. It's also a creator, and a guardian." Lexi hadn't seen them in the amphitheatre so she went looking for her friends. She smiled seeing the dread raven with the two girls curled up and asleep. From the get go Leia thought Nyr was too critical of herself, she saw what others wanted to seem not what she could be.


"There are people where I come from who believe that Raven made the world, and that we was a protector of mankind. Looking at you, I can see how they'd be right." She couldn't explain it but Leia felt safe around the dread raven.


"So this is where you all are." Ward came up behind Leia, a kind smile playing on his lips. "The princess is about to ask for your help. We should listen to what she has to say."


The amphitheater wasn't far at all, and as they arrived the princess gave a grateful nod to Ward.


"Everyone!" Her voice began as a soft, frail thing, something that was not used to being used in great force or thrown out into a room, but it gained strength as princess Briar became more confident.


"Several days ago we came to a conclusion about the darkness swallowing our land. Several days ago the most powerful of us dipped into the ancient magic governing our world c=and cast a spell...we summoned those who could help us, who could reverse the nothingness and restore FableWood. Well, I can now say the spell has bore fruit...the humans are here."


There was a little buzz in the crowd after this, most knew or had seen humans come into the city.


"But this does not mean our troubles are over." The princes continued gravely. The worry in her heart was not easy to hide. "We know that evil forces are working to stop us...to erase our home...and us." There were several angry outcries and hushed discussion.


Princess Briar then looked at her subjects, resolve, worry and hope all fighting inside her.


"I can't tell you that things will be all right...I can't promise a happy ending. Not this time. But I will promise that we will do everything we can to prepare. I called you here to tell you that the magic has worked...what happens now, will be up to all of us." She faltered for a moment, emotion seeming to gain the upper hand. August shifted towards her slightly, and she put a hand on his withers.


"I thank you all for your bravery, and your patience."


Ward felt for her. If what the dryad had said was true, then princess Briar was struggling much more than she let on.


The gathering disbanded slowly after hearing the princess' words, Ward stood and waited for her to beckon him over.


"I must speak with you, all of you, humans and guardians. There is something I must tell you."


She waited until all were present. August stood firmly by her side, offering her as much comfort as he could.


Ward only needed to see her face, the mask she worn for her subjects had fallen away and underneath he could see a heart almost to the point of breaking.


"So its true then. Prince Fior is missing?"


The princess said nothing, only turned away and put a hand to her mouth.


"He went to scout the ShadowWoods. A new area of the forest has just been swallowed by it. I sent a party out to find him...they only found the armour of the guards that accompanied him...and this." She held out a tattered piece of felt, a gold quill sticking out of it at an odd angle. The prince's hunting cap. Ward feared the worst, but held his silence. Any mention of the prince's death would threaten to break her.


There was a long silence before she spoke again. She looked at each in turn. "I know I cannot ask you to find him, for the good of the entire world we cannot risk the fate of the humans we have brought into FabelWood..."


Ward held up a gloved hand politely. "With all due respect your highness" He gave her one of his famous bows. "I cannot inhibit the free choices of our guests. I do believe it is up to them."


*edit*


A dog lay his head on the battlements right above the gate to the city. His armour was too hot and he longed to scratch his ear, which his hind leg could not reach but for the shoulder pads. As a figure approached his nose twitched. This was no creature of FabelWood.


"A human! a human at the gates!" he called happily.


They wasted no time, the gates were quickly opened and friendly hands reached out to guide her in.


"Take her to the princess, she must see the princess!" Someone called, and that was that. The newcomer was gently guided towards the palace steps.


 
((Fun fact: The prince in Tchaikovsky's ballet Sleeping Beauty was called prince Florimund, meaning 'Flower of the World' named so for all the joy he brought to his kingdom. Fior is a name that means 'flower' in honor of Tchaikovsky's prince.))

 

[Hel]

Anya wandered into the city, and let the people guide her, she noticed that everyone here appeared to be much older fashioned, it reminded her of Europe with the small streets and the number of pedestrians everywhere. 'Even in the city there are no cars? What is this place? And how will I ever get home?' she thought to herself. She was too nervous, and exhausted to ask anyone what all of the fuss was about, she mearly went where she was told, as though she was in a daze.


Alexander, meanwhile, realized his prey was far to close to the city for him to continue as a dragon. He did not really want to be shot down by arrows or magic, and was uncertain how he would be taken. He landed, and took to stalking the unicorn in his human form. Unicorns are a dragon's favorite meal, after all.

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena sat in silence, listening the the words of the Princess. Her eyes skimmed over the other people of her world with apprehension as she had yet to face them all.. In fact she hadn't even spoken to one of them. Instead, her focus was mainly on the problem at hand.


Now that she knew why she was brought there, her worries increased. Her fear of disappointment was at the top of the list right by returning home. She was sent by every myth and fable she's ever read to help them. If that's not pressure enough, she didn't know what was.


When they were personally briefed on the missing prince, Elena felt a reminder of her dream and inadvertently raised her brows. She waited for Ward to finish before attempting to speak.


"P-princess Briar" she dipped her head ever so slightly, suddenly much more shy than previously.


"I would love to serve you and help find the prince... And I'd be honored to help this world.. I hope I don't disappoint you." Her voice was soft and high.

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward smiled at Elena's answer. In the princess's eyes new hope flickered to life. "I know you will not disappoint anyone."


Leia stepped forward next to Elena, looked at her friends and nodded. "I'll go too." She said, not knowing exactly what she could do to help. So far she just seemed good at running. The air spirit coiled itself happily about her legs, seemingly pleased with her decision.


((Sorry for short post, I am waiting for the others))

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr looked up, not leaving the two girls alone. She still sheltered them with her wings but asked the wind to carry the words of the princess to her. Hearing the advancing darkness did not surprise her, and she was certain that they will be able to stop it... but not before she did what had to be done. She was waiting the night to come, so that she could go on her mission... but she did not want to leave Mira and Lexi alone. She have sworn to watch over them, and so was she going to do.


So she sat patiently, meditating on the words of the princess.

 

[Hel]

When she arrived at the palace steps, Anya stared up at the castle in amazement, unsure if she should enter or not, 'I guess I'm expected inside?' she wondered to herself. 'Well, I mean, I guess the worst they could do is kick me out' Anya headed inside, and looked around in awe. The castle was beautiful, it remind her of a storybook her mom read her and her brother as children. "What in the world am I doing here?" She wondered aloud, quietly.

 

[SilverFlight]

((I'm just going to usher Anya in to the rest of the group))


A guide soon appeared for the lost and confused new human guest. A unicorn padded slowly up to her, its pink hooves muffled on velvet carpet.


"Greetings traveler, I am to guide you from here on. If you would follow me?"


As he walked the unicorn began explaining things to Anya; about FableWood, why she was here, and the recent events that called her to castle Branbern and why the princess needed her help.


They approached the large glass doors leading to the gardens and the unicorn led her down to a group of other girls as well as a few not-so human-looking people.


Food was brought after Anya had been welcomed. Plates piled high with fruit, bread and biscuits, carried in by a few burly fawns.


Leia offered Anya a plate of cakes and fresh-cut apple dripping with honey. "I know exactly what you're thinking." She said in a comforting tone. "Just try to role with it. I've been here since last night and this place has proven itself to be pretty real."


The princess stood after her guests had taken refreshments. "You will need armour, and weapons for your journey. I can take you to our weapons master now if you wish."

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

(Sorry, I've been super busy!)


Mira awoke, her limbs stretching out, a sigh escaping her lips. "Thank you, Nyr...I don't think I've slept that well in years." She hugged the girl, internally deciding that Nyr was now one of her friends. She sat away from her, hands folded in her lap and a small smile on her features.

 

[DawnAntalios]

She smiled at her, happy for she had a good rest.


" I am glad, Mira. " she said, looking at her and the still sleeping Lexi, gently caressing her head. " You were very kind and understanding... it is just natural that I return that gesture. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Why wouldn't I be? I may be human and the majority of our kind is judgmental, but I am different." She reached into her bag again, fishing out a black ribbon, her pale fingers twisting the silky fabric. "Do you have something that represents you?" She held out the ribbon, hoping Nyr would understand.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Represents... me? " she looked at her with a questioning face but then started to think. Finally, she realized the obvious solution: she reached for her large wings and plucked one feather from them and showed it to Mira.


" I think the very essence of my being, my feathers are the one that represent me best. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Thank you!" She took it gently from Nyr and started tying the ribbon around it, allowing a large amount of material free. "I'm going to ask each person to do this, just so they won't forget me." She handed it back to Nyr, a hopeful smile on her face. "Do you like it?"

 

[chamomile]

The chatting had made Lexi woke up from her sleep on Nyr's lap, a yawn broke through her lips as she look around, blinking. Once she felt a little more sure that she won't go back to sleep, she look at her two companions, showing each other on what's suppose to be items that represents them since Red was presenting another ribbon and Nyr's was showing her one of her feathers. They exchanged it and she finally asked with a croaky voice like it always was when she woke up: "Did I miss anything?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

She silently took the item and gazed at it.


A gift. She has received a gift. Her eyes started to water as she tried to wipe away the sudden flow of tears as she looked up to Mira.


" Is... is this mine? " she asked with trembling voice " It is beautiful... I ... I thank you. "


She then noticed Lexi waking up and smiled at her as well.


" Welcome back to us. " she said, still trying to clear her tears, it was embarrassing. " I hope you had a good rest. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Yes...it is." She looked at Lexi. "Did you sleep well, Blue?" She smile at Nyr, before putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I do it for all my friends." She pecked Nyr on the cheek, quickly explaining afterwards. "It's a sign of affection, not romantic affection, not in this situation...."


(I do this with my friends in real life, if I do it to you, its because I like you.)

 

[DawnAntalios]

" I... I understand... " she said, finally being able to stop the flow of tears. " It is just... " she knew not how to explain this to them. She would probably seem like pathetic and foolish but she trusted them to understand.


" It is just the first gift I have ever received. I... I will treasure it more than I value my life. "

 

[chamomile]

Lexi cleared her throat and tried to smile but she still wasn't feeling fresh, and she was hungry, proven as her stomach start to complain. "I did an' I'll thank ya fer that" she managed to say without the croaking which have been previously making her sound much like that of a frog. She watched Red give a peck on Nyr's check which pretty much seems normal in Lexi's point of view. She sometimes kiss her friends, her gran doesn't mind it either although she knew that was totally different. "Anyway.. I'm h'ungry..." she said, gesturing rather adorably to her tummy as it rumbled more. "Know a place where there's urm... y'know, food?" she asked with pleading eyes.

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"There's probably food where the princess is. Come on." She stands up and gestures for them to join her. "Nyr, after we've saved this place, will we be able to return?" She was very unsure about it. "Wait..." Nyr's words actually made sense to her post-sleep brain. "Your first gift?" Mira blinked multiple times, a very confused expression on her face. "But...wow..." She had always taken her gifts for granted, never once thinking that someone else had never received them.


Am I really that selfish?

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Yes, the princess would most likely love to meet you two - and treat you as heroes so you would get a great feast if you want something like that. " nodded Nyr. Humans were considered champions and saviors they would surely be treated good. Her second question however mad her think.


" I think it would be possible. " she concluded finally. " Barriers between dimensions are not hard to break down, with sufficient force I believe it to be possible. "


She then blushed when she mentioned it being her first gift. She clutched the ribboned feather close to her and said.


" Y-Yes it is, I thank you for that again. " she said. " I have nothing to give you in return just yet, but I will repay it in time, don't worry. "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Wait....just to make sure you won't lose it!" She gently took it from Nyr's hands and tied the ribbon around her wrist. "So you can remember me..." She smiled sadly, her eyes looking a little dimmer. "I really don't want to ever leave, and I still wonder what I could bring to the table, I am a bookworm who writes and sings, nothing special." She reached into her bag again, bringing out the scale Ward had given her. She removed the ribbon from her hair and tied it around the scale, hanging it around her neck. "I really do like this..."

 

[chamomile]

Lexi stood up with Red, her legs slightly shivering as it was unused to the sudden need of muscle movement. She rested herself on a tree and blinked a few more times, certainly need to freshen herself up. Breathing slowly, she walked a few paces before hearing Red's question, turning on her heel and waited curiously for an answer that she wished she asked herself. Then she heard what follows. This part of her that wasn't paying attention suddenly did, wondering how Nyr never had a gift. Then again, maybe Nyr was feared in lands such as these? In stories, so many characters weren't very... bright but that wasn't meant to be an insult of sorts. Lexi will definitely add to that collection of gifts, if she actually have one to give. When Nyr mention a feast for such young people, Lexi couldn't help but gape slightly in disbelief. A girl, gets a feast? 'Sort of ridiculous if you ask me' she thought but didn't comment. On the answer of the question, Lexi gave a sigh of both relief and happiness as she was happy to return to her home but wanted to come here again. She watched them have their moment and thought it be rude to leave or disturb it. "I'll give you a gift too" she murmured under her breath before giving a grin, waiting patiently for Nyr to lead the way.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Once again she blushed and bowed before Mira.


" I do not know how to repay your kindness... " she said as she turned around, embarrassed and motioned them to follow her. " I will bring you to the castle and there you will be able to ask for directions. As for me... "


She looked in the distance. The sun started to set and she sighed heavily.


" I will have a task to fulfill... "

 

[amongfoxesandfaeries]

"Do you need help?" She, again, placed a hand on Nyr's shoulder, a concerned look in her eyes. She didn't want Nyr to be hurt or to be alone. "Do you want me to come with you?" Her brows furrowed and she continued to look at Nyr, hoping she said yes.

 

[DawnAntalios]

She hesitated not sure what to say. Secretly she would have liked company but...


" I don't want to endanger any of you. " she smiled at them with a wary expression. " Besides, you must be ravenous after all this rest and happenings of the day. You better fill your stomachs and rest. "


She said and silenced as she lead them to the castle. She didn't want to endanger them... she could not bear seeing anything come to them.