Fantasy ~ FableWood ~

[Lioness075]

Luness scowled at Lucille for giving her a look, but shut her mouth, as she really didn't want to find out how bad the captain could get if angered.


Leandra was disappointed to hear there were no more rooms even though Kallin was more than willing to give his up to Arianne.


Remaining between Arianne and Luness in case Luness tried anything, Leandra turned to face Kallin and smiled at him before saying, "That was really kind of you to do, Kallin."


Not entirely feeling the same way as Leandra, Luness huffed and then decided to leave the small group before her emotions got the better of her.


Still confused by her feelings of jealousy, Luness walked away and soon was at the railing of the ship just before they entered the cloud cover, leaving Luness tightly clutching the railing in fear of the unkown.


Soon, they left the cloud cover behind and Luness' eyes widened at the large cliff faces as well as the peninsula below them. How was everything so beautiful and amazing here?


With her thoughts of jealousy temporarily forgotten, Luness shifted her gaze about the scenery, trying to take it all in.


Seeing ths cave up ahead along with the distant sound of a waterfall, Luness felt her heart skip a beat. She'd never learned how to swim and was hoping more than anything that she wasn't about to have to learn.


@SilverFlight @DawnAntalios

~~~~~

​

Once Luness walked away, Leandra visibly relaxed and took a few steps back from Arianne so as to not crowd her. She also took the moment to quickly say to Arianne, "Sorry for Luness' behavior."


Right as Leandra did so, the cloud cover rolled over them and Leandra held her breath until it passed, as she gasped at the sight of the cliff faces and nature around her. Now this was something you definitely didn't see back in the real world.


Soon, Leandra saw they were docking and she quickly walked to the gangway in excitement and anticipation of what was to come.


Exiting behind Elena, Leandra soon said in awe, "This place is gorgeous...and so mysterious-like."


@DawnAntalios @Bea Delaine

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena looked to Leandra as she exited behind. The girl also seemed to be marveling at the beauty of the land. Leandra was newer, she remembered. She still had probably not gotten over the shock factor of the land. Elena could tell the other would do well here. She decided for the first time to speak casually.


"You will never get used to it, I don't think. I haven't yet and I'm going to be living in Fablewood:"


She said with a small smile. She began walking through the entrance and looked to the other girl again. Taking a couple tired breaths, she took in the high altitude air and smelled the moss.


"Leandra, I'm curious. What was life like on earth for you?"

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo looked at Nyr in surprise, he had not been expecting this type of news. He was not sure how to proceed, but he knew a bit of how Nyr was feeling. He lifted himself from his leaning position on the wall and grasped the necklace around his neck. The small moonlight orb had faded without Leo ever even knowing it. He closed his eye and reached out with his mind towards the orb as he had done before, but now all he could feel was the emptyness of the glass orb.


He looked up at Nyr, concern etched into his face. "This is a very interesting turn of events. Even before I could still reach her with the necklace, but now I too can not feel her," He knew this would worry Nyr to no end and he made his way over to her to hug her and comfort her the best he could. As he stood there, he looked out the window and saw the islands surrounding them as they emerged from the clouds and he gave Nyr a light squeeze once more before he looked down at her. "This is troublesome to say the least, perhaps we can arrange a trip to the glade. But right now, the others need us to be strong as we are about to embark once again. I will be here with you, we will figure out what is going on with Mother Moon."


@DawnAntalios


Otto ate the last of his bacon in silence as the clouds enveloped the ship. He nearly dropped the bacon right out of his mouth when the white puffyness covered the entire ship. He began tow wave his arms around in the air and laughing as he tried to brush the huge cloud out of the way to see. Moving about the ship like a made man he bumped into a few people, who he couldn't really see until finally the cloud lifted and the islands around them came into view. He had made his way over to the edge of the ships railing and looked out over the empty sky between them and the island as the ship began to make its decent towards their destination. He looked back and shifted as he bounded across the deck to sit beside Luness as they got closer and closer to the cave.


@Lioness075

 

[Flutterby]

Quincy nodded thoughtfully at Kallin's answer, hiding her excitement well. She went to the front of the ship, away from the others, to enjoy the views. But when she got there, all was suddenly blanketed in white. She frowned, and reached a hand toward the whiteness, but it was gone as suddenly as it had appeared.


The kelpie gasped softly as the massive isle came into view. Now beyond the cloud bank, she could feel the water on the island calling to her softly. The call was sweeter than most, perhaps because of the magical properties of these waters. She stood on her tip toes and leaned on the rail, anxiously anticipating their final landing. She wanted more than anything to touch the water here, she could feel that there was something special about it.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Nyr embraced Leo and closed her eyes for a moment. It was reassuring to have him at her side but this still did not make things easier. Mother Moon was the only person who could have possibly known what the Heart of the Raven was and now that even her beloved Mother was gone she felt a bit afraid. To her surprise though when she tried to summon the light it did appear: small globes of white energy appeared in the room and Nyr looked at them in shock.


" How can this be? " she asked, puzzled " Mother Moon is gone and so is her influence, her power! How is it still possible that the light obeys my command? "


She was baffled and knew no what was going on.


" Perhaps this is the...? " but she could not finish her sentence as she felt the ship stopping abruptly, meaning that they have probably reached their destination already. She looked up and the orbs vanished and now she looked at Leo.


" Come, beloved. We have a werecat to cure. "


@zCrookedz


Arianne's eyes widened in excitement when she heard both Lucille's and Kallin's response and treasured the small key like some sort of artifact. Looking at Luness she let out a triumphant grin - even to her surprise she somehow felt proud that Kallin did not turn her down as the werecat wanted to. To be honest she was quite afraid of Luness - but she was certain that the mage would protect her.


The questions she had in her mind were long gone... all that lingered was the strange feeling which she had felt before. She still could not understand what caused such fuzzy, warm feling in her stomach but if anyone the cursed mage probably had the answer for her no doubt. When the ship's speed increased she had to grab Kallin's coat not to fall and when it was over she looked around, admiring the view in awe. She had never been above the clouds before and this adventure was simply breathtaking.


When she saw them closing on to their destination she looked up at Kallin.


" So this is where we are headed... " she murmured out loud " Somehow this place looks... creepy. And it is not due to its natural look... "


She stepped closer to Kallin, clutching his cloak again.


" The darkness is close. " she clenched her hand into fist, the familiar small light flickering between her tiny fingers just as it did before. She would help protect them all - at all cost.


@SilverFlight @Lioness075

 

[Lioness075]

Hearing that Elena was going to live in FableWood, Leandra was a bit surprised. Did she have no one to go back to or was there someone she couldn't leave here? Weren't she and Ward in some kind of relationship?


Hearing that it never ceased to surprise or amaze one, Leandra chuckled and then said, "No, I doubt I ever would get used to it."


When asked about her life back home, Leandra paused in her step to think about how to carefully answer such a question while she gingerly touch some of the wet moss nearby out of sheer curiosity.


Glancing back at Elena, Leandra then said, "I'm in the US Army back home with my twin brother. We were born in America, but grew up with British parents, hence the accent."


Curious now, Leandra then returned the question, as she asked Elena, "What about you? What was your life back in the real world?"


@Bea Delaine

~~~~~

​

Seeing Otto rushing to her side and looking around in amazement, Luness chuckled and then scratched Otto behind his ear before saying, "Come on, we can get off the Tenacity now."


Taking the lead, Luness began to make her way towards the gangway, though she glanced over at Kallin to see Arianne clinging to his cloak like a lost and frightened child.


Rolling her eyes and huffing at the child's weakness in an attempt to hide the growing jealousy and frustration inside of her, Luness then disembarked from the ship and made her way towards the cave without saying a word to Kallin while also expecting Otto to tag along ith her.


The island and the designs on the cave were truly remarkable and Luness could only imagine how old this island was.


The question now was where was this Spring of Inspiration and where was the object that they seeked?


@zCrookedz @DawnAntalios @SilverFlight

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena smiled as Leandra replied. She was being honest when she said she would never get used to it. She hoped this would always true. She noticed Leandras look of surprise and analysis, most likely turning gears in the white haired girls head. She didn't mind so much.


"I guess you were used to War, but your power sort of suggests.. Medic? Maybe..?"


She just assumed, hoping it didn't come off as rude to do so.


"So I suppose Brit is inaccurate."


She chuckled, then tried to think of a proper way to go about answering her question. It was not something she felt comfortable sharing upon arrival, but after last night she realized it wasn't important anymore.


"I was a writer and illustrator. Freelance, but I had cancelled my deal with my editor, and burned the last of my drafts. Um.. Born in France, but lived mostly in the US hence the accent. No siblings."

 

[Lioness075]

Leandra shrugged and then said solemnly to Elena, "One can never truly get used to war."


Hearing Elena's suggestion for her specific job, Leandra broke out of her solemn mood and grinned while replying, "Combat medic, to be specific."


Chuckling at being called a Brit, Leandra then said, "I suppose it would ultimately be inaccurate."


Noting Elena's slight hesitation at first to respond, Leandra patiently waited for her to do so, much like Elena had done for her.


Hearing that Elena was a writer and illustrator, Leandra smiled, though her smile wavered upon hearing how Elena had canceled her deal and burnt her drafts. What had happened to bring her to do such a thing?


Upon hearing that Elena was originally born in France, Leandra's fac elit up again and she grinned while saying, "Being born in another country must've been brilliant. I feel like foreign countries tend to look better than the US. Maybe it's just me."


Thinking back to Elena's writing career, Leandra then curiously asked her, "So, what'd you write about? Did you write fiction or nonfiction?"


@Bea Delaine

 

[Flutterby]

As soon as the ship came to a final halt, Quincy scampered down from the high front of the ship and darted past the others. Her hand closed quickly around Alexander's as she passed him, hurrying to get off the ship. Her excitement was bubbling over now, so close to the waters. “I can feel it." She whispered, as her feet touched the solid ground. The kelpie rushed past Luness toward the cave, but stopped just in front of the entrance to stare up at the carvings. Her silver eyes were wide and bright; this was surely the most excited she had ever been in this company.


@Hel

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena noticed the look on her face, the possible questioning. Elena knew that she was already prepared to be gone before she was even sent to Fablewood. She had started to realize how hard it might be for someone like Leandra or Leia who belonged somewhere.


"Sorry for assuming. I don't know war. Do you miss your twin? I had a half brother a long time ago myself. It must be hard to be so far away."


She started laughing when the subject of being foreign. She had thought of it from time to time.


"It is odd, once and a while an American would ask me about my accent, but when visiting France, they knew my accent was American. You never lost yours it seems. France was beautiful.


I wrote fantasy, adventure fiction. I had published a single full fantasy novel. I also taught a work shop, and had a couple children's stories."


She smiled, slightly sad with nostalgia.


"I apologize for my rudeness when we met. I wasn't terrible fond of others from earth, or new people."

 

[Lioness075]

Leandra shrugged at the mention of war again and said with an easygoing grin to hide the deeply ingrained discomfort of talkign about it, "Not many people do. Trust me, you're better off never knowing what it's like."


At the mention of her twin brother, Leandra sadly nodded and then said, "I miss Manjano more than anything."


Kicking aimlessly at the cave floor, Leandra felt herself worrying again that Manjano might have hurt himself upon hearing what had happened to Leandra.


With subject of being foreign rolled around again, Leandra relaxed once more and smiled at Elena before saying, "Yeah, makes sense to me that the foreigners would know our accents to not be true ones. And yeah, with my twin brother around nearly all the time, it's hard to lose it since we both share the same accent."


Hearing about Elena's writing, Leandra smiled and then said, "That sounds amazing. You could probably write a story about this group and our adventures. I bet you'd make millions and be a best-selling author in no time. Working with children must've been fun."


Thinking about children instantly broght back soiled memories of the event that brought her here originally, but Leandra quickly pushed the thoughts away before her mood was ruined.


Shrugging at Elena's apology, Leandra then said, "No worries. My brother, Manjano, would've probably reacted just as badly, if not worse. After all, he hasn't spoken since..."


Trailing off, Leandra quickly realized where her train of thought was going and she clammed up before she continued.


Sighing, Leandra then turned to face the docked Tenacity, as she wondered when the others would join them at the cave so they could get these two quests started already.


@Bea Delaine

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena heard the sadness. She wouldn't be able to tell at all if not for the familiar look. She decided to leave the subject of Leandras brother and war alone. She leaned against the stone, careful to keep her hands away. Any accident magic use and she wouldn't make it through the mission. She also didn't want to disrupt anything sacred here.


"I wouldn't return for any amount of fortune.. But I'm glad you have a home to return to. We will make sure you get back in one piece."


She looked as the girl clammed up. She would usually leave it alone, but now she started caring.


"Leandra, We all have demons here. It's okay to feel sad or hopeless, but we are also all here for each other. Usually I wouldn't say anything unless you were that guy,"


She gestured at Ward and laughed softly.


"But if you feel at any point that something needs to be done or said so you can move forward, let me know."

 

[Lioness075]

Leandra smiled sadly at what Elena said and responded, as she said softly, "I don't have much of a home to return to, but my brother is back in the real world so that's enough incentive for me to want to return as soon as possible."


Hearing Elena adrressing her in a concerned tone, Leandra instantly felt herself tense up a bit, but she soon relaxed upon hearing Elena's words.


Surprised that Elena would suddenly care so much for her, Leandra then became solemn once more as she replied, "Well, there's only one thing in the world that would truly make me happy and that would be for my brother to speak again."


Dropping her gaze to the cave floor, Leandra then said softly, "I haven't heard his voice for years. He hasn't uttered a word since our parents died. He's always been there for me, but I don't know how to be there for him when he won't speak or tell me what's wrong."


Feeling tears welling up in her eyes, Leandra then quickly wiped them away while inhaling slowly and then exhaling to try and keep herself calm.


@Bea Delaine

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena's eyebrows knit and she approached the tense and saddened girl. This was a bit better than a fake smile, but still thoroughly concerning. She stood a bit closer, and the girl began to tear up. Elena quickly realized why she cared. She could relate. She placed a hand on Leandras shoulder, then hugged her quickly, embarrassed to have done so. Her cheeks were practically glowing red.


"You have someone to protect. If there is ever a way to help you, I will make sure that you keep that. And believe that he will wait for you."


She said quietly, eyes dropping as if she herself shared too much.


"I'm sorry. I don't wish to make you feel bad."

 

[Lioness075]

Leandra accepted Elena's hug with no argument, even feeling a bit better after Elena had done so.


With Manjano, he didn't express any words of comfort, but whenever Leandra was feeling down or beating herself up over a mistake then Manjano would draw her into a hug and she'd instantly feel better.


Hearing Elena's words of encouragement, Leandra smiled sadly at her and then said, "That's the thing, before I came here, he was suicidal."


Her voice cut as she said this and then Leandra felt the tears rolling down her face, as she added, "He tried to kill himself twice during our last deployment. I was there to stop him both times, but he refuses any professional help in fear that he'll be kicked out of the Army for being unable to healthily cope with everything despite it not just being the war that's hurting him. He's got countless scars lining both his arms from cutting himself over the years."


Crying quietly for a moment, Leandra focused on her breathing and not a minute passed before she'd regained her composure and wiped her face dry of tears despite her eyes being a bit red now.


Hearing Elena's apology, Leandra looked at her and sighed before saying, "You don't need to apoloize. Like you said before, we've all got demons."


@Bea Delaine

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward watched Elena start speaking to Leandra and hung back deliberately with a happy smile. The cave entrance looked dark, but Ward could see a very faint light coming from the other end.


Kallin looked down at Arianne and when the Tenacity was docked safely he disentangled her from his robes so he could move to the head of the group.


"Ok everyone! This is the way in." He coughed once, not being very good at public speaking. "So...the first defense is the waterfall. We have to walk through it...no magic barriers will last under it so you will get wet...that's not the worst though...the map was more than a little vague...but the water...changes you...so, I'll be going first. The good thing is that the effect is temporary, and will wear off once you pass through again."


"You won't do it alone Kallin." Ward stepped forward as well. Kallin made a face but nodded in the end.


Lucille waved at them from the deck of the Tenacity.


"Bon voyage mes amis! Try not to get eaten by any wild beasts while you are gone!"


"She's kidding." Leia said, though it was more to convince herself.


Kallin raised his staff to signal they were going and slowly stepped into the cave. Dripping water echoed all about them as light bounced off the glistening walls.


The fresh cent of moss and water filled the space entirely. The rush of the falls soon drowned out any sound they were making. Just then Kallin rounded a corner and saw it. A smooth wall of water covering every inch of their way into the island. Through it he could see a shallow pool only about knee deep that they would be stepping into.


"Ok then...here goes nothing." He glanced back at Luness and gave her a cheeky wink before backing through the water. Ward went through as well, wincing as the cold water hit him.


Leia watched them vanish and waited.


At first the water soaked Kallin through completely, weighing his robes and nearly making him trip over the stony bottom of the pool. Once through he waited...and waited. Nothing happened.


Huh. Maybe the map was being metaphorical?


It was when he raised his voice to call the others over that he realized (with absolute shock) what the water had done.


"Hey guys! we're not dead!...oh skies." The voice that sounded over the falls was not the deep roguish tone he was so used to...it was high...the voice of a six year old boy. The water was from a youth spring.


"Well...I suppose it could be worse." Instead of the tall and slender figure of Ward there stood beside him and scruffy-haired little blonde boy, his gold-amber eyes now the most intimidating feature he had.Though young, his voice still held the annoyingly sophisticated lilt which was seemed to sound even more sophisticated when spoken with the voice of a child.

Spoiler

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena kept a hand on the girls back, hoping her touch didn't come off as cold. She heard the story. It pained her. Made her feel as though she understood and yet couldn't, because she never had anyone to wait for. To help. She sighed and watched the girl dry her eyes, Elena portraying a small smile as she made sure the other will be okay.


"I have faith.. I don't know your story but it reminds me of another."


With that she followed the others to go through the water. She could see the distorted figures as they came out the other side... Smaller?


She gave the others a small salute and leapt through.


Her body had changed, so she had not properly calculated landing. She fell through the other side with a trip and Skid before the goofy looking small Kallin and the adorable Ward.


"Wawd... You aw adowable."


She said, then quickly covered her mouth, cheeks stained pink once again.


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[Flutterby]

Quincy had the presence of mind to wait for Kallin and those who knew the island to lead the way. As they walked through the cave, she ran a hand along the wall, testing the feel if the water. It sent her fingers buzzing excitedly. She watched the few before her, letting them go first out of ceremony. Then she stepped through. The water rushed over her, and she paused under it to enjoy the sensation. After allowing herself that simple pleasure, she emerged on the other side. There was a shallow pool on the other side, and the kelpie couldn't resist plopping down and going completely under the surface. When she came back up, she jogged after the others, only noticing when she got closer that they, and apparently herself, had been transformed into little children.

Spoiler

 

[Lioness075]

Luness raised an eyebrow at Kallin's speech and found herself unnerved by whatever was to come. She didn't like facing unknown dangers.


Yet, seeing Kallin giving her a wink, Luness found herself grinning and felt less concerned with how confident Kallin had been to face the potential danger.


Once Quincy had made her way through the waterfall, Luness took a deep breath and then dropped to all fours to give herself a good running start before she sprinted forward and leapt through the waterfall.


Yet, when Luness came out the other side, she found herself plummeting into the small spring just beyond with a surprised yelp.


Within seconds of doing so, Luness leapt above the water and then rapidly sprinted to the edge before climbing out with a disgruntled look and soaked fur that draped down along her sides and head.


Mewling grumpily, Luness then shook herself for a moment, sending water droplets flying out all around her and consequently getting anyone too close to her wet.


Once she'd shook herself free of water, Luness' fur suddenly fluffed up for a moment before she sat on her hind legs and quickly swiped at it to flatten it.


Sighing, Luness then finally took in the scene around her and her eyes widened when she realized everyone was so much taller than her...and they were all children!


In an attempt to look taller, Luness tried to stand up on her hind legs and was soon annoyed when she stumbled backwards and landed on her rump due to being clumsy as she was merely a kit now.


Hissing with annoyance, Luness then got back onto all fours while she looked around the group and soon caught sight of the young Kallin, who still in his mist form.


Suddenly, Luness' annoyed mood began to dissipate, as she grinned at Kallin and said teasingnly, "I didn't know your robes came in kid sizes, too."

Spoiler

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Just imagine that Luness still has her scar over her right eye. All of her other scars, including her mangled ear, no longer exist while she's a kit.


@SilverFlight

 

[zCrookedz]

Leo watched as Nyr summoned the light orbs. He was glad to see that the powers she commanded where at least still available to her. But it brought little comfort to the where about of Mother Moon. Still Nyr kept going, brave as she is, and the two of them exited the lower decks.


When they reached the deck and exited, Leo looked ahead and noticed the sheet of water comming down, and the two small figures on the other side. His eye widdened and he couldn't help feel a wave of dejavu of trials that changed the group into different forms. It seemed however this one was a little more refined and the waters made one young again. Leo stepped close to the wall and put a hand through. He followed through with the rest of his bulky size and felt the cool waters wash over him. He did not eve feel the change, he merely came out the other side of the waters, eye shut tight and he slowly opened them both and blinked a few times. His large muscular frame from years of training and toning where now small, weak and pathetic. He looked to Ward, Kallin, and Elena and began to laugh, which had also transformed into that of his younger years.

Spoiler

Otto followed Luness off the boat and stopped when he saw the others exit. He watched the cascade of water rain down from the falls above and smiled at how high they went. Suddenly he saw something floating down from the ceiling and his ears perked up. He watched as a small moth fluttered around near the falls and slowly descended into Ottos rang of sniffing. He began to make his way towards the bug hopping and skipping around people until he had a good look at the moth. It fluttered around to the other side of the water and Otto stopped and readied himself for an attack on the bug. With one good leap he dove straight into the water aiming for the moth. The splash sent the moth spiraling back up, however this was the least of Otto's concerns. He went tumbling through the water onto the other side where he stopped and shook off the water. He looked over to the others on the other side and tilted his head, why did they look so different. They still smelled like his friends, but they where much smaller. As was he when he looked down at his own little paws. He was a pup again!! He began to wag his tail ferociously until he caught sight of the movement and began to chase his tail around in circles, convinced his tail was laughing at him for being so small again.

 

[Lioness075]

Leandra felt a bit better having now told someone else a part of her story and some of her pain. Even more so when Elena comforted her in return and didn't just say that she was sorry to hear everything.


Feeling better now, Leandra soon followed the audacious Luness through the waterfall and uncertainly paused at the entrance when she felt herself having shrunk a bit in size.


Looking around in confusion, Leandra soon was giggling at the sight of the young werecat. It was certainly something you didn't see everyday.


Leaving the waterfall behind her, Leandra soon was at Elena's side, as she said in a high-pitched tone with a grin, "Now this is something I definitely wasn't expecting to happen."


Seeing Otto chasing his tail nearby brought a fresh set of giggles from Leandra, who felt a bit giddy at being a child again.

Spoiler

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@Bea Delaine @SilverFlight @zCrookedz

 

[DawnAntalios]

Arianne bravely followed Kallin off the ship and looked at him with determination.


" If you are going, Lord Kallin, then I shall not fail you! " she said, walking after him proudly and she stopped before the strange waterfall. She felt strange energy emanating from it but she did not care - she needed to prove herself to the others. She closed her eyes and walked in the waterfall expecting to be getting wet.


But nothing happened.


She walked out unscathed, completely dry. She looked back at the waterfall then flexed with a triumphant smile.


" This is shaping up to be very exciting. " she chuckled as she walked up to the child looking Kallin, hugging him playfully. " We are all children now! Well, seemingly! "


@SilverFlight @everyone


Nyr moved cautiously towards the strange stream of water and got a bit scared when Leo went in bravely. She hesitated for a bit on the outside, not daring to go in at first. But then she realized that if she would be afraid now to act then she would fail the mission they embarked upon. She took a deep breath and rand through it.


When she next opened her eyes she felt much different than normal... everything seemed to be so big and she...


Her eyes widened in fear as she looked upon her child self.


" No... no... this can't be happening! " she panicked, causing small bubbles of shadow and light fly out from her. She tried to run through the waterfall again but nothing had happened. She was now mortified and afraid. She could not be transformed back to her younger self... not when there is so much at stake.


With fear she sat down on the cold floor, trying to calm herself down, trying to cower her face with her tiny wings.


@zCrookedz @everyone

Spoiler

 

[SilverFlight]

Ward's expression brightened when he heard Elena's voice and saw her. He laughed so hard he nearly fell into the pool again.


"You too! And you sound even better!" He waded over to help her get to shore, a grin still plastered from ear to ear on his soft, chubby cheeks.


Kallin watched as Luness got used to her younger self again, he couldn't help but laugh. Why was everything funnier when you were a kid?


"Apparently they do, lucky for me...you look like something they'd paint on a motivational poster!" He was about to wade his way to her when someone suddenly grabbed onto him.


"Hey!" Arianne's grip seemed even stronger now that he was only six. He tried to duck under her arms. "I'm not a kid! I'm 22 years old, this is just temporary...hmm, the fact that it didn't affect you...maybe you only get put down to a certain age?"


Arianne's behaviour was endearing before, but now that she matched him in height he wasn't sure how to feel. He turned instead to his staff and my some mercy of the magic cast it had been shrunk down to fit him. he picked it up and twirled it experimentally. Good, same weighting. He tried to cast...and the formidable burst of fire that should have erupted from the tip came out in a short, pathetic little burst.


"Our...powers have been affected too..."


@Bea Delaine @Lioness075 @DawnAntalios


Leia was next and as she parted the water with a hand she could feel herself beginning to shrink. She came out the other side and tired to ring out her hair. "This...is weird." She said, moving to the shore. As soon as she stepped into dry land she felt the water evaporate almost instantly from her clothes. "At least this magic pool has a bit of common courtesy."


"Lets hope they all do." Kallin replied as he drew himself up onto shore.


Leia looked for her spirits, who had all jumped with her. Tad and Lee floated down, short and stubby versions of what they once had been, though their eyes were the same size.


"You guys are soo cute!" She hugged them both and giggled. A soft thrashing by her feet caused her to reach into the water and pull out a disgruntled mini Bob, with huge eyes and large floppy ears that almost touched the floor when he stood on his own. When Otto came through Leia had to stop herself from squealing.


"Otto!! Look at you!" It was very hard for her not to rush over and pick him up, she controlled herself however and offered a hand to help him out of the water.


@zCrookedz

Spoiler

"Come on."


He started for the treeline. The pace they kept annoyed Kallin. He enjoyed taking long strides and covering distances in seconds what it took this short, stubby form to do in a minute. His clothes were baggy, which made him prone to stumbling.


"Maggots." He grumbled as he tripped for the fifth time. The forest went on being as it always had, still and peaceful, oblivious to its little guests. Kallin hoped it would stay that way.


The map had not suffered in the water (thankfully) which made it easy to pull it out and get a bearing.


"For now, the ruins and the spring are on the same path...they're this way." He folded the paper again and continued, taking care to avoid the root at his feet.


They rounded a small turn and Kallin caught sight of another pool, sitting still and calm not too far from where they had come through.


"This is the..er...pool of truth. Don't drink the water, you'll have to tell the truth about everything...forever."


"Truth isn't so bad." Leia shot back and Kallin gave her an unamused glare. "What if you get caught by bad guys? You wouldn't be able to keep anything from them!"


Ward interjected softly. "I was going to use a surprise party as an example..."


Without warning Kallin tripped...again, but this time something shot out from under him...and it was holding the map. "Ah! Catch it!" He yelled as the little monkey-creature took off down the path.

​

​

 

[Lioness075]

Huffing at Kallin, Luness then asked him, "What's a motivational poster? I mean, it obviously is something that is motivational, but what is a poster and how is it motivational?"


Despite all her efforts, Luness couldn't suppress her overly curious self, as she had always been immensely curious as a kit.


When Kallin called for everyone to move on, Luness bounded after him, but stopped short when she sighted a butterfly nearby.


Dropping to a crouch with her rump in the air, Luness let out a not-so-intimidating growl while shaking her rump a bit before she launched herself at the butterfly only to come crashing down on top of Otto, sending both of them tumbling.


Once she stopped tumbling, Luness grinned and shot to all fours before realizing what she'd just done.


Blinking, Luness then glanced over at Kallin in time to see Arianne clinging to him.


Narrowing her eyes at Arianne, Luness bounded up to her before growling at her, though it came out as more of a high-pitched mewl due to her being a kit.


Disgruntled by her lack of intimidation skills while being a kit, Luness quickly bounded after Kallin into the forest, doing her best to hide her expression of embarassment.


When they walked up to the Spring of Truth, Luness blanched at the very idea of having to always tell the truth.


Hearing Leia and Kallin going back and forth on the truth effects, Luness sat on her rump and then swiveled her head between the two while wondering why they were arguing like that.


Soon, the monkey-like creature appeared and stole the map, making a break for it.


Wasting no time, Luness leapt to all fours and sprinted after the creature, stumbling once or twice due to the clumsiness of being a kit and having shorter legs.


@zCrookedz @SilverFlight @DawnAntalios

~~~~~

​

Leandra quickly followed after Kallin, giggling again when Luness and Otto both took a spill.


Hearing the mention that their powers were weakened, Leandra felt concerned that she wouldn't be able to heal anyone if they were to get injured. There was nothing they could do about it though.


When they approached the Spring of Truth, Leandra merely shook her head and then muttered, "That would suck."


Hearing the argument between Leia and Kallin, Leandra frowned and then stepped up between the two before asking both of them, "What's up with you two?"


Yet, the monkey soon made its appearance and Luness was after it in a flash.


Sighing at the change of events, Leandra then inhaled deeply before sprinting in the direction of the moneky creature and Luness, knowing that they couldn't lose that map.


@SilverFlight

 

[Bea Delaine]

Elena doggy paddled, attempting not to sink as Ward swam out to escort her to shore. She looked towards Leandra and nodded, suddenly a little shy to use her voice so she only smiled.


When Ward came out, she followed him to shore and quickly remembered something from her childhood. She was always the shortest in class until the age of 11. She was also one of the last to get out of speech therapy. She looked to the others and couldn't keep her laugh in.


"This is Weiwd... I didn't expect this, just ow powas going away."


She said slowly, blushing heavily as her high voice. She still felt fatigue from before, but it was different. As though she was a child kept up to late and slightly drunk off of staying up.


She suddenly looks toward Kallin, whose map was stolen from him.


She ran into action.. Sort of. Short legs went as fast as she could and she attempted summoning a gargoyle, but the ground didn't comply.


"No! Stop white theyah.."


She could have kicked herself for sounding stupid.