Fantasy On Thunders Wings

[Purize]

Bea smiled wistfully once his story was finished. "That's a pretty good reason to get into this sort of thing. I'm glad you were able to help the boy," she enthused. "That's not too different from how you found and helped me," she added with a chuckle. Meeting Sylas how she did was also happenstance. It's funny how the world seemed to work that way. Maybe it was a coincidence, or perhaps it was fate. Bea didn't exactly know where she stood on the idea of fate and destiny, but it was possible that things did happen for a reason.

"I wish I had a story of how I came to feel the way I do. I saw the posting for this job and just imagined how those people felt. The victims, and their families. Life isn't always easy and certainly has hardship, but those with the power to help ease the pain and make things safer should do so, I think," She continued thoughtfully. "I might not know how I got to that conclusion to where I feel it in my gut, but I know that I want to help people and make a difference." Absently, her hand lifted to where the pendant rested just between her collarbones and she fiddled with the cool metal on her fingertips.

 

[BugDozer73]

"You have a big heart Bea. And a stunning set of sword arms. You were made to be an adventurer. With someone like you around, people can feel safe again." Bea just kind of was what Sylas was striving to be: maybe that's why he already felt a connection with her. "So I know you might not know the answer, but if you had to guess... What do you think you will do when you get your memories back?"

 

[Purize]

Bea thought about his question for a bit before finally answering, "Well... I suppose it depends. Who knows what I will remember? If I have family or friends, or why I was on the beach," she tossed an arm towards the ocean in the distance. "But I think it's clear that I'm familiar with a blade, and I know what I want to do... Maybe I'll just continue to be an adventurer." She gave a shrug. It was very hard to imagine what someone could or could not possibly know about one's self.

"I have been noticing a couple of weird things though... Like earlier today I got scared by my own reflection- don't laugh," she warned, jabbing a finger at Sylas and glaring before resuming. "It's like I didn't... I don't recognize myself. I don't know how to use my wings, either. How can I possibly know how to fight instinctively, and yet be shocked about the appearance and function of my own body?" She shook her head in frustration, her feral wings fluttering behind her in a buzz of agreement.

"Maybe, when I get my memories back, there's a reason nothing else is familiar. Maybe I was running away from something and whatever it is, isn't worth going back to," she mumbled quietly.

 

[BugDozer73]

Sylas listened intently, not laughing as she spoke: It was clear the more she went on, the more she seemed to become down trodden. Sylas looked her over and focused on her little dragonfly wings. "Alright, so you're nervous about flying. Lets get you started now." He reached over and gently grabbed her by her hips and lifted her up. "Alright, I'm going to toss you up, and you are going to fly, alright?"

 

[Purize]

'Wait what- OH GODS! No, bad heights, heights bad!" Bea wiggled in Sylas's grasp, looking upward into the daunting sky.

"I don't want to fly, being a fairy is bullshit and a cruel joke from the universe!" She pleaded with him.

 

[BugDozer73]

"Come on, this is good: flying's an important skill. BE BRAVE!" Sylas couldn't help but smile and stifle a laugh as he flung her up (athletics: 14) He gave her a good heave, and her light frame got a good several feet up from above Sylas, leaving her maybe 9 feet up. "USE THOSE WINGS! FLY GIRL, FLY!" He called through cupped hands, and took a half step back to give her room but still close enough to catch her if she fumbled.

 

[Purize]

With a shrill cry, suddenly Bea was airborne. Her wings kicked into gear as if they were machine-like and began fluttering furiously, now a translucent blur in the sky. Her eyes were squeezed shut as she braced for the stomach-jerking lurch that came with falling from high up... but it never came. She felt weightless, a soft thrum coming from between her shoulder blades. She peeked one eye open, and then the other, and sure enough she was still airborne, hovering nine feet up in the air.

She let out a shocked laugh, looking around her. The hilly plains stretched for miles, fields of rolling grass looking like waves of green in the breeze. Off in the distance ahead grazing animals chewed lazily and meandered about, none the wiser of her observation. It was beautiful and freeing... and then she looked down.

Suddenly, a pit grew in her stomach and the ground seemed much too far away from her feet. The feeling of falling through darkness flashed through her mind like recalling a dream from the night before... except she was. She remembered plummeting through a dark sky, a storm on the horizon, the dark vastness of the ocean stretching out beneath her like an open maw. She knew that as she reached its surface, a shock of cold, tumbling water tossed her into the waves, covering her completely before she sank slowly under it.

She was so blind-sided by this sudden memory that she started to actually fall, the feeling had become familiar now, like a reoccurring nightmare. This time, the distance was shorter, and she dizzily took note that Sylas was still below her, looking up.

 

[BugDozer73]

Sylas cheered as her wings buzzed to life, and she began flying with her eyes shut. As she opened them and her face lit up, Sylas felt a strong sense of satisfaction, like watching a child ride a horse for the first time. Then, as her expression changed and she began to fall, Sylas threw his arms up and grabbed her form, pulling it to him and slid to a halt. After they had both stopped moving, he loosened his grip and pulled her head away from his chest to look her over for injury.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly.

 

[Purize]

Bea honestly didn't remember when she hit Sylas's arms. She remembered the falling and then blinked to see Sylas's face looking down at her with patient concern. She wiggled to be upright and to stand on her own, but still felt a little woozy. She held her head to stop the spinning in her vision. "Um, yeah..." she replied, looking around and then up into the sky. "This is going to sound silly... but I think I remembered something." She was not sure what exactly. What did she fall from? What was she doing up that high? Flying through a storm? She didn't know... but she got a sense that the falling felt like it lasted a very long time, not quick like it had been just now.

"I think I might have fallen into the ocean. From... really high up. I'm not sure why."

 

[BugDozer73]

Sylas held her for a moment until he found a small rocky lift to rest her against. "No kidding" He said as he checked her over thoroughly. (Investigation: 18) She seemed fine: No scrapes or bruises, and no cuts. "Well, you see to be doing ok physically. And who knows, maybe you were off flying somewhere?" He mused the idea as he stood back up and looked around. (Perception 17) No one seemed to be in the area except for them. It would be hard for any bandits to get the drop on them. They were fine to take a moments rest.

"Well that's good at least that its coming back to you. AND you flew! How did it feel? Do you think you could do it again?" He tried to keep his excitement muted, so as not to overwhelm her or devalue her fall.

 

[Purize]

Something about the idea of Bea flying over the ocean at night didn't really sit right with her. It didn't feel correct, but she shrugged it off anyway. "Maybe," she mused.

"It was a little weird being up that high, but it was really cool to get a vantage point of everything." She cracked a small smile, it did feel really exhilarating to fly... or at least hover. "I think that I can get used to it... I just keep getting this weird feeling." She touched her chest, just over where her heart rested. "It's hard to explain. I'll keep at it though." She nodded in assurance and found her way to the trail once more. "I'd guess we'd better get going, sundown is coming soon. There's some elk up ahead, maybe we'll get to see them if we hurry!"

 

[BugDozer73]

She seemed to recover quickly, or perhaps she was deflecting. Either way, she smiled and hurried on. Maybe flying could help bring back more of her memories. Or even if it couldn't, her flying ability could prove unendingly useful to them both in a plethora of situations. Bea was simply full of talents, and Sylas smiled. "Alright, I'm coming. Don't run off" He called after her, and set off down the trail again, cresting to hill a ways down and seeing the fields slope towards a long stretch of land as beautiful as the one they just crossed. The grazing animals and grass was burning yellows and oranges as they caught the light from the setting sun. It really was breath taking. The sea itself glittered in the same light and as the waves rolled and crashed, it looked like an army of a million torches marching towards the shore.

Eventually, the sun set, and the cool of the air set in. Sylas took stock of the area, looking for a place to settle (Perception 17) and honed in on a small area of flat land off the path just a ways ahead. "Up here on the left. Lets stop for the night."

He turned and moved on the trail until they stood before the small area. It was a little ways off the path, but there was a small dirt streak through the grasses that led to it, so it wasn't exactly hidden. From here, Sylas could see the tree line for the Blair woods: it would be less than an hour to walk there in the morning. They had made great time.

"Alright- You gather some fire wood and I'll set up the tent for tonight." He pulled out the two person green canvas tent and began to undo it and figure out what all the polls and clips were for. It seemed a lot more complicated than simply sleeping under the stars.

 

[Purize]

They pulled off into a little nook that Bea also approved of and she nodded at Sylas as he started to wrestle with the tent. She suppressed her laughter, wondering if it would be up by the time she got back. She started on her task of searching for tinder and kindling for the fire.

Thankfully they were now near a wooded area so it wasn't too hard to find the proper materials she needed (Survival: 15). She got out her knife and also cut off small maple tree twigs that would burn longer as well as plenty of dry and dead wood to make it easier to light the fire. The more she looked around, the more she realized things that she probably shouldn't know. They weren't memories as much as knowledge for skills. The only real memory she had was not too long before she was found... everything else was more of a 6th sense kind of thing and sometimes it creeped her out.

Eventually, Bea returned to the camp with her hoard and started to assemble the campfire. Meticulously creating a small bonfire shape that would hopefully burn well through the night.

"How's the tent coming along?" Bea called over her shoulder.

 

[BugDozer73]

After a few moments and hushed cursing, Sylas began to understand the usages of the pieces and after a few correct snaps and locks, the tent began to fit together like a puzzle missing 2 pieces. (Survival 18) After about 10 minutes, he stood back and admired the now erect tent. It wasn't huge, but it had a good set in for 2 people and a rain cover, as well as a small breathing hole in the center to let in some more fresh air. It was actually very nice. "All finished on my end." Sylas turned around and sat by the now built fire, and he removed his tinderbox and lit the pile of wood and kindling. Finally, they were off their feet with a nice tent, a fire, some rations and a night sky brimming with celestial lights. Sylas leaned back on the ground as he nibbled on his food and looked up at the sky.

"it's not so bad on the road; at least here. Fett's a lot colder, and Markeev has much nastier monsters, typically." He remarked casually.

 

[Purize]

Taking the bedroll out of her new pack, Bea spread it out on the ground outside of the tent and laid back on it, looking off towards the sky where orange bled into deep blue colors. "This is really nice," she agreed with her half-orc companion. In the woods behind them, the sounds of crickets had already begun to swell and the twinkle of fireflies was beginning to be noticeable in the treeline.

"It would be nice to see it all one day though, nastier monsters included," she chuckled. She looked up at the stars and twined her fingers around her necklace once more.

 

[BugDozer73]

Sylas sat up and slide his blade off his shoulders, resting it next to him. The fire was burning bright now, which cast its orange light over the surrounding clearing and grasses. A small smoke stack had begun to rise above them. As comfortable as it was, they were exposed and not hidden super well, and the fire was a beacon to any monster or bandits in a 10 mile radius. Sylas was used to sleeping alone in the dark, so tonight, his strategy would be changing.

"I am going to take the first watch tonight" He said while keeping his eyes peeled. "You can get some sleep for now. I'll wake you up in a few hours."

 

[Purize]

"Okay, sounds good to me... Be safe and wake me up if you need me." Bea gave him a salute and tugged her bedroll into the tent. She closed the flaps to dim the light coming from the fire and tried to get comfy. Sleeping in the woods wasn't necessarily the most ideal form of rest, but it was certainly exciting to camp and travel.

After a while, she felt herself wind down, and sleep eventually claim her.

A feeling that was becoming increasingly familiar to Bea came about once more as she dropped through open blackness. This time, there was more detail to the dark, pinpricks of light like stars twinkling in the vast void. Below her was more water, but it was calm and clear like a glass mirror reflecting the stars and her falling form. There was no sun or moon, just her and the small lights. Slowly though, she realized that she wasn't alone. She could see another small figure next to her, looking back. She was translucent though and Bea recognized that it was actually a shadow-like visage of herself. The illusion was almost sentient though. It moved of its own accord, reaching out a small outline of a hand towards Bea, placing it on her chest where her pendant rested. It didn't say anything, but stared into Bea, almost silently affirming that they were one. This was a part of her.

They still fell through the dark, the ocean beneath never any closer or further as if they were chasing after it. Bea started to reach out to the shadow to place a hand on its own chest, where it too had a matching necklace whistling through the air, but just as she made contact, a burst of glittery stars and light amassed around them and revealed many, many more shadows, all who looked like Bea and the twin visage. Together they fell in silent unison before all suddenly locking eyes with Bea and disappearing just as she finally hit the freezing water below.

 

[BugDozer73]

Sylas sat against the rock for hours, readjusting from time to time, trying to sit comfortably. When the fire burned low, he would feed it kindling that Bea had recovered, but after a few hours the fire dipped low and the kindling dwindled. Eventually, the fire itself sputtered, flicked, and snuffed out, leaving a small stream of smoke coming from the still burning coals. The bright light now just a simple glow that barely swept over Sylas's leather boots. The chill of the evening, now unchallenged by the defense of the flames, crept over Sylas. He shivered slightly and pulled his cloak over his shoulders more tightly.

His eyes moved from place to place, scanning from things sneaking up on them, but with peace came tranquility. The nights in Celeste were never still: The breeze still danced through the grass and the night was filled with a symphony of insects and trees creaking, grass swishing, and the occasional cry of a far off animal. Sylas found himself getting distracted and watching the stars slowly drift across the sky, now cloudless and full. (Perception 7)

It had been a strange couple of days. Finding Bea had been its own kind of adventure. It was nice to have a distraction, because several things were sure to happen when he returned: His home was already relocked. Chuck would be sending people to repossess his property, leaving Sylas on the street, or more likely mooching off Brianna again. Bea would return and retrieve her memories, remember where she came from and return to wherever it was, leaving Sylas alone. Which is what she SHOULD do. Don't be selfish, Sylas. When it's time to let her go, don't make her decision harder than it has to be. He mentally scolding himself and sighed loudly. So what was there to do?

Assuming all went well, he would take 150 gp and pay off his 80 gp debt with Chuck, leaving him 70 coin. Not enough to get a horse, or a good quality new blade. There was always trying out his hand in the proving grounds and getting assigned to a team. Honestly, a team might not be the worst thing, though Sylas still turned his nose up at the idea of being bound to any of the benefactors. I could always go back to sailing.... Sylas looked down at his ring, and shook his head. He might head to sea again at some point, but he was a merc now. Thats where he could do the most good. And that was it really: what if there was another Bea out there, waiting for someone to drag her out of the surf? A boy held for ransom in a bandit camp, knife to throat? A family dragged away in the night by a monstrous creature too far into human land?

Sylas drew his blade gently and rested the point in the dirt, and he ran his thumb over the steel. Alfonzo's words seemed to ring in his mind, a echo-us memory that harmonized with the wind. "Promise me Sylas... Take this Oath and be Free. To Live free, to trust the skies, to be like water, and to charge bravely into the unknown. You are a hero of storms and seas, Sylas: Claim the world by the throat and return it to the people."

Sylas gripped the hilt of his blade and closed his eyes, remembering his promise and refreshing his will to uphold it. No matter what came, tomorrow or any day beyond, Sylas would meet it and find a way through it. Whatever tried to bind Sylas would find itself dragged on its own chains. Whatever tried to hide beyond the eyes or the righteous, he would find in the darkest corners. And Sylas would listen to the gods wills, as they speak to him.

As he spoke, the low rumble of thunder moved towards him from the west; the sea. A storm was moving, away? Maybe. A single bolt of lightning struck the earth miles away, and the thunder came like applause. Sylas felt at ease, as if he had passed some sort of test. Come storm or high water, his blade would face forward, heart bared. A promise to himself, alone with no one watching.

"This I swear." He whispered quietly into the hilt, and he lifted his blade and stowed it back into its sheath. The moon had risen past the highest point in the sky by a little. It was a good time to switch. Sylas rose gently and stood outside of the tent door. "Bea?" He whispered, before opening the tent and putting his hand on her sleeping shoulders gently. "Come to, Bea. The nights full and ready to be kept company."

 

[Purize]

Bea jolted, the chill of cold water fading as she awoke to the world around her. Sylas peeked his big head through the tent door, looking at her expectantly. She gave him a brisk nod and made her way into the breezy night air. The tent had been dry and warm enough to be comfortable, but her back ached from laying on the hard ground, even with the generously donated bedroll. She stretched her tense muscles and smiled at Sylas before he turned in. "Alright. I'll keep a lookout, get some rest."

With that, Bea went over to the fire that barely had wisps of smoke coming off of it now. It would be hard to see much in the darkness without a fire, so she did a quick job of gathering more wood and sticks and set about rekindling it. Once it was alight, giving off a soft orange glow once more to her surroundings, she began to pace around the camp. She stretched her legs and stood in the clearing, looking up into the sky. The stars blinked coldly, looking lonely even in groups among the vast heavens. They reminded her of the dream she'd just had, not that she had trouble recalling it this time. It was different than her previous nightmare. It felt less like a memory and more like subconscious thought. She wondered what these stars meant to her, why they seemed to tug at her heartstrings in a subtle but ever-present way. Maybe she would finally know when she got her memories back.

She decided to sit and rest by the fire, gazing out and about, alert for any potential bumps in the night. All seemed calm and well, nothing to be seen until suddenly- WHAM!

Something dark, small, and soft smacked straight into her face. With a muffled yelp, Bea fell onto her back and ripped the thing off her face. It wriggled and screeched in terror in her hands, seemingly as confused and scared as she was. It was a small, dark brown creature with fuzz-like fur and a crinkled nose, and beady eyes. Tiny, dull incisors peeked out from its lips as it squirmed, but it made it look more comical and cute than intimidating. Two leathery wings flapped against Bea's grip as she inspected it. "You scared the shit out of me," she chastised it. "Next time, look where you're flying!" With that, she let the small beast go and it went tumbling and flapping into the night.

Crisis averted, but Bea wasn't able to concentrate well on her surroundings after that. (Perception: Natural 1)

 

[BugDozer73]

Sylas slept deeply, trusting the fairy and enjoying the comfort of a bed roll he wasn't used to. Typically, Sylas dreamed of many things: The ocean, Alfonzo, The pits in Markeev; even chains, and the whippings. But tonight, he had a different dream. A dream of a dark beach, with stormy tides crashing onto the sand. Thunder rolled loudly, and the black clouds sparkled with the lighting that ran between them. Sleet slunk down to the world, stinging his skin as it fell, and Sylas was alone.

He looked around the beach, staring at the curve of the coast that slipped beyond a jutting cliff to his left, and to his right.. Sylas nearly jumped out of his skin as a tall woman in dark tattered rags that sunk into the shadows stood before him. When Sylas looked at her, tall was an understatement: She stood at least 12 feet tall, her own face mostly covered, only leaving a pale mouth and thing lips curling into an unduly smile that left Sylas's skin with goosebumps and his battle senses blaring.

The sensation she had around her was like thick pressure, and his hairs began to stand on end. And she leaned in to where he had stumbled back, her face curling down to meet his own, still shrouded in shadow, and her lips split. "Listen" Her voice exploded like the clap of thunder right over his head, and Sylas shot out of his bed with a jolt, his body soaked with sweat. He looked around between deep breaths and took in the familiar green canvas inside of the tent which struggled to keep out the morning light. The sound of trees swaying and birds chirping greeted him as well. So it was a dream? He wiped his forehead with his shirt and rose to his knees. That had been.... unsettling. He shook it off the best he could, trying to release it from his mind and bring himself to the day at hand. He exited the tent in search of his fairy friend, and to make sure nothing had been taken or eaten in the night.

"Morning" He spoke with as calm a tone as he could muster.

 

[Purize]

As the late-night grew to early morning, Bea watched warmer tones form on the horizon, bleeding orange, pink, and light blue hues into the sky. When it entirely became dawn and the first rays of light began leaking through the canopy of the trees, Bea heard rustling coming from the tent (Perception: 18). It sounded like Sylas was tossing and turning under the canvas and it made her wonder what sort of dreams plagued him. There was one last scuffle from inside from his presumably jerking upright. Moments later, he exited the tent.

"Good morning!" Bea chirped. "Sleep well?" She was pulling out some of the rations that Brianna had packed for her and chewing a stick of jerky.

 

[BugDozer73]

"Yeah, great" He feigned, trying to smile and look enthused. (Deception: 9) He leaned down and pulled out his own rations, and chewed on them for a few minutes, filling his belly before the day. His water skin was mostly empty, and what was left he polished off right there, before turning the thing upside down. "I can make us some water when you are finished with yours." He remarked casually.

The tree line rustled with the morning wind, which was the sound of todays calling. "How do you feel about today mission? Nervous?"

 

[Purize]

Bea squinted at him and stared for a long while enough to notice a few beads of sweat on his forehead (Insight: 9) She watched as he had his rations for the day and drank some water. She offered him her waterskin, but had no idea how one went about 'making water.'

"I feel ready," she replied honestly, still sleeping an eye on him. She didn't want to pry if he didn't want to explain why he was pretending to be his aloof normal self... but he was terrible at lying, Bea was realizing. "How about you?" She probed lightly. "Are you sure you're well rested enough? You're a little pale as far as greenness goes," she gave him a gentle teasing smile.

 

[BugDozer73]

"Me? I'm fine. Just had some rough dreams, nothing important. Sometimes I get those when it storms. I'm present." He was being honest, but he avoided going into too much detail. It wasn't important, at least not right now. What was important was that he was focused on the mission, and handling the creatures. Sylas had never fought giant spiders before, but he had heard stories. They could be quick and quiet. It was easy for them to get the drop on you, especially if you couldn't see in the dark. As he thought about it, he looked back at Bea, a new question forming in his mind.

"Can you see in the dark?" He asked curiously. He had never met a fairy before, and had never thought to ask.

 

[Purize]

"Okay, good." She nodded, leaving him be for now. If he said he was fine, he was. Bea started recollecting her things and organizing them neatly in her backpack to optimize space.

At his next question, Bea gave him a quizzical look, "Can you!?" She replied incredulously. Was that thing? People seeing in the dark? This world grew ever-stranger to her.