Part I - The blood-dimmed tide

[Cosmosis]

{/\/\Marth/\/\}

​

Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: Afternoon Ish


Activityebating on what to cook.


@sitanomoto @Dkingow

Marth watch the two do something and was confused. "Wha are yew dewing?" Marth asked as he walked over to them, looking straight up as he was now in between them. He saw the man's chin but couldn't see the womans. "Are yew trying to clean eachotters mowfs?" The kid asked. It was odd though. They didn't have cloths or water nearby unless they had flasks? He gently tugged the guy's shirt to show he was down below.

 

[Quark]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: forest near Roselea


Time: afternoon


Activity: helping with dinner


Interaction:


@Mitchs98


@Robertaka123

Emiyn had only half-heard Haruko's first response while the three of them were working on the wild game. Until, he spoke up about the monsters. For a split moment, he had almost missed cutting the part where the liver of the rabbit was. "True. Monsters... and people. " Emiyn hummed in agreement. He didn't want to voice out his suspicions of being watched, for fear of adding more confusion and panic to the group. "You'd wonder whether it was anything to do with people disappearing." He didn't say anything for a while, letting his words settle in. Perhaps he was referring about the lack of news from Roselea, or the abrupt stop of the airship services a few months ago, or...


"Speaking of people disappearing," Emiyn suddenly spoke up, his knife stopping for a moment before he turned to Haruko, then Draena. "Katherine Brygold Verheim, Irene Ricci Acker, Liam Kahn. Do these names mean anything to you?" The three women were of the four that had encountered the peculiar fate of being dragged "into the pit" on the night the Tower was invaded, around the same time Garrett had noticed about everyone's shadows "acting strange". He wasn't sure whether the two adults had looked it up themselves, as there had been a few gossip among the guards though most of this strange case has been kept hidden. When he had first heard it when sneaking around the castle, he was puzzled about the common traits these women had.

 

[Maki]

(I was going to go to sleep, then you posted d
Senki Tazuya

Senki pretty much instantly returned the hug and leaned her head onto her shoulder, listening with a small content smile on her face as she spoke. What she had said went against every fibre of her being and desires, but..hugging like this would suffice. It felt nice and warm. She sighed as she misunderstood what she meant, she didn't think that at all. She just moreso thought what she said didn't really sound like something a normal couple would say. But in hindsight, it should of been expected. They weren't exactly a normal couple. The entire thing started out with a rather accidental posistion, which Senki liked, and Senki herself was a very perverted girl whereas Yuki was the exact opposite.


She was cute and innocent..and Senki kind of looked forward to slowly changing that. At-least a little, not to much. While Yuki could stand to be a little more relaxed on things as she said, she also didn't picture her ever being a full on perv like she was. She was just to cute and innocent for that. Though, she wouldn't mind if that did happen..not one bit. When she finally reassured her touching was fine, that was pretty much the final cue she needed to move her hands down over her butt. Though, as she asked, she didn't start groping her. Senki giggled softly before holding her head up to kiss her on the cheek.


"If I'm being honest. I've never actually been in a real relationship myself either. Everything else has just been one night flings." She told her. "Soo..I guess I'm just as lost as you. Oh well..I'm sure we can find it out for ourselves. Can't be that hard to love someone." She added. "I do gotta ask though. Did you know it was me that touched you earlier at first? Or did you actually think I monster snuck up and stole a squeeze?" She asked, holding up and grinning cheekily. The teasing, it would never stop.

Yuki held the hug the entire time her and Senki talked. It was still pretty strange to be touched where she was being touched, but like she said she'd have to accept it. Senki's happiness was just as, or even more important than her own, and she'd need to suck it up for the time being. However Senki was probably in a world of happiness right now. Since the white haired guard was still somewhat uncomfortable with the butt touching she was trying to get away from it, making her press closer into Senki. And since her arms weren't in the way there was nothing between their bodies, except clothes, which she wasn't willing to take off. So the silver haired girl was getting the front and the back, the best of both worlds. Despite all of this embarrassing stuff Yuki was glad to know that she wasn't alone in being new to a romantic relationship. Hopefully they'd be able to find it themselves and strengthen their bond while doing so. "Oh, well I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in this. And no, I didn't think some monster came up and grabbed me. I'd would be dead if that was the case. Besides, no monster has the hand of a human, and the angle that you were grabbing me would be impossible for a goblin. I'm not stupid..."

 

[Mitchs98]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: forest near Roselea


Time: afternoon


Activity: helping with dinner


Interaction:


@Mitchs98


@Robertaka123

Emiyn had only half-heard Haruko's first response while the three of them were working on the wild game. Until, he spoke up about the monsters. For a split moment, he had almost missed cutting the part where the liver of the rabbit was. "True. Monsters... and people. " Emiyn hummed in agreement. He didn't want to voice out his suspicions of being watched, for fear of adding more confusion and panic to the group. "You'd wonder whether it was anything to do with people disappearing." He didn't say anything for a while, letting his words settle in. Perhaps he was referring about the lack of news from Roselea, or the abrupt stop of the airship services a few months ago, or...


"Speaking of people disappearing," Emiyn suddenly spoke up, his knife stopping for a moment before he turned to Haruko, then Draena. "Katherine Brygold Verheim, Irene Ricci Acker, Liam Kahn. Do these names mean anything to you?" The three women were of the four that had encountered the peculiar fate of being dragged "into the pit" on the night the Tower was invaded, around the same time Garrett had noticed about everyone's shadows "acting strange". He wasn't sure whether the two adults had looked it up themselves, as there had been a few gossip among the guards though most of this strange case has been kept hidden. When he had first heard it when sneaking around the castle, he was puzzled about the common traits these women had.

@Robertaka123


Haruko Kiyama: Forest Camp

Haruko nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps as he had thought the monsters were planning something, the thought of them planning something and working together in and of itself was what worried him. They usually kept to their own kind and didn't do much beyond basic planning, but it was clear from the recent Tower attack they were starting to do the exact opposite of that. It wasn't normal, at all. The thought of monsters kidnapping people for some kind of plan or leader worried him, if monsters ever did unify like that they could easily wipe everyone out. He shuddered at the thought and swiftly brushed it aside, he was getting to far ahead of himself. The Tower attack was a fluke, it had to be.


He looked up from his thoughts as Emiyn asked if three people meant something to him. He arched a brow and thought for a bit before shrugging. "Nope. Never heard of them before at all." He replied. "Why, do you know them or something?" She asked.

Yuki held the hug the entire time her and Senki talked. It was still pretty strange to be touched where she was being touched, but like she said she'd have to accept it. Senki's happiness was just as, or even more important than her own, and she'd need to suck it up for the time being. However Senki was probably in a world of happiness right now. Since the white haired guard was still somewhat uncomfortable with the butt touching she was trying to get away from it, making her press closer into Senki. And since her arms weren't in the way there was nothing between their bodies, except clothes, which she wasn't willing to take off. So the silver haired girl was getting the front and the back, the best of both worlds. Despite all of this embarrassing stuff Yuki was glad to know that she wasn't alone in being new to a romantic relationship. Hopefully they'd be able to find it themselves and strengthen their bond while doing so. "Oh, well I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in this. And no, I didn't think some monster came up and grabbed me. I'd would be dead if that was the case. Besides, no monster has the hand of a human, and the angle that you were grabbing me would be impossible for a goblin. I'm not stupid..."

Senki Tazuya: Forest

Senki was as Yuki thought extremely happy in her current posistion. Yuki had forgiven her, even tolerated her, and they were currently in the middle of a forest alone tightly hugging. It was nice and peaceful, and certainly a welcome distraction from everything. She giggled at her response to her question. She guessed it was a kind of silly thing to think she'd been tricked, but it was silly of her to think she would of allowed a monster to come that close; much less kill her. "Nah, you wouldn't of died. If it had been a monster it would of been dead wayy before it reached ya." She replied. "I'd never let anything hurt you, not if I could help it." She added before leaning back and releasing her from the hug, moving to hold her hand instead. "C'mon, lets walk around for a bit for real this time. Maybe some of the others are out and about and we can meet up with 'em or something. Or just take in the scenery." She told her.

 

[Mykinkaiser]

Refara Illinara


Reffy watched almost in slow motion as Garrett's whole face seemed to pale and his eyes widened to an unhealthy degree. His posture was tense and unforgiving. Almost completely forgetting what she had said moments ago, the snow haired girl sat up suddenly and twisted to face him, even bending slightly and tilting her head like a kid peering under a blanket, locking her violet eyes with him. "You.... ok Garry? Are you unwell? Your all pale!..." placing the back of her hand to his forehead as she gave a worried frown. She heard Benton come back and for a moment she glanced to him confused before she remembered what she had asked in the first place. "Oh... okay! That makes sense." She said in the same off handed manner she had when she asked the baby question first off. Eyes peering back to Garry with that same worried frown. "I'm sure there is a stream nearby, why don't I get you a cool drink of water?..." And with all things Refara, she had already lept up and was disappearing into the woods with a canteen she had snatched along the way.


@Mykinkaiser @SleepyBuddha

Garrett Bolton

Garrett sat in a haze, not really hearing what Benton or Refara said as his poor mind still struggled with his spiraling thoughts. He was snapped back into reality as Refara left his lap, saying something that he barely caught about getting water. Scrambling to follow her Garrett slipped out of the wagon and ran to catch up to her, only acknowledging Benton with a brief nod.

Garrett Bolton

In the time it took to reach his girlfriend Garrett collected himself as much as he could, some color returning to his face. Pulling alongside her he hesitates for a second before speaking. "Hey uhhh... when you asked about if you were able to give b-birth was that because you wanted k-kids? Because I think that if you do, and there's nothing wrong if you do or don't, we should probably wait until after m-mar... m-marriage... And of course I love you I just don't think I'm ready for that kind of c-commitment after all this is my first relationship and I just want to take it slow and make sure everything is going well and I want to make sure you're happy and I'm rambling so I'll shut up now..."

 

[Zooks]

Garrett Bolton

Garrett sat in a haze, not really hearing what Benton or Refara said as his poor mind still struggled with his spiraling thoughts. He was snapped back into reality as Refara left his lap, saying something that he barely caught about getting water. Scrambling to follow her Garrett slipped out of the wagon and ran to catch up to her, only acknowledging Benton with a brief nod.

Garrett Bolton

In the time it took to reach his girlfriend Garrett collected himself as much as he could, some color returning to his face. Pulling alongside her he hesitates for a second before speaking. "Hey uhhh... when you asked about if you were able to give b-birth was that because you wanted k-kids? Because I think that if you do, and there's nothing wrong if you do or don't, we should probably wait until after m-mar... m-marriage... And of course I love you I just don't think I'm ready for that kind of c-commitment after all this is my first relationship and I just want to take it slow and make sure everything is going well and I want to make sure you're happy and I'm rambling so I'll shut up now..."

Refara


The snow haired girl was walking idly, soft and steady as her violet eyes peered down to the canteen in her fingers. She wasn't sure where she was going just that she was gingerly heading towards the nearest stream. She just started to see the stream's bank and hear the running water when she heard the heavy thunking of Garrett's boots.


It could have been anyone but she just knew it was Garry because it was always Garry. As he started to speak she turned and gave him her full attention. She stared with an adorable smile plastered on her face and even bent down to place the canteen against the ground. She watched him speak and ramble along, there were a few times she looked half surprised but for the most part allowed him to speak. Eventually when he said he'd shut up, she reached her hands up to clasp at his cheeks and drag his face down to kiss at his forehead.


"Oh Garry.... I don't want kids right now, I was just asking!... because one day we will get married and we will have kids because there isn't a single other person I can imagine myself with." Here her face broke into a huge smile. In a way Refara could be called selfish because if she loved you she loved you and if she hated you, well she'd kill you. There was nothing the other person could say or do that would change that. Garrett could panic and be the most clutzy romantic in the world but she would stay by him.


In her mind there were no obstacles, no worries, no pessimistic tendancies. She just assumed if they were dating now they would date forever, they would marry and have kids eventually. They would die holding hands. 8 months and an entire lifetime were just the same in her eyes though he may not see it that way.


"I love you Garry..." she said finally silencing the whirlwind thoughts she knew he would have as she pulled his face back down and pressed her lips to his in a breathtaking kiss.


@Mykinkaiser

 

[Quark]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: forest camp near Roselea


Time: afternoon


Activity: helping with dinner


Interaction:


@Robertaka123 @Mitchs98

"I see," Emiyn said. Looks like Haruko wasn't sure about them either. Part of him was perhaps also glad that his friend wasn't caught up in the dangerous yet fearful occurrence. "Well... Liam was the girl who helped Marth," he pointed out, referring to the day they had first found the 5-year-old, bleeding and barely conscious. Come to think of it, Draena had also been outside. The prince shifted his eyes towards the military officer for the moment, unsure whether the disappeared girl and him were acquaintances. He continued on talking about the others to Haruko. "They were the ones who "fell into the pit." You know, what I told you about the other day...All female, who know some form of healing magic. " he didn't want to go into further detail. Once someone heard it the first time, it was strange enough that it was almost impossible to forget. It seemed to be magic of sorts, according to witnesses, yet none of these women seemed to have been using their magic gem. Emiyn didn't want to say it any further, but just by the timing, and the similarities, made him wonder whether there was one person that had orchestrated it. Would this be a trick of sorts?

 

[Maki]

@Robertaka123
Haruko Kiyama: Forest Camp

Haruko nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps as he had thought the monsters were planning something, the thought of them planning something and working together in and of itself was what worried him. They usually kept to their own kind and didn't do much beyond basic planning, but it was clear from the recent Tower attack they were starting to do the exact opposite of that. It wasn't normal, at all. The thought of monsters kidnapping people for some kind of plan or leader worried him, if monsters ever did unify like that they could easily wipe everyone out. He shuddered at the thought and swiftly brushed it aside, he was getting to far ahead of himself. The Tower attack was a fluke, it had to be.


He looked up from his thoughts as Emiyn asked if three people meant something to him. He arched a brow and thought for a bit before shrugging. "Nope. Never heard of them before at all." He replied. "Why, do you know them or something?" She asked.


Senki Tazuya: Forest

Senki was as Yuki thought extremely happy in her current posistion. Yuki had forgiven her, even tolerated her, and they were currently in the middle of a forest alone tightly hugging. It was nice and peaceful, and certainly a welcome distraction from everything. She giggled at her response to her question. She guessed it was a kind of silly thing to think she'd been tricked, but it was silly of her to think she would of allowed a monster to come that close; much less kill her. "Nah, you wouldn't of died. If it had been a monster it would of been dead wayy before it reached ya." She replied. "I'd never let anything hurt you, not if I could help it." She added before leaning back and releasing her from the hug, moving to hold her hand instead. "C'mon, lets walk around for a bit for real this time. Maybe some of the others are out and about and we can meet up with 'em or something. Or just take in the scenery." She told her.

Yuki rolled her eyes when Senki exclaimed that she would've been absolutely fine in the case of a monster attack. She didn't know why a monster would try to grab her butt in the first place, but with everything going on it was possible. Though despite how silly it sounded it was still nice to know that someone had her back forever. "I know you would never let anything hurt me, and that really means a lot. And I'll always have your back as well. Nothing will ever touch us." She said with a smile, staring into her eyes. The guard was actually quite glad that Senki had stopped her hug and moved her hands away from her butt and into her own hands. It seemed much more innocent and formal, and that's how she rolled. The idea of taking a simple walk sounded just as great. It would be relaxing and nice. "Ok, let us walk around. Though it will hard to take in the scenery with you beside me..." She said, mumbling the last part and blushing softly. "Lead the way."

 

[Mitchs98]

Yuki rolled her eyes when Senki exclaimed that she would've been absolutely fine in the case of a monster attack. She didn't know why a monster would try to grab her butt in the first place, but with everything going on it was possible. Though despite how silly it sounded it was still nice to know that someone had her back forever. "I know you would never let anything hurt me, and that really means a lot. And I'll always have your back as well. Nothing will ever touch us." She said with a smile, staring into her eyes. The guard was actually quite glad that Senki had stopped her hug and moved her hands away from her butt and into her own hands. It seemed much more innocent and formal, and that's how she rolled. The idea of taking a simple walk sounded just as great. It would be relaxing and nice. "Ok, let us walk around. Though it will hard to take in the scenery with you beside me..." She said, mumbling the last part and blushing softly. "Lead the way."

Senki Tazuya

Senki smiled and gently kissed Yuki's forehead as she said she'd protect her too. She was really cute a sweet, a stark contrast to when they first met. Well, she was still cute, but she wasn't exactly that kind. While, she wouldn't of exactly minded if something like that had happened to her, it was completely obvious that Yuki just wasn't that kind of girl; whether it was her or someone else. She giggled at what she said last as she agreed to continuing their little walk. "Likewise cutie." She replied, giggling a bit more before turning to lead her through the forest, still holding her hand. She still couldn't help but think she'd met Yuki before, even before she 69'd her in the middle of the street. She had been thinking about it the past few days but still couldn't shake the feeling she did. Oh well..she was sure it'd come to her sooner or later. "I'm surprised..I haven't seen the forest this peaceful in forever. It's kind of nice..but still makes you wonder where the monsters went. Oh well..I'm sure they aren't nearby, they would've tried to attack us already." She told her, though moreso commenting idly.

 

[Robertaka123]

Draena Kabria


Location: About a day away from Rosalea in the forest.


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Thinking, preparing food.


Interaction:@Quark @Mitchs98

Draena looked up from plucking feathers when Emiyn brought up the girl who had been helping Marth. He had been listening the whole time, very intensely actually, but was pretending to be focused on his task. Whatever this pit was, it certainly intrigued Draena, and if it was a source of power he definitely needed to control it or destroy it. "What is this "pit". I'm assuming it is not an actual pit otherwise they could simply be pulled out." The man spoke, giving a sincerely curious look to Emiyn. One of the women mentioned was a person he had hoped to help, and now she is gone. It was weird for Draena to get a personal feeling for the disappearance of others, but this one just felt different.

Kurio Palmonius


Location: About a day away from Rosalea in the forest.


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Casting spells.


Interaction: @Quark

Kurio felt through the rummaged through his other needle quickly, figuring out which one was the one sticking out of Erika's hand. "Okay..." He said, finding the right spell so the illusion was not too strong. "Septem par voluptatem excitant." Kurio muttered, the needle in Erika's hand glowing as he finished the spell. Unseen to her, the needle within Kurio's chest glowed the same shade of purple. After a moment of concentrating the spell began to take hold, small streams of purple light crawling up Erika's arm as the magic spread throughout her body. At first the illusion was rather weak, simply showing faint images of pleasurable things like food, a fluffy animal. But once the magic reached her brain it adapted to her personal desires, and the imagery came directly from her mind so they were as real as she could imagine.

 

[Quark]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: forest camp near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: preparing dinner, discussing


Interaction: @Robertaka123 @Mitchs98

"Well, I suppose they call it "pit" because it's a softer and more hopeful alternative to "abyss", or "void", " he said, his eyes growing rather dull and a wry smile appeared on his face. "In stories, one isn't able to escape out of the the latter." His hand flinched a little before starting to describe what he had discovered to Draena. He had pondered about the recorded words of the witnesses, that he had secretly copied into his journal. Over the last few days, he tried to compare with any magic he learnt, or any supernatural phenomenon or even anything about monsters that can do that. He had no idea how it could materialised, but it was something completely different from his shadow ritual magic. The scale was out larger, and completely out of control. "I don't know what it was… but it doesn't sound like a mere coincidence." he said. He wasn't sure whether it was something caused intentionally, but he wasn't going to bring up something that might bring panic to the group. He didn't say anything for a while, allowing his words to sink in before speaking up again. "You're right about one thing though. These women weren't found even when we left Iafern. If they are back and alive they wouldn't be hiding. "He ended the last sentence with an extremely grim tone, hinting a few of his unspoken anxious thoughts as there was another slicing sound of flesh in the air.


"But," he suddenly took out his handkerchief to wipe the blood of his hands, while smiling more like a youth again. Perhaps if his eyes weren't that tired he would have looked convincing. "That's all I've heard. It could just be hallucinations, or tricks of the mind." Laying the blade down on the ground, he wrapped the bled and cut pieces of rabbit onto the cloth and handed it to Haruko.

Erika LeBlanc


Location: forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: Trying Kurio's spell


Interaction: @Robertaka123

Erika's eyes remained closed, as she could almost feel something flowing into her through her wrist. Something flashed in her eyes and blurry images replayed in her mind.


There was the cake she had with her mother when she had done well at school. Those were afternoons when there were no bad things, only what made her smile. Perhaps if her mother wasn't going out in the evening, she'd eat with her and tell her of her former years as an actress.


Then flashed the image of the rabbits.Fluffy, white, ruby-coloured eyes and always on alert to dash off quickly. She had often watched them near their burrow before they…


The images changed again before her thought was finished, jumping to the time when she had first won against Emiyn in arm wrestling. Erika's face brightened despite she was seeing her brother's disappointed and frustrated look, too distracted in reliving in the moment when she could show her (negligible) strength.


There was a flash again, and the visions were more vivid now. As well as random.


Just a simple walk with her brother in town. Yet the two children were having tremendous fun in putting on the act as beggars, or sickly children, or bullies or servants of a noble family. Anyone that was not Emi and Eri. All thanks to the acting lessons from her mother. Even if they were running away from guards and angry shopkeepers, they were laughing along the way before slipping through another shop, quickly changing to the next "role".


Flash. She could now almost hear the sounds from the visions.


Erika found her fists clenched together excitedly as she was in the academy, sparring with her friend. It didn't matter to her whether it was just one or two blades in her hand, only that her friend and Eri were able to get a laugh out of it every afternoon. Lynn would have turned every now and then to see a couple of boys giving the two of them the odd look, to which she would return with a challenging one.


Flash again. The image was darker, showing it was night, back at her house. Within a room with a chair overturned, and a lamp shattered, no loud sounds could be heard from her mother who was arguing vigorously with a man. There was a shattered lamp beside the newly-lit candle that the young girl had brought into the room. The two adults turned, and her mother's face turned ghostly pale from anger and worry. She yanked the candle off Erika's arm and grabbed onto the wrist, where there was a deep red line. Blood was seeping through the wound, and were the same shade as the stains on the knife the girl held behind her back. Erika's body couldn't help but relax. Her mother and her "soon-to-be" husband had stopped arguing. Mother was being a little loud, but she was looking at her. Her mother might even give her a reassuring hug later.


Flash again. The light whiter than paper and Erika almost tensed at the next vision.


The edge of the cliff. Waves crashing into the eroding rocky formations, as if they were hungering after the man who was hanging by one hand at the very edge. It was the same one who her mother had been arguing with. Erika's heartbeat quickened in seeing his face change when her hand was simply on both sides, looking down at him left to the mercy of mother nature. Something changed in his eyes, Realisation, desperation, and despair. He opened his mouth. "Wai-"


...


...


The vision suddenly stopped, where Erika found herself bent over in the forest again. Her breath were short and ragged, and the needle was no longer in her wrist but between her fingers on her left hand. She had yanked it out. "M-my head …hurts." she said, bringing up a hand to her head before leaning against the tree trunk. That very same hand was cold, but was not shaking in the least. "Maybe... it's not for kids... hehehe..." she laughed a little handing the needle back to Kurio.

 

[Mykinkaiser]

Refara
The snow haired girl was walking idly, soft and steady as her violet eyes peered down to the canteen in her fingers. She wasn't sure where she was going just that she was gingerly heading towards the nearest stream. She just started to see the stream's bank and hear the running water when she heard the heavy thunking of Garrett's boots.


It could have been anyone but she just knew it was Garry because it was always Garry. As he started to speak she turned and gave him her full attention. She stared with an adorable smile plastered on her face and even bent down to place the canteen against the ground. She watched him speak and ramble along, there were a few times she looked half surprised but for the most part allowed him to speak. Eventually when he said he'd shut up, she reached her hands up to clasp at his cheeks and drag his face down to kiss at his forehead.


"Oh Garry.... I don't want kids right now, I was just asking!... because one day we will get married and we will have kids because there isn't a single other person I can imagine myself with." Here her face broke into a huge smile. In a way Refara could be called selfish because if she loved you she loved you and if she hated you, well she'd kill you. There was nothing the other person could say or do that would change that. Garrett could panic and be the most clutzy romantic in the world but she would stay by him.


In her mind there were no obstacles, no worries, no pessimistic tendancies. She just assumed if they were dating now they would date forever, they would marry and have kids eventually. They would die holding hands. 8 months and an entire lifetime were just the same in her eyes though he may not see it that way.


"I love you Garry..." she said finally silencing the whirlwind thoughts she knew he would have as she pulled his face back down and pressed her lips to his in a breathtaking kiss.


@Mykinkaiser

Garrett Bolton

A wave of relief swept through Garrett as Refara revealed that she was just asking because of curiosity, though he wished she wouldn't scare him like that. That said, Refara was Refara and he figured he should probably expect more situations like that just given who she was.


However, that wave of relief was washed away by a wave of embarrassment at her next words. It wasn't unpleasant to hear them mind you, he was actually really happy that she felt that way. It was just the fact that she could declare such things in the open where anyone could hear them so boldly. In some respects he envied that about her, he wished he could do the same. But on the other hand, there were parts to her boldness that he wished she'd fix. Like her habit of stripping anywhere she wanted. Part of that was just how immodest it was, but the other part was that he didn't really want other people to see his girlfriend mostly, or fully, nude. He wasn't the jealous type really, but there were some things that he wanted to keep to himself, not that he'd admit it out loud. Well, it was more that he couldn't admit it out loud. Embarrassing things are embarrassing after all.


He was brought back to reality again by Refara saying she loved him for all of about a second before she kissed him. Immediately his face turned red and his mind blanked out. It soon restarted in a whirlwind of Here? But people could see us! We're outside! In the open! We shouldn't be doing this! This is so indecent! He raised his arms to separate them but hesitated for a moment. Ah fuck it... once can't hurt right? he thought, embracing her and returning the kiss, hoping against hope that no one would find them.

 

[Zooks]

Refara Illinara


As usual when she kissed Garry, or touched Garry, or undressed in front of Garry, or pulled Garry into bed, or anything really that involved being in any semblance of his personal bubble with or without clothing, the tall long haired Mercenary completely tensed and froze up. While most girls would take that as a sign of rejection, or lack of love, Refara wasn't like most girls and knew he always got red faced whenever she did any of those things mentioned earlier. As such the girl only took his momentary reboot to press her body as close as she was able to against his, pressing that divine hourglass frame right up against his heavy set one. Curves pressing into places that seemed made for such a curvature. Now normally if Refara pushed this far forward with her affection, and in an open place no less, he would promptly restrain her (which she was not adverse to, mind you) and create the distance he seemed intent to almost always keep.


Almost, being the key word here because for one of the first time's she could whole-hearted remember Garrett actually wrapped his strong arms around her and embraced her, pulling her in closer to his own body as he returned the kiss with a passion she had yet to see. Refara for once in her life actually got flustered. Legit, her cheeks donned a rather heavy red-set glow as the forwardness was just so unexpected from him. Roles seemed reversed and her violet eyes widened to the point her eyeballs may have simply just fallen out! Hands half lifting like she wasn't sure what to do with them anymore. I mean, she didn't stop kissing him, but her mind was the one drawing a blank now. Heart skipping a beat or three.


What as all this about then?


Did he want kids after all?


Is that why he was so forward and intimate now?


Did he even like kids?


The subject just was not something the couple had ever brought up before, there was no reason to until today. She figured she never wanted the little drunken dwarfs, but if he wanted them that much? He said now wasn't the time, but did he change his mind? This, a first for the snow haired girl, now her own mind a whirlwind of emotions, the ifs, the buts and the maybes. Slowly she placed her soft fingers on his shoulder's to break his kiss, breathing heavily from the sheer intensity he seemed to pouring out of it. Cheeks still that weird blush that was so very new on her innocent-looking face.


"Just don't leave me ok? Do you promise?"


@Mykinkaiser

 

[Robertaka123]

Draena Kabria


Location: About a day away from Rosalea in the forest.


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Thinking, preparing food.


Interaction:@Quark @Mitchs98

Draena listened to Emiyn intently, nodding as he spoke. He remained quiet for a little while, thinking over what the boy had said. Catching on to the fact that dragging this topic on too long could reflect negatively towards him, Draena finished plucking another pheasant and grabbed another. "So, any ideas on what to do within Rosalea? Actually have either of you two been to Rosalea before?" He questioned, hoping to get a strategy planned out for the city before they got to it.

Kurio Palmonius


Location: About a day away from Rosalea in the forest.


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Talking with Erika.


Interaction: @Quark

Kurio sat there silently, taking in what he had just saw from Erika's visions. The boy on the cliff stuck out to him, he knew what loss was like. But how it had come up in a pleasure spell was beyond him. In fact he was so deep in thought about it for a few moments he fell forwards and didn't snap out of it until his head hit the ground. "Oh...Uhm." He paused, smiling weakly. "Who was that, on the cliff there?" Kurio asked, not aware that it could be a touchy subject.

 

[Quark]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: discussing, preparing dinner


Interaction @Robertaka123 @Mitchs98

Emiyn turned to Draena for a moment, giving him an odd look. Maybe the prince was just surprised someone took his words so easily, or that the military officer was asking his bookworm self about suggestions of what to do. Either he was being humbling or trying to win them over. It wasn't the first time Emiyn had met someone like that, he could only hope that Draena would not be having ill will.


"Well..." he took a glance at Haruko for a bit. "Only once. I didn't get to go out very much. As for when we reach the city... I guess I need to restock the magic gems before we go and ask about what's happening with the airships." he sighed. Thank goodness that curse mages were not banned in Roselea, there would bound to be magic gem shops. Perhaps he might see whether there was any magic that might be worth honing for their future journey. "That's just my thoughts so far, what do you think, Officer?"

Erika LeBlanc


Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: talking with Kurio


Interaction @Robertaka123

She didn't take too much notice of Kurio was in a daze before he spoke again. Erika sat up straight again, having her breath back again.


"What cliff?" she said. For a normal person, they could either take it that it was Erika hadn't remembered, or that was a warning that no one would believe him even if he tried to speak it to another person. She took sudden interest in her hand for a moment. "Oh, I do remember going to the sea once with my mother, and her husband once. There was a cliff there. It could be that one" she turned back to him and smiling innocently.

 

[Quark]

@Kayzo @Robertaka123 @SleepyBuddha @sitanomoto @Dkingow @GoldenChari


The uneasiness of the group that was heading to Roselea was soon answered. Trouble did come though not in the sudden uproar of an encounter with monsters. From the direction of the mountains, and where the city was, a thick fog was creeping in. The wind was not very strong that afternoon, yet the mist was coming in faster than any wave and emerged into the forest. If there was any magic involved, it was no small feat.


Within merely 20 minutes, it was hard to even see anywhere further than 5 metres. If any of the separated groups tried to walk to find others, they would have wandered past identical tree trunks, finding themselves as if in a loop. The compass was no working. No matter how they can walk, they would always find themselves facing once again at the direction of the city.


...


...


Within the frozen city of Roselea...


It was still late afternoon, but the streets were just as dark. Very few windows had lights illuminated and once again, very few people were about. Very soft footsteps could be heard in the distance. The air was getting colder, as a mist was rolling in, through the outskirts of the town. Any mage would know that it was the work of a large-scale witchcraft. Mist would not simply just settle everywhere except the city, as if it was intending to trap more of the people there. In the distance there was a ear-piercing yell, sounded almost like horses having their legs severed off. It was so haunting that one of the desperate, hungry merchants dropped their dagger. The other, the helpless man that was being threatened for food quickly scrambled off.


Silence soon settled in again, except for the footsteps were getting louder. Perhaps it was someone else he could grab food from? Every man trapped within her was desperate for any morsel of food since the imports have stopped. From within the dark shadows, emerged a girl about the age of 7 or 8. She had a doll-like face, and rave-coloured hair. Compared to all the others that he had encountered, she was the only one who looked so clean, so much more civil, so well-fed... It was not fair.


The girl didn't even take a notice of him slowly creeping towards her, as she turned around the corner towards a darker alley. A grin crept towards his face. Perhaps if he could find the parents of this brat, and use her as hostage -


He disappeared around the corner with her. There was no sound of movement from there, other than a choked sound, and something piercing into flesh. A heavy thud and all was peaceful again. From the weak light in the street, a small pool of blood was running towards the drain and the small girl walk out. Gin still had the smile plastered on her face, and she didn't even glance at the collapsed dead merchant while she took out her handkerchief to wipe off the blood on her shoes and hands.


She looked in the distance, and a gleeful glint came to her eyes in seeing that the mist surrounding the city was very thick now. "Looks like the poison tea party is starting..." she murmured, dropping the blood-stained white cloth. At the corner, a number 4 was stitched there.

 

[Robertaka123]

Draena Kabria


Location: About a day away from Rosalea in the forest.


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Trying to lead his group.


Interaction:@Quark @Mitchs98

Draena listened intently to the boy, hoping that he might have more information. Draena knew a few things, but those were about what was happening within the city, as opposed to how the city itself was structured. "It would be unlikely that they have gems for a price you are willing to pay. Without shipments going into the city the few remaining stocks would be worth more than gold." He told Emiyn, his tone grim at the last part. While working on the bird he kept glancing up, growing on edge as they had not met any obstacles on their way to the city. His worries were soon answered as he saw fog roll towards them. At first he seemed unimpressed but as it grew closer he knew immediately who and what was going on. "Emiyn! Haruko! Remain close to me." The officer immediately called out, standing upright and dropping the bird. As he finished speaking they were covered in a dense fog. "Well played...b..." He muttered under his breath, but caught himself. "Lock arms. We need not get separated." Draena said, holding his arms out.

Kurio Palmonius


Location: About a day away from Rosalea in the forest.


Time: Late afternoon


Activity: Talking with Erika, panicking.


Interaction: @Quark

Kurio blinked at her blankly, unsure why she was confused. He knew the spell went right, but she didn't seem to know what he was talking about. "I...uhm...What's that?" He said, pointing to the fog. "That's not natural is it?" He asked genuinely wondering if that was how fog worked around here. As it rolled in thicker than normal he began to breathe faster, trying to remain calm but with little success.

 

[Cosmosis]

{/\/\Marth/\/\}

​

Marth was in the soft place as he slept. He was curled up in a ball for warmth as the fog made it colder. His stomach hissed and he whimpered. In his mind a dream was forming into a nightmare. He kept whimpering and murmuring as it unfolded before him unceremoniously.

 

[Quark]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: on guard?


Interaction:


@Mitchs98 @Robertaka123

Emiyn frowned, not because of Draena but because what he said was true. Admittedly he wasn't aware of the situation of the flow of products to and from Roselea, but now that he mentioned it, it made sense that no one would want to trade with a city where no one was heard from. It was like the same problem with Lexaria. "You're probably right about that..." Emiyn said slowly, thinking carefully what to do. If what the officer said was true, then he needed to be conservative with what he had right now.


In the middle of his thoughts, Draena's voice called his attention again, and the boy turned his vision in the direction where the man had been looking at. In the distance a fog was rolling towards them like a low cloud descending. He sprang up to a standing position, and as directed grabbed onto the wrist of the military officer. "Where are the others?" he asked tensely, looking frantically around them. The fog was enveloping them fast, and he couldn't see the wagon anymore.

Erika LeBlanc


Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: confused about the fog


Interaction:


@Robertaka123

Kurio either seemed genuinely confused, or had decided to play along with the facade she had put up. Erika's heartbeat calmed down significantly as she turned towards what the curse mage was referring to. "... don't know." she said honestly. She hadn't been to Roselea often, though she had heard the city could get very cold during winter. "But it doesn't look very good." she said, now her mind back to the usual 14-year-old who was worried about Marth and her brother. "We shoul-" she stopped talking when she realised Kurio was still in his sitting position, looking like he had problems breathing. "H-hey, are you ok?" she asked, patting him no his back, unsure what to do when someone was having a panic attack.

 

[Mykinkaiser]

Refara Illinara
As usual when she kissed Garry, or touched Garry, or undressed in front of Garry, or pulled Garry into bed, or anything really that involved being in any semblance of his personal bubble with or without clothing, the tall long haired Mercenary completely tensed and froze up. While most girls would take that as a sign of rejection, or lack of love, Refara wasn't like most girls and knew he always got red faced whenever she did any of those things mentioned earlier. As such the girl only took his momentary reboot to press her body as close as she was able to against his, pressing that divine hourglass frame right up against his heavy set one. Curves pressing into places that seemed made for such a curvature. Now normally if Refara pushed this far forward with her affection, and in an open place no less, he would promptly restrain her (which she was not adverse to, mind you) and create the distance he seemed intent to almost always keep.


Almost, being the key word here because for one of the first time's she could whole-hearted remember Garrett actually wrapped his strong arms around her and embraced her, pulling her in closer to his own body as he returned the kiss with a passion she had yet to see. Refara for once in her life actually got flustered. Legit, her cheeks donned a rather heavy red-set glow as the forwardness was just so unexpected from him. Roles seemed reversed and her violet eyes widened to the point her eyeballs may have simply just fallen out! Hands half lifting like she wasn't sure what to do with them anymore. I mean, she didn't stop kissing him, but her mind was the one drawing a blank now. Heart skipping a beat or three.


What as all this about then?


Did he want kids after all?


Is that why he was so forward and intimate now?


Did he even like kids?


The subject just was not something the couple had ever brought up before, there was no reason to until today. She figured she never wanted the little drunken dwarfs, but if he wanted them that much? He said now wasn't the time, but did he change his mind? This, a first for the snow haired girl, now her own mind a whirlwind of emotions, the ifs, the buts and the maybes. Slowly she placed her soft fingers on his shoulder's to break his kiss, breathing heavily from the sheer intensity he seemed to pouring out of it. Cheeks still that weird blush that was so very new on her innocent-looking face.


"Just don't leave me ok? Do you promise?"


@Mykinkaiser

Garrett Bolton

"I promise to always stay with you," Garrett replied, his own face dyed a deep crimson, both due to the kiss and from Refara's own innocent-looking blush. He was so used to her remaining unfazed by lewdness and immodesty that the sudden change heightened the sense that they were doing something wrong to him which in turn heightened his embarrassment.


However, he was soon pulled from this thought pattern by a thick fog that descended quickly, blocking his view of anything in the distance. Now, Garrett wouldn't have given it a second thought, or actually have been grateful for it as it lessened the chances of them being seen by a large margin, save for one thing. The mercenary might not have known much about magic, but he had been in enough life or death scrapes to have developed a sense for when he was in danger and this, coupled with his natural instincts, was warning him that the fog wasn't what it appeared to be at face value.


"Refara, we should get back to the wagon now," he says, his face returning to more of his natural color and a grin spreading across his face, "I've the feeling that something'll be happening soon". He reached down and picked his girlfriend up, setting her down on his shoulders before beginning to walk towards the wagon, or at least where he remembered it being.


He might not know what exactly was going on but he figured it wasn't likely to be friendly, which in turn meant that blood was likely to be shed. He was looking forward to it.

 

[Mitchs98]

 

[Zooks]

Garrett Bolton

"I promise to always stay with you," Garrett replied, his own face dyed a deep crimson, both due to the kiss and from Refara's own innocent-looking blush. He was so used to her remaining unfazed by lewdness and immodesty that the sudden change heightened the sense that they were doing something wrong to him which in turn heightened his embarrassment.


However, he was soon pulled from this thought pattern by a thick fog that descended quickly, blocking his view of anything in the distance. Now, Garrett wouldn't have given it a second thought, or actually have been grateful for it as it lessened the chances of them being seen by a large margin, save for one thing. The mercenary might not have known much about magic, but he had been in enough life or death scrapes to have developed a sense for when he was in danger and this, coupled with his natural instincts, was warning him that the fog wasn't what it appeared to be at face value.


"Refara, we should get back to the wagon now," he says, his face returning to more of his natural color and a grin spreading across his face, "I've the feeling that something'll be happening soon". He reached down and picked his girlfriend up, setting her down on his shoulders before beginning to walk towards the wagon, or at least where he remembered it being.


He might not know what exactly was going on but he figured it wasn't likely to be friendly, which in turn meant that blood was likely to be shed. He was looking forward to it.

Refara Illinara

The girl was still standing semi-frozen with Garrett's arms around her body. Though her shocked expression turned to one of a genuine smile as he promised to always stay by her. It's not like they ever spent any time away from one another but the words were still cute. In fact Refara was probably the only know person who could look to Garrett the dark, tall, long-haired Brawler with a love of fighting and crushing skulls and call him cute. Like two peas in a blood soaked pod.


Her gaze only broke as she felt something weirdly cold brush over her feet, breaking her gaze moments after him to watch the unnatural fog settle against the Forest they were currently standing in nearby the stream. She could still hear the stream, so she knew they hadn't been weirdly teleported to some Silent Hill realm. She nodded to his statement, after all she was never one to initiate any ideas but simply go with the flow. Once up on her normal resting spot with thighs comfortably hugging the back of his neck, she realized with a start she had left her Scythe back at the wagon. Now normally Refara would be the second person to throw herself into the battle scene, right behind Garrett, but ultimately without her Scythe she was weak and small.


And so a sudden panic almost racked through the girl who rarely felt the emotion (What was with her lately feeling so oddly out of place with these strange emotions like shyness and panic?). She gingerly tapped Garrett on his head to gain his attention before leaning forward to peer to him upside down like Spiderman, long snow white hair falling down like a curtain to completely block his view.


"I... don't have my Scythe..." She whispered then quickly. Her violet eyes showing a sudden fear deep inside. Without her weapon she couldn't help Garrett, and despite knowing how capable he was in battle even he had flaws that her fighting style made up for. Without it... well she didn't want to think what might happen to Garry if he ran headlong into battle and she couldn't help! Like with the Pixies!

 

[St. Boethius]

Emiyn Devereaux


Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: on guard?


Interaction:


@Mitchs98 @Robertaka123

Emiyn frowned, not because of Draena but because what he said was true. Admittedly he wasn't aware of the situation of the flow of products to and from Roselea, but now that he mentioned it, it made sense that no one would want to trade with a city where no one was heard from. It was like the same problem with Lexaria. "You're probably right about that..." Emiyn said slowly, thinking carefully what to do. If what the officer said was true, then he needed to be conservative with what he had right now.


In the middle of his thoughts, Draena's voice called his attention again, and the boy turned his vision in the direction where the man had been looking at. In the distance a fog was rolling towards them like a low cloud descending. He sprang up to a standing position, and as directed grabbed onto the wrist of the military officer. "Where are the others?" he asked tensely, looking frantically around them. The fog was enveloping them fast, and he couldn't see the wagon anymore.

Erika LeBlanc


Location: Forest near Roselea


Time: late afternoon


Activity: confused about the fog


Interaction:


@Robertaka123

Kurio either seemed genuinely confused, or had decided to play along with the facade she had put up. Erika's heartbeat calmed down significantly as she turned towards what the curse mage was referring to. "... don't know." she said honestly. She hadn't been to Roselea often, though she had heard the city could get very cold during winter. "But it doesn't look very good." she said, now her mind back to the usual 14-year-old who was worried about Marth and her brother. "We shoul-" she stopped talking when she realised Kurio was still in his sitting position, looking like he had problems breathing. "H-hey, are you ok?" she asked, patting him no his back, unsure what to do when someone was having a panic attack.

Benton looked at the fog with the same confusion as the others. He could feel magic within it but beyond that he wasn't sure what was going on. Ever since Benton thought he saw those two mercenaries rifling through his stuff Benton began carrying his stuff with him at all times. As the fog closed in Benton kept close to Erika and Kurio so he wouldn't be separated from the entire ground. " We need to keep moving. The sooner we can escape this fog the less vulnerable we are."

 

[Mykinkaiser]

Refara Illinara

The girl was still standing semi-frozen with Garrett's arms around her body. Though her shocked expression turned to one of a genuine smile as he promised to always stay by her. It's not like they ever spent any time away from one another but the words were still cute. In fact Refara was probably the only know person who could look to Garrett the dark, tall, long-haired Brawler with a love of fighting and crushing skulls and call him cute. Like two peas in a blood soaked pod.


Her gaze only broke as she felt something weirdly cold brush over her feet, breaking her gaze moments after him to watch the unnatural fog settle against the Forest they were currently standing in nearby the stream. She could still hear the stream, so she knew they hadn't been weirdly teleported to some Silent Hill realm. She nodded to his statement, after all she was never one to initiate any ideas but simply go with the flow. Once up on her normal resting spot with thighs comfortably hugging the back of his neck, she realized with a start she had left her Scythe back at the wagon. Now normally Refara would be the second person to throw herself into the battle scene, right behind Garrett, but ultimately without her Scythe she was weak and small.


And so a sudden panic almost racked through the girl who rarely felt the emotion (What was with her lately feeling so oddly out of place with these strange emotions like shyness and panic?). She gingerly tapped Garrett on his head to gain his attention before leaning forward to peer to him upside down like Spiderman, long snow white hair falling down like a curtain to completely block his view.


"I... don't have my Scythe..." She whispered then quickly. Her violet eyes showing a sudden fear deep inside. Without her weapon she couldn't help Garrett, and despite knowing how capable he was in battle even he had flaws that her fighting style made up for. Without it... well she didn't want to think what might happen to Garry if he ran headlong into battle and she couldn't help! Like with the Pixies!

Garrett Bolton

Garrett looked up as Refara tapped him on the shoulder, the fact that she hadn't hugged him or something of the like causing him to wonder what was up. His question was soon answered as she leaned over in front of him to say that she had forgot her scythe. Now that was a problem. He mightn't need a weapon to fight but she certainly did. Where he was strong and durable she was comparatively weak and fragile. As such Garrett reached down and drew the knife from the back of his belt, deftly spinning it around so as to hold the blade as he passed it up to her. "Dunno how effective this'll be but it's better than nothing at least," he says due to the fact that the knife was large even for him and also because of the fact that it was, as a weapon, quite different than a scythe. Either way, he didnt like seeing Refara as worried as she was ans he figured she would likely feel better with a blade in her hands.


Even as he handed the weapon to Refara, and despite her curtain of hair, Garrett became aware that something was off. He was sure that he'd been walking back to the wagon but it seemed to him like he was going in circles. It might have been his imagination but he could swear that he had seen that specific group of trees before. Regardless of whether or not it was his imagination Garrett readied himself for combat, or well... readied himself more, he was always ready after all.

 

[Quark]

@Mykinkaiser @Zuka


Since they have stepped into the region of forests, pairs of red eyes have been looking at them. Perhaps it was because they were supernatural monsters, that were said to reside in the depths of hell, and thus their presence could hardly be detected within this realm dominated by humans. Through the eyes of a few of the hellhounds, Cider saw what was presumably the people of the prophecy. Some were actually people he believed he had seen the face of more than once when he was disguised as a human.


Within the groups of travelers, there was a young man and woman making their way through the mist and the woods. From the look in their eyes, the hellhounds could clearly tell they were searching from something, and by the looks of it they were not merely wandering. Within the mist, their eyes would have glowed a bit brighter. And just as Garrett and Refara were walking around the same circle for the upteenth time, a shadow flickered on and off within the mist. There was a rustle from the bush on their right, and emerged a blood hound, with its jaws aiming for Garrett's hip. From behind them, two more pairs of red eyes glowed and one was pouncing. One was pouncing onto the brawler whilst the other dashed, about to claw at Refara.