Fantasy Realms of Nymserine: Main Thread [[CLOSED]]

[BugDozer73]

Roland nodded as he began to drift off. "Sounds like a plan" He commented, slowly slipping into sleep. The grass seemed to embrace him as his eyes closed. "Hey Verity? Why did you leave the Carpathian forest?" he asked very gently. But by the time he finished his thought, he was already asleep, breathing gently.

 

[Purize]

Verity watched as Roland began to drift off, sinking slowly into the world of dreams and rest.

"Hey Verity? Why did you leave the Carpathian forest?" He said, his voice becoming soft and quiet. However, he didn't seem able to wait for a response as he finally nodded off completely.

Verity thought about his question as she stared up at the sky and eventually said, "Because there was nothing left of the home I once loved." She sighed softly as she closed her eyes. Eventually she too fell asleep, the dying embers of their small fire glowing over their small camp.

 

[BugDozer73]

That night, Roland dreamt he was on a raft, drifting through the seas ridden with storm. The water squalled beneath his floating planks, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not calm the sea. So instead he clung the wood and prayed for deliverance.

“There is no sanctuary for you, my son.”

A voice struck through the night, like rolling thunder. The sea began to boil, and red and white tentacles flicked wildly over the surface. A figure, massive in stature, rose from the deep, at least 60 feet tall. It was a woman, with Merfolk like skin and a hunger in her eyes.

“THASIA” Roland cried out in disbelief, starring at his mother.

“You do not own the ocean... the ocean owns YOU” and the water began to swirl beneath him. And he plunged below the waves, under the green gaze of the woman of the sea. He thrashed for the surface, but found nothing but cold and darkness. His lungs burned for air. Something curled around his waste and tugged him lower: another tentacle. The voice of Thasia poured over his mind:
“Come home little fishy, come home to mommy”

Roland bolted straight up, gasping for breath and soaked in sweat. In a silent panic his eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings. A smoldering pile of ash, a tiny campsite. There were trees, and a hill. Beside him was a lump under a sheet, and protruding was a clump of silver hair.

Roland sighed with relief, and stood, peeling his sweat drenched white cotton shirt from his torso. He felt sticky and gross. He slipped away from the campsite in the early morning light, finding a fresh water spring not 2 minutes up the hill. Roland looked around, finding nobody, and stripped the rests of his clothes off, sliding into the water. It was cool, laced with a morning chill, but the frosty water was somewhat refreshing, and it brought Roland a sense of calm. Being in water helped him recently and focus his body and mind. Roland swam to the center and willed himself to float, letting his heart beat return to a healthy rhythm. He closed his eyes and let his body fall into the sway of the gently flowing water.

 

[Purize]

Verity awoke early the next morning, temporarily confused by her surroundings as she often was when she slept in the forest. When she regained her bearings, she looked around as found that Roland was nowhere in sight. She figured he hadn't gone far, but felt a little paranoid at his absence nonetheless. She gathered up the few items that constructed their camp, folding everything tightly and neatly away into her travel bag. She noticed that Roland's bag and sword still laid where he had left them, making her feel a little more relieved. He may have just taken a walk after all.

When she had finished packing and Roland had still not returned she decided to go and look for him. She picked her way through the woods carefully, looking for any signs of tracks or traces left behind recently. Eventually she did find some boot prints and broken twigs... but what stood out the most was a pile of men's clothing. "Roland?" she called out, sure that the clothing belonged to him. "I don't know how things are done on your ship, but generally running around naked in a forest is considered scandalous."

She continued to walk as she spoke, looking around until she finally spotted Roland... taking a bath in a little pond. She could only see from his upper torso to his head, but it was enough to see some of the scars and tattoos that mapped his tan skin. She spun around faster than she could think. Heat rose to her face in embarrassment. "Oh... I-Uh, I'll be waiting back in the campsite...." With that, she awkwardly nodded at the empty forest ahead, her back still turned towards him, and began to march away back towards the spot that once held their camp.

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland turned at the voice of the woman, and felt his heart skip a beat, but she fled soon after, her face glowing like Aurora's tan. Roland collected himself and grabbed his clothes, tossing them in the water. He let his fingers dance at the water, watching as the liquid embraced the clothing, cleansing and washing away all the sweat and grime. In moments the fabric was spotless, and rose from the water into Roland's hands. With a simple mind flex, the water seeped out of the cotton and back into the water, leaving everything dry. He dressed quickly, throwing on his pants and shirt, and leather jacket, with his harnesses. Roland wondered just how long that elf had her eyes on him before making herself known.

 

[Purize]

When she reached the camp she waited for Roland to return, forcing the recent event out of her mind completely. She may not be the princess she once was when she lived in Shylanora, but she still considered herself a lady. Some habits died hard, and some of the etiquette that was drilled into her brain as a child certainly lived on in her demeanor.

She hadn't waited long when Roland came walking through the woods again towards the campsite. Verity smiled sheepishly before half turning away from him. "Sorry about earlier, I didn't know where you went." She left it at that before hurriedly pointing towards the city. "We will be at the gates in less than a half-hour. If we leave now we will get there just around lunch time." She smiled excitedly and began to walk off in the city's direction, leaving no room for reply or protest.

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland tried to open his mouth to speak, but the elf didn't leave much time for rebuttal. He followed her finger to the white walls of... shit. She had already taken off towards the city, and made it clear that she would not give him an option. Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard a voice nag him.

You just had to leave the ship, and follow this piece of ass to this place. It figures you would end up here first. Thats Karma for you. Oh, you can't leave now, what would Greuwn say? Quitting after one day? Nope. You have to do this now. Have fun visiting mom, Sponge brains.

Roland sighed in defeat, sulkily grabbing his swords and bag, strapping up. In a moment his gear was stowed and he took off after the trail of silver glinting under the mid morning sun.

 

[Purize]

The two of them set off into the city, walking through the large, open gates. Verity turned to Roland and grinned, throwing her arms open to gesture to the city around her. "Welcome to Meletus! The greatest harbor city in Nymserine." She put he arms down, resting them on her hips as she turned, her back to Roland. "I've always loved this place... You can just smell the ocean breeze on the air, besides they have great food.... let's go eat, shall we?"

She began walking off again, this time through crowds of people, some of which turning to look at the strange girl wearing a white cloak with its hood pulled up in the middle of a warm day. "C'mon Roland, you're gonna love this place" Her voice carried over to him, growing faint as she skipped away.

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland walked in behind her, dragged in with the crowd of people, lapping at the gates like the surf. She gestured to the city like she was introducing him to something magical, and he looked around, slightly bummed.

A quick memory of Greuwn docking at the southern part of town, where all the sailors gathered at a particular bar with a fence by the name of Gerald. He was an old man with an eye patch, but years of experience that could price a bag of horse shit down to the pound.

For some reason, entering the city from the main entrance with the land folk made Roland wince at a tinge of sadness, and regret at leaving the old man behind. There were so many memories of the two of them traveling, it would be hard to find any place he could not remember them visiting.

He lifted his nose to the air and breathed in the salt air, and his mind cleared quickly, and he felt happier. The sea always calmed him. Mixed in was the smell of vendor food, from every inch of nymserine, slow cooking in the open market stalls of the city. It was enough to make any mans stomach disobedient, and Roland nodded at Verity with haste. “Food sounds great. But do we still have enough money from the troll job?” But she had already skipped away. Roland belt his brow furrow as she vanished into the people, and took off after her in a light jog, the people shouting a little in indignation as he pushed past them to keep up with Verity.

When he finally caught her, he caught his breath quickly and turned to face her. “So when did you first visit Meletus anyways? You seem pretty familiar with it.”

 

[Zazz]

In Thasia's city of Meletus, Verity and Roland were anything but inconspicuous; with the elf running about in her white cloak, hood up in the middle of the day, they had caught the attention of a young halfling, Azaria, who had been checking the bulletins for work. A dark eyebrow raised after the pair. Stupid, she thought, though they provided her with cover as she pocketed a pair of flyers. She kept her head down but her sharp eyes focused and slunk off into what shadows there were.

As the half-elf grew closer to the sea, her nostrils flared in distaste; she hated the salty brine that infiltrated the air. The Carpathian Forest was much homelier, much more pleasant. If she had not been paid to make a certain delivery, she would much rather have avoided the coast altogether.

"Food sounds great. But do we still have enough money from the troll job?" Irritated shouts followed the voice. Slipping an apple into the small bag at her hip, the halfling's gaze followed the young man as he caught up with his partner. Trolls, she knew, were tricky beasts. She was curious as to what this 'troll job' was. Azaria continued along, following them carefully from the other side of the vendors' stalls. Small trinkets and fruit steadily went missing.

 

[Purize]

Verity stopped, waiting for Roland to catch up with her. When he did, she began walking beside him, keeping his pace. "I don't know about you, sea legs, but I had coin even before the troll job. It's my understanding that the gentleman is to buy the lady food, but since you're new to this whole land thing... I suppose I can pay for you." She gave him a sideways grin as she teased him. Her face grew more serious when he asked about how she knew Meletus. She shrugged and looked forward again, keeping an eye out for their destination. "I've been all over the country, but I first came to Meletus not long after.... I ran away. I met a Merfolk girl here who was kind to me and showed me around the city." She smiled faintly at the memory. "She's the friend I mentioned before. I think you two will get along when you meet."

Her eyes opened wide when she finally spotted a small, well-kept building that looked much like a tavern. It had no windows, like all of the buildings in Meletus, and had a large back patio that extended out over the gulf. "Here we are. Trust me, they have better food than they do drinks."

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland smirked at sea legs, and sulked quietly when she mentioned paying. Greuwn had taught him that it was always polite to treat a lady, but he could feel the disappointing lightness of his coin purse, and kept his mouth shut. When she mentioned running away, and the Merfolk girl, he let his mind create the scene of her fleeing a forrest of magic and wonder. He couldn't imagine what had taken her away from her home, but it was just a reminder that despite being on an adventure with Verity now, he still had so much to learn about her.

She has much to learn about you, little fish....

The sound of her voice was the sound of sand sifting over rock and shell, and the sound of whales howling through the depths. Thasia.

Roland felt the pit of his being pulled south, and he looked to the left to see a large building poking out of the city scape. It was the top of the Temple of Meletus, a polished marble with green and blue flushed coral trimming. The place seemed to glow almost, like it was covered in dancing sunbeams from the surface. Like a wave, he felt the sensation of being sucked in that direction, and with more force that he would ever admit to, nearly climbed into the Tavern. As soon as the door shut, he let out a deep breath, like he had escaped a rogue wave. "Food sounds good, and a pint of ale."

 

[Zazz]

The halfling pocketed her prizes and slipped in after the pair. Inside, she took a deep breath, thankful for the heavy scent of food after the salty, crisp air outside. Azaria took a seat near the wall, close enough to overhear the conversation between Verity and Roland, but far enough not to be noticed eavesdropping. She tried to get a glimpse of the woman under the cloak, but in her position she could not.

 

[Purize]

Verity looked at Roland with some concern, he certainly didn't seem as infatuated with the city as she would have hoped. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea of stopping in Meletus after all. She seated herself about to protest that it was too early to start drinking just as a woman in an apron came rushing over. "I'll just have some cranberry tea with honey to start, and my friend will have some ale...." She nodded and replied, "I'll be back in a bit, ma' am."

Verity tilted her head at Roland and gave him a small smile. "Are you alright? You're looking a little green..."

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland wiped a bit a sweat off his brow and joined Verity at the table.
"Fine, just.... I am ok. Actually, I think I need to make a stop while we are here. Mom seems to want to have a conversation with me..."
Verity was the only one he had told his secret. It was almost ironic, cause up until a few days ago, he hadn't even known his own secret. Roland kept his voice to a low whisper as he spoke about Thasia, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention. Looking around, he could see they blent in as well as anyone else: The tavern was old and worn, clearly in use almost every hour of every day. The timbers were creaky but stable, a tan brown, like they had been bleached under the sun, which they had. Roland could tell that all the timbers used to build this place were taken from ship wrecks on the coast. There were tables everywhere, and unlike most bars, there was still a lot of natural light flowing in from large windows in the ceiling and walls. Leave it to meletus to give taverns "atmosphere".

At each table was a strange array of humans, elves, some dwarves, many merfolk, some spirits and fairfolk; all dressed in clothes with varying colors and styles. It was like a race convention. Each one of them seemed to be in the same line of business, showing lovely collections of various blades, bows, shields and spell tomes. A few of them shot half way glances at Roland and Verity, some looking curiously at the hooded elf before me. Roland began to feel a little protective as he scanned the room quickly, noticing a particularly flirty Naiads waving at him and giggling. He waved back with a half smile, and watched as her watery from blushed from light blue to sea green.

 

[Purize]

Verity leaned in, her eyes wide and her voice low, "Really? Are you going to be okay with that....?" Verity sat back again, studying Roland carefully. She wondered how he knew that Thasia wanted to talk... maybe they had some strange divine connection. He didn't look very happy to have to talk to her... and she wondered what they would even talk about. She could just imagine Roland strolling up to Thasia and her giving him hugs and kisses, asking him about his day. She tried not to laugh. Roland definitely didn't seem to find any of this to be funny.

She saw him wave at someone behind her, and when she followed his gaze, she saw a starstruck Naiad practically falling out of her seat. Verity snickered, "Looks like you're already making friends."

When the waitress came back she gave the two of them their drinks. "Will you two be getting lunch with us as well?" Verity nodded to her, keeping her head low, and said, "Yes we will, I'll have have some Nimian Cod with a loaf of bread." She looked over at Roland, "Get whatever you like, I really don't mind paying. We'll be doing some more jobs soon anyway."

 

[SilverFlight]

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:"

A baritone voice, deep and unmaskable even in the tavern's din rose above, clear and audible to nearly all in the room. Pyrrhus had a loud voice, even more so when he was projecting. The thin young lad he was reciting the piece for was scribbling furiously with quill on paper, taking down each delicate word.
"That's temperate boy, with an 'e'. Come lad, she won't be impressed if you mispronounce..."
Pyrrhus, who had been laying down beforehand, his equine knees on thin cushions, now rose to all hooves, making himself obvious in the room. A centaur stood higher than most.

"Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And too often is his gold complexion dimm'd:
And every fair from fair sometimes declines,
By chance or natures changing course untrimm'd;"

His tail swung back and forth animatedly as he recalled the lines, attracting looks, some questioning, other's approving. It was from a well-known play, and Pyrrhus knew it better than most.

"But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee."*

When the verse was done Pyrrhus looked over and corrected a few mistakes.
"Now, if she knows not the play, then you have the advantage in telling her of one of the grandest love stories ever written, and, if she knows it, then even more's the luck, for that very play is being performed here in Meletus this week, and you can offer to take her."
There may have been something comical about the large, brutish creature, coaching a youth in his timid courtship, but it was lost on Pyrrhus, he simply wanted to help. The young man looked nervously out the tavern window, to a small flower stall across the way. The object of his affection had a bright smile, and a cascade of flaxen hair. She held her basket with delicate hands, and lowered her chin to no one.
"Stop staring at her boy. Go! Speak to her!"
With one large arm he scooped the young man off his bench and pushed him to the door.
"Just breathe. Remember what I told you, be bold! Faint hearts never won fair ladies!"
After closing the door roughly behind him Pyrrhus shifted to the window, watching, as a few others did with apt concentration as the youth walked his way stiffly to the young woman.
The silent scene unfurled before them, the girl's look puzzled at first, then knowing as she cottoned on to what the lad was about. Suddenly, her skeptical expression slid away, as she listened to the words that were spoken, the boy growing more confident with each verse.
She smiled at him and Pyrrhus broke into a wide grin. His arm was punched and his back was slapped by some of the patrons who had witnessed the coaching and now seen this.
Outside, the boy was simply giddy with happiness as his sweetheart sheepishly handed him one of her flowers.
Satisfied, Pyrrhus came away from the window and took up his place back on the cushions.

"Lunch then!" He called happily, "I'll take anything, as long as the anything isn't fish!"
This earned laughter from the people around him and a playful cuff on the back of the head from one of the serving girls. He threw her a helpless grin. Pyrrhus really did hate fish.
Casting his eyes about the room properly for the first time since he had arrived he caught sight of several new figures. A woman in a striking white cloak, and her rather scruffy companion. There was also a darkly clad figure, doing what Pyrrhus could only call lurking. That, and watching the new pair with well-feigned indifference.

BugDozer73 Purize Zazz

((* Shakespeare))

 

[BugDozer73]

"I will be fine, really. Something tell's me she has been waiting for us to meet."

Roland had given his order of pork and potatoes to the waitress before the man several tables over had stood up, rising grandly into the ceiling of the tavern. A centaur? here? Even for Meletus this was a rare sight. The horse man paddled about some play to a young lad, before sending him on his way to woo a young woman. Roland took a quick glance out the window and watched as he seemed to do a fine job with his "woo-ing".

Roland smiled at the man, everyone else seemingly enjoying his company. "Hey did you see that?" He whispered over to Verity. "That was a centaur, wasn't it? I have never seen one in person before." He turned to face Verity, a smile on his face. Though he had been worried quietly about leaving his life, he had already discovered new kinds of treasures on land. For some reason, Roland felt like a boy in a sweet shop. "Wanna go talk to him?"

 

[Purize]

Verity hadn't noticed the Centaur until be began standing up and belting out lines from a popular drama. She smiled sweetly in his direction, happy that he'd gone out of his way to help the boy. More than anything she sought to find the goodness in the world, refusing to believe that it was all bad. She always had a soft soft for helping kind people who deserved it... and horrible people made her blood boil in fury. It was nice and refreshing to see others helping one another for a change.

And while Verity watched the heart-warming scene in silent appreciation, Roland was beaming, looking excitedly at the Centaur like he was a second away from asking her if we could keep him. A smile spread over her face as she chuckled at him, but she didn't particularly want to talk to the Centaur, the lower her profile, the better, and right now he was the center of attention. "You go on ahead, I'll wait for our food." She took a sip of her tea, savoring the sweet taste (She really loved cranberries...)

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland nodded and quickly rose from his seat, crossing the room. He weaved through the thick crowds of people mingling with ale in hand, and found his way to the centaurs side.

"Well that was quite the display. You seem to be very found of the arts. I must confess I am not familiar with that particular play..." Roland stood up straight when he spoke to the centaur, but let his face relax, trying not to let his eyes wander all over the centaur, straying to his haunches. What a creature, though. It was a wonder how the man made his way into the entrance.

 

[Zazz]

Azaria huffed to herself at the loud recital and rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. The arts of theatre were never something she liked wasting her time on. Though, she had to admit, the centaur did have a soothing voice. That did not, however, stop his words from irritating the crap out of her.

Letting her gaze roam over the curious pair once more, the half-elf debated over staying or leaving; she was growing uninterested, as they were not discussing the 'troll job', after all. She had business in the city, much as she hated Meletus and it's salty breeze. Merfolk scales to smuggle, dragon knuckle bones to find... But just as she stood to leave, she caught a glimpse of the markings beneath the cloaked woman's eyes. Azaria froze. Could it be? Had she finally found her?

The halfling pulled out one of the flyers she had snatched off the bulletin and frowned at it. She glanced at the cloaked woman. The resemblance was there.

The man with her left the table. Azaria shifted across the distance to their table, approaching the woman. As she grew nearer, it was clear that it was, indeed, the woman on the flyer with a bounty on her head. Silently, Azaria stopped by the table and slid the flyer, face down, to Verity.

 

[Purize]

Verity watched Roland walk towards the Centaur in amusement, sipping contently on her drink. Movement in her peripheral caught her attention, making her look down just in time to see a "wanted" flyer slip in front of her. She stared back the sketch of her younger self, feeling her blood freeze, and her heart skip a beat. Slowly, she looked up at the woman who had slipped the poster on the table. She was Elvish... or at least half Elvish. Verity gave her a cool, dangerous smile and said. "I think they got the nose wrong. Honestly, the whole thing's a little lack-luster, don't you think?"

Verity stayed calm and still, but on the inside, she was boiling in fury. First the damn Pirate captain and now this random elf? All these years of keeping her identity hidden... Underneath the table, her hands clenched, glowing with a soft blue light, ready for whatever came next.

 

[Zazz]

The halfling's sharp green eyes flickered over the princess's expression, and down at the faint blue glow beneath the table. Verity looked anything but trusting. Azaria took a quick glance about the tavern, making sure no one was paying them any mind, before leaning in to murmur, "I mean you no harm." Azaria took the flyer and tucked it away. She lowered her gaze in respect and told the princess, "I owe you a debt."

 

[Purize]

Verity opened her mouth to speak, and then stopped, stunned into silence. The glow of magic died in her hands as she looked over the girl's face once more, looking for any sign of deceit. Her heart fell in guilt as she found none, and the girl bowed her head. "I beg your pardon...?"

She looked around worriedly to make sure Roland was still preoccupied. He knew she was a fugitive, but he didn't really know why... Verity looked back at the halfling, her eyes almost pleading, and said, "I.... We can't talk about this here."

 

[Zazz]

Green eyes raised once more and the halfling nodded. "Of course. It isn't safe, here." Azaria glanced in the direction of the man who had been with her. She wondered if he knew her identity. She wondered who he even was. "Meet me outside the gates after dark."

The halfling left the tavern and the princess behind, the centaur still holding the people's attention. Azaria held little interest in him; instead hoping the princess would, in fact, meet her after dark that night. Turning up her nose at the smell of the sea, she turned down an alley to meet with a contact who sold merfolk scales on the black market.