Take Back the Crown

 Oceana's reply to Valeiah  was crisp and cutting.


"He made fun of my accent"


Sea-green eyes narrowed.


"No one gets away with that. Ever."


 And yet she felt a heaviness in her chest at denying her new pupil's wishes. She sighed.


"But as you wish, beag féidh. The debt is repayed."


Then she stepped further into the doorway and smirked at Dorian.


"Even I have heard of you. The city is always afire with paranoid gossip."


The elf's smile turned sharper, ultramarine  eyes half lidded.


"Nae to say I didnae enjoy watching those greedy human nobles get what the deserve."


Oceana was a smith and honorable and religious. But that didn't mean her hands were clean. Nor her conscience.


@L1d1ja @Lo Alyssa @Danika
 
"Well I'm glad that you liked my work." Dorian joked. "Usually I am met with more angry critiques."


(Sorry for the short answer)


@OlKaJa77
 
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Oceana shrugged.


"I have no business caring about humans getting done in so long as they deserve it.


The elf raised a brow, feigning thoughtfulness for a moment before speaking again.


"And most of them do."


Her smile turned dangerous again.


"However, if someone is enslaving elves and selling them to unscrupulous characters one would be inclined to get quite upset."


The elf hated slavers with a passion that could rival dragon fire.


What she refused to tell them however, was that she saved all of the slaves, elf, fey and human a like.


It's better this way, she thought. Better they think me biased then, she finally decided.


I kill everything I touch and they are human and do exactly the same.


The elf smiled to herself ruefully, feeling bitterness churn in her stomach. she thought of Phaedra and her accusations then. And Yaro with his platitudes.


I can acknowledge we are alike....


But not in any of the ways you hoped.
 
      "Many people in general deserve to be cut down, not just humans, baana." Yaroslav bluntly stated, sensing a certain tone in her voice that he wasn't very fond of. He was a human, and a proud one at that. He took a seat farthest away from Hjalmar, next to Garrett, and sat down, glaring at everyone and no one in particular.


      Hjalmar rolled his eyes at Oceana, but kept quiet. He didn't understand her, she spoke of humans with such disdain, and yet she saved his life and shown care to him. But perhaps that is why he kept his mouth shut. There was probably a deep rooted reason, good or no, that she acted the way she did at times. Hjalmar understood that part very well.



 
​


      Svetlana had been deep in thought, wandering about the enclosure. Eventually she stumbled upon Sverrir who was working on the caravans, though she was quickly shooed away as the dwarf wanted to make it a surprise. She then looked up at the night sky, thinking that perhaps it was time to gather the children together for bed. Feeling far to lazy to hunt everyone down, she instead decided to project her voice, Would everyone please return to Sverrir's hearth? It is time for bed and I would like to tuck you in! She chuckled to herself, her voice would be recognizable enough, she had a thick russian accent.


      She herself walked back to the dwarf's house, stumbling into awkward silence.


@ everyone
​
 
Bo's ears perked up and he didn't give the others in the room a second glance. The length of the day and everything that had happened was finally catching up to him, and he could feel the exhaustion creeping up on him. He hoped to sleep as soon as possible.


Silently, he walked out of the corridor and followed to the source of Svetlana's voice, finding his was quickly (almost running... but more so just walking hastily). He found Svetlana, and gave her a tired smile, and a little wave. He said nothing but his face read: "where and when can we sleep?"


@Lo Alyssa
 

Her ears perked upon hearing Svetlana's voice project and frowned slightly. She was rather tired, but she was very much enjoying Foxrun's company and feeling energized from their interaction alone... or perhaps she was hitting the peak of her exhaustion before the inevitable crash. Hesitantly, she stood, moving away from Foxrun and offering a small smile.
"I wouldn't mind speaking with you more. You seem very interesting." Her tone was almost on the timid side - typically, she wouldn't express things of this nature, allowing conversations to happen organically as she saw fit. Perhaps it was the nature of the conversation and Foxrun's disarming, if mischievous, personality that drew her in, but she wanted to make it known that she enjoyed his company. "It seems like a good time, especially since we will be spending the next few days here."
​


She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling very.. shy? This whole adventure was full of surprises for her. Finding a group of people, quickly trusting strangers, getting almost irrationally angry, and now she is shy. Phaedra was unaccustomed to making bonds of these sorts - positive or negative - and it caused a sort of disturbance inside of her. Emotions she wasn't used to feeling just boiling inside of her, unsure of how it express herself. So she chose shy.
​


"Ah, we should go, I suppose. I'm sure we shouldn't keep anyone waiting." Phaedra smiled sheepishly, gently touching the markings painted on her face. "Thank you again."
​


And with that, she hurriedly on ahead to swiftly make her way to Sverrir's hearth as (gently) commanded, surprisingly quick on her feet despite usually allowing the air to carry her. 
​


 
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Dorian chuckled at Svetlana's announcement and decided to maybe listen to it, walking off after Phaedra. He was quickly followed by Kacel'la and Garrett.
 
Valeiah sighed in relief. "Finally." She followed everyone else, yawning.


Alo had been off punching rocks. Because he was a mess. He caught up with his sister, rubbing his fists. "Hello." He chirped.
 
Valeiah sighed in relief. "Finally." She followed everyone else, yawning.


Alo had been off punching rocks. Because he was a mess. He caught up with his sister, rubbing his fists. "Hello." He chirped.
 
      When Hjalmar got up to leave, Yaroslav went out of his way to push him and go first. The thief just smirked and brushed off his shoulder, "Friendly guy." He muttered under his breath, trailing not too far behind him as they made their way to Sverrir's hearth.
 
(I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY NOTIFICATIONS, UGH.)


Lucasta, Lilith, and Lucas all fell into the hosts' home, walking into a loud and heavy argument. Instead of either of them barging in, they sat and watched. They were simply unsure of what to do.
 
Oceana shook her head at Svetlana's light-hearted command, glad the others were leaving.


She felt torn.


She so desperately wished to be alone but a part of her tugged her after the others, steps light as always.


Noting Yaroslav push Hjalmar out of the way, the elf frowned but said nothing and simply followed.


Thunks and patters of footsteps echoed in the corridor as the group marched back to Sverrir's house.


Her bare feet had just stepped over the threshold when her eyes caught bright red marks on Phaedra's face. At first she felt a whirl of shock and concern, afraid the Sylph had been hurt.


But as she rushed forward to her, the elf saw what they really were.


Ebony eyebrows pinched together as a look of horror dawned upon her tattooed features, unwilling to believe that the mockery before her was real.


"What" she choked "is that?"


@TeeKay
 
He caught a glimpse of her shock and chuckled to himself , "I think you are right Phaedra. She would be beaming to know where I've been and what we all saw. Seeing a sphinx? She would throw a fit at missing such an opportunity!" He continued to laugh now, "and I've honestly never thought about trying it on anything other than faces? I actually might do that sometime." He then listened to her again, somehow she was coming off bashful? After being SI persistent to get answers to her curiosities. And just as suddenly, Svetlana beckoned them to all return. The half-sylph jumped up before he did and continued to speak. "I would enjoy it as well. Any time you wish to, feel free to talk to me." He offered a grin, unsure if she would even see it as she made haste towards where then others would be gathering. He chuckled before he saw garret, dorian this new companion of this walk shortly after Phaedra. He then followed after them, quickening his pace slightly to catch up, if only to greet them briefly before jotting ahead. He wouldn't admit it, but he really didn't want to be left alone anywhere near these rocks.


When he came into their resting place for the next few days however, he saw what seemed to be an upset Oceana...which seemed to be towards Phaedra. Again.


@L1d1ja


@TeeKay


@TeeKay(idk why it tagged twice and it kept crashing when I tried to delete it???)
 
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Upon being approached by Oceana in such a negative manner, Phaedra's expression fell immediately dour - the exact opposite of what she had been moments prior.
​


"Apparently, by the look on your face, it's something for you to suck the joy out of." She spat, immediately moving away from the elf. Any thoughts to perhaps make up with Oceana and attempt to further understand her were quickly swept to the back of her mind as agitation began to bubble up to the surface. Her eyes quickly scanned the room for anybody she could tolerate - which was everybody except Oceana at this moment - to move beside. She spotted Foxrun just stepping in and quickly moved to him. He had been a source of that joy she had felt, even if it wasn't truly her own. Mostly, it just felt natural to drift towards the person who had been such pleasant company compared to the bitter elf.
​


 
​

 
"Uh, is something going on?" Stupid question of course.....Seeing as something must have happened. He asked without any real aim towards anybody in particular, really just trying to grasp what he had missed in the few short moments Phaedra had beaten him into the room. No matter how he approached it, he really felt cluess as to why the elf would be hostile.


@TeeKay@OlKaJa77@whoever is there currently 
 
"Something going on?" Oceana echoed, still trying to grasp why those marks were on Phaedra's face.


She stared straight at Foxrun, her eyes wide.


Then she recognized the usual red marks on his face and something clicked.


"What is this, fey? Why did you mark her so?"


Oceana started to feel her blood boil. Clenching her teeth she marched over.


"Are those on your face nae permanent as well?"


Her ultramarine eyes widened in comprehension, then swiftly narrowed.


She glowered, haughtily jutting out her chin.


"What is this?" She demanded again.


"Temporary marks of honor. As if to mock me!" She spat.


"I knew both of you thought me unjust in my judgments and yet here you are mocking me! Did you wish to offend me?! Because you have succeeded!"


@TeeKay @GalacticRam
 
His brows furrowed, obviously confused by why she thought this such a big deal. "Offend you?" He then laughed and waved both hands slightly "why yes, Oceana. I'm trying to mock you. Even though I had these marks on my face before I ever met you or knew who you were. And I've done them my entire life nearly." He spoke in a very sarcastic way. "Yet despite that. It was all because I knew that someday, somewhere, I would meet an elf with marks on her face, that are in no way similar might I add, who would get offended." He huffed, his own face reflecting a scowl as well now "you need to lighten up." He stated flatly, crossing his arms now. How could she be this narrow-minded? "She was curious. And I see no harm in sharing what I do because it's something my village passed on to me." 


@OlKaJa77 @TeeKay
 

Phaedra couldn't help but roll her eyes, feeling the fury begin to burn in her heart. She had never in her entire life met anyone as hardheaded and narrow-minded as this single woman.
​


"Are you truly offended that Foxrun would share his culture with me? Something he grew up with and imparted its meaning on to me?" Her voice was kept low, doing her very best to keep her growing temper under control. "Honestly - is your world so small that everything is meant to insult you and your clan alone? You only view things from your own experiences without consideration for others."
​


She too crossed her arms, growing defensive more for Foxrun's sake than her own. In Oceana's offense, she had essentially mocked the meaning behind Foxrun's markings - symbols of joviality and celebration. Something that he had carried despite the meaning being twisted for the purposes of the Dark Court that he had mentioned previously. In a way, it reflected his own inner strength and Phaedra would defend it.
​


 
​

 
Oceana squinted as if trying desperately to see their point. 


She had not meant that Foxrun's marks were made to offend her.


Rather that they were temporary, and felt tricked into having believe them permanent. And the small flicker of kinship she might have felt for the fey was irreversibly doused.


"Truly, what do these marks mean then?" She inquired impatiently.


"I fail to see why one would paint their face with temporary ink. I wouldnae be surprised if the humans or fey stole our culture too, as they have stolen many other things."


"Besides" she sneered "I donnae know why a Sylph would pretend to be fey."


The elf's smile turned smug and taunting, her eyes on Phaedra.


"What's the matter, leth fuil? Cannae find a place to belong?"


@TeeKay @GalacticRam
 
      Hjalmar had been watching with frustration, but he tried to avoid getting involved. That was, until Oceana asked, can't find a place of your own? Which really pushed the button. Hjalmar didn't have a home either, his people were long gone, as was his family. His father left him, and his mother died for him. It was a cold life to live, and for that he understood Phaedra.


      "Oceana!" He interjected, his mouth remained open but he couldn't force out any other words. Instead he just stared at her, slightly shaking his head, his brow furrowed together.

 
Bo felt like he missed something. Not just the spark to the flame of the argument, but the source of the tension and... bitterness? (He was absent for that part of her backstory reveal). That seemed to be spouting from Oceana's mouth. He'd always heard her voice laced with it, whenever she uttered the word 'human,' but he thought little of it. Whatever underlying issues there were he did not wish to unearth them... not now. Not if it looked like this.


He could feel his heart rate jump as he heard the anger behind their voices. Honest to god, he couldn't understand why Oceana was angry. Wasn't it humans she had an issue with or something? Not half-sylphs like Phaedra? What was going on?


As he listened to Oceana he found himself fighting for words to say to somehow help relieve the pressure cooker of anger that was building. He didn't want... that. But he felt that of all times, now, as a spectator of the conflict, while he could think of many things to say, his throat was closed up and a twisting feeling in his gut. 


He couldn't believe his ears at "can't find a place to belong." At this his words swelled in his chest and burst from his mouth. His voice boomed.


"She belongs here!" 


But he left it there. He feared adding more fuel to the fire. But if he became the target of anyone's anger... he didn't know if he could bear it. Maybe... on behalf of someone else though.


@TeeKay @OlKaJa77 @GalacticRam
 
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Dorian has to do his best not to glare at everyone with annoyed dissapointment when the argument started as it was grating on his nerves. At least Oceana wasn't ranting about how evil other races were, because if she did, Dorian was rather sure he would snap and either punch someone or say something he would regret.


He did not hold back a smile when Garrett sighed and muttered 'why did I sign up for this?' besides him.


'Is it always like this?' Kacel'la asked Dorian through telepathy.  She was sure that speaking up might have only enflamed the argument further.


"I'm impressed the have been no blood so far. The answer is yes."


"Try not to punch anyone."


"Yes, sister. Follow your own advice too."


"I don't punch people when angry."


"I count 7 different instances that say otherwise."


"Point taken."
 
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Valeiah honestly hadn't been paying much attention. She was too tired. Until everyone else started yelling things in protest to whatever Oceana had been saying. But she caught on.


"Seriously?" She snorted. "Oceana, I can't believe you're here talking about Phaedra not having a place to belong. If I remember correctly, didn't you tell us something about being kicked out of your clan? That's just plain hypocritical." She sounded almost bored. "I'm gonna tell you something I told the children I taught, because that's how you're acting right now. Like a child." She paused. "Don't go around picking fights, unless it's sort of necessary. I don't think Phaedra did anything to deserve your pointy-eared wrath."


@OlKaJa77 @TeeKay
 

"I don't pretend to be anything."
​


Phaedra's eyes narrowed. She was deaf to the others around her, only the sickening feeling of blind fury filling her eyes and ears. Her stomach churned and, suddenly, she regretted eating that night. Of all emotions, she despised anger and the effect it had on her body and she despised Oceana for triggering such feelings.
​


"Is there truly something wrong with sharing a culture? It's funny you mention fey stealing your culture considering they are older than even the elves.. I wonder who stole from whom? Or--" She gave an exaggerated gasp. "--maybe it is simply the product of the evolution of culture! But I suppose a bully like you may not have the capacity to read any history, hm?"
​


She bit her lower lip, becoming more and more unwilling to further engage with Oceana, especially after she had just stooped to Oceana's level by flinging an unnecessary insult. The elf made no sense to her. Why did she constantly seek out conflict? Why did she feel the need to taunt others? What purpose did it serve other than to fuel what Phaedra perceived as her disgusting need to be superior to others? Again, she felt the pull to run and run far, far away. She cared not whether Oceana would view it as a victory. Phaedra only wanted to leave. The emotions were becoming to overwhelming from both sides of the spectrum - she still felt elated by Foxrun's company and the food fight that had erupted during their dinner, but it was being bitterly contrasted by Oceana's inflammatory behavior.
 
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Foxrun felt a bit flattered that Phaedra would defend something she had just shortly learned about him. But just as soon as it came, it was snuffed by the harsh words the elf spat back at them. "Stolen?!" He returned the sneer she previously wore "why don't you just shut up about things you clearly have no understanding of?"  The sarcastic demeanor dropped, replaced with only disdain towards the elf as she slung insults at whoever she deemed fit. At the sudden shout of Bo, he even seemed a bit startled. Not by his words of course, for he agreed with them wholeheartedly. "You want an explanation for what they mean? Then I will give it to you." He stepped forward just as he spoke, unwilling to let this slide. By jumping to conclusions, she had insulted the way the people in his village had lived, the way his mother had taught this to him. And her accusations that they stole from the elves? Left a bitter taste in his mouth. "Not too long ago I shared with Phaedra how most marks were used for ceremonies and all sorts of celebrating. Then the dark fae twisted it as slave markings. Markings that I was forced to bare!" His voice raised in the slightest "regardless to how they subjected me to their oppression " the scowl on his face  deepened as he bore his stare into her. His eyes darkened with the unspoken thoughts of his time in captivity as he pressed on "I choose to carry on with the origin of the meaning for my people, my culture. Are you so prejudice, that in your personal crusade to prove yourself, you would become an oppressor as well?" 
 
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