Take Back the Crown

Oceana looked from Hjalmar to Bo as they shouted at her.


She simply bared her teeth and spat.


"Ah! The cavalry arrives! To save the poor half breed from insult."


She sneered at Hjalmar.


"I knew betrayal was going to come sooner or later."


She glared at Phaedra and said, in a tone somehow sounding venomously patronizing,


"You should feel lucky. Look at all these humans who stand up for you!"


Her voice suddenly dropped lower than she had ever spoken since joining their group. Her raven locks obscuring her face.


"Of course they would stand with you."


Then came Valeiah's little lecture and something snapped inside of her.


"No!" She cried, "It wasnae my fault!"


She shook her head, a hand holding her face.


"No! But it was my fault! I-"


The elf shook herself, as if shaking off a cloak that draped heavy on her shoulders.


She glared dangerously at Valeiah through the gaps in her fingers of the hand holding her face.


She barely noticed Foxrun's ranting as a war waged within herself.


They know nothing!


Run away!


You're nothing but scum!


Kill them.


Oceana snapped back to reality as Foxrun finished his shouting.


Her ebony fringe hid her face from them as a deadly calm settled over her.


Her hand was now a dead weight at her side.


"You donnae understand. At least you knew who they were. What they were."


She started walking straight for the two half-bloods in front of the door, head still down.


"You knew they were your enemy. What they did was the opposite of what you're heart wanted."


Do it!


Kill them!


Kill them now!


Before they betray you!


The voice in her head screamed and screamed but to no avail.


I have been betrayed all along, she told the voice, The gods had forsaken me since the moment I was born.


She walked closer, steps silent until she almost could reach out and touch them.


She just wanted to leave and never come back. She knew she was broken, cursed, trouble. She was only a thorn with no rose. No. Not anymore. Her rose died the night her village caught fire.


"But what if all your heart had wanted was to hold them tight, despite the way they tortured you? What if all you wished to do was take that enemy's hand and tell them it would be alright?"


she murmured in a voice so soft and somber one might wonder if they heard her at all.


"And what if in the same moment you wished to burn the world and everything in it, especially them? What if they left you with nothing but rage and hate? A brand on your heart that would burn at the sight of any other of their kind?"


"What would you do then, Foxrun?"
 
Svetlana's summoning had not come as a huge surprise, though more of a disappointment to Nameen as she had been enjoying herself exploring the intricate layout of the dwarven caverns.  


After her breif encounter with Oceana she had reached the others just in time to hear something about Dorian being an assassin.  To this, she had spun on her heel and left, deciding that she had no particular interest in any conversation that followed.  Dorian's occupation didn't phase her, but it got her wondering about what else she did not know about the people that she was with.  There was going to be no more revealing of information for a while, she decided.  Having had time alone to think, she was already feeling anxiety as a result to the little she had hinted to Bo.  


Now, Nameen was retracing her steps to find her way back to the hearth.  She halted at two separate paths down different corridors, squinting at each while trying to remember the right way.  She was just about ready to take a wild guess when several familiar raised voices sounded from the hall to her right.  Shrugging, Nameen started down while listening intently. 


When she finally arrived at the room where the rest of her companions were, they obviously were in some kind of heated disagreement.  Leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed, Nameen watched the drama unfold in front of her.  
 
Foxrun didn't bat an eye at her words, simply narrowed his eyes and stood his ground. "What would I do?" He spoke more quietly than before "I would not become like them." He stated it in such a way that implied she had began to be what she despised. "I wouldn't make excuses and claim they are valid reasons to treat those around me like they are beneath me." He then softened, even if slightly. "What happened to you, is unfortunate. But do not let such things distort your reality and turn you into a fool." He then turned away, feeling as if he had said all he could. And if she would not press for more, he would leave it at that. 


@OlKaJa77
 

Lucasta exhaled deeply, anger rising in within her. She hardly showed her deep emotions, but the argument was getting out of hand. She stepped in between the three of them and crossed her arms.
​


 
​


"I am sorry to intrude on a matter such of this. I know it needs to be spoken out. But I need to say something here, and you need to listen." She demanded of them, looking between them all.
​


 
​


"You joined this journey to help me reclaim my fallen kingdom, not to argue with one another. You should have realized that when you joined me, you would be in alliance with others with different culture than your own. We are all different, we have similar traditions  in our culture. We also have many different things. You all have to accept that."
​


 
​


She spoke, her voice strong and louder than normal. Her fists clenched, and her knuckles became white. Her brows stiffened and her posture was firm as if she was holding back her words, which was not unlikely, but was certainly noticeable now.
​


 
​


"You need to mature, and accept differences. Because you all should have expected this. We all walk on the same earth, breathe the same air. Can you not see what this could escalate into? You don't solve problems with harsh words and hate. You must try to understand the other person, or people in this case.”
​


 
​


She sighed and closed her eyes, trying to think of how to explain herself and this situation clearly.
​


 
​


“This company was made to heal an entire kingdom. If you cannot manage to heal other people, then how do you expect us to rebuild Valor?”
​


 
​


She asked them, her eyes now gave to a more somber look. She wanted so badly to rebuild her kingdom, however with everyone fighting, and taking sides it seems more of like a civil war. She just wanted everything to go back to the way it was during the food fight. Everyone was having fun, connecting, and even creating alliances to get certain people. It was teamwork.
​



“Do you remember the food fight a few hours ago? Perhaps you’d like a reminder. That is how our group should be acting like right now. Where we worked together, and used our differences to our advantage. Whether it was height, race, or abilities, you all used what you were given to work together.”
​
 

"Princess, I'm sorry, but that's what I've been trying to make her see. I never once judged her on her race and yet Oceana would still fling in my face my heritage? Yours, too?" Her voice rattled as she took a sharp breath inward. "I can't.. I can't breathe."
​


All she could hear was each time she was called a half-breed, echoing in her ears. It was a stab in the heart - further fueling the voices in the deepest recesses of her mind that she didn't belong until they became a deafening chorus in her ears. That terrible feeling of being alone she sat with earlier that day came flooding back to her full force. Anger tossed aside, she turned on her heel and, with a burst of air that made her head feel as though it would split open, flew out the door. She would return in a few minutes, when she was sure some of the others had dispersed. She would risk being scolded by whomever - Phaedra just wanted peace. Even with the words of the princess and the others who had risen to her defense, she still felt utterly ill. She felt alone.
​


 
​


Half fluttering, half scrambling, she used to last of her energy, gasping and groaning under her breath, to pull herself up on to a perch nearby somewhere where she could observe the entrance to Sverrir's hearth. Away from the prying eyes of others, but still close enough that there would be no issue with her disappearance. Phaedra curled up into herself, hugging her knees close. After a moment, she tried to wipe away the markings on her face to no avail. Was she really deserving of kinship? Half-breeds like her weren't always kindly received and she would never get used to it. Did she really belong? Abandoned to the elements as a babe, Phaedra often came across the thought that her existence was a fluke. Someone who wasn't meant to exist, but did through some cruel, prolonged cosmic joke. She rested her head on her knees, trying to organize her thoughts and swallow the emotions trying to rise out of her throat - screaming, crying, whatever it was that threatened to make itself known, she wouldn't have it.

(She'll be back soon-ish, don't worry. She just has to kinda get away for a minute. Totes not trying to hold up the RP.)
​
 
"I was looking forward to some fists flying." Alo said. Valeiah groaned. "You are soooooooo stupid. That's what we were trying to avoid, durr." She slapped the side of his head.
 
Oceana's temper rose to boiling again at Foxrun's harsh words. She had not wished to keep fighting; only seeking truth in what one would do.


Perhaps it would have helped her determine what she should do.


The princesses words chafed her too, speaking of teamwork and fun and bonding...


"As if we will nae die on this damned quest." She snorted to herself bitterly.


Looking into the princess' eyes she shook her head.


"You misunderstand princess. You may have all come on this journey to unite the kingdom, but I'm nae a fool. I'm here to buy time for the kingdom, sickened and broken though it may be."


She slowly made her way to the door, wishing to leave them all but knowing she could not abandon them forever.


"It was my Elder's dying wish that I complete my destiny. And so here I am."


She raised a hand to gesture to herself.


"But I'm nae here to make friends, princess. I'm here to die fighting for Algoran. And that is what I shall do."


Oceana strode out of the door, running as soon as she thought she was out of sight.


She knew she was trouble. She knew the princess was right. 


But she couldn't help the burning in her chest every time she looked at the humans. Nor could she stop the feeling of jealousy when Phaedra had immediately gotten all of their support.


And that spurred her to run all the faster, hoping maybe she could outrun the dark feeling in her heart:


The heavy, choking weight of being condemned and alone. 


Her cursed cross to bear, ever since she had taken her first, tiny breath.
 
Lucasta was startled at the reactions she had received. Oceana speaking back to her, angry and passionate about her culture made her shaky. Did she really think everyone was going to die on the quest? Does she think that she'll fail? Lucasta couldn't help but take her words into thought.


The room filled with an uncomfortable silence, until Lucasta's breaking voice interrupted. "Excuse me..." She walked to her satchel, picking it up, and left the room, hugging herself. She rummaged through her bag with one arm, as the other latched over her shoulder as she tensed. The cold air caused her to shiver, and her breath to be seen. She continued to walk while doing so. She came upon the training area and sat on the side of the arena. She pulled out the crown, and stared at it. The silver metal shined in the moonlight, causing around her to look a bit brighter. She blinked out tears that had grown since she walked out the door. In the silence of the night, she decided to talk to herself to try to clear up some thoughts that have been bugging her.


"Why has fate decided to give me burden?" She asked herself, holding the crown in both hands, as if talking to it. "You seem to bring much trouble..." She did actually speak to it this time. "I know I'm supposed to lead this group... But sometimes I feel as if they don't want to listen to me. I'm supposed to lead, I was born to. But this company is proving I'm not worthy of being a ruler someday..." She muttered. She closed her eyes, as a tears streamed down her face. Her frown intensified as she started to sob quietly. "I fear that this entire journey is in vain. It's been almost a full month and we haven't even reached one gemstone." She sobbed, continually wiping tears from her face. "I know they want to help, I can feel it. But no one seems to want to get along because of differences, opinions, preferences..." Her voice trailed off. "Because they are all too prideful to see that their stubbornness will be their downfall." She went quiet, and started to cry. The crown in one hand, as the other hand held her face.
 
He sighed lightly, suddenly drained of any energy from before. Of course he knew the princess was right. But it was hard for him to settle with ignoring someone who fueled many of their angers. It was something they would all have to work on, just as the princess had said. He finally uttered the simple phrase "so who's sleeping where?" And rubbed at his forehead lightly. Perhaps sleep would settle his thoughts


@ anybody
 
      The crown in the princesses hands began to shimmer much brighter, casting rays of light on the walls behind her. It hummed with energy, and a low angelic voice spoke to Lucasta's mind, "Do not despair..." She said comfortingly, "I have seen the future, and it is brighter than the dark times you are sure yet to face."



 
​


      Despite the warning in his heart, knowing it was Oceana's wish to be left alone, he ran after her. She was faster, but only by a little. By the time he caught up, his chest was burning, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back, "You're hopeless!" He shouted, hoping it'd stop her in her tracks, "You talk as if this is some doomed quest that will only end in bloodshed! Do you not believe we can change our fate? That we can alter the future? Is your only drive in life, the last request of your Elder?" He demanded to know.



 
​


      Svetlana sighed, taking a seat on the couch by the fireplace, "We did not converse about it, since it seems other topics were much more important, so I suppose it is first comes first served." She leaned back, "Foxrun, Bo, Yaro? Would you three be a dear and bring in the blankets and pillows? It seems our group is thinning out and now sleep is the last thing on everyone's mind. And after all that effort just to get them here." She whined as she let her hair down, propping her feet up to be warmed by the fire.

 
He learned up in the slightest, nodding "that would be fine with me." He already headed to the door, only briefly stopping to make sure he was not leaving the others. Because once again, he had no want to be to himself in the winding passages of this hidden town of the desert. "Er, are you sure sverrir will let is approach the carriages?" He jokes, finally managing a tiny grin "wouldn't want him to chunk a metal wrench at us, would we?"


@Lo Alyssa@soundofmind
 
This is a mess. No one could deny it. In his heart, he wanted so dearly to go comfort someone - the princess, Phaedra, or even Oceana, but he felt that it would be unwelcome. He could only imagine the fury he would be met with from Oceana, and it would be incredibly difficult to reach Phaedra, as she'd flown up high where no one could reach her. Maybe later,  since it seemed he wouldn't get a chance to, now that he was given another task. 


"Of course, Svetlana." Bo nodded, solemnly, still feeling a great amount of anxiety twisted up in his heart after witnessing the argument between his fellow comrades. That is, if he could call them that. I ought to - even if it's hard to. He couldn't say that the butting of heads was unexpected, only that it was unwanted. He didn't want to see them all letting themselves be torn apart because of their differences. And he knew himself well enough that he really didn't like relational conflict. It was different than combat. In battle, it's kill or be killed. But when dealing with matters of the heart you have to listen and be gentle, patient, honest... and vulnerable. And that's incredibly difficult to do when there's offense or misunderstandings on either side.


He followed Foxrun, letting the light joke chip away at the tension that had grown in the room. He relaxed a little more, letting out a small sigh as he looked up above them, trying to spot Phaedra. But he didn't see her.


"I think Sverrir will make an exception for us tired travelers." He said with a short laugh, grinning down at Foxrun. 


@Lo Alyssa@GalacticRam
 
Oceana whipped around, fully aware the young man had ran after her.


"Let me go!" She growled, long elven canines flashing in the dim light.


The sky was dark and slivers of it were visible through gaps in the overhanging canyon walls.


She wrestled her arm away from the human man.


"Of course! Why else would I join such a hopeless quest?!" The end of her sentence was raspy, tears choking her throat.


She swiped at her eyes angrily.


"All I want is to be with my father! My mother! I wish to finally meet the woman who gave her life to birth me!"


The tears flowed freely now.


"What is left for me in this bleak world? All that I love is gone! All that ever loved me is gone! And my heart is too twisted and broken to let in another!"


Her hands flew to clutch the material at her chest, her long, elegant fingers twisting the plain cloth.


"I cannae!" She cried, her voice full of the acute agony that strangled her heart. Her sobbing was loud and she inwardly cursed her inability to control her emotions.


"I am nae worth all of this hardship. My existence on this mortal plane is nae worth the suffering."


the elf maiden muttered around hiccups.


@Lo Alyssa
 
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      "Nah, he will hit anyone that comes too close." Yaroslav chuckled as he led the two out the door, "But thankfully, the supplies was moved far enough away from him that we should be safe from his wrench attacks."





      Hjalmar's face softened, it was like he was seeing a reflection of himself and the thoughts he once battled with. Though he tried to hold them back, tears fell from his own eyes as the usually head strong elf maiden crumbled before him. There was a momentary silence. He then gently wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. His voice quivered, and melted into his first language, the elven tongue "And what would your mother and father want for you right now?" He said in a whisper, "The last thing my mother told me before she died... was to, 'live...' Her time had come to an end, but that didn't mean mine should. She told me I had to keep fighting, and to never stop fighting... that I had some purpose left in this world, that hers had already been fulfilled... and... she told me not to despair. She told me to hold on to hope, and to never ever give up on her account."


      He pulled away from her enough to look into her wet eyes with his own, "I know your parents would say the same thing, Oceana... If you can't live for yourself, then live for them. They loved you, they still love you, and they would never want you to lose hope or to give up on a world that they cherished so much... You still have a purpose, even if you can't see it. They saw it... What is left for you in this bleak world, is the life your parents loved so much. There is still good left in this world, and it's worth all the pain, all the suffering, and all the heartbreak we endure." He wiped away a tear on her cheek, and somehow managed to smile at her.

 
Alo pushed some of Valeiah's hair out of his face. They were just sitting on the ground next to each other. "Do you need me to braid that for you, guppy?" He asked. Valeiah yawned and nodded. "Yeah..."
 
Oceana flinched as Hjalmar embraced her. But then melted into the hug with a sob.


And after he was done speaking she sobbed openly into his rough-spun tunic.


He is right, she thought.


Surely mother and father wish me to live.


But I am not their daughter anymore...simply the shell of her.


Suddenly something wet plopped onto her hand curled against the human's chest.


She felt his tense muscles under the fabric of his shirt, echoing her own cringing stance.


She knew in that moment, her pain was his too.


No, she declared in her mind, there must be something I can do.


And in that moment, Oceana decided, that something was wrapping her arms around the theif in return and murmuring softly in elvish,


"Thank you."


@Lo Alyssa
 
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Kacel'la sighed with dissapointment when the argument ended with everyone, still angry, scattering to different directions. She did not understand why the argument had been started in the first place, it seemed such a stupid reason for her.


Noticing that Hjalmar had gone after Oceana, Kacel’la went to find Phaedra. The crushed expression on her face was not one the elf could ignore.


It didn't take long for her to find the sylph, and she had only minimal trouble to climb onto the perch to sit besides her.


"I know it's a very stupid question, but are you okay?" Kacel'la asked Phaedra after a minute of silence.


@TeeKay
 

She slowly lifted her head up from her knees to stare at the elven woman. Her expression was one of disbelief at first, surprised that anyone had followed after her, but it soon shifted into mild suspicion. Why? Phaedra couldn't say she didn't mind the company, though. Now she wondered, how could she answer Kacel'la's question? There was so much she wanted to say.
​


"No, I'm not."
It was all she could muster as she scrambled to organize the words that flew into her mind. Quickly, she tried to express herself more adequately.
​


"I just.. I don't understand? She gets angry with me for expressing reasonable suspicion. And now, she just finds anything to be irritated with, and then--"
​


Phaedra found herself choking on the words.
​


And then Oceana has to constantly mock her for something she had no control over. Something that divided her from everyone else. Something that, yes, made it so she didn't belong anywhere in the world.
​


"Why? We are already in the midst of a conflict on a grander scale and yet she decides to spit venom at me." She shook her head, giving a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry, Kacel'la. I didn't even tell you my name and yet, here I am, rambling.."
 
​

 
Foxrun almost didn't seem shocked that yaroslav had confirmed his, well, what was meant as a joke. Although he wasn't sure if he still liked that answer, preferring to stick with Bo's response would be better. Being taken out by some wrench didn't sound that pleasant. He lightly laughed as well, slowly slipping back into his usual carefree self. Then continued on towards the supplies with the others, fetching what they need for their next few nights of sleep. 


As they returned with all of the things, he started to go around and hand out whatever he had managed to carry. He for one, was far too ready to take a nice long rest to ease his taught mind.


@Lo Alyssa@soundofmindAnd to whomever he handed stuff to
 
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"It's okay. And I guess some people are just angry sometimes, and have certain things that simply set them off. Plus people say a lot of stupid things when angry, so just don't pay attention to it." Kacel'la shrugged. "And don't believe what Oceana says. You have a place where you belong, everybody has theirs. For example, I'm only here because I'm searching for mine." She  smiled encouragingly. "And also don't take 'half-breed' as an insult. A person once told me that one should be proud of being so unique."


@TeeKay
 

She allowed Kacel'la's words to sink in, staring at her as she hung on every word, letting them occupy space in her busy mind and push away the more intrusive thoughts. Her words were far more comforting than anything else she had going on. Slowly, she nodded. Phaedra didn't really know why she stayed with the group other than the appeal of the thrill of adventure, her blood calling for excitement. Perhaps that was the true reason lying underneath - she was searching for where she belonged.
​


"I suppose so.." Her answer back was hesitant, but Phaedra's heart had been eased a bit by the elven woman's reassuring words. Despite the fiery nature of the woman - matching her hair - Phaedra noted that Kacel'la had a surprisingly gentle side to her as well. "It had been used as an insult towards me for many years. I guess it stuck in my mind as a title meant to divide me from all the rest."
​


 
​


Phaedra began to uncurl herself from her small ball and let her legs dangle over the edge of the little nook she had found, her body language slowly becoming more relaxed.
​


"I'm Phaedra, by the way." She gave back a weak smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. "Kacel'la, before we head back, have you been close to finding your 'place'? Was it not with Dorian? It seemed that you were familiar with him."
​


 
​

 
The princess blinked several times. "W-wait a moment..." Her brows knitted together, as she looked closer at the silver crown in her hands. "You can speak? Why haven't you spoken earlier?" She asked, now putting the crown on the rocky floor of the training area.


@Lo Alyssa
 
"I know your pain. The same insult is what chased me away from my clan years ago." Kacel'la nodded. " You have a very nice name. And to answer your question: not really. Dorian is my friend, almost like a brother but we are very different, can't stay around each other for long before beginning fights. As for a place to belong, I still haven't found it yet, that's why I travel. I have found places which seemed like they were what I was searching for, but I never could stay for long: something always calls me away. But I have found that being around with friends sometimes feels like home. Maybe sometimes home has a heartbeat."


@TeeKay
 
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Phaedra slowly nodded, not totally comprehending the concept, but only because she hadn't had the pleasure of experiencing it herself.. or maybe she had, even if it was just the beginning of such a bond? She pondered briefly on her friendship with Bo and how he made her feel welcome, and then on Foxrun and the potential for friendship that laid there as well.. And then her mind wandered to her home in the mountains - what made that 'home' exactly? Was it really the location itself, or was it her mentor and adoptive father that made it a desirable place to return to? To flee and forget of any hardships she had had since beginning her journey years ago?
​


"I see.." Phaedra went quiet for a time. It was clear that she had a lot on her mind now. She waved a hand apologetically at Kacel'la, realizing that she had begun to essentially mentally check out of the conversation. "Ah, we should get back.. But.. we could probably continue this later? I wouldn't mind the opportunity to ask your opinion on a few more things. Thank you, Kacel'la."
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