Take Back the Crown

Ever the light sleeper, Oceana jolted awake at the loud crash of stone on stone.


Ultramarine eyes flashed open, nimble fingers groping for the hunting knife always at the elf's waist.


Nearby she saw a shadow but as her vision adjusted from sleep she realized it was not the cause of the noise.


The raven-haired maiden crawled over to the lip of the high rock formation and peered into the gloom with keen eyes.


There!


A cloud of dust.


And Yaro?


The man could be faintly heard speaking to what appeared to be a woman emerging from the rubble, the glint of his axes a telling sign.


Oceana hopped down from her perch and glided along in the shadows, sure to go unseen.


She sidled up to a large stone pillar close to the scene and stayed silent.


If this woman was indeed an enemy, the elf wished to be a nasty surprise.


@L1d1ja
 
Alo and Valeiah both jolted awake at the sound. It wasn't like Alo to wake up at any noise, but he was having a nightmare to top it off.


"Alo.... Alo. Are you awake?" Valeiah whispered.


"Yeah, but you shouldn't be. Go back to sleep. I'm going to go check it out." Alo said and stood up. It didn't seem that he was the first to have the idea, since he saw Yaro, and then the cranky elf who really, really hated him (he didn't know why, he thought he was charming).


Valeiah, despite her brother's wishes, didn't want to go back to sleep, especially since she thought he could get hurt. So she followed him.


"Who the heck are you?!" They said in unison. Alo turned around. "Valeiah! Go back to sleep!" "No! Stop telling me what to do, old man!" "Shut up!"


@Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77 @Abberakelaran
 
As Cass was leaving the dust, someone called out "Who goes there?" When she emerged fully she saw that it was a rather large man marked with symbols that reminded her of something, although she could not quite remember what. He also looked to be wielding a pair of very sharp axes, with at the very least a certain sureness. He looked at her, apparently taking in her appearance, and then said "Who are you?"  She turned her brown eyes on him and had opened her mouth to respond, when two more people came up behind him. They called out in unison "Who the heck are you?", and then they turned to each other and began to argue. She turned back to the man and spoke, "My name is Cassandra Steelbourne." She dipped a quick curtsy and then said, "I was traveling up on the desert surface. If you do not mind what is your name, and where is this?"
 

@Lo Alyssa@Danika@OlKaJa77   Oh and in terms of shoes she is not wearing any, although the skin still looks unbroken and unburnt.
 
Dorian, when he heard the crash, quietly padded over to the edge of the cliff, watching the dustcloud. He did not want to interfere until he was sure that it was problem.
 
Bo woke up with a start; his heart beating fast and his eyes open wide. He had to rub his eyes for a second as his vision readjusted, and he quickly scanned the room, taking note of everyone that was still there. Or rather, who wasn't there. He saw Valeiah and Alo getting up and leave, and Foxrun woke up too. Phaedra was still close by. A noise that loud was sure to wake up most everyone - although, perhaps not the soundest of sleepers (but he was almost positive none of them were). Crashing rocks... an avalanche? A fight? Magic? He couldn't be sure. If he knew anything about the people in their group though, he was sure that several of them were already out there, investigating the source of the sound. Maybe I should stay put? He could hear no shouting, no other loud crashing that followed... it didn't sound like it could be any of Kvacht's doing. Surely it would be... louder? 


"I'm gonna go see what that was." He explained to the assumedly alert Phaedra, patting the ground beside her before getting up and following to the source of the sound. He trotted up behind Yaroslav and the two siblings in time to see and hear the name of the new arrival. Cassandra Steelbourne. Hm. Well, from the looks of it, she seemed honest... odd, maybe. But so was he. He stayed behind and  watched from behind the rest, as he was not addressed. 


@TeeKay @Abberakelaran @Danika @Lo Alyssa 
 
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Since the vision that had started her out of her sleep, Nameen had remained awake, drumming her fingers on the hilt of her blade.  She had risen to a sitting position as laying down had made her feel too vulnerable, and was depending soley on the wall to keep her upright.  Her head felt heavy, and despite the ache of protest coming from her eye, she kept it open.  


CRASH. 


All of Nameen's fatigue vanished in an instant as the great noise caused her to spring to her feet.  Her sword was drawn by the time she was standing, and she immediately pinpointed the source of the sound.  It wasn't hard, given that dust had been stirred by whatever the thing was.  Nameen noticed several of the others rise as well, but she stayed well behind them as they travelled over to investigate.  


The dust cloud was settling, and Nameen could make out a pile of fallen rocks and stone, with a woman standing in their midst.  Narrowing her eye, Nameen crept a little further than most of her companions so that she was positioned near the side of the intruder rather than the front.  Stealt wasn't her strongest suit, so she hoped that the dust and the distraction of the others would allow her to move without Cassandra Steelbourne hearing her.  If the woman attacked, Nameen wanted to be an element of surprise.  
 
Lucasta was jolted awake by the sound of rocks falling and crashing to the floor. She shot up and stayed quiet for a moment, to hear what is may have been. Soon she heard familiar voices of her comrades. She grabbed her satchel and shot up from her sleeping spot in the training area, and sprinted towards the group. She didn't say anything, just continued to listen.
 
      "I am Yaroslav." He stated, still inspecting the girl with confusion, "This is the Kebrun Canyons, the passing to be more specific, and home of the dwarves. I find it hard to believe you simply wandered into it." He lowered his axes just slightly at the curtsy, and it was around that time that Svetlana and Hjalmar came rushing out. The old woman looked hardly surprised, having been woken up in such ways before. But Hjalmar had his knife drawn and ready. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, but he felt on edge. He softened just a little at the sight of the girl, but he knew better than to judge by appearances. She could still very well be a threat.


      "What is all that racket!?" A voice sounded behind the gathered group, who were now mixed with confused dwarves woken by the noise. It was Sverrir, who must have worked all through the night, "If Bor made another explosion, I'm gonna ring his little-!" He stopped.


      "It looks like we have another unexpected visitor." Svetlana hummed, amused at the random appearances they had experienced during their stay. She sensed no malice in the girl, and relaxed, "Does this happen often?"


      "No." Sverrir grumbled, "It only happens when you come to visit."

 
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Cass looked around at her surroundings quizzically, eyes bright with curiosity. She looked at the dwarf who had just arrived and smiled brightly saying, "Oh I knew it! I knew the dwarves had not died out, whether or not the halls of Myrk were lost." Then she frowned and a look of deep sadness crossed her face. She said, "So it's true then? The Halls of Myrk fell? A friend of my fathers said that he thought they had, but we were never able to verify. His scrying could not pierce the old veils." She seemed to remember herself then and looked back at Yaroslav seeming slightly embarrased, "I did not stumble into this place." She turned and gestured to the shattered rock behind her saying, "I fell into it. That rock broke off under my feet, although luckily it also broke my fall."

@Queen of Fantasy @soundofmind @GalacticRam @Rydellius @OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja @Danika @Lo Alyssa  I stole Lo allysa's tag list so I hope its right :3
 
Valeiah started snort laughing mid-punch to her brother's nose. "Haha! She didn't stumble, she fell. That's a good one. Mind if I use that someday?" She kept laughing. Until she noticed everyone was looking at her. She punched Alo and he collapsed and started whining. "ValeiahhhhhhhHHhHhhh........ Why?!" He curled up into a fetal position and kept complaining even though Valeiah barely hit him. It was silent now, besides Alo being a baby.


Valeiah coughed. "I mean... Yeah. I bet you totally fell in here, you big liar. Why don't you go lie to some other people, phoney-pants."


 


@Abberakelaran @Queen of Fantasy @soundofmind @GalacticRam @Rydellius @OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja @Lo Alyssa
 
Oceana rolled her eyes at Valeiah and her fool of a brother.


Surely they're going to get at least one of us killed with their horsing around.


Flicking her eyes to the so-called Cassandra Steelbourne, the elf's brows slanted in indignation even as her cheeks colored.


The bright hair, the blue eyes, the unmistakably round ears.


"Blasted, pretty human. Again. Blasted pretty humans everywhere damn it..." She hissed inaudibly to herself, shutting her eyes as if to escape said people in the darkness on her eyelids.


Sighing to herself, Oceana merely sat in the dust, confident the girl was not a threat.


Else she would have killed us by now.


She just wanted to go off and meet the Sphinx already. It's company would be much more appreciated than the current hostile attitudes being flung her way by certain members of their group.


Sighing again, the normally graceful elf scrunched into the dirt even further and got out her piece of deer antler she had been whittling.


As of now, it was simply a cylinder turned into bulbs that resembled some sort of quadruped with erect ears.


Taking her small knife out of her ever-present waist pouch on her ever-present belt, the raven-haired elf went to work.


Humans can deal with the humans. It's their lot, she affirmed to herself as the first curled shaving fell onto the sandy canyon floor.
 
Bo looked at the two siblings, feeling everyone else's stares on them as well - if for but a moment. Clearing his throat, he spoke up, asking the question that at the very least, he wanted to know the answer to.


"...So, what are you doing travelling alone in the desert?" Clearly, she survived the fall somehow and was ok. It wasn't that she didn't seem capable of travelling alone (despite her appearance), but it was both practical and useful to know why she was there. Y'know, like, if she was there for good or bad reasons. Not that she'd admit to maliclious intents but... oh, whatever.


@Abberakelaran (sorry it's short aaa)
 
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      Surprised to hear the name of his birth home, the dwarfs eyes popped a bit under his goggles, "Ah, yes... it was quite unfortunate, really." He muttered, "A darkness crept into that fell place and drove us away and we eventually settled here." Sverrir gestured to the canyon walls around him, "Though, this place can not compare in the slightest to the former glory of our ancestral home." He made sure to add, fondly thinking back on his childhood memories.


      "Now, if you will excuse me, I must return to my project!" Sverrir exclaimed as he hobbled off back to his workshop, "And no peeking!" He yelled, particularly at Svetlana who then chuckled in response.


      When Sverrir turned the corner, there was an awkward silence that Svetlana wanted to break, "Back to business." She said, "If you have been wandering the desert, I am sure you are quite parched and famished." She waved to the stranger, Cassandra Steelbourne, "We can talk at the table, but I am sure Helgi had already prepared some delicious breakfast for us- and Yaro! Put those things away." She scolded her grandson, the man grimaced and stuck his axes to his belt, his arms folded, "Let us go eat!" She said again, trying to get everyone back into the hall so they could rush the morning by and get moving. They were so close to the next missing piece, she was anxious to get her hands on it before it was too late- not that it was in any danger with a sphinx guarding it, but nonetheless. They shouldn't take any chances.

 
Oceana narrowed her eyes at the mage's command.


She had no desire to be some pet dog for the humans, coming and going at their beck and call.


Shaking her head, the elf decided to silently make her way towards where the others were headed


It was no use causing chaos when they were finally on the move again. 


Stuffing her carving effects back into her waist pouch, she moved forward briskly.


Haughtily flicking ebony hair over her shoulder as she passed the others, Oceana pursed her lips in a patent scowl.


Without sparing anyone a glance she moved on, eager to eat and be away from this place and the idleness they found in it. 
 
Foxrun held a slight expression of confusion and rubbed his face. Breakfast? Was it really that time already? He felt as if his dream was brief, yet the entire night had nearly passed. Perhaps it was just the fact he was still trying to process the dream, and then there was this new person. He patted his cheeks and turned to follow the older mage, he hadn't known her long yet he already knew he could trust in her judgement. He was too tired otherwise, not in sleep sense, but in the way emotions could drain you. His body actually felt well rested compared to lately. It was his mind that continued, to the point the gears began to grind more than they actually turned. He sighed now, resting a hand on his stomach as the hunger set in. "How could I possibly be hungry after yesterday?!" He spoke aloud, the shock evident upon his face that he could even consider food this shortly after a feast. He then noticed a certain dark haired elf seemingly appear from nowhere and pass by him. Where had she been the entire night he wondered? 


(To no one in particular once more. So vague. Sorry. Just his rambling thoughts again)
 
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Cass took the confirmation and stored it away, noting that a couple of Abe's other more outlandish stories might also be true. As the dwarf turned away she looked back at the bulk of the group and wondered how she should handle their suspicion. It was, to be fair, warranted, but it could still be an issue. Then the older woman spoke up and she turned her gaze to her. For a moment she froze half recognizing the symbols. The memory of them slipped through her mind like a shadow, and she could not quite grip onto them. That meant it was not her memory then. She came back to herself and smiled saying, "I would appreciate some food, thank you. He can keep his weapons if you would like Svetlana, I appreciate that my presence must seem odd at best." Cassandra moved up to follow them to breakfast, and distracted as she was she did not remember that she had never been told the old woman's name.

 @Queen of Fantasy @soundofmind @GalacticRam @Rydellius @OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja @Danika    @Lo Alyssa Again stealing Lo alyssa's tag list :P.
 
Valeiah groaned because her fool of a brother was still on the ground being an idiot. She hooked her arms around his and tried to drag him to where they needed to be.


"GODS, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN EATING, YOU FAT PIG?! I FEEL LIKE I'M PULLING ALONG SIX BOULDERS." Valeiah shrieked. He turned around to glare at her and lurched forward so she went flying.


(not really @ anyone I just wanted to make a mess of all the seriousness aahaha I'm sorry)
 
Bo opened his mouth as if to say something in protest, feeling ignored as his question was not answered. He pouted, letting out a small sigh out his nose and turning around somewhat reluctantly to follow everyone to breakfast. But as soon as food was on his mind, he had to admit, it was a very appealing distraction. And the faster they got moving and ate, the faster they'd get back to travelling to the gem they were all searching for. It's a bit of a shame. I was really enjoying this place... at least, for the short time we've been here. But they had priorities.


He watched the two siblings continue to fight. It was rather amusing. At least, for now. He was sure it would get annoying later.


@ ya'll ,, idk
 
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The others had to seemed to have dimissed the stranger as a threat, bringing up a scowl on Nameen's face.  They are that quick to trust her? She thought, eyeing the woman as she rose slowly.  She would have thought Svetlana to have been more cautious as they were about to head out to retrieve one of the crown's gemstones.


From what Nameen had seen from the quest so far was that strangers discovered on the road seemed far too welcome.  Then again, she had drawn her sword on Foxrun when he had approached, and he had not turned out to be an enemy.  


Nameen pondered this more as she walked.  Before the quest, they had all been strangers to each other.  Now, she still felt as if she were among a foreign crowd, though some less than others.  


Her narrowed eye flitted to each of the backs of her group members in turn, but she felt some reassurance when she remembered the previous night's food fight.  During that meal she had felt as if she were among close friends, though it 


had probably been the influence of dwarven ale she had drank.  


Frowning at her thoughts, Nameen silently followed her companions towards the meal hall.  


(Agh sorry this isn't great but I'm trying to break writer's block) @/anyone
 
He was curious as to what the stranger had been doing here as well, so when Bo didn't receive an answer, he made note they should bring it up again. It wasn't that he trusted this newcomer, but merely respected the elders decision. Needless to say, Foxrun had his suspicions still tucked away. He tried to ignore it for the moment before once again spotting the dark haired elf in front of them all. She was purposely keeping her distance from them all, well it came off that way to him. And then the knot in his chest seemed to grow heavier. He sighed, stepping up his pace to catch the elf. And surely, she would know he was approaching, he knew how keen her hearing could be, yet he still announced himself "Ah, Oceana." He waited to see if she would acknowledge him before saying anything else.


@OlKaJa77
 
Recognizing the fey's footsteps get louder as he approached.


Her legs were shorter but the easy grace of her marching steps kept her ahead of everyone.


Scowl deepening further, sea-green orbs did not look at him as he came to walk alongside her.


"Yes? What is it?" She said, fighting to keep her voice neutral if a bit cold. She didn't feel like having company at the moment. Especially the fey or his newly acquired Sylph friend.


@GalacticRam
 
Almost immediately he felt a tad bit regret at coming up to her without planning out what to say. It was clear she was still bitter about what happened. "I want you to know that I don't hate you. We disagree on a lot obviously, but I don't want to hold that against you." He spoke a bit fast, finding it hard to explain himself and get to his own point. "I realize I was being harsh to you. And I apologize for that. After having time to, to " he cut off, pausing to catch up with his thoughts and find a good word for it. "I guess to reflect on what we each said? I can see why you feel so much hurt. And I don't think you deserved that." He sighed, this was becoming awkward, she probably thought he sounded like a fool. "I still respect you. And I don't want you to feel like you have to push through this alone." 


@OlKaJa77
 
Oceana almost recoiled at the fey's kind words.


Somewhere deep in her bones was an ache that pulsed anew as she took in his weary countenance.


"I see." Was all she said, trying to control her voice. She didn't want him to see it. 


The hope in her eyes. The hurt. The vulnerability.


Realizing she should say something more, the elf sighed and made a concession.


"It was wrong of me to accuse you of such things." She mumbled


"Foolish even."


Shaking her head, raven locks swishing, Oceana decided to divulge some information to Foxrun in return for his own.


It was less personal but still important to her.


Clearing her throat, the elf's low accented cadence glided past her lips, showcasing the all-encompassing grace of her people.


"In elven lore it is said that animals were created first, Fey and Man were created second. But the races hardly ever got along. Too different. Man felt everything in his heart. Fey were guided by primal instinct and respect for nature." 


The elf held out her two, slender hands apart; one obviously indicating humans and the other, the fey.


"The gods frowned upon this for they had wished for a peaceful world with diversity at its heart. So they created another race; we, the elves. We were born of human ideals and primal instinct both. We were the link. Half of each world in our blood and in our hands."


The smaller woman regarded the half-blood with contrite eyes, hoping he would understand her meaning.


"I did nae mean to be so cruel. To you or Phaedra. In fact, I feel sympathy for you both." The elf muttered, her cerulean eyes turning away from the fair man.


"I just cannae see those around me without the shroud of my past lingering on my shoulders."


Normally taut shoulders slumped, almost in defeat at the admittance; as if she could not help being broken, bleeding out agony, like an open wound.


"You should give up, Foxrun." Her accented voice was low and cold again, but said quality wavered, as if it was an act.


"You shouldnae try to make up with me. I kill everything I touch and despise living. No one should be around me at all but it must be done. I have a destiny."


The elf took a deep breath and slammed her jaw shut again.


When she looked at him once more her eyes glinted like icicles, sharp and gelid, her control returning in full force.


"I hate the humans but I donnae wish them to suffer. No one should feel what I feel. Ever again. That's the only reason I'll be their ally. At all."


And with that rose a wall of icy silence around her, ultramarine eyes focused unflinchingly on something intangible in the air in front of them, her ebony locks sweeping back and forth like waves on some somber, black sea.


@GalacticRam
 
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Phaedra had awoken at the sound of the falling stone but did not choose to investigate, staying in her warm blankets as she watched the others make their way out the door to see the cause of what sounded like an explosion. Irresponsible? Perhaps. Still - she simply wanted to enjoy the moment to herself. To be close to a friend made her night easier to get through and lulled her into a deep sleep filled with pleasant dreams, though she couldn't shake a certain nagging feeling. It was almost like she was forgetting something? Phaedra kept rattling her mind around this single thought, wondering it could possibly be, up until she decided enough was enough and she stood, carefully folding the blanket and fluffing her pillow on top of the neat folds. The others had been gone for some time and though she didn't hear the sounds of combat or distress, it still made her nervous to see that nobody had returned yet.
​


 
​


Floating away from Sverrir's hearth, she finally saw the others trickling back towards civilization. Her head tilted slightly, noticing one more following everyone back - she didn't recognize this person. An amused sigh left her lips. Phaedra supposed that it couldn't be helped. Maybe Bo was right - fate had strung them together.
​


She watched quietly, waiting for some to pass before joining the larger group, gently floating alongside them. Phaedra briefly noticed Foxrun and Oceana speaking with one another and quickly decided she would not participate. It seemed to be a meaningful conversation, at least for a moment before the elven woman shut herself off once more. Having regained control of her own emotions since confiding in Bo and Kacel'la the night before, Phaedra felt no ill will towards Oceana and her bitter words. No, she felt nothing at all - a clean slate, now that she had been well rested. Even still, she couldn't help but wonder when the next time her sharp tongue would strike again.
​
 
Foxrun listened, eagerly even, at what she had to say of her people. He offered a slight smile, before she tried to shut him out again. "Thank you for sharing." He stated simply before suddenly adding "but I make no promises of giving up. That isn't in my nature as much as it isn't in yours." He chuckled in the slightest "even if it gets me into trouble. I'm sure it will be worth it." He then let it die off as she put her shields back up. Admittedly, he felt better an out the situation. Time was necessary to heal such a savage wound as the ones she had endured. And he should take his mother's advice, or whatever it was in his dream, and learn a bit more patience. 


@OlKaJa77
 
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