Take Back the Crown

Oceana hadn't realized the others had heard her reading and flushed brightly despite her tanned skin.


But the merchant man had said something kind.


She looked at him with narrowed cerulean eyes, trying to play off her embarrassment as ire.


"Tapadh leat, stranger." She mumbled, somehow not able to muster much irritation for the bearded man.


"I do... enjoy poetry..." She said, holding up the small book in one hand.


"It inspires and yet calms and can hold the riddle of entire kingdoms in a but a few words."


Looking sideways at Hjalmar, she nodded and then looked past him at Ashlar.


They look similar indeed, Oceana thought, having overheard their conversation on the desert tribes earlier.


Then she looked back down at the book in her lap. 


The elf smiled sadly at the weaving patterns stamped into the leather cover, a slender finger traced one corner.


"My mother loved poetry too... This" she said, holding the book aloft for a moment "was hers."


@Lo Alyssa
 
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(School started today, sorry I'm so late!) 


Nameen took the tome Oceana held out to her, running her fingers over the worn surface of the cover before lifting it open.  She leaned back against the canyon wall, melting into a world with only herself and the words on the pages. The night was cool, the stars overhead were glittering and everything was peaceful- 


BOOM!


At the sound of the explosion Nameen visibly jumped, nearly dropping the book.  After recovering from the initial shock her shoulders relaxed once again, and she wasn't so surprised.  These things were becoming irritatingly frequent.  


Just when things were quieting down for the day.  She tilted her head towards the sky, frustratingly exclaiming, "Again?" In her loudest voice since originally joining the group.  She scowled at the stirrup the sound had caused, while secretly hoping no one had heard her among the action.


She set her eye back down to her book, while many of the others had gone to meet yet another stranger.  Not interested, Nameen went back to ignoring most of what was going on around her.  


One thing that she couldn't tune out however, was Oceana's poem.  It was certainly a beautiful spoken word, enough to capture her attention.  


She side glanced at the elf and Hjalmar, who had joined her, listening in on their conversation.  She heard Oceana then mention her mother.  Mother. The word triggered something in her and immediately a look of disgust formed on her face, one that was difficult to hide. 


She flipped a page, but was no longer reading.  


@OlKaJa77 @Lo Alyssa 
 
Lilith's eyes were widened by the sudden greeting by the alchemist. She cleared her throat and pulled away her hand, quickly hiding it behind her back. "Pleasure." She muttered. For some odd reason, the strange gave her a bad feeling. Perhaps it was the way he greeted her... Or because he, y'know, set off an explosion, accident or not. 


Lucasta and Lucas had been eating and talking the entire time since they've made camp. When the explosion went off, Lucasta jumped up, told her brother to stay in the camp and then rushed off to see where it came from. She saw others already there, and talking to the cause of the explosion. She folded her arms over her chest and then glanced at Dorian, then at Lilith, then to the Alchemist. "What exactly happened...?" She asked, more towards the person who triggered it.


@L1d1ja @GlytchMeister


Lucas wanted so badly to follow in his sister's path, but decided to listen and stay put within the camp. He got up and decided to greet the newcomer and Bo. "Hello!" He greeted before noticing the dog. His eyes instantly lit up. "I love your dog!" He grinned, sitting beside Pippa and reaching out to pet him. "I like animals a lot, but dogs are one of my favorites." He added.


@soundofmind @Tater
 
Bo nodded in agreement. "You're right. I feel like we'll always have to be on our toes on this journey, to be honest... being ready for anything. We've certainly run into enough surprises to come to that conclusion, hah." Almost unintentionally, Bo found himself being increasingly more aware of their surroundings. His ear was carefully listening to distant noises, and the shuffling of feet coming towards them. He turned to see the young prince, Lucas, coming their way. He greeted him with a warm smile.


"Hey there! Dogs are one of my favorite animals too. They're usually very loyal, and are always happy to see you. Pippa seems to be a bit of a stinker though." He chuckled, watching the dog's reaction to the little boy's affections. "Aggie here is much more agreeable." He gestured to the elf to introduce her. "A much better conversationalist too." Because dogs can't talk, of course, haha.


@Queen of Fantasy @Tater
 
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Foxrun had hastily tried to scrub what he could of the soup that had landed on him. Once deciding he had finally gotten all that he could get of it, he sighed and looked around. He wasn't in much of the mood to go find the source of the sound like some of their comrades. There was plenty of walking ahead of them for the next day. He went over to where more of the group seemed to be clustered, around those who had led them this far. He made a slight waving gesture "ah hello there! I'm Foxrun." He stated to those who didn't know, plopping down beside where the young Prince was standing just beside Bo. "Hope I'm not intruding on anything, I'm just as curious to meet our travel companions as well." He chuckled slightly at how awkward he suddenly felt. He didn't really know what to say, or ask. He really just wanted to enjoy a conversation and relax after everything during the day.


@soundofmind@Queen of Fantasy@Tater(or anyone else there. Because idk who all is where really xD)
 
Nick narrowed his eyes a little at Dorian.  He was out of touch, but he could still tell when someone was trying to deflect a question.  Alright, that's got me worried...  I guess I'll have to figure it out the hard way' and then decide what to do...  He returned his attentions to the blond woman, noting her visible discomfort.  "Uh... Sorry if I caused offense or anything.  Do people not do that kind of greeting nowadays?  I haven't exactly had much in the way of social interaction for... Blimey, how long has it been since I last visited a city... early into my second homunculus, I think, so... About a century ago, I think."  He grinned and scratched the back of his head.  "And even then, I was just visiting to hear a lecture on the search for the universal solvent, so...  Oh!  Hello! As I told these two, I was running an experiment and got a little ahead of myself.  Sorry for the disturbance."  He scratched the back of his head awkwardly and glanced at Dorian and the blonde woman.  "Um... What is the socially acceptable way to greet women these days?"
 

Phaedra quietly listening to the conversations of those around her and, again, chose not to explore the latest explosion after seeing Dorian and Lilith go to investigate. Surely, whatever it was, they would bring back yet another person. This seemed to be an amusing trend that Phaedra was beginning to notice. Perhaps the conversation she and Bo had about "fate" wasn't so far off the mark. After all, she had never had such a string of strange coincidences like this before - people from wildly different backgrounds suddenly banding together. It really was like the stories that she admired so.
​


Finally deciding that enough was enough and she needed to come out of her shell sometime, she made a slow, lazy approach to the dark elven woman and her small, round dog. The woman was remarkably interesting to her as she had never seen a dark elf in person before. Phaedra gently floated beside Bo, Pippa, and Aggie, head tilted slightly to the side as her odd colored eyes observed them.
​


 
​


"What kind of dog is this one?" She asked, an innocent curiosity clear in her tone.
​


 
​

 
Oceana noticed Nameen cringe next to her but said nothing. She new that the albino was reticent on personal matters and would not wish to bother her.


And yet, she felt guilty, observing the other simply turn pages without reading. An unusual scowl was pasted to her face and a pang of loss filled the elf.


She had to do something.


"Is that one nae to your liking? I have several others..." She inquired uncertainly. Nameen, if she heard, was keen on ignoring her. The raven-haired woman was no good at comforting people; no she was better suited to aggravating them.


And so she pushed her toes further into the sand and rested her head on her knees. 


And read a poem that would hopefully at least catch her fellow traveler's attention.


"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,


And sorry I could not travel both


And be one traveler, long I stood


And looked down one as far as I could


To where it bent in the undergrowth;"


"Then took the other, as just as fair,


And having perhaps the better claim,


Because it was grassy and wanted wear;


Though as for that the passing there


Had worn them really about the same,"


"And both that morning equally lay


In leaves no step had trodden black.


Oh, I kept the first for another day!


Yet knowing how way leads on to way,


I doubted if I should ever come back."


Oceana paused for a moment, sighing for effect.


"I shall be telling this with a sigh


Somewhere ages and ages hence:


Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—


I took the one less traveled by,


And that has made all the difference."


@Rydellius
 
Aggie watched as Pippa sniffed at the younger man's hand, his little stump of a tail wiggling slightly. 


"Aggie he smells of magicks." he breathed into her head, sniffing at Luca's hand before touching his nose to his palm.


Aggie nodded a little bit at her pet's mental words before turning her attention to the two others,"Yea he can be bit of a brat. But once you give him-"


Pippa stopped and spun around to look at her,"Give what. What. What." his tail wiggled a little bit.


Agitha reached over and handed Lucas a small piece of salted meats and smiled," He likes to do tricks." snapping off a piece for herself and Bo to have, she got Pippa's attention and smiled as the little dog stared up at her hand. 


Looking up again, she saw that she was joined by two others, her face once more going red. / So many people oh goodness./ Clearing her throat she smiled and looked down to her dog,"Pippa is a Welsh Cardigan Corgi." raising her hand, Pippa responded with sitting upright on his butt and pressing his paws together,"Chock full of attitude too."


"Give me the eats. A please. I need those eats!" Pippa barked loudly at her before she tossed the meat to him in which he caught quickly and waddled to Lucas and sniffed at his hand that held the treat.


Looking up to the new-comers, she smiled a little,"Nope no intrusions here." her voice filtered off quietly and she looked down at her pet.


@soundofmind @GalacticRam @TeeKay @Queen of Fantasy ( i hope that's everyone aaaa )
 
"I mostly just say a polite 'hello' or 'good day'. Greet everyone equally." Dorian answered with a shrug. "But I don't truly know the intricate rules of manners." That was both a lie and a truth: he had never been taught how to act around people of different standings, but he had spied on enough nobles and faked being one enough times to probably outwit them at their own game. He missed the game of threats veiled as deals, and the thrill of hiding behind a mask that was simply the polite smile on ones face. He quickly snapped out of that train on though to start analizing what Nick had said. 'Humonculus? Aren't those beings grown through magic and alchemy? Is he one? Would explain why his aura seems weird.' Dorian thought.


@GlytchMeister @Queen of Fantasy
 
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Bo smiled as Foxrun and Phaedra (although especially Phaedra) joined them and the little dog. He watched as everyone's attentions were focused mostly on the little dog, as it obediently sat down on its bum for the treat. But as great as talking about her pet might've been, his interest in the animal was short lived, so he turned to Aggie, speaking loud enough to include all five (well, six, including Pippa) of them. 


"So! Aggie! If you don't mind answering, what brought you to the desert? Do you normally travel with Ashlar? Or do you hail from somewhere else?" At his last question, he grabbed Pippa's attention by holding up the little treat enclosed in his hand, and throwing it into Pippa's mouth for the dog to catch. He gave a few pats on the dog's head before returning his attention to Aggie, to hear her answer.


(I assume he was given a treat to give to Pippa but?? correct me if I'm wrong!!)


@Tater @TeeKay @GalacticRam @Queen of Fantasy
 
The little dog snapped up the piece of meat that Bo threw to him and turned his attention to the large man. "He looks big and strong. I would like to be HIS familiar and not yours you scrawny little-"


Aggie swept up her dog and began to smoosh on his face and stroking his ears to get him to stop yapping inside her head,"Well, I didn't exactly know I was going to be in this part of the world before. See I'm on my last assignment before I become a fully fledged battle mage that can work for the royal court of mages." looking down her face flushed shyly,"I have to find a magic artifact of some sorts and study it's magical properties. The bigger the better, that's what Ashlar is here for." 


Looking over to her companion, she played with Pippa's paws as he gave a huff and went limp in her lap like a whiny little toddler,"He said that you guys were my best option to go and find something of that sort." looking to the others that gathered around her, she gave a little smile.
 
It was clear that Oceana had noticed her discomfort, but Nameen didn't react any further.  She flipped another page, keeping her eye and wiping her face of any emotion to pretend that nothing was the matter.  Futile, most likely; the elven woman was obviously very observant.  But she could try. 


When Nameen heard Oceana's voice begin to read however, her head lifted slightly as she listened, intrigued.  


An interesting piece of writing... 


She found herself thinking, attempting to form her interpretation of what message was hidden in the poem's words.  It distracted her from more unpleasant thoughts, and Nameen found herself glad that Oceana had shared it.  


Feeling as if she should say something, she turned towards the elven woman.


"Your mother had an excellent taste in writing," Nameen said softly, though still somewhat strained. She opened her mouth to say something else, but closed it as she remembered Oceana speaking of her mother in past tense.  Had the elf shared anything about the topic so far on the journey, Nameen hadn't been present.  But it wasn't in her nature to pry, so she left it at that.  


@OlKaJa77
 
"Well he's not wrong! You probably already know it's the crown and its stones we're looking for, since I guess word travels fast, but I wouldn't be surprised if you found something else along the way! But that's really interesting! A royal court for battle mages? Is it anything like a guild? Or is it more exclusive?" 


His eyes lit up with interest as he questioned. It was interesting that she was sent on a small quest of her own, and he wondered if she would stick around for theirs once hers was complete.


@Tater @TeeKay @GalacticRam @Queen of Fantasy
 
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Oceana felt her lips engage in a battle between a smile and a frown at Nameen's words.


"Aye she did." The elf agreed, stroking the book in her hand absently. She suddenly had the urge to speak and let the words fall out of her mouth on their own accord.


"Papa said that mother was all fire and hard angles. She was passionate and merciless and held no small amount of grudges."


The elf maiden's expression turned rueful, a twitch of pursed lips.


"But she had a soft side to her. Just like any other person has more than one face they show the world. And poetry was a part of that."


Looking back down at said book she put it back in her pack, feeling that its purpose for the evening was done.


"He said she used to read from this book to me when I was still in her belly..He said the Arrow and the Song was my favorite to kick to..." Her voice was strained suddenly as if fighting tears. 


"How silly..." She choked.


She turned to Nameen looking perfectly fine but her smile did not reach her eyes.


"I am sorry. I must bore you with such babble.... Forgive me."


She stood suddenly, bringing the now-sandy bowl back to the stack by the other side of the fire and went to seek out the horses or perhaps somewhere lonely and quiet. All she could think about was getting away from the awkward situation she had created, afraid of the pity that would no doubt be in the others eyes. 


When she had walked a bit into the cool night and had a sudden ear itch, only then, feeling the elongated point of her own did she realize Nameen was not another elf. 


No... In that moment, Nameen had been just Nameen. And Oceana was just... Herself. 


How strange, she mused in bewilderment.


And tried to think of anything else but her strange and sudden lack of inner equilibrium.


@Rydellius
 
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When the explosion happened, Valeiah jumped from her seat on the ground, a little ways away from the group. Then there was lots of chatter, and some dog barks. She was still trying to be quiet, and unnoticable. So she just tried to listen in on what everyone was saying. Apparently now there was someone who caused the explosion. What an idiot. She hated when others messed with the Earth in that way.


@ whoever wants to come and try to talk to her, though she might not be very complying
 
      Being the curious man he was, Ashlar decided to follow the elf, despite wanting to listen in on the groups many interesting conversations. Funny, how she sought out the companionship of horses. Hjalmar was internally relived he finally left, and the poor boy could relax without all the staring.


      "Remarkable creatures, aren't they?" He asked as he approached her, greeting his own mare in the process, "Our world was built on the backs of horses. We owe them a great deal." He added, expressing his admiration for the creatures.


      But complimenting equines wasn't the real reason he had followed. He paused for a moment, glancing over at her, "I too lost my mother long ago. She fought in a a Great War between the-" he stopped for a moment as if pondering the best words to use, "well... our tribes." He said, "Silly how they were fighting over land, who gets to stay, who must leave, like they owned the place. If only they had realized that this world belongs to itself, and it bows to no one." He laughed, "The tension was great. My father was a clan leader, so he had no other choice but to get involved, as his people were being threatened. When he left to aid his friends, his enemies took advantage of his absence and attacked my home. My mother died in the process of protecting me." He said fondly, not showing grief but rather reminiscence, "I can't say I know who won. The war is still going on now, and my father is still trying to bring peace to his people. I suppose I should have stayed behind with him, but he would much rather have me out here, away from the fighting." He added.


      He then realized he had started to ramble, "Ah, do forgive me. I shared that without permission. I merely wished to find some kinship in our losses." He said, pulling off his hood, "Your mother had elegant taste in poetry, she sounded like a lovely woman." He added, hoping perhaps Oceana would share more about her.



 
​


      Svetlana and Yaroslav were both quietly listening in on the groups many conversations, but eventually, it turned into one, as everyone gathered around the dark elf companion and the deplorable- ah, adorable, pup. They began talking about the crown, and how Aggie was required to research a powerful item in order to become a full fledged battle Mage. Well, you definitely picked the right artifact, the witch thought to herself. At this, Svetlana turned her head up to where Lucasta was investigating the explosion.


      The woman deemed there had been enough waiting. She rose from her seat, despite her rickety bones protesting for more rest, and she approached the canyon wall. Magically projecting her voice up to the surface, she called, "My dears! It's been quite long enough now, please do bring our unexpected guest down for dinner!" Again, while everyone seemed rather cautious about the visitor, Svetlana felt no malice come from them, whoever it was. While she did sense something different about the stranger, it certainly wasn't threatening.

 
Oceana sighed, she heard the man's footsteps before he ever spoke. After he was finished speaking she was already near where the horses were tethered.


"Most people walk away from a group to be alone, you know?" She stroked Dahlia's nose and pulled a shriveled carrot from her waist pouch; the horse sniffed at it  and snorted haughtily.


The elf tossed it away into the sand with a sigh.


The elf turned to look up at Ashlar, aquamarine eyes narrowed.


"What is it, really?" She probed, unwilling to believe the human followed her simply for conversation.


"What is it you wish from me?"


Her wariness was coming back in full force and she did nothing to stop it.


A frown came naturally and Oceana fingered her hunting knife.


"Well?" 


@Lo Alyssa
 
Dorian couldn't help but let out an amused sigh when Svetlana's voice resounded around. "I think she forgot that we are not little children." He smiled at Lucasta and Lilith. "Come along then." He said to Nick before promptly turning around and starting to walk.


@Queen of Fantasy @GlytchMeister
 
      Ashlar was amused, and he smiled again, "Perceptive." He commented, "It was merely curiosity that drove me to follow, I'm intersted in your story." He added innocently, "Everybody has one after all, people are such interesting things." He then gave her a fake pouty lip, "But I can tell when my probing is unappreciated, so I shall leave you be." With that, he turned on his heel and with a wave, headed back to camp, intent on perhaps being mor successful with someone else.

 
The elf simply raised an eyebrow at the dark-skinned human as he turned and strode away.


Shaking her head Oceana sighed in slight relief and took her hand away from her hunting knife.


Turning back to Dahlia- who was staring balefully at her- she clicked her tongue in a soothing manner. More to herself than the horse.


"Humans are strange, are they nae?" She murmured to the horse.


Dahlia seemed to nicker sardonically, rolling her large wet eyes.


The elf huffed right back at her, crossing her arms as she leaned against the rock.


"Donnae lump me in with them." She grumbled, scuffing the ground with her bare foot.


The monochrome horse whinnied softly- amused- and the other horses tethered nearby joined in.


Oceana's cheeks flushed in mortified rage.


"You lot are even worse than they are!!" She shouted, unheeding of the fact that the others all the way over to the fire could hear her.


They are... ey are....re, the canyon echoed back at the elf, seemingly mocking her.


Stomping away from everyone, Oceana ground her teeth together and tried her hardest to breathe without growling.


(@ anybody??)
 
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Dorian wasted no time going back to the camp, leaving Lucasta, Lilith and Nick behind. He sighed when he heard Oceana shout. "Is she forever in a bad mood?" He mumbled before walking off next to her. "Is everything okay?" He asked, not really expecting an answer. He had dealt with his little brother's temper tantrums enough to know how worked up people could get, so he was ready to either help the elf talk it out, or be used as a punching bag. Though really, he was just as ready to just knock her out to have some peace and quiet for one evening.


@OlKaJa77
 
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Lucas grinned at the offer to give treats to the corgi. He took one willingly and quickly fed the dog, instead of wasting time doing tricks. He giggled as Pippa ate the treat, and pet him afterwards.


Lucasta sighed and went to walk back to the camp. She saw a small crowd surrounding one of the newcomers and her dog. She sat around the fire and finished her stew, since she didn't really have time to do it before the explosion.


Lilith stayed behind and walked to the camp with the strange alchemist, Nick. "Ahh, I apologize for my behavior earlier. I am not used to such actions toward me." She said was nervous chuckle. "My name is Lilith." She nodded as she introduced herself. 
 
Oceana whirled around, ready to throw a fist into who had followed her.


But her punch died out just as it began. Her anger followed suit.


"Dorian.." She mumbled, suddenly feeling guilty at the look in his eyes. Her clenched hands dropped limply to her sides.


"I am fine..." She said.


 "Yes.... I'm fine." She repeated unable to think of anything else.


The elf wanted to smack herself. She just sighed instead.


"I'm just feeling somewhat....harassed at the moment." She admitted, cheeks warm.


The elf disliked talking about her 'feelings'; but something about the familiar made her want to spill her secrets to him. 


Considering his past, such a thing would be alarming but Oceana went on.


She trusted her instincts.


"I... am fine now though... Th-thank you for asking..."


Smirking at her own silliness the elf redirected the conversation.


"And you?" She inquired, looking him over.


"The arse biscuit who caused the explosion.... They didnae fight you or anything did they?"


Looking past the man at the camp she saw a unfamiliar figure in a strange cloak. Her jaw clenched in annoyance but that was all.


"I suppose we should head back. Blasted elder probably wants more introductions..." The elf grumbled, picking up a rock with her toes and loosing it at an unsuspecting canyon ledge. 


@L1d1ja
 
"Who's been annoying you now?" Dorian asked. "And don't worry, I didn't fight the guy. If I did, he wouldn't be here. And if you want, we can just walk around for a while. It's not like we must comply with everything Svetlana wishes us to do." He added.


@OlKaJa77
 
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