Take Back the Crown

  The question caught Kacel’la by surprise. She often feared to look inwards, only doing so when her dragon mind had to be bound again. But she could do it. 


"Yeah. I might not be the best at it, but I kind of know how to do it." She answered, then thought for another second. "But how I do it is an unreliable technique at best." 


@Rydellius
 
    Hjalmar blinked in response, though a part of him was not really surprised that Dorian could sense the mark. His newfound companions were much more perceptive and aware in comparison to the run-of-the-mill thick headed nobles he was used to dealing with. His first instinct was I should be more careful. Giving secrets and knowledge away was usually a one way ticket to being placed six feet underground. At least from where he came from. But he supposed in that same sense, his new comrades would also not use that knowledge against him like his other less kind 'partners'- Ingvar and his goons. Switching to another topic, at least momentarily, Hjalmar said, "I suppose I should cut Ashlar some slack then..." He had followed Dorians gaze to spot the guide leaning against a wall by himself- just watching and looking around, "Maybe he is merely curious like Phaedra. Though Phaedra has always at least tried to restrain herself when prodding for answers on personal topics." He countered, "It's like Ashlar doesn't know what boundaries are- nor personal space for that matter. It's like he's taking me apart to figure out how I work; all my strengths and weaknesses. I don't like it, so I guess he's only managed to rub me the wrong way."


    Turning his gaze from Ashlar to the horizon, the sunset painting the clouds in the sky a warm shade of pink, his mind eventually wandered back to the mark and a thought crossed his mind. Hesitantly, without turning his head from beyond, he asked Dorian, "Was there something off about my... aura? I don't know what to call it- before our trip across the bay?" He subconsciously rubbed his bandaged arm where the mark was hidden underneath.



 
​


    "That's impossible!" Lucas protested springing to his feet, though he quickly covered his mouth with his gloved hand as he remember he was supposed to be silent. He silently growled as he tried to follow the quick elf. But to no surprise, despite being a spryly young lad, he seriously lagged behind. No matter how hard he tried, the halls seemed to echo with his footsteps as he sprinted. Making it soundless required slowing down, but that meant he would have no chance in beating Oceana. Ignoring the silence command, he pushed forward with all he had. They both finally reached the end of the hall, but she stood there as if she had not broken a sweat, patiently waiting for him with a smug smile.


    Lucas bent over with heavy pants. Groaning in agitation, he plopped to the ground on his butt not wanting to stand any longer. When he finally caught his breath again he looked up at the proud elf, "It's impossible to keep up with you and stay silent at the same time!" He complained, "It must be the padding on my boots." He excused as he picked up his foot to inspect it. Internally, though he refused to utter it out loud, Lucas knew it was really his lack of experience and discipline. Oceana was an elf, which meant her abilities would surpass his even if she were untrained. He sighed in defeat, surely she would not want to teach someone as pathetic and incapable as he.



 
​


    Svetlana wrapped her cloaked arm around the small elf for comfort, the poor lass, "Magic is a messy thing to tangle with." She said, "And if you don't know what you're doing when you use it, it could kill you, or haunt you for the rest of your life." She exhaled through her nose and turned to look up ahead, "I've never had a familiar before myself, but I have studied the art of it. Where is Pippa now? Does he know of what you plan to do?" She inquired, looking around but not seeing the small pup anywhere.


@Tater
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   Dorian thought for a minute, trying to remember what he had or hadn't seen. The familiar tended to file away all that he though important and quickly forget the useless scraps.


"I'm sorry, but I don't remember. You didn't seem like a person worth watching." He shrugged. "Is there a problem with your arm?" He asked after a moment, already putting together the picture of an answer. Now it was only time to see if the younger thief would lie or no.


@Lo Alyssa
 
Nameen looked at Kacel'la seriously.  


"How?"


The moment she uttered the word however, uneasiness and doubt sprang up inside her.  Did she really want to look inside of her mind?  She had so many suppressed memories, moments forgotten completely for self protection, yet still there somewhere.  If she somehow made a mistake trying to find her damaged connection.... She nearly shuddered at the thought.  


Then there was the question she kept coming back to repeatedly.  If this works, do you really want it back?  


Nameen huffed, momentarily forgetting about her companion standing right in front of her.  Peering down she ran her fingers through her snowy hair, clenching it between her fist.  


Do you want it back... really? 


You could do amazing things if you learned how.  Go back home, make them pay.


Is it worth  the risk?


Hypnotist. Hypnotist.  Demon.  Wretched child.


"I don't know," she hissed suddenly, her head snapping back up, and realizing with a shock that Kacel'la was still there.  


"I- I-" She stammered, trying to keep herself calm.  "Actually, maybe some other time," she managed, backing away slightly. 


@L1d1ja
 
Oceana's smirk faded at Lucas' crestfallen face.


"You failed my first test." She grumbled.


The young boy looked even more dejected.


Kneeling down next to the panting boy she put a lithe hand on his scrawny arm.


"Donnae." She commanded softly." Donnae look so defeated."


She thought back to her time under her clan's hunting master and all the times she fell on her face or missed a target. All the times her clanmates pushed her into rivers and into the dirt. She remembered the ache in her bones as she hammered metal that refused to take shape. She remembered the fear consuming her senses as she faced down the saber cat, bleeding puddles along the forest floor. And she remembered the despair as her beloved father died in her arms and the exile that came after. 


Then they came to her. Echoing in voices both familiar and strange. Words that all who loved her once said and then that she had needed to say for herself; A chant that grew in strength over the years with every breath she took.


"Chan eil a-riamh a thoirt suas, airson a tha dìreach an t-àite agus àm gu bheil an làn a bhios a 'tionndadh."


Came the murmur in elvish, aqua eyes filled with calm determination. They looked upon the Prince's forlorn face.


"It's an elvish proverb that many people I loved had said to me. In the common tongue one would say 'Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.'"


The huntress sat back on her heels, musing how the student had become a teacher.


The prince still looked so sad.


They sat in silence for a moment, Oceana waiting patiently 


 She nudged the boy's shoulder and stood up.


"You failed my first test and it wasnae impossible. I knew you would nae succeed at the first physical task I gave you but perhaps you misunderstood my true meaning."


The elf smiled and crossed her arms.


"It was never about running silently but facing a task that you could nae accomplish and still choosing to move forward with all your might."


"You did do that in the hall, but you failed because you let your mistakes and shortcomings dishearten you at the finish. You see, only when you had to face me at the end of the hall had your true task begun."


She reached a hand down to help the prince back up.


"I too have a difficult task to train a human boy the ways of an elven hunter." 


The smirk returned to tattooed lips but a genuinely happy light was in her eyes.


"I'm willing to try my hand as many times as it takes..."


The nimble hand bobbed, eager to be taken.


"Are you?"


@Lo Alyssa
 
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   Kacel'la was ready to reply when she saw Nameen's expression change. She knew that look well, the one of someone struggling with something others could not see.


When Nameen suddenly hissed something, the elf barely kept herself from jumping up.


"H-hey, it's alright. Is everything okay?" She instantly asked, her voice instantly becoming calm and soft, one she would use to calm a startled animal. She had instinctively lifted her hands up, open påalm forward, trying to look unthreatening.


She was more used to dealing with beasts than people, but people at least wouldn't maul you if you did something wrong. She tried not to snort when she thought it. 


@Rydellius
 
Looking up from her feet as the older witch wrapped an arm around her in comfort, her face went flush as she felt the warm comfort of the other. She really was like a grandma figure,"Oh he ran off to eat or something when we were all at the Spinx. He should meet up with us within the hour or so. Soon. He can't wander off too far from me." she said quietly. 


Closing her eyes she let her head fall forward slightly, a small yawn escaping her lips,"Hmmm."


@Lo Alyssa
 

The princess and the witch turned their heads towards the dwarf and Bo, who has asked to join their sparring. The princess smiled. "Of course you may join us! I was looking for some practice with my shield actually. I seem to be doing better in offense, but lacking in defense." She explained, as she waited for the two to join them. "And I was going to use some of my magic to bring some of the training dummies to life, to give a more lively experience. but since you're both here, I won't have to waste my energy." Lilith added. 
​

 
   Hjalmar leaned his back against the red canyon wall. He was silent for a moment, mulling over the idea of telling Dorian about his little predicament. Svetlana knew, as did Oceana and Kacel'la who both learned because of his inability to keep it hidden well enough. He remembered the witch cautioning him about with whom he should share this secret, that it was not the best idea to stir up uneeded panic within their group. His thoughts went to Nick and how he treated Nameen for her secret power- which was not so much a secret anymore. But Dorian wasn't like some in the group, in fact, the thief felt a certain familiarity with the familiar- which he had not meant as a pun.


   "I got it when I fell into the ocean." He finally started, hesitantly unwrapping his bandaged arm to show Dorian, "A daemon pulled me into the water and put it there. I don't know how, or especially why, but the fact a daemon was involved with its placement makes me feel uneasy. Not even the old lady knows what it is, and when she tried to dig deeper to find out, it defended itself in a strange way." He sighed, wrapping his arm again and slumped, "As if the unknown wasn't worrying enough, it feels like it has a mind of its own, like it's separate from my body but also apart of it; foreign intent and feelings which are not mine."


   When the boy finished wrapping up his arm, he got to his feet and brushed the sand off his pants. Gathering his things he glanced at Dorian, "I know you probably wouldn't anyway, but I ask that you not reiterate this to anyone here. Lest it be Svetlana, Oceana, or Kacel'la, no one else is aware and... well, because of my questionable past, I'm already considered an untrustworthy person. I wouldn't want to add on to that distrust by saying a daemon spared my life and parted me with a gift." He said gift but it felt more like a curse.


   Standing awkwardly, unsure of how to part after confessing it all, he simply offered an apologetic look before nimbly jumping to the ground below. But not before thanking Dorian for lending him his gold and his ear. The boy tossed his things in the chamber the dwarves lent to their group, and he quickly darted down a hall to be alone and hand Rolo the treasures Dorian so graciously gave him. At least it would spare the thief a couple weeks of Ingvar and his back-breaking demands.





   Svetlana hummed to herself as she thought, "I will have to take a closer look at Pippa in order to tell you more. My mind has been spread somewhat thin over this journey, I am not as young as I used to be. There is so much to do and so much to focus on." She sighed tiredly and then smiled at the dark elf, "But I can do that later. For now, since the sun is setting and our previous battles have left us worn and weary, we should retire for the night. Enjoy some warm food in a warm room by the hearth full of cheery fire." With this, she directed Aggie to their chambers and then parted to find Sverrir's work shop and check on the caravans. Finding that the dwarf was not there, and the caravans were covered in large patchy tarps to conceal them from prying eyes, the witch made her way to the chamber as well assuming that the dwarf was not yet finished and wanted the result to be a surprise. Though she first decided to gather the rest of the group so they could all fill their bellies together in fellowship and rest well for their perilous journey ahead.


@Tater
​


 
​


   The prince looked up at the elf with glossy eyes. His test was not about sneak or strength!? It must have been like a trick question; not what it appeared to be, and required deeper thought to understand. He scowled slightly and stood on his feet, "My truest strength is not in speed nor stealth, but my determination to see something through." He uttered out loud, understanding the elf's lesson of the day. Brightening up, he gave her a smile and asked, "But is it really possible to be fast and quiet at the same time?"


   Before he could hear the answer, he heard a voice calling for them in the distance. He looked up to see Svetlana and some of his other companions following close behind her. "We're retiring for the night!" She shouted at them, gesturing that they should follow suit. Lucas waved in response and then took Oceana, his teacher, by the hand... His teacher, the boy couldn't help but smile at the thought. He was going to be taught by a real elf!



   Yaroslav had just finished pasturing the horses when Svetlana came to fetch him and Nick. Following her out he explained that Nick needed to restock some of his alchemic supplies. "Ah, no worries! The dwarves have plenty of ingredients that I'm sure would suffice." She waved at one of the dwarves passing by, a ginger haired one who had been enjoying a loaf of bread; the crumbs still evident in his curly beard. Svetlana asked that he show Nick to the botanical gardens they had not too far away, and the dwarf happily obliged, already starting off in the right direction. "Do take you time, Nick! They have more than just plants in there, hopefully you'll find everything you need. But as soon as you're done, return to our room to sup and drink with us! You can leave your things with the rest of our supplies outside the door!" She called as the dwarf dragged him away.



   As soon as everyone was gathered in the chamber, Svetlana had the cots set up, and made sure everyone was cozy by the fire. It wasn't soon after that the dwarves brought in heaps of delicacies on silver platters and placed them on the floor for the group to enjoy; the room filled with mouth watering aromas. As they dug into their meal, Svetlana smiled at the fact that they were all together this time. It seemed not a single person was missing. Not wanting to waste such a wondrous opportunity, the witch spoke with a chuckle, "I propose we play a game!" She put her mug on the floor and clasped her hands together, "Now the question is, what should we play?" She asked, looking at them with a raised eyebrow.


@ everyone
​


(Now here's Dorian's/Kacel'la's opportunity to propose a truth or dare game!)
​
 
Oceana blushed at the continuous physical contact and felt an impulse to jerk her hand away.


She let the prince drag her off to their temporary sleeping space.


"Of course one can be swift and quiet at the same time!" Came the scoffing reply.


Aquamqrine eyes glossed over as she envisioned her past, a fragment of another life.


"My hunting master taught us that the world's greatest teachers are nae the ones you most expect."


"They swim in seas and leap through forest glens and fly through the sky."


They arrived at their quarters and the elf looked up into the Prince's eyes.


"I learned to run and leap from the masters themselves. The ones who taught me to run so swiftly and softly... were the deer."


She smiled over her shoulder and went over to an empty cot near a corner, plopping herself in front of it and tucking into a meat pie.


@Lo Alyssa
 
[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]When everyone was called together, Kacel’la and Dorian had instantly sat themselves down away from others and set off to play a fast-paced game of truth or dare. It was their favorite game, and was almost a must-do every time they met again, which always went the same: Kacel’la would most often pick truth, Dorian getting a lifetime’s worth of blackmail on her, while Dorian most often picked dare, letting Kacel’la test his abilities as a thief or liar.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]She was still waiting for some teammates to notice what Dorian had somehow managed to stealthily slip into their pockets or put in other places.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Mostly it was just random medallions or other things Kacel’la had had at the moment. Among the most creative things Dorian had pulled off without being noticed were that Oceana had a cyan ribbon braided in her hair, Bo had, in one of his pockets, a detailed amulet with a middle finger carved into it along with a note saying ‘no offense, this was for a dare’, and Yaroslav was had a bright yellow feather sticking out of his unruly hair, and neither had he noticed it, neither had anyone pointed it out for him so far.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]But the elf was extremely happy about the latest dare she had dished out.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]She was trying her best not to break a rib from holding back laughter: a tiny way from camp, far away enough for only sensitive ears like hers to hear, Dorian and Garrett were having a quiet argument. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Or at least Garrett was having an argument, currently hissing something in the lines of “even if you are speaking another language I can still understand you calling me an idiot and telling me to fuck off!”.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Meanwhile, Dorian, speaking in another language of course, with a deadpan expression and angry tone, was reciting an extremely sappy love poem. And the mage, being none-the-wiser about what was being said, was only being riled up more and more by the fact that he could not understand a word, and only trusted Dorian’s tone to judge that his words were insults and rude rebukes. As good as the familiar was at acting, masking thoughts in such an open telepathic link as the mage - familiar one was hard, and if he slipped just once, he would never live down the embarrassment.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Kacel’la almost screeched in laughter as the familiar recited [/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“and the only place I want to be is in your arms”[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px]  to Garrett like he was threatening his family.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]She was sure the familiar will probably take great revenge on the next round, whether she picked truth or dare.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]Maybe she should invite someone else to the game? Dorian always held back his vengeful streak when around normal people… [/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]When Svetlana proposed for the group to play a game together, Kacel’la took her chance.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“How about you join me and Dorian for truth or dare?” She called out between giggles, which turned to laughter as he saw Garrett shove Dorian and hiss ‘so this was a dare?’ before the familiar suddenly disappeared only to teleport next to Kacel’la. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]“Sister, die in a hole.” He told her while grinning.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]@ everyone[/SIZE]
 
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The elf nodded sagely.


It all made sense now; the arguing, the giggling, and her new hair adornment.


She secretly liked the ribbon and kept it weaved into her hair.


Not one to back out of a challenge, Oceana sat near Kacel'la and puffed out her chest.


"How does one play this truth or dare?" She asked.


@L1d1ja
 
Dorian and Kacel'la stared at Oceana like she was the biggest dissapointment in the world.


"You don't know how to play the simplest of games?" The elf asked as her usual smile returned.


"It's simple. I ask you truth or dare. If you pick truth, you must answer a question without lying. If you pick dare, you must do whatever you were dared to do. Then you spin a bottle to pick a person and now it's your turn to ask them 'truth or dare?'. If someone refuses a question or a dare, they drop out of the game." Kacel'la explained.


“So I guess you want to play with the normal limits, right?” Dorian asked and, and knowing he would have to explain, he did. “No dares or truths which are life threatening, contain dubious morality, involve doing something highly illegal, and or will bring shame to your whole lineage, past, current, or future.” He listed with a grin that was nothing short of evil.


@OlKaJa77
 
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Oceana blinked.


"Uuhhaaaalright then." She stuttered uncertainty. The familiar's wide grin was disconcerting.


She turned to look at the other elf.


"I'm ready whenever you are."


Tucking her hair behind one ear, the huntress looked down in thought, nodding.


"Although more people must mean more fun yes?" She continued quietly.


@L1d1ja
 
"More people does mean more fun." Kacel'la said quite loudly and looked at those who were not in the game with a look that quite clearly said 'take a hint'.


"Because you're first to join the game: truth or dare?" The elf then asked Oceana.


@OlKaJa77 @ everyone
 
   Hjalmar had just downed the last of his mug before scooting a little closer. He gave a wild grin, "I'm in." He stated, resting his hands on his knees. Svetlana followed suit, having been the one who proposed the idea of playing a game, she tugged on Yaroslav's sleeve and the warrior rolled his eyes. It was apparent on his face that he did not want to be apart of what he knew would turn into a mess. But he begrudgingly complied. Ashlar also took a seat, expressing interest in playing the game.

 
Bo joined in the circle, downing some rum before he sat down. He didn't know if he'd be any good at coming up with questions or dares, but the game sounded quite fun, even if it'd likely end in chaos.


@/ everyone @L1d1ja @Lo Alyssa
 
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Oceana scowled, mumbling to herself. 


"Hmm dares sound humiliating but truth is equally humiliating... although what's in the past is less relevant... but truths could be about anything... but dares sound so.. nasty.."


she looked up at Dorian who was still grinning like a fox who found the geese eggs.


Shuddering she shook her head and looked straight at Kacel'la.


"Truth." She said. 


Lets start small...


@L1d1ja
 
Garrett knew the game was a terrible idea, especially so when he could feel the delight and mischief slowly fill the link between him and Dorian. With a chuckle, he sat down by the group of players. "Let's see what will happen."


The familiar couldn't help but wince at Oceana's choice. Despite what someone would think, between Dorian and Kacel'la, the elf was by far the nosiest one, especially when it came to something embarrassing. He could only hope the elf was feeling friendly.


 Kacel’la wore her most innocent smile as she asked Oceana. "What's the most embarrassing thing you have ever done in front of a crowd? Please don't spare the details."


@OlKaJa77
 
Nameen took her time sauntering back to the others, attempting to somewhat clear her head before grouping back with the others.  


She arrived to dinner late, entering when most of her companions had already received their food and sat down.  Grabbing a plate and a small helping to eat, she was about to take a seat a short distance from everyone before noticing some of the group sitting down to form a circle.  


Wondering if she was missing anything important, Nameen wandered over and stood on at the edge of the circle looking in. 


@/everyone there 
 
Aggie nodded to the older woman,"Sounds good. Thank you, so so much." dipping her head, she went off to the food and fire that she mentioned. 


Grabbing herself a biscut and a good pint of ale, she caught ear of a game,"I'll join in as well." scooting into the circle, she made placement next to Ocenana, who she had briefly interacted with before. Offering a kind smile, she nibbled upon the biscut and listened closely to the others, somewhat anxious that she was chewing too loud when in fact she wasnt.


@all 
 
Oceana knew the question was coming but it still took her by surprise.


"I donnae know if I like the sound of that..." she mumbled to herself trying to think of something that wasn't completely humiliating.


Eventually she figured she had to say something and screwed her eyes shut.


"Once I... I got really drunk after a hard day at some human forge in a dingy town..."


She took a deep breath still refusing to look at anyone.


"Im particularly sensitive to alcohols... and well it only took one tankard to have me reeling through the streets..."


Here came the hands smooshing into her eyelids as if she could squeeze the memory out of her head.


"Reeling through the streets... an hour past the dawn of the next day..."


"Pissing!" She squeaked " Pissing in some poor woman's flower garden... In front of the town market swarming with humans"


Completely ashamed and utterly embarrassed, Oceana continued to hide her face but her ears were bright red.


@ all
 
To spare Oceans some dignity, Dorian did not laugh. "Your turn to pick someone." He said as he gave a nudge to the bottle laying on the ground.


Meanwhile Kacel’la broke down into giggles. "Hey, Nameen, join us!" She said to the woman lurking around the group, patting the ground next to her to tell her to sit down.


@OlKaJa77 @Rydellius
 

Phaedra sat crosslegged as she gently floated over to the group, a few biscuits in her lap along with a bowl of some hearty stew and a pint of ale in one hand. It was a small balancing act, but obviously one she had rehearsed many times. Admittedly, she was intrigued by the game being played and had kept her eyes focused on Kacel'la and Dorian for quite some time before the others were invited to play. Finally gathering the courage shortly after Oceana had told her story, she grinned broadly and waved a hand enthusiastically, nearly throwing the bowl of stew off her lap. It was nearly a mild disaster, but Phaedra didn't seem bothered. On the inside, her stomach turned into knots at the thought of the float of shame back to the silver platters to get herself another serving if she had spilled her bowl.
​


"I would like to join as well! Is there still room for more?"
​


 
​


She came closer to the group gathering. She hadn't chosen the cot she'd be sleeping at quite yet, but that was something that could wait after a rousing game of this 'Truth or Dare'.
​


 
​


@Everyone.. lol
​
 
"Of course there's still room!" Kacel'la said exitedly. She was a social person, so the fact that game was amassing such a group was making her quite happy. Sometimes, during her travels, she could go months without seeing another person, so she wanted to enjoy this while it lasted.


 "Move over." The elf told Dorian as she shoved him away, making place for Phaedra to sit down in the circle. 


@TeeKay
 
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