Take Back the Crown


Phaedra beamed, appreciative for the warm reception, and pleased with herself for carrying on with the performance. It was certainly an experience she wouldn't go chasing again and certainly not with a larger crowd, but perhaps she would again with her friends here. She seated herself beside Bo once more afterwards, now trying to hide her flushed face - now almost completely violet - at Foxrun's comment.

"I'm glad you all enjoyed it! But no, I think the mountain maiden among us would most certainly be the lovely dryad or the elf." Phaedra gestured over at Thora, and then to the sleeping Oceana, who looked to be doing much better now. She giggled as she spoke, perhaps in her embarrassment. It was quite a compliment, but one she found no basis for for herself. "I would be a little too different to be the fair maiden of that mountain village. Though I do dance quite well! Perhaps that would be the only resemblance."

She leaned slightly away from the campfire, trying to keep her face from being seen in the soft glow of the flames. It was a futile attempt, but she was already so easy to read tonight and Phaedra wasn't too keen on that. Call it damage control.

@GalacticRam @soundofmind @plasticlizard022 @Danika
​
 
"If you dance as well as you sing I think you could easily be her." Bo shrugged, his smile lopsided as his head tilted to the side along with his shoulders. "But you're still great even if you don't match a song's descriptions word for word."


He realized his compliments probably wouldn't help her face from turning even more colors, but he couldn't help it. The words were out, and there was no taking them back. Besides, they were honest words, and they were worth saying. He really was happy that she sang the song, and it seemed to lift most of their spirits.

 
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She turned purple all the way to the tips of her pointed ears, giving a bashful smile, and she played with her hair. It was a nervous habit that she couldn't quite control at the moment. The compliments coming at her were more than she was used to. It was nice to hear! But it wasn't often, if at all, that she heard such words. Most compliments would be in regards to her unique appearance ("You look so different!"), rather than her talent or anything else for that matter. What a pleasant, but strange, feeling.

"Ahaha, thank you very much." She managed to say, quietly, and unable to suppress a timid giggle along with it. "If we ever have the opportunity, I would love to dance. I-I mean not just with you, but with everyone.. Er.. I just mean I like to dance, ahaha.."

Of course he knew she meant she would have liked to have danced with everyone, but Phaedra naturally had to clarify in the most awkward way. Twirling her hair with her index finger, the air around her seems to grow a little warmer as it too begins to betray her embarrassment by picking up in intensity, if only slightly.

@soundofmind
​
 
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He couldn't help but smile as he watched her grow more and more flustered. It was kind of funny, but he could imagine how uncomfortable it was for her to be her at the moment. Actually, he really didn't need to imagine. He could see very clearly just by looking at her face and her bashful posture.


He spoke just to her now, and not the group as a whole. "Well maybe you could dance with me first. Just to be fair." (Why was it fair? He didn't know. But it sounded well said.) Of course, he didn't know how to help the situation - that is, her embarrassment because of all the flattery. He probably wasn't helping. For all he knew, he was just making the awkwardness worse now.


"I could use a partner who's experienced anyway. I'm not incredibly light on my feet, like you are." Heck, she was floating all the time, whereas he was practically bound to the earth by gravity simply because of his mere size. He entertained the idea that maybe she danced above the ground, or in the air. That would be really cool to see.

 
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"I would love to." Phaedra looked incredibly pleased with the idea, even through all of her embarrassment. The air around her circulated a tad bit more forcefully, whether it was from her excitement or her embarrassment, it was hard to tell at this point. She lowered her voice to match his tone. "It is quite easy, especially when you are in the air. No worries of tripping over anything.. or anybody, for that matter."

She looked Bo up and down, briefly inspecting him, and Phaedra gave another giggle.

"I've never danced with someone so tall before. Perhaps starting in the air will help teach you to be light on your feet."

Phaedra couldn't possibly embarrass herself anymore than she already had, so she felt completely free to chuckle softly at her own pun. She would be sure to remember these carefree, playful moments and cherish them in the days to come.

"I promise to teach you the next time we have a quiet moment."

@soundofmind
​
 
Bo began to notice how the air moved around Phaedra in different ways (depending on her response), but for some reason he just lost it at the pun. He closed his mouth in an momentary effort to stifle the laugh but he let it out. "HAHAHAHA," He laughed along with Phaedra's chuckle, "YES, yes, you'll have to, bahah! That would be great." He would definitely remember that later, when a moment came where they could do so.

 
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Nameen grinned ear to ear all the way through the cheery ballad, being too shy to join in. Her head bobbed instinctively to the tune, matching the rhythm.


Everyone seemed to be in higher spirits now than before. The group laughed and chattered, looking as if they had all been friends since birth, instead of having known each other for only several days. With just one song, the entire mood of the night had risen, and Nameen found herself having more fun here than she'd had in a long time.
 
Oceana shifted a little, no doubt dreaming something pleasant as she lay her head in Hjalmar's lap.


Even Bo's boisterous laughter nor Phaedra's embarrassed giggling, could not wake her from her tea-induced sleep. It was the best sleep she had gotten since days before their journey started, perhaps the best in a long while.


Murmuring softly, the elf curled her body up, one hand's long, elegant fingers resting on Hjalmar's armored calve.


Perhaps it wasn't only the tea that helped her sleep so soundly.
 

Hjalmar continued caressing the elf's long hair, admiring that dark markings on her face, wondering on what they meant to her. He hoped he was aiding her in sleep somehow. When they started singing, he found himself nodding his head to the melody, occasionally calming down, realizing he was still being used as a human pillow. It was odd, being surrounded by song and hearth. It was wonderful of course, but still an alien feeling to him. Usually he spent his nights sleeping in an alley, or on a roof in the rain. He didn't know much better, so while it would seem harsh to others, it was normal for him. This was different, and a break from reality that he deeply appreciated.


Svetlana leaned back and sighed, she glanced over at her grandson who had a slight smile on his face from the lighthearted song, "Yaro? Would you sing our song with me? It sounds so much better with two." The witch asked, nudging him. He frowned and stared into the fire in silence at first, and then closed his eyes. He eventually nodded and waited for her to start. This song was one they sung as they burned the bodies of their kin, sending their ashes off into the sea. Though it was not lighthearted, it was still close to their hearts. A bittersweet lament, a loving memory of the fallen. A song they voiced to honor their people passed.


Svetlana cleared her throat, waving her hand to change the color of the fire. It shifted to a shade of green, images faintly dancing in the writhing flames. Her voice was gentle and soft, while Yaro's was deep and low, together with the fire, their voices were haunting, their memories flashing across the licking blaze;




Dark the stars and dark the moon,


Hush the night and the morning loon,


Tell the horses and beat on your drum,


Gone their master, gone their son,


Dark the oceans, dark the sky,


Hush the whales and the ocean tide,


Tell the salt marsh and beat on your drum,


Gone their master, gone their son,


Dark to light and light to dark,


Three black carriages, three white carts,


What brings us together is what pulls us apart,


Gone our brother, gone our home.


Hush the whales and the ocean tide,


Tell the salt marsh and beat on your drum,


Gone their master, gone their son.




They finished and the fire returned to normal. Svetlana hoped that wasn't too much of a downer for everyone, a smile spread across her face. Her people loved stories, as well as music. She was sure they would love that song if they were there to hear it. Surprisingly, Yaroslav actually sang with her. He usually refused, and when she talked about their tribe, he would stalk away in agitation. Perhaps her young grandson was warming up to the group, enough that he didn't mind sharing a part of himself with them.




(This song is actually from Snow White & the Huntsman, and I thought it fit their past really well! I did a cover of it (that sounds more like they would have sung it here because there is no music, just a voice) on my soundcloud. So if you want to hear it, click here.)
​
 
Thora listened to the melancholy tune, its words sounding distant and yet familiar to her. She remained silent and found that her body slowly swayed from side-to-side. She closed her eyes, the bright fire leaving dancing colors behind her eyelids. The old woman's voice painted the story in her mind, but that was all interrupted when she heard a deeper voice begin to sing. Her eyes snapped open and she stared at the tall man in shock. She did not expect him to actually sing or sing well. The bass of his voice vibrated through her chest and she was mesmerized by the song.
 
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Lucasta was greatly overcome with joy as the group also had musical talents. She sat once again on the ground, listening to the sweet voices and songs all were singing. It was strange, it want from sad, to happy, right back to a bitter sweet melody. Lucasta nodded her head with the rhythm, nonetheless. She stood, preparing herself to sing as well.

​




"All of these songs are so amazing. I cannot tell you how much to joys me. It makes me feel happier already, even with the melancholy melodies." She smiled. "I actually have a song myself... It's not a locally known song, though." She explained. "I would sing this lullaby to Lucas when he'd cry at night. I haven't sang it in quite sometime, since he said he's too old for it. But it still fits him, even today." She smiled, peered at her brother.


"Wandering child of the earth


Do you know just how much you're worth?


You have walked this path since your birth


You were destined for more


There are those who'll tell you you're wrong


They will try to to silence your song


But right here is where you belong


So don't search anymore


You are the dawn of a new day that's waking


A masterpiece still in the making


The blue in an ocean of grey


You are right where you need to be


Poised to inspire and to succeed


You'll look back and you'll realize one day


In your eyes there is doubt


As you try to figure it out


But that's not what life is about


So have faith there's a way


Though the world may try to define you


It can't take the light that's inside you


So don't you dare try to hide


Let your fears fade away


You are the dawn of a new day that's waking


A masterpiece still in the making


The blue in an ocean of grey


You are right where you need to be


Poised to inspire and to succeed


You'll look back and you'll realize one day


You are the dawn of a new day that's waking


A masterpiece still in the making


The blue in an ocean of grey


You are right where you need to be


Poised to inspire and to succeed


Soon you'll finally find your own way."





Lucasta finished her lullaby, her face stained with a few tears. She wiped them away, and sat back down.
​
 
"You all sing very well." The mage complimented.


'You should sing something too. You're great at it, so show off.' Dorian told Garrett, awoken by the singing.


'I'm not that good.' He retorted.


'No, you're just ridiculously shy. Warrior badasses like you are not supposed to be shy.' The familiar grumbled, annoyed. He would not admit it, but he really liked when Garrett sang.
 
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Foxrun tried to stifle his laughter at what all had occurred, failing miserably. It was nice to laugh so openly with everyone and enjoy the singing and the jokes. "Personally, if we were going by description for the maiden, Oceana is probably too fiery to be her." He grinned but shrugged "each of you would make a fine depiction of the maiden in your own ways." The laughter died down when the others sang their own songs. Each was filled with emotion that only experience could provide. He found himself in much better spirits than before, swaying with the music and taking it all in. "The two of you are far more gifted in areas I would not have originally guessed." He stated at the warrior and his grandmother. @Lo Alyssa


Once the princess began her song, he could not help but smile. The affection she held for her younger brother was admirable. Upon its end, he offered soft applause "a very comforting lullaby indeed. And you princess, are also full of many pleats surprises!" He beamed at the young royal. @Queen of Fantasy Then hoped he wasn't sounding too cheesy with all of the compliments he was throwing about.
 
Ayda watched the group share songs from afar , still uncomfortable with being around so many people. After all , she had spent most of her time either working or alone ; the few times she hung around people was either with her siblings or at work.


Ayda's face was blank and cold despite enjoying the songs. Although she may have been expressive to the others when she initially met them , Ayda usually wasn't like that. It was exhausting to express her feelings like that for more than a day , she barely even know how to convey her feelings properly , she had no idea how she managed to do it for the past few days.


(Sorry for being inactive yikes )
 

(I'm just assuming everyone is done with interactions now, that's what I was waiting for because I thought people had more! Whoops, well, I'm posting now so we can get movin'.)





The group remained awake in the wee hours of the night. The forest echoed with their harmonic voices, it filled with laughter as they joked amongst themselves, lifting the weight of the reality they would have to face. Eventually, one by one they headed off into their tents to sleep, knowing they would need the rest for tomorrow's journey. It was a long path they set out on, sleep would eventually be hard to come by. They had to savor it while it lasted.


Hjalmar had gently dragged Oceana back to her tent, and attempted to make her as comfortable as possible in her cot. Thankfully, she was out cold, so his extremely horrible job at gently dragging her back to her cot did not wake her. Afterwards, he headed off to bed himself. It would be the first time he slept in a comfy place, or enjoyed the rare comforts of a cozy pillow and a blanket. He was a light sleeper as he was used to awakening to dangerous situations (sometimes almost being caught because he tried to rest). No rest for the wicked as they say. Despite this, it did not take him long to drift into sleep.


In the morning, they packed their things and headed out. A small food fight almost broke out at breakfast, and despite Svetlana's efforts to stop it, she was sure it would be continued at their next meal.


They trekked down the road, the air was cool, though the sun warmed their skin, few clouds dotted the sky. They traveled all day, through thicket and bush. The scenery was unchanging for awhile, the forest was cluttered with trees. Svetlana and Yaro occasionally had to move fallen ones from their path using magic. By the time they reached the end of the woods, it was evening and the sun was setting in the distance. They approached the top of a hill, and beyond they could see the sandy shores of the bay they would need to cross. A small cottage village specked the beach, large boats resting in their docks.


As they quickened their pace, excited by the sight of civilization, Svetlana discussed how they would be taking a boat and sailing through the night. They would have to find one that could fit their caravans, as they carried important supplies that she wanted to keep with them as long as possible.


There were no walls surrounding the village, and the folk were friendly. Though the smell was less than favorable, as the streets were littered with venders trying to sell their fish. Svetlana steered the wagons to the docks, and stood back stretching her stiff limbs.


"Alright, I will try to find a good boat. Some of you can come with me, or you can wander about. I doubt anyone could get lost in this village." She chuckled to herself, it was the smallest she had ever been to. But quaint and homey as well, which made it a welcoming sight.


"I will stay with the wagons." Yaroslav grunted, leaning against the side of a caravan, "They might be friendly, but that does not mean they are not capable of stealing." He glanced at Hjalmar who raised his hands defensively, "Hey, I've learned my lesson. I won't steal from your caravans." He looked away, "Can't make any promises about the shops here though." He muttered under his breath.


@Rydellius @Danika @TeeKay @soundofmind @Abberakelaran @QueenSaiko @Queen of Fantasy @OlKaJa77 @L1d1ja @GalacticRam @plasticlizard022​
 
"I'll stay with the wagons." Garrett said, looking around. 'See ya then.' Dorian exclaimed as he flew up, circling above and ready to go fly around the village.


'If you are planning to get your kleptomaniac hand on something, you get your feathered ass right back down here. I don't need trouble.' Garrett tried not to sigh.


'I'm not a kleptomaniac. They have a compulsion to take things, I don't. Plus you wouldn't get into trouble if I stole something, I'm too good to be noticed by these peasants. And it wouldn't be Dorian stealing, but the Trickster. Remember when you were tasked to catch me?' The familiar laughed.


The mage glared at the hawk. That part of his life was quite... torturous and frustrating, filled with Dorian, the Trickster as he knew him at the time, constantly making a fool out of him.


'I'm not stealing anything, why would I? I simply have some...friends, I want to visit here.' Dorian explained in a flat tone before flying off.
 
Oceana leapt over the wagon side and took off towards the water. Even such a small sea as the one before them awakened in her a pull, a longing, that nearly rivaled the forest.


"The Ocean..." She whispered as her bare feet pattered on the rough road, sandy dust kicking up behind her.


She thought somewhere in the back of her mind that she probably shouldn't go off alone but didn't really bother with it.


Smelling the salty air, the elf maiden breathed in deep. Catching a whiff of the fish of the day still sitting about, she scrubbed her angular nose and scoffed in amusement and disgust.


Finally reaching the sandy shore of the inlet, the elf stuck her feet in the water and drank the feeling in, as a tree's roots drink water from the earth.


Sighing softly, Oceana tucked her jet locks back behind her ears, though a few yet escaped to blow in the light tradewinds.
 
Bo gave a wary look at the shore that was not so far off. His eyes were locked on it even as Svetlana was speaking, and his thoughts were elsewhere. He only partially understood the orders they were given, but he knew that one of the options was to stay, so he was staying. The longer he could stay far far away from the ocean, or lake, or whatever large body of water that it was, the better.


He didn't realize he was gripping the reigns of his horse so tightly until he felt the leather dig deep into his hands. He slowly loosed his hold and looked into his hands for a moment, seeing deep red indents in his palm. It was a welcome but momentary distraction from the impending trip on the water, which he was not at all looking forward to. He massaged one hand with the other, and let his worries and his eyes fall back on the shoreline. The waves... the rocking of a ship... he slouched forward, deciding to look at the water no longer. It was making him woozy. He took in a slow, deliberate breath, and let it out just as slowly. He hoped it would help with the anxiety, but in the meantime, he figured he stay as far from the water as possible until they had to leave. So he hopped off his horse, patted Santo's side, and watched for a moment as others began to go their own way.


He hoped... someone might wander around with him, away from the docks. There probably weren't many places to wander in a place so small, but anywhere would be good. He looked around at those who were still there... there was Yaro, for sure. (He didn't seem particularly phased by the idea of sailing though.) Maybe I'll just stay by the wagons, for now...


 
Foxrun couldn't wait to sail and breathe in the scent of the sea, and not just the fish from within it. Yet he was also a bit weary. He knew of too many ships, with great journeys, that ended up having complications to put it simply. He turned away, only then did he notice the way Bo eyed the water. But he didn't want to mention it in front of anybody, afraid to step on anyone's toes. Especially the ones of somebody as tough as he seemed to be. So once people thinned out and went about their own stuff, he approached the uneasy man. "Er, Bo was it?" He had heard others say his name before but not specifically spoken it himself.


@soundofmind
 
The princess hopped off the wagons, and volunteered to go along with Svetlana to pick out a ship. She wanted to look at how much space a boat held, and see if it was comfortable for everyone. But from how Bo was acting towards the water, that would be hard to accomplish.

​
 
"Wow." Valeiah sighed. "Y'know, this is great. I never come to the ocean much but when I do, it's always a welcome sight."
 
Oh geez, am I that transparent? It was moments like this when he wished that he had the ability to remain stoic, instead of having his thoughts plastered all over his face. Even when he was trying to keep it all inside and be discrert, he couldn't help but be an open book. He really didn't want to. Curse his overly expressive face.


He mustered up his best efforts and smiled at the Fox dude. "Yep! That's me!" He shook his hand, firmly. "And you're Foxrun, right?"


@GalacticRam
 
Thora noticed Bo's unease and it was mirrored in herself. She was grounded to the earth, for the obvious reason that she was a tree nymph. Her heart was in the mountains and the seas were about as far as you could get from her home near the skies. She saw Foxrun approach the tall man. She hoped that some good advice and motivation would be offered so that she, too, could listen and gain confidence. So she slid off of her horse and hid behind its large, beautiful body. She tucked her crazy locks behind her pointed ears and eavesdropped the best she could.
 
Foxrun returned the shake, not quite as firm, he wasn't great with formalities. His first introduction had made that quite clear. "Yeah, Foxrun." He offered the slightest smile "I really hope I'm not pushing any boundaries with what I'm about to get at." He started a bit hesitantly "you know it's normal to be a bit unsure of the water. I bet there are some others who won't admit it. They just aren't as....apparent about it." He struggled to find a way to say it without coming off as rude as he felt he was being. "I use to be terrified of it honestly. Until one day, I happened upon an Undine in her pool somewhere in the forest outside of the village. She frightened me at first. I was throwing pebbles in her pool after all." He chuckled at the recollection. "But she told me she saw that I did not swim when the other kids did. And she knew it was because I was afraid. So she told me how the water taught her to dance, even showed me. And she explained that it is just like any other element. It has its calms, and it has its dangers. But that is truly with anything. That if we live with nothing but fear, we will never learn to appreciate the beauty that lies past it." He glanced at him, letting out a heavy sigh. "I may not have made any sense just now, and if not, I do apologize. I admit I am not the best at these sort of things. But I can assure you, it will be a fear you do not have to face alone." As for the nymph, he did not notice her listening in at first. (He will notice if she doesn't speak up though. And of she does, I have a plan for that as well haha)


@soundofmind @plasticlizard022
 
Thora grabbed the saddle of the horse and stood on her tippy-toes. With the extra boost of height, the short nymph managed to just barely peer over the seat of her steed. She wasn't able to make out everything that Foxrun had said, but she was able to catch the gist. Even so, just because he was able to get over his fear of water doesn't mean that she, or Bo, could gain the courage they needed. She continued to balance on her toes and listen to Foxrun talk to Bo.


@GalacticRam @soundofmind
 
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