Take Back the Crown

Oceana had been walking back up to the wagons after her brief introduction to the inlet, asking Tyne, the elven God of water, for a safe passage across.


She happened to overhear Foxrun trying to comfort Bo in the face of his misgivings about their crossing.


Her pinnacled ears twitched, almost animally, as she eavesdropped on the fey's soft words from almost a dozen paces away.


She found herself nodding along with his story, her curiosity piqued at the mention of the Undine, as did her jealousy.


Her brow lifted in realization, softening the elf's natural scowl in comprehension.


This 'Foxrun' seems more sage than trickster, she thought as she leaned on the wagon wheel opposite of the others, crouched low.


He is surprisingly free in his advice and knowledge giving. But he's not out of the woods yet. Half-fey can lie...


Oceana sat back against the wagon wheel, listening in on the rest of the conversation.


@GalacticRam
 
He was about to try to offer some sort of other advice when something, well someone, caught his attention. The oread was nervous about the trip too it seemed. Which made sense given her elemental nature. "Care to join us?" He invited her over with a wave. "This part may help you both out actually." He perked up in the slightest before making a gesture towards the earth beneath them. "You feel the ground beneath you right? So close your eyes, and really feel it. Not just to the touch. Everything has energy if you look for it. I'm sure she knows this, seeing as she is so inclined with the element." He motioned to Thora. I hope this is making as much sense to them as it did to me when I was little, he thought as he waited. "And you need no special connection with the element in order to detect it. This is actually similar to how I made myself bear the weight of such dark energy back at the fallen castle. It may be an odd way to do it, but it worked in my favor." So let's hope I can help it work for them


@soundofmind @plasticlizard022 @OlKaJa77 (since she's listening in too now (> :D ))
 
Thora ducked behind her horse when she realized that her spying was not, in fact, the sneakiest. When Foxrun called and motioned for her to come out, she slunk out, her cheeks rosy with embarrassment. She held her hands behind her back as she listened to the fae speak. She looked at the ground beneath her, looking at the dusty trail she made where she dragged her feet. She did feel the energy of the earth, she was quite rooted to it in fact. "I still do not believe I can bear the energy of the ocean," Thora said slowly and in her soft, quiet voice, "without the energy of the earth to give me strength." She twiddled with the loose ends of her hair and avoided direct eye contact for too long. "I feel lost when I am in the water."


@GalacticRam @soundofmind @OlKaJa77
 
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He paused, listening to her quiet words intently then slowly nodded. "I know what you mean. But hopefully you will not have to entirely bear it's energy." he took a steady breath before continuing "so try this now. find the moisture that resides in the earth. The sources that help keep the land so lush around here. Feel the distinction between them? And then how despite being different, they work in harmony to provide life?" It was evident how hopeful he was to get the point across. He knew it wasn't always easy for people to get over their fears, and that some people may never be able to. But he wanted to try every possible way he could think of to ease it for these two, even in the slightest.


@plasticlizard022 @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind
 
Thora paused for a moment to truly connect and feel the energies around her. And she felt it. She could definitely sense the different energies working together (something she had felt before but hardly paid much attention to because she didn't feel as if it concerned her all that much). Even so, she still wasn't looking forward to getting on a boat. Her last boat trip had left her so disoriented and sick she vowed to never cross a sea again. And yet here she was, being gently coerced into doing something she dreaded. 'Foxrun better have a super convincing end point or I'm walking around this body of water,' she thought to herself.


@GalacticRam @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind
 

"I do not." Yaroslav chimed in, his eyes still closed and he cracked a small smile as he thought of the blue waves and the salty sprays, "My heart belongs to the ocean. My tribe lived by the Sea of Vovok, and we sailed over its wild waters. I know how to swim, I have fallen into the fury of the ocean more than once in my lifetime, and I have learned how to move with her anger. If you are afraid of drowning, I can reassure you that you will not, at least on my watch." He glanced over at Bo, and then to Thora.


@soundofmind @GalacticRam @plasticlizard022 @OlKaJa77





"So I shall not be alone." Svetlana commented, seeing the fair haired princess quietly walk beside her. They looked at the boats, toured some that seemed large enough for their caravans. But none seemed strong enough, or well built. They were all very unlike the longboats she had steered in the days of her youth. After a half an hour of searching, she came upon the second to last, and her heart was stolen by the Wave Breaker. It was a strong ship, battered and bruised, unlike the new and shiny boats she had been passing. This boat had endured much over its voyages, it was weathered and worn, which meant it was strong enough to face the greatest of tempests. "This is the one." She said pointing at the gorgeous ship, at least it was gorgeous in her eyes, "Now, let us see if it has the room we need..." She mumbled walking up the plank, Lucasta not far behind.


@Queen of Fantasy





Hjalmar had already wandered from the group, walking through the marketplaces and trying to assess which one would be the most profitable to rob. He had to give something to Rolo, who he knew would pop up again soon. They were about to travel through a desert, and Hjalmar highly doubted there would be any treasure hidden there.


He pretended to browse, but was just looking from something valuable enough to earn him maybe 500 perks. But all he could find was fish, endless lines of stinky, slimy fish. He crinkled his nose as he passed by some of the stalls, growing frustrated with the lack of value in this town. He let out a sigh, and as he exhaled and glanced to his right, he finally saw something promising.


It was a shop. Simple, yes. But he had been passing by a marketplace full of fish, clams, and crabs for the past half hour, and he knew they wouldn't have enough money on them to cover his due payment.


He walked up to the window and peered inside. It seemed to be closed for some reason, perhaps the arrival of the strange group had drawn the owner outside. Whatever the reason, it was good news for him. This meant he could get inside, steal some perks, and get out undetected.


He looked around the building first, trying to check and see if there were any entrances aside from the front door, perhaps a more secluded entrance in an alleyway. Like most shops he had been to, it did have one. He turned his head a couple times, looking up and down the alley to make sure no one was watching. Thankfully, as long as he was crouching, there was a dumpster right next to the door that concealed him from prying eyes while he tried to pick the lock. He removed a pin from his hair and began his work, it took him a few tries, but the door finally gave in and let out a promising click.


He pushed on it lightly, the door creaked as he peeked inside, trying to make sure no one was hiding in there.


He sighed in relief and entered. The next step was the easiest part; find the money, and the take it... He exercised caution as the booth was right by the glass window. If he wasn't careful, someone could notice him inside and alert the whole village. Something told him that ir wouldn't take very long for news to spread in the backwater town.


He slid the money into his pack, peered over the counter, and when the coast was clear, he ducked back into the storage room where he had gained entry. He put his hand on the doorknob, and then poOF! Something suddenly appeared behind him. It was Rolo. This time, Hjalmar was prepared as the old man had been dropping in on him many times the past couple of days.


He turned around, "This is when magic would come in handy, no?" Rolo asked. The thief just rolled his eyes in response, and he shoved the bag full of stolen coins into the mans chest.


"I can't stick around to chat for now." He noted, returning to the door and quietly peeking out to weigh the danger, "Some people will start to get suspicious the longer I stay here... Just get that to the boss, okay? We can talk more later." He said, darting out into the alley and then onto the street. Hopefully no one had noticed his little heist.


He returned to the caravans, but decided to watch from afar in a small and secluded alleyway where he could observe from the shadows.




(Sorry, I am soooo tired right now and was dozing off while trying to write this. Forgive any typos, I swear my writing is better that this.)
​
 
The elf held back a scoff, unwilling to give away her somewhat compromising position as an eavesdropper.


It can't be that easy...


A part of her though, echoed back words her father and her hunting master, and many other elves, had often said almost as a greeting. Well wishing words of passing;


Saoghalta spioradan stiùireadh do thuras.


'Worldly spirits guide your journey.'


It was a saying one often said to those traveling or embarking on a rite of passage. It seemed to always be a warning to Oceana;


Don't get swept up by those with lofty ideals and broken promises. Stay with the worldly folks, it is they who will teach you and aid you.


But maybe it goes deeper than that. Maybe 'worldly spirits' literally mean the spirits of the world. The Beatha has a conscious of some kind... It lives in all things and perhaps I can communicate, listen to it even in its inert forms, not just animals.


Her eyes snapped open suddenly, her musings shot through with a single, stark thought, like an arrow.


Perhaps that is magic! Perhaps magic is simply that! Convincing the inert energies to your own rhythm. Coaxing the soul of the world to bend in the name of your cause. One simply needs the patience and ability to learn it's language and will to master it. Well..., Oceana thought, maybe not 'simply'...





The elf maiden scowled suddenly, her epiphany overshadowed by her next thought.


If this is true, anyone with a strong heart and blood ties to it can use magic, even hearts full of evil, like Kavacht.





Then, Much to her relief, she was whipped out of her train of thought by Thora's shy admittance about the sea. The elf had to hold back a smile at her bashful tone.


I never knew nymphs could be so adorable.


Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Oceana did as Foxrun said.


She closed her eyes and felt the earth beneath her feet, reaching out not with her visceral senses but with the sense she used to find and communicate with animals.


Urging her mind to go blank of taste and smell and hearing and touch she reached out to the strange warmth that enveloped her chest and followed it down into her stomach and toes and down, down into the sandy dirt at her feet.


shhhhhswhhhh sssswwwsss


There was a sudden whispering, not in her mind as usual but in her heart, and the place that lied deeper. This was the hiss of the sand as the wind pushed it along the beach and the dunes. It seemed to echo from miles around.


Then there was another sound;


Ghzaaah jjjjzzzah... Plip plip... Gllllg gullllg...


This was the crashing of the waves on the beach, the water dripping in the coastal caves, and finally the softest of all was the water flowing underground in tiny streams up into the roots of trees and plants nearby.


It was too much.


The elf maiden fell against the wagon with a soft thunk, just a little spent.


@plasticlizard022 @GalacticRam
 
"Even in the driest of places, there will be moisture deep within it. The same goes for water. The earth is there, it's only a matter of depth. It's a mind over matter sort of thing. Try to push through the energy and feel for the earth just as you felt the water beneath the ground." He listened to the warrior speak of his experiences, always finding such stories intriguing. "See? Nobody on this voyage would let anything happen to you." He then heard the slight noise from somewhere near the caravans, turning to see Oceana not too far away. "It seems this conversation is catching more interest than expected." He laughed, somewhat nervously now that he knew so many people had been catching up with what was being said. "Oh! I can find something that may be of some help!" He started to hurry off "it'll be just a second!" He called out, running off, then shortly after, running back. "Here," he thrust an open hand out, a smooth stone with a little dip in it was there. A thin leather cord weaved through two tiny holes just at the top of it. "Since you seem to like necklaces so much." He pointed at the number of them that hung around her neck. "Would you like to add another? It's a worry stone, hence the dip, it's for your thumb. And it's made of jade. Which isn't the best for what I wanted, yet it will do." He huffed near the end, running and then speaking too fast left him a bit short of breath. "I carved the earth symbol on the back. So even if the energy becomes too much, just rub the little stone and it can provide a little ease for you. It's suppose to help keep you calm and to focus on earth energy, given it came from the earth after all." He hoped this would help in some sort of way, he really was running out of ideas. Even if it relieves just a pinch of worry, I'll be much happier with this situation. Or look a fool..... he sighed at his own thoughts, not even realizing he had done it audibly


@OlKaJa77 @Lo Alyssa @plasticlizard022
 
Valeiah sighed and breathed in the smell of the salty waves. Though she lived within the forest and wouldn't be happy anywhere else, the ocean was quite beautiful.
 
How considerate... Oceana thought, now watching as Foxrun offered Thora the worry stone.


The elf was slightly annoyed that the fey was proving quite genuine, and even more annoyed that a part of her would wish him to be bad if only so she could be right.


Huffing loudly, the Raven-haired elf strode off into the town, the dusty streets lined with vendors packing up their goods for the night, mostly fish. She wove through the narrow streets, not caring where she was going. Coming up to an empty alleyway she spotted a familiar figure near a dumpster, looking back in the direction of the wagons.


Silently stalking up to Hjalmar, Oceana whispered in his ear, her accented voice low and conspiratorial,


"Who are we spying on?"


@Lo Alyssa @GalacticRam
 
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Bo was thoroughly embarrassed. He knew that Foxrun meant well, and he really was glad for it, but the story he told really wasn't helping him at all. If anything, talking so much about it just seemed to stir up more anxiety within him. Of course, he was doing his best to make it seem like it was at least somewhat encouraging - because to some degree it was - at the very least, it was good to know that the guy was trying to help. He could tell that Foxrun was doing his best to be tactful about giving the advice and addressing the issue, so he nodded as he spoke.


When Thora timidly slid into the conversation, he found some comfort knowing that he wasn't the only one who was dreading going on the water. But when the whole spiritual element to feeling the energy of the water or whatever came into the conversation, Bo just wished more and more that he could be small and hide behind Thora or something. He wanted to disappear. He wished he could just run away and shake off the growing anxiety that was gripping his heart. But no, it just got worse. His face reddened as Yaro interjected, and Foxrun kept going on about how no one would let them drown.


Yeah, yeah, that's great. But it's not just about drowning. He asserted, in his thoughts. Lightning and large bodies of water don't mix. And he didn't even want to think about what a humbling experience it would be to be rescued from torrents of waves if he ever fell overboard. I could say goodbye to my pride, it's not like I need it anyway.


As Foxrun ran (ba dum tss) away for whatever reason, Bo slunk away from the conversation, slipping into the streets slowly at first, but then walking briskly away. I just... need a moment to myself. To breathe. To calm down. Then I'll be ok. Hopefully. Unfortunately for him, there weren't many places he could hide (as hiding was in general, rather difficult for him because of his height), but he made a way.


He found refuge behind a reasonably sized building - a shop, but he didn't pay attention to what it was selling. He just ducked behind it and sat in a shaded corner, hugging his legs as he rested his head on his knees. He let out a long, frustrated groan, which was followed by an equally long and exasperated sigh. He repeatedly hit his head on his knees, mumbling to himself. "Pull. Yourself. Togetherrr." It's just water. Like they said. It's just a mind over matter thing. It was just the worst way to die.


 
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Lucasta looked at Svetlana and shrugged. She picked a boat that was quite beaten. The princess could see the logic in that. It's is old, and it's stayed together for this long, it can do it again. "Let us check it out." She agreed, climbing onto the deck of the boat.


Lilith sat simply on a cargo crate, with a black cat sitting on her shoulder. Lilith with her tired eyes, looked up from where she sat on the boat to the two coming aboard. She smiled when she recognized at least one of them. She stood, and wiped off some of the sticking dirt from her clothes, then walked with to them with a chapped smile.


"Is that really you, Svetlana? How many years has it been?" She spoke with a voice that sounded dead, without any emotion. Though her voice showed zero reaction, her face was all smiles she the witch saw her teacher. The black cat jumped off her shoulder, and purred against the old ladies ankles.


@Lo Alyssa
​
 

Phaedra was incredibly well rested after their rest the night before. Just the simple act of sharing songs and stories over a campfire was enough to lighten her heart, but it was a good night's rest she truly needed following yesterday's events. Finally, she felt confident in herself again, but this meant returning to a calmer personality. Showing the amount of emotion she had before - particularly anger and worry - were simply momentary slip-ups as a result of her exhaustion. She would not be caught off guard next time. She silently reprimanded herself for not asking Svetlana or any of the other magi for advice regarding blocking dark energy, but this simply strengthened her resolve to learn on her own to exert her force of will.

Clawing herself out of her mountain of thoughts, new thoughts and ideas barraging her mind at every moment, she had found momentary peace looking at the expansive body of water before them in the quaint village. It truly was a beautiful sight. It wasn't long before she noticed the discomfort that Bo and Thora immediately exhibited in regards to the giant lake before them. She simply listened and observed silently as Foxrun attempted to comfort the two, but Bo squirmed his way out of the conversation at the first chance he got. Feeling some empathy for her friend, she gently floated after him.

She caught up to him in no time at all, but she didn't say a word. Phaedra simply floated quietly alongside him, trying to offer a comforting presence. Knowing her prior experience with speaking with him on deeper issues, she understood his discomfort and chose to stay quiet, allowing him to answer her questions on his own time. Phaedra enjoyed the culture of the small village, having never stopped in this town before. She carried a small, satisfied smile on her lips as she hovered silently beside Bo.

@soundofmind
​
 
He had been so preoccupied with his embarrassment and his annoyingly illogical fear of boats and large bodies of water that he hadn't even really noticed Phaedra's presence. That is, until he looked up from the pitiful ball he was curled up in. He looked up at her a bit wide-eyed, amazed at his lack of awareness and the fact that she followed. He was... glad, though. Of anyone in the group he was happy it was her that was there.


"...Sorry, uh. I mean..." He didn't know how to begin, or how to explain. But he could feel the tension inside of him begin to relax. He'd figured he would be able to calm himself down but just having her there was actually calming in itself. He wasn't sure... why. He felt so silly, honestly. It was a silly thing to be afraid of and it was a silly thing to worry about, but he couldn't seem to get away from it.


"...Hi." He looked away, then at her feet. He liked looking at them as they hovered above the ground. It was fascinating.

 
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Phaedra offered a small smile as he looked up, her eyes gleaming with their usual curiosity, but she didn't pry. It was almost amusing to see the large man curled up in the corner of the shop as its shopkeeper looked at the two of them strangely. She briefly entertained the thought of what it would be like to be one of the village folks looking upon their colorful group, and her smile had only broadened and a small giggle escaped her lips. It must have been especially strange to the shopkeeper to see Bo - a giant of a man - hiding in his shop and a blue woman float in shortly afterward.

"Hello, Bo." Though Bo wasn't looking at her face - she noticed he was looking at her feet - he could easily hear her smile in her voice. "Would you care to look at this store's wares with me? We should have a few minutes to browse."

As she said this, she quickly scanned the shop with her eyes, trying to get an idea of what they were exactly looking at. She didn't really pay any mind to the store, simply following after Bo. Getting a good look, she noticed it seemed to be a sort of antique store. Nothing of incredible value, but there were some pretty things. It seemed to be salvage from the lake or from the nearby peaks and a few items of interest that looked well used, but cared for. The mark up on the items was certainly noticeable. Did the shopkeeper change prices seeing new faces come into town? It was a silly suspicion of hers, but it certainly wouldn't be unusual.

Before she got too carried away, she looked down at Bo who was still looking at her feet.

"Ah, sorry. Is it too strange? You think they mind?"

She inconspicuously nodded her head towards the shopkeeper and the one other patron who had entered the store shortly after herself.

@soundofmind
​
 
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Bo nodded at her suggestion. He wasn't sure how well the shop owner would take to them loitering, and in hindsight, he probably could've picked a better place to hide than in a store. "O-oh. No, I think you're good." He stood up quickly, giving himself a quick, seemingly obligatory, once-over. He met Phaedra's eyes, realizing that staring at her feet would probably just bring more attention to the fact that she was floating. "We're both pretty strange anyway," He commented with a short little laugh. "Me most of all." He added with a small, toothless smile.

 
As Foxrun quickly darted away, Thora saw Bo take his leave. She debated going after him, but she didn't know what she would have said and she saw Phaedra go after him anyway. When Foxrun returned, he graciously offered her a necklace that she humbly accepted. She turned the jade over in her fingers and rubbed her small thumb in the divot. She looked up at him and offered a soft smile. "Thank you," she said quietly and slid the necklace over her neck. She still wasn't all that excited about going on a boat, but she supposed that maybe it wouldn't be quite as awful as she imagined. Foxrun's necklace had given her confidence and Yaroslav's offer to rescue anyone that fell overboard was reassuring as well. She rubbed the jade once more and repeated herself, "Thank you. I really love it."


@GalacticRam
 
He had frowned slightly at the realization Bo had left. But so had Phaedra so maybe that was exactly what he needed this entire time. He hoped she had better luck than he had.


He was brought back from his thoughts when his eyes followed the stone as she put it on, and a wide smile came over him. "You are very welcome." He paused a moment, seeing Oceana storm off now as well. Jeez...I think I really got under her skin...I don't even direct anything towards her and I manage to always see her leaving unsettled in some way.... he then heard the quiet gratitude repeated and chuckled. "I just hope it will help as much as it needs to. So with that in mind, if you need any extra reassurance, or even a distraction from it all. We would be glad to help further." He glanced over at yaroslav, hoping he didn't just volunteer him for something if he didn't wish it.


@plasticlizard022 @Lo Alyssa @OlKaJa77
 
Ayda had always disliked the ocean, and caravans reminded her of memories that no one should have , so she opted to explore this cute little village.


However while on her exploration, Ayda's keen eye spotted Hjalmar walking near a shop ; it would have normally appeared as a usual tourist exploring it but Ayda knew who Hjalmar was and quickly made her way towards the building. As she was a thief herself, Ayda practically knew what he was going to do.


'.....'


Aye nearly jumped out of her skin when Hjlamar reappeared , but quickly ran after him.


"...hey..."


@Lo Alyssa
 
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"Ah..." He glanced around, hearing two pairs of footsteps approaching him from behind. He could tell that the pair of light steps belonged to Oceana. He turned around to see Ayda was with her. "I'm just hanging back, I suppose." He answered Oceana, hardly surprised by her sudden appearance, "The group has very little love for me, so I'll stay out of the way until my skills are needed." He crossed his arms and smiled.


@QueenSaiko @OlKaJa77





"Lilith?" Svetlana muttered, squinting her eyes in hopes bettering her eye sight. The black cat affectionately rubbing up against her leg confirmed it, "It has been a very long time, my old apprentice. It has been at least twenty years since last I heard from you." She picked up the cat, stroking it's fur and frowned, remembering what tugged her student away from her. He heart ached, hoping the lass had perhaps given up on her fruitless endeavor. But she knew it was not true, as Lilith looked like death itself.


@Queen of Fantasy
​
 
Lilith grinned at Svetlana, and gave her a quick hug. "It is good to see you again!" She said tiredly. She pulled back from the hug and looked at Alo. "This is my magic teacher, Svetlana. I haven't seen her in years." She explained to the grumpy man. "And who is this?" She directed toward Lucasta.


The princess curtsied and smiled. "I am Lucasta, Princess of Algoran. It is nice to meet you."


Lilith raised her brows in surprise. "Princess?" She paused. "It's a pleasure." She nodded. She smiled at the sight of her cat, enjoying the company of her old master once more. "Jinx has missed you, and so have I." She grinned.
 
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"Hjalmar , spare us your weak lies , please. It doesn't take a fool to know what you were doing." Ayda said with a unexpectedly blank face.


"Why do you steal? You look pretty well off, so why did you rob a small and innocent shop?" Ayda said , dark eyes looking suspiciously at Hjalmar , which was rather out of character for her but there was a reason.


Nothing made her more angry than someone who stole for petty or no reason at all. But the thing she hated most was when someone stole for a cruel reason such as revenge or something disgusting like greed.


@OlKaJa77 @Lo Alyssa
 

Hjalmar raised an eyebrow and laughed, "I'm not lying, sweetheart, or trying to cover anything up. You already knew I was a thief, thieves steal, it doesn't take a scholar to figure that out. You're right, I stole from a poor innocent shop that had plenty of money to spare." He shook his head slightly, returning the dark gaze with a farce smile, "And I don't think it's any of your business to know my reasons."


He wasn't in the mood to discuss it, and for some reason, the way Ayda worded things annoyed him greatly. He nimbly jumped up and grabbed the rim of the roof behind him, heaving himself onto the shingles, climbing a couple paces away from the ladies. He was that type of person who no one could usually get a rise out of, but when someone started asking questions and pressing for his past, prodding for his reasons, he'd get irratated and shut down.


@QueenSaiko @OlKaJa77





"I have missed you two as well..." Svetlana smiled, letting the black cat jump out of her arms, "So, I suppose we'll be riding together on this fine boat here, yes?" She asked, wondering why Lilith was here of all places.


@Queen of Fantasy @Dankia
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