Fantasy The Shadow of The Seal

[Mypilot]

i am bound by the seal

Else couldn’t help the bite of amusement at the thought of a dragon being used in a stealthy agent mission. What would that look like? What would the outcome be? It was something interesting to consider, even if it wasn’t something actually achievable.

Shaking their head, Else simply smiled at Cresley’s deep laugh, always impressed with the hobbits ability to find utter mirth in every interaction. At his answer, Else rocked their head side to side. “I suppose that is true,” Else said, rising once more to their full height and walking alongside Cresley town the warm main street. “Dismissed, yes, but hardly ever underestimated. I find that I have a hard time ridding my forms of my… Well, my own expression. It is the one thing I take with me wherever I go, and I suppose it speaks of my willpower without me having to say anything.”

Else knew Cresley well enough now to have a hard time imagining him overlooked, as it were. He had a habit of making his presence felt, although Else wondered if perhaps that was a luxury reserved for those in the inner circle of the Agency. They tried to remember if they’d ever seen Cresley interacting with strangers on a mission before, but felt they were drawing a blank. In truth, such things were hardly their focus.

Blinking into focus, Else followed Cresley’s gaze towards the painting in progress. It was an…interesting design, and Else frowned at it. “I certainly hope it isn’t some sort of trick,” they said. “This city will con anyone out of anything.”

Although in Else’s opinion, every city was like this. Anywhere there was enough people, there was enough pockets to slip a coin out of. Sighing, Else turned their gaze away and rubbed at their chin. “Do you visit this area often?” they asked Cresley, tilting their head to look at the other with curiosity. If they were heading somewhere specific, then Else could only hope it was a previous haunt of the assassin.

else

LOCATION: Outside the Library

INTERACTIONS: Cresley

MENTIONS: -

TAGS: hery

code by valen t.

 

[lyn.]

I

stoire’s thoughts were loud, and Aricia found herself worried about the promises she made as she watched him debate in silence.

He opened his mouth. ”You’ve got a deal. I’ll get a corset for you.”

Oh lord, she’s made a mistake. Swimming in a corset? A horrid idea, even if it were made with the right material. She abhorred swimming. The whole thing was horrid. Every time her hair so much as touched water, it became a tangled mess, and the feeling of wet fabric stuck to your skin! She would have to come up with an excuse to avoid this. Perhaps Îstoire would forget about it before any actual work could be done. Yes, that seemed plausible.

”I haven’t spoken to Navon much, but he appears a reasonable fellow impressed by pragmatic solutions; assuredly, once understands the benefits he’d spare no haste in contributing his signature. I would even offer the same bonus to him, swimming lessons. Couldn’t we get a corset for as well?”

Aricia slapped a mouth over her hand to stifle the laugh that forced its way out. Only letting go once her laughing had lowered to giggles.

“Oh, Navon in a corset, swimming! You convince him of that Îstoire and I’ll pay for your new floors myself! Allow me to embroider some flowers on there as well, for looks!” She covered her mouth once again, her words making her laugh even more. “Perhaps we could convince him if a mission was involved. A fake one, perhaps. Just to see if the corset works, of course.”

Oh, the idea was amazing, but not very plausible. Throwing a bucket of water on him seemed just as amusing, however. It was close enough. Oh! Perhaps she could commission a painting! It would be best if it was someone from The Seal. The art doesn’t have to be good, just amusing enough for Navon to hate it.

“Who’s hungry? I want to try that new yummy stand next to the docks! And maybe after, Îstoire can give Aricia a quick swimming lesson.”

Aricia managed to calm herself down while Scarlett spoke. Oh yes, food, oh no, swimming. She narrowed her eyes at her friend. Scarlett could be as much of a troublemaker as Aricia, it’s something she loves about the girl. When that trouble is targeted at her, however…

She placed her hand on Scarlett’s shoulder and squeezed. “You don’t have to convince me, Joker. I’ve been begging for us to eat this whole time! I second the trip to the docks. There are many foods there I haven’t had a chance to try yet.”

The docks were always busy and entertaining. No matter how many times Aricia’s gone to visit, there was always something new. It was the perfect place to visit, and hopefully, the perfect place to distract Îstoire.

“All of my corsets are commissioned from tailors I do not know the names of. Perhaps we can stop by some shops and take a look. I can spot a high-quality one from a mile away.” She smiled at Îstoire, taking slow backward steps towards the door.

“Perhaps I can take you to that jewelry store I was telling you about, Scarlett. I saw a pair of earrings that would look lovely on you. We could also get something for you as well, Îstoire. I never understood the aversion most human men have towards jewelry.”

With those words she spun around and stepped into the hallway, hoping that was enough to change the subject. Please.

"A bird flew by, saw what I'd done..."

Aricia Belwick

location:

Kidem, Head Library

outfit:

interactions:

CrimsonInk CloudySkyLoftyMoon Mentioned:Navon

 

[WillOWispJJ]

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  How He's Feeling:

  
  
  
  

  A little bit calmer
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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  What He's Wearing:

  
  
  
  

  Casual black robes with silver cuffs

  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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  Where He's At:

  
  
  
  

  Outside the Library --> Streets of Kidem
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
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  Interact/Mention:

  
  
  
  

  Interact: Fennec ( roxybirdie )
  

  
  
  

  
  
  

Kalin

The Refugee

Chapter 1:

"The Lion's Scar is a popular children's book. I haven't read it in awhile so the details are a little hazy. Who do you think recommended it to Eltan?"

“I’m unsure,” Kalin murmured as he walked out of the Kiden Head Library with Fennec. “I’m sure I’ve heard the tale myself, but I don’t think it was called such. Well, no matter. At least Eltan is enjoying the book.”

Kalin couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed in himself for not remembering the contents of such a well-known story. He was positive that he had heard about it before, but couldn’t place quite where. Oh, well. There was no use dwelling on it. After all, his main focus right now was Fennec.

"Where to? You lead the way, Kal."

“I was thinking we could stop by the bakery and see if they have any fresh pastries. Or perhaps we could head through the plaza and sit by the water fountain?” Kalin gave his friend a small and gentle smile, while taking notice of his sharper eyes.. “Personally I would like to stop by the bookstore. Maybe we could find a copy of The Lion’s Scar there?”

Kalin knew that Fennec was just as curious as he was about the story, and why Eltan would be recommended it. Either way, his curiosity was definitely peeked.

As Kalin walked alongside Fennec down the stone roads, he couldn’t help but take in every detail. The bustling streets filled with people going about their day, the smell of fresh bread being baked, the patrols of guardsmen watching for danger. Yes, this was indeed a beautiful and rare day to be off and relaxing with his best friend.

Kalin stopped before the large and pristine decorative fountain that stood in the center of the plaza. “You know, Fen. Thinking about our memories and past. It made me realize how thankful I am to have met you and Roan. If it wasn’t for you two I don’t know if I would be comfortable with the job I do, now. Afterall, I was taught to listen and never think for myself. But you and Roan, you two were avid helpers in instilling confidence in me. I do wish that Roan was still here to see how far we’ve come, even though he and I had our little spats,” Kalin chuckled and stared at the fountain water.

“Anyways, enough with the reminiscing. How about we stop by the book store first? I’d rather not have to deal with crumbs and such while we are looking at books,” Kalin let out a soft hum as he continued to walk down the path. He gently grasped Fennec’s sleeve to tug him along as they continued.

As they walked down the path to the bakery, Kalin couldn’t help but take notice of a specific individual. The dressing they wore was different from the common civilians. The dark black overcoat was pinned with a golden emblemed brooch. The carving portrayed the sigil of the Eastern Magical Institute of Kidem.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[roxybirdie]

THE TROUBLEMAKER.

scroll

ROAN

"FENNEC"

ㅎㅎ

MOOD

No ... No ... NO!

OUTFIT

RANGER CASUAL

LOCATION

STREETS OF KIDEM

MENTIONS

N/A

INTERACTS

Kalin, RIGEL (NPC)

TAGS

WillOWispJJ

BONES — IMAGINE DRAGONS.

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GRIM REAPER,

The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?

CHAPTER 1.

Roan Duskraven is a changeling; they will be addressed as Fennec Sunshadow until further notice.​

​

"I was thinking we could stop by the bakery and see if they have any fresh pastries. Or perhaps we could head through the plaza and sit by the water fountain?"​

His pointed ears perked up like a cat. "A bakery?" Fennec parroted. For a moment, his desire for freshly baked pastries overcame his cold vigilance. His dark brown eyes sparked with unconcealed delight. "There's a small bakery close to the plaza. I used to frequent it when I studied at the Academia." He rubbed his chin with his index finger. "It should still be there. You should try the jelly tarts. My favorite is raspberry." A nostalgic grin painted his lips. "One time, Roan pilfered a whole tray of them when the baker wasn't looking. I made them go back and give the baker a bag of gold. I think the baker had a soft spot for Roan because he never banned us from his bakery."

“Personally I would like to stop by the bookstore. Maybe we could find a copy of The Lion’s Scar there?"​

He blinked in response. His soft smile faded. "Right. The bookstore..." Fennec cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. "It should have it since it's popular..." He turned his head to the side, staring at the direction of the library. It sounded a little foolish to purchase a book when a free copy was available (to borrow) in the library. However, the thought of returning filled him with immense dread.

Fennec can't return in his current state.

Suddenly, a tugging on his sleeve alerted him. A huff of amusement escaped his lips. "Afraid I'll get lost in the crowd, Sparky–?"

“You know, Fen. Thinking about our memories and past. It made me realize how thankful I am to have met you and Roan..."​

Once his eyes landed on the water, the snarky comment died in his throat. No. The urge to scratch his neck returned with a vengeance. No ... No ... No. He recognized the look in the watery reflection. "Heh..." His voice was raspy. His tongue felt rough like sandpaper. Please no. He couldn't ignore the look even if he wanted to. "I must've influenced you more than I thought. If Roan were here, they would've called you a bleeding sap." He swallowed thickly, fighting back the bile. Stop it. Stop looking at me like that. He resisted the violent urge to smack the hand holding his sleeve. It can't be true. It can't...

"You're growing soft on me, Kal. What happened to that famous spark of yours?" Fennec snarked. Stop it. Stop staring at my reflection like I hang the stars in the night sky. He bit the inside of his cheek hard. The sudden sting and rush of copper inside his mouth grounded him. It can't be true. It just can't... His denial was laughably weak.

"You credit us too much, Sparky. Instilling confidence? Thinking for yourself? That's all you. You decided to change, not us." Stop it. PLEASE STOP IT RIGHT NOW. PLEASE. He could feel his teeth start to gradually sharpen into needle-like points. His ironclad control was slipping. He should stop talking.

Fennec was reaching his limit.

Yet ... he didn't hold back. "Once your mind is set, you don't budge. I still remember the last time you and Roan fought. It was the day before their last mission. You two ended up bonding after the massive food fight in my kitchen." A wave of nausea washed over him. He felt lightheaded. Stop staring at my reflection like you ... love me. It can't be true. Please ... no... His mind screamed profanities, urging him to hold his tongue. Talking made the nausea worse.

However, he couldn't stop. The overwhelming guilt compelled him to speak. "I think you two were baking cookies together. Chocolate chip, right?" Stop looking at me. Please ... I can't take it anymore. His mind wailed at the soft look in Kalin's eyes and the tenderness of his touch. He felt sick to his stomach. The tips of his silvery blonde hair lightened to a snow white.

Suddenly, he felt inexplicably cold. 'What's wrong, Roan? Is the guilt finally eating you alive? The shame too much to bear?' a voice mocked. Ghostly fingers trailed down the back of his neck, evoking a shiver. 'You're acting as if you never noticed it before. Are you really that dense or did you convince yourself it wasn't real?' The spectral fingers curled around his neck and seized his nape in an unforgiving grip. Fennec bit back a whimper. 'What? This isn't the first time you lied to him. Are you growing soft on me, Roan?'

Lips ghosted over his ear. 'Pathetic. You ignored the looks until now. What changed?' The grip on his neck tightened to a painful degree. It was all in his head, but it felt undoubtedly real. 'Oh ... I see. So ... you're finally ready to admit the truth to yourself?' A derisive laugh escaped the phantom's lips. 'You really are pathetic.' Another spectral hand trailed up Fennec's shirt, directly over his heart.

'All it took was one look of adoration to make you fall apart. PATHETIC!' It wasn't wrong. The look in Kalin's eyes made him feel unquestionably warm and safe. Despite the tumultuous emotions raging inside of him, his traitorous heart skipped a beat. Deep down, it yearned for something more. A part of him wanted to stop hiding...

He wanted to erase the sorrow in his best friend's gaze.

The hand clutched his shirt like a lifeline. 'Stop hiding? STOP HIDING? Do you think you can confess and everything magically works out?' it hissed. It was full of malice. 'You lied to him for YEARS. Do you think telling him the truth NOW will make a difference? YOU GOT ME KILLED, ROAN!' Talon-like fingers clawed at his chest, ripping away the fabric and digging into his flesh.

Again, it was all in his head, but Fennec stared at the spectral hand piercing his chest. 'This isn't a fairytale. If you confess your feelings and tell him the truth, he won't accept you with open arms,' it sneered. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood. 'Everyone you care about dies because of YOU. First your mother. Then me...' On the outside, Fennec was motionless. While Kalin moved forward, he didn't follow. He couldn't move.

He was stuck in a vicious cycle of self-loathing.

'Next is Kalin. It's only a matter of time.' Fennec flinched at the thought. 'You'll die alone and forgotten. That's your punishment. ALONE AND FORGOTTEN!' A cackle washed over him. However, only he could hear the sinister tune.

'Do you really think he'll accept a filthy liar and pathetic coward like YOU?' Fennec stumbled and clutched his head. A pained hiss escaped his lips.

"No ... I won't let Kalin die. I refuse..." he mumbled. A wave of dizziness washed over him. He struggled to swallow the bile in his throat. If he lost control now, he–

"Roan!"

The shadows on the cobblestone ground pulsed. A deep, sophisticated voice cut through the cackling hallucination like an unforgiving blade. Fennec raised his head and stared at the tall figure approaching him. It was a red tiefling dressed sharply like a nobleman. The way he carried himself supported the claim; he belonged to high society.

The golden emblem pinned to his overcoat indicated his status; he was affiliated with the Eastern Magical Institute of Kidem. Standing at an impressive (and intimidating) 6'7, the professor stopped in front of Fennec. Sharp golden amber eyes – the pupils were slightly slit and tiger-like – regarded the trembling half-elf with a frown. His long, dark mauve purple hair was pulled back in a messy bun. Despite the flyaway hairs, his beard was clean and neatly trimmed. His tail swished a little, exposing the multiple scars running down the reptilian tail.

"Professor Volkarin?" Fennec croaked. A hint of disbelief was evident in his tone. What was his old Dark Magic professor doing in the plaza? Wait, didn't he–

"Roan isn't here. I think you're going senile with age, Prof."

His frown deepened. "I could sense your shadow magic across the plaza. You need to reign it in now before it lashes out and kills someone," Rigel pointed out.

"I told you, I'm not Roan–"

"I don't know why you're disguised as Fennec, but now isn't the time to play mind games. Control your shadows, Roan."

"I said, I'M NOT ROAN–!"

Rigel tapped Fennec on the forehead. "Fennec doesn't have black eyes or snow white hair," he refuted.

His blood turned to ice. "I..." From the corner of his eye, Fennec spotted his reflection in the fountain. His silvery blonde hair tumbled down to his feet and resembled fresh powder snow. His dark brown eyes morphed into endless black voids. His teeth were needle-like and razor sharp. His disguise was compromised.

He directed his attention to Kalin. Golden yellow met fathomless black. Something inside him shattered. Suddenly, a burst of shadows shot forward, aiming at the professor.

He raised his hand sharply and sliced the air in a downward motion. His palm illuminated a dark purplish-magenta. The deadly shadowy tendril stopped midair and vanished in a puff of smoke. Before Rigel could react, Fennec shoved past him and bolted. "Roan, wait–!"

Fennec ignored the professor. He weaved around the crowd and crossed the plaza, entering the first dark alleyway he saw. Ironically, it was located behind the bakery.

Rigel heaved a sigh and dragged a hand down his face. "You haven't changed a bit. Always so stubborn..." He stared at the companion who accompanied his old student. If the circumstances were different, he would've been delighted to meet another tiefling. However, his priority was saving his former apprentice. "Introductions can wait. We need to stop them before they hurt themself. Shadow magic without proper control leads to devastating consequences. If they don't hurt themself, someone else will pay the price."

Without another word, the professor headed toward the dark alleyway.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[hery]

The Sun

Cresley Hogsweed

̳C̳̳h̳̳a̳̳p̳̳t̳̳e̳̳r̳ ̳1̳: ̳K̳̳i̳̳d̳̳e̳̳m̳


INTERACTION: Else
LOCATION: Kidem Square
OUTFIT: Everyday
MENTIONS: Mypilot

Cress tapped his chin, stopped for a moment with Else to gaze past the artist's display and at the horizon. "Do I visit this area often?" he echoed, watching the merchant ships drift about in the blue waters. "No, not in particular. My boots have tread every stone and tile in this city at least twice, without counting my old pair."

The hobbit pointed up at a crumbling tower on the far edge of the water, its weathered stone glinting faintly in the mid-morning sun. His eyes glittered with the supposed innocence of a child up to no good, then his grin widened. "What say we head up the Climbing Tower?"

Once they'd arrived at the tower, the climb was, predictably, all Cress. The hobbit approached the tower like a child spotting the perfect tree to conquer, rubbing his hands together as he peered at the spiral staircase within. A gilded plaque sat right beside the door, rendered illegible by graffiti and what appeared to be the repeated scratch of a blade.

“I've never taken the steps before. I usually climb,” he muttered before taking the first step. The wooden planks groaned under his weight, dust swirling around his boots. “You’ve got longer legs; you’ll keep pace.”

Cress practically bounded up the steps, agile as a squirrel despite the precarious footing. It wasn’t long before they reached the room at the top. At the very top of the staircase lay a small, open chamber with a broken roof allowing for sunlight to stream through, casting ever-changing patterns on the floor. From the chamber, one could see the entire city sprawling below, as well as a panoramic view of the sea on the other side.

"Not bad, huh?" Cress said triumphantly, taking a lap around the small room, curious if anything had changed since his last visit. "No one is ever here. I find it too quiet to get any training done here. Or reciting fables... should the desire ever strike me."

In the center of this space rested a shrine, the air around it tinged with the faint hum of old magic. A weathered statue of the deity stood at the center, depicting a hooded figure holding an orb in one hand and a staff in the other. Scattered around the statue were remnants of past offerings—wilted flowers, coins, and trinkets perhaps left by those seeking guidance or protection. Cress thought them neat decorations, oblivious to the sensation of magic thrumming in the air.

It seemed the kind of place to bring Else, even if Cress used the tower only for scaling upward in creative ways. The room at the top was still and quiet, save for the sound of the gentle wind around them. It evoked a contemplative feeling, maybe something a scholar like Else could appreciate more.

Carved into the pedestal of the statue were ancient runes, by then worn almost smooth. With effort, the words could be deciphered: “In stillness, truth reveals itself. To see, one must first be silent.”

Finished with the tour, Cress clapped his hands together, prepared to have the conversation Else had asked for. Though the changeling proved a patient companion, it was evident that Cress had humored himself for quite enough time.

“About that mission… I’ve been turning it over in my head," he spoke out of code, pacing around the room, "The arms dealer—Rydan Greve. He wasn't surprised to see us coming."

Cress hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. "He was ready for us—everything, except for my fist in his face." He hopped onto the edge of the shrine’s pedestal, balancing there as he peered out past the ledge at the water below. The sun caught on his piercings, throwing tiny sparks of light into the chamber.

He shifted his weight on the pedestal, teetering slightly but never losing his balance. "But even that hardly fazed him," he added, his voice softer now, tinged with a note of frustration. "He wasn’t scared, not really. It was more like he was..."

He let out a sigh, brows furrowed in hopeless confusion. "Guess there's no asking him."

coded by reveriee.

 

[Sir Mayday]

CODE BY SEROBLISS

Zenith

The Prodigy

Name: Zenith

Gender: Female

Interactions: Jason, DeathUnchained

Location: Outside Head Library

Zenith hummed thoughtfully, her mind momentarily blank as Jason’s broad smile remained unwavering. A cautious introduction was wiser than a naive welcome. Especially when dealing with someone as large and imposing as the man before her. Yet Jason didn’t seem threatening, at least not yet. Perhaps she was overthinking it. She was about to adjust her stance, maybe even scale her friendliness... But then he sat down before her. The shift was subtle, but her practiced smile faltered for a fraction of a second. Her lips pulled into a slight frown. Even sitting, the man still loomed over her. What kind of play was this? She couldn’t decide whether this was a show of dominance, a strange display of respect, or something else entirely. His words almost prompted a scoff. Of course, she knew no harm would come to her. At least not here. They were peers, after all. She had no reason to fear him.

"I know no harm may come here" she said, her voice steady. "We are both peers. I do not recall gaining your ire or scorn." She stood as the elephant settled beside its master. Their large frames nestled together in a strange display of affection. Zenith couldn’t help but admire the loyalty in the beast’s movements. The way it laid down, its trunk wrapping around Jason with a sense of comfort. She smirked inwardly. It was smart, far smarter than she had expected. Perhaps it could even lift him with ease in times of danger. Maybe it was protecting him somewhat even now. Her attention returned to Jason as he continued to speak. He was assessing her, and she knew it. So she, in turn assessed him. His smile was still there. Was it smugness? Or was it something else? Something beneath the surface? Her mind branched into many possibilities. His face was mostly hidden beneath a visor and there was something about him that was difficult to place. She couldn’t quite read him.

"Just a pet?" she repeated, tilting her head in disbelief, glancing once more at the massive elephant. "How does one have a 'pet' that can crush a squad of knights? Look at it!" She spread her arms in exasperation. "A beast of annihilation would be a more fitting term, no?" But as she looked back at the two of them, her resolve began to crack. She sighed, softly to herself "No? Just a pet for affection and companionship, you say?" Her words were more to herself than to him, as if trying to reconcile the image of such a formidable creature just being a spoiled pet. Like a cat? It didn’t add up. She said after a moment. "Hmm... I suppose you use it how you see fit."

She barely had time to dwell on the mystery when Jason complimented her, his words a rare praise, but one that carried weight. She smirked. She would take the compliment, whether it was genuine or not. She would indulge him. "Such an odd thing to say to someone you've just met" Zenith mused, running a hand through her hair. Her gaze flickered down to the visor that obscured his eyes. "Calling me wonderful, smiling like that. Hmm... Compliments like that tend to come with ulterior motives, you know. But I agree with your sentiments, so let’s set those cautious thoughts of mine aside for now. I’ll indulge you, comrade."She moved forward, her steps measured and graceful. The smile never left her lips as she let her fingers glide over her skin. She closed her eyes and inhaling deeply. Her skin slowly began to change, a warm peach tone seeping into her features across her cheeks. "It is magical. It is biological. It is neither. It is not something I turn on and off, but as natural to me as breathing. Just as you control your breath, I control this... me."

She paused for a moment, fingers tracing her ear as it began to elongate, becoming pointed like an elf’s. "It depends, of course. Emotions are mostly suppressed. If I need to use a form quickly, or only for a day or two it is like putting on anew pair of gloves. The more effort I put into it, the more... I feel it. The longer I use a form, the more I connect with it. I suppose it’s like... a melody that changes instruments but keeps the same tune. I am the tune. No matter what changes, I am still me in the end. Some instruments I practice more, and when I use them I feel more." Her eyes gleamed with pride, her satisfaction evident as she spoke of her mastery. It was the one thing she was truly certain of always. She was in control of herself.

With a grin, she tilted her head at Jason "My turn. An intimate question for an intimate question. You are a fortress of flesh. You are admirable. Tell me, you seem like the type to storm the gates then slip into the shadows as an assassin. What truly drives you in your field of work? What do you feel? Surely it’s not just about the kill. There’s more to you, I can feel it. I see it with this beast you have and how you..interact with it."