How am I just learning about this? Agnea would be proud!
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@eightfoldjourney
How am I just learning about this? Agnea would be proud!
Okay so can we all agree that "The Black Scarlet" is a really silly name?
She would not interrupt the young beastling until she heard the full story. The mention of what happened during the night of the Crimson Moon, sounded vaguely familiar perhaps a second hand information she heard in the passing. Still, her eyes did soften...Ochette was young woman now, and if this happened years ago then she was most likely just a child tasked with such a responsibility.
Because in the end to judge a persons character, one has to see how they behave when given an immense power. In her eyes, Ochette was truly a splendid individual!
"I see...Sacred Flame is part of this too " she would rub her chin thoughtfully, while never directly interacting with the order, she was aware of their vast influence on the people.
Taking a deeeeeeep breath she would look up at her friend and slowly stand up despite still somewhat weak legs she made a step forward to her friend. A hand reached out to her and gently held Ochette's shoulder as Nessa offered her a broad grin. "You really are full of surprises arent you? Thank you for sharing this with me I'm truly honored and...I promise this will stay between three of us!"
Ochette smiled at her friend's response. "Hehe... Well the way I see it, the world's full of surprise, too. That's why traveling is so amazing. You get to see new places and connect with all sorts of people. Ah... I really miss it sometimes."
Before anything else could be said, though, Mahina hooed again. Ochette's eyes shot wide. "Oh, right! We still haven't found Shirlotto!" Ochette looked around and began sniffing the air. "Hang on... I think I smell something! Over here!"
Ochette darted over to a nearby pile of rubble, where she made a startling realization. "Hey... There's someone trapped under here! I think it's him!"
"Well, they are the one who possessed me...and they claimed to be the one to take it....once we found them with some help. Alas, they only held one fragment of it."
She clears her throat. "As for deities...there are many, small and large. According to the angels, there is a Creator, but the same creator was said to have left the realm, leaving behind the angels, ruins and relics, which are collectively known as 'the legacy'. Otherwise, there are other godlike figures that hold command over different things. I know of some faiths, like The Silent Church, but the ones I'm most familiar with are tied to the Path of Suns...each sun having it's own sphere of influence, a guardian that commands great authority over who may enter their part of the realm...and a shadow-side, where a similar entity for each is said to dwell. Alas, I've not dealt much with the left-hand path...err...the shadow side and their respective guardians."
"As for their disposition...they're somewhat aloof. They are not there to heed prayers. Some will speak to mortals. Others will not. Others still are more akin to forces of nature. Their motives and purpose is inscrutable. Better scholars than I have gleaned precious little from them."
"I see..." Temenos listened on attentively as always, though there was an undeniable hint of skepticism in the cleric's attitude. Gods, divine beings, all rather complicated subjects. He'd spent a lifetime devoting himself to deities that he'd only somewhat recently discovered to be real, but many questions remained about Aelfric and the other seven gods revered by the church...
So, needless to say, the deities of another world entirely were quite beyond the scope of Temenos's knowledge and understanding. What wasn't beyond him, however, was his ability to think critically and piece together information. Temenos closed his eyes and entered a deep state of thought as he mulled over everything.
So then, Noelle had been temporarily possessed by an angel, awoke a month later with no memory and without the ability to make sound, with only the faintest evidence and recollections of ever having been able to do so. She currently used a 'false voice' to communicate, but longed to regain her natural one. All quite esoteric concepts to wrestle with, but...
Temenos opened his eyes again. "Well, I'm afraid I cannot make any promises, but there are two methods I can think of that might be able to help you resolve your predicament. The first involves calling upon the power of the Sacred Flame to see if it can restore what has been lost to you. The second... Involves the Isle of Arcanists."
"Thank you." Noelle says quietly to her escort, who also knocked on the door for her. Given her condition, it wouldn't have been heard if she tried.
"It was a pleasant activity." She replied, placing the missing comb and book on his desk. Seems the last two were still missing, but tomorrow is another day.
She would then take her seat. "I am, yes. And I'll be happy to answer what questions I can, Inquisitor Temenos."
Temenos took the two missing items and placed them in his drawer. He'd see them returned to their proper owners later. For now, more pressing matters must be dealt with. The inquisitor returned his focus to Noelle and locked his fingers together.
"Now then, you claim that your curse of silence was cast upon you by an angel. According to our scripture, angels are messengers of the divine; one of many such avatars used by the Flamebringer and his kin... However, that is all they are, if our texts are to be believed. Messengers. They are neither arbiters of holy retribution nor guardians."
Temenos leaned back in his seat a bit. "However, scripture is not always the most... Accurate source of information. Certainly, it is possible that the being you encountered very-much was an angel of sorts. The exact nature of this being matters less than the methods they used, however."
"So then, I would like to confirm something with you: how, exactly, was your sound stolen? Can you describe the process?"
"They are an angel. Of that I am certain." Noelle replied. She wasn't lying, so, at the very least, SHE believed it.
"But...angels from my home might be...different to the ones you know." She admits. "My home is populated by all sorts of people, including devils and angels, who live as normal citizens."
"When...I was younger...I was enamored with the angels. I found them beautiful and fascinating, and studied them. One approached me stating they had a Calling."
She pauses. "Umm...a 'Calling' is...essentially a mission from their creator...or something like that. It's something they're unable to refuse, and dedicate themselves to fulfilling, even casting aside their former lives, if they have to."
"For many angels, it seems to be an hour to be chosen for such a thing...part of a grander plan in the world, right? When I'd heard that, I was delighted to be a small part of that. I wanted to help them."
She swallows the lump in her throat. "They...told me they needed my body. I agreed without setting terms; the naive fool that I was. They possessed my body. I don't know what they did with it."
"I 'woke up' about a month later, and returned to my life as normal. But I didn't have the elation I'd hoped. The angel was gone, and I felt...odd."
"I was utterly silent, including my voice....but to me, at the time, that's how it always seemed. My memories were changed to have me never making sound at all. I would have believed it, too, except for some...incongruities."
"I remembered playing musical instruments, despite them not making noise...but it didn't seem to phase me when I was young. But after that moment, when I touched them and they made no sound...I felt this...unbearably longing. Something FELT like it was missing, down to my core. I didn't remember having trouble communicating prior to that incident, either. I went through the motions of talking, but despite saying nothing...I was understood."
"I...thought I'd been great at body language, but at the academy...no one could hear me or understand without aid. It was confusing...demeaning."
"S-sorry, but you asked about the process. I'm afraid I don't know the details. But when the angel was caught up to, they held a fragment of my sound in their chest."
Temenos listened on with a great deal of interest. This was all certainly quite a bit more information, and frankly he might have preferred to know some of it to begin with... But no matter. Immediately, the inquisitor began having several thoughts about Noelle's current situation.
"Hm. I see." He crooked a finger under chin, entering a state of deep thought. Temenos began to speak, but it was less like he was speaking to Noelle, and more just talking to himself. "It appears that there are a number of gaps to be filled in; most notably, what happened during that month. If the details of that time frame are a mystery, it may be presumptuous to say that the angel is actually the one responsible for the curse..."
Suddenly, Temenos looked up at Noelle again. "Tell me: what sorts of deities preside over your world?"
One of these days I should actually do something with one of my AU's...
"Thank you." Noelle says quietly to her escort, who also knocked on the door for her. Given her condition, it wouldn't have been heard if she tried.
"It was a pleasant activity." She replied, placing the missing comb and book on his desk. Seems the last two were still missing, but tomorrow is another day.
She would then take her seat. "I am, yes. And I'll be happy to answer what questions I can, Inquisitor Temenos."
Temenos took the two missing items and placed them in his drawer. He'd see them returned to their proper owners later. For now, more pressing matters must be dealt with. The inquisitor returned his focus to Noelle and locked his fingers together.
"Now then, you claim that your curse of silence was cast upon you by an angel. According to our scripture, angels are messengers of the divine; one of many such avatars used by the Flamebringer and his kin... However, that is all they are, if our texts are to be believed. Messengers. They are neither arbiters of holy retribution nor guardians."
Temenos leaned back in his seat a bit. "However, scripture is not always the most... Accurate source of information. Certainly, it is possible that the being you encountered very-much was an angel of sorts. The exact nature of this being matters less than the methods they used, however."
"So then, I would like to confirm something with you: how, exactly, was your sound stolen? Can you describe the process?"
Currently on my second run of Bestower of Wealth today. Very interesting that Pierro can tease you about being smitten with Lavina even if you're playing a female protag. Happy Pride everyone!
NGL sometimes I do feel a little awkward RPing with Ochette, Osvald or Hikari on account of the fact that all three of them canonically have divine power at their fingertips. I try not to focus on it too much during threads but when it becomes relevant I do slightly worry it comes off as slightly god-moddy despite how relatively tame their powers are.
She rose her gaze offering a meek smile at the two friend while taking a deep breath. Her legs were still far to weak to even attempt to stand up, so for the time being she remained seated on the ground. "I still have long way to go to be as strong as Professor, but I am glad you two are also safe..."
At the thought of Osvald, she would fleetly thought just how would he deal with this situation, would he scold her for being reckless? Then again, neither she nor Ochette and Mahina had much of a choice in a dire situation like this one. A faint smile graces her lips, slowly closing her eyes she takes a deep breath before addressing the topic neither could avoid.
"I do not wish to pry too much my friend but....you have to understand I am a bit curious so..." slowly she pats the ground next to her inviting Ochette to sit down if she desires so. "Care to explain what was that you did hm?"
Yep. There it was. Ochette scratched the back of her head while Mahina alighted nearby. "Well... I'm not totally sure how to explain it, exactly. It's something I just sort of... Learned how to do a couple years back, when the island was still in danger." The hunter slowly walked past Nessa as she began reminiscing. "On the Night of the Crimson Moon, when all of Toto'Haha was being attacked by monsters, one came forth that was stronger than any of the others... Not even the island's guardians were strong enough to bring it down."
"Mahina and I nearly died trying to bring it down... But after we were both tossed into the sea, I felt this strange warmth inside of me. There was this strange voice, and the next thing I knew... Mahina and I were back in the fight, stronger than ever. Thanks to that power, we were able to finally quell the beast's rage and save the island..."
Ochette looked down at her hand. "Master Juvah said that it was the power of the Sacred Flame. You know, the one that all the clerics from the church talk about? I still don't completely understand it, but it's come in handy plenty of times."
She looked back toward Nessa, wondering how her friend would react. Truthfully, Ochette wasn't even the only one who had learned how to wield that kind of power, but she and the other travelers preferred not to bring it up unless necessary...
It's my 3 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳
Damn, 3 years since I created this blog huh. I know I'm not the most active but legit thanks to everyone that's stuck around and interacted during all that time. Let's keep traveling together.
Noelle smiled as she accepted the list. She was, indeed, quite eagar to earn her keep for their generosity. Shelter, food, and a promise to try and aid her with her troubles was no small thing to her.
Following the meal, she would scour the cathedral's first floor, taking his advice to not wander too far. She doubted she would becone totally lost, but better safe than sorry. It would also ensure that she doesn't wander into any restricted areas, right?
Some hours later, Noelle would approach one of the guards to request directions to Inquisitor Temenos' office.
Temenos sat at his office desk, quietly reading when he heard a knock on the door. He exhaled and closed his book. "Come in." The inquisitor sat the book aside, watching Noelle enter.
"Ah, it's you. I trust you had fun searching for lost items?" He didn't know whether or not Noelle had actually found anything, but that was irrelevant. Temenos gestured to the chair on the opposite side of the desk. "Please, have a seat."
Once she was comfortable, Temenos crossed his fingers together. "Now then, I take it you are ready to discuss the matter of your curse?"
to revere, or whatever that really means
That sudden burst of speed catches Annushka completely off guard.
Not because she cannot follow it her instincts and training are too sharp for that but because for a single heartbeat, the man before her stops feeling merely human. The pressure behind his strikes changes. The air itself seems to tremble around the clash of steel, and every impact against her blade travels deeper into her stance than before.
Her eyes widen slightly.
What was that…?
Not fear. Never fear.
But recognition.
The kind a veteran warrior feels when another fighter briefly reveals the edge of something dangerous buried beneath discipline.
Annushka braces hard as their swords collide again and again in rapid succession, boots grinding against the earth as she absorbs the force. Sparks scatter between them in bright bursts of orange. Had she been slower had her footing been less precise he might have broken straight through her guard.
Then, just as suddenly as it came, the intensity recedes.
Their blades lock.
For a moment neither moves.
His compliment hangs between them, carried softly beneath the ringing steel.
Annushka studies him closely now, her breathing heavier than before. Not exhaustion excitement, even respect. Her pulse is alive in a way it has not been in a very long time.
And strangely… warmth.
Most men praised her strength either with arrogance or discomfort. Some treated her like a curiosity. Others like a threat. But Hikari’s words carry neither resentment nor pride. Only sincerity from one warrior to another.
She feels herself soften before she fully means to.
The tension in her shoulders eases slightly, and the hard severity in her gaze gives way to something calmer almost amused. A faint smile touches the corner of her lips, small but genuine.
“You hide monsters in your hands, King Hikari,” she says quietly. Her blade remains against his, but no longer pushes. “For a moment there… I thought you meant to cut me down for real.” There is no accusation in her tone. If anything, it sounds impressed. Then her eyes narrow just a little, studying him with renewed curiosity.
“And yet you held back.”
The compliment lingers with her longer than she expects. She does not look away immediately. Instead, her thumb subtly shifts along the worn grip of her greatsword as she exhales through her nose, a rare hint of self-consciousness slipping beneath the composed knightly exterior.
“It seems the stories of your strength were not exaggerated,” she admits. “Few can force me onto the defensive.”
Another small pause.
“…Fewer still make me enjoy it.”
There's a brief moment in which their blades lock, during which Hikari could see the emotions in Anuushka's eyes. Surprise, joy, respect... She had noticed his fleeting 'transformation' there, which was soon confirmed with words. Hikari exhaled and stepped back, shaking his head.
"Forgive me. Old instincts flared up. I promise you, though: I had no intention of killing you." Though a part of him certainly wanted to... The darkness that he kept in check with his light. Though Hikari had mastered it, that side of his bloodline was ever-present, always yearning to break free to the surface...
The king sighed and sheathed his blade. "I am glad that you found our duel enjoyable, though I believe it's nearly time we both retired for the night. There is a great deal to do tomorrow, after-all."
Annushka watches him carefully as he steps back and sheathes his blade. That brief apology tells her more than the duel itself. It was not a sigh of weakness, nor shame, rather he was in perfect control of the power within him, truly admirable.
That kind of control was forged only through long struggle.
For a moment, her gaze lingers on him in silence, as though trying to look past the composed king and glimpse whatever storm he keeps chained beneath the surface. She recognizes it more easily than most people would. Warriors who carried darkness rarely mistook it in others.
Still, she does not press.
Instead, Annushka lowers her own greatsword with a slow exhale before resting its massive weight against her shoulder. The tension finally leaves her posture, though the flush of exertion still warms her cheeks beneath the cold night air.
“You need not apologize,” she says at last, voice calmer now. “If anything, I would be insulted had you treated me delicately.”
A faint smirk touches her lips.
“I did challenge a king renowned for surviving battlefields.”
With practiced ease, she reaches behind herself and secures the greatsword across her back. Only once it is fastened does she truly seem to relax. The severe knight from moments ago softens into something more human beneath the moonlight.
At his mention of retiring for the evening, Annushka actually hesitates.
Duty tells her to agree immediately. Rest. Preparation. Discipline. Tomorrow mattered.
But another part of her the part still alive from the clash of steel and the rare exhilaration of meeting an equal finds herself reluctant to simply walk away.
Her eyes drift briefly toward the quiet night around them before returning to Hikari.
“…Probably,” she admits, though the word comes slower than expected. Then, after a small pause she would add “Though I confess… it has been a long while since I have enjoyed another warrior’s company this much.”
The honesty seems to surprise even her slightly. She clears her throat softly afterward, composure returning in measured layers.
“But you are correct. A Sacred Guard knight who stumbles into tomorrow exhausted would be an embarrassment to her order.” she adds with small hint of dry humor there now.
Still, Annushka doesn’t immediately turn to leave. Instead she steps closer not intimately, but comfortably within conversation range now that the battle tension is gone.
“When this business is concluded,” she says, her expression carrying quiet certainty, “I would like a rematch.” A small glint appears in her blue eyes again.
“And next time, Your Majesty… do not hold back quite so much.”
Hikari could feel her gaze upon him, for the briefest of moments. It carried neither resentment nor disgust for the thing she glimpsed so briefly. In fact, the look in her eyes was almost like... Familiarity. Hikari was intrigued. Should he ask? No, best not. Not right now, at least.
The king offered a weary but sincere smile. "It would be my honor to spar with you again, should the opportunity allow. However..." He looked down at his own hand for a moment, deep in thought. "...I do not bring my full strength to bear save for the direst of circumstances. You are a powerful warrior, Anuushka, fully worthy of my respect. But you are also not truly an enemy."
He hoped she understood. Hikari wasn't trying to hold back. He simply regarded a friendly spar as a matter altogether different from a fight to the death. "Well then, let us be off. A new dawn beckons, and with it, the promise of a new start for our people."
Suddenly, a group of rare artifacts was discovered in Hinoeuma related to Winnehild the Warbringer.
The discovery of such weapons naturally caused quite a stir; tools of destruction that seemed to rival those of the Weaponmaster. Perhaps they had similar origins? In either case, Hikari set out to seek these artifacts, determined not to let them fall into the wrong hands...
"It sounds like a great many things have happened. It seems a relief that you all have endured." Noelle comments as she puts her dish away and makes for the return trip. "I feel I should be extra-thankful for his charity and be mindful not to cause problems or get in the way."
Her footsteps and motions are ever-silent. Even the door refuses to creak at her touch.
Ort did notice the strange silence that seemed to accompany Noelle as she moved. At first he thought he'd just been imagining things, but then not even the door creaked when it was closed. How bizarre... Was he overthinking things? Perhaps, but the knight decided to remember that odd detail just in case.
The next morning, a church attendant would knock on Noelle's door, calling her to breakfast. She would be brought to a dining room, where several clerics, including Temenos, were preparing for the morning's meal. Temenos noticed her approach and waved her over. "A good morning to you. I trust you slept well?"
Noelle swiftly made herself presentable, leaving her cloak with her backpack in her quarters. Washing her face and ensuring her button-down shirt and vest were neatly in place before the attendant calls her to the morning meal.
"I did, yes. Thank you." Noelle replies with a warm smile as she hastens her pace over to him. "It's nice to sleep on a bed. A bedroll isn't the most comfy, and as much as I appreciate the sea travel, the bunks are somewhat utilitarian. I hope your sleep was restful, too, Inquisitor Temenos."
The cathedral was calm, quiet and clean; traits she found rather agreeable.
"Are there morning prayers or duties I should be aware of, so I can do my part?" She asks, expectantly.
Temenos nodded. He understood well the trials of sleeping outdoors. It had certainly been one of his least favorite parts of traveling the continents... Made slightly more bearable by the company he traveled with, but it didn't seem as though Noelle typically had that luxury.
"I slept well enough, I suppose, though I did spend a great deal of time looking into the matters we discussed. I haven't found anything conclusive, but there were some interesting points I'd like to talk about later."
The cleric crossed his fingers together. "For now, though, in regards to things you can help with... There are a few tasks you could carry out, but one in-particular I think you would be well-suited for. You see, sometimes pilgrims lose things during their journeys to and from the cathedral. We actually have a list of items reporting missing that haven't turned up yet. Perhaps you could assist in scouring the grounds for them? The priests and the Sacred Guard do what they can, but alas, our other duties make it hard to conduct a thorough search."
"Oh! That's certainly something I can do!" And it would, doubtlessly, give her reason to learn the layout of the cathedral better than a single evening stroll looking for the kitchens.
"I'll make a copy of the list and seek out these missing items on the grounds after the morning meal." She was, slightly, concerned that she might not be able to read the list, but she doubted anyone would mind if she cast a little translation spell to aid her in this quest.
"Wonderful. What a helpful little lamb you are." Temenos seemed somewhat amused by Noelle's eagerness to make herself useful, though he did genuinely appreciate it, all teasing aside. "For now, I'd advise not wandering too far. Just stick to the first floor of the cathedral as you search for a few of the missing items."
The cleric produced the list of items in question. They were mostly mundanities: a comb, a book, a locket, and someone's wallet... Temenos didn't have high hopes the last one would be found, but he kept that thought to himself. "Once you've done all you can, I'd like you to report to my office. Just ask one of the guards to show you the way. There, we can discuss the matter you are concerned with."
OC-topath Travelers
Had some character ideas floating around in my head for a while, decided to finally share them.
Oscar (Dancer)
The disowned son of a noble family, Oscar gave up his inheritance to pursue his dreams of acting. Nothing brings him greater joy than the applause of an audience. However, when word reaches him of his family's growing corruption, Oscar must put his dreams aside to confront the past he left behind...
Catrina (Warrior)
A palace guard without a care in the world, until the peaceful life she knew was suddenly uprooted by the threat of war. Her country's prince has been assassinated, and Catrina knows her own inattentiveness is to blame. Determined to set things right, Catrina sets out to apprehend the killer and stop her nation from the flames of strife.
Tizzy (Scholar)
A prodigious young scholar with a knack for inventing. Tizzy is a mechanical genius, but prefers to follow her own whims instead of any rules or regulations. When her latest creation is stolen and turned into a weapon, however, Tizzy must set out to reclaim it and stop the perpetrators from wreaking havoc with her masterpiece.
Osian (Apothecary)
An apothecary seeking penance for past crimes. Osian was once obsessed with the secrets of eternal life, but his experiments yielded catastrophic results on the inhabitants of his homeland. Now, he wanders in search of a miracle cure that can save everyone he holds dear, before they are lost forever...
Pablo (Merchant)
A dealer of illicit goods in a black market, Pablo is said to be capable of procuring any item his clients want. However, when his employer begins to deal in human trafficking, Pablo seeks to leave that life behind... Only to discover that his family has been captured and put to market. Now, Pablo must set out save them and bring down his old boss.
Aster (Thief)
Once a legendary thief known as the Silver Shade, Aster enjoys a life of luxury in her retirement... Until news begin to circulate of a series of thefts committed by someone using her old moniker. Determined not to let this copycat steal her name and soil her reputation, Aster must don the mask once more and put an end to the imposter's operations.
Tomás (Hunter)
A bounty hunter willing to take on any target, be they human or beast. Tomás once worked alongside a gang of fellow bounty hunters called the Four Winds, but left the group behind after the death of his beloved partner... Now, though, the Four Winds have begun wreaking havoc, and it falls to Tomás to put a stop to them once and for all.
Hazel (Cleric)
A priestess with a mysterious past. Though she presently serves the Order of the Sacred Flame, Hazel once belonged to a heretical sect believed to worship a wicked deity... That sect was disbanded long ago, but recently, rumors abound that it has begun to see a resurgence. Determined not to let her old order return, Hazel sets out to stop this rebirth before it can truly begin...