Allusions

A blog dedicated to the characters I roleplay in a pretend world setting and to the out-of-character thoughts and whimsies related to roleplay. (Blog created August 1st, 2013.) DISCLAIMER: This blog is about fictional characters in fictional worlds. None of these writings are taking place in the "real world". Characters: Anysti "Nys" Jul (Main Character) - One of the Blood of the Brethren of the Black, a pirating sect, and an artist. Solaise - Cousin to Anysti, niece to Anaya. She works seasonally with a roving carnival, living at the Holding of the Black at other times. Anaya Tarj - Anysti's mother, who was once a seamstress and is now blind. She spends most of her time baking lemon ginger snaps for the sect. Zen Ares - "It's complicated."

[nys-allusions]

The glasses brought her one step closer to how I envision her. 

[nys-allusions]

As I listened to the buys and sellers bargain for prices, I realized how dire the siege in Lion's Arch had made even just the simplest of things, such as eating, an expensive affair now. 

I needed to buy supplies enough to last for the trip, but these merchants in the Reach were jacking their prices up because of the siege. However, they weren't letting anyone know that the goods coming in over-land were still abundant, especially from here close to the Reach. 

I debated with myself as I listened, whether to take what I wanted, or pay the greedy prices. I opted for the middle-road and paid the asking prices, but pocketing far more expensive items without their knowledge before I left. 

"Fek 'em."

[nys-allusions]

Finally, I came upon an endless wall filled with messages of survivors looking for loved ones. My heart ached as I combed through them looking for any sign of Danzo and his crew. 

There upon the wall, nearly three-deep was a message to me! It was from Danzo and he was looking for us. I tore the message down and read it with a sped bourne of urgency and fear the hope that came with the message would burn away before my eyes could read what it said:

"Nys!

Look to the South if you yet live.

Danzo"

Tears filled her eyes as her breath caught in her chest, wrought heavily by a thick cloud of emotion. When she managed to swallow it down, she tucked the note away and ran south. 

[nys-allusions]

A massive graveyard was being built on the White Crane Terrace. It was surreal to stop and read the names of the deceased. All around me the Dead kept on living lives they had no idea they had lost, for it was so sudden for some, that they kept on living. 

With heavy heart and mind, I read the list tacked up. There were so many I knew that I had to turn away several times before I could read through it fully. At least I did not find any names I dreaded most to see there. So my search continued on for Danzo and his crew. 

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I was overwhelmed with what laid out before me, far as the eye could see: Destruction. What was once majestic and proud, what once protected that worthless queen and her lot who abandoned her all those years ago... it now stands in ruins.  

[nys-allusions]

Back to the Reach

She rushed back to the Reach to check on her mother and Jik after leaving a note for Tareic. What Jainus told her was true: Mum could see again and he healed the burns on her hands. It had been about three years since her mother lost her sight, and with it her ability to continue on as a seamstress. All of it made her heart lift through the muck of tragedy and terror of the past few years.

There was still no word from Danzo and her spirit started to plummet once again. How many more of those she loved would die? How many of them, only to be found again, would disappear? How many more times would her home city be invaded and terrorized? How many more times could she re-build that which was destroyed?

All of this weighed heavily on her mind as she helped her mother and Jik prepare for the trip back to the Grove, where they would stay with Jainus until they all figured something out. 

The Grove was safe, and better yet, there were no Dead roaming about as they did in the rest of the world. She did not know what it was that made the place different, but the spirits were not earth-bound here. That is what made it easier for her and Jainus to recover in heart from all that had happened. She was unsure she would ever recover from all of this. She was becoming numb to it all and had lost the ability to see color again. And so it was that she had been unable to paint for some time. 

After she saw them back to their temporary home in the Grove, she decided to head back to the Arch as news had reached her that they managed to take care of the invaders. Maybe there was something to salvage still at their ruined home, and maybe she could find word of Danzo... to leave a message somehow. 

[nys-allusions]

Sincerity, Midnight Blue, White, Violet Tint

[nys-allusions]

A Note

She left a hastily-scrawled note on the kitchen table before reaching down and picking up her pack. As she adjusted it on her back, she caught sight of Jainus still in a drunken sleep. She sighed softly before turning to mum and kissing her on the cheek. It pained her to see her burned hands like this and to leave her, but she knew Jik would take care of her; and Jainus would too - if he ever came out of that drunken stupor. 

After coming back from the Arch and recovering some of the gold she had hidden in the caves, she made a few quick provisions to make sure no one would go hungry and all needs were met while she went away. 

She needed away from all of the death and poison that reaches into sentient behavior toward others. She wondered if she hadn't become so wrapped up in only seeing the death and decay of a world that she was unable to see the beauty anymore. It was for this reason she was going to the Grove, where she could not see death and decay and hopefully she could heal her spirit. 

There was still no word from Danzo and his crew, and she was unsure she wanted to return back to the Arch, much as it is her home. There has been too many attacks over the past few years and it is safe no more. Maybe she would make a home for the remainder of them in the Grove. 

For now, she just needed to get out and relax. The note left explained she would be gone long enough to get her spirit healing, and that she would be back. She did leave word where she would be, in case anyone needed to call her back before that. 

With a last farewell, she left the small art studio in the Reach.

[nys-allusions]

The city loomed before me, sapping the last of my strength as her hideous sight came into my view. Her tall, cold stone walls filled me with trepidation; walls meant to keep out the bad, but instead enclosed it from within. The place was a cesspool of humanity - and those that tried to pass themselves off as human. With head bent in resignation, I trudged forward, dragging my feet. The strength to keep moving came from those that I love. And one other.

Gloved fingers came up and folded around the heron brooch that was pinned to her leather lapel and she continued toward the gates with a weary, steely reserve.

[nys-allusions]

Stop-over

Nys poked at the fire with the iron poker as she stared into the embers. She was exhausted, but couldn't sleep. Standing straight, she rested the poker against the wall before turning and stumbling toward the table where her pack was. Fingers reached up and tucked a lock of her clean, still damp hair behind an ear before she reached for the pack and opened it. She spilled the contents of a pouch onto the table and watched the mostly gold coin clatter and roll to a rest. 

She sat heavily into the closet chair, slumping as she stared at what was the last of the Brethren's fortune. Her hands came up to cover her face as she asked herself how one recovers this much loss. Danzo and his crew were still gone, as were several others. All that remained of the Brethren were her mum, brother, cousin and Jik. A heavy feeling thudded in the pit of her stomach, making her feel nauseous as her hands fell to her sides and dangled.

Her one-eyed gaze returned to the fire, where she anchored her sight until the nausea passed, then she drifted off to sleep in the chair.  

[nys-allusions]

Midnight Ice, Pale Blue

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Farewells.

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Watching the Toxic Alliance in the distance. 

[nys-allusions]

[nys-allusions]

She picked her way carefully through the rubble and ash as she made her way to the family shrine. The back of her hand came of to wipe dirt and blood from her brow. She risked probably too much for sentimentality to fight through the Toxic alliance. 

It was an area not yet touched by the destruction of Scarlet's forces, and perhaps one of the last remaining parts of Lion's Arch that remained recognizable. 

Dropping to her knees, she folded her gritty hands in her lap as she bowed her head. Then she remembered she was in a war-state and snapped her gaze up to be watchful as she thought. 

Her shoulders shifted under the weight of her pack. It was filled with the gold stash from deep in the caves. She came through the hidden entrance from the Bloodtide Coast. Still no word from her missing uncle and his crew. 

Will they ever be safe here? How many more that she loves will die? Lion's Arch has become a target of dragons and fiends alike and it's just one destruction after another. She shook her head as she looked around, a tear sliding down her dirty cheeks and leaving a trail.

Even if Lion's Arch is restored, they can't stay here. Even if Danzo returns, she wants to take Mum and go elsewhere. But where? Divinity's Reach is not the answer. It seems no place is safe anymore. Her brow furrowed in thought and finally she stood and wiped the back of her hand across her cheek and said yet another farewell. 

[nys-allusions]

Midnight Fushia, Mischief, Pale