#chapter one.

[bluedevilsrpg]

CHAPTER I PART II

REDEMPTION

Solaro Territory ⤬ January 13th 1AM 1706.

Freedom, it tastes odd in the mouth of the criminals who stand wide eyed to the world that they had nearly forgotten. The once shitty prison cells that caged them in were now obliterated - here they stand, alive once more. Their hearts thrum with adrenaline and excitement as they’re ready to sprint forward. After crawling from filth of Os Ferventis Hell, they hold their heads high, seeking to reclaim their one true wish - always hungering for more. A taste for carnage dances upon their tongues, a desire to devour all things whole - they are hungry for a future they can master. 

But before the frenzy of bleeding flesh, there is an alarming silence of calm. All is droll in the night sky - as if nothing could go wrong. Is it fortune or luck that blesses them? Perhaps lurking somewhere in the vast expanse of the world is Genesis, ever watching, present everywhere and nowhere all at once. 

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒

After the filth filled adventure in the toxic wasteland of Os Ferventis Prison, nothing seemed impossible anymore. From their ride on a gigantic worm, to fist punching rats to exploding a monstrous whale sized leech, what else could be left? While they’re ready to fight tooth and nail, they loosen up as they look at the figure - dumbfounded. Even CROOKED HOUND appears lost for words - mouth slightly ajar. 

“The sewage was an old route I knew,” they shrugged with nonchalance. 

“You worked in the sewers?” MOON BLADE furrows her brows. 

Sour expressions are seen all around. MASTER OF DEATH remains the most indifferent, seemingly having accepted the outcome of whatever was to befall them next. 

“Lighten up, Axar told me to get you all and haul you to the ship, we don’t have time to waste. Questions later, I see you exploded the leech, shame, they’re fairly harmless.” The group are quick to board his makeshift boat as it rows through the water at lightning speed - perhaps it’s the magic baubles that help it propel forward. 

“I’m a big fan,” FLOWER OF ICE remarks with giddy. The others roll their eyes. 

“Aren’t you …” BLOOD THIEF scowls. 

“Ex Marine, the most wanted man of the World Government, the prodigal government hired murderer, the pirate killer, ground breaker … the ATLAS VOID.” They finish. 

INTRODUCING ATLAS VOID, an ex admiral turned pirate with an appetite for slaughter. Reputed to be  stronger than a thousand men and women combined, their fame is known throughout the seas. 

― ♦ ―

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌

Inner demons, delusion, ice, mist, fog and hallucinations - this too feels like a fever dream. They all stand bloodied and bruised. MADAME MASSACRE and QUEEN OF PLAGUE look at each other as if they were still trapped in the same nightmare. This couldn’t be real … and yet, it was. The closer they moved, reality seemed to seep its teeth through disbelief. 

“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” MADAME MASSACRE remarks.

“I prefer fucked over.” They respond. “It’s complicated, you wouldn’t understand.”

Their attention promptly turns back toward QUEEN OF PLAGUE. “Still the same I see, I remember you were supposed to be smarter than them,” they smile, dismissing the rest of the crew. “The fuck you say-” RAZOR FIST appears to have his fist (albeit broken) clenched for a fight. But it’s CURSED SOLDIER that calms him down with a disapproving shake of his head. KING OF PLAGUE and DEMON EATER remain silent as they observe with unmoving eyes. The figure turn on their heels, waving the crew to follow after should they wish. “Come along, death can wait another night.” “What the hell?” QUEEN OF PLAGUE curses under her breath. “Fuck,” she laments. 

INTRODUCING PHANTOM MERCY, the ex captain that trained QUEEN OF PLAGUE, SUNKEN WITCH and BELLS OF HELL. An old colleague of MADAME MASSACRES, their intellect and involvement in the world government is nothing less than spectacular. 

― ♦ ―

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐒

The aftermath of blood sucking rats,  an ancient dragon and trapped souls was not worth another trip back into prison. CHILD OF FLAMES and SAINT GUILLOTINE are the first to react, bracing themselves to fight the person in front of them. 

“It is a fact, you’re going to die.” SAINT GUILLOTINE comments. “Yeah what he said,” CHILD OF FLAMES chimes in. “We’re fucking screwed,” ANGEL OF TERROR murmurs under his breath. 

The person laughs, “Why so serious? I was trying to be funny. I already killed them.” SAINT GUILLOTINE and CHILD OF FLAMES immediately relax. The rest remain suspicious. 

“Don’t you recognize me?” They say twirling with a dramatic flair, “it’s me, Axar Thakkar.” SUNKEN WITCH looks horrified. “Sorry I lied.” They grin. “No, I'm actually not sorry. I never am. But sometimes I am, just not right now. Maybe I was yesterday.” “What do you mean?” LITTLE MISS RED stares in confusion and wonder. 

“Axar told me to get you to the ship so let’s get going. Unless you’d like to go back to Os Ferventis. I actually would go with you if you wanted to, it’s my home.” They walk away without a care in the world. The rest follow after them, a boat not far from the shore. 

“Now, that’s a lunatic,” SAINT GUILLOTINE comments, eyeing CHILD OF FLAMES up and down as if to say - can’t you do better than this? 

INTRODUCING THREE EYED OMEN, an oracle to some, a liar to most, they speak in riddles, in delusions with half truths mixed with confusion. They’re more than a prophet to God, they’re the vessel itself - so they say.

― ♦ ―

𝐍𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒

It isn’t long before all three boats arrive at a cross point, they collectively glance at the crew that’s been gathered, some in shock, others with anger, and a few with forlorn grimaces placated on their faces. The ship is a familiar one to most. It’s no pirate vessel by any means, rather, they all stand aboard on one of the marine’s prized Nauticress, a series of specialized ships meant to hunt pirates. The world government’s flag is raised high in the sky - the moonlight reflecting on it. 

GOD KILLER stands at the center. 

“We’re gathered here tonight to say our thanks and prayers to …” He laughs, “Fuck that shit, look at how serious you all look. Now before you all try to kill me, in my defense, this was all their idea,” he waves towards ATLAS VOID, PHANTOM MERCY and THREE EYED OMEN. 

“You wouldn’t all be here if they didn’t tell you of the passages now would you,” he murmurs the words in a matter of fact fashion. “But, you haven’t met her yet.” Before Axar can finish his sentence, a boom can be heard from afar - fire blazing from where Os Ferventis one stood in relative peace. The mayhem that explodes is met with distorted sounds, a mix of human cries and the collapse of rubble and other collateral damages. Another POP follows, BANG, BOOM, BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! The group turns their gaze towards Solarian land, once sitting in relative peace lights aglow, the scene before them makes it appear like it was sunrise. The aftermath of the burning, screaming and shrieks is one familiar to all of them. 

From above the sails, a figure descends, their lithe body flipping and tumbling as if she was made of air. She laughs maniacally, on her waist and in her arms are a bunch of foreign looking gadgets. 

“BOO!” she snickers. She claps her hand rhythmically to a beat - as if she were conducting her own orchestra, she the maestro and her explosives, the music. The sound of combustion matches her tune. After the last clap, her foot stomps aboard and the sound of gunshots can be heard in the distance. 

“I hope you’ve enjoyed my performance.” She does a bow, eyes glimmering with pandemonium. 

GOD KILLER speaks once more, “Some of you might know her as CHEMICAL PEARL.” 

INTRODUCING CHEMICAL PEARL, a revolutionary genius inventor who’s created mass weapons of destruction. She’s at the forefront of a brewing rebellion, looking to end the reign of the World Government. 

― ♦ ― Solaro Territory ⤬ January 13th 3AM 1706

The group mingles, warnings are made between the jeers and sneering. Mania threatens in every corner and it’s nothing less of a masterpiece to one mad man. He’s pleased with the results of his efforts - the adventure to the depths of the world would begin now. 

“Get comfortable, the night’s young, we’re just about to begin ou-” before GOD KILLER can finish speaking, a blaring from afar can be heard. 

“About damn time,” he says with a smirk. 

― ♦ ―

Uncharted Ocean ⤬ January 13th 4AM 1706

𝐎𝐁𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒

The sound of blaring is a familiar one to them. Its ATLAS VOID, MADAME MASSACRE and CURSED SOLDIER who react first. A fleet of ships are sailing in your direction, equipped with what seems like an army of marines. A gilded cape decorated in white and gold is familiar to all of them, the prestigiousness of the symbol decorating them marked them with power. ADMIRAL JUN is at the forefront of it all, a commander of the seas who had spent over a decade commanding war and butchering every mongrel that got in his way, devotion and loyalty to a regime that has given him every accolade - a fierce opponent for any that got in his way. DEMON EATER is the first to react as they look towards the ten ships, assessing every angle - every corner for a flaw. SAINT GUILLOTINE carries himself with reckless abandon as he’s the first to make contact with a marine soldier, smashing his hand into their face - the soul plummeting downward into the hungry seas. The onslaught of marine soldiers swarm like a hive mind, all controlled by one man himself. The game of the hunt has begun, eat or be eaten. 

 MAKE YOUR CHOICE → [ KILL ADMIRAL JUN ] OR [ SPARE ADMIRAL JUN ]

The ship wades through the water but the current has grown stronger - from the distance a pool has opened up and something legendary surfaces from beneath. CHILD OF FLAMES and CHEMICAL PEARL are the first to move closer as a grotesque grin dons both of their maniacal visages. QUEEN OF PLAGUE and KING OF DROUGHT are armed, guns pointed at each other’s heads before the ship makes a sharp turn, their feet sliding across the wet deck. They drop their hands mid shoot off as they witness the monstrosity before them. There from the tidal waves emerges an enormous kraken, its tentacles reaching closer for the ship as if to suck and pull everything into its watery abyss. FLOWER OF ICE has found the highest point of the ship to scour the scale of the creature. A monster of this size had always been rumored to be man made myth by Solarions but tonight; it unveiled itself. It threatens to swallow them whole, turning the currents against and and to murder within its bounds. 

MAKE YOUR CHOICE → [ ATTACK THE KRAKEN ] OR [ PROTECT THE SHIP ]

The madness that befalls the others has only brought upon one singular thought - Gods and prayer. Perhaps in a time like this, devotion and worship would turn the tides. THREE EYED OMEN argues with ANGEL OF TERROR, a false god to a false prophet, ridicule and deceit coating each other’s tongue. GOD KILLER, MASTER OF DEATH, MOON BLADE and SUNKEN WITCH discuss amongst each other the best course of action. One joint conclusion has been made, don’t the divine require blood? Perhaps tonight would be the end for one; their eyes darting back and forth between the bickering duo, murmuring ancient text, the give and take of life and death. Maybe a miracle would be born tonight amongst the carnage, chaos and curses that loom. It is the only way to secure complete victory and utter destruction and protection for their safe passage through the eminently dangerous seas. 

MAKE YOUR CHOICE → [ CHOOSE A GOD TO WORSHIP ] OR [ CHOOSE A SACRIFICE ]

A crack can be heard from the ship followed by a rumble from above. The clouds are growing thicker and stormy as the waves come crashing. Its PHANTOM MERCY who’s first to make the discovery of the damage - they’re quick to bark orders toward the others. CROOKED HOUND and RAZOR FIST move swiftly below deck down through all the compartments followed by LITTLE MISS RED, BELLS OF HELL and BLOOD THIEF. Saltwater floods their senses as the sea slowly begins seeping through the vessel. The sound of lightning strikes from above, the turbulence toppling the crew over as they’re forced to act quickly - everyone’s lives at stake. Death stands from afar once more, watching in temptation as humanity claws for life all over again - the same tale spun again and again. 

MAKE YOUR CHOICE → [ REPAIR THE SHIP ] OR [ NAVIGATE OUT OF THE STORM ] 

OOC GAMEPLAY

- Players are open to writing prologue scenes that explore time before the character's capture within Os Ferventis / Prison. Please try to keep past interactions within Solaro territory / character’s homelands. 

- Character’s can interact between January 13th 3AM-4AM BEFORE the current chaos has ensued. Please write interactions sparingly ( don’t write your character interacting with like 10 other people at one time as it logistically doesn’t make sense!) 

CURRENT GAME REQUISITES: The current arc is OBJECTIVE based, this means teams must come together and make a decision & map out what may happen within their respective threads. Please note, there will be less admin interjections however all threads will still be monitored closely to keep things moving forward. The decisions made here WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES to future events, please choose accordingly. As a team, please consider …

What choice does the team want to make?

What obstacles will stand in the character's way. ( Minimum of 3-5) 

What tasks are each character delegated to in order to complete this thread. 

Once all the above has been discussed and explored within your team, this will be enacted in your thread! When your choice has been made, please use it as the TITLE of the thread. Please put your thread in the same section as part one of the event! In order to progress to the next chapter, all members are expected to contribute and write within these respective threads! For further questions, please contact Admin Emma! 

[allegrams]

𝐖𝐇𝐎: ALLEGRA MAXIMUS & ZENO MAXIMUS ( @zenomaximus​ ) 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄: CELEIA CASTLE 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍: 3 APRILIS 

It was ridiculous, Allegra thought, to have a festival to celebrate a five-year reign. Though it were perhaps surprising that the infant king had managed to survive as long as he had ( though this could be attributed, almost in its entirety, to Allegra’s painstaking work on the sidelines, completely overlooked and under-appreciated, despite her vitality to the kingdom ), for any other monarch, it would hardly be a milestone worth celebrating. It seemed to her like pointless gratification – just another reminder to the people that their ruler was almost as inexperienced as any of they would have been. It was a mistake, and, worse still, a five-day festival in his honour would only serve to inflate Zeno’s ego more than it already was, and Allegra could already tell he would be more insufferable than usual during the next few weeks.

He was already grating on her nerves before she even set sight on him.

She doubted that Zeno had even given any thought about the amount of preparation that would need to go into an event such as this – he had never been known for his foresight, or his willingness to work for something. Allegra, on the other hand, had already set to work deciding what needed to be done and delegating the tasks that were beneath her to any spare hands she could find. It was quite infuriating, really, the way that, even now, she continued to work towards the semblance of order in their family – something which slipped further and further from the truth as the days stretched on from Zeno being installed on the throne. Even now, part of her thinks that if she proves herself to be the leader he cannot, maybe she will become it. 

This part of her, of course, is terribly misguided.

“Have you revised your speech for the opening festival?” She asks, barging into Zeno’s room without so much as a knock. Princess of the Dock seemed like a stupid idea to Allegra – though she supposed that some might find some fun in imagining themselves to be royalty. It wasn’t something most people were born into, after all. “Who am I kidding? Of course you haven’t.” A few loose sheets of paper covered in Allegra’s messy scrawl are slammed onto his desk, “I took a look at what your people wrote. It was shit, so I’ve fixed it.” 

[brntwd]

CHAPTER ONE :   curiosity leads to trouble .

 scene  transcript  between  henri  rousseau,  jasper  atkinson,  roman  keating,  banks  delcoy,  thalia  pham,  and  the  scott   family .  on  june  4th,  2020 .

opening:  it’s the last house on persimmon lane .  a little one on stilts .  the sort of house that looks like maybe it’s seen a hurricane or two in it’s day –– the blue paneling is slowly bleaching white in the sun .  there’s quite a few loose planks here and there,  as you bramble up the porch,  and the dock that juts out awkwardly into the water from the yard is blocked off by a fallen tree .  there's a very overgrown quality to the landscaping,  if you could call it that .  a porcelain bathtub full of spearmint plants lay on it's side in the tall grass .  there were several newly broken bird feeders .  a neon sign flashes in front of lace curtains in the window .  you see only candlelight through the windows .  they probably don't have power back yet .  PSYCHIC / PALM / TAROT / TEA / BY APPOINTMENT ONLY .  

thalia pham: lia isn't too familiar with the scott household, given that she's a woman of science and doesn't believe in any of that crap. that doesn't mean she doesn't have respect for the scotts--whatever they're doing, they're probably taking lots of money from dumb middle aged rich white women who complain about balancing their chakras, the perfect group to scam. people like that are just desperate to find "culture" in a small place like brentwood. if there's a place to do so, though, it certainly looks like this house. she's standing on the porch with the boys, reluctant to take the initiative and knock on the door. "not it!" she exclaims, waiting to see who will draw the short end of the stick.

henri rousseau: most of the year he simply longs to be considered a proper member of the gang. being able to properly take part without feeling like he's missing out. today he's just happy he can play the semi-innocent tourist card...  like he hasn't skated past the scott house umpteen-million times over the years. no. he's playing innocent, trying his best not to dig his hands in his pockets ( and curse himself further, if that's a thing) as he rocks on his heels. there are times when he knows to shut his mouth, and this is most definitely one of them... well, that is, until thalia mentions not being it and his jaw drops. "what?! nu-uh. if thalia's not it, i'm not either. i mean..." he purses his lips, "i know i have it, but like... if i'm cursed these could be my final moments! going out after knocking on a door is not really how i pictured it happening." banks delcoy: there's something about the house post - hurricane that makes him  .  .  .  uneasy. not in a this place gives me the creeps way, but more in a way that banks can't quite put a name to. beneath the gray sky, it feels too vibrant and too aged all at once. banks is shaking his head already as he swallows back a gulp of water from the two whales cup grasped loosely in his hand.  he supposes that he should be the one to take the leap   --   he pitched coming here in the first place   --   but instead he just leans against the white - washed banister. "i second lia. not it." roman keating: the atmosphere feels akin to what he imagines it would be in one of those movies cecilia used to love so much; the one she swore to him he’d love in return because it was supernatural. it turned out to be a romantic comedy about sister witches but he never complained. he stands behind the rest of them on the scott porch and crosses his arms over his chest with a heavy exhale, hoping the brittle wood didn’t concave from their combined weight. they were sticking their nose in something they had no business knowing ( if it was anything at all ). for all they knew, this could end up being a wild goose chase. roman’s right eyebrow raises and arms lift to protest. “i don’t even want to be here, let alone touch that damn door,” he opposes with a scoff. “japser can do it if he’s so worried about giving henri peace of mind or whatever.”

jasper atkinson: jasper had walked selene home after work whenever they got off at the same time. it was on the way to his apartment anyway, so it hardly mattered to him. while he didn’t believe any of the bullshit that spewed out of her mouth, he knew she did wholeheartedly, and so he respected it. who was he to knock her down? everyone had their thing that got them through life. “you guys are ridiculous. it’s a fuckin’ door.” he goes up to it and rings the doorbell, but there’s no sound inside. so instead, he knocks on the door. scott family . “ do you have an appointment ? ”  after a lot of dramatics about who was going to have to answer the door,  it is eventually fiona who does it .  six years old and forty inches high .  she’s wearing her belle from beauty in the beast costume over a pair of polkadot pajama pants .  she opens the door just two inches,  like she was told to,  and asks again,  louder :  “ DO YOU HAVE AN APPOIIIINTMENNNNNN–– ? ”  she was rudely interrupted by her mother,  who now stood in the doorway .  thirties,  bright blue eyes,  brighter blue overalls,   bandana,  juice box .  lavender gave her daughter the capri sun and then ushered her back into the house .     “ awfully sorry .  we don’t have power back yet . ”  she wipes sweat from her brow and starts her own capri sun .  “ i’m afraid we’re closed .  come back again .  .  .   well,  leave us a voicemail .  we’ll call you back when we have phones again .  take care . ” thalia pham: lia patiently waits as they finally pressure jasper into getting things done. she knows it's coming, because it always eventually happens. when the door swings open, though, thalia's met by someone closer in height to her than the boys--an adorable young girl with a loud mouth. when her mother tries to turn them away, thalia rushes to stop it from happening. they'd come this far already, right? "wait! we have kind of an urgent matter on our hands here. please?" henri rousseau: the brief sound of bickering is quickly replaced by the sound of henri's heartbeat in his head at the thought of having to head home with the chain."please." he repeats, almost as soon as it's left lia's mouth, if but a little desperately. "i, uh, i found something. a necklace. in amongst the debris on the beach but it... was like it didn't belong." his brow furrows and he briefly wonders whether or not to take it out of his pocket right there on the porch. "it just... it doesn't feel right."

banks delcoy: when a young girl begins calling out the door, a crooked smile threatens to twist at his lips. it's, admittedly, a little endearing. she fits right in with the neon signs casting technicolor shadows across his friend's faces. another woman swiftly replaces her and he's edges forward a step when lia cuts in. after a beat, banks nods toward henri in assent. "even a picture of the thing feels weird. we thought you all might be able to help." ilene scott: “ yeah, ”  lavender looks between the fiery one and the curly ones .  “ well .  that’s weird .  put it back where you found it . ”  as she’s closing the door,  there’s a voice from the candlelit kitchen .  “ lavender,  they’re going to think you were raised in a barn with those manners .  please,  come in .  i’m making iced tea . ”   lavender sighs, but ultimately waves a hand to welcome them inside .  she huffs up the stairs .  to the right,  there was a small yellow kitchen that was affectionately lit by the natural carolina sun pouring in through the windows and the hundreds and hundreds of candles . ilene,  town psychic and blue grass fanatic,  waved for everyone to have a seat at the table .  well,  probably someone’s gonna have to sit on the counter .  and maybe someone needs to pull up a stool .  “ lets have a look at it,  then . ” jasper atkinson: at this point, jasper felt like all he really needed was to be there for henri. he knew that he’d just about short circuit if he had to explain himself at this point. so, he sat next to him, hoping his presence would be enough. “i haven’t seen it yet, but if it’s real, based off of the picture, i’d date it at about 18th century.” his gaze shifted to his cousin. “show her, henri. it’s okay.” henri rousseau: there's always a bit of hesitancy whenever he takes the lead in something. more noticeable in his step as he makes his way across the kitchen - even if there is something oddly soothing about the interior of the house. but it's jasper's presence that finally gets him to stop twiddling his thumbs. just like it could when they were kids. "right, yeah, of course," he murmurs, digging in his pocket for a moment before pulling the chain out and laying it on the table. "it um, it's sorta alright like this. but when i looked at it more closely it... it sounded like it was whispering to me." ilene scott: “ where’d you find it ? ”  she narrows her eyes at henri . henri rousseau: "on the beach... just slightly buried in the sand." ilene scott:  she looks between the pendant and the group of people surrounding it .  “ well .  lets see then . ”  she reaches behind her and grabs a deck of tarot cards from the kitchen counter .  they’re barbie pink .  she passes the deck first to the curly boy who found the necklace .  “ shuffle,  pick one,  pass it on .   all of you pick one and put it down on the table . ” henri rousseau:  normally there would at least be a smile on his face at the colour of the cards. a reminder of the shade his step-sister sometimes insists on painting his nails with. but there’s something about the potential of being cursed that has him on edge, focussing more on the cards as he shuffles them than any offhanded remarks he could otherwise be making. although it takes a great deal of energy not to snort when he finally puts the card that feels right down on the table. the fool. were the cards really pointing out how much how much of a mistake picking up the necklace was too? he doesn’t know how tarot works well enough to say it, but it certainly feels that way. thalia pham:  lia watches as henri draws the fool, looking a bit embarrassed by how on the nose it is. she doesn't really get tarot cards and their supposed duality, but it would be rude to refuse. she slides the top card off of the deck and turns it over, placing it neatly in front of her. the sun. she feels warm.

roman keating:  an impatient foot taps the ground beneath him. “this is all a load of crap, right?” he inquires of the older woman who has dealt them the deck. when the cards end up in his hands, there’s a force that urges him to pull straight from the bottom. roman flips the card over to observe its depiction; the tower. all he sees is destruction. the structure's been lightning struck and bound to crumble, inhabitants falling from the sky are set to crash. he presses his lips into a thin line. banks delcoy:  banks can hear his mother's voice in the back of his mind as he takes the deck from roman   --   she had always said his curiosity is what would damn well get him in the end. little corbin banks had never believed her, of course, as he never had any intention of getting caught in the little excursions his intrigue would pull him toward. as a child, it had been harmless things   —   like sneaking out of his room at night to see what the grown - ups did from his perch at  the top of the stairs in their small two - story, tiny hazel eyes peering brightly like a cat's from between the spindles of the banister. this curiosity would morph into less harmless acts as he got older, and no matter how much he thought he got away with, leah banks always knew what went on in her own home. and he can't help but wonder what she'd say now. banks has no idea what any of  .  .  .  this means, but there's a tug in his chest that yearns for understanding. that same tug has him pulling from the middle of the deck   --   the card he flips onto the table reads wheel of fortune. hm. jasper atkinson:  as he watched all of his friends flip over their cards, information flowed through his mind. he'd read about all of this before, and thus, knew what each card that was flipped over meant. memories of sitting at the library, going over books in the metaphysical section, trying to grasp a sense for anything that might save him from his life. but the more he read, the more he realized it was all bullshit escapism. that didn't stop him from retaining the information, however, and it didn't stop the smile from curling up the corner of his lips as he watched henri and lia pull the fool and the sun. it was quickly erased when he noticed the tower and the wheel of fortune pulled immediately after. he knew what the tower meant, and the wheel of fortune, of course, could go either way. but no, he didn't believe in it. he took the deck for himself, split it in two (as he read was customary) and then picked from the top. two cards came out stuck together, and when he was about to place one back, ilene stopped him. told him that both cards were meant for him. he nodded and handed her the deck, then gently and carefully placed his cards down on the table. the chariot and the hierophant. he knew what they meant apart, but not together. fuck, he hated not knowing things. hated having to rely on other people for information. he looked up at ilene, trying to mask whatever anxiety he was feeling. ilene scott:  ilene watches carefully .  her expression is indiscernible .  after a long while .  she waited for the boy who chose two cards to finish before she moved .  ilene drew two more cards from the deck .  the star .  the magician .  she slid them into the middle of the table,  careful not to let them touch the pendant .   she says :  “ you’ve found it .  it’s starting .  hooray .  you’re not going to be able to use it until you find them . ”  she sips her iced tea .  she doesn't look at the gemstone on the table .

jasper atkinson:  he furrows his brow, a sudden rage filling his chest that he quickly pushes down. "are you just gonna be cryptic like that or are you gonna give us some real information?" thalia pham:  thalia reaches over to squeeze jasper on the arm. now is not the time to snap, even if she agrees that this hasn't been ...the most helpful, yet. she gives him a reassuring smile, to calm him down. jasper atkinson: and just like that, the anger in his chest cools to a simmer. as he makes eye contact with thalia, he knows exactly what shes thinking. shes with him, and she would handle this better than he ever could. she was always better at talking to people than he was. he placed his hand over hers and gave it a light squeeze before looking back down at his own cards, then at all of the cards on the table, as if putting together pieces of a puzzle. banks delcoy:  his attention skips across the cards and while he couldn't begin to interpret what any of this means, seeing them all together feels   --   right, maybe? complete? eventually he looks up to ilene. "what's starting?" something, though, tells him he's asking the wrong question. thalia pham:  thalia fixes her gaze on banks' own display of confusion. she draws her arm back, folding it across her chest with the other. "and what do we need to find?" ilene scott:  she sort of just listens to their questions .  nodding along while ripping open a sweet n low packet and pouring it into her iced tea .  finally,  she looks at the wheel and then to the sun .  “ good .  ”   lavender,  who it has become clear was hiding behind the door way into the room and listening to the conversation,  interrupts with a throat clear .  “ would you kindly get that thing off the kitchen table ? ”  she looks at the pendant .  “ we don’t want any part of this dust you’re kicking up .  treasure huntin’ is not known for being a profession in which people live particularly long .  ”  ilene says nothing ,  stirring her tea . jasper atkinson:  treasure hunting. jasper looks up. sudden interest sparking his eye. how much was this necklace worth? could he go to college with the money? would henri share? what if he found his own bit of treasure? if anyone could solve the puzzle, it would be him. but the cards on the table told him this was something they all had to do together. it was a piece of the puzzle. he didn't say a word. part of him not wanting to get his hopes up at the thought of a way out. banks delcoy:  it's almost as if the mention of treasure hunting has his heart pausing it's pace in the cage of his ribs. mind briefly flashes to his grandfather. "are you talking about the prospero?" maybe he's pushing his luck, but there's a sense that time to ask questions is running out. "is that what this is from?" closing:  " no, " lavender says,  crossing her arms,  still staring at the pendant .  " it's about time you should be getting home, now .  have a safe trip home . "  she starts to swipe iced tea glasses and empty them in the sink .  ilene says :  " next time,  consider making an appointment .  and yes,  take that with you .  you've met the other two .  you just don't know that you've met them .  certainly though,  you lot are starting to kick up some dirt .  it's starting .  bye bye,  now .  " armed with a reusable bag filled with mostly candy but also what could feasibly pass as groceries,  selene roller skates home from work .  to her understandable surprise,  her front porch was rather populated .  there was :  a bunch of kids she went to high school with,  the guy who works at her restaurant,  and a tourist .  weird .  she stood there,  and watched,  and said nothing .  she tilted her head .  then she went inside the house and closed the screen door behind her .  she looked at her grandmother .  and her aunt .  she said : “ what the fuck ? ”  fiona,  who chose now to come out from under the kitchen table,  said :  “ they didn’t have an appointment . ”

[mcnyhearts]

@neibolt-sunflower​  

                 LYNN  WAS  NURSING  HER  SCRAPES  IN  THE  PARK          ...        covering  her  knees  and  elbows  with  bandages  so  she  wouldn’t  show  up  at  her  mother’s  work  bleeding.  she  would  freak  out,  she  would  ask  who  did  this,  then...  she  would  go  to  the  school?  who  knows.  it  was  summer  now,  it  wasn’t  like  they  could  or  world  do  anything.  she  let  herself  get  in  the  way  of  bowers  when  he  was  picking  on  someone  in  the  park,  she  shouldn’t  have  been  surprised  when  he  turned  on  her.  picking  her  up  by  the  collar  and  throwing  her  to  the  ground.  her  glares  and  words  only  caused  him  more  anger.

                   why  did  she  have  to  be  so  stubborn?

                   when  a  shadow  came  over  her,  lynn  was  on  her  feet  suddenly.  her  dark  brow knit  tightly,  looking  at  the  other  with  a  look  of  distain.  “  what  do  you  want?  ”  and  why  was  he  here  without  bowers?

[mxwellsa]

     ❛           would      you      come    to    my    funeral    ?            ❜          /          @kspbrked

[idolatric-blog]

status: open location: bear-tooth ridge time: early morning

“think i left my mask in one of the cabins --- think maybe we lost plenty up there.”

it’s a sudden comment, finally breaking the morning silence just like the light over the ridge. it’s a sad realization, he thinks, because he’d had the damn thing for years on end. his small cup of coffee is still steaming, and he’s got a lit cigarette in the other hand, legs kicked out in front of him. he looks about as leisurely as a man can possibly get --- if not more. there winter chill has followed them down from the tiber mountains, and for that he’s wrapped in a coat.

“y’know, the yellow one. got it from that gal all the way back in... must’a been lincoln. couldn’t have been anywhere else. you might not remember her.” it’s become a natural sort of habit to wake and talk over the years, as he finds he’s not a man who particularly enjoys silence, and most members of the camp will awaken at the start of each day to the quiet murmurings of their leader over a cup of coffee and a cigarette. the past month had been the exception, on account of it being too cold to speak more than needed.

perhaps it’s a sign of their life finally shifting back into something normal. at this point, he’d take normal over most anything else. he moves his head from the smattering of trees surrounding them, looks at his conversation partner with a suddenly studious gaze. it’s a little too scrutinizing this early in the day. he takes a long pull from his cup before he speaks, idly enjoys the way the hot cup warms his fingers without thought of burning. “didn’t lose anything important, did you?”

[leegunjp]

chapter one.

A luz da lua quase não iluminava a densa floresta que Gun entrava com certo cuidado. Já não cavalgava seu companheiro de batalhas; o cavalo. Havia feito uma viagem longa e exaustiva e para o animal bastava apenas uma pessoa. Aquela que havia jurado para o rei proteger custe o custasse. Quem era realmente importante para toda nação e também para ele. Puxou o tecido surrado que escondia parte de seu rosto tanto para esconder seu rosto tanto pela viagem feita. Pelas informações dadas a ele pareciam que estavam quase chegando ao destino percorrido. 

Lee Gun havia percorrido uma viagem cansativa em companhia do príncipe herdeiro da nação. Era seu guarda pessoal fazia algum tempo e desde então sua vida era em prol da segurança do príncipe. Com sua vida correndo perigo o rei não teve escolha a não ser recorrer para uma medida drástica. Mandar o rapaz para longe do palácio porque já não era seguro. Segurando as rédeas de seu cavalo Gun o guiava criando uma trilha por todo aquele matagal. Fazia muito tempo que ninguém ia até lá e sendo normal a pequena estrada que os levariam até ali já havia desaparecido fazia anos. “Já estamos quase lá.” Sussurrou, mas o suficiente para que seu colega de viagem ouvisse se estivesse prestando atenção. Depois de alguns passos finalmente vislumbrou a imagem de uma pequena cabana em um estado não muito habitável, no entanto, seu pai havia lhe garantido que por dentro o local estava em um estado mais convidativo. Diante da situação aquele local era o mais seguro, pois não poderiam chamar atenção. Durante todo o percurso Lee Gun tinha evitado estradas principais, cidades grandes e estabelecimentos. Por isso que todo aquele caminho tinha demorado mais que o normal. Tudo para que não fossem seguidos por nenhum espião. Para todos os efeitos o príncipe herdeiro está isolado em um templo e não ali. Parou o animal e levantou a tocha pequena que estava em sua mão a todo momento para então acende-la. Tinha evitado aquilo por muito tempo, mas estar ali significava segurança e poderiam usufruir de algum conforto. 

A cabana estava localizava em uma pequena clareira no meio da floresta. Nas proximidades havia um poço que não estava muito cheio, pelas informações de seu pai. Mas um pequeno riacho poderia ser visto a poucos quilômetros dali. De aspecto abandonada seu mais novo lar estava em um estado bastante duvidoso. De madeira escura e com aspecto podre e com telhado com peças quebradas e até soltas. Possivelmente Lee Gun faria alguns reparos para proporcionar um maior conforto ao seu protegido. “Chegamos ao nosso destino, alteza.” Olhou-o e logo em seguida meneou a cabeça em respeito.