Apprentices: Attie Gray and Dillion Mercer. Side and occasional RP blog for The Arcana Game by Nix Hydra. [Mun is 25]. Main blog: @ace-of-dreams. Icon and Sidebar art done by the wonderful @larknnightingale
The amount of relief I felt when I got the notification that I unlocked Muriel’s Upright ending is unreal. I’m going to have to play for his Reversed eventually but I am so, so glad I got Upright on first go
[The new idea I had prompted this piece; I don’t think I’ve ever written too much on Attie’s backstory, so it’s something]
Attie awoke with a start, the gentle shaking on their shoulder making them bolt upright. A wave of panic hit them as a hand covered their mouth, a scream getting stuck in their throat. They only calmed when blurry eyes focused on their aunt, her expression apologetic. When she saw that they weren’t going to scream, Tina gently pulled her hand back.
‘Get your bag. We’re leaving right now,’ she signed, standing up.
Attie rubbed their eyes to clear them better, seeing that Tina already had her own bag over her shoulder. It took them a second to catch up, but when what was happening set in, they practically jumped out of their bed. They moved as quietly as they could, pushing their slightly open closet door fully so and getting their bag from the very back of it.
[The new idea I had prompted this piece; I don’t think I’ve ever written too much on Attie’s backstory, so it’s something]
Attie awoke with a start, the gentle shaking on their shoulder making them bolt upright. A wave of panic hit them as a hand covered their mouth, a scream getting stuck in their throat. They only calmed when blurry eyes focused on their aunt, her expression apologetic. When she saw that they weren’t going to scream, Tina gently pulled her hand back.
‘Get your bag. We’re leaving right now,’ she signed, standing up.
Attie rubbed their eyes to clear them better, seeing that Tina already had her own bag over her shoulder. It took them a second to catch up, but when what was happening set in, they practically jumped out of their bed. They moved as quietly as they could, pushing their slightly open closet door fully so and getting their bag from the very back of it.
[The new idea I had prompted this piece; I don’t think I’ve ever written too much on Attie’s backstory, so it’s something]
Attie awoke with a start, the gentle shaking on their shoulder making them bolt upright. A wave of panic hit them as a hand covered their mouth, a scream getting stuck in their throat. They only calmed when blurry eyes focused on their aunt, her expression apologetic. When she saw that they weren’t going to scream, Tina gently pulled her hand back.
‘Get your bag. We’re leaving right now,’ she signed, standing up.
Attie rubbed their eyes to clear them better, seeing that Tina already had her own bag over her shoulder. It took them a second to catch up, but when what was happening set in, they practically jumped out of their bed. They moved as quietly as they could, pushing their slightly open closet door fully so and getting their bag from the very back of it.
The soft meowing coming from their closet filled them with slight worry, but Attie was already working on a solution. They pulled their bag on, picking one of their remaining scarves at random. Attie quickly but firmly wrapped it around their body in a makeshift papoose, praying it would be enough. They went to the small box, checking it first before picking up the content. Nixie meowed again, wriggling slightly as Attie maneuvered her into the papoose, shushing her quietly. By some miracle, Nixie stopped any noise once she was secured, and they said a silent thank you to her.
When they came out of their closet, Tina was giving them a look. It wasn’t judgmental, but concerned, and Attie knew she shared their fear of the additional noise of a small kitten would give them away somehow. But it was a risk that they were willing to take; the alternative was unforgiveable.
‘I’m not leaving her,’ Attie signed, ‘I can’t leave her to them.’
Tina’s expression softened, and she gave a nod before taking Attie’s hand. They knew what was coming, and they took a deep breath before nodding too. Tina squeezed their hand, and together they left their bedroom. Attie had never been more thankful to have their room on the ground floor, the creaky stairs a danger that they didn’t have to deal with. Still, the floor also creaked enough that they were forced to go slow, creeping their way to the back door.
They had to pass through the kitchen, and the lingering smell of that smoke nearly made Attie retch on the spot. By another miracle, they stopped their gag, covering their nose and mouth with their free hand. Tina squeezed their hand again as a small comfort as they continued moving, not risking the time to stop.
They didn’t even pause as they reached the back door. Tina just moved slowly, turning each lock on the door carefully so there would be no clicks or loud noise. Attie held their breath until the last one was turned, only letting it fully out when the door was open. They wanted to run out immediately to just get away, but Tina took their hand again, both slowly going outside. The cool night air shocked Attie out of their tension enough they fully realized how hard their heart was pounding, even as Tina closed the door behind them.
They didn’t bother locking it. Together, they walked far enough until the small house was no longer in sight. Then Tina’s hand tightened on Attie’s and they ran. Attie had to keep their free hand on Nixie to keep from hurting her, and she started to meow again as they ran. Thankfully, they didn’t have to go far before they reached their goal.
Tina had a friend that agreed to help them out when it was time, and a small, covered cart was waiting for them close to the edge of the city. The back was already open and waiting for them, and Tina was immediately able to boost Attie inside before climbing in herself. Attie sat down on one bench as Tina went to go talk to her friend, the cart starting to move shortly after. She came back to sit next to them, and they were quiet for a moment, catching their breaths. Nixie was meowing frequently now, and they rested their hand over them again to comfort her.
Attie was buzzing, and they weren’t sure if it was from adrenaline or something else as the reality of what just happened set in. They hadn’t been caught, and for where they were going, they were most likely not going to be found. They weren’t even sure if they would bother looking for them in the morning, but it was a fear that would stay with them for a while. At least for the moment, they were free.
Someone was laughing, and it took them a second to realize that it was them. They only fully processed it as Tina took their face in her hands gently, turning them to look at her. Her brow was furrowed with worry.
“Lemoni, are you okay?” Tina asked softly, thumbs brushing along their cheeks.
Attie could feel something wet on their cheeks then, and they realized they were crying too. Their laughter quickly dissolved into sobs, the utter relief they felt unable to manifest another way. Tina pulled them into a hug, holding them gently. Attie hugged them back with one arm, keeping one hand cradling Nixie as they cried.
If everything went right, they would never have to see their parents again.
Vis’s familiar is a maned wolf named Marigold. She’s an utter sweetheart and adores Vis. He spotted her at the markets under the coliseum. Instantly he felt a connection with her when she looked up at him with her little peepers. He paid quite the coin for her–although he was under the assumption he was buying a dog and not another canine. As her coat brightened and she grew larger, he realized he was swindled but she was his now. With their strong bond, she will always refer to him as “dad”.
She’s lightning fast and incredible at hunting. Marigold is rather large for her species, and often times is unaware of her size. While she is sweet as can be, she can be protective and territorial. With strangers she is cautious and won’t act unless provoked or by Vis’s command.
Attie's aunt taught them sign language when they were young, so that they could talk without their parents overhearing or understanding them. They still use it when they're too panicked to speak, and they taught Dillion too so they had another avenue of gossiping
Sometimes Nixie will sit herself on Attie’s shoulders in a way she can just have her head and upper paws resting on their head. It doesn’t bother Attie too much, and they’ve caught Nixie in the mirror looking all wide-eyed that they nearly knocked her off with how hard they were laughing
Attie smiled as they groaned softly, early morning sunlight dancing over their features. Attie moved their hand through their partner’s hair again, pushing all of it back from their face this time. They smiled wider as eyes blinked open, peering up at them sleepily.
“Good morning, my love,” Attie said, their voice going a little sing-song.
They couldn’t stop a laugh as their partner mumbled something quietly, eyes closing again. They pressed closer, resting their forehead against theirs, arms gently boxing them in. Attie smiled again as their partner’s forehead pressed more against theirs, arms moving to rest against theirs.
They tilted their head, kissing them softly. A small sigh left them as they kissed back, and Attie sunk into it, seeking out their warmth.
Julian catching Attie nodding off and just coaxing them to bed. Whether it’s by picking them up and carrying them there or just wrapping an arm around them as they trudge their way there themself, Attie’s eyes are almost fully closed the entire time. They’re barely awake as they climb into bed with him and they’re asleep within minutes, tucked up against his chest.
Attie on their motorcycle with Julian behind them, clinging to their waist for dear life as they go pretty speedy. He trusts them but it doesn’t change the fact that his point of grounding is significantly smaller than him
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