a young girl with a connection to the holy spirits runs away from home and ends up in a town called Oakhurst. Little does she know there's something dangerous hidden within the town
Violet was getting suspicious of this town. It felt unusual in a way she couldn't quite describe. The beacons, the abundance of people in a seemingly abandoned town, Kyle being awfully strange in the first place…
Something was not adding up.
But right now, she did not have the energy to care. Violet was exhausted from so much conversation. It was as if she could not go more than a couple minutes without someone talking to her. The moment she got away from the view of the ruins of the town, she let out a sigh of relief. Finally, the peace and quiet she was expecting to have at the start of day.
Violet continued to walk on the west trail she came from, towards the lake tower. As she did, she tried to focus more on her surroundings to try to calm herself down. She watched the trees swaying slightly from the same soft autumn breeze that hit her face. She felt the rock and dirt that she stepped on.
Violet was quite thankful that there was significant leaf coverage and hills to block out the sun, as without them the sun would be completely in her eyes as she walked west. As time went on the sun would not bother her as much once it got closer to the horizon. Though she suspected the bugs would come out soon and be a problem instead.
At least this town was pretty.
Speaking of which, didn't she follow a girl with a blue skirt into town this way? Where did she go? Violet definitely saw her somewhere in town but couldn't exactly remember where or when. Eh, to many people here anyways.
Finally she found her way to the lake she had stumbled across much earlier in the day. It looked about the same as it did before, although now it reflected the warm pinks and oranges of the slowly setting sun.
The boat was right where she left it on the shore, Bouncing softly from the small ripples of the water. She stepped in the boat as it sank slightly from her weight and wobbled a little before finally balancing out. She pushed as hard as she could with her leg against the ground to try to get momentum. A flare of bright yellow light suddenly burst from her leg as she pushed it against the ground. It was warm for a second before moving the boat far faster than she was anticipating and pushing her to the bottom of the boat.
“Uh-agh! Wha-What!?” Violet exclaimed. She felt the boat slam into land behind her. “Ah!”
It took her a second to regain herself from the shock. When she did, she realized just how fast her breathing and heartbeat had picked up. It must have startled her worse than she thought. Violet slowly got up and stepped onto the island.
Looking at the boat and the large ripples in the water, she couldn't help but give a small chuckle. “Huh! I didn't know I could do that. Ha ha…okay!”
She took a deep breath and sat on the rocky sand for a second. She could tell that she just needed a moment to relax. This day had been much more chaotic than she was anticipating. She sat there for a good 15 minutes, just watching the forest.
Another deep breath, “Okay, one thing at a time,” Violet said softly.
She moved slowly up the stairs, newly lit torch in hand, examining the structure and state of the tower. From what she could tell, it was extremely well built–even with it being in such ruin. The wall and stairs didn't seem to lose any integrity at all.
Once she got to the top, she was met with a familiar hum, but notably far less noticeable than the converted one in the center of town. Violet was surprised she even noticed it when she first encountered it. Or perhaps the one in town was just a lot more powerful.
The beacon glowed the same soft cream colour it did before. She grazed the smooth top of it. As she did, a light trail of yellow appeared on its surface before disappearing as she lifted her hand. She sat down next to it and put two hands on the surface. The yellow-orange glow immediately returned and seemed to consume the cube–although much slower than she was initially expecting. Perhaps it's faster with more people? Or maybe the people who turned the first beacon sat there for much longer than Violet had thought.
It reacted exactly how she was expecting, the longer the person had their hand on it the more consumed the cube was until it was presumably activated, keeping its yellowish state and releasing magic energy around the surrounding area.
But what did that magic do? What was its purpose?
Violet decided to test how this energy reacts with other magic by making a small glow, at least that's what she calls it. It's a small ball of holy magic that lights up and glows, hence the name. Like a lamp but without the fire.
It immediately flared up much more brightly than the magic level she put in, almost blinding her from the level of light before she could quickly turn it off.
“Ok! So It seemed to amplify magic ability! That's actually so cool!” Violet couldn't help but get excited, she hadn't seen anything like this for holy magic before!
But she had to focus. Okay what's the point of it then? How does it react to the normal person? Why was it even here in the first place? Were there more?
She sighed heavily, she did not want to do this.
“Kyle, if you're here I want to talk,”
Yes?
“Can you explain what this is?” Violet said, moving her hand in the general direction of the beacon.
It's a converted beacon. Good job on getting it activated, by the way.
“No, ugh, I know that! I mean what does it do?!”
That is (against my wishes) restricted information.
Violet stood there in confusion. “Restricted information?“ If Kyle didn't want to tell her something, he would always say ‘figure it out yourself’. Not once has he ever mentioned that I just can strictly not have access to information, she thought.
Yes, well I think it's best for you to head back to town. It's getting dark, after all.
“…Right,” Violet slowly said, “Nothing more you want to share?”
I…
Silence for just a moment too long.
Be careful… please
Violet sighed “Always am.”
Well that was extremely unhelpful.
She slowly walked back down the tower and rode her way back to the mainland. Much slower this time, thankfully.
Interesting. That gives her some idea of the magic she deals with. And to remind her that she absolutely does not want to be here. This place was most likely more dangerous than it initially seemed. Violet didn't like this at all. There was something very wrong going on.
She took her time getting back to town. No rush after all. Besides, dusk was always her favorite time to walk in nature. Especially with Kaiden. Violet remembered there was this one spot in the Ambervale park they used to go to that had a great view of the sunset. It had a small bench that fit just the two of them and was surrounded by pink and white foxglove flowers. But Kaiden's favorite part about the spot was always for the first few weeks of spring when the sun was just about to set, the light would go through the stained glass of the church windows. The different colours of light covered most of the western side of the city, and with the ocean just behind the church, It looked straight out of a painting.
Something in her heart ached. The hole that had yet to be given time to heal. She silently let out a few tears while walking.
“ I hope Kara remembered to put your grave up there,” Violet sniffled. “like you asked…” She stopped and lifted her sleeve to see the scars again. “Maybe she even but my grave next to yours”
Dammit, that did it. Full on ugly tears. She was supposed to hold it together when there were people around! She should really get out of her own head sometimes. Ugh!
Then she felt it, a small buzz on the back of her neck followed by a flicker of a soft green light.
Fireflies.
Violet sniffled and wiped some of her tears off her face with her sleeve before softly letting out her hand for them to land on.
“Hey little guys!”
She must have accidentally summoned them. Not that she will ever complain. The soft light and buzz of them always seemed to calm her down. They were comforting in a way and they always make the best light source for night walks. The sun is almost completely set by now.
Given the extra comfort of the fireflies, Violet walks in content silence to the edge of the forest. By now the sun had fully set and the ruins of the town in an almost empty valley at night seemed a fair bit more eerie than in the day. Though the smell of campfire smoke was a small comfort knowing that she is not alone in this town. Even if she was annoyed by the constant conversations.
She sighed and looked up at the sky, preparing to enter the town for what she thinks is just one night, when Violet is hit with an unsettling realization.
Well two weeks, 4 rewrite and 2k words later im still not done. Its killing me actually. I hate writers block. Also Kyle because he is frustratingly hard to write.
Look if we want to just continue to night 1 and i'll finish it when I finish it, then great.
Mayriott felt his shoulders finally fall under relaxation as he let out a quiet breath. Who knows how long he’d been holding it for. In any case, it was for good reason. You can’t go about trusting strangers, certainly not in some abandoned town. Their identities are uncertain. Spy? Murderer? Noble? Worker? Or, on a more uneasy note: fellow soldiers?
Whatever these people were, Mayriott was certain he’d be rid of them soon. He’d find a way to get back home.
As Lior wandered the outskirts of oakhurst they see a figure clothed in red moving towards the town. Mayriott he thought, the soldier from before. "Hey!" he calls out.
Mayriott had flinched at the sudden call, though the darkness covered that movement well enough. Carefully, he packed everything away, bundling up into a facade he’d grown far too accustomed in.
"Yes, sorry if I startled you. I was just making a quick trip around town to forage some while we still got some daylight. You wanna come along?" Lior holds up a few carrots and some garlic they already managed to find.
He studies their face for a minute before staring at the treasures they already unburied. By the next second, he had made up his mind, moving to join by their side.
“I saw some at the . . . Northeastern side of the barrier. It could be well to check there.”
He nods, falling into consistent stepping rhythm with them.
“It- . . . It helped, that’s for sure. The forest is made primarily of Norway Spruce, y’know that? Some European Beech here and there, but, well. Back home those were awfully more common.”
As he talks—which is longer than he usually does—he pats a part of his coat, as if it’s giving him the knowledge in every brief touch.
Lior finds themselves relaxing at Mayriotts explenation of the flora of this strange new place. It's just nice to listen to him talk. "I didn't know that. Can't say I know too much about trees but it's interesting to learn about them for sure.", they pause for a brief moment and then add ,"Honestly I'm just gald for a big forest nearby. Somewhere to let Frido graze for now. He can't eat too much grass yet y'know. He ain't used to that and horses tend to get ill when they eat too much too quickly so..." he trail of looking at Mayriott, a bit unsure if they lost him with their ranting about grass.
He nods, eyeing the forest as they speak. After a second, he turns to meet their gaze again.
“That’s common for animals. I think the forest is a perfect place for most life, though, no matter their condition. It . . . anyways, have you heard anything odd in the town?”
May can’t help but wince when he hears his voice waver at his final question.
Lior does his best to hide the displeasure at the last question. They had been enjoying the casual conversation and seeing the soldier more at ease than before.
You can take the soldier out of the battlefield but there is no taking the battlefield out of the soldier, it seems.
But they answered anyway, lying wouldn't do here. He doubtes he could fool the soldier anyway even if they tried. "I mean not really. I saw a few more of the other people. Ones name is Aster, she had a cat and seemed interested in books, there are also Rose and Kismet they are nice. They brought Zavier and me some left over food they had.", they chuckle, "Good to know someone here can cook. Because I certainly can not." Liors gaze shifts for a moment, becoming more seriouse and then softening again. "There was another fella in uniform too. Seemed nervouse but not battle worn so I don't think you got anything to fear from them.", Lior takes a long look at Mayriott and adds, "And if you do I've got your back."
Lior spots a few carrots to their left and goes to grab them as he answers: "No he didn't mention anything. But like I said: I only saw a uniform, could be Militia, could be just stolen or borrowed to avoid trouble on the road. And if she is eager to make trouble for you I'll be right there to help."
Lior pauses in his movement as he crouches to dig up the carrots. He stares at his hands and the dirt on them. Then he draws a deep breath and speaks quitely: "Can I ask you a favour? It might sound strange but I figured you might be the best to talk to about this."
Liors looks at his hands for a bit longer while trying to get their thoughts in order and then begins to speak: "I think I might stay here for a bit, at least until after winter. Traveling in the snow isn't any fun and I promised Penny I would teach her a thing or two about mining.", they look up at Mayriott for a moment and study their face. He continues, "Point being: I'm gonna stick around for a bit and I figured you might too. So the thing is..." They trail off and then start up again: "First of I don't want to worry you but I want someone to know that... See if I happen to die here I don't wanna be buryed. Don't care what else just don't wanna end up in a grave." The last two scentences came out in one hurryed breath. And then he sits there, shoulders tense as if waiting for something to happen.
He stares at them briefly before sitting down beside them. May sighs, shoulders relaxing as he braces for what could be an utter mistake.
“You won’t die, El- Lio. I promise you . . . you won’t die. But, if you do, you won’t be buried. You’ll belong to nature, or some other force beyond us. It’s a better ending. A more beloved one.”
Somewhere behind the whole facade seemed to be a soldier who lost everything. Who lost a beloved; a friend. Someone who has yet to move on from such a fact of his past.
Lior sits quitly for a moment and then relaxes. A smile of relieve crosses their face. "Thanks you, really.", they pause and turn to look at Mayriott, "I didn't mean to worry you, really didn't, but I figured with you being a soldier and all, it might not be the first time you had a talk like this with someone. Besides I can't really ask Zavier. Don't wanna scare xem. Xe is already plenty scared." Lior pushes themselves up from the ground and offers May their less dirty hand.
Lior falls into step along with Mayriott. Relaxed and glad there talk went over well. The pair starts making their way back into town and as they get a clear view inside its walls the notice a figure in purple dress standing close to the entrace they are heading for.
Mayriott stiffens, fixing his relaxed posture back into what’s expected of a soldier. It takes much strength to force down other habits. Still, he remains wary of the figure.
"Oh hi! Sorry! I didn't see you two there!" Violet said, looking back and forth at the two. Violet notes how formal one of them seems to be in their mannerisms. She gives a friendly smile to them.
"My name is Violet Penrose and im from Ambervale, although I've been traveling away from there for the past weeks. It was in chaos when I left," Violet pauses, considering what more to reveal about her hometown. She decides to say nothing more.
Instead she shrugs and offers her hand out. "Nice to meet you!"
Lior has to stifle a laugh of suprise at Mays sudden shift in demeanor but as he sees the tension in their posture he quickly repliese: "No, I didn't we haven't meet yet.", Lior turn towards Violet, "Well I guess we have now. I'm Lior."
Violet moves her hand away after seeing that the two clearly weren't going to shake it. She needs to remember not everyone does that. Just one of the old habits she picked up from all her parents fancy parties.
" well nice to meet you Lior!" Violet smiles at them. " and I get it, there sure is a lot more people than I was expecting as well. All these new people are a lot."
He offers no bow, doesn’t even shift focus onto Violet until after admiring his name. His shoulders, though he doesn’t intend them to, do relax the more he listens to the two exchange words. May has always been more at ease when he doesn’t have attention.
Lior steals a quick glace at May to make sure they are okay. He doesn't seem anymore tense than usual so they continue their conversation with Violet: "So, as we have already established, it looks like I didn't meet everyone here yet. Who did you meet until now? I have been here since midday. Strange that we managed to miss eachother.", while he does find it strange he doesn't want to sound accusing so he adds, "Granted I wasn't in town for a few hours of that so I guess that explains it."
( Ooc oops sorry that that took so long to reply! it has been a chaotic few weeks but I finally have time to actually do this now! Yay!)
" Oh you've been here that long? Yes it is strange then that we never came across each other. I was also in the woods for a fair bit so I am surprised, we must have both just been in the wrong place at the wrong time." Violet paused and tilts her head to the left lately " As for the people I have met...hmm. There were these two named Riley and Lily who seems nice enough, and this weird military person I think? There name is Nessie, I don't know they seemed rather odd. Oh! And this one librarian girl with the cat, Aster i think"
Lior nods along as Violet lists the names: "Yes I meet all of those exept for Lily I think. Riley went to the forest with us but got lost on the way. The librarien is the one with the cat, yes? Can't say there was much of a conversation but I did see her." Lior trails off not wanting to mention Nessie when Mayriott had been so nervouse earlier. They look up at the slowly darkening sky. "I think I should get back to Zavier and Frido wouldn't want them to worry", he turns to Mayriott, "Are you comming along we can get the vegetables cleaned and then split them between us and if the house is too crammed for you I got some stuff that should make a good enough tent, though you are always welcome inside if you want of course, "now adressing Violet, "If you feel like meeting some more people you could come along too."
Despite some hesitancy that he holds, May gives a silent nod and clears his throat. It would be wise to get sheltered. Maybe he’ll be better off in the morning trying to escape.
" thank you for the invitation, I may come around later... maybe around nightfall. Although for now I was just planning to look around the Oakhurst forests a for little bit."
Violet steps slightly towards the woods and away from the broken down town walls.
" it was a pleasure meeting you two! " Violet says giving a smile and a small wave before speed walking into the forest.
Mayriott felt his shoulders finally fall under relaxation as he let out a quiet breath. Who knows how long he’d been holding it for. In any case, it was for good reason. You can’t go about trusting strangers, certainly not in some abandoned town. Their identities are uncertain. Spy? Murderer? Noble? Worker? Or, on a more uneasy note: fellow soldiers?
Whatever these people were, Mayriott was certain he’d be rid of them soon. He’d find a way to get back home.
As Lior wandered the outskirts of oakhurst they see a figure clothed in red moving towards the town. Mayriott he thought, the soldier from before. "Hey!" he calls out.
Mayriott had flinched at the sudden call, though the darkness covered that movement well enough. Carefully, he packed everything away, bundling up into a facade he’d grown far too accustomed in.
"Yes, sorry if I startled you. I was just making a quick trip around town to forage some while we still got some daylight. You wanna come along?" Lior holds up a few carrots and some garlic they already managed to find.
He studies their face for a minute before staring at the treasures they already unburied. By the next second, he had made up his mind, moving to join by their side.
“I saw some at the . . . Northeastern side of the barrier. It could be well to check there.”
He nods, falling into consistent stepping rhythm with them.
“It- . . . It helped, that’s for sure. The forest is made primarily of Norway Spruce, y’know that? Some European Beech here and there, but, well. Back home those were awfully more common.”
As he talks—which is longer than he usually does—he pats a part of his coat, as if it’s giving him the knowledge in every brief touch.
Lior finds themselves relaxing at Mayriotts explenation of the flora of this strange new place. It's just nice to listen to him talk. "I didn't know that. Can't say I know too much about trees but it's interesting to learn about them for sure.", they pause for a brief moment and then add ,"Honestly I'm just gald for a big forest nearby. Somewhere to let Frido graze for now. He can't eat too much grass yet y'know. He ain't used to that and horses tend to get ill when they eat too much too quickly so..." he trail of looking at Mayriott, a bit unsure if they lost him with their ranting about grass.
He nods, eyeing the forest as they speak. After a second, he turns to meet their gaze again.
“That’s common for animals. I think the forest is a perfect place for most life, though, no matter their condition. It . . . anyways, have you heard anything odd in the town?”
May can’t help but wince when he hears his voice waver at his final question.
Lior does his best to hide the displeasure at the last question. They had been enjoying the casual conversation and seeing the soldier more at ease than before.
You can take the soldier out of the battlefield but there is no taking the battlefield out of the soldier, it seems.
But they answered anyway, lying wouldn't do here. He doubtes he could fool the soldier anyway even if they tried. "I mean not really. I saw a few more of the other people. Ones name is Aster, she had a cat and seemed interested in books, there are also Rose and Kismet they are nice. They brought Zavier and me some left over food they had.", they chuckle, "Good to know someone here can cook. Because I certainly can not." Liors gaze shifts for a moment, becoming more seriouse and then softening again. "There was another fella in uniform too. Seemed nervouse but not battle worn so I don't think you got anything to fear from them.", Lior takes a long look at Mayriott and adds, "And if you do I've got your back."
Lior spots a few carrots to their left and goes to grab them as he answers: "No he didn't mention anything. But like I said: I only saw a uniform, could be Militia, could be just stolen or borrowed to avoid trouble on the road. And if she is eager to make trouble for you I'll be right there to help."
Lior pauses in his movement as he crouches to dig up the carrots. He stares at his hands and the dirt on them. Then he draws a deep breath and speaks quitely: "Can I ask you a favour? It might sound strange but I figured you might be the best to talk to about this."
Liors looks at his hands for a bit longer while trying to get their thoughts in order and then begins to speak: "I think I might stay here for a bit, at least until after winter. Traveling in the snow isn't any fun and I promised Penny I would teach her a thing or two about mining.", they look up at Mayriott for a moment and study their face. He continues, "Point being: I'm gonna stick around for a bit and I figured you might too. So the thing is..." They trail off and then start up again: "First of I don't want to worry you but I want someone to know that... See if I happen to die here I don't wanna be buryed. Don't care what else just don't wanna end up in a grave." The last two scentences came out in one hurryed breath. And then he sits there, shoulders tense as if waiting for something to happen.
He stares at them briefly before sitting down beside them. May sighs, shoulders relaxing as he braces for what could be an utter mistake.
“You won’t die, El- Lio. I promise you . . . you won’t die. But, if you do, you won’t be buried. You’ll belong to nature, or some other force beyond us. It’s a better ending. A more beloved one.”
Somewhere behind the whole facade seemed to be a soldier who lost everything. Who lost a beloved; a friend. Someone who has yet to move on from such a fact of his past.
Lior sits quitly for a moment and then relaxes. A smile of relieve crosses their face. "Thanks you, really.", they pause and turn to look at Mayriott, "I didn't mean to worry you, really didn't, but I figured with you being a soldier and all, it might not be the first time you had a talk like this with someone. Besides I can't really ask Zavier. Don't wanna scare xem. Xe is already plenty scared." Lior pushes themselves up from the ground and offers May their less dirty hand.
Lior falls into step along with Mayriott. Relaxed and glad there talk went over well. The pair starts making their way back into town and as they get a clear view inside its walls the notice a figure in purple dress standing close to the entrace they are heading for.
Mayriott stiffens, fixing his relaxed posture back into what’s expected of a soldier. It takes much strength to force down other habits. Still, he remains wary of the figure.
"Oh hi! Sorry! I didn't see you two there!" Violet said, looking back and forth at the two. Violet notes how formal one of them seems to be in their mannerisms. She gives a friendly smile to them.
"My name is Violet Penrose and im from Ambervale, although I've been traveling away from there for the past weeks. It was in chaos when I left," Violet pauses, considering what more to reveal about her hometown. She decides to say nothing more.
Instead she shrugs and offers her hand out. "Nice to meet you!"
Lior has to stifle a laugh of suprise at Mays sudden shift in demeanor but as he sees the tension in their posture he quickly repliese: "No, I didn't we haven't meet yet.", Lior turn towards Violet, "Well I guess we have now. I'm Lior."
Violet moves her hand away after seeing that the two clearly weren't going to shake it. She needs to remember not everyone does that. Just one of the old habits she picked up from all her parents fancy parties.
" well nice to meet you Lior!" Violet smiles at them. " and I get it, there sure is a lot more people than I was expecting as well. All these new people are a lot."
He offers no bow, doesn’t even shift focus onto Violet until after admiring his name. His shoulders, though he doesn’t intend them to, do relax the more he listens to the two exchange words. May has always been more at ease when he doesn’t have attention.
Lior steals a quick glace at May to make sure they are okay. He doesn't seem anymore tense than usual so they continue their conversation with Violet: "So, as we have already established, it looks like I didn't meet everyone here yet. Who did you meet until now? I have been here since midday. Strange that we managed to miss eachother.", while he does find it strange he doesn't want to sound accusing so he adds, "Granted I wasn't in town for a few hours of that so I guess that explains it."
( Ooc oops sorry that that took so long to reply! it has been a chaotic few weeks but I finally have time to actually do this now! Yay!)
" Oh you've been here that long? Yes it is strange then that we never came across each other. I was also in the woods for a fair bit so I am surprised, we must have both just been in the wrong place at the wrong time." Violet paused and tilts her head to the left lately " As for the people I have met...hmm. There were these two named Riley and Lily who seems nice enough, and this weird military person I think? There name is Nessie, I don't know they seemed rather odd. Oh! And this one librarian girl with the cat, Aster i think"
13. What is something your OC does (to others) that they would not like if others did to them? Are they aware that they do this?
Oh huh. Never thought of that. My first thought was that she tells a lot of half truths and don't appreciate that happening to her. She is very aware of this one.
I also think she probably tends to baby people when trying to explain new things to them. Like explaining it in the most basic mind-numbing kind of way possible. Though that's more of a subconscious thing. She would absolutely hate if other people did that to her.
17. What are some of your OC's coping mechanisms during stressful or overwhelming periods in their life?
She used to go on Forest walks near the beach a lot. She uses the feeling of mud on her feet and the smell of pine and the sound of waves as a way to ground herself.
If Violet cannot get away from the situation she's more likely to fawn and try to be unnoticed. They can't hurt her if she hasn't done anything wrong and don't remember that she's there.
So that coping mechanism tends to lead to a lot of internal rage that can sometimes come out when she feels there is no other option.
Mayriott felt his shoulders finally fall under relaxation as he let out a quiet breath. Who knows how long he’d been holding it for. In any case, it was for good reason. You can’t go about trusting strangers, certainly not in some abandoned town. Their identities are uncertain. Spy? Murderer? Noble? Worker? Or, on a more uneasy note: fellow soldiers?
Whatever these people were, Mayriott was certain he’d be rid of them soon. He’d find a way to get back home.
As Lior wandered the outskirts of oakhurst they see a figure clothed in red moving towards the town. Mayriott he thought, the soldier from before. "Hey!" he calls out.
Mayriott had flinched at the sudden call, though the darkness covered that movement well enough. Carefully, he packed everything away, bundling up into a facade he’d grown far too accustomed in.
"Yes, sorry if I startled you. I was just making a quick trip around town to forage some while we still got some daylight. You wanna come along?" Lior holds up a few carrots and some garlic they already managed to find.
He studies their face for a minute before staring at the treasures they already unburied. By the next second, he had made up his mind, moving to join by their side.
“I saw some at the . . . Northeastern side of the barrier. It could be well to check there.”
He nods, falling into consistent stepping rhythm with them.
“It- . . . It helped, that’s for sure. The forest is made primarily of Norway Spruce, y’know that? Some European Beech here and there, but, well. Back home those were awfully more common.”
As he talks—which is longer than he usually does—he pats a part of his coat, as if it’s giving him the knowledge in every brief touch.
Lior finds themselves relaxing at Mayriotts explenation of the flora of this strange new place. It's just nice to listen to him talk. "I didn't know that. Can't say I know too much about trees but it's interesting to learn about them for sure.", they pause for a brief moment and then add ,"Honestly I'm just gald for a big forest nearby. Somewhere to let Frido graze for now. He can't eat too much grass yet y'know. He ain't used to that and horses tend to get ill when they eat too much too quickly so..." he trail of looking at Mayriott, a bit unsure if they lost him with their ranting about grass.
He nods, eyeing the forest as they speak. After a second, he turns to meet their gaze again.
“That’s common for animals. I think the forest is a perfect place for most life, though, no matter their condition. It . . . anyways, have you heard anything odd in the town?”
May can’t help but wince when he hears his voice waver at his final question.
Lior does his best to hide the displeasure at the last question. They had been enjoying the casual conversation and seeing the soldier more at ease than before.
You can take the soldier out of the battlefield but there is no taking the battlefield out of the soldier, it seems.
But they answered anyway, lying wouldn't do here. He doubtes he could fool the soldier anyway even if they tried. "I mean not really. I saw a few more of the other people. Ones name is Aster, she had a cat and seemed interested in books, there are also Rose and Kismet they are nice. They brought Zavier and me some left over food they had.", they chuckle, "Good to know someone here can cook. Because I certainly can not." Liors gaze shifts for a moment, becoming more seriouse and then softening again. "There was another fella in uniform too. Seemed nervouse but not battle worn so I don't think you got anything to fear from them.", Lior takes a long look at Mayriott and adds, "And if you do I've got your back."
Lior spots a few carrots to their left and goes to grab them as he answers: "No he didn't mention anything. But like I said: I only saw a uniform, could be Militia, could be just stolen or borrowed to avoid trouble on the road. And if she is eager to make trouble for you I'll be right there to help."
Lior pauses in his movement as he crouches to dig up the carrots. He stares at his hands and the dirt on them. Then he draws a deep breath and speaks quitely: "Can I ask you a favour? It might sound strange but I figured you might be the best to talk to about this."
Liors looks at his hands for a bit longer while trying to get their thoughts in order and then begins to speak: "I think I might stay here for a bit, at least until after winter. Traveling in the snow isn't any fun and I promised Penny I would teach her a thing or two about mining.", they look up at Mayriott for a moment and study their face. He continues, "Point being: I'm gonna stick around for a bit and I figured you might too. So the thing is..." They trail off and then start up again: "First of I don't want to worry you but I want someone to know that... See if I happen to die here I don't wanna be buryed. Don't care what else just don't wanna end up in a grave." The last two scentences came out in one hurryed breath. And then he sits there, shoulders tense as if waiting for something to happen.
He stares at them briefly before sitting down beside them. May sighs, shoulders relaxing as he braces for what could be an utter mistake.
“You won’t die, El- Lio. I promise you . . . you won’t die. But, if you do, you won’t be buried. You’ll belong to nature, or some other force beyond us. It’s a better ending. A more beloved one.”
Somewhere behind the whole facade seemed to be a soldier who lost everything. Who lost a beloved; a friend. Someone who has yet to move on from such a fact of his past.
Lior sits quitly for a moment and then relaxes. A smile of relieve crosses their face. "Thanks you, really.", they pause and turn to look at Mayriott, "I didn't mean to worry you, really didn't, but I figured with you being a soldier and all, it might not be the first time you had a talk like this with someone. Besides I can't really ask Zavier. Don't wanna scare xem. Xe is already plenty scared." Lior pushes themselves up from the ground and offers May their less dirty hand.
Lior falls into step along with Mayriott. Relaxed and glad there talk went over well. The pair starts making their way back into town and as they get a clear view inside its walls the notice a figure in purple dress standing close to the entrace they are heading for.
Mayriott stiffens, fixing his relaxed posture back into what’s expected of a soldier. It takes much strength to force down other habits. Still, he remains wary of the figure.
"Oh hi! Sorry! I didn't see you two there!" Violet said, looking back and forth at the two. Violet notes how formal one of them seems to be in their mannerisms. She gives a friendly smile to them.
"My name is Violet Penrose and im from Ambervale, although I've been traveling away from there for the past weeks. It was in chaos when I left," Violet pauses, considering what more to reveal about her hometown. She decides to say nothing more.
Instead she shrugs and offers her hand out. "Nice to meet you!"
Lior has to stifle a laugh of suprise at Mays sudden shift in demeanor but as he sees the tension in their posture he quickly repliese: "No, I didn't we haven't meet yet.", Lior turn towards Violet, "Well I guess we have now. I'm Lior."
Violet moves her hand away after seeing that the two clearly weren't going to shake it. She needs to remember not everyone does that. Just one of the old habits she picked up from all her parents fancy parties.
" well nice to meet you Lior!" Violet smiles at them. " and I get it, there sure is a lot more people than I was expecting as well. All these new people are a lot."
Mayriott felt his shoulders finally fall under relaxation as he let out a quiet breath. Who knows how long he’d been holding it for. In any case, it was for good reason. You can’t go about trusting strangers, certainly not in some abandoned town. Their identities are uncertain. Spy? Murderer? Noble? Worker? Or, on a more uneasy note: fellow soldiers?
Whatever these people were, Mayriott was certain he’d be rid of them soon. He’d find a way to get back home.
As Lior wandered the outskirts of oakhurst they see a figure clothed in red moving towards the town. Mayriott he thought, the soldier from before. "Hey!" he calls out.
Mayriott had flinched at the sudden call, though the darkness covered that movement well enough. Carefully, he packed everything away, bundling up into a facade he’d grown far too accustomed in.
"Yes, sorry if I startled you. I was just making a quick trip around town to forage some while we still got some daylight. You wanna come along?" Lior holds up a few carrots and some garlic they already managed to find.
He studies their face for a minute before staring at the treasures they already unburied. By the next second, he had made up his mind, moving to join by their side.
“I saw some at the . . . Northeastern side of the barrier. It could be well to check there.”
He nods, falling into consistent stepping rhythm with them.
“It- . . . It helped, that’s for sure. The forest is made primarily of Norway Spruce, y’know that? Some European Beech here and there, but, well. Back home those were awfully more common.”
As he talks—which is longer than he usually does—he pats a part of his coat, as if it’s giving him the knowledge in every brief touch.
Lior finds themselves relaxing at Mayriotts explenation of the flora of this strange new place. It's just nice to listen to him talk. "I didn't know that. Can't say I know too much about trees but it's interesting to learn about them for sure.", they pause for a brief moment and then add ,"Honestly I'm just gald for a big forest nearby. Somewhere to let Frido graze for now. He can't eat too much grass yet y'know. He ain't used to that and horses tend to get ill when they eat too much too quickly so..." he trail of looking at Mayriott, a bit unsure if they lost him with their ranting about grass.
He nods, eyeing the forest as they speak. After a second, he turns to meet their gaze again.
“That’s common for animals. I think the forest is a perfect place for most life, though, no matter their condition. It . . . anyways, have you heard anything odd in the town?”
May can’t help but wince when he hears his voice waver at his final question.
Lior does his best to hide the displeasure at the last question. They had been enjoying the casual conversation and seeing the soldier more at ease than before.
You can take the soldier out of the battlefield but there is no taking the battlefield out of the soldier, it seems.
But they answered anyway, lying wouldn't do here. He doubtes he could fool the soldier anyway even if they tried. "I mean not really. I saw a few more of the other people. Ones name is Aster, she had a cat and seemed interested in books, there are also Rose and Kismet they are nice. They brought Zavier and me some left over food they had.", they chuckle, "Good to know someone here can cook. Because I certainly can not." Liors gaze shifts for a moment, becoming more seriouse and then softening again. "There was another fella in uniform too. Seemed nervouse but not battle worn so I don't think you got anything to fear from them.", Lior takes a long look at Mayriott and adds, "And if you do I've got your back."
Lior spots a few carrots to their left and goes to grab them as he answers: "No he didn't mention anything. But like I said: I only saw a uniform, could be Militia, could be just stolen or borrowed to avoid trouble on the road. And if she is eager to make trouble for you I'll be right there to help."
Lior pauses in his movement as he crouches to dig up the carrots. He stares at his hands and the dirt on them. Then he draws a deep breath and speaks quitely: "Can I ask you a favour? It might sound strange but I figured you might be the best to talk to about this."
Liors looks at his hands for a bit longer while trying to get their thoughts in order and then begins to speak: "I think I might stay here for a bit, at least until after winter. Traveling in the snow isn't any fun and I promised Penny I would teach her a thing or two about mining.", they look up at Mayriott for a moment and study their face. He continues, "Point being: I'm gonna stick around for a bit and I figured you might too. So the thing is..." They trail off and then start up again: "First of I don't want to worry you but I want someone to know that... See if I happen to die here I don't wanna be buryed. Don't care what else just don't wanna end up in a grave." The last two scentences came out in one hurryed breath. And then he sits there, shoulders tense as if waiting for something to happen.
He stares at them briefly before sitting down beside them. May sighs, shoulders relaxing as he braces for what could be an utter mistake.
“You won’t die, El- Lio. I promise you . . . you won’t die. But, if you do, you won’t be buried. You’ll belong to nature, or some other force beyond us. It’s a better ending. A more beloved one.”
Somewhere behind the whole facade seemed to be a soldier who lost everything. Who lost a beloved; a friend. Someone who has yet to move on from such a fact of his past.
Lior sits quitly for a moment and then relaxes. A smile of relieve crosses their face. "Thanks you, really.", they pause and turn to look at Mayriott, "I didn't mean to worry you, really didn't, but I figured with you being a soldier and all, it might not be the first time you had a talk like this with someone. Besides I can't really ask Zavier. Don't wanna scare xem. Xe is already plenty scared." Lior pushes themselves up from the ground and offers May their less dirty hand.
Lior falls into step along with Mayriott. Relaxed and glad there talk went over well. The pair starts making their way back into town and as they get a clear view inside its walls the notice a figure in purple dress standing close to the entrace they are heading for.
Mayriott stiffens, fixing his relaxed posture back into what’s expected of a soldier. It takes much strength to force down other habits. Still, he remains wary of the figure.
"Oh hi! Sorry! I didn't see you two there!" Violet said, looking back and forth at the two. Violet notes how formal one of them seems to be in their mannerisms. She gives a friendly smile to them.
"My name is Violet Penrose and im from Ambervale, although I've been traveling away from there for the past weeks. It was in chaos when I left," Violet pauses, considering what more to reveal about her hometown. She decides to say nothing more.
Instead she shrugs and offers her hand out. "Nice to meet you!"
The … beacon filled up with golden light, and sent a shining stream up into the hole in the roof of the building she was in. What a strange sight…
It makes me feel quite light-headed.
How queer…
She stumbled, and fell back into herself, back out of that glowing beam.
She stumbled, and fell to the floor. Her cane clattered loudly against the stones underneath her.
You’ve fallen. You’ve collapsed again. It was only a matter of time, you’ve over-exerted yourself today.
How embarrassing. I might need to find somewhere to sit down. Those others in here are probably still in their conversation. They seemed busy… talking.
Riley looked over at the crash. “Oh my gosh, are you okay?” They glanced at the beacon, then back to Rosalia. “Wait, why is it doing that? What just happened?”
Footsteps come from outside the tower, and two people (@violet-untrust-au) rush on in.
One of them was a tan-skinned, brown-haired person with a magenta streak in his hair. He had vivid magenta eyes that seemed to not fully meet the surfaces in front of her, and she was in navy blue militia-wear with discoloured patches. There seemed to be an especially discoloured patch on its side, tinted a dark red. Could be dirt, could be something else.
Nessie seemed a bit shaken from the sound of the crash, but seemed to be alright.
Violet barely noticed the person who stumbled over due to the sudden overwhelming presence that seemed hit her. Looking ahead she noticed the large yellow-orange cube. It looks almost identical to the one she saw by the lake.
Yet this one had its entire surface completely converted. And it was definitely giving off some kind of magic. Going by the colour and aura that it was giving off her best guess was that it was holy magic.
" woah... thats unlike anything I have ever seen." Violet said, looking at the beacon.
She then suddenly became aware of the other person in the room.
"oh hi! Uhhhh Riley right?" Violet said " sorry for leaving that conservation so abruptly."
She swore she recognizes them from somewhere. Oh well that is for future Violet to figure out.
Gosh she has to figure out what is happening with this town.
( ooc I have no idea how this interaction is going to f up the timeline but im just going to go with it i guess)
@untrust-nessie @cheeto10
@aster-amaryllis-mystfall ( if you want to join in here)
The Scientist leaps out of Aster's arms as they walk into town, racing over to investigate the glowing cube of light. Aster follows her, looking anxious. They reach into their faded leather satchel to try and see if she can lure the cat back with another fish, but she doesn't have any left. There are people around the beacon. Aster doesn't know if she's ready to deal with people, but they'll have to sooner or later. Might as well be now.
“Oh— yeah, you’re Violet right?” Riley says before seeing The Scientist and getting distracted. They sit on the ground and slowly approach the cat until she lets them pet her.
(Ooc: if you want we can say this happens after kismet and rosalia leave to go pick a house and find somewhere for rosalia to sit down?)
Aster's footsteps slow further as she approaches the beacon, but her anxiety slightly eases as one of the people around it greets The Scientist with gentle affection. That's a good sign. They crouch down nearby. "...Hello," they offer quietly. "I'm Aster. And that's The Scientist."
"Not really," Aster answers, smiling down at The Scientist. "I've been in the area for some time, but I'm from the capital. Are you from around here?" She looks around, taking in the town's state of disrepair. Hopefully they don't live here. She doubts it, but you never know.
“No, I’m from a town pretty far from here,” Riley says. “I didn’t even know this place existed before I got here. I wouldn’t have expected there to be so many people here. Someone I was talking to earlier seemed to know a bit about this place, and apparently there was some massacre here two hundred years ago…” they look around anxiously at the ruins.
( occ sorry I haven't really been talking in this conversation much I tried once it did quite get noticed and I've been pretty busy so I'm going to try my best here)
Violet was too busy paying attention to the beacon to notice the two people behind her talking. The beacon itself was strange, it was definitely magic, though if it was purely holy she couldn't tell.
From what she it looks like it seemed to react to people touching it, Perhaps it is something to do with their souls? But that's just speculation.
God this should be so much easier if Kyle just told her what the heck was happening here!
She turned around.
" sorry to interrupt but do either of you know what happens to get this... Beacon I guess? To do what it's doing now?" Violet asked.
Aster shook their head. "It was like this when I got here. Does it feel kind of... weird to you? Like it's giving off some sort of energy?" Like it's magical? She would guess it was some sort of witchcraft if pressed, but that didn't seem right.
" That's why I came to it in the first place. It's clearly giving off some kind of energy, definitely magical, although I don't know what's purpose."
"I'm a little bit worried about it to be honest," Violet said nervously, "If I can just figure out how it even got here or why seems to interact with us. Hmmm. We'll at least it doesn't seem dangerous though which is good."
Hmmm. She definitely saw another one of these near the lake to the West. Perhaps she can go investigate how it works there rather than staying in town?
@aster-amaryllis-mystfall (maybe @cheeto10 ? Im not sure at this point)
It's kind of weird seeing the Untrust logo on everything and knowing full well I drew that in 30 minutes. Like that was supposed to be a quirky sketch for like a concept logo and now it's just everywhere.
snowghoul
tangentwithtanner
andulkaphoto
gummygunk
2087
ellievsbear
