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Apr 22, 2020 19:54:15 GMT
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Dymion
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Aug 13, 2015 23:35:49 GMT
August 2015
dymion
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Post by Dymion on Jun 24, 2016 3:37:51 GMT
As the sun pierced the soft, pink clouds above, its golden rays bathing the streets and buildingso in a bright and colorful aura, the first signs of dawn echoed across the cityscape, with the sounds of shopkeepers opening their doors, birds chirping on the rooftops, and feet padding across stone washing over the awakening city. The sights, the sounds, all details that had been passed up by so many eyes and ears in the early mornings of Etirath; today was no different, and Erin, head covered in her dark hood, continued to ignore the world around her as she continued her trek towards the city's center. Today, however, her path veered slightly, and as she passed the steps of the library, she felt her eyes fleeting glance towards the place that seemed her second home. Some other time, perhaps, but today, she felt a calling, pulling her away. You seek to escape us. For the last few weeks, she had allowed her mind to resist the pull of curiosity, struggling against where her attentions pulled. The nuisance created had become... problematic. Her studying had slowed, and daydreams now plagued her as her mind passed from thought to thought, barely stopping as it trapped through her imagination. Quinn was among them, along with her brother, her studies, the attack on the council, and the loss of her will against the darkness. She had found herself in a state of unrest, as stress and anxiety battled against her senses. Depression and infatuation distracted her. She needed a way to find peace, to relax and melt away the troublesome thoughts that warned against her. She needed the Garden. To do so is hopeless. But when her feet left stone and felt soft earth and grass beneath, she did not slow. Instead, she continued, eyes cast down as she seemed to see through the earth, her attention pulled far beyond the world around her. The flowers, scents, and sounds were all lost upon her, and she continued to weave through the grass and ponds at the same pace as she had dodged past carts and people. Arms folded across her chest, she looked lpst, and so she became, her unconcious path guiding her further, to the gates of Etirath's most precious sight: The Waters of the World.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Lev
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August 2015
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Post by Lev on Jun 26, 2016 16:04:12 GMT
Guarding the entrance was an easy job. Standing at half-attention for hours on end, listening to the static coos of running water while watching grass growing in the shade was trying for the eyes of the most diligent soldiers, but it was an honor- one that no recruit would get away with sneezing at. Surrounded by all the symptoms of peace time, it was difficult to imagine a need for armed guards beyond decoration. Their finely braided aiguillettes glistened like the backs of falling leaves that spiraled in and out of the autumn sunlight. Brilliantly colored leather straps crisscrossed their pale uniforms, and the passing eye might've confused them for ribbons on ornamented trees dressed for an elegant celebration, hosting those that would seek serene reflection in their safety. Yes; guarding the entrance to the Waters of the World WAS an easy job.
Now as Willem stood to the left of the entryway, the shifting patches of shade seemed more menacing then they ever had before. Every leaf that flashed across the light caught his eyes like flying daggers. The sound of the churning water did not soothe him as much as it left him straining to hear, dulling his senses to the sound of unwelcome footsteps or endangered screams. His presence - the presence of any soldier on duty - was no longer a comfortable reassurance; it was a necessity. Friend or foe would not be overlooked. Eyes were everywhere... and that might've been what frightened Willem the most.
Suddenly, a hooded figure approached the end of lonely road at a hasty pace. By size and gait Willem guessed that it was a woman under the dark folds. His heartbeat quickened regardless, and his knuckles whitened to tighten the grip of his spear. The sword at his side felt heavier after each step that lessened the gap between him and the figure, but the Captain did not dare to move too early. He could feel the same hesitation from the guard to his right, second officer Kay Houndhart.
"Halt," he commanded. "State your purpose here, or be away."
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#2007f0
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Apr 22, 2020 19:54:15 GMT
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Dymion
129
Aug 13, 2015 23:35:49 GMT
August 2015
dymion
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Post by Dymion on Jun 29, 2016 0:36:33 GMT
"Halt," There is no way out. Lost in her own world of musings, Erin hadn't seen the guards at all until now, her head snapping up as her eyes widened, expression mirroring a startled doe as her eyes met with one of theirs. Almost immediately, the face clicked, and she remembered that his name was Willem... and that he was Captain of the Guard. Unknowingly, in her brief moment of reaction, she had stopped, but now she continued to move towards them, her eyes surveying them carefully until she was at the edge of what could be considered a comfortable distance. These people had already helped her so much, twice, with Daniel's death and her abduction by the black abomination that had flooded her senses both still fresh in her mind. She hoped they would remember her, because, even with the reason unknown to her, something powerful pulled her to the sight they guarded, and to reach it, she'd rather avoid having to slip by guards. The darkness is everywhere. "I'm here to see the Waters." Her voice sounded confident, eyes calm as she watched Willem's reaction, waiting to see how he responded. She was hoping that she could play as if she was meant to be here. Otherwise, getting in would be near impossible; she didn't feel it was likely that he'd let her in should she tell him even she was unsure why she wanted to be at Etirath's sacred site. But here she was, hoping beyond hope that Willem, a vigilant and careful man, would count her meager amount of words as enough to let her to a restricted site. You are doomed to die. This is not going to work. Why am I even here? What if he thinks I'm a threat? What if I am a threat? Could I still be under the influence of that.... We will strike you down. Erin forced herself to stop thinking. She needed to remain calm.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Jun 30, 2016 0:32:55 GMT
"No." Kay stepped forward defensively while keeping his back straight and tall. He struck the butt of his spear against the rocky path with one strong thud, keeping his wielding arm straight out and the other fist balled at his side. "You will go back the way you came. Nobody is visiting the Waters today."
Willem's eyes followed the tilt of Kay's pointed finger and eventually landed on the young lady's face. She was much taller than the average Etirathian woman, matching him inch for inch up close. It reminded him of Vivienne. Before the massacre at the palace he would've been less inclined to believe that the woman - any woman - would mean to do harm to the sacred venue. It was a different story now. Anyone.. was capable of anything. But where Willem lacked sympathy he made up with recognition. Her face struck a memory that compelled the Captain to step in a hush his comrade's stand-offish approach. He cuffed his hand firmly on top of Kay's padded shoulder, giving the tanned man a queue to relax with the tip of his chin. Kay unwillingly complied but the grip on his spear did not loosen.
"You're a medic aren't you, ma'am?" Introduction through simple conversation. "I recognize you from-" Why can't you say it? Coward. You can't even admit you were there. "You were in the palace when the citizens were attacked," he finished, correcting himself. Another casual step forward to close the distance and softly imply that the way will remain blocked. "You work with the priestesses of Milova too. We appreciate your skill and your help, but nobody is permitted to see the Waters today. I apologize."
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#2007f0
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Apr 22, 2020 19:54:15 GMT
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Dymion
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Aug 13, 2015 23:35:49 GMT
August 2015
dymion
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Post by Dymion on Jun 30, 2016 1:21:39 GMT
"No. You will go back the way you came. Nobody is visiting the Waters today." Nowhere is safe. All of the time Willem's fellow guard spent speaking, Erin's eyes remained fixated on the captain, hoping beyond hope that he might react differently from his comrade. When he did finally move, it seemed her prayers had been answered, his movements causing the other guard to relax as he approached her. The distance between them was even smaller, and she felt a sense of discomfort, causing her to take a slight step back almost unconciously. Too late, she realized what she'd done, and in an attempt to save face, she stood even more upright, her height imposing when compared to another woman. Still, it didn't seem enough, Willem's words carrying to Erin a sense of frustration as he, like his comrade, made to send her off. We are coming for you. At least he was polite about it. You cannot run. She threw a quick glance at the other guard, her eyes showing some of her frustration briefly before she reigned it in. Looking back at Willem, she stood focusing on his eyes, hoping to hit some chord, to find some words that could allow her in. He'd remembered her from that dreadful night. Perhaps... You cannot hide. "Sir, please. I haven't been able to relax since the night of the attack. I'm hoping that-that the Waters might help. You belong to us.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Lev
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August 2015
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Post by Lev on Jul 1, 2016 4:54:17 GMT
"Sir, please. I haven't been able to relax since the night of the attack. I'm hoping that-that the Waters might help."
Willem hid the quivering breath that shook his nostrils by shifting his weight from one side to the other, intentionally shuffling his feet against the ground. The hand that was holding Kay fell to rest on the hilt of the sword at Willem's side. The other tightened around the spear again. What test was this? The girl's attempt at pulling heartstrings was tip-toeing on the edge of his nerves. Everything about her appeared genuine- the way her auburn hair drooped like surly tendrils of an Autumn willow, her eyes sunken but piercing despite their lack of rest.. Her pale skin was freckled in such careful detail that it reminded Willem of the fragile dolls behind glass in expensive store windows. But if he'd learned anything it was that he knew nothing; and nothing was as it appeared to be. The reality was that he had been there during the night of the attack. The trauma had changed him irreversibly, claiming part of him the way Winter takes the colors and leaves the forest barren and raw. Sleep? Impossible.. Relax? Never again.. Trust?
"Believe me when I tell you," he began, leaning closer to afford a lower volume. "They will not." They didn't help you, did they? No amount of water could erase the red on your ledger now.. Apologetic chocolate brown pools locked with Erin's. There was no room for sympathy in his decisions now, but maybe some was left in his eyes.
"There are temples in the city that carry the holy water for public use. A guard would be happy to escort you there," Kay offered.
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#ea7ca1
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
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Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
223
August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Jul 1, 2016 11:17:30 GMT
It's been nearly a month since Loretta had visited the garden, and to see it now was bittersweet. She no longer cried at night and had come to accept what had happened. Life continued on and she must continue to live for her brother's sake. Eoin had helped ease her suffering and she seemed more or less back to normal as one could get. As she sat upon a stone bench, she looked about the garden, at the people who visited. There weren't that many visitors to begin with and those who did either seemed to be rushing somewhere or donned their mourning cloak. Another reminder of that day.. The whole kingdom had been filled with gossip since then. Rumors of possession and a corrupt guard spread like wildfire. Some claimed the Queen herself was possessed that day.
Loretta frowned at that, she didn't want to think such negative thoughts, and Willem.. How it must hurt to be the Captain of the guard.. To have seen the horrors he had and still continue as the Captain.. He's a brave man. Loyal to the kingdom, and always a protector of the people. That is what she believed him to be. A soft sigh escaped her lips. She had come to the garden in hopes to cheer herself up some and possibly enjoy nature like she used to, but now all she can think about was the incident and how others had become affected.
A brisk wind blew past and she felt a thing tickle her neck and reached for it. As she pulled at it, her hair had become undone in the process. It was her favorite green ribbon that she tied her hair with. Since she had loosened it, she tugged it out of her hair to let it fall upon her shoulders. She smiled at the ribbon and recalled how Harris would tell her how green seemed to compliment her best. As she was lost in thought she felt the ribbon slip from her fingers. A raccoon had scampered off with it. And Loretta shot up from her seat in bewildered surprise. She called out to it in vain and hurried after it with no regard to the terrain.
She didn't see the confusion she caused nor did she hear the laughter and chuckles from the bystanders. She was but a silly girl running about and chasing down a thieving raccoon. As she chased it through the bushes, successfully scuffing her clothes with minor tears, she was nearly upon the small creature when the slope of the hill she ran across seemed to divot and she lost control of her footing. To keep herself from completely making a fool of herself, she used her stumble and practically launched herself forward in a dash.
It was too late for her to stop herself and had collided into what could almost be comparable to a wall. Her only vocal warning to the poor victim was her instinct to shout, "Lookout!"
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#ed1717
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Post by Lev on Jul 1, 2016 19:03:14 GMT
The two opposing forces lulled in the silence of their stalemate, both wanting the other to bow but neither any closer to their desired end. Willem wanted to help her- he did. If there were anything that could truly give Erin peace, Willem would let her seize it from him without a fight.. He was about to steer the conversation with more consoling explanations when an approaching ruckus suddenly interjected. The captain instinctively looked to his comrade, but Kay's eyes were chasing a raggedy raccoon that scuttled in a hurry through the entrance behind them. Was that a snake in its teeth? No; scales didn't shine like that. It was-
"Lookout!"
A blink couldn't catch Willem before he'd honed in on her voice. "Ms. Lorett-agh!"
Her hair smelled like spiced firewood. Had she been cooking? The aroma wafted upward with her impact, flooding his senses with pleasant smells like the sweet steam of a calm night in the bathhouse. Den, Almighty- not the time! Willem caught her by the shoulders and set her back on her own two feet, trying not to focus on the soft curls that tickled his forearms. Scan the scene.. Kay, fine. Erin, raccoon..
"Ms. Loretta are you alright?"
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#2007f0
3
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Apr 22, 2020 19:54:15 GMT
3
Dymion
129
Aug 13, 2015 23:35:49 GMT
August 2015
dymion
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Post by Dymion on Jul 6, 2016 3:57:10 GMT
"Believe me when I tell you, they will not." Give up now. Despite Willem's attempt at sympathy, or understanding, or whatever concept he hoped to persuade Erin with, the desperation she felt had not diminished. She needed the reprieve, and the guards were unwilling to allow her that peace. She didn't have a choice, though, as her desire and need for the mere presence of the Waters escalated within, seeking to pull her towards the holy site. Just a few moments was all she needed, but the world seemed unwilling to offer it. The exasperated sigh that escaped her encapsulated her frustration, and for a moment, she stood there, trying to think of some plea she could make that would allow her past. She'd almost given up hope of persuasion, had almost set her heart on a sudden, daring sprint, when her prayers of peace were answered. You have no hope. "Lookout!" The Abyss awaits. Swiveling her head to see the approaching woman, it took hardly a second for Erin to react, Willem nearly plowed over while his companion was distracted by the sudden burst of another woman onto the scene. Without a second thought, Erin sprinted, her long legs and light garments allowing her to fly past as she made her run to tranquility, silence, and peace. It was so unlike her, and yet every part of her was dragged that way, uncaring as she ran for the Waters of the World. We are here for you.
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#ea7ca1
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
3
Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
223
August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Jul 6, 2016 4:30:17 GMT
"Ms. Lorett-agh!"
Oh dear. It seems she had collided into someone that knew her. And it was Willem of all people. Embarrassment was evident on her reddening cheeks as she shyed in his presence and held herself. She didn't move away from him nor remove his hands upon her shoulders, but she did seem to shrink some.
"Ms. Loretta are you alright?"
"I- yes. I'm alright.. thank you." She was grateful she supposed. That it was Willem and not another guard. But it was precisely because it was Willem she couldn't help but feel mortified with herself.
"Apologies, I.. lost my footing there for a moment." She noticed Willem was not in his typical dress and was decorated quite handsomely. And there she was covered in debris, dirtying his fine clothes.. Her cheeks burned in shame for her clumsiness and less than presentable state.
"Oh!" She startled herself out of his grasp and did her best to dust herself off while apologizing.
"Sorry, I uhh.." she had become sheepish when she neared him again and dusted his chest clear of the blades of grass and dirt that had fallen on him. She cleared her throat before finishing her sentence. "Dirtied your uniform."
She didn't realize that the other figure from before had long since gone. And the small creature had scampered off somewhere and made off with her ribbon. Her whole attention had been taken by the Captain.
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#ed1717
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Post by Lev on Jul 10, 2016 21:26:28 GMT
Willem's eyes were focused dutifully on Loretta's bashful fidgeting when they should've been on the tall visitor. When he did pull his eyes away to check her she'd already rushed past him in a dark defiant blur of black and red. His first reaction was to curse himself for being so careless; his second was to reach out and grab the girl with his nearest arm. One second sooner and he would've snatched her back! Unfortunately, Kay wasn't much help either. He was still facing the entrance, his back to the group while he searched for the disorderly raccoon. When Erin dashed in behind the rascal, Kay twisted back to Willem with a baffled look. Had he let her by on purpose? Was he supposed to give chase?
"What're you standing there for? Bring her back!" Willem ordered, pointing toward the Waters as he shouted, shaking Kay out of his confusion.
Why couldn't the simplest jobs go according to plan? It was supposed to be an easy day with no challenges.. The pins on his uniform started to jingle like the gentle alarm of chirping birds, drawing his attention back to Loretta. Her small hands were brushing off dirt and bits of grass from his chest in a hurry to erase the incident of her impact.
"Sorry, I uhh..dirtied your uniform."
"No, it's-" He paused to seize her hands in his, hoping to stop her worrying. "It's fine, Miss Loretta. No harm done," he assured her. "Why were you chasing that.. What are you doing here?" Well that sounding like prying. What say do you have in where she goes? "Today," he tacked on. "What are you doing here today?"
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#ea7ca1
5
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
3
Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
223
August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Jul 11, 2016 3:47:04 GMT
"No, it's-" He grasped her hands and stopped her from further brushing off her mess. "It's fine, Miss Loretta. No harm done," A sigh of relief, at least she could have her peace still..
"Why were you chasing that.. What are you doing here?" Loretta's brow raised curiously at the odd question. What was she doing here? Was she not allowed to come to a public area? "Today," he added after a moment, as if he heard the echo of her thoughts. "What are you doing here today?" There was something charming about his confusion that Loretta couldn't exactly deny. The thought was enough to tug the corner of her lips into a smile.
"Well, if you must know. I thought it was high time to get some fresh air and stretch my legs.. however I had not expected to be a victim of theft." She looked away for a moment and muttered under her breath. "By a raccoon no less.."
"Mnn.. I suppose I had done more than stretch today though.." she chuckled. There was a pause of somewhat awkward silence as Loretta stared down at her hands that Willem continued to hold. When had she gotten so used to his touch that she no longer felt it foreign anymore?
Odd..
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