|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Apr 9, 2018 22:06:21 GMT
As the villagers disperse, Aestiva sighs lightly to himself. Things had been going so well in this village, before this evening...
He smiles at the girl sitting next to him. "Well, I come from a city called Asvara." He looks down the road into the village for a moment, in thought. "And you would be correct and, in fact, there are no roads that connect Asvara to this village." He continues to stare down the road for a few more moments before he shakes himself, looking back to his new companion. "And what of you, where do you come from?"
|
|
|
1,309 posts
|
2 likes
|
True Herald of Madness
|
|
Member
|
Post by Harbringer of Insanity on Apr 9, 2018 22:32:50 GMT
Lisali looks at Aestiva curiously as he seems to drift off, before smiling at his question. "I'm from the plains east of here. My tribe, they live there, travelling between locations to follow the Bouffelant and Doduo in their way."
She looks around her for a few moments, taking in the scenery. "I liked the plains. How they stretched on and on... but the trees and forests are nice too. Lots of wonderful new things to discover!"
|
|
Member
|
Post by oddeyes on Apr 9, 2018 23:10:00 GMT
"Haha! If you asked me, the forests are more than just 'Nice'." With a heart chuckle, Zaltana sits on the other side of Aestiva. "Many a forest in these lands are probably from my Vorah traveling from location to location. We make any place a home." She leans a little closer, and looks him over. Wow. He was quite handsome, but he seemed way more interesting that..."Oi. Why does one such as you traveling in a place like this? You seem rather...What was it? 'Fancy?' What are you doing?"
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Apr 9, 2018 23:26:49 GMT
If Aestiva feels uncomfortable at being penned in by two strangers, he makes no indication of it. "Sometimes, one simply needs to leave. I will admit that I am far from particularly suited for the life a traveler, but... there was nothing left for me there."
|
|
|
291 posts
|
1 like
|
When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
|
|
Member
|
Post by Pandora on Apr 12, 2018 4:26:03 GMT
The elder looks pleased with Lisali's promise and smiles for the first time tonight. "I see, thank you. When you are ready to retire for the night, feel free to join me and my family in our house. We will have bedding prepared for the both of you." With that, the leader walks away and into one of the largest hollow trees far from the clearing.
While the three outsiders familiarize themselves with each other beside the crackling fire, most of the forest inhabitants have hurried indoors as night falls. However, the four villagers from earlier seem to have taken it upon themselves to go gather a few things before making their way back to the center. The four of them, all young and brash men who couldn't be much older than Lisali, brandish some wooden weapons menacingly in the orange glow of the fire as the ringleader speaks out with bitter hostility, "We're only offering you mercy once out of respect for Pura-ve. Leave now, and we won't spill your blood."
|
|
|
1,309 posts
|
2 likes
|
True Herald of Madness
|
|
Member
|
Post by Harbringer of Insanity on Apr 12, 2018 22:46:10 GMT
Lisali tilts her head at the villagers, somewhat confused. "Why would we leave? Didn't your chief say we could stay? Besides, isn't it already quite late? If we left now we'd have to stop for the night pretty quickly already. That's not too useful, is it?"
As Lisali talks, Shackles gets up from where he had been sitting on her lap and moves in front of her, a mild feeling of concern and frustration coming through to Lisali through their link.
|
|
Member
|
Post by oddeyes on Apr 12, 2018 22:59:23 GMT
Zaltana's gaze fiercely shifts to the villagers. "What did you say?..." She slowly rises to her feet, clenches her fists, and stands there with her intimidating large stature. Cauli the Heracross drops from over head, and down next to Zaltana with a big bump. It levels its horn at the villagers. "You dare utter such insults to a queen of the Vorah? You'll pay for your insolence..."
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Apr 13, 2018 8:44:28 GMT
Aestiva closes his eyes and lightly pinches the bridge of his nose, pairing the action with a curt, exasperated sigh. He slowly stands up and lightly rests a hand on Zaltana's shoulder, lingering for a few moments until he is sure he has her attention. Then, he speaks with a varying, melodic softness to his voice. "Zaltana." He pauses, a small smile flickering across his face, apparently amused at how her name sounds in his voice. "Their quarrel is far more with me than it is with you, as I am the one that has been in this village for a fair few days. As such, I request that you let me attempt to deal with this first, and only resort to your way if mine fails."Without waiting to hear her response, he then walks slowly and purposefully towards the group of young men, until he is standing only a few feet away from their leader, speaking as he walks. "If you wish to force me to leave this village, you are welcome to try, but I will not be leaving simply because you threaten me. In any case, even if you were to chase me away tonight, it would only hasten my departure by a few hours, as I was intending to depart sometime in the morning. However, you may still decide to attack me, if you wish, but take a moment to consider. If you strike me, that woman behind me will certainly not stand idle, and I have little doubt that her and her pokemon can defeat all of you with ease.
"Furthermore, in the morning, all of what happens tonight will have to be explained to Pura-ve. As you know, we have become quite close friends in the past few days. He has already chastised you once for your hostility towards outsiders in your village. If you attack me, then after you have been beaten within an inch of your life by the woman standing behind me, I will explain what has transpired tonight to Pura-ve, and I he will most certainly look unfavorably upon your acts tonight. If you do not attack me, I will not mention it to him at all in the morning. So, I ask you, is the risk of severe bodily harm, if not death, and the risk of being looked down upon and shamed by your chief, and most likely much of the rest of your village, truly worth the measly reward of causing me to leave the village only a few hours earlier than I was intending?" He pauses, letting his words sit in the air for a few heartbeats before spreading out his hands in an open, defenseless stance. "If you are willing to risk all of that, to strike me for so little gain, then so be it, I cannot save you from your foolishness. Otherwise, be done with this idiotic act and let me enjoy my newfound company." Added on a roll for fun! (Although now I'm wishing I hadn't, cause my bad luck infected the roll and I spent way too long writing all of that out for it to be wasted. Oh well, too late!)
Charm Roll: 9. On 4d6. With spending AP. The average of 4d6+1 is 15. Curse you luck. I shouldn't roll things unprompted, I guess.
|
|
|
291 posts
|
1 like
|
When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
|
|
Member
|
Post by Pandora on Apr 14, 2018 0:42:08 GMT
Decidedly unconcerned with Lisali or the small Espurr, the four men are ready to let sparks fly with Zaltana and her Heracross until Aestiva expresses his doubt of a positive outcome for them with such a fight, particularly of Pura-ve's reaction come morning. Their spirits clearly wavering, one by one they loosen their grips on their weapons, though not abandoning them entirely. The ringleader is the last one to reluctantly lower his arms. "Fine, we'll see you leave at the first light of dawn, and you'll take those two outsiders with you, since you're clearly the one they're looking for. They don't need to stay a second longer."
Apparently not taking any negotiations, he takes his three conspirators and stomps past by Aestiva, spitting out one last taunt, "You think you're so high and mighty 'cause you've got everyone wrapped around your finger. Maybe they're all foolish enough to think you're spotless, but I can see all the blood on your hands. Only a demon like you would dream of total destruction." Finally, Lisali, Zaltana, and Aestiva are left alone to tend to the fire.
|
|
Member
|
Post by oddeyes on Apr 18, 2018 1:52:35 GMT
Zaltana huffed, and folded her arms as the fools departed. "Hmph...Should have let them face their judgment by my hand...." She turned to the others. "Interesting way to handle them. Quite the tongue you have, Aestiva. You might even speak more than Sister Lisali here. Hehe. Anyways, we should rest up, and head out at dawn. Any thoughts on that?"
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Apr 22, 2018 7:50:34 GMT
Aestiva blinks a few moments as the youths depart, then erupts into a set of small, dainty chuckles. He moves his hand up to his mouth in an attempt to hide them, but it just heightens the effect.
He manages to compose himself after a few moments and looks to Zaltana quizzically. "Is it 'we', now? I hadn't realized that I had agreed to travel with you. In fact, I don't believe I said it either... But anyways, I'm planning to stay up at night to watch the fire, as I promised Pura-ve I would. In the morning, I will not be leaving right away, but instead mention to Pura-ve what just occurred, and if they wish to act out and attack me then, and you're still around, I would be delighted to watch you... punish them. Then, after that, I will be leaving, and if you would like to depart at the same time," he shrugs. "So be it."
|
|
|
1,309 posts
|
2 likes
|
True Herald of Madness
|
|
Member
|
Post by Harbringer of Insanity on Apr 22, 2018 15:39:23 GMT
Lisali's attention drifts away from the young men talking to them as she feels more and more dreams coming to live around her. Ignoring the conversation of Zaltana and Aestiva, she closes her eyes and lets her mind drift, probing the sleeping minds around her to find any interesting dreams.
|
|
|
291 posts
|
1 like
|
When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
|
|
Member
|
Post by Pandora on Apr 22, 2018 18:33:41 GMT
As Zaltana and Aestiva continue to discuss the details of what happens come morning, Lisali finds herself drifting through a wondrous collage of dreams, as is usual when surrounded by so many people asleep at the same time. Some are strange alterations of the villagers' everyday lives. Several seem to be memories. In addition, there are quite a few dreams that have formed as interpretations of the stories passed around the fire. If she was hoping to find the single dream they came in search for, unfortunately it is not present tonight. In its place, however, are many vivid nightmares of flames consuming the forest from the most worried of the villagers.
|
|
|
1,309 posts
|
2 likes
|
True Herald of Madness
|
|
Member
|
Post by Harbringer of Insanity on Apr 22, 2018 19:21:32 GMT
Lisali wanders aimlessly through the myriad of dreams surrounding her, stopping periodically in dreams that seemed more interesting, sometimes simply watching, other times appearing in her usual dream avatar (a somehow more ethereal looking version of herself in a light coloured dress) to join in the experience. Whenever she would come across a nightmare of fire, she'd intervene, conjuring up rainstorms that would douse the flames, creating Water Pokémon - some she'd seen in person, others she'd only heard of or seen in dreams - that would fight the inferno, or handing people the means to fight the flames themselves, giving them blades of waves, spears of streams, whips of torrents, allowing them to fight the destruction head on.
|
|
Member
|
Post by oddeyes on Apr 26, 2018 1:13:12 GMT
Zaltana merely shrugs, and chuckles. "That does sound interesting. A fight would be a nice way to stretch in the morning." She lets the others do as they will, and she starts climbing a tall, nearby tree. Zaltana, and Cauli, take spots up in the branches to turn in for the night. She pondered what to do in the morning. Beating up rowdy townsfolk was entertaining some what, but where would need to venture after that? Hopefully Sister Lisali would see something important. With a big yawn, and some scratching of her head and armpit, Zaltana soon falls asleep.
|
|
|
291 posts
|
1 like
|
When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
|
|
Member
|
Post by Pandora on Apr 26, 2018 4:18:03 GMT
As Lisali continues to wander through the villager's dreams, and with Zaltana's eventually joining the mix, she encounters one in particular that flickers in and out of consciousness, making it difficult to properly view, let alone stay in. At first, it almost looks no different than the nightmares that have been plaguing the others, but in this one, the recognizable figure of Aestiva stands within an out-of-control blaze with an uncharacteristically evil grin. Unintelligibly shouting at the twisted image of the man is the leader of the young men from earlier, with a face contorted in both fear and outrage as everything burns around him. Lisali never sees the dream get any farther than that first scene due to the flickering.
Although left with only Lisali's feline companion to keep him company while attending the crackling but rather tame fire, Aestiva finds no other trouble for the rest of the night. Just before first light, however, the young man leading the band from last night seems to have kept his word to see the three strangers leave for good with a wooden club in hand, but distinctly lacking his friends as back-up and appearing tired and irritable. "Time to pack up. I won't take no for an answer."
|
|
|
1,249 posts
|
3 likes
|
Oct 27, 2020 20:42:28 GMT
|
Member
|
Post by haybalebarn on Apr 26, 2018 4:41:39 GMT
Aestiva stares at the fire throughout the night, hardly moving. As it gets closer to the morning hours, he shuffles through his pack, pulling out scrolls and an ornate book, beginning to read and study as best he can by the firelight, occasionally mumbling to himself and occasionally pretending to scribble notes with his finger in order to save them in memory for later.
As the young man approaches, Aestiva sighs. He doesn't say anything, packing his materials back into his pack. Then, he stands, but he doesn't pick up his bag, glancing over at the resting Zaltana and Lisali, then back to the young man, a hint of pity in his gaze. Oh, to be young and foolish. "No, Vala-re. I never agreed to that, I said I would leave town today, and I intend to stick to that. I never agreed to your interpretation of my words as 'at sunset.' I will not disrespect Pura-ve, a man I have great respect for, by scorning his hospitality and leaving without giving a farewell. If I'm injured now, I am most certain that I will only be staying in your village for longer, as I recover. I'll be gone by midday, and if you truly revile me so much as to not allow me to give a proper farewell to a man you and I both respect..." Aestiva steps forward, his arms hanging loosely at his sides, his voice having lost all melody. "Then hurry up and beat this defenseless man to death, let's get this over with."
|
|
|
1,309 posts
|
2 likes
|
True Herald of Madness
|
|
Member
|
Post by Harbringer of Insanity on Apr 27, 2018 22:27:14 GMT
Lisali snaps out of her trance at the sound of people talking, looking around her and spotting Aestiva and one of the men from yesterday talking. Remembering the boy from a dream she'd seen earlier, one too wrenched in emotion for her to properly change easily, she sighs a bit sadly. She never did like it when she couldn't make someone's dreams better, and it looked like he hadn't had too much sleep because of it. Getting up, she smiles serenely at both men. "Good... morning!" -she pauses briefly to remember the time of day - "Are you... doing okay?" she asks as she notices the tension in the young man's body, along with his baggy eyes (and club in hand). Shackle, who had been roused from his slumber when Lisali had risen, looks up at the man as well, a faint sense of annoyance and consternation coming through their link, similar to the one she had felt the day before. The small feline quickly moves in front of Lisali, eyes beginning to softly glow with psychic power.
As the glow grows, a similar glow begins to surround the man's club, and an unseen force pulls on it, wrenching it away from his hand and into the fire if he fails to hold on to it.
|
|
Member
|
Post by oddeyes on Apr 29, 2018 4:54:05 GMT
Zaltana soon stirs from her sleep. She yawns, and looks down from the tree where she can hear talking. Sure enough, there was those foolish villagers again. Looks like she would get that morning workout. Zaltana wakes her Heracross, both move across the branches, and both drop down from the tree. She pops her neck, and stretches her arms and shoulders. "Back again to bother my compatriots, and I ehh?" Cauli delivers Zaltana's large, ornate spear, and her other belongings. "You seem to be lacking support this time. They seemed to be the smart ones. What is it that you need now?" Zaltana admired Lisali's trusted companion to disarm the man, but she wasn't to worried if a fight happened or not.
|
|
|
291 posts
|
1 like
|
When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
|
|
Member
|
Post by Pandora on May 3, 2018 20:26:27 GMT
Shaking unsteadily, Vala-re gets angrier with each word that comes out of Aestiva's mouth, this time not dissuaded by the outsider bringing up his idol. "I don't care what happens anymore, to me or you, as long as you leave now!" Shouting this, he steps forward aggressively to act on Aestiva's provocation, but the young man is caught off-guard by the psychic tug on his weapon. He tries to keep his grip on it, but his unusual slowness to react gives Shackles the opening to yank the club into the fire. Though this would discourage most from acting out any further, Vala-re only becomes more enraged, spitting at them as he continues to shout. "So, you'll help this scourge? All of you really are the same." Unable to be reasoned with, the young man reaches his bare hands into the fire and snatches back his club, now scorched and burning hot with embers. He hisses in pain, but wields it nonetheless with a mad fury. All right, it's combat time, for the one round it'll take for you to beat the poor guy up. Initiatives and any other prep, if you may. I'll try to get a crude map up after work, but positioning is pretty straightforward: everyone's within shift-melee range of everyone else, with the fire putting a distance of about 3 meters between the group from Vala-re. The fire makes a 2x2 square of Rough Terrain and is also considered a Fire Hazard (1/8 hp damage if you pass through it, Burned if you stay on it).
|
|