Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Apr 22, 2023 4:24:08 GMT -5
Walking in the lightning fields is always fun for me. So many times I have had to travel through her to be paid or to travel from home to home. It is oh so rare for me to be able to causally walk here in a pleasant stroll. The strong winds, the random bouts of rains, not to mention the variation of power each one has. It is a disastrous beauty in nature that could never be tamed.
I breathed a deep breath of the grand air as I watched the clouds above. I notice the sparks, the trail, and the breaking of it. I jump to the right as the running lighting strikes the ground and the damage just missing me. Yep, a normal day in Dragon's Cradle. Wait... there is a figure in the distance running from the border of Frost Gale.
I could tell she is of a younger age based on the possible size, but I am a case in point that size doesn't matter. I start a run to get closer to her, watching the clouds for the storm raging above. I notice the pattern quickly building up, but the bad part was the target was in the way of the figure. I reach out my mental strength and grab at the figure1, pulling them sideways and out of the way. I keep running while calling out to them, "Are you ok?"
1. Telekinesis
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
26
Renown
Half Elf
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Robin on Apr 22, 2023 10:22:51 GMT -5
She had been running for hours. Robin's mind lulled with the constant physical exertion, trying to keep one foot moving in front of the other for as long as she could. She had already left behind the snowy edges of the Frost Gale and dimly noticed the trees around her slowly thinning away to reveal the vast valley in front of her - Dragon's Cradle. She didn't hesitate running out into the storm, despite the obvious danger. If she could just get through the Cradle, she might be able to shake pursuit and get a good head start on the group. She didn't know how long it would take for them to realize she'd slipped away - or maybe they were already on her trail. She couldn't be sure.
Robin's heart beat faster at the thought and she furtively glanced back again to see if she could spot any signs of pursuit. She felt a strange tug and suddenly she was moving rapidly to the side. Her feet couldn't keep up with the drastic change in direction. Robin completely lost her balance and she felt herself pitch to the side. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and as she fell, sliding along the dirt, her vision was filled with searing white light. The deafening crack left her ears ringing.
Her heart thumped against her chest and she gulped down large breaths of air. Robin blinked tears from her eyes as she sat up. It took her mind a minute to wrap around what had just happened. Lightning. Lightning right where she had been running. The thought gave her chills. She absently noticed her legs shaking and she wasn't sure if it was from the running or from the close brush with death. Robin looked around to see where the push had come from and dimly saw a figure running towards her. There was a thrill of fear - had they caught up already?
But no, this figure was in front of her, coming from the Dragon's Cradle. The figure was close enough that Robin could recognize it as a petite female, her silver-white hair whipping in the wind behind her. The girl was yelling something at her, but Robin's ears were still ringing. She went to stand up, but after running for so long, her legs were refusing to support any weight. She collapsed back onto the ground as the girl came up. This time, Robin picked up on her question and she waved a dismissive hand at her as she attempted to stand again. Though, even she had to admit her shaky voice didn't bolster a lot of confidence. "I-I'm fine. Was that- Did you see what happened?"
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on May 5, 2023 0:13:36 GMT -5
Shock, both in pun and in name, is what this child had experienced. The shaking of the body, the stutter that they were trying to hide, and even the light amounts of static electricity lingering in her hair. There was so much that showed she was not from this chaos, instead she looked to be completely fine with the rain. This, along with the direction she had been running from, tells me she, at the very least, has spent most if not all of her life in lands of letting it go.
I quickly arrive and reach down to help her up, slowly lifting her as I check the sky about every minute or so. I look around her body to check for any scrapes or cuts that could be a problem. Seeing none, I quickly reach my arm around to hers as I keep speaking. “Let's get you out of these storms, they only seem to be amplifying around here.” I tug softly at her arm and point to the mountains that appear to be on our right. “Do you want to go to a warm village or,” I switch my pointing finger to point us to the left, “A place of people who love the storm’s chaos?” I kept tugging, keeping us moving forward to at least prevent the targeting of monsters, even though it was a light walking pace. Willing to respect the victim's opinion for safety, refusing to bring her to Thorock or Stormgale.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
26
Renown
Half Elf
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Robin on May 6, 2023 12:30:32 GMT -5
Robin let the girl help her up, glad for the fact that they didn't seem to have too large of a height gap to herself. The girl slid her arm under Robin's and helped support her weight as they started walking. A lot of Robin's focus was in making sure her legs remembered how to put one foot in front of the other, but the weight of anxiety also felt like it was dragging her down. She followed the girl's pointing finger right, then left, as she asked Robin where to go. Robin let out a breath, hoping for mirth, but instead it sounded as strained as her nerves. "Whichever path is going to dissuade pursuers..." She gave another furtive glance back in the direction she came, looking for any sign of movement.
Robin wasn't sure she should've shared so much, even in such a simple sentence - but she was tired and couldn't care less. If she could get some help, no matter where it came from, she would do anything to get it.
As they walked, Robin took another glance at the girl, just now registering how young the girl seemed. It struck Robin as odd - a girl as young as she was out in the middle of the storms of Dragon's Cradle. As far as Robin knew, most people avoided the treacherous wasted landscapes here, for fear of death or worse. But this girl carried herself with a confidence of someone who'd spent most of their life in the area - her eyes thoughtful and knowing. Strange. Well, maybe not too strange, since Robin herself was more than she seemed at first glance. Looks could be deceiving, and she was full proof of that.
"Are you from this area? Please, I could use some help crossing Dragon's Cradle. I'll do anything."
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on May 18, 2023 1:15:10 GMT -5
Unlike previous people I have seen and watched, this girl was truly scared, the subtle information leak was enough to tip me off that she was running away. Not that it matters to me, as everyone is both an enemy and an ally till they force themselves to pick a single side. I let my voice hold a cheery lift to it, "Tempest Peak it is!" My smile reached a genuine happiness as flashes of memories of my home arise to my mind. I shift my footing to allow for movement to be quick and steady as I glace to the sky, focus divided between the conversation and the patterns of the clouds, and, most importantly, the strikes of lightning. Moving forward, Robin asked a desperate question, followed by a major choice of words. It startled me a bit as she spoke those words. My smile falls a bit as I answer, a cress of my eyebrows showing my worry. "Yes, born and raised. Which is way I will say this." My eyes gained a glow as my pupils formed, allowing my voice to lose it's childish tone and gained a smooth and silky deep sound1, giving an emphasis on my words, "Don't speak those kinds of words ever again, people will hold you to your words if you never set a limit." I focus forward, not watching the reaction, but rather, I feel the shift in her body as we walk through the chaos.
1. Become Another Person & One with the Cosmos
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
26
Renown
Half Elf
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Robin on May 23, 2023 13:09:21 GMT -5
The sudden change from the girl next to her was jarring. Robin watched her eyes changed and heard her voice gain a deeper, mature - even foreboding tone. It surprised Robin to be sure. Without a doubt this girl was way more than she seemed - maybe she wasn't even human.
There was the small coherent part of her brain that said maybe she should be wary of these words - and maybe wary of their new rescuer. However, the part of her brain that didn't give two shits was currently in control. Robin gave a lopsided grin, finding some weird humor in the current situation. "Neat trick, could you show me how to do that?" She rolled her head to face forward again, finally relaxing a bit. The fact that she'd even bothered to warn Robin about her choice of words assured her she was probably more trustworthy that other people.
"No, thanks for the warning, but I know. I'm not making light of this situation - I'm pretty aware enough to know that you're basically my only hope right now, to get to where I want to go. A desperate situation calls for a handsome reward." As they walked, Robin also stared at the sky, watching the arcs of lightning through the clouds and rain. Her fear hadn't abated, but now there was more chance of success than previously. There was more assurance as each step took her further away from the danger she feared.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on May 28, 2023 21:08:43 GMT -5
I could tell the shock was wearing off, as her steps were getting stronger and stronger, allowing less weight to slow us down, making the land easier to traverse. I lightened my grip on her when I deemed it safe enough for her to walk on her own.
At the question for how to do my partial shift, I simply stated, "There are many factors to do what I did." I peek at her young form, "Some of which you may not have or ever get." I feel the face shift away from me, hinting that a sense of trust had been acquired, somehow. Her response to my warning was pretty mature, for the age she looked that was. After all, I am the embodiment of more than what meets the eye. I shake my head, laughter building up from the joy this mystery I have happened upon.
I point out to the distance, specifically at a far off peak in the clouds. I smile, "There is a peak in the storm, not an eye. That is the destination. It's hard for people not used to traveling in these clouds to see, but it is noticeable when one is close enough." I give a little wave directed at the clouds to the naked eye, the raised can see the difference of the lightning and a Arcuila rider.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
26
Renown
Half Elf
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Robin on Jun 1, 2023 8:39:18 GMT -5
Robin followed the girl's gesture. She definitely wasn't trained to see or well-versed in the area. All she could see now were clouds. But she was happy enough to believe there was probably a peak there. Robin knew that the area was always covered in storms, but she wasn't aware of the fact that the center of the storm was the actual peak. This was interesting information to her and she stored that tidbit of information away. As they continued to walk, Robin's legs loosening up more despite how sore they were beginning to feel, she relaxed more. The calm demeanor of the girl beside her was definitely helping in that regard. She was definitely wiser and more knowledgeable than she appeared at first glance and Robin was starting to get endlessly curious of this girl's story - where she came from and what she's seen. But before that, introductions were in order.
"By the way, what should I call you? I don't think I got a name before. Mine's Robin." Robin gave a brief glance back at the tree line, now starting to disappear with rain and distance. She wasn't sure anymore if the shifting darkness from the trees were actual movement or just an illusion brought on by the falling rain and swirling mist.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Jun 3, 2023 1:39:07 GMT -5
With her stutter gone and confidence fully in her steps, not to mention the tense shoulder she had were no more, I could tell that her way of speaking and how her actions held much experience and not just trauma that forced a kid to adulthood, like how I started. Memories of self bias means very little though when a puzzle away from me is open wide to take a pick at. It all starts with a name, "Nice to meet you Robin! I like the name, it's like a protector in the chaos of storms!" I giggle a bit due to the irony of which the name could symbolize and the predicament that just happened.
I release her shoulder and weight and simply grab her hand. Before I introduce myself, I watch her turn back to the blurring scenery of Frost Gale behind us. "No need to worry! Just crossing the threshold into Dragon's Cradle deters most who value themselves over money." I tug her a bit as I tilt my head to question, "You ok? We can can run if it makes you feel better." I pause and finally answer, "The name's Keyke by the way, and I am a person born and raised in this land where you me the chaos yours." I let my smile hold a bit of pride for the land in which I was born.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
26
Renown
Half Elf
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Robin on Jun 30, 2023 13:34:22 GMT -5
Robin gave a laugh at Keyke's mention of her name and what it meant - though a little more awkward than mirthful. "Yeah, maybe not much of a protector in this instance." The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her at all - but her mind was on more darker paths. She shoved her guilt to the side however - no point bringing up her various misdeeds to a person she'd met just moments ago. She heard Keyke's question and pondered for a bit, but then shook her head. "I'm not sure if I could run any further right now. And we still have a ways to go yet, I don't want to completely exhaust my strength before we reach our destination."
At the mention of Keyke's name and birthplace, Robin gave another smile. "Keyke. That's a beautiful name. Unique - I like it. It makes sense how you would know so much about Dragon's Cradle being born and raised here. That's a feat in and of itself if I'm not mistaken." Keyke's pride showed clear as day to Robin and she couldn't help but admire the clear affection. It brought Robin's mind to her own childhood, wandering around the Frost Gale with her parents, trading and selling to all the little settlements. Frost Gale was harsh, but there was warmth in the people that lived there. Well, most of the people. Her thoughts turned dark thinking about the bandit gang and tried to push it aside. Could she say that she was proud of her homeland? Robin couldn't deny that Frost Gale held a special place in her heart. But she wasn't sure she could say to herself yet that she was proud of it.
She looked back at the girl holding her hand as they walked - a surprisingly jovial jaunt in the last place she would've expected it. She gently squeezed Keyke's hand in a grateful gesture as they continued on. Robin wanted to know more about Keyke, now that she (dare she say it?) possibly found a kindred spirit. "So, I know you seem to be much more mature than you look. If it's not too forward, could I maybe ask how old you are?"
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Aug 13, 2023 19:49:35 GMT -5
Wow, so few ever straight up ask the question, much less within a little bit of time from meeting me. It was funny, since it is doubtful that me turning into my adult self would be very beneficial at this moment... scratch that, it would make movement fast for the both of us. Either way, I knew to myself what was needed, "Well, despite my looks, I'm twenty years old!" I raise my free hand to do jazz fingers, letting raw magical energy flicker between my fingers to mimic a sparkle. My smile shifted to a rare sight in this form, neither happy, acting, or sadistic, it was one that could be seen as a welcoming shine, not bright, but warm. "Rare for anyone to point out my maturity to ask for my age. It's mainly by them happening to see inconsistencies of my assumed age and what I've done all around the world." My mind flashes to silly escapades and my darker stories, "Might I ask the same of you? I am a living example of looks don't define age, after all."
My eyes flicker around the area some more, lightly tugging at Robin when having us move forward. I stay silent for a while, letting her process and listen to the reaction.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
26
Renown
Half Elf
14 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Robin on Aug 15, 2023 17:52:32 GMT -5
Robin did take that in. Keyke was 20 years old. So Robin had been right in her estimation that Keyke was much older than she looked. but - well, maybe it was because of Robin's own age, but she would've thought the girl would've been older. Although, most people probably wouldn't have thought the same. Still, it was amazing to Robin to actually find someone like her, and so soon after catching hold of her freedom. It seemed a chance - maybe fate. Could Robin learn more from Keyke about this phenomenon? Why she had stopped growing older? Robin knew better than to get her hopes up, but she couldn't help a small surge of hope from tumbling into her heart.
She laughed a bit at Keyke's comment. "Well, likeness recognizes likeness, right? Actually, I'm--"
Her statement was cut short as a low whooshing sound suddenly approached. Pain flared along Robin's leg as a dry thunk sounded next to her feet. She grunted and looked down to see a bright line of crimson on the side of her leg, just above her knee - a small droplet of blood already trailing down the side. Just in front of her stood the culprit, still vibrating from the impact - a black arrow with dark red fletching. Robin instantly recognized it and her heart plunged into icy fear, eyes widening in panic. It was Renner's arrow, their best scout and marksman in the bandit group - one of the boss' best men. No doubt he had been aiming to incapacitate Robin. Despite the rain, fog, and distance he was only mere millimeters off. A blessing for Robin to be sure, but the next one might not be so lucky.
Robin frantically looked backwards through the fog. Through the thick haze she could see a burly figure running towards the two girls - not Renner then, who would be hanging back in the fog and providing cover. This front man would be the musclehead sent to help bundle her up and drag her back to the hideout - back to her little prison cell. Robin cursed as she clutched at Keyke's hand automatically and started backing up, preparing to run. She didn't know if she even had anything left to run further - but by hell, she wasn't just gonna lie down and let them take her back.
|
|
Noble
IS OFFLINE
24
Renown
Dragon’s Cradle
Life is a game, we are the pieces and the environment is the board. Wanna play?
419 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Lady Keyke Runi on Dec 6, 2023 17:25:05 GMT -5
Just as quickly as my curious nature grabbed onto her words, it held onto the context of the situation very quickly. Robin had been shot just above what would be needed to down her to the ground. She was terrified that she was trying to hide almost instinctively behind the one thing that could hide her, me, saying anything. I follow her sight to see the perp that shot at us. I quickly release her hand and pat her as I face them. "Hello there." I cross my arms as I look at him expectantly. "May I have the name of the one who tried to attack us?" I focus on the crossbow, then focus even closer on the parts; having often used them, I know each part and what it causes for every shot. A simple click and the crossbow is useless, all because I broke a single gear in its shot area. 1I make eye contact as I listen to every movement, shift as they shift. Match the pattern to focus on the fight. "Either way, it does not matter." I shrugged my shoulders. "You interrupted a nice talk, one that piqued my interest." I glare at them, my eyes beginning to have traces of glow as I feel my magic swirl from around me and inside of me. Patterns upon patterns of spells rotate in my head as my smile turns to a devilish grin. "It's time for you to pay." I snap my fingers, and a mimic of me appears, neither looking at the other, as we both know what to do.2 Other me raises the dead plants around us, swirling them around her and Robin.3 I raise my hand, feeling the heat of fury for them forbidding my discussion, and release it. Chains of fire spring forth and wrap around them, trapping them inside.4 I glance over to the other two before watching the perp get caged to the ground with my magic.
1. Telekinesis 2. Replicant 3. Petal Storm 4. Scern's God Killer
|
|