Tradesfolk
127 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Celeste on Jul 6, 2023 23:01:45 GMT -5
Celeste read the note again as she approached the glade. It was Keyke’s fancy, beautiful handwriting. As much as she hated to admit anything nice about that woman, she was gracefully professional. Still, this was such a weird thing to ask. Did this count as that favor she owed her? If she didn’t have to owe her after this, all the better. Celeste walked through the glade, and towards the fairy glen. She had done her best not to get lost, and whilst she was doing pretty good, she was still getting slightly irritated. Eventually, she just stopped in her tracks, and moved to sit down. “HELLO?” she called out, looking around. Was she even here? Was this some sort of trick? Part of her was also a bit concerned about managing to get out of the fairy glen. She had heard quite a few stories of people getting lost here.
“Oh, this is such bullshit.” She mumbled to herself, stretching a little as she looked around. She had been walking around for about half an hour looking for this tiny demoness. All for some prank. “I’m out of here…” She had added under her breath, standing up to retrace her footsteps.
|
|
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 Jul 7, 2023 1:20:21 GMT -5
Who said it has to be professional? It's a favor, after all. It was an exciting thing to get in contact with a friend who is an alchemist with so many new ideas! They asked me to test this potion and see if it worked as they intended. It was meant to transform someone into a cat. With that in mind, I wanted to see Celeste as a cat; how cute would that be! Plus, if it causes any damage, my system has no guilt. I happily traveled to the meeting place and sat in an overlying tree, talking to the animals around to keep an eye on and to direct her to me. Eventually, she arrived and called out to me; so much mental strength was needed not to laugh. As she stood and turned around, I knew it was my time to shine. I stood up and nodded to the animals, aka squirrels and birds, letting them leave before measuring her steps till it was the perfect time to land in front of her. I turned my feet to gracefully land smack dap in front of her before flicking my wrists and holding the bottle for her. "Good, you're here. Drink this."Quest Name: Drink Up Participants: Two or more Location: Anywhere Post Requirements: 5 post per person, 200 words per post Reward: +1 Renown Description: A local potion maker has crafted a set of new potions, many of them aimed at helping people, even if in strange ways. They are in need of a few testers, brave heroes willing to take a chance and test some of these potions. They are willing to pay a small fee and spread your name across Charon. Be warned however, these are untested potions and alchemist are known to try wacky things.
|
|
Tradesfolk
127 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Celeste on Jul 7, 2023 2:13:45 GMT -5
Immediately, she glared at the woman in front of her that dropped down and groaned. “Ugh, and here I thought I would be able to have a nice, calm, walk back.” She had to remember to hold back some of her snarky comments - This woman was the one who helped her find her brother. Still, the disdain between the two was palpable. Nonetheless, Celeste gave her a wry smile and took the bottle. “What is it? Am I drinking alone?” She asked. Was this woman trying to poison her?
Carefully, Celeste opened the bottle, sniffing it. It smelled weird. Sort of like… Cat? “Hmm.” She groans, her nose scrunching. “I’m not sure about this, Keyke. If you are trying to poison me, do you think you could be a little more… discreet, about it? Offering a girl a potion in the middle of a scary forest that has several rumors of people disappearing in it… Not a good look, my love.”
Celeste closed the bottle. “I’ll drink it if you drink it as well. No ifs, ands, or buts. I understand I owe you a favor, but that favor does not include my life. Thanks!” She offered the potion back to Keyke, a sickly sweet grin offered. Did she think she was stupid or something?
|
|
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 Jul 8, 2023 3:41:19 GMT -5
That was one of the many things that I couldn't fault her for. Intelligence is a skill that is easy to acquire, that and common sense. Many have just accepted that a favor is a favor, never setting limits for what it could do. At least I knew that no matter how petty I was, I could still give her an ounce of respect for questioning things at step one.
Smiling, I pulled out a second bottle, "I came prepared if that was the case." I had hoped that this wouldn't happen, but who knows? After all, my usual self was so different from the current me that my cat form would be very different. Who knows, would I be a house cat or maybe even a panther? I have seen this person making potions with high accuracy, so it's not too hard to trust them while not having much knowledge about the art. "It's only meant to turn us temporarily into a cat for an hour; an acquaintance of mine who is an expert on potions wanted to test this and needed some help." I giggle, "I don't poison those that owe me; it's just not good for business." I pop the top off of my potion and give a little toast gesture, "Bottoms up." I drink down the potion with Celeste.
|
|
Tradesfolk
127 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Celeste on Jul 15, 2023 15:10:52 GMT -5
What a silly thing to use a favor for. “And this is it? I won’t owe you anymore after this?” Celeste really truly did think it was silly, but whatever. It was also an easy way out. Besides, it would be fun to see what sort of cat she’d be. Maybe a siamese? She shrugs, and knocks back the potion with Keyke. “Bottom’s up, I suppose.” She responds with a drawl of annoyance.
Okay. She was waiting. And she waited. And she waited. It was about five minutes of total silence later that Celeste finally spoke up. “It isn’t doing anything.” She stated, as if it weren’t obvious. “I think you got scammed.” Celeste adds with a chuckle. She tossed the empty vial towards Keyke and turned to walk away. “Sucks. I’ll let you know if I have any weird side effects, I guess? I’m sure I’ll be able to find you. I’ll just follow the tracks of the most annoying person in the world.” Celeste stopped in her tracks.
“Wait I didn’t mean to say that.” She adds, looking a bit shocked. “I mean, I’m not going to deny it, that is exactly how I feel but… Usually I’m better at hiding my disdain for you - You did, after all, help me find Soren….” This is the most she’s spoken since they met. Why was she talking so much? Celeste covered her mouth as she turned to glare at Keyke. “You lied to me didn’t you? That wasn’t a cat potion, or whatever.”
|
|
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 Jul 18, 2023 19:26:04 GMT -5
The potion did not affect anything physical, at least nothing outside of my throat; if anything, my vocal cords felt very loose. At the bottle toss, I caught it in my hand and flicked it away into my pocket, ready to scold my friend once I saw them again. I remain silent for a bit, half expecting when Celeste to talk for it to become a cat's meow. Nope, it was the truth and the whole truth at that. With a sigh, I wiped off my dress from dirt when I was up in the tree. "That much is clear; you've become a chatterbox."
I smile, not realizing my thoughts would not stop there, "Lying would be bad for me; I could never outright lie. Withholding information is the best way for my business. Perhaps I must add another torture session to my schedule; that little pest must learn not to lie to me. I do think this potion instead affects the filters of how we talk." My eyes widen at my thoughts rushing out so quickly.
"Shit, ok, Celeste knows of my physical torture now; oh well. Perhaps they need to be strange up? No, too nice. Maybe my special knife? That could work. They have plenty of healing potions." My body language was not so hard to read now; my fingers twitched with every idea, my feet tapping now and then. My normal collected self was nowhere to be seen.
|
|
Tradesfolk
127 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Celeste on Jul 18, 2023 23:02:00 GMT -5
Celeste covered her own mouth to prevent herself from saying anything that could get her in trouble. As she listened to Keyke drone on, she smirked. “You’re really going to try and talk out how to kill me while I’m right here? And what about the people who know I’d be missing? I didn’t keep this meeting a secret, Demoness. Soren and Arashi know exactly where I am and exactly who I am with… On the other hand, I could just kill you, but since you’ve actually proven yourself useful, I’m not going to do that - You may be incredibly annoying and frankly, a raging bitch, but… You’re good at your job, and I might be able to use that in the future.” Fuck it. They were already this deep in.
Celeste moved towards her a bit. “Plus, I have way too much to accomplish, and… Soren likes you.” She scowls. “Not like that. I hope so. I think. He does have terrible taste in women, but you’re barely that, so… But he also appreciates you saving his life. And technically as the Seiko family goes, he’s my superior. How annoying is that.” She couldn’t help but smile. Celeste truly did miss her brother.
“But about that potioneer buddy of yours….” Celeste adds, with a glint of murderous intent in her eyes.
|
|
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 Jul 18, 2023 23:56:33 GMT -5
In the spirit of full honesty, my body language shifts as Celeste talks. From fidgety to slow smooth and precise. It was a clear transition, not able to hide it and all, at the single word 'kill'. The wild thought still tumble as they usually to but my flow is much for precise as I blankly stare at her, eyes half way narrow, voice no longer holding any emotion, just pure monotone. "That is what causes the hate, isn't it? Misconceptions." I huff, "There was no murder planned for you, I wasn't even thinking that way." My hand swings around the way I came from, "My old acquaintance is the one who needs punishing, not you. You fulfilled the main part of the request. All I require is how you feel physically and mentally in writing for the potioneer." My brain focuses on one part of her speech, "Use me? Look, I may be a person who loves chaos, but even I have a moral code, no matter how loose it may seem." The doll in the backpack turns it's head a full 180 degrees to tilt the opposite way I have. "Even I have a limit, I just try to find others' before they can find mine." My blank eyes release energy, forming an outline glow on them.1 "I would be more than willing to push the boundaries of the nuisance that made those potion. By the look in your eyes, I assume you already have an end goal you wish to reach." 1. Astral Soul (adult self is joining in)
|
|
Tradesfolk
127 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Celeste on Aug 5, 2023 1:29:24 GMT -5
Celeste smiled gently. It seemed like, despite their differences, they both had the same idea for once. “I was never thinking of bending your moral code, Darling. You’re good at finding information. How I use that information is entirely up to me.” Celeste takes a few steps, circling around Keyke a little. “As for this acquaintance of yours… Well, maybe we should figure out exactly how they made this serum. After all, truth serums are not something that you just… Come by every day.” She shrugs gently. “But you’re right. Let me fulfill my end of the bargain by letting you know… Exactly. How I feel.” Celeste stops in front of Keyke, meeting her eye to eye.
“Physically, I feel like throwing up. I guess that’s how you’re supposed to feel, considering this is entirely word vomit… But mentally? I am so angry. I am furious. Now, you understand, your presence, just in general, annoys the living hell out of me. You’re two-faced, picky, selfish, just to name a few things. You pretend to be something you’re not, just in order to get perks you otherwise would not have. You like pretending you’re some cute little girl when in fact you are a witch! But NOW? Now I’m spilling my guts to you, after being poisoned by some idiot. Now I’m not dumb enough to think you’ve done this on purpose. You’d NEVER make yourself this vulnerable in front of me. The Arcana of the Storm would NEVER… So I’m just assuming you’re just as angry as I am. I am, in fact, angry enough to ask you for information, and I hope you are angry enough to provide it. Where exactly can I find this ‘acquaintance’ of yours?”
|
|
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 9, 2023 0:34:09 GMT -5
I listened to the entire dump, allowing the words to circle in my mind before looking back up to her. My energy-filled eyes dimmed down once again. That was before my voice spoke, my 'normal voice peeking through. "Anger is something I do not feel." I pause and look around me; with a sigh, I continue, "Annoyance is something I sympathize with sometimes. Ultimately, I'll tell you what is requested because the entertainment would be too much to pass up." I hold up my pointer finger, "First, let me explain how the rest of your claims about me are partially correct while also being wrong." I lower my finger to have my arms crossed, "Let's start with two-faced. Yes, I like being child me, for messing with people and creating underestimation. On the other hand, ever thought about how I got this ability? Why do I only seem to flick between my actual age and my eleven-year-old self?"
I shake my head, "Welcome to me, a magic accident to follow my abandonment of so-called 'family.' Sorry for being the middle child of NINE children all so my 'creatures' had a guarantee of someone to care for them after retirement! While you had a family that loved you, or at least let you learn love, I was taught only work till you drop. My 'parents' constantly left us at local places in Thorock to learn the ways of the trade around there! Every day was manual labor after manual labor; learning to read was out of the question. That was till I met my first Dryadali, who never gave me his name, and only questioned why I was helping a bar of criminals when I was only eight years old! I had thought it was normal then, but he changed my views to accept the entire world and embrace the chaos!" My hands flipped into the air before falling to my sides. "I looked around more, asking to be taught to read, and learned so much in so little time. That one encounter sparked my brain, so I learned everything I could, patterns, puzzles...people. Two days before my tenth birthday, I heard my parents saying that I was just an extra mouth at this point, bringing in the least amount of solar. I needed to be sold."
I tilt my head from her before shifting my stance to one less rigid. "I figured out that they would give the morning happy birthday around my siblings before selling me; I ran the night before. I ran quickly with nothing but the clothes on my back." I fidget with the fabric of my sleeves. "Raggy old bag clothes, not fitting for any weather, much less Dragon's Cradle." I stop myself before my forceful continuation. "It took me so long to find them, the Dryadali. I wished to find the one who awoke me and thank him. None had even heard of the one I mentioned. The Dryadali took me in and showed me their wonderful collection of magic books." I raise my hand to project a small break in space, "I learned so much there, things that could take you as far as you could imagine." I close my hand, "I originally wanted to save them, you know? My siblings, they needed out as much as I did." I let a huff out, "I learned how every creature could be killed and fight at their best; I learned magic and weapons in case my family had strong connections to someone. I grew for the siblings I left."
I hold my hands in front of me and look back up to Celeste, "I went to do what you needed help with if only so someone got a reunion. I got nothing. The two that grew up with me, Nit and his twin brother Fin, also left me. The night before turning eleven, I found a book on ancient formulas that even the elders struggled with. I read it all, soaked up all it gave me," my doll turns its head to face Celeste, giving a smile and wave before becoming limb again. "I wanted to use the spell to surprise them. When I left the library, I had a mini-me, all my emotions in complete control, so I was less likely to harm any of my siblings, and no twins in sight. They left after I went into the library to train. Nit at the academy, Fin in the Marshes of melee combat."
I look to Celeste, taking in all I am dumping out there, "So, I went to 'save' my siblings. I arrive in Thorock, healthy looking for once and in much better clothing. No one recognized me when, before, I was the one all knew to get work done. When I got 'home', I hid and waited rather than rushing into things. Apparently, the oldest left for their dream job, sailing with pirates, and all my other siblings were getting higher treatment. I didn't stop there; I watched them for a month, keeping all of them in my watch. The youngsters didn't need to work; they were able to be learning!" I breathed to calm the flurry of blood I could feel in my doll. "They didn't miss me, and they didn't have anything to show for me. So I did one final test. I knocked on the door, but none remembered me, not even the young ones I protected when the parents got physical in their fights. I left, but I never lost my eyes on them."
I raise my hand to the way out, "I only became who I am due to a series of unfortunate events that I had to make the most out of. The brothers did return, but when I only wanted to understand a semblance of love that my real siblings could not give me, they told me that they do not love me as a sister." I place my basic smile back on my face, "Not as I see them as brothers."
I glance upward, "This is the way out; feel free to ask more on the way out." I shake my head, "You're right about the fact that I wouldn't do this intentionally."
|
|
Tradesfolk
127 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Celeste on Aug 16, 2023 0:43:57 GMT -5
Celeste listened as Keyke ranted on about the inner workings of her twisted life. Honestly, part of her softened a little, but not fully. “You’re speaking as if you know my life was all simple. Yes, I knew love with my brother, but out of necessity, not out of luck.” Celeste didn’t leave yet. Honestly, the effects were wearing off a bit, and even she had to admit, what she said was a bit harsh.
“He’s the only family I knew. I was raised to be a hunter. A tool. A weapon. My parents were vampires, they were a noble family in the Crescent Isles. I was raised around blood, and gore, and controlled. They were vampires, I didn’t want to be one.” Celeste paused, chuckling a little. “Ironically, I hated blood. I still do, actually. The smell is sickening to me.”
She approached a root, resting on it as she spoke. “He was the only protection I knew growing up. I’m not saying my life was as hard as yours, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. My parents raised me to be a weapon, and despite every attempt to not to, I still ended up becoming one.”
“I’m sorry, Keyke. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. You helped me, and, even according to Soren, I should be more grateful.” The words were sharp on her tongue. She did hate admitting to being wrong, but it was the right thing to do. Stubbornness was not in her best interest in the moment.
|
|
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 18, 2023 0:42:25 GMT -5
Vampire, hunters, prey, humans. It was a rotation of the shadows; I can understand that much. The familiarity of having your parents push you to one way since you were young was a feeling I could get. I hold my hand forward, "You were raised for the tradition of the family following, excuse my terminology, the bloodline from before." I pulled it back to place on my chest, "I was raised like livestock to better my parent's futures." I lower my hands to my sides, "We chose different paths; you forcefully stayed home for your brother; I left to better the lives of my siblings." I let a genuine tiny bitter smile show on my face. "Either way, we are who we are now."
I glance around, allowing the natural magic to flow as I calm down, the wind rushing around me in a light breeze. Once I look back at Celeste, I sit on the ground. Nit will get mad at the necessary washing, but it felt right. With a sigh, I spoke, "We both owe apologies to the other. Not just for here in these trees." I glance around before making eye contact with Celeste, "I am aware I am petty; I am aware of who I am. I will not apologize for the defenses that save me in the underground. I will apologize for actions that became normal to me." I lift my hand forward to her once more, "My pranks under challenging situations, my favor book that few ever escape from, and never giving full plan to you and taking the shadowed parts for myself." My smile shifts off as I look aways to behind her.
|
|