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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 9:48:11 GMT -5
Sol City.
Probably the closest thing to 'home' C'Leena can get, but even then it's not even close. What should be skyscrapers are instead ivory towers. Industrial districts can't be pointed out by the black smog being thrown in the air, here. But still, it's comforting to be here with the crowds and clustered city streets.
But there is one thing she doesn't miss, and that's the traffic during rush hour or festivals. Which is what she's staring at right this very moment. Thankfully, she's watching from a distance, on a roof and not part of the jam itself, but still. It's impossible to escape traffic for good, it seems.
C'Leena is a tall woman, standing at 6ft. It's difficult to tell what sort of build she had, but it's most definitely a strong one. Yet there are more than a few things that make her stand out in a crowd. The most jarring of which is the Arcuila perched on her forearm.
The Arcuila is in the form of an eagle, boasting the shape, size and most of the colors expected of one. But the tips of it's feathers, some light accents and it's eyes all have an unnatural lightning blue glow to them; the eyes being completely featureless and gemstone-like.
The second detail about C'Leena is her eyes. Much like the Arcuila, they're a solid aquamarine color and more resemble gemstones than eyes. Surrounding her eyes are severe burn scars. They look old, but it's leathery and severe. More of the scars can be seen down her neck, by her collarbone reaching across her skin, hidden underneath her clothing.
She's wearing her jeans - one of the things she was wearing when she was unceremoniously yanked into Charon - and a simple short sleeve shirt. It's a blistering day, but C'Leena looks extremely comfortable. Despite her arms looking to be made completely of unscarred flesh and bone, she doesn't seem at all bothered by the bird's sharp talons digging into her arm.
"This is so beyond fucked up." She notes idly, seemingly talking to the bird. "Good thing Nephele ain't here. She'd have a bloody fit and a half."
The Arcuila looks like it nods in agreement, both of them watching the wagons slowly inch on by. Many people gave up on their wagons, parked them elsewhere and simply began to walk, and the crowds are definitely not helping the situation in the slightest.
The mention of Nephele makes the woman look down at her left hand, noting the ring on her finger. She can't feel it, but the ring's presence alone is a balm. A constant reminder that Nephele exists, and that C'Leena can legally call her 'Wife'.
That thought puts a smile on C'Leena's face. Yeah, she's never getting used to that term.
Wife.
Quest Name: Gridlocked
Participants: Two or more
Location: Sol City
Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: Sol City becomes chaos this time of year, with people from all over flocking to enjoy the summer festival. Merchants come to sell their goods, while Bardic Virtuosos come to sing and dance for entertainment. However, because of how much attention this attraction brings, the city streets can often times become gridlocked. You find yourself caught up in a messy gridlock somewhere in Sol city. Wagons, carts, horses, and other livestock remain stalled while hundreds of people push and weave their way through the crowd… some sort of occurrence or disruption causing the street to become jammed. Find your way out while navigating the unknown chaos that may pop up.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 10:06:16 GMT -5
"-sorry, sorry, please excuse me--"
To say Marion was not entirely thrown off his balance in Sol city would be an outright lie. Eclipse city, magestic and impressive in it's own right, had the sun elf in awe already on his first visit there- but Sol city, the heart of Charon? This is on a whole other level all on it's own. Towering towering feats of almost impossible engineering, in the middle of the sea, glistening when the sun hits those white stones- Marion had no words for it. And then there were the... People. An absolute insane amount of people. To be fair, everyone is heading here for the summer festival, just like him! But the streets, already as wide as they are, absolutely jam packed with people, Marion did not know whether to laugh or cry when he mentally compared himself to a piece of hay being stacked and rolled up tight. Standing at a rather unimpressive height of 165cm amongst the mess of carriages and horses and the like- and he swear those part-translucent horses are one of the most mind blowing creatures he had ever seen to this day, not even expressing any agitation in this type of situation- But the point being, he couldn't really see much of what is happening, nor could he really be spotted if not for Idun being quite taller than Marion himself is. The elf is practically hopping in hopes of seeing ahead of this traffic to know what is causing this whole congestion.
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 10:32:43 GMT -5
C'Leena isn't sure how long she spent there. Most of it was spent zoned out, but eventually she's snapped out of it when she notices a differently colored smudge in the distance. Now, her eyesight isn't great, and it only gets worse with distance. But it stands out and that fascinates her. So she takes a few minutes to move closer.
Hopping over rooftops and blinking[1] across longer gaps, the Australian finally finds a closer point to investigate. And she's greeted with what looks to be a long wooden staff, held by an elf way too short to be wielding it. Frankly, it's adorable.
The elf hops this way and that in hopes of trying to see over the crowds. Not even C'Leena knows what's going on to cause this - once again, because everything in the distance is a smudge of color. But her attention is squarely on this elf, and C'Leena's curiosity has been piqued.
"Fulguris, see that elf? Go perch on that staff. I'll be down in a sec." C'Leena says, and the Arcuila does exactly that. Swooping down, it elegantly perches on the staff, looking down at the hopping elf with curiosity. The bird's sudden appearance startled a few other people around.
As that is happening, C'Leena climbs down from the roof and expertly navigates the crowds, making her way to the elf.
"G'day." C'Leena greets with a friendly smile. "Noticed you from on one of the roofs. Having trouble navigating?"
Fulguris takes note of the apple hanging from the staff, and looks like he's about to try to munch on it, but a sharp glare from C'Leena stops the Arcuila in his tracks. It somehow looks bummed out now.
1. Blink
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 10:53:47 GMT -5
"-!" The sudden swoop of a raptor aimed at him was a valid cause for alarm, but Marion seemed more used to dealing with animals than he is with this whole situation- and he kept himself steady when the bird landed on top of Idun. Now, odd-looking creatures are not a cause for fear for the elf, rather making one even more fascinating still, and it is simply gorgeous- he held up his arm to guide it down from his staff to perch on his hand instead, since it is quite warm to the touch, and does contain the chance of burning the creature's talons when it's sap leaks.
His mind taken off on worrying about the traffic to study the amazing bird that came to him, Marion, this time, was actually startled when someone suddenly spoke to him.
"! Oh, are you his owner? I am assuming, but you have the same eyes- would you mind me holding him a bit longer? I have never seen anything quite like it..."
The bird showed interest towards Idun's apple, but shrank backwards, which Marion did took notice of.
"Is it okay to feed him...? I don't know his specific species, but it's quite simply an ordinary apple."
Opting to pluck it from his hooked staff and cracking it open in half, Marion held a half between his teeth and handed the other half up to Fulguris for the bird to see and smell.
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 11:23:22 GMT -5
The Arcuila looks at the offered hand, looking eager to hop down but hesitant all the same. A few seconds of hesitation later and it does hop down, a single beat of it's wings slowing it's descent. The Arcuila's talons are sharp, but it's clear that he's trying not to grip too tightly. There's the feeling of electricity throughout the Arcuila - like touching a low voltage wire.
When C'Leena sees this, there's a clear look of concern, and in the back of her mind, she's readying herself to cast a healing spell just in case. But Fulguris is being gentle, even if that means he needs to keep is balance by gentle beats of his wings, even using the Elf's shoulder to push a wing against.
"Hardly an owner. I'm not even sure what the right term would be. Caretaker? Parent? I'unno." She shrugs before smiling. "And absolutely. You look like you know what you're doing." She pauses before trying to find a way to explain what an Arcuila is. "His name is Fulguris. He's an Arcuila, which is like a Phoenix but lightning attuned instead of fire. Feel free to ask questions; I'm happy to answer."
When the elf plucked the apple off their staff and offered half of it to Fulguris, he waited for C'Leena's all clear before taking a hold of it in one of his talons and munching on it, bracing himself with a wing against the elf to keep his balance.
"I didn't want him grabbing something that might've been important. Better be safe than sorry, ya' dig?" The more that C'Leena talks, the more clear it is that it is completely foreign. It doesn't match to any of the regions in Charon at the very least.
"Here, you're going to the festival, right? Come with me, we'll take a less.. Congested route. You're fine with being on rooftops, right?" She asks before taking a few steps away, beckoning the elf to join her. She rolls her shoulders, and from her back a pair of wings shoot out, folded neatly[1]. The wings are brilliant in every way possible; brilliant white feathers that look almost divine, just barely reaching just off the ground.
The second the wings make an appearance, people instinctively take steps back, and C'Leena unfurls them slightly to keep the space open. "C'mon. Crowds are awful to be in. What's your name, anyway?"
1. Divine Ascent
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 11:39:07 GMT -5
Marion himself was not so much afraid of pain, and the feeling of electricity against his skin was entirely novel- it was like a storm sitting on his arm. The elf marveled at the fade of colour in it's feathers, as the apple quickly disappeared between the two of them. He opened his mouth, probably wishing to ask further about the bird- you could see his concentrated fascination with how his ears were perked up in keen interest- but your words seemed to snap him out of it, and reminded him of, well, the matters at hand- and it took a moment for his mind to pivot before he rushed to answer.
"Yes! The festival- I didn't nearly expect so many people, and vehicles, is this normal for the Capitol? I hope there wasn't any accident in front- but, what do you mean by rooftops... ?"
The proceeding shock on his face when he realized they are going to get ontop of the roofs, of buildings, was imaginable. You really couldn't blame him for it, you see, growing up in King's Valley where most people lived in large tents, to, well, everything that is this- the world continues to shower him with new discoveries each day.
"We can... go up there? Really? Oh, but I can't fly... and Kweh is not very keen on crowds, is there a way to climb?"
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 12:04:54 GMT -5
Fulguris seems incredibly pleased by the time the apple vanishes between the both of them. The fascination that the elf has with Fulguris is charming, and C'Leena finds herself looking forward to answering whatever questions he may have about the Arcuila.
"Is this normal? No idea. Me and my wife usually avoid big cities like this but we wanted to check out the festival so," She shrugs, "I imagine it's normal for this time of year."
The shock on his face when she unfurled her wings was priceless, and C'Leena couldn't hold back a laugh. "Can we? Technically, yes. Is it considered trespass? Quite possibly." She chuckles again, before having to remember that C'Leena isn't talking to Nephele, but is instead talking to somebody completely different who might not be as willing to break the law or be air-lifted by some complete stranger.
"There are ways to climb, and I am willing to lift you up there, but we can take a more standard route if that is what you prefer. I think I saw a way around, but it'll take a bit. Your call."
"Also, who is Kweh? Mate of yours?" She asks, her wing idly batting away a hand trying to reach for one of her pockets. Also noting that her new company didn't seem to notice she asked for his name, C'Leena opts to take the initiative on that one.
"I'm Dr. C'Leena Thomas. Although I don't actually know why I keep using 'Dr', I don't think my Ph.D carries over across worlds.. Just call me C'Leena." She introduces with a slight chuckle.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 12:23:39 GMT -5
"Doctor- as in, medic? I am Marion Aurea, and my father is a medic too! Sort of. Kweh is not a person, it is a greater Dragoonfly- rather large in terms of wingspan, not really good for streets like these, but it is a wonderful companion when travelling outside."
Abit of a breathless spiel, but Marion, despite all the new information and the strange way of talking- is that city talk here in the capitol?- had quickly made up his mind about it, sinking the arm that was holding Fulguris and throwing him up with the motion to prompt the bird to fly.
"... If we won't get into too much trouble, I think, I wouldn't turn down that offer- "
Grinning, the elf tied his staff in the straps of his satchel, and spread his arms open to the other in expectation to be lifted up.
And it wasn't really for anything else- you see how the young elf got spun on his heels in what defiantly was out of his own circles, but still he stumbled and ran to keep up- with just the simple joy of discovery and wonder that shone out from his person, flower-crowned and abit disheveled, everything.
"—— I mean, the view must be beautiful from above."
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 13:53:15 GMT -5
"Marion. Good to finally meet you properly." She chuckles warmly. "And I suppose I'm a medic in a sense, although I specialize in making prosthetics - fake limbs for people who lost them one way or another. Like myself."
C'Leena looks fascinated by Kweh. "Dragoonfly? I've never heard of one of those before." She says, her head tilted curiously. "You'll have to tell me more about that in a second." Fulguris takes to the skies as he's launched, defaulting into a circling pattern overhead.
C'Leena adopts a cheeky smile when Marion mentions not getting into trouble. "Well, you can't get into trouble if you don't get caught." She says before stepping closer, her wings still making a decent space around them. She reaches out her hands to Marion, her smile gentle. Motherly, in a way. "Trust me."
Once Marion has a hold of her, subtle sigils underneath her bronze skin begin to glow a deep purple. From her skin, they spread to Marion's as his weight slowly lessens[1]. C'Leena counts down from three, and on 1, she jumps up, her wings unfurling to their full length, six feet in each direction and gives one powerful beat, launching them into the air, past Fulguris.
As their momentum slows and eventually stops, C'Leena doesn't make any effort to continue beating the wings. The duo simply hover there, her wings static. Sol City stretches out in every direction, and the severity of the gridlock comes into clear view. It's chaos, and it's likely that Marion would've been in that crowd for hours on foot.
Perhaps it's only now that it's noticed that C'Leena's hands don't actually feel like hands. Instead, they feel metallic and solid. Fake; artificial.
Fulguris flies around them, looking excited and eager. "You alright, Marion? Simply point and I will be your chauffeur." She chuckles softly. "I remember doing this for the first time with Nephele. Some moments you never forget."
1. Telekinesis
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 18:16:53 GMT -5
The concept of prosthetics are not unheard of for Marion, and he nodded- even if they called it a simpler name, like... you know, artificed limbs. Before he was able to think about it any further- he was. promptly, whisked away into the air.
And the view was as breathtaking- if not more, that everything Marion could have imagined.
Only from above can one begin to see the rooftops and canopies and streets winding through them like rivers, the architecture and design being fully seen from such a different angle. It would be something to gawk and marvel at, but- well Marion did drink in the view, but he had also practically wrapped himself around the other and clung on like a koala to a tree.
A mount is a different thing, from now where there is nothing much under his weight and the earth was so far away- he did have an easier time holding on though compared to when he climbed trees, and it was only now that he had figured out what the purple spell did for him. But that is still not going to ease him enough into letting go. Marion rested his chin over the other's shoulder, and breathed out, shakily- while he could be sure that the other would not let him fall, the thought of it alone sends adrenaline through him, and the elf also felt the rush that comes alongside fear.
"- The fairgrounds for the festival, please, I don't know what it looks like, really." His words breathless in this mix of wonder and, you know, afraid of become a smear splatted against the ground, Marion could hear his own heartbeat loud against the wind in his ears- and the city sprawled and stretched and shining in ivory, and all the people that were below them in the streets- and he laughed, surprising himself with it as well.
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 19:04:28 GMT -5
C'Leena isn't foreign to being clung to. Patients from her time on earth and more recently, Nephele. The second that she started being used as an anchor, C'Leena held onto him right back. She can tell this is mostly adrenaline, thankfully, but nonetheless, she readies herself to calm him down via magical means.
Being held against C'Leena, it's possible to feel just how strong she is. Her core muscles are incredibly solid, yet still unmistakably flesh. The inexorable grip she has on Marion and the tightened, engaged muscles of her back and abdomen only goes to show just how much work she puts in on her body.
"You're all good, I got you." She assures before her wings begin to beat, sending them forward. She's going at a decent pace, but not nearly as fast as she could be going. The temptation to simply furl her wings, fall and then unfurl them at the last second appeared and was extremely tempting, but she decides against it. Perhaps if she knew Marion better.
As they continue forward, C'Leena speaks. "So, tell me something! Where are you from? Definitely not from around here, and you don't give me Darkveil vibes. Crescent Isles, maybe?" She's usually pretty good at guessing where people are from. Well, she was. Now? Not quite yet.
As they fly over, Fulguris calls loudly, the high-pitched screech practically right by their ears. He then dives down, toward some side street. C'Leena looks after him, but very quickly loses sight of him due to her shit vision.
"Ah, shit. Marion, mind see what the hell Fulguris just dived at?" C'Leena asks, shifting him so he can get a good look toward where he went.
Fulguris had dived down into a side street roughly below them. Not too many people are in, but there is a single figure that stands out. It's hard to tell details, but the cloud-like white hair sticks out like a sore thumb, and it look like he's diving right for them. Although depending on Marion's knowledge on birds, it doesn't look like it's an aggressive dive.
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 22:52:25 GMT -5
Marion held on and felt himself being hugged back- and the strength simply emitting through her body was reassuring enough. Now he had calmed a little, the elf could feel metal against his skin- and they began really flying. Burying half his face into the crook of her neck, peeking out as the cityscape rolled backwards out before him with a giggle barely contained, his golden locks flowing and those large flowers woven into his braids scattering their petals into the wind.
"I'm from King's Valley! I've yet to visit the isles yet- but I did want to make it here in time for the festival before continuing onwards. I'd probably head north from here... or maybe east, to the desert first!"
He probably felt safe enough now to let loose a hand, and reached up to tuck the hair that was getting over his eyes back behind his ears- which flattened against the sudden loud noise at such proximity. Marion himself didn't seem annoyed, though, and his gaze followed the bird curiously as it dived, past buildings and terraces and people-
"He probably recognized a person, I think. they have white hair, from all I can tell up here- " straightening himself too as C'Lenna shifted him in her hold, Marion peered down, squinting abit.
"It seems to be less crowded down there, too. At least, less crowded than where we had been before."
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 11, 2024 23:14:23 GMT -5
"Hey, that's the place I was dragged to when I came to Charon! Kinda got banned from Thunderhoof, though. The Kobold population doesn't like me very much. The Isles are incredible, though. Same with Zeinav."
The poorly-contained giggles were contagious, C'Leena found, and the doctor found herself laughing alongside him, the hints of adrenaline creeping in. She's done this more than enough for her adrenal response to not trigger to this, but it still creeps in from time to time.
After Marion identified Fulguris' target, C'Leena immediately perked up. "Oh shit? Ayo hold on tight, we're making a detour." She says, barely giving enough reaction time before furling in her wings, and just like Fulguris, divebombing the person. She aims for one end of the street and glides down between the buildings, flying over the heads of those walking the flagstone roads.
Now that they're closer, and aggressively blitzing toward the white haired individual, more details are clear. They look to have a cerulean skin, littered with jagged scars and are clearly feminine. The woman looks fey in nature, and looks concerned when she sees Fulguris, and then an unreadable mix of emotions when she spots C'Leena.
"HEYDARLINGILOVEYOUHAVEAGOODDAY" C'Leena shouts out as they fly past, pulling back up into the air and back toward the festival, which is becoming more and more visible as they approach.
"Sorry for yelling, that was the wife. You know how it is. Although I might need to explain why I'm flying around a stranger.. Eh, it'll be fine." She shrugs, looking extremely pleased and happy.
"Never stop lookin' for the one for you, man. Shit'll change your life. I found her when she just stumbled into the clearing I was at. Also in King's Valley."
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Post by Marion Aurea on Jun 11, 2024 23:35:11 GMT -5
"W- whoa!!!"
The elf yelped as they gained acceleration, holding on tight once again- and he let out what sounded halfway between a shriek and a laugh as they swooped over the passersby, not daring to look but not wanting to close his eyes either- you get the feeling he would be in love with the idea of amusement parks, but not that he would have any idea what that is.
As they pulled up, Marion once again had to push his utterly disheveled hair in place- and his dark eyes glittered in the sunlight and in the excitement, spotting the festive grounds as well.
"Wh- oh, it's fine, it's a lot of fun- she's your wife? I would love to meet her as well!"
The other looked so incredibly happy just when talking about her, and Marion listened- it sounded like those sappy tales all couples like to tell about their- often less than romantic- first encounters, but Marion had always found them to be rather cute like that. Happiness can be found in so many places, and love as well- and he relished in these moments of shared joy, the mirth in their voices and the crinkle in their eyes warm as a hearth on a winter's day. Marion let himself bask in that warmth.
"You do feel like a city person, more than anything. The valley is too quiet for you." He commented, rather amusedly.
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Post by C'Leena Thomas on Jun 12, 2024 0:10:54 GMT -5
"Yeah, she's my wife! Still wonder what I did to deserve her." The smile that crosses her face is priceless. So filled with warmth and love. "She's incredible. Beautiful heart, golden soul. I really shouldn't talk your ear off so I'm going to forcibly stop myself here." C'Leena chuckles, her featureless eyes somehow conveying the depth of just how much her wife means to her.
Marion's observation of her being a city girl is 100% correct, and she can't stifle a laugh. "Oh most definitely. Up until.. A little over a year ago, I spent my entire life in a city wayy bigger than this one. Buildings taller than the Ivory Tower everywhere, and just.. So many things that would be impossible to describe with words. Trust me, I've tried."
She shrugs. "So yeah, city girl, born and raised. Although the country is nice. The first time I heard true silence spooked me, then made me cry right there and then. I was so used to hearing cars drive by and people shouting outside, but just hearing nature? Absolutely incredible."
The desire to just go on a complete tangent about Melbourne is overwhelming, but she manages to stifle it, stopping while she's ahead. Instead she looks back to where Nephele was, that warm smile worming it's way back on her face.
"Still can't believe we're married.." She says quietly, mostly to herself.
She shakes her head, refocusing back on actual conversation. "You're definitely country. You look like a fish out of water in the city, mate. Hell, you just accepted the help of some actual stranger. Bold indeed." She laughs, air rushing by as her wings flap powerfully. "How long have you been wandering?"
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