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11:34am Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 2:56pm Sep 8 2011)
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What is this about, you may ask?The spikes of an immense iron gate, plated with silver, just barely peek above the tops of the great redwood trees that protect it from prying eyes. The Gate separates the human world from the magical, protecting members of both from each other. Perhaps once the worlds were intertwined, but the history is long forgotten if it even exists. The Gate cannot be seen by the untrained human eye, and the redwood forest is so thick and wild that it remains largely uncharted. There has been no reason to navigate it besides an insatiable curiosity, but even the most curious can become unnerved by the forest's secrets. Of course, the Gates can be reached, if the wild humans don't kill you first. Though, the next task it getting through the guarded gates, and then surviving the world beyond. The first world, the one where our starting characters originate and is quite normal with the exception of forest spirits is called Caria. The second, the world of strange creatures and magical beings, a world quite unheard of on the other side of the Gate, is known as Anhar.
This is for serious roleplayers, who can post a couple paragraphs minimum per post. We like deions here :D
Rules- When you ask to join and I accept, please edit your post with your characters' bios.
-Also, I ask that the characters be great, but not ridiculously so. We need weaknesses and deaths, things that make them different from everyone else's and don't possess unlimited and totally supreme energy, powers or are completely faultless in anyway. This means, be original.
-You can be humans, shapeshifters, wizards etc. Not so keen on vampires unless they're unconventional. All normal humans/animals must come from the normal world, all others from Anhar. Caria has normal humans as well as forest spirits. Nothing more. Forest spirits can take their free form, or the shapes of humans or animals.
-We need action, fantasy, love, death, surprises!
-As long as you can keep up and post regularly and lengthily (and as grammatically correct as possible), you may join. Chat speak to a minimum, so the flow... flows.
-New Character? Add their bio to your first post.
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11:40am Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 3:09pm Sep 8 2011)
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Posts: 9,641
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Name: Apple Age: Ageless, created 203 years ago. She looks eighteen. Gender: Female Appearance: Apple is a slender and tall dryad with long golden-brown hair. It reaches her waist in long waves and Apple never puts it up. She has pale skin with light freckles on her arms, cheeks, and neck. Apple is about 5'6" and has a wiry body, complete with modest curves and a sort of feline grace. Her eyes are the most startling part about her, as they are a gorgeous golden colour that sparkles with black flecks. No matter where she goes Apple always has one a loose dress made out of some sort of airy fabric. It is bright crimson and has a tight bodice but flaring skirts. Strengths: Is completely in touch with nature and can tell good intentions from bad. Skilled with the quarterstaff. Weaknesses: Tries her best to be a pacifist and avoids confrontations as much as possible. Also very naive and prone to childish behaviour. Other: Apple is a dryad and the spirit of an apple tree. She was left treeless when a man cut down her tree to make furniture. However, there was no spite in his intentions and so her spirit lived on. She now wanders aimlessly. Apple also refuses to allow herself to love, knowing that as she is a dryad there is no male of her kind.
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12:44pm Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 2:53pm Sep 8 2011)
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Humans
Name: Vaughn Age: 23 Gender: Male Appearance: Vaughn has thick black curls that brush his shoulder and dark brown eyes. He is well built and has fought in wars under the name of the king. He is missing a finger and a half from his left hand, as a result of this. He is good looking by most maiden's standards, but has sharp features and a naturally guarded look. He doesn't appear to be very approachable, but makes for a decent companion. Average height. Strengths: Is good at controlling horses, quick on his feet and carries a two handed longsword. Prefers to wait and strike rather than rush in. Weaknesses: Not a great archer, can be quick tempered and sometimes broods. Other: Vaughn is a steward's son, and was trained by the master-of-arms at the house his father serves. Originates From: Caria
Name: Teresa Age: 20 Gender: Female Appearance: Teresa's lusterless brown hair cascades down to the middle of her back. She favors dresses and slippers but rides in green leather. She is a slight woman, may fear easily but carries a long bow. She has green eyes and an easy smile. Strengths: A great shot with a bow and arrow, she can be strong if she needs to and is good at gathering edible food. Weaknesses: Does not fare well on her own. Avoids killing and danger. Other: She was raised with the children of a great household, and trained to be a woman along with the daughters of the Lord. Originates From: Caria
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2:43pm Sep 8 2011
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"Vaughn come back here!" Teresa called shrilly. She had ridden after him on a young gelding, oblivious to the trees that pressed around her. "Vaughn! You can't just ride into the forest, the path is the other way!" Vaughn's dappled stallion was more surefooted than her young horse and navigated the gnarled roots and fallen logs with ease. Vaughn had had enough of Teresa's moaning. He was not tied to her in anyway, yet she tried to stop him from doing what he enjoyed when the land was peaceful and there was no need to stay close to the estate. He knew this part of the forest well, and he also knew that she never ventured off of the path. He intended to lose her and ride back, perhaps if he felt sorry enough he would be back in an hour to see her home. She had complained the forest was dangerous and filled with wild bears and boars that thirsted for blood. Yet he had never seen one in his wanderings around this area. He slowed the stallion to a stop and listened for her voice. Hearing nothing, he turned the horse around and started in a wide arc for the path. His horse was fresh and it was barely midday- he could wander a lesser known part of the forest and see what awaited him before dinner. As his mount stepped onto the leaf strewn path, he was faced by a red faced woman who stared darkly at him with her green eyes. The gelding she rode tossed its head impatiently, but she was too soft to tug at the reins so that he would stop. "Greetings, my lady," Vaughn said with a rare smile. "Don't you dare, Vaughn." Teresa said gravely. "I may not be fond of the wild but I know how to make my own landmarks well enough. Did you mean to strand me?" "Of course not," He waved her away and kicked his stallion into a trot. "The estate is that way!" she called, following in dismay.
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2:47pm Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 3:19pm Sep 8 2011)
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Normal User
Posts: 9,641
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Apple had to admit she liked this forest. It was clean and fresh, filled with the happy auras of the animals that lived there. The shadows were not overwhelming and the sun filtered down through a thick canopy, giving life to dainty ferns and luscious flowers. There was beauty all around her, and for the first time in more than half a century, Apple felt quite at home. The dryad raised her arms and let out a laugh, the sound tinkling like bells as she spun around giddily. Bare feet danced lightly on the soft moss below, leaving light impressions. The crimson dress that adorned Apple's body twirled around in time to her spinning, flaring with an airy sigh before dropping down again as she paused. Letting out a girlish giggle Apple tumbled back onto the ground, staring up at the leafy awning above. About to close her eyes and relax for a while Apple was startled into movement by the noise of pounding hooves. Realizing they were too heavy to be a wild horse's she gathered up her skirts and dashed into the undergrowth, fright paling her freckled cheeks. As she ducked into the cover of a widespread pine tree Apple realized that the horse had been moving away the entire time, leading towards the area she had not yet explored. Naivety and natural curiosity urged her forwards, and Apple complied. Weaving through the thick forest she made it to the edge, peering out at the rather flat ground beyond with uncertain eyes. The gold orbs dimmed at the sight of human houses, realizing that this was not free land. Damned humans and their damned possessive issues, she bemoaned to herself quietly. Though old Apple had yet to figure out the intricacies of human ownership, though she was sure it went something like this: I put my marker here. You go over I have the right to kill you. Don't bother complaining, you're already dead. Rolling her eyes and stifling a chuckle at the thought Apple slipped sideways through the woods until she was facing an open green, studded with carefully managed bushes. A worn dirt path wound its way up a hillside, sloping down gently to whatever building lay beyond. With careful steps Apple touched the grass outside of the forest with a creased forehead, her attention completely focused on not slipping on such unfamiliar territory. When her foot touched the dirt path she let out a little squeak and danced backwards, wincing at the all too human feel around it. This is so unnatural, she complained inwardly as she stood by the road awkwardly. Brushing a hand through golden-brown hair she sighed, wishing that poor old carpenter hadn't used her tree as his newest masterpiece. There had been plenty of other apple trees in the orchard!
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3:49pm Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 3:49pm Sep 8 2011)
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Instead of veering off of the path as Teresa had expected, Vaughn continued into the village. The trees gave way to open fields upon which the lesser men grazed their herds, and the leaf strewn forest path gave way to a sturdy dirt trail, well used and trampled flat. Teresa's feisty gelding was following Vaughn contentedly, and for the first time since she mounted she felt as though she could relax in the saddle. Her hands ached dully from having to reign in the young horse when he followed too closely, which put Vaughn's horse in danger of having his rump nipped. The cows watched the pair from a distance as they shuffled through the grasses, ripping up tender shoots and chewing their cud. Teresa had a mind to ask Vaughn why he was going into the village, but she doubted that she'd get a reply. He was a restless man, and not always open for chatter. Especially hers. Yet she still admired him. Vaughn rode at a steady pace in front of her. He'd seen the fields and the cows and the common folk enough times and kept his eyes on the path ahead. He did not notice the being that stood near the path, taking her for a farmer's daughter. He did not do what other men might have, whistle or call out. He also had more dignity than that in the presence of Teresa. What he did want was a nice hot plate of food and a mug of beer at the tavern, and he was so intent upon this that he didn't notice that Teresa's horse had stopped until he heard her dismount. He turned to see what the matter was, and found her peering into the trees that they had just come from. "What is it?" he asked, walking his horse towards her. "I.. I think I see someone standing there," She said. "It's just a farmer's daughter, I'm sure. She must be looking after the cows. Come now, I'm getting hungry." She scarcely glanced at him as she mounted her gelding and crossed the field to get a closer look.
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3:58pm Sep 8 2011
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Apple glanced up as a beautiful young woman dressed in a rather unfeminine outfit trotted up to her. Glad to see the gelding was well cared for Apple clucked her tongue in the language of horses and waved a hand in open greeting. Despite proud way the stranger held herself Apple could see kindness in those emerald eyes. How they reminded her of the leaves of a tree she once knew!
Stepping forwards Apple ignored the slight nauseous twinge that came along with the harsh human influence and put her hand on the gelding's nose. As far as Apple was concerned the humans had no ownership over animals. Buildings and land was fine, but the beasts ought to retain their freedom. Without a care she leaned over and kissed the horse's nose before straightening and tugging on her dress with a blush.
Perhaps she had stepped over the boundaries a bit, but Apple could not resist the graceful animals that fed on the apples she had once shed. Curtsying awkwardly, as it was not a typical gesture for her, Apple glanced back up at the woman inquisitively.
"Hello fair lady," she whispered quietly, sure that the words would not carry. Apple had not yet grasped the concept of proper greetings and was overly polite when it came to strangers.
Ooc; Trying to emphasize her lack of knowledge on human customs. D: I hope it's working.
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4:18pm Sep 8 2011
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Teresa's spirited gelding seemed to grow calm when the woman touched his nose. She stared down at her curiously. "Hello," she said, inclining her head in the slightest. The woman was dressed in light cloth that she had never seen, especially not of someone that was a farmer's daughter. Vaughn must have been mistaken. She carried a faint woodsy scent that reminded Teresa of apples. Her hair was long and thick, and each strand caught the sunlight in a way that never blessed Teresa's dull locks. She didn't seem to know what to do in Teresa's presence, even though Teresa was just a girl from a great house and not a Lady. Village girls were also scarcely shy in the presence of another woman, lady or not. They were bred only to blush at the men and do what was required of them. "You're no farmer's daughter, are you? May I have the pleasure of knowing your name? I am Teresa," Vaughn watched them with indifference. He stood where Teresa had left him and waited with a refined patience that he had learned from the old battle a few years past. At least the commander was less whimsical than a woman, he thought. As he studied the woman's clothing and general appearance he rode slowly to Teresa's side. He gave no greeting, just sat upon his mount and watched.
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4:25pm Sep 8 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 9,641
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"Apple, miss," she replied with another quick curtsy. Though uncomfortable under Teresa's gaze Apple was sure there was nothing hostile about it. In fact, there was more curiosity than anything. Unwilling to give away her fey status Apple skirted around the horse and curled her bare toes into the soft dirt. Just then a man who seemed rather austere padded up slowly on his own stallion. Sensing a fire within the dappled horse's eyes she did not go up to him, but rather stayed a distance. Throwing away the usual coyness that a human girl might show she smiled brightly, revealing straight white teeth.
Lifting her hands Apple tossed her hair over her shoulder and offered another curtsy, feeling a bit silly about such formalities. However, she reasoned, it was better to to be formal than uncouth and risk the rage of some angry man. She'd seen it happen before, and it was not a pretty site.
"And you are, lord?" she asked. The man had a look about him that harboured mystery. Apple, the impertinent creature that she was, wanted nothing more than to get behind that facade and learn who the true man was.
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9:28pm Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 9:29pm Sep 8 2011)
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"I am Vaughn Dreux." he said simply, with the slightest raise of an eyebrow. Surely the common folk knew the difference between lords and ladies, and the less important residences of their House. "She must be foreign," Teresa speculated excitedly, turning to Vaughn. "Invite her to the tavern then and let us stop wasting good time. I'd still like to visit the forest." he suggested passively. "Oh, what a lovely idea! Apple you may join us for lunch if you wish. I know I could use more interesting company than this fellow here." "That's not what you said earlier, when you were running after me on that untrained garron of yours. If she accompanies us you may carry her on your own horse." Vaughn could see that the girl was certainly not of a foreign city. Her dress was clean but her feet smudged with the dirt of the forest. Foreign women kept to the path and wore slippers and perhaps fluttered around as Teresa would do on a daily basis, and he was sure, did not go traipsing about amongst the grass in cows' fields. He waited for Apple's reply and for Teresa to finally turn her horse around so that he could curb his growing hunger.
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10:15pm Sep 8 2011
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Posts: 1,581
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Name:
Esta
Gender:
Female
Age:
21
Her hair is cut in smooth no nonsense fashion that falls down onto just an inch above her shoulder blades. With a heart shaped face, full lips, and a cute small nose, she could and would be pretty except for one face. Her hair is black. Now, I am sure your thinking "Why would black hair make her not pretty?" Well its not that she isn't pretty but isn't beauty in the eyes of others as well as yourself. Her hair isn't just black though. It embodies the feeling of the dark and the soul engulfed in sadness. If you have ever felt like that before, where you want to wither and die from sorrow and misery, then you would know the color. Only those who's hearts have been troubled know it. They must have seen death, experienced agonizing sorrow, and been to the bottom of the bottomless pit to be able to really understand. Black is black to most people, but there is a difference, between black and the color of death itself. Her eyes offset her hair with a stunning jade color, as if a emerald had been thrust into the night and had decided to shiny anyway. She stands at a modest 5'5 height... smaller than most men but average among women.
Personality:
I am going to play her out but don't expect her to be very nice. x3x Not right away anyway.
Weakness:
Well she is going to be pretty negative, cold, and she probably won't talk much.
Strength:
Get past the darkness around her and she is beautiful. Esta is clever and in most cases wise but since she rarely shows that side of her personality... its not brought to light much
Occupation:
Mercenary for hire. Who would suspect a girl killer after all? Men usually do the job just fine and Esta is used to going unnoticed. Shadows are her companions, her constant and never leaving friends. Even in the light, shadows remain to darken her heart so it was an easy step to become a deadly paid weapon. Right now she is just roaming though.
Originates from Caria
Do not talk to me or my snails ever again. |
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10:18pm Sep 8 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 3,469
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Name: Nylat
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Appearance: http://tinyurl.com/3ummxl9
Strengths: Is...well. Strong. Due to the mix of her genes, she has an unnatural strength. Which lends to her speed, as well.
Weaknesses: Has three scars on her side that occasinally cause her stiffness and pain; easily agitated
Other: 95% Fox, 2% Wolf, 2% Housecat, 1% Human
Originates From: Anhar
((Is this alright? :)?))
"You're off the edge of the map, mate. Here there be monsters." |
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10:49pm Sep 8 2011 (last edited on 11:13pm Sep 8 2011)
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Normal User
Posts: 1,581
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Silence.
Such a fickle word; so simple but with so many meanings in all forms,
sometimes swift and abrupt, but on other occasions it creeps in like a
thief in the night. The word can be described as golden and blissful or
uncomfortable and awkward. It can be found in every corner of the world,
yet for some it is rarer than the riches and most extravagant
gemstones, or common as a piece of dirt or leaf. It can be broken in an
instant, yet it never needs to be repaired. In the stillest of groves
and Darkest of Shadows it always lurks, wanting to envelope any who
should happen to pass along. It can be the most helpful of friends or
the deadliest of enemies.
To Esta, the silence had always been a friend.
Late
at night, as she crept through the undergrowth of the dense woods, it
accompanied her, followed swiftly in his footsteps against the mossy floor. As she basked in the
sun, planning and thinking for the few moments she could, , it never once interrupted her contemplation. She could avoid
anything she chose, so long as she was careful to use Silence to it's full
extent.
It pressed
now against her as he lay deep within it. Her senses
tingled unmercifully with the awareness that its presence would not
help her today... that for some reason it had decided to leave her and go find another to travel on with. The air filled the tension. The young girls ears strained with the effort of catching
the slightest sound that Silence had not masked from her. A bird call, a
scuttling mouse, anything.
But
still, nothing. The forest was asleep in its stillness; even the Wind had been overcome
by the Silence. Esta pulled herself slowly up to feet from where she crouched previously, not
stirring so much as a leaf from its resting place on the ground beneath her boots.
Her muscles were taut; every limb tense. The sun shone its gentle
rays down but it could do nothing to aid her or to hide her. She needed to break the
silence, and he needed to do it now.
With
a racing heart, Esta paused for the one second more in which a life time
seemed to pass. Then she began to dart though the shadows, knowing that they would stay with her as long as she wished them to be around. Shadows at least were loyal.
Even
the strongest of humans falls prey to failure in their life, some more
than others, but to fail at saving your own life... that is the worst
things someone could mess up on. Her face was one that many knew... and though there was the fact that even more didn't know of her, she wouldn't risk a chance encounter. The tension in the air meant only one thing after all... she wasn't alone anymore. The birds had stopped their singing as a warning bell, just like a candle lowered into a well to check for oxygen. Her bird had stopped singing, and then she must go.
Clothed in a dark green cloak, slim brown pants and a black shirt with only a hint of gold around the color, she blended the surroundings well enough but it didn't make her any less angry at the possibility of being seen.
."I must not be seen. It would be the death of me" A whisper came out of her full stony lips, so soft that anyone beyond a five foot radius would have been clueless as to what she might have said. Anyone beyond ten feet wouldn't here her at all. The sentences
seemed to echo through the air despite that fact, fueling her need for departure. Her words were quiet but they seemed as if it held more of a meaning than
what appeared at first listen. But then again, maybe it did.
Do not talk to me or my snails ever again. |
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9:09am Sep 9 2011
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Posts: 9,641
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Ooc; ...what happened. o_o; I'm really confused.
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9:12am Sep 9 2011
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(ooc- Lake and Fox joined. You can continue from where we left off, Lake just posted an intro)
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9:23am Sep 9 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 9,641
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Ooc; You replied? :o I saw this this morning and I got so confused. lD
"You can stop talking about me as if I'm not there," Apple pointed out mildly. There was no anger in her tone, just slight annoyance. Apple still did not understand the human tendency of ignoring those of lesser importance. Everyone mattered, but simply on different levels. And they had no basis to ignore her.
Squaring her shoulders Apple smoothed a few nonexistent wrinkles and gave the two a tight smile before inclining her head gently. Nothing told her to be wary of the two, and she did not bother to think of what thoughts they may have been harbouring. There was a short moment of silence before Apple let out a small sigh and stepped back lightly to Teresa. Patting the gelding on the nose again she waited for Teresa to respond. Oddly, the two seemed on rather equal terms. Apple's other contact with humans had resulted in being treated like something less than even an animal.
"Vaughn Dreux, Teresa....Teresa, may I ask where you would be taking me?" she asked quietly.
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9:50am Sep 9 2011
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Teresa looked at Apple apologetically. Vaughn was unperturbed.
"I'm sorry, Apple. Sometimes Vaughn and I forget ourselves. We are going to the tavern, for meat and mead. Vaughn is going into the forest after, gods know for what. Of course, you are not obliged to accompany us, Vaughn was having an attempt at being courteous." The gelding, not one to stay still for very long, shifted his weight under her. His bay coat gleamed from the attention given to him by the stableboys and the muscle rippled under it as he moved. He was nowhere near as magnificent as Vaughn's stallion, who was trained to be still and quiet at all times. The stallion regarded Apple passively, as if he too were awaiting a reply. "Of course," Teresa continued, "you can share my saddle. We won't have you trailing behind us like some servant girl if that's what you're worried about." She shifted higher up on the gelding's back. Teresa was intrigued. Apple was like no common girl. She was itching to find out where she was from, and why she was here. She seemed as if she had hardly any contact with the people of Teresa's land. When she was not chasing Vaughn around their Lord's estate, Teresa was huddled in the corner of the library with a lamp and a book on foreign society.
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10:00am Sep 9 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 9,641
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"The forest?" Apple's ears perked up immediately and she couldn't help but smile lazily at the thought. Those towering oaks and sappy-scented pines; the quiet chittering of squirrels and soulful cooing of owls; the rustle of wind on the leaves and soft footsteps. Life as Apple knew it.
"What will you be doing in the forest?" she asked after a moment, all seriousness. She wondered if the male was going to hunt, and if so, if he ever said the proper prayers before killing an animal. Or even worse, if chopped down trees without so much as a thanks. Apple tensed up for a moment, then relaxed at the obvious lack of an axe Vaughn had on him.
Dipping her head at Teresa's offer Apple ran a hand down the gelding's sleek flank before hoisting herself up with a strength that belied her frail form. Settling down side-saddle she grinned and felt the wind twist past her, her locks coiling and fluttering back wildly.
"Where is this tavern you speak of? And how do you stand the taste of meat?" |
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1:12pm Sep 9 2011
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"Mapping out the land," Vaughn said, for the first time addressing Apple directly. "There's much we don't know about the forest, and we won't have anyone surprising us near our own lands. Though it has been rumored that men have gone mad from the things they've encountered."
He turned his destrier around and Teresa followed suit, the gelding walking with caution, mindful of his two charges. "The tavern is deeper in the village. Not even a stone's throw on horseback. And meat is a staple in our diet. Especially at home; we have it at every meal." Teresa said. Her brown furrowed as she frowned. "You've never been in the village?" She asked. Vaughn gave the slightest glance behind him. Children from the fields began to follow their horses, laughing and playing in the streets. Some of the men looked at Vaughn's stallion and garb and knew he was from the House, and dipped their hats to him. If his gaze chanced upon a young woman she would smile demurely. There were knights who would smile and wave at all of the women, sometimes tossing them coins or flowers or calling out to them, but Vaughn was not one of these knights. He simply saw himself as a man sworn to protect his Lord. Nothing more.
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3:00pm Sep 9 2011
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Normal User
Posts: 9,641
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Ooc; Just adding something to make Apple seem less human. :)
"There is nothing to fear from the weald," she murmured quietly, wondering if she was even heard.
After a moment of silence on her behalf she lifted her head and her eyebrows creased together.
"Why would I want to go to a hu--settlement? I have all I need in the land beneath us." Smiling Apple hoped they had not noticed her mistake, not wanting to lead to any sort of interrogation. Noticing Vaughn's quick look she flushed and settled deeper into the saddle, wishing she had never left the woods to begin with. But, at the thought of new adventure, she perked up immediately.
Childrens' screams echoed through the open air, an odd sound to Apple. Dryads did not have children and young were not known to them. After all, many parents warned their little ones not to stray into the forest. Snorting as a ball flew over the path, barely missing their heads, Apple watched with interest as a little tow-headed boy chased after it with a loud giggle. He ducked fearlessly between their horses, eyes set on his toy ahead.
After a few more minutes of walking the horses stopped. Staring around Apple watched as a little girl approached them shyly. Walking with hands held behind her back the girl let out a nervous laugh and her cheeks reddened to a colour Apple enjoyed.
"Hello little one," Apple whispered with a conspiratorial smile. The child grinned back cheekily and reached out a hand to touch Apple's dress.
"Pretty," she intoned seriously.
"Want to see something truly pretty?" Apple asked, this time reaching out with a slender hand. Whistling loudly there was an answering call from somewhere above. All of the sudden a red-breasted cardinal swooped down in a flutter of feathers. Landing on her wrist Apple felt the bird's tiny claws prick into her wrist, but payed no mind. A few more chirps from her and the cardinal hopped down onto her hand, then flapped onto the girl's outstretched palm.
"Shhh, don't scare him," she said kindly.
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