kyeugh
onion witch
- Pronoun
- she/her
Prim’s eyes became dinner plates.
“Motherfucker?”
She jolted forward, jaw clenched, only to jerk to a stop as something silken wrapped around her arm and tugged her back…
-
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Sunward Fort Sunward
- Thread starter Jackie Cat
- Start date
“Motherfucker?”
She jolted forward, jaw clenched, only to jerk to a stop as something silken wrapped around her arm and tugged her back…
Wyvern's Sword
Active member
- Pronoun
- He/Him
Tyrfing did not flinch or wince. Only watched, and heard, and felt. It took all his discipline to remain still as a slither of charred fabric fell from his tassle. It was an odd sensation - not quite pain in the way that he had known it in as a human, but still intense and frightening.
He was about to formulate a reply when -
Prim started forward and Tyrfing reached out instinctively. His tassle shot through the air like a fish slipping through still water, and closed like a ghastly hand over her shoulder.
His eye in that moment was as round as the moon. He had not meant to respond that way.
He peeled away wraithcotton hand and said "My apologies. I meant not to startle you, only... forgive me. I would not want you to endanger yourself on my behalf."
He turned then to the Ceruledge, a spark of bitterness in his eye.
"Well then night-captain, I believe you have tested me, so tell me this. Do you find me to be cut from adequate cloth?"
- Pronoun
- they or she
Estelle made a coal-crackle noise. It could have been a growl, or a laugh, or just the sound of a ceruledge in thought. She eyed each stranger in turn, evaluating them.
"I've evidence enough that you are not an elite infiltrator," she said, calmly. "And I've observed that you conduct yourself with honour and sense enough."
Aurelia brandished a crimson fist at her counterpart. "Enough of this, Estelle! These are lost travellers, not enemies."
Estelle's eyes narrowed. "I guard the gate at night, Aurelia," she hissed. "With vigilance."
But then the rush of heat faded as soon as it had come, and with a sigh, Estelle gestured to the gatehouse.
"Come, perhaps we can speak easier around a hearth and table. You must need food and rest."
It seemed that whatever suspicions Estelle felt compelled to assuage were satisfied for now. The sun now at last dipped below the horizon – Fort Sunward would provide much-needed shelter before any journey elsewhere could be made.
"I've evidence enough that you are not an elite infiltrator," she said, calmly. "And I've observed that you conduct yourself with honour and sense enough."
Aurelia brandished a crimson fist at her counterpart. "Enough of this, Estelle! These are lost travellers, not enemies."
Estelle's eyes narrowed. "I guard the gate at night, Aurelia," she hissed. "With vigilance."
But then the rush of heat faded as soon as it had come, and with a sigh, Estelle gestured to the gatehouse.
"Come, perhaps we can speak easier around a hearth and table. You must need food and rest."
It seemed that whatever suspicions Estelle felt compelled to assuage were satisfied for now. The sun now at last dipped below the horizon – Fort Sunward would provide much-needed shelter before any journey elsewhere could be made.
Panoramic_Vacuum
Well-known member
- Pronoun
- she or they
Steven let out a screech when the ceruledge lunged at Tyrfing. Whether it was shock, fear, or frustration at his sheer helplessness, he wasn't sure. Maybe all three.
The tension in the air was palpable, almost shimmering with silent heat between the two Captains. Steven's eye darted back and forth between them.
"We're sorry, we don't want any trouble! When it's safe to travel, we'll leave," he said hurriedly.
They'd go, but where? Apparently anywhere but here would be good enough for the Night-Captain. Would they have to wander the desert until the found somewhere that would take them in?
That, and he realized how much the ceruledge held back just then. She easily could have followed through on her threat, not just to Tyrfing, but to all of them. He wasn't used to feeling so vulnerable. Alone, underpowered, without his partners by his side. Could he even use a move if he needed to defend himself? Not that he'd have been able to do anything against either Captain. Tyrfing and Prim had been so brave in the face of danger, and what did he do? Cowered at the back of the group. Some hero...
He was a muddled mix of emotions as he followed in the wake of the Captains. Food and rest, maybe that's what he needed to get his head on straight...
- Pronoun
- they or she
Aurelia offered Steven and Tyr a sympathetic glance, while Estelle remained hard-eyed. There were no further sudden attacks.
Once the trio had been escorted inside the fort, the Night-Captain exchanged a small, formal salute with her counterpart, and resumed her post atop the gatehouse. The Armarouge would chaperone the fort's guests during their stay.
The interior of Fort Sunward was partly hewn into the mesa at its back, with underground vaults – including the armoury Tyr's scabbard had been found in – well-protected by the rock. It looked like fairly ordinary sandstone to Steven, but their host was certain it was invulnerable to tunnelling efforts by ground-type would-be infiltrators. The above-ground portion of the fort was constructed from ruddy clay bricks and amber sandstone columns, and included a communal eating hall and sleeping quarters for a number of Charcadet soldiers. Even at night, some of these small coal-spirits were drilling their battle techniques in the inner courtyard, burning fists pumping to leave soot-marks on stone training 'dummies'.
"We are not an army, like the Commonwealth soldiers camped outside," explained Aurelia. "We have more in common with the Escarpa warriors who protect the native common folk of the south, or with the monks of the western mountains, than a military force. We are sworn to guard the people of Sunward, and our training serves also as contemplation of the Sun, and her light."
The eating hall had a faded, humble kind of grandeur, with hand-woven tapestries hung on the walls alongside bracketed torches and above a coal hearth, which provided warmth and light. The dining tables were sandstone, but the benches were old, laquered wood, well-worn from generations of use. An impromptu late-evening meal was served by a wide-eyed cadet, consisting of acorn-flour flatbreads, bean-and-berry chilli, and mulled cheri wine. According to the young soldier who laid it out, most of the fort's food was foraged-for and prepared on site, with the beans and acorns being supplied by the village down on the flats.
Over dinner, which Aurelia was present for, she explained basic information about the surrounding lands, such as her guests would need for any journey. The village of Sun's Ward, the Commonwealth settlements of Blaguarro and Frontier Town, Scriveners' Tor – these days called Little Scriven – the Fulminare Escarpment, and more places besides. She conjured sparks above her place at the table, which took the form of a crude map, as she explained the location of each in the Soja'.
"In normal times, we would spare some cadets to escort you," said the Day-Captain. "But these are strange times, and growing stranger. We will allow you the use of a rare Travel Orb artefact that will take you from here to very near Frontier Town. There is little more I can do for you, even with my authority, for which I ask your forgiveness, but you may ask any questions you may have and I will try to answer."
Once the trio had been escorted inside the fort, the Night-Captain exchanged a small, formal salute with her counterpart, and resumed her post atop the gatehouse. The Armarouge would chaperone the fort's guests during their stay.
The interior of Fort Sunward was partly hewn into the mesa at its back, with underground vaults – including the armoury Tyr's scabbard had been found in – well-protected by the rock. It looked like fairly ordinary sandstone to Steven, but their host was certain it was invulnerable to tunnelling efforts by ground-type would-be infiltrators. The above-ground portion of the fort was constructed from ruddy clay bricks and amber sandstone columns, and included a communal eating hall and sleeping quarters for a number of Charcadet soldiers. Even at night, some of these small coal-spirits were drilling their battle techniques in the inner courtyard, burning fists pumping to leave soot-marks on stone training 'dummies'.
"We are not an army, like the Commonwealth soldiers camped outside," explained Aurelia. "We have more in common with the Escarpa warriors who protect the native common folk of the south, or with the monks of the western mountains, than a military force. We are sworn to guard the people of Sunward, and our training serves also as contemplation of the Sun, and her light."
The eating hall had a faded, humble kind of grandeur, with hand-woven tapestries hung on the walls alongside bracketed torches and above a coal hearth, which provided warmth and light. The dining tables were sandstone, but the benches were old, laquered wood, well-worn from generations of use. An impromptu late-evening meal was served by a wide-eyed cadet, consisting of acorn-flour flatbreads, bean-and-berry chilli, and mulled cheri wine. According to the young soldier who laid it out, most of the fort's food was foraged-for and prepared on site, with the beans and acorns being supplied by the village down on the flats.
Over dinner, which Aurelia was present for, she explained basic information about the surrounding lands, such as her guests would need for any journey. The village of Sun's Ward, the Commonwealth settlements of Blaguarro and Frontier Town, Scriveners' Tor – these days called Little Scriven – the Fulminare Escarpment, and more places besides. She conjured sparks above her place at the table, which took the form of a crude map, as she explained the location of each in the Soja'.
"In normal times, we would spare some cadets to escort you," said the Day-Captain. "But these are strange times, and growing stranger. We will allow you the use of a rare Travel Orb artefact that will take you from here to very near Frontier Town. There is little more I can do for you, even with my authority, for which I ask your forgiveness, but you may ask any questions you may have and I will try to answer."
Wyvern's Sword
Active member
- Pronoun
- He/Him
"Do not worry, Stephen," said Tyrfing. "Today is not the day we die, and that is something to be glad of. I would not see you suffer for it."
His voice was warm and calm. He tilted to peer at Stephen.
"We are steel types, are we not? Let us not be shaken by uncertainty, but trust in yourself to weather the storm."
"Day-captain, you have been most gracious," said Tyrfing. "We thank you for your generosity. And I personally for standing with us when challenged. I am gladdened to have met you.
If you don't mind me stretching your patience further, I have another question. Having been long absent of the world, I would know what has transpired in it of late. You spoke of strange times. What has been going on?"
Panoramic_Vacuum
Well-known member
- Pronoun
- she or they
The food sat untouched in front of Steven. He'd thanked the cadet for the meal (he would be polite, after all) but wasn't feeling particularly hungry.
He listened as Aurelia explained about the land they'd ended up in -- Sojavena. The map she drew in the air grabbed his attention, but for the most part as she spoke he let his gaze drift to where the charcadets trained.
Strike after strike, they trained to protect, Aurelia explained. He would have to do the same if he ever wanted to help the one who'd summoned them to this sunbaked land.
But then a voice at his side snapped him from his thoughts.
Steven fixed Tyrfing with an incredulous stare. A part of him began to wonder if the honedge's bravery had crossed the line into foolishness.
He focused to project his voice so that only his fellow steel type could hear. No need to upset their hosts any further.
"And these are fire types," he hissed, perhaps a bit too forcefully. "Fully evolved fire types.
"I don't know much about you, but where I come from, that matchup never ends well for the under-leveled steel type. No amount of bravery would have stopped that blade from cleaving you in half if the Captain had been so inclined."
Steven bowed his head with a sigh, the fire of his tirade fizzling out. "I just don't want to see anyone get hurt. We're here on a mission. We can't hope to accomplish it if we meet our ends here..."
To the others in the room, he would have seemed silent the whole time. The way he looked away from Tyrfing, focusing back on what the Day-Captain was explaining, told the honedge he wasn't interested in discussing the topic further.
He listened as Aurelia explained about the land they'd ended up in -- Sojavena. The map she drew in the air grabbed his attention, but for the most part as she spoke he let his gaze drift to where the charcadets trained.
Strike after strike, they trained to protect, Aurelia explained. He would have to do the same if he ever wanted to help the one who'd summoned them to this sunbaked land.
But then a voice at his side snapped him from his thoughts.
a delusional honedge said:
Steven fixed Tyrfing with an incredulous stare. A part of him began to wonder if the honedge's bravery had crossed the line into foolishness.
He focused to project his voice so that only his fellow steel type could hear. No need to upset their hosts any further.
"And these are fire types," he hissed, perhaps a bit too forcefully. "Fully evolved fire types.
"I don't know much about you, but where I come from, that matchup never ends well for the under-leveled steel type. No amount of bravery would have stopped that blade from cleaving you in half if the Captain had been so inclined."
Steven bowed his head with a sigh, the fire of his tirade fizzling out. "I just don't want to see anyone get hurt. We're here on a mission. We can't hope to accomplish it if we meet our ends here..."
To the others in the room, he would have seemed silent the whole time. The way he looked away from Tyrfing, focusing back on what the Day-Captain was explaining, told the honedge he wasn't interested in discussing the topic further.
- Pronoun
- they or she
Aurelia politely pretended she had not heard the exchange between the two steel-types, but her eyes simmered low, perhaps from remorse, or chagrin.
The Armarouge sipped a beaker of berry wine and somehow looked contemplative.
"If you truly have been absent so long as you claim, there's much to tell. I'm unsure where to begin... The civilisation of the east, the Luctemarene Commonwealth, has extended its sovereignty over much of the continent. They bring new technology to the Soja', vehicles and mechanisms we have little understanding of. New ways, also."
She shook her head, obviously no scholar who could explain the onset of colonialism and corporate investment and cultural shifts.
"We continue as we always have, since time immemorial. But the world changes around us. Sometimes for the better, though." Here she seemed to smile, though it was only visible from her eyes. "Brave 'mon from all the cultures of the Soja' have come together to form a guild of rangers, who keep the peace, rescue the lost and trapped, and apprehend wrongdoers. This guild was founded only a few generations ago, and the Wardens made a vow to always send at least one of our captains in training to complete a tour of service as a ranger each generation. We too do our part to watch over the wider west, not just the Sun's Ward."
Here Aurelia's eyes burned a little brighter, and she set down her drink.
"How long did you slumber, Sir Tyrfing? Are you so ancient as to have seen the Sun before her sacrifice...?"
The Armarouge sipped a beaker of berry wine and somehow looked contemplative.
"If you truly have been absent so long as you claim, there's much to tell. I'm unsure where to begin... The civilisation of the east, the Luctemarene Commonwealth, has extended its sovereignty over much of the continent. They bring new technology to the Soja', vehicles and mechanisms we have little understanding of. New ways, also."
She shook her head, obviously no scholar who could explain the onset of colonialism and corporate investment and cultural shifts.
"We continue as we always have, since time immemorial. But the world changes around us. Sometimes for the better, though." Here she seemed to smile, though it was only visible from her eyes. "Brave 'mon from all the cultures of the Soja' have come together to form a guild of rangers, who keep the peace, rescue the lost and trapped, and apprehend wrongdoers. This guild was founded only a few generations ago, and the Wardens made a vow to always send at least one of our captains in training to complete a tour of service as a ranger each generation. We too do our part to watch over the wider west, not just the Sun's Ward."
Here Aurelia's eyes burned a little brighter, and she set down her drink.
"How long did you slumber, Sir Tyrfing? Are you so ancient as to have seen the Sun before her sacrifice...?"
kyeugh
onion witch
- Pronoun
- she/her
Prim nodded her head gently as the armarouge spoke, hands clasped beneath the table. She fixed her gaze absently on the hearth's crackling coals, transfixed by the play of fire as she soaked in the words.
Prim was no political analyst, but the world Aurelia described sounded an awful lot like the one she knew. If what the cloud said was somehow true, she supposed she could somewhat understand why someone like her had gotten pulled into this mess. How many people could there be out there, even across worlds and time, who had real experience braving the wilds, keeping the peace, holding tradition firm in one hand and ushering in progress with the other?
Prim was not a person who usually deluded herself into self-importance, but this was a place of magic, and—was it a little conceited to think that she might be made for this?
"Where can we find this ranger's guild?" Prim asked, suddenly too aware of the shrill, girlish voice this body provided her. "I know I don't look it, but I have some experience in that line of work. And if we really want to help people, then..."
She trailed off. They had been summoned to this place, rather than any other. And they were the only ones here. Was there some problem here for them to sort? Were they hexing themselves by wandering away from the fort, where an unfinished task lay? Her eyes wandered to her comrades, the pillar and the sword. She should confer with them after the armarouge retired.
Prim was no political analyst, but the world Aurelia described sounded an awful lot like the one she knew. If what the cloud said was somehow true, she supposed she could somewhat understand why someone like her had gotten pulled into this mess. How many people could there be out there, even across worlds and time, who had real experience braving the wilds, keeping the peace, holding tradition firm in one hand and ushering in progress with the other?
Prim was not a person who usually deluded herself into self-importance, but this was a place of magic, and—was it a little conceited to think that she might be made for this?
"Where can we find this ranger's guild?" Prim asked, suddenly too aware of the shrill, girlish voice this body provided her. "I know I don't look it, but I have some experience in that line of work. And if we really want to help people, then..."
She trailed off. They had been summoned to this place, rather than any other. And they were the only ones here. Was there some problem here for them to sort? Were they hexing themselves by wandering away from the fort, where an unfinished task lay? Her eyes wandered to her comrades, the pillar and the sword. She should confer with them after the armarouge retired.
Wyvern's Sword
Active member
- Pronoun
- He/Him
Tyrfing chose his words with care, for he knew not the seeming of his thoughts in this place of reverence. He wished not to conceal the truth, not to tell it. And so he chose a middle path, cleaving much to the spirit of the truth.
"The world I remember long ago was very different," said he, "and in my time never would I have seen the sky so red, stained like fireglass. It is as if I have been reborn a world apart from mine own."
He curled his tassle around his scabbard, seeming to examine it for a moment.
"This world is beyond my knowing. The architecture, the clothes, the food, the Pokémon... even the very inflection of our speech. All is different now. I am trying to understand it, and I would welcome any help you can offer."
Tyrfing looked down. He couldn't truely frown, and yet somehow the frown lingering in his thoughts was palpable.
"I would like to hear more of the time before the Sun's Sacrifice," he said. "If you are willing to tell of it."
- Pronoun
- they or she
Aurelia looked up, eyes a little wider.
"The guild is upriver from Frontier Town, along the Silver. Its precise location is hidden, but they have a watchtower by the riverside where approaching 'mon may make themselves known. It is a considerable distance by most means of travel, however. Still, I wish you luck getting there, if you are truly alike to the rangers. It is among the best places for a would-be paragon to organise their efforts."
Aurelia's eyes widened further. Much further.
"Well, you are either from some other place than here, sir Tyrfing, or you are many thousands of years old. The sacrifice of the Sun is what stained the skies over Sunward, and that was countless generations in the past. The effects are strongest just over this mesa, and disappear once out of sight of the fort, but they have persisted for as long as there has been a society here to carry the story.
"It is written that in a time not long after pokémon began to gather in communities, make culture together, and share common tongues, there came about a great disaster that threatened to destroy all civilisation. A foul, black cloud spewed from ruptures in the skin of the planet, and covered up the sun for many days. The skies darkened, and the earth grew cold, and all were afraid that life could not survive.
"It is written that the Sun looked up at the darkness, and she resolved that if the sun could not give light and warmth to the world, then she would do so herself. She flew to a point high above this very mesa, and set herself ablaze, so bright and hot that as long as the ash clouds did not settle, she was like the sun to the people below her, and so she kept safe their lives and homes.
"It is written that the cost on her was so great that she has slept ever since, and the proof of her sacrifice is in the unnatural long dawns and dusks of Sunward, the place above which the Sun placed her protection, and warded off the darkness."
Saying this, she made a gesture that called to mind the setting of the sun.
Panoramic_Vacuum
Well-known member
- Pronoun
- she or they
Whatever doldrums Steven had been caught in quickly vanished when Aurelia shared the story of the Sun's sacrifice. He listened with rapt attention as she wove the tale of how the land was saved from never-ending darkness.
"Fascinating," he breathed. "I see now why you keep watch over this place. The Sun must be proud, having someone like yourself guard her slumber."
He gave a wistful chuckle, his eye winking into a low half-moon. "You remind me of a good friend of mine. He is a lorekeeper and a protector, much like yourself."
"Though," he paused, thinking, "you've spent so much time telling us about your land and your legends. What of yourself? It'd be wrong to leave and not learn something about the first friendly face we've met. How long have you been a warden here?"
"Fascinating," he breathed. "I see now why you keep watch over this place. The Sun must be proud, having someone like yourself guard her slumber."
He gave a wistful chuckle, his eye winking into a low half-moon. "You remind me of a good friend of mine. He is a lorekeeper and a protector, much like yourself."
"Though," he paused, thinking, "you've spent so much time telling us about your land and your legends. What of yourself? It'd be wrong to leave and not learn something about the first friendly face we've met. How long have you been a warden here?"
- Pronoun
- they or she
Aurelia's flames flickered white. Steven had the impression this is what counted as a blush, for her species.
"Well, I have always been a Warden – it is our way of life all our lives. But I began my training more than a score of summers ago, and I have been Day-Captain for a few years now. I flatter myself that I am a particularly diligent Warden, and that I have spent very much of my life in meditation and training and on my many important duties, but if you must know something individual to me..."
She put a fist to her face and looked aside.
"I am given to composing poetry in my quieter hours off-duty. I am not nearly proud enough to recite it, but it may tell you a little of my spirit, that is not simply expected of my position to begin with."
The arrival of a 'cadet to clear the table served as indication enough that supper was over, and it was time to retire for the night.
"Ah, but it seems that is all I have time to tell this night. Well met, you three. It has been a strange encounter, but the longer I speak with you, the more convinced I am of your good intentions, and that you will be a boon to the Soja', wherever you may end up. I wish you safe travels."
Aurelia bowed, and another 'cadet meekly lead the trio to a disused alcove, where woven blankets over feather mattresses served as guest chambers.
It was a peaceful night – apparently, Wardens did not snore, and training did not last until dawn. In the morning, Ceruledge Estelle quietly presented the Travel Orb. There was little discussion, but the Night-Captain did, at least, offer a respectful salute before activating the orb.
Relative seconds later, they were in a diamond-shaped square, before a fountain, and a statue. Frontier Town.
"Well, I have always been a Warden – it is our way of life all our lives. But I began my training more than a score of summers ago, and I have been Day-Captain for a few years now. I flatter myself that I am a particularly diligent Warden, and that I have spent very much of my life in meditation and training and on my many important duties, but if you must know something individual to me..."
She put a fist to her face and looked aside.
"I am given to composing poetry in my quieter hours off-duty. I am not nearly proud enough to recite it, but it may tell you a little of my spirit, that is not simply expected of my position to begin with."
The arrival of a 'cadet to clear the table served as indication enough that supper was over, and it was time to retire for the night.
"Ah, but it seems that is all I have time to tell this night. Well met, you three. It has been a strange encounter, but the longer I speak with you, the more convinced I am of your good intentions, and that you will be a boon to the Soja', wherever you may end up. I wish you safe travels."
Aurelia bowed, and another 'cadet meekly lead the trio to a disused alcove, where woven blankets over feather mattresses served as guest chambers.
It was a peaceful night – apparently, Wardens did not snore, and training did not last until dawn. In the morning, Ceruledge Estelle quietly presented the Travel Orb. There was little discussion, but the Night-Captain did, at least, offer a respectful salute before activating the orb.
Relative seconds later, they were in a diamond-shaped square, before a fountain, and a statue. Frontier Town.
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