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Sept 24, 2017 22:04:22 GMT
Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 24, 2017 22:04:22 GMT
Lucia at first, does not say anything to the approaching mercenary. She never even cared enough to remember his name from yesterday, yet he was the one who probably saved her from being beaten to death by Desmond. It still bothers her, this... kindness is unexpected and confusing. She does not like it, he must expect something in return, like he will call upon her in a way that she 'owes' him now after that. It has to be that, no one does a deed without a reward of some sorts... Jesse begins to hiss at his approach. An unusual sound, like the high pitched hiss of a crocodile with the trill of a strange bird. With a raised hand, Jesse ceases his threatening sound but keeps his eyes upon the man like a hawk. That is until, Desmond walks by. The Kerboa looks almost as if it is sneering at the man with a horrifying growl and ready to lunge, but a cold and scolding glare from the Witch stays his place. Who knew such a creature could hold powerful grudges?
"I have had more debilitating injuries." Lucia simply comments as she continues to harvest ingredients. The cold tone against the man's smile seems to cancel out the ability of pushing people away that it usual does... What is with this person? Why doesn't he just avoid her like Desmond? It's easier for everybody else really.. Then he does something she really doesn't expect; offering her a valuable resource. Illicium dust is rare and not something you just hand out to strangers, yet as she looks him in the eye it is obvious that he does not expect anything in return for this or treating it like a trade. She is glad her hood is covering her facial expression right now, which is of sad confusion. The Witch does not accept it, not right away without her question being answered. "Why are you being nice to me?" She asks meekly, completely void of her usual spite.
-----
Lyvyne hears the familiar footsteps of Desmond as he approaches. Normally, she is always happy to see her human friend. Today, there is too much on her mind to be happy about anything. She continues shifting the water of the stream with her fingers in the silence between them, subtly trying to avoid thinking about Desmond's change. It.. frightens her. The look in his eyes lately, that cold and dead look of a hidden hatred was the same one she saw in Thomas' during the confrontation in the village. The one who inflicted the injured on her wing, and the one on her palm wrapped in bloody bandages. The Avalon has yet to return to her to get him changed. She is unaware what Desmond has done to the Witch, would she even be the same towards Desmond again once finding out that he tried to kill the person who saved him?...
Then, an apology. Desmond apologises to Lyvyne. She is unsure as to why.. Is it for the way he is acting? For being a burden to her when he was injured? To her, neither of those two were his fault during the chaos. No, her sense can tell he is apologising for something completely different. But the question is what? Too many thoughts already, she doesn't want another bunch from this apology so she pushes it out for now. "Monster... Me..." She finally speaks up after another minute of silence. That is what they called her back in the village, what they said outside the Witch's home. That is who they are blaming. Lyvyne being brought to the village is what created this rebellion. She is the one to blame. "I caused this... By surviving..." referring back to Desmond and Lyvyne's first meeting, when he saved her. If she didn't live, things would be peaceful still. Desmond's father would be alive. Thomas wouldn't have created havoc among the community. The witch's home would remain uncompromised. Things would be better if she just died back there.
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Sept 24, 2017 22:40:39 GMT
Post by Raz on Sept 24, 2017 22:40:39 GMT
Desmond let's his apology hang in the air for a moment. He was enjoying peaceful burbling of the stream. This past day has had far too much noise, far too much blood. His eyes follow her fingers as they swirled lazily in the water. Sitting beside him was the only friend he had left in this world. Lyvyne was the only person who stood with him when all others had abandoned him. How had he repaid her? By running away when she needed him most, by wallowing in his own self pity while she was alone, by making her go through all of this....he had failed her in every way imaginable and yet she had stood by his side for all of it. So when she says that she's a monster he swore he could feel his heart shatter. He looked at her in shock, "No!" His voice was firm when he spoke. He wasn't angry, he was shocked that she could say that about herself. How could she think that? He looked in her eyes and repeated himself in a softer voice. "No. You are not a monster, Lyvyne." She wasn't a monster. She was the closest thing to an angel that he could imagine. Her next statement floored him, he grabbed her hand. His fingers intertwine with her own. "Stop it. Don't say that anymore." His voice had dropped down to its softer tone , almost a whisper. "Please..." He asked with eyes downcast. "You're the only friend I have left on this Earth. I can't lose you too... If either of us is the monster, it's me. You've risked your life to save me, you've killed to protect me." He moved her hand up towards his chest where she can feel the steady thump of his heart. "I'm alive because of you. If you had died that day I would've lost everything to Thomas anyway. Nothing was going to stop him from rising up. So don't tell me everything would've been better if you had died. This world is evil enough already...not having people like you in it would make it ten times worse." He surprised even himself with the conviction of his words.
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Sept 25, 2017 1:39:43 GMT
Post by Shift on Sept 25, 2017 1:39:43 GMT
Dorian shrugged at her response to the first question. He wasn't expecting much else for her to say to that. His hand faltered as she asked a rather odd question. The voice was different from the one he heard a few seconds ago. He never had anyone ask him that before so he was caught off guard. He quickly gained his bearings and spoke. "You never gave me a reason not to. Would you prefer it if I wasn't?" He grinned as he said so, a stark contrast to her usual spite.
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Sept 25, 2017 5:13:48 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 25, 2017 5:13:48 GMT
Lucia's meek tone quickly turns back into her usual snark when she sees the man grin at her. She feels like he is teasing her moment of weakness, turning timid for a split second when she subconsciously let her guard down. It immediately goes back up after this. "Oh of course I want you to treat me like the dirt on your shoes." She says sarcastically with an eye roll. It sounds a lot less critical than usual however. Then, it becomes something similar to a sad resignation. "It's not that I don't want you to be nice to me. It's because it's the best course of action. Did you not hear what Desmond said? I am a monster. He is not the first to say that, I will end up killing you all, sooner or later." The tone is obvious that she doesn't believe these words and accusations made about her but something she came to inevitably accept. It also seems as if she is trying to push Dorian away from getting close to her. She does not trust the intentions of people, they either want to use her or hurt her. Especially men, the mercenary could have the same desire for her body as the Wolf twins... Quick to judge, because others do the same to her.
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Lyvyne flinches slightly at Desmond's raised voice and snaps her head into his direction to look at him. She is wary of him lately, slightly ashamed to admit she is intimidated by him. Why? This is her long term friend. She shouldn't have to treat him with caution like a wild animal.. Then, his voice grows soft, reassuring her that she is not a monster. How grateful he is for her survival and friendship. It makes her feel terrible for treating him like a stranger just seconds ago. Of course she was being stupid.. This is Desmond. He has always been there for her, and vice versa. The Avalon never actually realised how much she needed to hear his words of reassurance, he was probably the only person that could convince her train of thought to cease it's chaos. She is glad that he does not see her the same way as others do.. So glad. She feels like the kind words will cause her eyes to spill with tears of relief as he interlocks his fingers with her own. Now, she feels much more safe. She does not respond to this steadfast speech, she just leans her forehead onto his chest where he placed her hand. This will probably be their final moment of solitude together for a long while.. She will just want to savour this. Hopefully her friend will think the same.
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Sept 25, 2017 10:29:41 GMT
Post by Raz on Sept 25, 2017 10:29:41 GMT
For the first time in the last day and a half, a small smile graces his lips as the young Avalon rests her head against his chest. She hadn't said anything in response to him but he feels the message got through. Despite the loss and pain that the last day had brought with it, the young villager feels happy. This was Lyvyne, his best friend over the last few months. Desmond had grown fond of her almost instantly when he found her in the woods. His time spent taking care of her sense then only helped grow that bond. It grew so much that he had begun to wonder whether his feelings for her were entirely platonic... Lyvyne felt his arms wrap around her body protectively. "You still have to show me your clan, remember?" He asked with this gentle new voice of his. With his left hand on the small of her back and his right hand place between her shoulder blades, he could feel the touch of her wings on his fingers. Absentmindedly he began to stroke the feathers of her wing as she sat there with her head against his chest. "Let's make a promise that we'll go see your clan sometime soon." His eyes looked to her wings and he sighed wistfully, "I want to see if beautiful feathers are universal to your kind or if they're exclusive to you." His smile had widened a bit as he played this new card. It wasn't a lie either, he did want to see if their feathers were the same. But a small part of him also just wanted to compliment his winged savior.
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Sept 25, 2017 19:02:28 GMT
Post by Shift on Sept 25, 2017 19:02:28 GMT
Dorian laughed as she made her sarcastic comment, which he was pretty sure wasn't the intended effect. He listened to her second comment, his smile lessening but still present. "I mean no offense, but if you want me to believe that, at least try to pretend you believe it as well. You sound just like you're repeating someone else's words, not your own. Not to mention, I doubt you'd be the exact cause of my death. I mean, what, are you going to hunt me down, and why would you?" He said it in playful tone, less so than his previous statements, but it was still evident. There was also an air of sincerity in his words. How often do people call her a monster for her to think of it as fact, he thought to himself.
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Sept 25, 2017 19:59:09 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 25, 2017 19:59:09 GMT
"You are infuriating!" She growls at him when he laughs at her. She does not like this teasing. She feels as if he is mocking her moment of vulnerability. She should have never asked the damn question and kept it to herself... Though she is silent when he points out the fact that she is repeating what people called her. This silence confirms his statement to be true. After more playful teasing, she feels the need to defend her already wounded pride. "Perhaps not I, but Jesse might.." on que, the Kerboa holds it's feathered arms wide, tail in the air and hisses at him once more, the feathers shuddering as he does into a threatening stance. This makes the Witch smirk, feeling that she got him back for teasing and signals for the fiend to calm himself. There is a small silence between them... perhaps using Jesse for intimidation was a step too south... "My name is Lucia." She says to break the awkward tension she created. She stands up from gathering and faces him, bruise now fully displayed. She holds out her hand. "I will accept that dust if you haven't changed your mind now."
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Sept 25, 2017 20:07:49 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 25, 2017 20:07:49 GMT
After a small while, Lyvyne lifts herself from his chest and nods with a smile. Though she does not remove his arm across her back. It is oddly pleasant... She does not know a lot of the human language, but she knows that 'beautiful' is a word that means very good things, and feels happy that Desmond used it to describe her in some way. It is odd... She has always had a deeper bond with him that goes further than just companionship and honour... It feels like the kind her mother told her about when she meets a suitable partner. Avalons only accept one in her lifetime and commitment is steadfast. It is wise for them to choose one when they are absolutely solid in their choice for them.. Though she never thought of a human being a strong candidate. She wonders her clan would accept this bond... Humans and Avalon are rather similar physically and mentally. A mating bond between two of them would be no different than two Avalons. Yes, Desmond would be a wonderful partner from what she has grown to know him. He saved her, became her tutor in many things and was always her a friend when she felt nobody else would be.. Though this has to be a mutual agreement. If he does not feel the same way, Lyvyne will have to accept the disappointing outcome... She hopes it does not become that.
"You... Come to clan... Live with us." She offers to her human friend. "Avalon accept you.. As our own."
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Sept 25, 2017 20:33:34 GMT
Post by Shift on Sept 25, 2017 20:33:34 GMT
His smile fell as she yelled at him for his infuriating nature, which he was baffled by. He realized, however, that she doesn't seem the type of person to socialize, so he shouldn't expect her to act as though she had. "Probably, I'm not going to deny that." He shrugged as he spoke, only a small bit of his smile remaining. "Why do you think I trained in being a swordsman?" His smile returned, albeit to a much smaller extent than it was previously. He takes note of the silence in response to him, confirming his suspicions. He felt sorry for her that people would all her that enough for her to recite it as fact, although he knew she'd probably dismiss it if he spoke it aloud, so he kept it to himself
He looked questioningly when she mentioned Jesse, but he quickly realized what she meant. He flinched a bit, hand automatically moving to his sword, before he realized it was simply a threateningly gesture. He resumed his previous position, and remained silent for a short period of time., before resuming his position. "And I'm Dorian." He spoke, his voice more serious than before, but a hint of his previous playfulness was stiLl present. As she mentions the dust, he speaks. "Ah, right! Here you go," he says, his hand with the pouch moving towards Lucia.
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Sept 25, 2017 20:42:58 GMT
Post by Raz on Sept 25, 2017 20:42:58 GMT
Desmond found himself enjoying the feel of having Lyvyne so close to him. He'd only seen her act vulnerable like this when he had first found her in the forest all those months ago. Since then it had been difficult to see her as someone in need of protecting, especially after seeing the damage she could inflict if she chose to. Yet despite this he couldn't help but feel protective of her. That look on her face when she had called herself a monster...that had bothered him more than he would care to admit. The sadness that her eyes had held when he saw her wasn't something he could permit to see again. He wanted to see that vibrant and warm smile of hers that he'd grown so used to in the village. Over the time that he'd spent with her it had grown more and more difficult to see her as an Avalon instead of just as a girl. Desmond had had crushes on girls in the village before but he'd never felt anything like this. After the hell they've gone through together he couldn't bring himself to think of her as just an Avalon anymore. But was this a good thing? Was there even a possibility that she felt the same way for him? He knew little of Avalon customs and culture so he had no idea if he would even be accepted by her people. The last thing he wanted was to come between her and her clan. But he was getting ahead of himself. He had no idea if she was even interested in humans to start with. But how do you broach a question like that? He'd need to be careful about how he went about finding out.
He watched with a touch of disappointment as she pulled away from him slightly. He smiled at her with quirkier brows as she speaks, "What do you mean?" He asked not entirely understanding her offer at first. When the realization did occur, his eyes widened in shock at the suggestion. "R-really?" He thought about it for a moment. He had no home or family to speak of as far as he knew. The look in Lyvyne's eyes was hopeful. Did she really want him to join her clan? His eyes softened as he looked at her, "I'd be honored to stay with your clan Ly....but are you sure they'd allow me to stay?"
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Sept 25, 2017 21:51:52 GMT
Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 25, 2017 21:51:52 GMT
Lucia takes the pouch politely, not snatching it as what most people would suspect her doing, and places it inside her components pouch. "Thank you. I guess you're not as annoying as most.." She admits softly, but the snide still within her tone. "Why did you pull Desmond off of me? Quite frankly with the way I was acting towards him, I deserved those hits." She confronts him finally as she crosses her arms over her chest. Jesse seems to relax a little in Dorian's presence. Either the beast trusts his master's judgement or deemed him barely a threat for him to intervene in case things took an unexpected turn. The Kerboa visually relaxes his posture and his perch on the witch is seems more relaxed, slightly lazy.
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Lyvyne smiled softly and nodded. "You are like Avalon... Honour... Loyal... but... no feathers..." she tries to make a joke about it at the end, but she is always unsure about whether she did it right or not, but the inane smile always accompanies whenever to attempts to make one. The journey would be a long one. Not only because she cannot fly long distance yet, but Desmond obviously cannot fly. She would have to make the way there on foot. She never really liked the idea of walking for too long... It is far more tiring than flying. There is also the question of the others... They no longer have a place to go either, the Kveldulf helped Lyvyne defend and keep Desmond safe when the fighting began while the witch, while she at first very difficult about it, healed him back to health. She feels she owes a debt to them for the kind deeds they have done for them both. The other human seemed kind enough as well, he offered to help even when there was nothing else left to do... She should talk to Desmond about it. None of them have homes either, perhaps they could join this journey and find their own place along the way?... "And... the others?..." She asks him, gesturing her head towards the camp location. She has not yet realised her hand is still interlocked with his.
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Sept 25, 2017 22:01:27 GMT
Post by Shift on Sept 25, 2017 22:01:27 GMT
"No problem" He says as she takes the ouch from his hand. "As for that, with the way he was acting, it didn't seem like he'd stop any time soon. It was clear he wasn't thinking straight. Better no injuries, than ones done without thinking." He speaks, the playful tone fully gone from his voice, although not unfriendly.
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Sept 25, 2017 22:20:12 GMT
Post by Raz on Sept 25, 2017 22:20:12 GMT
"There it was," He thought with genuine joy at the sight of his Avalon's smiling face. His spirits seemed to soar as she looked up at him with that goofy grin of hers. It was though she wasn't entirely sure how to do it properly and that made it all the more adorable in his eyes. He chuckled at her attempt at a joke. She was certainly getting better at her English than he was at his Avalon. "Well I hope your clan doesn't mind a featherless human then." He gave a shake of his head so that his hair would swish from side to side. That had made her fall into a giggling fit during one of their first weeks together. Avalon feathers were more fixed in place than human hair was so seeing his strange locks moving all about must've looked odd to her. "Well if we are to set off to meet your clan, we best be moving soon. I'm afraid feathers aren't the only thing that I like that you Avalon have." He said giving her wings a tap. Getting on the road would be good for the both of them. The more distance that was put between them, the rebels and those beasts at the hut, the better. He was hardly even thinking of what may happen to them when they left. The Witch and the Kveldulf could die in a forest fire for all that he cared. Which is why her next question mad him worried that his desire to be rid of them wasn't going to be happening any time soon. He frowned slightly, "The others? What of them?" He asked hoping that she wasn't about to suggest what he feared she would. Lyvyne's kindness was going to end up putting Desmond through another series of fights with the Witch. "I'm sure they must be wishing to make their own way without us. None seemed particularly taken with us."
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Sept 25, 2017 22:40:17 GMT
Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 25, 2017 22:40:17 GMT
Lyvyne tilted her head in confusion, curiosity and concern when Desmond frowns at her question. He doesn't seem... too happy about it? She is aware that he has conflict between the witch and would not blame him that he is wary of her. However, the Kveldulf have been honourable to them both, even when they met as strangers... It would not be kind of them to abandon them.. Though like Desmond said, if they wish to go their separate ways then there is no reason to stop that. Everybody has their own destinies and goals. But she should ask them if they wish to accompany them for awhile. It is always nice to have company.. "Witch saved you... Wolf... protected us. Travel together.. for safety.. until they go... their own way... if they want to..." She tries her best to describe her point to her friend. Her human tongue is improving, so she has not much worry that she got her point across.
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Lucia nods to his words. It makes sense that he did. She was fully convinced that he would have literally murdered her with his bare hands if it had carried on. She should have fought him off... but why didn't she?... "He was hurting. His village has been destroyed and many of the people he was close to I assume are either dead or dying." She explains. "By now, I fear he has lost most of himself and has become a hollow shell." The words are a cold hard truth. She really does believe that. She pushes her own personal opinion about this aside. Why should she care? He holds no significance towards her. She tried to be neutral with him and he paid her back through attempted murder.
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Sept 25, 2017 23:09:57 GMT
Post by Raz on Sept 25, 2017 23:09:57 GMT
Desmond is not happy about this in the slightest. He wanted to be a few hundred leagues from that group as fast as he could. He'd rather forget them entirely if given the choice but that doesn't seem to be in the cards. The young man didn't want to risk upsetting his friend after everything so far. He held his frown for a moment before releasing a defeated sigh. "Fine, I guess we owe them the curtesy to ask at th very least. I suppose we best see if they wish to follow us then." He offered a weak smile to her and gave her hand a squeeze. Internally though he was dreading every second of what awaited him. This trip has just gotten much much longer. Not only does he have to deal with th monstrous wolves following them but the bloody Witch was coming too. Perhaps she'll decline and choose to remain in her God forsaken hut. He wasn't thrilled for what their journey now entailed, but if it was what Lyvyne wanted...he'd put up with the beasts for now. His hand slid away from her back and gently slid out of her grasp. "Before we get to the hut I have to tell you something." Here was what he'd been dreading, "The Witch and I had a bit of a fight last night."
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Sept 26, 2017 0:13:58 GMT
Post by Shift on Sept 26, 2017 0:13:58 GMT
"So I gather..." He speaks, hos eyes subconsciously glanconging at the area where the fight took place. "Although, I do recall him having an Avalon friend with him," he scrapes his brain trying to recall the Avalon's name before giving up,"Perhaps she could help him recover? Of course, it'd always stay with him, but maybe he'd be able to get past it." He speaks with uncertainty. He didn't know of everything that transpired before he came, just the fact that the village attacked them because of their fear for the Avalon and Kveldulf, and what Lucia had told him.
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Oct 11, 2017 14:58:03 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Oct 11, 2017 14:58:03 GMT
"Perhaps." Lucia says with a shrug, obvious that she is pessimistc on the hopeful idea. "Or perhaps he will perceive her as a threat as well. The human mind is a fragile, unpredictable thing when fractured." She says darkly. She glances at her home and sighs through her nose. She is still annoyed about the Kveldulf tearing her door off and with the village dispersed, trade will be little to none. Continuous living here now would be very difficult even with her skill, a lot of her resources came from trade. Especially with Winter coming in. She will need to relocate, that is a fact she must accept. Her childhood home and final resting place of her mother is no longer secure.
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Lyvyne smiles at his agreement. She decides it is time to reunite with the Wolf folk and two humans. Before she could ask Desmond if he was ready to head back, she tells her that he had a conflict with the Witch. She finds this unsurprising, they have fought with words quite a lot yesterday so another verbal scrap is something she expected to happen. Although... His eyes seem more serious, as if this was a bigger fight... She lets her curiosity question it. "Fight with words?... It... Got big?" She asks with focus on her words, still wondering if she is ever using the right ones with every sentence.
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Oct 11, 2017 20:25:50 GMT
Post by Raz on Oct 11, 2017 20:25:50 GMT
The amateur hunter is visibly reluctant to push on. He didn't want to tell her about what had happened yesterday but he'd be damned if he was going to let the Witch use this against him. She had earned her lumps as far as he was concerned. But if Lyvyne saw her all bruised up and the Witch tried to spin this against him....well he simply couldn't take that risk. He sighed and shook his head, his dark hair swished back and forth. His stomach was in knots with nervous anxiety over how Ly would react to his revelation. "Not exactly." He began. His eyes trailed up to meet with the inquisitive stare of his companion. The young man's eyes were filled with a mix of loss and worry that had stood in stark contrast from his look just moments ago. "Lyvyne," He had gotten better at pronouncing her name after so many hours trying to replicate the way she said it. However, the fact that he used her name instead of Ly was worrying. "Imagine I had agreed to save you after threatening to let you die on my table if you couldn't pay me enough. And that all the while I'm being as mean as hateful as I could be. You wouldn't like me much." He releases a ragged shuttering breath as he looks away from her towards the ground on his right. "Now imagine that I went outside with some other humans and started slaughtering the few remnants of your clan that you had left when I could've easily scared them off." He let his fingers slip from her grasp. "And then I hound you afterwards while your only friend has gone off somewhere without you." Slowly he met her gaze with eyes that were red from the tears he'd shed last night. "I hurt her, Ly. I wanted her to kill me last night...to just make it all stop." His expression is solemn but his eyes were not filling with tears as they had done yesterday. Tears won't change anything, just like killing her wouldn't change anything. He averted his eyes and stood up. He coughed and looked back toward the hut, "I just wanted to let you know before you saw her."
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Oct 11, 2017 21:11:16 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Oct 11, 2017 21:11:16 GMT
Lyvyne listens intently to Desmond's words, feeling this is more serious than it seems. It's been awhile since he used her proper name. While it is her birth name, she much preferred being called Ly. It was a nice gesture, simpler for Desmond to pronounce and she grew quote attached to it. Thinking on this sentiment almost makes her zone out from the topic at hand. This is important, and she needs to focus on it... Her face falls when he begins explaining the scenario. This is all awfully similar to what the Witch was doing... But the slaughter, those people would have killed Desmond if they got in.. She doesn't want to think about if the Witch and Wolf folk did not intervene. As he goes on, she's figured it all out before he even says it.
"You hurt her..." She says softly. Lyvyne does not feel comfortable about unnecessary violence. The ones she attacked at the village, she feels it was to protect Desmond. But still is not settled about it. Her discomfort is clear, which is further pressed into that direction when he wanted her to kill him. Is that why she attacked her? To provoke her to defend herself? Is.. Is she even still alive now? She has not returned to the hut since her departure. She chose to rest within the wooded area while her mind was still a mess. She's worried now, worried that her innocent friend was driven to murder. "She saved you. When she did not want to." She murmurs softly. She is confused why he would do this to somebody who healed him, regardless of how nasty she was. She just doesn't understand, but that is where her thinking differs from Desmond's. She would feel indebted to the Witch if she was in the place Desmond was, because of her honourable personality. But she feels this is beyond her thinking, because she did not experience it. While she feels for the Witch, she also knows that Desmond was in a bad place... He was not all there at the time.
With that, she does not say anything. Her discomfort changes to sorrow. Still perched, she two clawed fingertips gently across the skin of his forearm, in attempt to show she is not going to turn away from this because of this. The claws, made for rending flesh from bone, actually tickle the senses on his skin when they very delicately glide against it without piercing through. She nods ever so slightly to him.
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Oct 11, 2017 22:07:49 GMT
Post by Raz on Oct 11, 2017 22:07:49 GMT
He nods, unable to deny anything. He didn't want for Lyvyne to see this side of him but he had no choice. The damage had been done. Now it was just a matter of if this damage was irreparable. The man he had been to Lyvyne was likely destroyed. Replaced by a beast not much more different than Thomas. And Desmond couldn't hate himself more for it. While he still felt the Witch deserved it he wished he hadn't risked everything he had left just for a he satisfaction of seeing that Witch's head bounce off the floor. Desmond felt as though he should say something, anything. But try as he might there were simply no words that he could muster that were sufficient. He had refused to look at Lyvyne up until he felt the familiar tickle of her talons against his arm. He'd seen them work their grizzly magic upon both wild game and a few villagers. He'd seen the damage that they could inflict....but he'd seen more than the destruction. He'd seen those same razor sharp claws scratch and play with one of the village dogs. He had witnessed those claws ruffle his sister's hair when they had breakfast. Not all of the creatures that had come from those portals had been monsters, nor were all of them vicious. Some were kind and gentle. Some of them....were too good for the cruel world that they lived in. He looked down at Lyvyne, their eyes meet. Lyvyne was one of those few kind souls and she still remained with him. For just a moment she saw a flash of the old Desmond creep through, she the innocent young man she had known from the start. His eyes softened as he gently pulled her to her feet. "Let's go." He said simply, not trusting his voice to say anything more. It looked as though she had revived some of that spark of life within him.
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Oct 12, 2017 19:18:17 GMT
Post by DodoDestroyer on Oct 12, 2017 19:18:17 GMT
For a moment, the young Avalon sees a glimpse of Desmond before all of this chaos. The real Desmond, the one she hunted the buck down with yesterday morning. It causes her to smile at the sight. She hopes she will see more of that real him come out. Permanently. It will take time, much has been lost to him. But, she is confident that he will find the strength to become his old self. She will help that as much as she can. Once pull on her feet, she travels closely to Desmond as they head back in a protective manner.
Once they arrive, they see that most of the carnage has been cleared from the hut. The witch is with the mercenary and the Kveldulf stick closely together. Lucia is the first to notice the two have returned. "Took them long enough..." she murmurs a comment to Dorian, the Kerboa hisses softly at the sight of the human that attacked his master.
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Gate
Oct 12, 2017 20:07:59 GMT
Post by Shift on Oct 12, 2017 20:07:59 GMT
Dorian chuckled quietly at Lucia's comment, a small smile coming onto his face before disapearing at the Kerboa's soft hiss. He stood straighter up as the two friends walked closer to them. Hopefull, this conversation will end better than yesterdays one. He wasn't quite sure if Desmond held any ill will towards him. There was no doubt that Desmond holds ill will for Lucia, evident from yesterday, but if there was any for him he couldn't tell. All he could do was wait for them to head into earshot to say hello.
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 13:04:12 GMT
Post by Raz on Oct 14, 2017 13:04:12 GMT
Desmond had stuck close to his companion on the way back to their lodgings. Every so often she could feel his arm brush against the feathers on her arm. He also still held her hand as they marched. It was almost funny in a way. Before all this had happened he'd been worried about actually touching those razor sharp talons. Especially after what he'd seen it do to all of the different animals they've hunted over the past few months. But now, now he was letting them interlace with his fingers as though they were no danger to him. His smile was just a slight twitch of the corners of his mouth but it was better than the rage of the sorrow he'd shown previously.
The walk back to the cabin was a short one. Even during their walk though they both could smell the overbearing smell of day old blood and the beginnings of rot. It would've been a feast for crows had the Witch's freakshow not been watching from her shoulder. As they arrive at the cabin Desmond sees that the bodies have been removed for the most part. They hadn't taken with them the smell or the flies that have been buzzing unfortunately. The witch and the mercenary were standing near the garden where they'd left them. Desmond's smile fades, replaced by a dagger thin line as he looks at them. Lyvyne can feel his hand tighten instinctively around her claws. It isn't painful for her but it does cause the tips of her claws to scrape against his skin. Desmond's eyes narrow as he looks at the hissing beast, chances were good that Witch would want to take the wretched thing with them. "I suppose that I have to do this." He muttered to Lyvyne. His eyes move to the mercenary who he vaguely recalls is Dorian. This is easier since he doesn't particularly despise him. He was just there in time to see something unfortunate. He lets out a breathe he didn't know he'd been holding. "Mercenary, I'm sorry, Dorian. Since you have nowhere to go now that my village cannot give you shelter for the night I'd like to offer you a position in our caravan going South. It'd be safer to have a man trained in combat with us." His words were genuine when he spoke them. He didn't bear the man any ill will after what happened and he would be useful. Now for the hard part...
Desmond cut his eyes the wicked witch who'd been staring at him with that soulless gaze of hers. Her face was still bruised from last night. A savage and hateful side of his mind relished in the sight of it. With a visible force of will he says, "The same offer goes to you w-Lucia." He catches himself before he uses the word, Witch. He'd be polite if only for Lyvyne's sake. What he said next made it feel as though he'd driven a stake through his chest. "I also wanted to...thank you for saving my life and protecting us from the villagers." Lyvyne's claws were starting to pierce his hand as he spoke.
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 13:44:11 GMT
Shift likes this
Post by Shift on Oct 14, 2017 13:44:11 GMT
Dorian raises an eyebrow, wondering what the two were about to say, but no motion was made. He takes quick notice of how the Avalon, Lyvyne if he recalls correctly, and Desmond held hands. Perhaps he was correct that she'd be able to help Desmond from the dark place he is in, he mused. His eyes meet Desmond's, listening to what he says. "Really? Seeing as there aren't any close neighboring towns, joining you so the best choice on the table, and it'd be beneficial to both. I accept your offer." He does a small nod, a faint smile appearing in his face as he politely accepts. It appears that Desmond had no ill will, which is good, otherwise Dorian would be left travelling alone.
The smile fades as Desmond quickly turns to Lucia, making the same offer, but with an obvious pain in his words. Dorian reserved his comments, remaining silent as he watched the offer. It was clear he'd rather not be making this offer to her, given his struggling.
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 14:45:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Oct 14, 2017 14:45:50 GMT
Lucia raises one eyebrow slightly as she catches his sudden change from Witch to her name. He hates even interacting with her, let alone thanking her for saving his life and giving her the same offer as Dorian. It's amusing in a dark sense. He was begging her to kill him where he stands yesterday, now thanking him for keeping him alive. When she was healing his wounds or when she denied him his pleads? Possibly both... But she is thinking more of the former. Jesse's feathers bristle with Desmond so close, one would think he is ready to pounce the young man and vent the beast's frustration upon him. Lucia however, knows the Kerboa will not do that. Lest he suffers the Witch's anger at his disobedience. She is in no mood nor want any desire to fuel this semi-hostile tension between them, she nods her head to his thanks. She is in no doubt that her words will aggravate Desmond once more due to her natural Barb within the words.
To his offer... She has already determined that continuing to live here will be very difficult from now on and relocation would be more advised.. She glances at Dorian with his acceptance, her expression soften for a second. This one did not seem so bad. His unexpected kindness and indifference to her sharp personality is... refreshing. Travelling is better in a group, and she actually wouldn't mind Dorian's company and perhaps along the way, Desmond and Lucia can move onto to be more neutral aqquentenices as time goes on. "I have no reason to stay anymore. I will accompany you until I find another place to live. Then, we can part ways." She states in a neutral tone. "But first, I must change." and she moves inside her former home. These... Primitive clothes will be unsuitable should pass through villages and rile up superstition and paranoia with a Witch passing through...
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Lyvyne, as Desmond speaks to the Witch, can feel the frustration in his forced words and through his hand. His grip on her becomes like iron, talons experiencing that familiar penetration after a slight amount of pressure. When they pierce through skin. It is not much, but she can feel warm trickles of blood at the tips of her fingers. She attempts to loosen her own grasp while he tightens his own in an effort to keep them connected and prevent any further depth of the pinprick wounds. Talking to the Witch was hard enough for him, which she can understand more now he has explained the situation between the two, although she feels some pride that he decided to become the better person in this and settle it through words and no more harm on anybody. It makes her smile slightly at him once Lucia returns inside her home to 'change', whatever that human word could mean...
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 15:30:52 GMT
Post by Raz on Oct 14, 2017 15:30:52 GMT
Dorian's acceptance of his offer was certainly welcome. Desmond offered the mercenary a nod and the faintest of smiles, "Excellent. Having a fighter at our side will be most welcome. The journey we'll be taking will be a long one though. So I would suggest gathering any supplies you can before we set out. Lyvyne and I can find food easy enough but other such supplies will be hard to come by until we reach a new town." He was glad that another human was coming with them. More over he was glad that a man who fought with steel instead of magic was coming with them. It made the mercenary look more honest than the witch and her bag of tricks. "We'll be setting out shortly Dorian."
When he looks at the Witch once more his expression turns indifferent once more which is likely better than showing the disdain he held for her. The creature on the Witch's shoulder hisses louder with its feathers bristling up like a dog about to attack. Desmond isn't phased by its show in the slightest. He'd seen death, even asked for it. An overgrown pigeon isn't going to send him shaking in his boots. He ignores the creature entirely, instead focusing all of his attention on the wretch before him. He wasn't going to make a scene in front of Lyvyne. If she was looking to role him up with more of her venom filled words he'll not play into her hand. Though it seemed as though she wasn't in the mood for it either when she gives a short nod. He had been hoping that she'd not come with them. But as he expected she just had to tag along. At the sound of her voice he felt the talons dig in a little deeper as Lyvyne was the only thing keeping him from turning this into a shouting match. Faint trickles of blood slid down his fingers. Desmond said nothing to Lucia when she accepted his offer he simply watched until she had walked away and out of ear shot.
The moment that she was gone the pressure on Lyvyne's hand disappeared. Desmond visibly deflates when the bane of his existence is out of sight. "Alright Ly, I made the offer." He murmured, sounding weary. He looked at her a rueful grin, "Its your fault of she drives me mad."
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 16:16:21 GMT
Post by Shift on Oct 14, 2017 16:16:21 GMT
"Understood. I'll see what I have in terms of supplies for the journey, and I'll get back to you." The merchant said, returning the faint smile. He thought back to the merchant who had met quite an unfortunate end. He had gathered some supplies from the wagon that could prove to be useful. He had given the illicium to Lucia since he didn't need it and she could use it to its full potential. He remembered observing her using the dust against the mob, fighting with deadly efficiency.
He is pulled from his thinking to Lucia's response to the offer. His eyes meet hers for a moment, noting how they appear to soften as they glance at him. He waves a small goodbye as she goes into the hut to change, before turning to Desmond and Lyvyne, expecting a response. To his suprise, Desmond said nothing, instead visibly deflating as she walks out of view. Understandable, after their last exchange. "Well, I'll see what I can do about those supplies. Holler if you need me," he says, turning away from the two to go to where he had set up camp for the night. It's definitely going to be one hell of a journey, he mused. He'd enjoy spending some more time with Lucia and perhaps the others too, and Desmond and Lucia's interactions will be an event if nothing more.
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 17:04:29 GMT
via mobile
Post by DodoDestroyer on Oct 14, 2017 17:04:29 GMT
Lyvyne shakes her head. "No... No more fighting." She says, the words implying that she will probably try her best to keep her friend and the Witch in content and if that fails, at least keep them apart. While she believes Lucia cannot be wholly evil since she allowed them to rest here and healed two people after her reluctance, she knows that Desmond is still trying to recover himself mentally from the ordeal yesterday and sees her as toxicity. Since she has no bond to the latter nor owe her anything personally, she will remain helping Desmond. She lifts his hand, still interlocked with her own, and sees the warmth came from bloody trickles as she thought. Her face falls ever so slightly seeing it and removes a small piece from her own bandages on her hand, when Thomas shot an arrow through it. It is still healing from the rending attack, but it should be okay and stable enough to remove some of the bandage for Desmond's own. She finishes the wrap when the other human, Dorian if she remembers correctly, mentions something about supplies. She remains silent, still quite shy towards unknown humans. She hopes Desmond will respond to him and not expect a reply from the Avalon.
After a couple of minutes, Lucia returns from her home with a rucksack full of what would be supplies and... Looking different. Her usual attire pieced together from her hunts has been replaced with something more normal, and practical. Hunting boots, leather pants and a cloth shirt underneath an animal leather corset. Her long flowing hair is now tied neatly behind her head in a ponytail with the absence of the face paint. Her bow is pulled across her torso with the quiver attached behind her waist, a small dagger sheathed on her right thigh. She looks nothing like a Witch anymore, but like an everyday travelling hunter. Jesse is not on her shoulder, nor in sight at all. To think the Kerboa is being left behind would be foolish thinking. He is always around, even when not in plain sight. She raises a brow at some of the quizzical looks while folding her arms. "You really think a savage looking mage would pass by unnoticed? I think not."
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 18:26:25 GMT
Post by Raz on Oct 14, 2017 18:26:25 GMT
"Ah, thank you. If you have an extra pair of clothes that you could share I'd appreciate it. As it stands mine are a bit of a mess." He says mentioning the tattered and bloodsoaked attire. His shirt was torn and stained a dark maroon as are his trousers. Only his boots stood any real chance at being saved. He glanced at Lyvyne and her leather coverings. He knew that her feathers kept her warm most of the time but it was going to start getting cold soon and he worried she'd be unprepared for it. "Actually I could use two pairs. Do you think you have anything that could fit Lyvyne?" He asked hoping he did. Otherwise he'd have to ask the Witch and that may be more than he can take right now. With Lucia gone for the moment Desmond looks relaxed which is new for Dorian. He'd only known Desmond for a short time and none of that time had Desmond been anywhere near calm. The mercenary turned to go over his supplies and all at once Desmond felt like he could breath again. This day was already shaping up to be a hectic one.
His ears perk up at the sound of Ly's voice. He turns his head towards her and she can see the effect her words have on him. His voice is soft and quiet when he speaks, "Okay Ly....no more fighting." He rests his forehead against her own and all at once he looks more tired than she's ever seen him. His body may be rested but is not. The last thing he wants to do is to fight with Lucia. "I promise." He whispers as she lifts up his hand. The thin streaks of crimson intermingling between their fingers are clear to see. "I'm sorry...it isn't easy for me to talk to Lucia." It was the truth. The pain of his hand and the comfort that she offered him were what allowed him to even bear looking at the wretched Witch again. He despised her almost as much as Thomas yet Ly was able to keep him calm when speaking to her. His eyes open wider in worry when he sees that she's undoing some of her own bandages. "Hey, you don't have to do that Ly. I'll be fine." He didn't want his friend to make her own sound worse just for him. "Does it still hurt?" He asked with concern in his voice. When Lucia does finally exit her hut with her new outfit Desmond can't help but think she looks almost normal. Or atleast she would had not been for that face. Those beady cruel eyes of hers were a stark reminder to him that she was anything but normal. He bit back a remark and shook his head. It was not worth antagonizing her.
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Gate
Oct 14, 2017 19:50:54 GMT
Post by Shift on Oct 14, 2017 19:50:54 GMT
Dorian thought for a moment, considering his clothes. He carresed his chin as he thought, before speaking. "I'm sure I've got some clothes that could work for you." He glanced at Lyvyne and her attire, considering what she had that could fit. "I'm not too sure if I have anything that could fit her, although perhaps O have some that'd work." He says, nodding. Desmond seemed much calmer than before when Lucia was there. Actually, he had never seen Desmond be relaxed. It was an interesting sight, at the least.
Walking back to his camp, Dorian searched for supplies for the trip. He rembered the maps he had taken from the merchant, as well as some money. Those would certainly prove useful on a journey. He put them in a satchel, caredul not to rip the map while doing so. He had eaten all of the bread when he was travelling here, so unfortunately that won't be something he can bring. Luckily Lyvyne and Desmond can hunt for food, and he can always help. Now for the clothing. He picked up a set of clothes he had. It was just regular boots, leather belts, pants with a strap for a weapon, and a blue cloth shirt ready for combat. It was nothing too extragent, but it was just some casual clothes. That'd work for Desmond just fine. As for Lyvyne, it'd be much more difficult because of her wings and her being a different gender and race. Searching the tent, he tried to find something for her to wear. Finally he decided on some loose clothing with holes carefully cut out by his sword to accomadate her wings and feathers. He picked up some water and what little food he had left and his weapons and, satisfied with his "hunt", left for the others.
As he returned, he noticed Lucia returning from changing in her hut. She looked vastly different from her attire earlier. Instead of looking like, well, a witch, she looked an everyday hunter. It was kind of odd, really. Dorian walked towards his travel mates for the next however-long period of time. Taking the two sets of clothes, he passed them each to Desmond and Lyvyne. "Hopefully, that'll fit," He said, giving a faint smile. "I'm not sure if the wings will fit through the shirt. If they don't, I can always make a bigger hole," He said, patting his knife and giving a polite nod.
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