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Sept 3, 2013 15:53:12 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 3, 2013 15:53:12 GMT -5
(yes, yes, I posted a story version of this in the writing section. But then my brain was like... MAKE THIS A RP)
For as long as can be remembered, humankind has battled the shadow creatures. The royals held the light, their protectors wielded it, and for a time there was an uneasy balance held. However... Thirty years ago, the shadows dealt a devastating blow. The royal family vanished under a wave of darkness - all except for the infant princess. She was sent to a safe place, unreachable by the shadows... or by humans. Only her protector would be able to find the path to her, but he was a child himself and injured. And, like the others, to the humans, he vanished.
Thirty years passed, with no sign of relief in the world gone dark. The humans grew angry, blaming the protectors for their failure. A few parties, desperate, searched on their own, while the last protector hunted instinctively, with no memory of the princess in need.
---
He was waiting in the dark cave, though he did not know it at the time. At the time, he merely thought he was resting. Hunting the shadow things and avoiding the humans had tired him. Humans avoided the caves, for it was often too hard to illuminate them enough to chase away the shadows.
Even so, the caves were calming to him. The shadows here were young, not strong enough to venture outside, even in a world gone dark. They ran form him, as their instincts registered him as a predator, even as his registered them as prey. It made sense, then, that he would go to the caves to avoid the humans. Humans avoid the caves.
Thus, when a wave of shadow creatures tumbled past him, deeper into the caves in the panic they felt towards the light, he was curious. Halfheartedly he snapped at the fleeing creatures as he went against the flood of darkness. Soon, against the absolute black of the caves, was a glow that had nothing to do with him. In these days, lights meant humans. But he did not understand why they were here. Even before the world went dark, humans avoided the caves.
He crept close to the light, straining ears that were so much weaker then nose or eyes. It did not help that he had to conceal himself behind a cluster of pillars, lest the glow of his mane and eyes betray his presence. Silent, still, he listened to the cluster of humans, wanting to know why they were here.
---
Joshua watched as the flares exposed the fleeing creatures, only a few bigger than the size of rats. Rubbing his eyes with one hand, he gathered the brush he'd picked up on the way to the caves and spread it in a circle around him and the two traveling with him before lighting it on fire.
"Should be safe enough from those things for a while," he said, sitting down.
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Sept 15, 2013 0:02:49 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 0:02:49 GMT -5
Kazia helped without being asked, sweeping debris away from the from the flame and lining the inside of the ring with large stones to contain the blaze. A fire wasn't as much of a risk here as it was in the woods, but the wind and creatures still brought in enough detritus that she wanted to take care. Burning to death with a lunatic and a slave-mage didn't sound like much fun. "The fire will only last so long, and we'll have to take shifts to mind it." She hoped the slower-burning logs they'd gathered would last the night.
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Sept 15, 2013 0:05:36 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 0:05:36 GMT -5
Burakki nodded slightly, taking a seat himself and looking around.
"Sounds about right." He agreed, "Thanks for your help. So far it looks like it's just little ones around here. Kinda nice."
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Sept 15, 2013 0:13:58 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 0:13:58 GMT -5
"Indeed, thank you," Joshua said. "And yes, but we'd need to take shifts anyway," he added.
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Sept 15, 2013 0:17:14 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 0:17:14 GMT -5
"So. Do you have a death wish or are you just mad?" Kazia wasn't exactly a delicate creature, when it came to social interaction. And she hardly saw the point of trying for a man - a boy, really, in her opinion - who openly kept a slave, money or not. She sat down as well, pulling off her pack and checking to make sure everything was secure and in order.
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Sept 15, 2013 0:19:28 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 0:19:28 GMT -5
Burakki cocked an eyebrow slightly.
"Seems a bit harsh, doesn't it?" He asked, "Particularly when you're being so helpful. It wouldn't be too hard for you to just leave with the money if that's all you were after. Least not as far as I can tell."
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Sept 15, 2013 0:23:37 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 0:23:37 GMT -5
Joshua chuckled tiredly.
"Death wish, no... mad... well, perhaps a bit. I'm searching for the princess," he said, staring past the flames into the cave beyond.
--
The nameless one tilted his head, confused. Something about the human's words tugged a shadow of a memory from him. Did he risk getting closer to listen better? He could not know if they would see the faint glow of his mane and eyes past the fires....
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Sept 15, 2013 0:34:15 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 0:34:15 GMT -5
"I wouldn't think someone as fresh off the auction block as you seem to be would be so quick to defend the man who holds your leash." She grinned humorlessly at Burakki. "Ah. So probably both, then." Quite frankly, Kazia didn't believe the princess was out there. It was a nice fairy tale for the children, maybe. But she'd been plenty old enough when the royal family had toppled to remember everything. In painful detail. Idealism had pretty much been burned out of her.
She set her pack to one side, well away from the flame, and settled her staff across her lap. Never knew when she'd need it in a hurry.
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Sept 15, 2013 0:44:33 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 0:44:33 GMT -5
Burakki chuckled softly.
"In all honesty, my being here isn't too horribly different than when I was free, all things considered." He replied, "I wasn't exactly defending him per se, but your comments seemed a bit unfair and somewhat at odds with your actions. So that's where that came from. I didn't really have anything meaningful to do with my life, so honestly searching for the princess.... why the hell not? And I'm free if we find her. And he hasn't given me any kinda restrictions on what I am and am not allowed to do as of yet. As far as slaves go my life's pretty good, no? Coulda been a hell of a lot worse."
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Sept 15, 2013 0:52:04 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 0:52:04 GMT -5
Joshua just smiled slightly.
"I needed help. Need. And I realize that it's a slim chance at best, but... if there's a chance she is alive... if she could fix that," he mused, waving a hand in the direction of the city, "isn't that worth looking for?"
To be honest, Joshua was exhausted. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept, as opposed to napped in between keeping the fires going. He was saying more than he would have, and not listening as well as he should be.
---
The nameless one shifted in place with a soft, unintentional whimper. Why did the human's words affect him so?
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Sept 15, 2013 0:56:22 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 0:56:22 GMT -5
"While I'm sure that attitude is doing wonders for your heart, it doesn't change the fact that you aren't free," Kazia answered. "I came because I needed the money, and not many people are crazy enough to want guides out... here..."
Her voice dropped to a distracted whisper as she rose to her feet, staff in hand. Had she heard something? It was hard to tell over the crackling of the fire. She tilted her head this way and that, scanning the perimeter of the light warily.
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Sept 15, 2013 1:01:14 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 1:01:14 GMT -5
"Who's there?" Burakki asked, beginning to charge the air around him and getting to his feet, deciding that responding to the others could wait until they knew what else was here.
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Sept 15, 2013 1:06:29 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 1:06:29 GMT -5
Joshua looked up, frowning slightly.
---
The nameless one wrestled his mind away from whatever his memories were trying to tell him. The humans had noticed him, he had more pressing things to tend to now. He lept from his hiding place, balancing for a moment on one of the rocks. That moment illuminated him clearly, blue mane and eyes distinct in the dark, though the rest of his body was as dark as the shadow beasts. He appeared about the size of a panther in the moment he paused, staring at the three humans, before he turned and fled deeper into the caves.
---
"Was that....?" Joshua whispered, though he didn't complete the sentence. It hadn't been there that long, he could have been seeing things.
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Sept 15, 2013 1:14:50 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 1:14:50 GMT -5
"The hell?" Kazia stepped back, hands tightening hard on her staff. She'd never actually seen a protector before, and despite all the daft princess talk, it wasn't exactly in the forefront of her mind. That couldn't be a shadow beast... was there something more to worry about in these caves?
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Sept 15, 2013 1:26:02 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 1:26:02 GMT -5
"What in the hell was that... ?" Burakki muttered, continuing to charge the air as he looked all around him quickly, searching for anything else out of place, "That didn't look like any shadow I've ever seen..."
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Sept 15, 2013 1:31:41 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 1:31:41 GMT -5
"I... I don't think it was..." Joshua said shakily. "I... I mean, I've never seen them, but my parents would describe them..." He was rattled. If that thing was what he thought it was, he had proof. He searched because he had to do something, but he had nearly lost hope.
"Just... If it comes back... Don't do anything to it unless it actually tries to hurt you... please..." he asked, thoughts whirling as he stood and paced.
---
The nameless one hadn't fled far, hiding around a corner deeper into the cave. He had panicked, and needed to calm himself. The shadow beasts were trickling back towards the entrance, though they stopped upon seeing him, milling around as if trying to decide to pass him to get to the prey they could sense.
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Sept 15, 2013 1:46:43 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 1:46:43 GMT -5
"How about you tell us what you think that was before we decide it's friendly." Kazia sounded tense. That... thing hadn't looked like it was the peaceful sort, and if the fire didn't deter it... well. She hadn't been prepared to handle large predators that weren't shadows.
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Sept 15, 2013 1:50:44 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 1:50:44 GMT -5
"I'm inclined to agree, but you're the boss, Joshua..." Burakki muttered, "I should be able to fight back if anything happens. Would you mind finishing your thoughts?"
He wasn't sure what to think of this, but suddenly the cave didn't seem quite so safe by the fire.
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Sept 15, 2013 1:55:18 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 1:55:18 GMT -5
"I think... I think it's a protector," Joshua said, running a hand through his hair.
--
The nameless one, in a series of quick fights, scared the shadow beasts off once again. The fights had been accompanied by snarls and the squeals of the shadow beasts, but the creatures retreated once again. The nameless one settled down, peering around the bend to see if the humans had pursued him.
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Sept 15, 2013 2:06:26 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 2:06:26 GMT -5
Kazia listened to the faint sounds of the scuffle, pacing the perimeter of the fire. "What, like... like a royal protector? How is that even possible?" She tried to bring up the faded memories of when she'd seen a parade, as a child, with the royals present. She hadn't seen much, truth be told. "And what if it's not?"
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Sept 15, 2013 2:13:22 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 2:13:22 GMT -5
"If it's not then we leave it be, 'cause it sounds like it's killing off some shadows for us." Burakki replied softly, "At least, that's my take on it..."
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Sept 15, 2013 2:17:26 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 2:17:26 GMT -5
"It's possible if one of the royals lived..." Joshua mused, rubbing his forehead. "Though I could just be grasping at straws here," he admitted after a moment. "We could wait a bit to see if it comes back before settling things like shifts for the night. And if it's not, like Burakki said... it does sound like it's fighting the shadow beasts. If it's not, and is content to leave us alone, we leave it alone..."
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Sept 15, 2013 2:24:32 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 2:24:32 GMT -5
"Easy for you to say..." Kazia, for one, wasn't getting to sleep tonight. She checked the fires, but her attention was still outside the circle, alert to any hint the creature was returning. For all she knew, it was fighting the shadow beasts over who got first dibs on the tasty human morsels.
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Sept 15, 2013 2:51:59 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 2:51:59 GMT -5
"I don't see why it'd be any easier for us than you, but sure." Burakki said with a small shrug, "No matter what the case is, we'll see in time I'm sure. And we'll be ready on the chance it is hostile. If it is what he thinks though..... that'd be quite the stroke of good fortune."
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Sept 15, 2013 3:36:00 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 3:36:00 GMT -5
Joshua frowned slightly, staring in the direction the creature had gone.
"Burakki, I wasn't listening when that... female... was explaining things. If I go out there, knowing it will be dangerous, will that effect you?" he asked after a moment. The half formed idea in his mind wasn't just risky, it was nearly suicidal. If nothing else, it was indication that he needed sleep. Well rested, he would have recognized that he wasn't thinking straight.
But at the same time, he needed to find out if he saw what he thought he saw. If there actually was hope.
---
The nameless one paced where he had fled, fighting with himself. Humans were dangerous to him. They would attack. But he felt an urge to be around these ones - an urge to understand what they were searching for. His skin crawled as these thoughts circled. It was foolish - the humans could hurt him, and they would never believe he would not do the same to them.
But still... the words echoed, like an itch he couldn't scratch. What was a princess? Why should he care?
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Sept 15, 2013 19:58:49 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 15, 2013 19:58:49 GMT -5
"Yeah, well, this guy actually believes that princess claptrap..." Kazia stopped to stare at Joshua incredulously. "Okay, I take back anything I said before. Now you're suicidal. You'd think I'd know when to keep my nose to myself at my age..." Because this had been a mistake, and now she was stuck here.
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Sept 15, 2013 23:46:25 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 15, 2013 23:46:25 GMT -5
Burakki cocked an eyebrow.
"If you're going after it, I'm coming with you." He said, "Unless you want to free me now, I'm as good as dead if something happens to you."
He turned to Kazia.
"In all fairness to your wisdom, it was really me that dragged you into this, as opposed to you sticking your nose in to begin with. Not sure if that'll make it any easier on you or not."
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Sept 15, 2013 23:55:57 GMT -5
Post by Wolfy on Sept 15, 2013 23:55:57 GMT -5
Joshua sighed.
"I'm not suicidal, I'm just... desperate, I suppose. And besides, if I can find out if it is friendly, we would all rest easier, right?" he asked, walking over to the edge of the fire ring.
"Even if I told you to stay behind?" he wondered, looking over at Burakki.
---
The nameless one peered around the corner again, settling in a spot so he could watch both the humans and the shadow beasts.
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Sept 16, 2013 0:37:49 GMT -5
Post by Omnomivore on Sept 16, 2013 0:37:49 GMT -5
"I can take credit for my own cock-ups, thanks." Kazia hefted up her staff, ready to swing if anything came through the flames at them. "And if it eats you? How're we resting then?" They'd have to deal with it eventually, of course, but she'd rather wait until the sun was up and the shadows were as dispersed as they were going to get.
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Sept 16, 2013 0:42:27 GMT -5
Post by NightWing on Sept 16, 2013 0:42:27 GMT -5
"Being told to stay put wouldn't affect how bad I get zapped if you get hurt." Burakki replied, "I gotta say, if that does happen, you oughta just book it with all our useful stuff, Kazia."
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