Bewildered, she was about to turn and get away as Fayane had told her to, but then the children showed up. She stared from the two fragile little figures to Fayane and back. She reached for the shapeshifter's arm.
"Fayane, they're children. You cannot attack children."
She could still hear the horses on the road, approaching. Surely they should have been visible by now, the hoofbeats were so loud. The giggling, however, had stopped. Surely it couldn't have been the pale, teary-eyed children laughing? Something was not the way it seemed, but she couldn't tell whether it was the children or Fayane.
What if it's her? What if she has snapped? Wouldn't you, if you'd been living like this for ages? What will you do if she attacks them? Tackle her?
Tanobi was examining the children now, and at least his hands were not melting. "Please, Fayane. Let him examine them. Let's not… do anything we'll regret later."
Diverging Roads
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Breda Dreaughan
- Citizen
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:13 pm
- Name: Breda Dreaughan
- Race: Dwarf
Re: Diverging Roads
Jerial paced perpendicularly to the rest of the group, who were now bustling around, or as much as one can bustle when in a delicate situation. Jerial tried to stay out of the way of Saruna, and to a lesser extent Fayane, and of course he would not be caught dead near the mongrel and her spawn. Therefore, he found himself being separated from the rest by the human cripple, and as a result, close to the children.
They disturbed him. Normally, a magical signature coming from a child would be formless, or in the case of one especially gifted (as are the majority of elven cases), a simply formed, irrefular spheroid. These 'children', however, had an aura that was sharp and controlled, and held a weighty finesse that Jerial had come to recognize as indicative of honed magic use.
What put him over the edge was the fact that there was no way to prove that they were anything other than simply children. He knew something was up, but if he revealed his knowledge of their prowess now, he might set them off. So he waited, but rested the heel of his hand on the pommel of his sword, ready and willing to decapitate a child should it come to that.
They disturbed him. Normally, a magical signature coming from a child would be formless, or in the case of one especially gifted (as are the majority of elven cases), a simply formed, irrefular spheroid. These 'children', however, had an aura that was sharp and controlled, and held a weighty finesse that Jerial had come to recognize as indicative of honed magic use.
What put him over the edge was the fact that there was no way to prove that they were anything other than simply children. He knew something was up, but if he revealed his knowledge of their prowess now, he might set them off. So he waited, but rested the heel of his hand on the pommel of his sword, ready and willing to decapitate a child should it come to that.
Re: Diverging Roads
She heard him pacing, his feet rustling the grass, could smell his unease. Breda was trying to convince her not to harm the children, Saruna was protecting them as well. Her very guts screamed at her to kill them where they stood. Something was wrong with them. And where were the riders? She couldn't see them as they thundered in her ears, the noise causing her eyes to squint against the pain. There was something wrong. But how did she convince the others? Jerial, she knew, could sense it to - he wouldn't cause so much noise otherwise. Tanobi was investigating a child, something that made her nauseous.
Breda tugged at her, Saruna scolded her and crooned to the children, Tanobi looked after them. Three of the five of the people in the group were insisting the children were normal. Three of the five weren't magical. They couldn't sense magic as she and Jerial could- Cerion! She turned to the mage who was also eyeing the children warily, Kado keeping an eye on the group as best he could. She chirped, drawing his confused attention to herself. She raised an eyebrow daintly and he frowned, shrugging. He didn't know. A frustrated hand slid through his hair, his frown becoming more pronounced as he shook his head. Something was wrong with him too.
"I cannot see magic." Fayane said finally, before meeting the children's teary eyes. "But even I know you are far too strong, magically, to be mere children. If I can sense it, then your powers are strong indeed." She ignored Saruna, Breda and Tanobi. "I believe this game is over, children. Best show yourselves to me now, I don't like dressup." Fay voice had gone steely as she felt an increase of pressure in the air. She heard a click as someone picked up her fathers blades. A light jingle signaled them being tossed and she caught them without looking. She slid them back around her waist, not breaking eye contact with the children. "Now." She growled.
Breda tugged at her, Saruna scolded her and crooned to the children, Tanobi looked after them. Three of the five of the people in the group were insisting the children were normal. Three of the five weren't magical. They couldn't sense magic as she and Jerial could- Cerion! She turned to the mage who was also eyeing the children warily, Kado keeping an eye on the group as best he could. She chirped, drawing his confused attention to herself. She raised an eyebrow daintly and he frowned, shrugging. He didn't know. A frustrated hand slid through his hair, his frown becoming more pronounced as he shook his head. Something was wrong with him too.
"I cannot see magic." Fayane said finally, before meeting the children's teary eyes. "But even I know you are far too strong, magically, to be mere children. If I can sense it, then your powers are strong indeed." She ignored Saruna, Breda and Tanobi. "I believe this game is over, children. Best show yourselves to me now, I don't like dressup." Fay voice had gone steely as she felt an increase of pressure in the air. She heard a click as someone picked up her fathers blades. A light jingle signaled them being tossed and she caught them without looking. She slid them back around her waist, not breaking eye contact with the children. "Now." She growled.
Re: Diverging Roads
The urge to put her butt onto the ground and take a few deep breaths for the pain and the quivering in her leg before trying again was so great that for a moment all Saruna could do was close her eyes and inhale long and deep. Tanobi understood. He understood and he had gone, and right then it seemed only he and Breda were sensible. Saruna didn't understand what was going on. She suspected maybe Jerial had something to do with Fayane's odd mood and behavior, because she didn't remember the young woman acting in such a way.
She felt like things were going to tip.
She didn't know if she could handle that.
The two children stood there bravely under Tanobi's care and examination, though from the way they stood it seemed clear as if either one might bolt. The boy's mouth had set to fluttering as if he might start sobbing at any moment. Yet it wasn't the fragile truce that pressed danger at them that made the potential a reality. It was Fayane's words.
The girl's fingers closed around the boy's arm, and she put her face to his shoulder, eyes big. When she closed them, two fat tears trailed down her cheeks as her body started to shake with her restrained sobs. The boy almost jumped as she buried her face in his shoulder, and when he looked at her there was almost a sense of restrained terror in his face. But he didn't cry. Not yet. Instead he took several shuffling almost-steps back, flinching from Tanobi. He looked from Saruna to Breda.
"Fayane!" Saruna said with all the sharpness of a woman whose greatest weakness was the helpless. Especially when those helpless were children.
Around a far bend in the road, a carriage would appear, with two riders on either side. Whether or not they could see it through the trees would likely depend on where they stood.
Saruna started shuffling forward, giving the body a wide berth. It was obvious she was in pain. It was also obvious that she was both blind and deaf to any troubles that might befall the group but what accusations might be levered upon them by any unexpected bystanders. "We should take them home," she said, and her pain was in her eyes as she glared around at everyone in the immediate vicinity.
She felt like things were going to tip.
She didn't know if she could handle that.
The two children stood there bravely under Tanobi's care and examination, though from the way they stood it seemed clear as if either one might bolt. The boy's mouth had set to fluttering as if he might start sobbing at any moment. Yet it wasn't the fragile truce that pressed danger at them that made the potential a reality. It was Fayane's words.
The girl's fingers closed around the boy's arm, and she put her face to his shoulder, eyes big. When she closed them, two fat tears trailed down her cheeks as her body started to shake with her restrained sobs. The boy almost jumped as she buried her face in his shoulder, and when he looked at her there was almost a sense of restrained terror in his face. But he didn't cry. Not yet. Instead he took several shuffling almost-steps back, flinching from Tanobi. He looked from Saruna to Breda.
"Fayane!" Saruna said with all the sharpness of a woman whose greatest weakness was the helpless. Especially when those helpless were children.
Around a far bend in the road, a carriage would appear, with two riders on either side. Whether or not they could see it through the trees would likely depend on where they stood.
Saruna started shuffling forward, giving the body a wide berth. It was obvious she was in pain. It was also obvious that she was both blind and deaf to any troubles that might befall the group but what accusations might be levered upon them by any unexpected bystanders. "We should take them home," she said, and her pain was in her eyes as she glared around at everyone in the immediate vicinity.
#biologicallyconscientious||Characters and threads.
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Tanobi Durant
- Citizen
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:35 pm
- Name: Tanobi Duraunt
- Race: Human
Re: Diverging Roads
Tanobi took the situation in its full chaotic grandeur before palming his face in a gesture of annoyance and weariness as it makes its way down his face reveling first his weary eyes and a small scowl before returning to a neutral state. He would address the 'problems' as he saw them one at a time and given his proximity to Saruna he started with her.
A simple fix to alleviate her concern Tanobi walked to Saruna's side and brushed a hand gently upon her shoulder with a hopefully comforting smile before softly speaking to her.
"I'll handle it" he spoke as if pointing out the most obvious thing in the world. Tanobi's hand leaves Saruna's shoulder slowly as he begins to stand upright in an authoritative posture as he makes his way to a moderately flat rock big enough to seat two, Removing his sash he places it along the surface before moving to Breda. He offers his hand in a come hither gesture taking her hand in his and leading her to the stone and patting upon a side of his sash for her to rest upon.
after securing Breda's compliance Tanobi moves to Fayene and utters her name to grasp her attention. Once done he takes his free hand and firmly grasps a hold of her right ear taking advantage of her surprise he drags the suprised woman quickly by her swiftly reddening ear while muttering "come with me" leading her despite her protests and Jerials undoubtedly gawking eyes to the same stone that Breda sits upon and releases Fey from his grasp. "Sit" Tanobi orders quickly witnessing the first signs that she desires to protest repeated his command "Sit" he says with more stirn conviction. Watching as she reluctantly complies he lowered himself to eye level with his walking stick being used as leverage to keep himself upright.
"Lady Fay" he begins in a more controlled voice. "i understand your desire to help in this situation, however i fear your injury's may catch up to you and do more harm than good." he reaches out and grasps her shoulder "Think of master Jerial, what would he do if something were to happen to you..." He pauses "After he beat the stuffing out of me of course" he jests lightly with a gentle smile. "Relax and let me handle this for now alright?" Tanobi's hand leaves Fayene's shoulder as he walks towards the children and sits down in front of them using his stick to slow his decent as he makes himself comfortable. "Now then children, what are your names?"
A simple fix to alleviate her concern Tanobi walked to Saruna's side and brushed a hand gently upon her shoulder with a hopefully comforting smile before softly speaking to her.
"I'll handle it" he spoke as if pointing out the most obvious thing in the world. Tanobi's hand leaves Saruna's shoulder slowly as he begins to stand upright in an authoritative posture as he makes his way to a moderately flat rock big enough to seat two, Removing his sash he places it along the surface before moving to Breda. He offers his hand in a come hither gesture taking her hand in his and leading her to the stone and patting upon a side of his sash for her to rest upon.
after securing Breda's compliance Tanobi moves to Fayene and utters her name to grasp her attention. Once done he takes his free hand and firmly grasps a hold of her right ear taking advantage of her surprise he drags the suprised woman quickly by her swiftly reddening ear while muttering "come with me" leading her despite her protests and Jerials undoubtedly gawking eyes to the same stone that Breda sits upon and releases Fey from his grasp. "Sit" Tanobi orders quickly witnessing the first signs that she desires to protest repeated his command "Sit" he says with more stirn conviction. Watching as she reluctantly complies he lowered himself to eye level with his walking stick being used as leverage to keep himself upright.
"Lady Fay" he begins in a more controlled voice. "i understand your desire to help in this situation, however i fear your injury's may catch up to you and do more harm than good." he reaches out and grasps her shoulder "Think of master Jerial, what would he do if something were to happen to you..." He pauses "After he beat the stuffing out of me of course" he jests lightly with a gentle smile. "Relax and let me handle this for now alright?" Tanobi's hand leaves Fayene's shoulder as he walks towards the children and sits down in front of them using his stick to slow his decent as he makes himself comfortable. "Now then children, what are your names?"
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Breda Dreaughan
- Citizen
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:13 pm
- Name: Breda Dreaughan
- Race: Dwarf
Re: Diverging Roads
She allowed herself to be led to the rock, and eased herself on it, turning her face away from everyone else. She hated her own helplessness and passivity in the situation, but she was too overwhelmed and too tired to decide what to do. It seemed that Tanobi, Saruna and Fayane all knew better - although given that they seemed to be having completely opposite ideas, someone had to be wrong. Breda was also starting to feel faint from hunger, which made it even harder to think straight.
Should have stayed at home. Shouldn't have left the town in the first place. This is what happens when you end up in the wilderness.
She watched Tanobi lead Fayane towards the rock. There was something very dependable about the old healer, and if he was now in charge of the situation, she was alright with that. Saruna was clearly in a lot of pain and Fayane was about to turn into a loose cannon, and Brea had no idea of what had caused either.
Amidst all the confusion, the two children were the most normal and unthreatening thing in sight, and somehow that made them the most frightening.
Pull yourself together, woman. This is not the time for you to develop a phobia of children.
Should have stayed at home. Shouldn't have left the town in the first place. This is what happens when you end up in the wilderness.
She watched Tanobi lead Fayane towards the rock. There was something very dependable about the old healer, and if he was now in charge of the situation, she was alright with that. Saruna was clearly in a lot of pain and Fayane was about to turn into a loose cannon, and Brea had no idea of what had caused either.
Amidst all the confusion, the two children were the most normal and unthreatening thing in sight, and somehow that made them the most frightening.
Pull yourself together, woman. This is not the time for you to develop a phobia of children.
Re: Diverging Roads
Jerial had had enough. He was done playing games. He was done with mongrels and hags and cripples and those cursed demon children. He let the others keep their delusions about their humanity, but he welcomed the familiar feel of black leather tightly wound around the hilt of his sword. He squatted down, elven eyes piercing the two demons. "Whatever possesses you to act, I've come to discover that pain is an apt alternate motivation." He growled the words, letting his eloquence and clear enunciation get his seriousness across even before his sword rose a hair in front of their necks. "Speak, demons, and answer what they ask of you."
He rose with finality, and the flame of hatred in him was fanned by their complete lack of emotion. He had threatened them with death, and they answered with innocent half-smiles that would melt a mother's heart with sympathy for their 'condition'. He didn't buy it for a second.
With a final spark of contempt, he broke his gaze and turned to further investigate the road. Jerial didn't bother telling the others; the only ones that could aid him presently were Kado and Cerion, and the elf wasn't paying enough attention to notice where they were. If they followed, then they did. If they didn't, he would confront what he found by himself. He was the most accomplished warrior in their pitiful little band, with the possible exception of Kado, and by far of the most reputable birth.
His sharp ears picked up the sounds more fully now, but strangely, they did not become clearer, as they should as he closed the distance. Jerial's brow furrowed. As he neared the road, he heard, Go back, you idiot.
Why?
If those children are half of what you think they are, then they will need you.
So? If I'm rid of them, all the better for me.
Just do it, for whatever deity's sake. I'll explain later.
Jerial cursed under his breath and lurched around, stealthily but hurriedly returning to the demon 'children'.
He rose with finality, and the flame of hatred in him was fanned by their complete lack of emotion. He had threatened them with death, and they answered with innocent half-smiles that would melt a mother's heart with sympathy for their 'condition'. He didn't buy it for a second.
With a final spark of contempt, he broke his gaze and turned to further investigate the road. Jerial didn't bother telling the others; the only ones that could aid him presently were Kado and Cerion, and the elf wasn't paying enough attention to notice where they were. If they followed, then they did. If they didn't, he would confront what he found by himself. He was the most accomplished warrior in their pitiful little band, with the possible exception of Kado, and by far of the most reputable birth.
His sharp ears picked up the sounds more fully now, but strangely, they did not become clearer, as they should as he closed the distance. Jerial's brow furrowed. As he neared the road, he heard, Go back, you idiot.
Why?
If those children are half of what you think they are, then they will need you.
So? If I'm rid of them, all the better for me.
Just do it, for whatever deity's sake. I'll explain later.
Jerial cursed under his breath and lurched around, stealthily but hurriedly returning to the demon 'children'.
Last edited by Jerial on Sun Mar 17, 2013 10:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Diverging Roads
She was at her wits end. No one understood, no one seemed to sense what was wrong - Changers even her bloody mate stalked away. She wasn't pleased, she was seriously considering just slaughtering the damn things when Tanobi called for her attention. Bending as he requested, she was startled into a yelp as he grabbed her sensitive fox-ear and dragged her to the rock. By the bloody fucking Planes. She sat and stared, baffled as the man chastized her and then JOKED. JOKED for the love of the bloody Changers!
The children continued to look innocent, Jerial swore somewhere in the distance, Saruna was in pain, judging from the fact she hadn't moved and the tone of her voice, and Breda.... well chances are the dwarf was in shock and probably regretting coming. The children looked innocent, Saruna fretted like a bloody mother hen, Tanobi clucked like her father, Breda sulked, Jerial hated. Tension wound in her gut as the thought continued to repeat itself in her head.
Assassins kill their target, no matter who they are, what they are, or how old they are. Fay's eyes clamped shut. A guard protects the citizens no matter what the danger may come from, got that recruit? I don't care if its a 1000 year old dragon or a 5 year old child who's shooting flames from its hands, you WILL protect the citizen. She shook, remembering her duty. "I thank you for everything, Saruna. You have opened my eyes. I believe I will continue to work for the guard... however... I believe I will also help those who need my assistance as well, perhaps as an assassin or as a bodyguard. Whatever the choice may be." Help those who need my assistance. Her own words come back to haunt her.
Was it helping, though? Was she truly assisting Saruna, Tanobi, Breda and Jerial? Or was she hampering them. She was acting more as a child than as a bodyguard or an assassin. Stormy blue eyes took in the children, her mind far gone from her. Exhaustion, stress, trauma... all combined to leave her in an addled state of mind. 'Demons' (fear, hackles rising, truth and the need to kill) she remembered her mate (heart thump, painful but wonderful) calling them. Saruna (sense of duty, need to protect) had told her to leave them be but... (hesitation, indecision) it didn't feel right (certainty). She shuddered again, oblivious to her surroundings.
It was wrong, to want to kill children so bad (Not children, demons, demons, wraiths from the astral plane). Just as it was right to need to protect her little group. Not group. Not group? They weren't a group? Family. Something flickered in her eyes. Her mate, her husband, her lover, her friend. Jerial. She looked up, hearing his heartbeat, and something warm flickered through her. Her mother, her charge, her friend, her master. Saruna. A weaker heartbeat, flurried and agonized. Her sister, her companion... her niece or nephew. Breda and her child. Twin heartbeats - two more she would protect. The healer, the kind man, the giver of her second chance. Tanobi. Creaking bones, a gentle heartbeat, soothing. Cerion and Kado, the two strangers bent to help despite it all... like friends visiting.
The assassin. The guard. The vixen. The avenger. The mate. The daughter. The sister. The friend. Fayane, her own heartbeat roared in her ears, demanding something. She looked to the children. Innocent, but wrong. But how could she prove it? For all she knew, her mind was playing tricks on her. Maybe they were simply JUST children. Perhaps she was overreacting. If she was... the cost was not small. But if she wasn't? The cost was massive. The scales were even from what she could see. Two potentially innocent or evil children versus her new found family, who could end up stabbing her in the back either way. Her vision blurred as the overwhelming need to protect fought brutally against logic.
WERE they just children? Really? There were no outward signs otherwise. They hadn't attacked them - but her gut screamed there was something wrong with them. Your gut? Does an assassin trust their gut or their blade!? Blade, obviously. But... they were just children. Not children, demons, wraiths- BUT HOW DOES SHE KNOW!? Gloved hands reached up to clasp her head as she bowed over, logic warring with a screaming instinct. Exhaustion pulled, logic pummeled and her instincts screamed. And in the end, it was too much. Fay didn't remember hitting the ground as her form slumped over, too stressed from trying to fight with not only her party members to keep them safe, but with herself to try and make the right decision.
The children continued to look innocent, Jerial swore somewhere in the distance, Saruna was in pain, judging from the fact she hadn't moved and the tone of her voice, and Breda.... well chances are the dwarf was in shock and probably regretting coming. The children looked innocent, Saruna fretted like a bloody mother hen, Tanobi clucked like her father, Breda sulked, Jerial hated. Tension wound in her gut as the thought continued to repeat itself in her head.
Assassins kill their target, no matter who they are, what they are, or how old they are. Fay's eyes clamped shut. A guard protects the citizens no matter what the danger may come from, got that recruit? I don't care if its a 1000 year old dragon or a 5 year old child who's shooting flames from its hands, you WILL protect the citizen. She shook, remembering her duty. "I thank you for everything, Saruna. You have opened my eyes. I believe I will continue to work for the guard... however... I believe I will also help those who need my assistance as well, perhaps as an assassin or as a bodyguard. Whatever the choice may be." Help those who need my assistance. Her own words come back to haunt her.
Was it helping, though? Was she truly assisting Saruna, Tanobi, Breda and Jerial? Or was she hampering them. She was acting more as a child than as a bodyguard or an assassin. Stormy blue eyes took in the children, her mind far gone from her. Exhaustion, stress, trauma... all combined to leave her in an addled state of mind. 'Demons' (fear, hackles rising, truth and the need to kill) she remembered her mate (heart thump, painful but wonderful) calling them. Saruna (sense of duty, need to protect) had told her to leave them be but... (hesitation, indecision) it didn't feel right (certainty). She shuddered again, oblivious to her surroundings.
It was wrong, to want to kill children so bad (Not children, demons, demons, wraiths from the astral plane). Just as it was right to need to protect her little group. Not group. Not group? They weren't a group? Family. Something flickered in her eyes. Her mate, her husband, her lover, her friend. Jerial. She looked up, hearing his heartbeat, and something warm flickered through her. Her mother, her charge, her friend, her master. Saruna. A weaker heartbeat, flurried and agonized. Her sister, her companion... her niece or nephew. Breda and her child. Twin heartbeats - two more she would protect. The healer, the kind man, the giver of her second chance. Tanobi. Creaking bones, a gentle heartbeat, soothing. Cerion and Kado, the two strangers bent to help despite it all... like friends visiting.
The assassin. The guard. The vixen. The avenger. The mate. The daughter. The sister. The friend. Fayane, her own heartbeat roared in her ears, demanding something. She looked to the children. Innocent, but wrong. But how could she prove it? For all she knew, her mind was playing tricks on her. Maybe they were simply JUST children. Perhaps she was overreacting. If she was... the cost was not small. But if she wasn't? The cost was massive. The scales were even from what she could see. Two potentially innocent or evil children versus her new found family, who could end up stabbing her in the back either way. Her vision blurred as the overwhelming need to protect fought brutally against logic.
WERE they just children? Really? There were no outward signs otherwise. They hadn't attacked them - but her gut screamed there was something wrong with them. Your gut? Does an assassin trust their gut or their blade!? Blade, obviously. But... they were just children. Not children, demons, wraiths- BUT HOW DOES SHE KNOW!? Gloved hands reached up to clasp her head as she bowed over, logic warring with a screaming instinct. Exhaustion pulled, logic pummeled and her instincts screamed. And in the end, it was too much. Fay didn't remember hitting the ground as her form slumped over, too stressed from trying to fight with not only her party members to keep them safe, but with herself to try and make the right decision.
Re: Diverging Roads
Children had a sense of self preservation. Saruna knew this. She knew it very well. The little girl was still crying into the boy's shoulder -- brother, perhaps? -- and he was bearing up under the mixed weight of the adults' regard. Suspicion, reassurance. Mixed signals. And they responded to those mixed signals as any child did, with hope and fear.
But where Jerial and Fayane offered them threat, it was perhaps a threat they understood. The boy tried to smile, Saruna saw it. But she also saw his tremble, saw the desperate white-knuckled grip the girl had on one of his arms. And he tried, oh how hard he tried, to not give in to the liquid-kneed state of fear that Jerial and Fayane put into him.
Saruna knew she should have given herself more time to rest. Much more time. Her body was worn out, wearing away. Though she hadn't shouldered as many burdens as she might have, she'd not had an easy life of it. She'd gone hungry many times in her life, had gone without. These were the years when she should have been eased at the fire, grandchildren clutching at her elbows and knees and begging for stories while she knit. But here she was, so much to do still stretching ahead of her.
The pain wouldn't give up. Neither would she.
Tanobi took charge in a way that earned her gratitude, her approval, and she let herself have some sort of hope.
"I'm Behruz, and this is --"
"Mam said don't talk t'strangers!"
The girl's voice was shrill, overlapping the boy's with command born of fear. Her fingers tightened on his arm, her face buried in the soft curve of his shoulder. He winced, paled, and looked down at the ground, lower lip trembling.
Saruna looked sharp at Jerial, sure his threat was the cause of the girl's reluctance. But before her eyes could travel back to the children, Fayane was falling. "Fayane!" She cried the girl's name again, but though it was sharp, the tone had changed completely. Saruna couldn't lose another person she cared about. She just couldn't. Her body wouldn't budge. Pain lanced through her hip, and she tottered for a moment, eyes going wide. "Tanobi, Tanobi help her!"
The words were unnecessary. She knew that. Tanobi had more than shown his own capabilities as a doctor and as a man. Fear had its own agenda, and as she looked wildly around from Jerial to Breda to Fayane and the children, she saw the boy take two steps back as if to run, but the girl wouldn't budge. She stood there, fingers digging into his arms, and Saruna saw him wince again at the contact. The poor girl must have been petrified to stand there like that, Saruna thought. It was a distant thought. Saruna had never felt so useless in all her adult life.
Fayane couldn't die on her. Not now.
Not ever.
But where Jerial and Fayane offered them threat, it was perhaps a threat they understood. The boy tried to smile, Saruna saw it. But she also saw his tremble, saw the desperate white-knuckled grip the girl had on one of his arms. And he tried, oh how hard he tried, to not give in to the liquid-kneed state of fear that Jerial and Fayane put into him.
Saruna knew she should have given herself more time to rest. Much more time. Her body was worn out, wearing away. Though she hadn't shouldered as many burdens as she might have, she'd not had an easy life of it. She'd gone hungry many times in her life, had gone without. These were the years when she should have been eased at the fire, grandchildren clutching at her elbows and knees and begging for stories while she knit. But here she was, so much to do still stretching ahead of her.
The pain wouldn't give up. Neither would she.
Tanobi took charge in a way that earned her gratitude, her approval, and she let herself have some sort of hope.
"I'm Behruz, and this is --"
"Mam said don't talk t'strangers!"
The girl's voice was shrill, overlapping the boy's with command born of fear. Her fingers tightened on his arm, her face buried in the soft curve of his shoulder. He winced, paled, and looked down at the ground, lower lip trembling.
Saruna looked sharp at Jerial, sure his threat was the cause of the girl's reluctance. But before her eyes could travel back to the children, Fayane was falling. "Fayane!" She cried the girl's name again, but though it was sharp, the tone had changed completely. Saruna couldn't lose another person she cared about. She just couldn't. Her body wouldn't budge. Pain lanced through her hip, and she tottered for a moment, eyes going wide. "Tanobi, Tanobi help her!"
The words were unnecessary. She knew that. Tanobi had more than shown his own capabilities as a doctor and as a man. Fear had its own agenda, and as she looked wildly around from Jerial to Breda to Fayane and the children, she saw the boy take two steps back as if to run, but the girl wouldn't budge. She stood there, fingers digging into his arms, and Saruna saw him wince again at the contact. The poor girl must have been petrified to stand there like that, Saruna thought. It was a distant thought. Saruna had never felt so useless in all her adult life.
Fayane couldn't die on her. Not now.
Not ever.
#biologicallyconscientious||Characters and threads.
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Tanobi Durant
- Citizen
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:35 pm
- Name: Tanobi Duraunt
- Race: Human
Re: Diverging Roads
Tanobi herd the light thump of Fay as she slumped against the ground into a patch of grass unconscious and quickly moved to check upon her. Gently feeling around for and head injury's and finding none the physician quickly came to the conclusion that she was exhausted, and set about using his medicine bag to slightly raise her legs to increase the blood flow to the body. Sending a reassuring smile to the dwarf and Saruna he claimed
"She will be fine she just needs some of that bed rest I've been prescribing." shifting back to face the children Tanobi proceeded to introduce himself. "My name is Tanobi Durant a traveling physician, with me is Madame Breda and her child-yet unborn, Madame Saruna and her ward, the angry looking one is sir Jerial and his cohorts and this delightful spitfire-" Tanobi pats Fayane gently on her head " is Madame Fay. Tanobi punctuates his introduction with a smile "See child? you need not fear for we are strangers no longer" Tanobi sits cross legged with his stick resting diagonally against his left shoulder as he offers his right hand in a gesture of peace his palm facing up and slightly cupped as if to tell then it was safe to rest alongside him.
"She will be fine she just needs some of that bed rest I've been prescribing." shifting back to face the children Tanobi proceeded to introduce himself. "My name is Tanobi Durant a traveling physician, with me is Madame Breda and her child-yet unborn, Madame Saruna and her ward, the angry looking one is sir Jerial and his cohorts and this delightful spitfire-" Tanobi pats Fayane gently on her head " is Madame Fay. Tanobi punctuates his introduction with a smile "See child? you need not fear for we are strangers no longer" Tanobi sits cross legged with his stick resting diagonally against his left shoulder as he offers his right hand in a gesture of peace his palm facing up and slightly cupped as if to tell then it was safe to rest alongside him.
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Breda Dreaughan
- Citizen
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:13 pm
- Name: Breda Dreaughan
- Race: Dwarf
Re: Diverging Roads
Breda jumped tp her feet when Fayane fell over, moving to kneel next to her as Tanobi turned back to the children, and reached to feel her pulse. She did not doubt the old healer's words, but she needed to feel the reassurance of the woman's strong heartbeat.
Fast pulse isn't necessarily a cause for alarm, the doctor had once told her at the Marn hospital, when she had asked about the patient being treated on the bed next to her own. As long as the rhythm is steady, and eventually returns to normal.
Fayane's pulse was rapid, but she couldn't detect any skips or extra beats. They had taught her how to measure the heartbeat, even taught her to tell the difference between the heartbeat of a human, a dwarf and an elf. As Fayane's rhythm slowly settled, she discovered it to be closest to that of an elf, and was not surprised.
Why do I even remember that anymore?
She glanced up. Tanobi seemed to be developing some sort of contact with the children, and nobody still wasn't dying. Fayane was unconscious, but her heart was beating strongly under the dwarf's fingers. Then she realized Jerial was somewhere behind her, and reflexively pulled her shoulders up and closed her eyes.
Fast pulse isn't necessarily a cause for alarm, the doctor had once told her at the Marn hospital, when she had asked about the patient being treated on the bed next to her own. As long as the rhythm is steady, and eventually returns to normal.
Fayane's pulse was rapid, but she couldn't detect any skips or extra beats. They had taught her how to measure the heartbeat, even taught her to tell the difference between the heartbeat of a human, a dwarf and an elf. As Fayane's rhythm slowly settled, she discovered it to be closest to that of an elf, and was not surprised.
Why do I even remember that anymore?
She glanced up. Tanobi seemed to be developing some sort of contact with the children, and nobody still wasn't dying. Fayane was unconscious, but her heart was beating strongly under the dwarf's fingers. Then she realized Jerial was somewhere behind her, and reflexively pulled her shoulders up and closed her eyes.
Re: Diverging Roads
The mongrel had right to be afraid. Jerial was at his breaking point. He nearly knocked it over in reaching for the limp form of Fayane. He heaved her over his shoulder and steeled himself to ignore any protest that may come. None of them were in any physical shape to challenge him. With his free hand, he tossed up his sword, which blinked out of existence, and waved with his now free hand in a sweeping motion. Cerion and Kado followed out of their pseudo-hiding position away from the rest of the group, doubtless confused at Jerial's rapid changes of action.
Where are we going?
Marn. I'll figure out what to do after that when I'm away from this cirque troupe.
That's what I like to see. Careful, efficient planning, devoid of emotional breakdown.
By Elohim, silence yourself.
"Cerion," Jerial said over his shoulder, not slowing his pace, "do you have lodging in Marn?"
"No. Kado and I had planned to advance that far once we were assured that our presence here was warranted." He paused a moment. "And by warranted, I mean both practical and...safe."
Jerial grunted. "Nothing is safe. That's the point." And, peculiar as the quip was, the elf left it at that.
Where are we going?
Marn. I'll figure out what to do after that when I'm away from this cirque troupe.
That's what I like to see. Careful, efficient planning, devoid of emotional breakdown.
By Elohim, silence yourself.
"Cerion," Jerial said over his shoulder, not slowing his pace, "do you have lodging in Marn?"
"No. Kado and I had planned to advance that far once we were assured that our presence here was warranted." He paused a moment. "And by warranted, I mean both practical and...safe."
Jerial grunted. "Nothing is safe. That's the point." And, peculiar as the quip was, the elf left it at that.
Re: Diverging Roads
The others concern, while going unnoticed, would have baffled the vixen further had she been awake. Instead, it was Jerial's movement that served to semi-rouse her as she immediately believed that there was a level of danger. However, once his shoulder made contact with her sternum, and his scent flooded her mind, she was at ease, allowing her mind to return to the restless state of unconsciousness it had gone to in order to prevent her from overwhelming herself. His words rumbled through her as she swayed with his movements, her limp frame doing nothing to slow or hamper Jerial, as she'd lost so much weight from the poison and illness. One word caught her though - even if it was just a minor register - lodgings. Then safe. Mate wants to be safe...Go home. Go home. Which home... Images flashed through her mind - too fast to comprehend. Jerial's arms, her father teaching her, her mother smiling and laughing, sitting in a chair by the fire- Marn.
She made a sound - a moan? - and was shifted so she was cradeled so he could hear her better. He said something - but she couldn't hear now, the ringing in her ears from the sudden movement preventing as much. Changers everything hurt... "Home... Marn... appartment." She was garbling nonsense it seemed, until she murmured an address. "Home." she repeated as more images seared across her mind, causing her to make a quiet sound of protest and hide her head in Jerial's chest.
It was getting to be too much, really. Her mind raced like a horse with its tail on fire, ideas, emotions, realizations and fears racing through her at a speed she couldn't comprehend or manage. But she was already out of it. Asleep but awake, restless while attempting to rest. Too many contradictions. Loving mate who hated everything, an assassin who didn't kill, a guard who didn't protect, a vixen that walked on two legs and had no fur. Well that she could change. Instinct had her shifting, her cloak now wrapped around a shivering fox who was mewling with its eyes shut. She didn't shift often, but when she did, she'd always felt so... safe. Now, with her in that shape, her face tucked into a crook, Jerial's scent all but drowning out all others, she was more at peace than she had been in a long time. And so, she slept.
She made a sound - a moan? - and was shifted so she was cradeled so he could hear her better. He said something - but she couldn't hear now, the ringing in her ears from the sudden movement preventing as much. Changers everything hurt... "Home... Marn... appartment." She was garbling nonsense it seemed, until she murmured an address. "Home." she repeated as more images seared across her mind, causing her to make a quiet sound of protest and hide her head in Jerial's chest.
It was getting to be too much, really. Her mind raced like a horse with its tail on fire, ideas, emotions, realizations and fears racing through her at a speed she couldn't comprehend or manage. But she was already out of it. Asleep but awake, restless while attempting to rest. Too many contradictions. Loving mate who hated everything, an assassin who didn't kill, a guard who didn't protect, a vixen that walked on two legs and had no fur. Well that she could change. Instinct had her shifting, her cloak now wrapped around a shivering fox who was mewling with its eyes shut. She didn't shift often, but when she did, she'd always felt so... safe. Now, with her in that shape, her face tucked into a crook, Jerial's scent all but drowning out all others, she was more at peace than she had been in a long time. And so, she slept.
Re: Diverging Roads
Jerial's sudden movement had the children shuffling towards the one who seemed most in control: Tanobi. Or, rather, the boy shuffled and the girl took a dragging step after him, her grip on his arm so tight she was sure to leave bruises. "I- I want to go home," the boy almost whispered, the barest hint of tone to his voice. The girl dragged at him, her eyes suddenly angry, and she whispered something into his ear. His tears spilled over.
Saruna felt her heart break for the boy, while it hardened towards Jerial. Again, she thought of Ran, and how good of a young man he was. And this one -- this one was, clearly, not taking proper care of Fayane. Breda and Tanobi seemed the most stable, the likeliest to do the right thing.
But she was tired, in pain, and the day wasn't getting any longer. "To Marn, then," she said, voice thick and tired. She forced herself back up. Hadn't it been like this with her third child? Labor pains for a day, her two others too young still to be of much help, her husband needing to work for money. She had fed the children, done the cleaning, gotten them dressed, and fetched the midwife herself. That was the life of a poor woman in a village like Shim. There were no comforts, and no rest. All you had was work, and you did what you had to do.
And that was what she had to do now. She was going to limp, and she knew that maybe tomorrow she wouldn't be able to move at all for the pain. But for now? They had to go one way or the other, and she had already chosen vengeance over comfort. "Come," she said, and started to walk. "Bring the children."
The carriage and its riders got closer.
Saruna felt her heart break for the boy, while it hardened towards Jerial. Again, she thought of Ran, and how good of a young man he was. And this one -- this one was, clearly, not taking proper care of Fayane. Breda and Tanobi seemed the most stable, the likeliest to do the right thing.
But she was tired, in pain, and the day wasn't getting any longer. "To Marn, then," she said, voice thick and tired. She forced herself back up. Hadn't it been like this with her third child? Labor pains for a day, her two others too young still to be of much help, her husband needing to work for money. She had fed the children, done the cleaning, gotten them dressed, and fetched the midwife herself. That was the life of a poor woman in a village like Shim. There were no comforts, and no rest. All you had was work, and you did what you had to do.
And that was what she had to do now. She was going to limp, and she knew that maybe tomorrow she wouldn't be able to move at all for the pain. But for now? They had to go one way or the other, and she had already chosen vengeance over comfort. "Come," she said, and started to walk. "Bring the children."
The carriage and its riders got closer.
#biologicallyconscientious||Characters and threads.
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Breda Dreaughan
- Citizen
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:13 pm
- Name: Breda Dreaughan
- Race: Dwarf
Re: Diverging Roads
She didn't dare to open her eyes until Jerial had gone the way he came from, carrying unconscious Fayane on his back.
Once she finally looked up, she saw Saruna had again taken the lead and was limping towards the road. Her own back stiff and sore, and her stomach hurting with hunger, Breda could only admire the human woman's apparently endless stamina.
Tanobi walked to her, the frightened children in tow, and helped her once again on her feet. Breda glanced at the little girl, and thought she recognised the look in her eyes. I am nervous and lost and don't know what to do, so it's easiest to follow those who are giving orders.
And then, as the dwarf, the healer, and the two children turned to follow Saruna, the carriage was there. It was small, built for speed rather than for comfort, and painted dark, grayish brown, without signs or sigils. The horses pulling it were sturdy and hairy, as were the mounts of the four riders surrounding the carriage. The riders and the driver were dressed in dull, dirty black, and had pulled veils on their faces. To protect themselves from the dust? Or to mask themselves?
The horses pulled from full gallop to an almost instant halt. The men - if they were men - turned to stare at the little group. The boy winced and hid behind Tanobi's back. Breda's blood ran cold, and her stomach tightened to a hard, painful ball.
"Saruna! Saruna come on, we have to get away from here!"
Once she finally looked up, she saw Saruna had again taken the lead and was limping towards the road. Her own back stiff and sore, and her stomach hurting with hunger, Breda could only admire the human woman's apparently endless stamina.
Tanobi walked to her, the frightened children in tow, and helped her once again on her feet. Breda glanced at the little girl, and thought she recognised the look in her eyes. I am nervous and lost and don't know what to do, so it's easiest to follow those who are giving orders.
And then, as the dwarf, the healer, and the two children turned to follow Saruna, the carriage was there. It was small, built for speed rather than for comfort, and painted dark, grayish brown, without signs or sigils. The horses pulling it were sturdy and hairy, as were the mounts of the four riders surrounding the carriage. The riders and the driver were dressed in dull, dirty black, and had pulled veils on their faces. To protect themselves from the dust? Or to mask themselves?
The horses pulled from full gallop to an almost instant halt. The men - if they were men - turned to stare at the little group. The boy winced and hid behind Tanobi's back. Breda's blood ran cold, and her stomach tightened to a hard, painful ball.
"Saruna! Saruna come on, we have to get away from here!"