ROLEPLAY HQ - bough-of-the-willow

The rain clung to his hair and clothes, soaking him down. His freezing hand was wrapped and stiff in his elders. The older man was looking down the mountains, small little lights glinting amongst the trees. Fires lit and growing even amongst the rain. Devouring trees. They crackled and screamed, steam boiling beneath their bark. "That is what men do." His elder had said and he looked up. "Why are they burning it?" "They will burn it and salt the ground so nothing will grow." The elder gripped his hand until it hurt his fingers. "You are the last to be born here." The mud clung to his skin freezing his bare feet as he was dragged along. And when he fell, he was left behind to the fire.

The morning sun cut through the mist, warming the earth, and for him little was wrong. He was close enough to visit the sea. The human town was quiet and they didn't wander deep into the wilds. He bathed quickly in the river, the cold startling, his willow trailing her boughs in the water. She was a screen to protect him from the world. Undines and kelpies hid beneath her roots, watching him, only their eyes visible above the water. He sat back against the bank, raking his fingers through his hair and watching the other spirits play. He was the only of his specific kind and at times he envied their simplicity. They may lack written language or advancement, but they had others.... He patted his tree, holding her branches, her leaves waxy under his fingers. Please make another for me. I'd really like someone to talk to... he wished softly. He was closer to the humans than he'd liked, but it was where his willow was. The imps played in her branches and he was sure probably stealing his clothes that were drying out of his sight.

10:13

@vavavicodin

It was a quiet morning, and on the opposite of the river, a young human woman was currently walking along the river's edge, humming softly. She had a basket along her arm and in it was a bundle of herbs, flowers, and mushrooms. Elorna liked to forage for little items in the forest, especially items she could cook up or create medicines from. The wind gently blew through the forest, tussling the grass and the brown locks of the woman. She looked towards the large willow tree that was further down the river. It was one of her favorite trees, and she loved to visit it whenever she came to the river bed. Numerous crows and ravens liked to nest near it as well. This day was no different. A large raven appeared in one of the trees, its raspy caw echoing in the open expanse. Elorna chuckled softly and she reached into the basket, plucking out a berry branch that she had taken earlier. The branch was small and only had a few berries on it, but they were plump berries, so she felt as though the raven would enjoy it. She reached out, holding out the branch. "Here you are." The raven flew down and plucked the branch from her hand with its black beak. It flew off to the willow tree, and she waved, taking one of the flowers from her basket and placing it in the river. It was a red mountain flower with bright soft petals. The river carried the flower down the stream a bit and then safely deposited it on the other side's bank, right against one of the out stretched branches of the willow tree. With that, Elorna turned and continued on her way down the path. @Snow-Frost Vox

'Human' crackled from an Undine, its rattled voice making him startle. He sunk down under the water completely, the water warbling his vision and gills formed at his throat. Half hidden amongst the willow boughs he watched her, curious. He smiled as she fed the spirit, knowing she'd see a bird. He blinked as she set a flower in the water, seemingly for no reason. He watched it snare in the willow above him. A mountain flower? He blinked and gently took it in his hands once she'd left down the river bank. His hands trembled gently. The mountains were far away to walk on foot, and she had them? He sunk back in the shade of the willow holding the flower close. They reminded him of home. He held it close to his face happy, calming as he held it tight. This had to mean something. It had to be important. He quickly got out of the river and dressed, running in the direction she went. When he got her in sight he followed silent, cursing as the Undines followed.

17:02

@vavavicodin

Elorna continued on down the path, completely unaware of the Fae man that was following her. The path lead her down through the woods. Large oak trees and maple trees lined the pathway, their vibrant leaves fluttering in the gentle breeze. She stopped just a few moment and she bent down to pick a few berries from a brush. The berries were plump, dark, and juicy. She placed them into the basket. She wondered if the ravens would like these kinds of berries. She'd have to research them first. She didn't want to offer up any berry that could hurt them! @Snow-Frost Vox

She could see them eating them, animals picking at the branches. Heath waved one away from himself, having fetched a minimum of pants to follow. Bare feet quiet, even stepping over leaves and branches, Heath slunk after her until she left the trees. She had to have brought him that right? It had to be important.... He ran to fetch the rest of his clothes and follow her into the field. He'd not left the trees in a long time.... Heath found a place to hide but keep her home in sight, bedding down in the grass. @vavavicodin

Elorna went inside and set the basket down on the table. She grabbed the vegetables from the basket and she brought them over to the sink. She had a large basin of water that she used to wash her food, so she began to scrub the vegetables. When they were cleaned to her liking, she put them on the table to be chopped. Not too long after, she had finished cooking her dinner, a roast rabbit with vegetables and some rice. She made herself a plate and she went to sit outside at her little table with a chair. She wanted to enjoy the sunshine while it was still up in the sky. She forked some of the rabbit and she bit into it, humming softly. It was delicious. While she was eating, she couldn't help but feel a little lonely. She wished she had some company. @Snow-Frost Vox

Heath quietly hid in the grass in the distance, and eventually, fell asleep. Head set on his arms he half laid on his side stretched out in the last warm sunshine. Trousers tied about his waist, he'd long forgotten where he left his shirt. Small birds, to her eyes, nested near enough to show their connections. Small branches of horns spread from his skull; not quite branches not quite antlers. @vavavicodin

As she was seated outside, she noticed a few birds nearby and she smiled up at them, waving to them. However, as she waved, she noticed a strange color hidden in the trees. It was a tan, or a brownish color, but she couldn't really tell. She tilted her head as she stared at the spot. Was something in the tree? However, as she was distracted in the tree, she didn't spot the hungry coyote that was slinking over to her. She only noticed when it growled at her when it was six feet from her, eager for her dinner plate. Elorna gasped, turning to see the animal. She yelped and backed away, trembling in fear as the coyote leapt onto her table, scarfing down her meal quickly. She flinched at the sight, and then suddenly, the beast leapt down in front of her! Elorna whimpered as the beast slowly stepped closer, unsure if it should try to eat her or not. Elorna let out a scream in fear, grabbing a rock and throwing it at the beast. It hit the coyote in the shoulder and it snarled angrily. Elorna screamed again. "Someone! Someone help!" @Snow-Frost Vox

He jerked awake, a pixie yanking his hair. Her chattering wasn't understandable, but the grim's yowling was. He changed his body enough to pass as he ran across the field. Black hair tangled with branches and grass and his skin smeared with dirt, he got between her and the dog. He wasn't sure what she was seeing but based on her shrieking it wasn't fun.... He caught arms about its throat as it leapt, slamming it to the ground. Claws sliced at his stomach and thighs, and he grit his teeth refusing to let go. "Run!" He pressed his weight in to keep it still. He couldn't use magic until she left.... He hadn't seen a grim for a while. A spirit connected to a graveyard, activated if the grounds were disturbed. With how many fae died through the years on the land and the humans spreading, he knew there was only time before it kicked off. @vavavicodin

Elorna could not believe her eyes. A man who was barely dressed suddenly came darting out of the trees and he grabbed the coyote. However, once his hands grabbed the beast it began to almost shame and shudder, though its body never actually moved. The coyote's body changed from dusty brown fur and thin starved bones to a massive beast with inky black skin that barely seemed to stay on its body. It's jaws opened into four separate sections, and its single tail split into three tails. It snarled and growled, desperately trying to lunge at the girl before it. This grim was starving to death, and its greed for human souls and flesh had consummed its form. What was once a mere simple grim, connected to sacred grounds, had been disturbed and transformed. Now, it was seeking its revenge upon any living being, fae or human alike. It kicked the fae male off and it lunged back onto the girl. It howled, its head thrown back, its massive paws pinning the girl to the ground. Elorna screamed, her hands pushing and shoving at the beast's arms and legs. She kicked at its stomach, but nothing she did seemed to stop it. It looked down and opened those four segments. Rows and rows of ghastly yellow fangs sticky with blach ichor. Elorna squeezed her eyes shut as she braced for those rows of fangs to pierce her skin and end her life. @Snow-Frost Vox

Blood splattered across her face, the swift kick he'd done shattering his ankle. The body slumped without a head, shreds of blood, fur, and bone left behind. Badly balanced on his good leg he dug his grip into its fur, cussing softly in his own tongue. He'd have to go find the dead yard to make the spirit fully disperse. Claws in its scruff he yanked the corpse off her, falling but giving her the wiggle room to get free. He cussed sitting in the grass clutching his shin, shuddering breath doing little to calm his heart. Channeling magic through his body was a dangerous act though he hadn't expected it to go so far. But it'd worked.... "Are you okay?" His voice wobbled with shuddering, pained breath arm tucked around his tore up stomach. His accent was thick and gently slurred. @vavavicodin

Almost as quickly as it started, the beast was dispatched by the shirtless man. Elorna was trembling with terror, her eyes wide and tears cascading down her cheeks. Her stomach lurched and she squeezed her eyes shut and turned, looking away from the gruesome sight of the decapitated monster. She took several deep breaths, needing to settle herself before she opened her eyes and looked back to the shirtless man. She noticed that his leg was not normal. It looked painful and swollen. He had just kicked that thing's head off! But, the thought of that had her stomach churning again. Carefully, Elorna got up from her helpless position and she crawled over towards him. "I-I am... thanks to you. B-But, you're hurt." She looked at his face, and that's when she really noticed the green hair... the wild appearance.... "Y...You're a fae...?" She whispered nervously. All Elorna had ever heard about Fae creatures was that they were vicious beasts who ate humans or tricked them into making deals, or just straight up killed them! But, this man... though he was a Fae... had saved her life. @Snow-Frost Vox

He grit his teeth realizing his glamour had slipped... he gently looked at his hands and blinked in surprise. She's seeing through it. He still looked human to most.... "Uhmmm... yes?" He wiped his cheek on his arm tsking at the filth. New antlers had spidered from his skull, grown from the burst of magic, and he slid his fingers up them to the base of them snapping them off. Both in hand, he held them out to her. "Make tea with these. It'll get the grim off you, and let you forget." Pulling his scarf from about his waist, he wrapped up his ankle and leg yanking it tight. "Go home." He said softly, carefully getting to his feet. @vavavicodin

Elorna felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up as he indeed confirmed that he was a fae. She had been taught all through her life was that Fae were monsters. But, this man had just saved her life. How could he be evil if he saved her? Before she could truly think much more about the situation, the man reached up and broke the two large antlers off of his head. Elorna gasped, a choked cry filling the air. Her hands flew to her mouth and her stomach immediately churned. He handed her the antlers and instructed her to make a tea with them. She shook her head quickly. "I-I can't, I'm sorry." She stood with him, her hands cautiously held out like she was trying to stabilize him. "I don't...I don't want to forget. I don't even know your name..." Her voice shook but she forced a small smile. "Thank you, for saving me." @Snow-Frost Vox

"It's Heath." He leaned on his good side, voice soft and hesitant. Since she didn't take the antlers he set them against his leg, forcing magic through them. They spidered out material twisting around his limb, forming a brace of bone. His face was pale from the force, cheeks drawn. "I'd stay away from the night. Until I can find the grims place. Keep inside when the sun falls." He advised, drawing his hair over his shoulder, looking to the grass wavering in the evening. "Go home..." Once she started moving, he limped for his willow but didn't make it far before buckling, hitting the dirt. Tired... he panted softly, staring at his twitching fingers, vision going in and out. I'll not do that again...

15:22

@vavavicodin

'Heath' was talking nonsense about 'grims' and staying away from the 'night.' How could she stay away from the night? Stay inside? She could do that but it seemed so silly and simple. She couldn't really argue as he told her once again to go home. He then stood and went to leave, but the injuries he had sustained were clearly too much for him and he collapsed. "Heath!" Elorna rushed forward, her hands going to rest on his back. "Stop. Please, you're hurt. Let me help you. My home is right here." She didn't want him to suffer, especially due to her. "Please?" She asked carefully. "I can help clean your injuries." He seemed to be getting weaker, so Elorna didn't wait. She managed to lift his arm up and place it over her shoulders. She then bent down and she lifted him up, or rather she lifted as much as she could. She mainly dragged him back to her home which was only a few meters away. Thankfully and unthankfully the grim hadn't chased her too far from her home, so she was able to get him back inside quickly. She opened the door and she helped him over to a large plush couch. She set him down, kneeling down. "Are these wounds... magical?" @Snow-Frost Vox

He groaned getting pulled off the dirt, barely keeping his feet under him. Shallow cuts crossed his stomach, not too deep but enough to bleed and look worse than they were. "Just. Tired." He mumbled softly, putting a half smile on his paling face. He started listing and wavering where he sat before his eyes rolled back, thumping sideways on the couch, hair falling over his face as he passed out. His brace would support his ankle on its own, but his stomach would need to be cleaned up. He was surprisingly easy to move when he wasn't awake. He was lighter than one would expect.... When she'd turned away a pixie, barely larger than Elorna's middle finger, crawled to his face. The small creature was barely humanoid, the face with a highly upturned nose and lipless smile. Feathers the color of opals ran down its back with small wings, making it nearly look a bird at first. It put small three fingered hands to Heath's cheek and tugged a bit at his earring, trying to wake its friend. It looked up in panic when Elorna returned to Heath's side, sinking down to try to hide amongst his hair. @vavavicodin

Elorna noticed the massive gash in his stomach and since he hadn't responded, she knew she would need to at least try to clean the wounds. She got up from the floor and she went to a little cubby in her kitchen. She pulled out a few herbs and spices, and then she ducked down and opened a drawer. She grabbed bandages, needles, tonic, and some alcohol. She turned back, just missing the little pixie. She came back to Heath's side and she knelt down. "Okay, Heath... This is going to hurt but, I'm going to help you." She held out a green herb. It was a plant that would add with reducing the pain. "Can you chew this?" She asked gently. @Snow-Frost Vox

He was barely awake and his head lolled in her hands. She'd have to do it for him. His eyes barely settled fully, barely keeping them open. He was exhausted, her voice quiet in his ears like he was sinking underwater. It was comfortable here. Warm. Her face was a pretty image swirling in and out of his sight. He jerked awake slightly as something was put to his lip, making him startle and blink like she slapped him. "Mnn... Hurts..." He muttered panting softly, skin red hot beneath her hands. @vavavicodin

Elorna winced as he jerked in pain. His skin was hot now. "Hold on. I'll get some water." She rushed over to the large basin of water she kept in the house. It was chilled, so she grabbed a spare rag and she dipped it into the water and rung it out. She came back and knelt down. She placed the cool rage on his forehead. Quickly, she reached over and grabbed a mortar and pestal and she began to mash the herb into a paste. She then took a small spoon made of wood and she spooned some of the mashed herb. She held it out. "Open your mouth, just a little." She said softly. @Snow-Frost Vox

He gently cradled her hand to control the spoon carefully, downing the mash, wrinkling his nose at the taste. "Thank you." He mumbled softly hand slipping off. "I'm fine... swear it. Just... need to sleep." He murmured softly, as if being too loud would hurt. The numbing helped with his strength. "Are you alright? No deep cuts?" He shifted the rag to his cheek, spring green eyes following her. He'd pressed a hand to his stomach, slowly trying to pull the wound closed. Magic was fickle, especially when he was exhausted. But it'd keep her from needing to worry of him.... but it cut deep into his energy like a red-hot knife. Letting out an exhausted breath he forced himself to remain conscious, though he thought he failed. He had passed back out again and come back in a short span, his stomach stopping bleeding from his hand pressed to his skin. He smiled softly seeing the pixie hiding in his hair out the corner of his eye, it's little hands pressed against his cheekbones. It gave energy, though it was barely a drop in a vast ocean. But he smiled and thanked it anyways. He tried to force himself to sit up, winced and decided against it. He knew he should sleep and rest, but the other was more interesting to pay attention to. He'd been alone and now he had someone near. Someone who knew what he was. "Thank you." He breathed lightly, setting his head back down. "For helping me."

11:42

@vavavicodin

Elorna smiled just a little bit as he told her that he was fine, he even swore it, he just needed to sleep. It was sweet that he asked about her, she helped with the rag, dabbing at the sweat on his face. "I'm perfectly fine. No cuts at all. Thanks to you, of course." She was saved, and unharmed, all thanks to this green haired man. She watched as his hand went to his stomach and she flinched a bit as the magic started to flare. However, he stopped, as if the use of his magic was hurting him. "You should stop... Don't continue to hurt yourself." She said quietly. However, he passed out again and she reached for the rag, dabbing at his head. He returned to consciousness. Elorna still had not seen the pixie. But, as he thanked her, she smiled softly. "You're welcome, Heath. Get some rest. I'm going to sleep right here in case you need something. Just wake me up, okay?" She stood up and went to a closet within her bedroom. She returned with a few pillows and two blankets. She helped him to get the pillow under his head, and when he was ready, she put the blanket over him. When he was all settled, she set herself up down beside the couch. She covered herself with the blanket and she nestled into the pillow. "Goodnight, Heath." @Snow-Frost Vox

"Goodnight." He said softly, staring off into the dark.~ She'd wake bundled on the couch, both pillows under her head and blankets tucked about her. He was awake, standing to a counter, back to her. Green braids were tucked and pinned together into a knot on the back of his head. Several pixies were holding to his shirt, which he'd went out and got, and his hair chattering and arguing with each other. He'd woken with enough energy to go out, coming back with supplies for food. Kneading dough Heath didn't notice she had woken. Separating small pieces of dough out he hummed softly, setting out a metal pan and tucking them inside. He only noticed she was awake when he turned and he grinned, holding the pan and lid. "Good morning." Heath tucked the pan into the fireplace to the side, only glowing coals inside, then straightened up. "Sleep well?" He asked lightly brushing his hands on his tunic shirt. Thin fabric was cut and roughly sewn into a sleeveless shirt, tucked into his trousers, and he'd wrapped a scarf about his waist and thin leather straps about his shins keeping them out of his way. The brace had adjusted and grown to support his weight and movement and refined to keep his leg safe. He looked far better and healthier, color back to his face, but he was still careful of his stomach. "It's late morning. Hope you didn't have appointments to keep." Several of the pixies had fled when she woke but one stuck around amongst his hair watching her with large black eyes. @vavavicodin

When Elorna awoke the next morning, she was greeted to the sight of Heath standing. His energy was almost completely restored it seemed, and this was shocking to her. He had been gravely injured less than twelve hours ago, and yet here he was, standing and even kneading dough! His skin seemed more colorful and he appeared to be almost nearly healed entirely. She got up from the couch and smoothed her hair and then ran her hands down her dress, smoothing the wrinkles. She smiled softly as he greeted her. “Good morning.” However, once her eyes landed on the small pixie that was hiding within his hair, she gasped. It was a very small fairy. Its little black eyes seemed to take up its entire face, and Elorna shivered a little. “U-Uhm, you… you have a… something, uhm, in…” She tapped at her shoulder, indicating where the pixie was. “Something in your… hair.” She didn’t want to offend him, and while she wasn’t completely biased against fairies and the fae creatures, she was certainly afraid of them at the very least. But, she really didn’t want to offend him, and therefore… risk being attacked. Her heart was thumping heavily in her chest and she could feel her palms getting sweaty. She didn’t feel good seeing the little pixie. She truly had no experience with the Fae, other than what she had been raised to believe. She had tried to learn differently, and yet, she still had some bias, and while she felt guilty, it was what she knew. @Snow-Frost Vox

"A pixie aye. You have a nest of them in your eeves." He brushed his hands off on his pants leaning outside her door, pointing to the outside of the house. There'd been 'birds' nesting in her roof ledge. "They're little more than like birds. Wish to eat and sleep and see the sunrise." He went outside to shake the little creature off, it fluttering up to the roof nest. "They like to take hair for their nests and stick to creatures stronger than them. They're no harm." He reassured with a smile. "Food will be finished soon. I'd advise you go to bathe. You're still flecked with mud." He chuckled softly into curled fingers. He'd went out and bathed already, cleaning up his still healing wounds. He didn't want to leave her alone now, not with the possibility of the grim reforming.... He sunk to sit on the lounge, curling up his leg, holding his shin. "On then." @vavavicodin

Elorna shuddered at the thought of a nest of those little pixies living up above her by only a few feet. She didn't really want them anywhere near her, let alone living within her home! But, they didn't seem to be causing her or the house any harm so she decided to leave it be for now. "Alright..." He stated that food would be ready soon, and then told her that she was still flecked with mud. She blushed a bit. Had she not bathed? Then, she remembered the previous evening. The thing he had called a grim had attacked her. "R-Right..." She headed to a small room beside her bedroom. The room had a large basin already filled with water. Thankfully, a fire was almost constantly burning underneath it, keeping the water at a steady heat. She stripped out of her dress and she stepped into the basin. She let out a soft sigh as her aching muscles were soothed by the heat of the water. She rubbed her arms, her body, her face and washed the flecks of mud off. She then sunk down fully into the basin and she scrubbed her hair, the mud now completely gone. When she came back up, she wrung her hair out and then she grabbed a towel and stepped out of the bath. Thankfully this room was attached to her bedroom so she slipped into the room and grabbed a new gown. This one was a simple dark blue dress with a white bodice. Her hair was still damp, but not drippingly so. The warmth of the home mixed with the smell of freshly cooked food made her stomach growl hungrily. "This smells delicious." She said softly, smiling at him. @Snow-Frost Vox

"Thank you. It is one of the few things I can make." He chuckled softly as he tugged out the pan, barehanded despite the heat. Using a small metal knife he cut free the breading setting it on a plate for her. The inside had fruit and syrup. "Here. Try. It just has wild fruits." Heath smiled purring lightly as he sat with his own. Despite it being immediately out of the pan and the syrup near boiling, he popped pieces in his mouth. He kept his eyes off the dress, but wanted to marvel. Humans were so... pretty. Fragile and so ever-changing. He didn't have any pretty clothes like that, his own were rough and old. His hair was still matted stuck on old braids, but he'd attempted to tame it with his fingers when he'd woken up. Long nails more looked claws, picking apart his food, and his teeth further outed his nature; they were all sharp and pointed. He licked syrup off his hand and his tongue was slightly too long. His emerald eyes only had a thin slice of a pupil. @vavavicodin

Elora sat down at the table as he presented her with the meal that he had created. The bread was still steaming due to the heat, and her stomach growled once more in hunger. She felt her mouth start watering, and she reached for the bread. She gasped at the heat, but for some reason, it didn't seem to burn her too badly! She placed the bread in her mouth and her eyes widened. "It's delicious!" She exclaimed. The way the fruit melted on her tongue, the syrup coating her mouth like a dessert. It was such a unique flavor, that she finished the piece quickly. She blushed a little at the voraciousness of her eating. "It's really good. Thank you for cooking breakfast." Sitting here with him, she couldn't help but really and truly examine him. Her eyes roamed over his matted hair, the sharp claws that had made such a delicate dish. His eyes had snake like pupils, thin slits that barely seemed to appear. He was hauntingly beautiful, if that made sense. He was frightening when you first observed him, but, if you looked deeper than his outward appearance, he was actually... very handsome. Elorna felt conflicted. She feared the Fae. She was terrified of them. But, Heath had saved her life. He had cooked her breakfast! How...How could she be afraid of him? "Are your wounds okay?" She asked, trying to think of something to say so that she didn't just stare at him. @Snow-Frost Vox