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Archive 6 / the-underground
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VaVaVicodin 27-Nov-21 07:21 AM
@Stellar
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A small hamlet, several miles from the Kingdom of Weiss is where this story begins. Rolling, fluffy white clouds over the rotund hillsides, grassy meadows, and mossy woodlands, there laid within, the Hamlet of Aldernell. Scarcely populated, privately funded by the noble houses of Weiss as a source of respite for the wary, so long as they had the coin to afford such luxuries. Freshly cobbled streets, warm, and inviting inns. Private properties, and a well constructed tavern. It was certainly no village, but it was no less elegant in any regard. One Emma Vallengaurd could be found within the 'Wayfarer's Inn'. A heavy burden on her shoulders, a coinpurse that grew lighter each passing day, and growing suspicion amongst her peers of who she might be. The innkeeper, a lowborn looking man of a bald head, and a full, scraggly brown beard would take her payment for the following night's rent. "We don't see many newcomers 'ere.." He would say, taking a glimpse at her coinpurse while he stowed away her payment. "And you don't look the sort who's here on official business matters, either."
15:43
@wafflemaker
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Emma stared at the keeper for a moment, bothered by his questions, but also asking the same questions to herself. She had been sent away with a purse of 500 coins, and the room costed 50 per night. She knew she had to have already spent seven days worth, and that wasn’t including food. She really didn’t have a plan. Emma’s face grew a little red at the thought of running out of money. Then she scoffs: “And what makes you think you get to question me?” and then rolling her eyes and replacing her ever lighter purse. (edited)
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"Ye got the fire of a richblood, that's fer sure. But no one knows you around here, lass. Don't see no personal guard either. Couple that with the fact that yer stayin' in my inn, and I s'pose it gives me all the right in the world." He spoke as if threatening Emma, though, his voice was calm as ever, expression blank as canvas. "Either way, don't matter to me none." He shrugged. "Happy to have ye, really. While the coins in that purse of yers last." He would turn away from the counter, taking a rag and wiping down one of the polished wooden tables.
21:07
@wafflemaker
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Emma had to much pride to walk away from something like this. She let out a sarcastic groan and continued: “…never seen someone so unhappy to do business.” Emma glanced around the room for a second before deciding to entertain the keeper’s questions. “What’s so bad about me traveling around anyways? Not everyone needs a destination you know…” Emma raised an eyebrow and lifted an arm, the sleeve of her red dress fluttering in the air.
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The Innkeeper would turn, giving her an odd, shifty looking eye, before leaning on the countertop, lowering his voice. "Let me let you in on a little secret, love. You know what else goes travelin' about towns, no proper story on where they been, and where they goin'? Demons. Witches. Warlocks, and others of the occult persuasion. And you're looking mighhtyy suspicious. Richblood with no guard. No name, and apparently now, no business." A silver necklace would fall loose from the crook of his shirt, easily recognizable as a paladin's pendant, even if the specific order he came from was unclear. (edited)
21:25
@wafflemaker
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Emma’s eyes go a little wide. “Me? A witch? Do I look like a witch?” Emma stepped back and gestured at herself, looking annoyed. Emma rolls her eyes again. “Fine! I’m just away from my family- is it really that big of a deal? What makes you so sure I’m a ‘richblood’ anyways? Just because I bathe-unlike the lots of you-doesn’t mean I’m a witch!” Emma huffs and half stomps, her tall brown boot making a muffled thud against the counter.
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"Witch, no. Not even sure ye'd be a capable warlock either. Demon, maybe. Ye got the attitude of a temptress who ain't gettin' her way. Then again, ye haven't put anyone under yer spell. No I reckon perhaps yer just a brat. A mighty good one at that. Scuff my counter and yer gonna be payin' for the polish." His eyes flickered down towards where her boot thudded against the counter, then back up to her.
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Emma sighs and puts on a disappointed expression. “Nope. Not a demon either. Though sometimes I feel it would be better.” Emma looks to the side and places her hands at her sides, brushing them against her black tights. “So are you content with my existence now?” Emma asks, still looking to the side and glancing around the room. She couldn’t help but intentionally brush her foot against the base of the counter a few more times.
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The innkeeper removed his palms from the counter, folding them underneath his broad chest as they continued conversing. "I don't have to banish ye back to the hellscape in which ye came. So. Can consider me peachy. Wouldn't go 'round assuming I speak for everyone, though, aye?" The Inn was rather empty. Winter was nearly upon them. The air getting colder, and windier. Emma likely knew that it was an off-season for nobles to be occupying a seasonal hamlet at this time of year. Though it was not impossible. Afterall, there were those who maintained it, and she was hardly the first noble-looking person there. A few passing patrons exited the inn, the doors swinging open, as the briefest of confrontations could be heard outside. "What do you mean empty my ba--" "Do as you are instructed, halfbreed!" (edited)
21:57
@wafflemaker
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Years of sibling rivalry and family drama had taught Emma two things. The first was the ability to overhear everything. Without moving her head, Emma listened for more. Sounded like somebody was getting into trouble. “Thanks…” mumbled Emma to the keeper, before swiftly turning around and walking towards the door. The second thing she had learned, was that whenever one of her older sisters was getting in trouble, she just had to be there to watch. Emma pushed the door open and took a step outside into the gravel street. She looked to the right and faced the confrontation.
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wafflemaker 27-Nov-21 10:06 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 27-Nov-21 10:19 PM
Standing before two guards stood a half-elven woman. Her appearance certainly sticking out like a sore thumb, now that her hood was removed before the guards. Of tan complexion, crimson tattoos of thorns running along ger shoulders, arms, and parts of her chest. Short pointed ears, and piercing, lush green eyes. She was not only a half elf.. She was of the rumored Ro'kari. The ancient wood elven tribe, fabled to have disappeared into their mysterious wildlands long ago, sealing themselves from the rest of the world. To the knowing eye, that was. Around here, well.. "I said turn over the bag, and empty its contents!" One of the guards commanded, before promptly striking her exposed gut with the shaft of his spear. The fiery, red-headed halfbreed crumpled to her knees, her face was bruised already, likely prior to the action Emma had just tuned into. Defeated, averting eye contact, she turned over the bag, as bundles of plants would fall onto the cobbled streets. "Ahaha! You see that, Gimly?" The other guard nudged his spear-holding comrade. "Halfbreed fancies herself some sort of gardener! Aye! Right.. Get these daffodils off these streets. Take yourself with 'em while you're at it, aye?" And with that, the two man patrol moved on, leaving Ros'elyn on her knees, picking up her plant bundles, and pulling her hood overhead once more.
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@wafflemaker
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Ros'elyn
Standing before two guards stood a half-elven woman. Her appearance certainly sticking out like a sore thumb, now that her hood was removed before the guards. Of tan complexion, crimson tattoos of thorns running along ger shoulders, arms, and parts of her chest. Short pointed ears, and piercing, lush green eyes. She was not only a half elf.. She was of the rumored Ro'kari. The ancient wood elven tribe, fabled to have disappeared into their mysterious wildlands long ago, sealing themselves from the rest of the world. To the knowing eye, that was. Around here, well.. "I said turn over the bag, and empty its contents!" One of the guards commanded, before promptly striking her exposed gut with the shaft of his spear. The fiery, red-headed halfbreed crumpled to her knees, her face was bruised already, likely prior to the action Emma had just tuned into. Defeated, averting eye contact, she turned over the bag, as bundles of plants would fall onto the cobbled streets. "Ahaha! You see that, Gimly?" The other guard nudged his spear-holding comrade. "Halfbreed fancies herself some sort of gardener! Aye! Right.. Get these daffodils off these streets. Take yourself with 'em while you're at it, aye?" And with that, the two man patrol moved on, leaving Ros'elyn on her knees, picking up her plant bundles, and pulling her hood overhead once more.
(Running along her shoulders*)
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Emma had stood practically frozen during the whole encounter. Her mouth hung slightly open as she watched the guards beat the mysterious woman. After they walked away, and while the woman picked up her items, Emma found her eyes tracing the tattoos on her body. ”How could anyone ruin their skin like that?” Emma thought to herself. Nevertheless, she was intrigued by the intricate shapes and designs. She thought the woman looked similar to something her history tutor had described long ago, but she barely listened to him anyways, so she couldn’t put her finger on it. Emma glanced over the plants that the woman was picking up, too, wondering why they were so important to her. Emma had been staring for a good while now, but hadn’t noticed it herself yet.
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Ros'elyn BOT 27-Nov-21 10:36 PM
Ros'elyn had quite a few different bundles. And indeed, some of them were flowers. While others looked moreso like.. Weeds, if anything. Her collection of plants were strange, yet unassuming. Was she truly out in city streets peddling wildflowers for her next mouthful of food to scrape by? Or perhaps there was something that the guards were not seeing. Either way, Emma was not left to wonder for long, before Ros'elyn's verdant green irises shot up from beneath her hood, a mutual scowl etched across painted lips. Directed at Emma. "What are you looking at, paleskin?"
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@wafflemaker
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Emma snapped out of her stare and her eyes darted up to the woman’s face, an expression of concern washing over her. “I-I-I don’t know-“ she stammered nervously, taking a step back, gravel crunching under her boots. Emma raised an arm halfway and pointed at the woman. “You people… are never up to anything good yaknow…” Emma’s eyebrows dropped and her expression changed to an embarrassed one. Her gaze moved from the woman to the skin of her own raised hand. “And… it’s not pale… I just chose not to ruin it…” Emma drops her pointing arm to her side and tilts her head to the side, looking over the mysterious woman now that she can see her face.
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wafflemaker 28-Nov-21 05:37 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 05:45 AM
"That's right. We are awful. Tie you up, drag you off into the woods, and roast you over a spit with a shiny red apple in your mouth. Tch." Ros'elyn slung her bag over her backside. It was evident her voice was oozing with sarcasm, but she didn't seem intent on arguing her existence with Emma. "I'm leaving anyways. To eat out of a trash disposal, or whatever it is you cretin think I do."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma exhaled sharply and pushed her hair over her shoulders. “Don’t say that! It’s not like I really- I mean the guards were onto something right?” Emma moved towards the woman, taking the quick short steps a noblewoman was trained to take. “Why were they after you? What are you doing anyways? Do you really make a living selling weeds?” Emma inquired, rapid fire and not leaving time for an answer. “Im sure you would fit right in with the trash disposal but I pray you aren’t serious. And don’t call me cretin when you look like a pen pad.” Emma opened her mouth to continue, but she felt faint, so she froze instead. She hadn’t eaten in a day to save costs.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 06:14 AM
Ros'elyn was readying herself to carry on, though, to her surprise, the woman had approached her instead. Asking all sorts of questions, insulting her. Insinuating she deserved it. Ros'elyn froze in her step, one brow aloft at Emma, whilst her eye twitched for a moment. "So you insinuate it is normal for a guard to stop a normal passerby to randomly have them empty their belongings on the street? Do you hear yourself?" She exhaled a deep, exhausted sigh, before fiery anger could be seen flashing in her eyes. Seems a hot iron had been struck. "This is the exact issue with you creatures. Raised from the ground up to be posh, indifferent piles of golden-lined trash. Groomed to believe that someone like myself, with absolutely no control over their own heritage is only destined to be a thorn in your side." Her gaze grew cold. "And not a single one of you thinks that perhaps the reason they so often fit that stereotype is because you give them no other choice."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma’s face got a little red and she stopped, looking to the ground, and playing with a stone with her right boot. “I’m… I’m sure they’re being unreasonable… They’re all like that. They think they are bigger than they are. But nobody likes outsiders.” Emma thinks of the innkeeper to herself. Speaking cautiously Emma continues: “You never know… I mean… you could have contraband or… something… but… well never-mind.” Emma sheepishly looked up and finished off: “…we all have our problems.” Snapping out of her pout, Emma tried to put on a tough face. She looked at the woman and walked forwards. "But don’t insult me. I won’t tolerate it. Who are you- anyways?” Emma tried to intimidate, but it was less effective than she thought when she realized the woman was slightly taller than her.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 06:45 AM
And indeed, Ros'elyn would look down to her, their difference in height was not sizeable, but Ros'elyn was certainly no fledgling pup by any means, either. Taut, toned musculature. A tight abdominal core. She was no stranger to athleticism. Nor did she seem intimidated in the slightest, putting her hands on her hips. "Are you going to hit me, ru'velle..?" The last word was likely in a tongue that Emma did not understand. It rolled off the tongue buttery smooth, yet Ros'elyn held her gaze as though she had just insulted Emma. The streets around them were empty. All of its patrons sheltering from the chill breeze sweeping through the town. Ros'elyn's fiery red tresses being blown about, this way and that, from underneath her hood.
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@wafflemaker
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Emma seemed flustered for a second, but her ego won over and she committed to the act. “What. Did you just call me?” She says with a sneering tone. “You’re lucky I don’t know what a- Revall- or whatever is.” Emma spoke quickly, in the same tone which she would argue with one of her sisters in. “Of course you’re getting searched in the street! You just can’t keep to yourself!” Emma took a quick step forwards, her hair leaping off of her shoulders for a second, and planted a shove, that turned out to be fairly weak, into the woman’s shoulder.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 10:13 AM
Ros'elyn's stomach clenched, and the weak shove was enough to make her take one step back, maybe half a step, realistically speaking. She laughed bitterly, completely unaffected by her attempts to intimidate her. "And what are you doing right now? I don't recall requesting the presence of some posh, paleskinned wretch. Who invited you to spectate? I certainly didn't. In fact, I thought rats traveled in packs. Where are your packmates, fragile one?" She laid questions one after the other, before closing the gap between them in a single stride, her looming gaze like a viper, primed to strike. Crimson lips curled into a venomous smile. "The patrol is gone, and I see no one in sight who will protect you from what I shall do next.. Should you touch me again."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma’s eyes went wide in offense. Defensively Emma stammered back: “Not another- y- you don’t get to call someone like me a rat. And I’m… I’m not fragile either!” Emma leaned backwards when the woman approached, recoiling her neck backwards. It bounced against the building. She didn’t like how close the woman was standing. Emma tried to be strong back, but her voice was now trembling with uncertainty, and her eyes darted from side to side looking for the easiest way out. “W-what-are you going t-to throw a flower at me? I’d- I would like to see you try… or…” Emma’s voice trailed off into a mumble. She swallowed and did not move.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 04:55 PM
Just as Emma's head touched the building, one arm moved next to her against the stone wall, and then the other, closing her in, locked with Ros'elyn. Her piercing green eyes did not relent, and she could see a sharp white fang poke from her upper lip as it curled. "You know.." Her voice hushed, keeping the same threatening tone as it had prior. "If you are going to wear a brazen face, and act like a brazen body.. You should wear a brazen tone to match." Her eyrs narrowed. "Spit it out. Or what, stutterfly?"
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@wafflemaker
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Emma nervously shuffled her feet, looking for a space to move, but finding none. She glanced at the rigid arm locked in place a few inches to the left of her face. Trying to muster a confident voice, but ending up sounding more feeble than before, Emma rebutted: “…or I’ll… I’ll… hurt… you…” You could almost see her confidence in her own words fade away as she spoke. She didn’t bother to say anything else. Emma squirmed a hand up between them and placed it on the woman’s left bicep, wincing as she did so. Emma then started slowly pushing back.
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wafflemaker 28-Nov-21 05:36 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 05:39 PM
Ros'elyn slowly removed herself from the woman, not because of the push, but by choice, adjusting the straps to her bag, and once more readying to move on as she had before. "Sure you would. If you don't piss yourself first." And with that, she started walking. Through the hamlet, in the direction of Weiss. The kingdom's capital city.
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@wafflemaker
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Emma let out a sigh. She was relieved, but also couldn’t just walk away. Something about this woman held her interest and curiosity, so she pushed herself off the wall and started after her. “So… you’re just gonna leave like that? Who are you anyways?” Emma caught up and started walking alongside her. “And what did you even come to this hamlet for?” Emma stared at the woman beside her as she walked.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 08:14 PM
And so, the two started walking. "You sure do ask a lot of questions that you have no leverage to receive answers to." The safety of the hamlet, however little it may have been was coming to a close, the two exiting through one of its small stone entryways on the other side, en route towards the city of Weiss. Quite a hike, certainly. As it would take at least one hour to get there on foot. "Why should I tell you? And why would you care, anyways?"
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@wafflemaker
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Emma looked a little embarrassed at the comment and turned away. Pouting, she responds: “And you sure seem like a conversationalist.” Emma looked up, tracking the gate with her head as she passed under it. “I guess you don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to.” Emma thought for a bit, stumbled over a tree root for a few seconds, and then resumed. “I guess I just want to know how you get by. Without anyones help. Yanno?” Emma looked back up at her expectantly.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 08:31 PM
Ros'elyn tried to keep up her guard, but, considering just how much Emma's tone had softened, and how she had all but disarmed herself, metaphorically speaking, she sighed. Her expression, while shrouded beneath her hood had softened, and her tone was softer than before. More conversational. "I get by fine.." She let the words linger for a moment or two, leaving her initial response to be vague, and uninformative. "You're on your own too, I take it.." She glanced over towards Emma, begrudgingly.
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At first Emma was relieved that Ros’elyn seemed less aggressive. That quickly turned to embarrassment when she asked her if she was alone. Nobody had really put it into words for Emma before. “I wouldn’t say that…” her face growing slightly red again. Emma looked at the ground and sheepishly added: “I mean sort of… In a way…” Emma walked in awkward silence for what felt like an hour to her, but was really only a few seconds. Emma broke the silence. “Where are you going, anyways?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 08:50 PM
The road was long, and the treeline only got thicker as they drew further and further from the hamlet. The path growing increasingly worn, until they were treading on paved dirt. The occasional fences began to appear broken and in disrepair, as the trees were thick and heavy on either side of the path to Weiss. "Don't really think you would be following a random stranger you had just met unless the circumstances called for it." She shot another glance towards Emma. "..I'm going to Weiss."
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@wafflemaker
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”Just waiting until nobody is around to hear you scream.” Emma looked up, worried that the sarcasm wouldn’t be received. She forced a laugh just to be sure. Emma looked down at her feet. Her tall brown boots were stomping in the dirt. They were nice, she thought to herself. Quality shoemaking from Nemia. Emma looked back up and scanned the tree line. It was even deeper than it had been a few minutes ago. It was then that the concerning thought that she probably couldn’t find her way back dawned on her. Her face shifted to a frown. “So… redhead… or whatever you want me to call you… where exactly is Weiss from here?” (edited)
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 09:05 PM
"Not really many stops on the way, unless you like being held at knife point in some bandit's camp. All of Weiss' agriculture and trade economy exist behind its walls. Making the idea of neighboring villages redundant. You could likely traverse Weiss over the course of several days, visiting all of its many districts." Ros'elyn glanced towards the trees after mentioning bandits, a subtle reminder to herself that just because she had company, did not invite her to become careless.
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wafflemaker 28-Nov-21 09:12 PM
Emma looked up at the word ‘bandit.’ “Great. So there’s bandits here too now? How much further is it from here?” Emma now also glanced into the trees, following her gaze. Emma contained a conflict of two emotions. A growing sense of dread her made her stomach drop. She was practically lost on her own, and was supposedly surrounded by criminals. However, her ego told her that the only option was forwards, bandits be damned.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 09:17 PM
"I would say another forty-five minutes or so. At this pace, anyways." The forest was filled with all sorts of noises. Birds calling, bugs buzzing, twigs snapping. It was truly hard to wonder what exactly may gave been out there. "I am Ros'elyn, by the way. Or Ross. If you'd like."
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(May have been*)
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Emma frowned a little more at the time estimate. “Well that’s… I guess it could be worse…” Emma silently lengthened her stride, moving faster than before, and hoping not to be dead weight. “Okay. Ross. I’m Emma- by the way too.” Emma adjusted the sleeves and hem of her dress. “Well at least it can’t be that-“ A bush snagged on her leggings, pulling a tiny thread lose. Emma silently cursed herself and moved into the center of the path, behind instead of beside Ros’elyn. She resumed: “At least it can’t be that bad if you were making it by yourself. Right?” Emma stared into Ros’elyn’s back.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 09:32 PM
"The guard patrol was headed this way. I do not simply choose whichever time I like to travel to and from. Unfriendly as the guard may be, they will not kill me. Nor are they nearly as smart as they ought to be." He gaze stared ahead. It seemed an awful lot like she was insinuating something. Did the guards fail to realize something, perchance?
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Tupperbox BOT 28-Nov-21 09:32 PM
@Stellar: That proxy was sent by @Stellar (tag: Stellar#5459 - id: 212459098086572033). (also I am unable to DM you!)
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Emma, not understanding shook her head. “I don’t really understand. We’re following the guards, sure, but why?” After thinking for a moment she asked: “Are you using them to clear the way?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 09:40 PM
"That's right. The bandits study the guards schedules so that they know of the most opportune time to strike out at the unexpecting. Since we are not far behind them, we are more likely to be safe. That, and it is the light of day. Many prefer to strike at night." Ross continued to walk. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her brown leather leggings,
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Emma seemed fairly satisfied with that answer. She relaxed a little. “I guess it shouldn’t be an issue then. Right?” Emma had been attentive to every sound or glimmer in the trees, but now that she had calmed down she spent most of her time gazing at Ros’elyn’s back, walking on autopilot.
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Ros'elyn BOT 28-Nov-21 09:50 PM
The road grew silent for awhile, assuming Emma had nothing else to say. Shaving off another twenty or so minutes from their adventure, they would see a stone bridge up ahead of them. It was small, the cobbles long since covered in moss, as it served as the way over to the other side of the creek. Across the bridge was the rather large stump of a tree. Its log sat at the base of the tree. Fallen, covered in fungal growths, and moss deposits.
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Emma noticed the bridge, dryly commenting “looks promising…” Emma was used to not eating a lot, but having eaten nothing all day, her stomach was speaking to her. “Ross? I’m starving. Are we getting closer? Past halfway yet?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 06:28 AM
"We are only fifteen minutes out, haven't you eat--.." As the two were amidst crossing the bridge, Ross stopped, putting a hand to her side to prevent Emma from moving past as well. The forest was quiet. No birds. No twigs snapping. Only the bugs absentmindedly flying to and from. From behind the tree at the other end of the bridge, a woman's voice could be heard calling out. "Is that you, Rossy? I was starting to think you would not be traveling today." The voice, while feminine, was rough and dry, like gravel. A hoarse laughter came from behind the tree as the figure stepped out in front of them. A red cropped overcoat, white undershirt and corset. Black leather leggings, and brown boots. The hilts of two daggers could be seen at her hips. All the while she was flipping some sort of potion within her main hand. She looked towards Emma. "Who's that? Your new master, I presume?" "Go fuck yourself, Adelyn." Ross snarled.
06:28
@wafflemaker
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Emma wasn’t really paying attention, so she stumbled into Ross’s hand. She took a quick breath and looked up at Ross, and then ahead just in time to see the mysterious figure step into view. Emma didn’t know what to do, but the way Ros’elyn stopped her made her assume the woman wasn’t exactly friendly. Emma looked over to Ros’elyn when the woman called out to her. Emma was trying to figure out what to do. When Ross responded, Emma’s face shifted a little at the vulgarity and she looked back to Adelyn, her eyes following the potion in her hand. Without turning, Emma murmurs to Ross: ”And who would that be? Ross?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 07:47 AM
Ros'elyn kept her eyes forward, as Emma had spoken to her. Her voice was hushed, so that only Emma could hear. "Ringleader of the Bloodcoat Bandits. Don't do anything stupid.. Or say anything stupid." She shot Emma a glance, not threatening, but.. Serious, if not concerned. She looked back towards Adelyn. "What is it you want, anyways? Am I your new muse?" Ros'elyn teased. To Emma, it may have seemed odd, telling her to not say anything stupid, only to turn and say something.. Well.. Stupid. However, Adelyn laughed. Genuinely, and heartily, her voice cracking, as though it were in a state of constant strain. "So what if I am, mm? You wouldn't need to travel so cautiously if you made it easier on yourself.. Joined up with me and mine." Adelyn folded one arm under her bust, as the other continued twirling about the mysterious flask. "You know what I want, Ross."
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Emma scrunched her face up when Ross teased. She was confused. Speaking quietly to Ross again she asked “Are the Bloodcoats… a problem?” “Do you know her or something? What does she want from you? Ross…?” Emma didn’t like being told what to do, and even more so being disallowed to respond to a taunt. She wanted to say something, slightly opening her mouth, but resisting the urge and remaining silent. Emma’s eyes glanced over Adelyn, back and forth from the daggers to the flask. She nervously placed her hands at her side, pressing them against her legs. She thought about what Adelyn could possibly want from Ross. All she seemed to have were… plants…
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 08:21 AM
Ros'elyn seemed to offer no reply to Emma, moving the bag from her back, and setting it on the ground whilst she started searching through its contents. Adelyn leaned against the stump of the tree, a wide smile crossing her lips while she waited patiently. Assuming Emma was curious to see what exactly Ross was up to, she could see Ross drawing the string on one of her bundles of weeds, brushing them aside on the ground. After a few swipes, there was a small leatherbound case. Black, marked with some mysterious insignia. And inside were rolled smokes. Traditional tobacco was not illegal, so.. What was different about these? Namely, rather than paper, they were wrapped in some sort of leaf. The leaves themselves were of a deep reddish-brown color. The case was filled with them. They were small, only slightly larger than a matchstick. Ros'elyn took a small handful of the smokes, about twenty of the forty-eight in total, standing, and starting to bring them towards Adelyn. As she did so, Emma was free to take a closer look, if she wanted to be nosey. "Ahhh, you do love me, Ross. I knew it. At the bottom of my heart." Adelyn spoke, opening her arms as Ross made her approach, and giving her a tight hug. Ross was stiff within her embrace. "Just take the smokes and leave us alone. Please."
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Emma stood nervously, getting ever more confused as to the dynamic of the situation. Her eyes were a little wide, and she was starting to feel cold in the breeze. Emma peered over as Ross walked back her. ”I knew there was something up with her…” Emma thought to herself. Getting a good look at the rolls, Emma assumed there must be something special about them. Why else would Adelyn care enough? She didn’t like the idea of just- giving in. And she couldn’t wrap her head around why Ross, who was so immovable earlier, wasn’t putting up a fight. There were two of them, and one of her after all. Emma raised her eyebrows as they hugged. This didn’t sit right with her. Finally, Emma spoke. She didn’t walk, but cautiously called out to the both of them: “Ross you can’t just… let her steal them… can you?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 09:06 AM
Ros'elyn looked over her shoulder as Emma had called out to her, Adelyn lofting a brow as she did so. "Ohh~? Ross? Are you unhappy with our arrangement?" Adelyn looked back to Ross, her free hand now resting at her hip, dangerously close to one of her two daggers. "Leave it, Emma.." Ross replied, starting to make her way back to her belongings. Naturally she was not about to make a fuss of it within striking distance of Adelyn, such would likely have been suicide. All the while, the smug bandit continued twirling her potion, pocket full of these mysterious smokes. She could have left by now, having gotten what she wanted, but she did not. She stood there. Intent on forcing the two to pass her by. Her gaze was particularly focused on Emma, as if begging her to escalate the situation.
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Emma stared back at Adelyn. She hated the way she was smiling and twirling the potions. Speaking to Ross, she mumbled: “Whatever. You can give in if you want.” Emma stood still, at stared back at Adelyn. She squinted. “You’re happy now? Or are you just going to stare? I’m know I’m nice to look at… but…” Emma’s tone shifted to one of uncertainty.
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 09:45 AM
Ros'elyn went about tucking her smokes back into the bundle and re-drawing the string, putting them in her bag as they continued onwards, just in time for Emma to pipe up about giving in. She was too embarrassed to meet her gaze or even acknowledge what she had said. The two of them began walking past, as Emma spoke directly to Adelyn. "Ah, well.. Now that you mention it." She pivoted, as Ross froze, and her body grew tense. "Emma.." She started-- but it was too late. "Since you are new around here, I suppose I should acquaint you with the rules of the road too. See-- I am the tollmaster. You, are the traveler. You pay me in toll, and I promise your guts stay where they belong. Rossy paid her toll, but.." She pursed her lips, the twirling of her flask had stopped. "Well, you haven't given me anything, other than a piss-poor attitude."
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Emma looked a little disappointed while Ross packed up. “Well I’ve… never heard of you before…” Emma responded, in an excusing tone. Emma only had about one-hundred coins in the purse at her waist, and losing it would mean she had nothing. “You already got enough from us. I’m not giving in to your greed. I’ve got practically nothing anyways.” Emma claimed to have nothing, but her gold earrings and necklace, along with her tailored clothing would imply otherwise, although her purse was nearly empty. Emma started trying to move forwards again, hoping to be left alone.
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 11:08 AM
Adelyn chuckled, before her demeanor quickly shifted, and she drew one dagger in one hand. As Emma moved past her, Adelyn moved upon her, looking to wrap her flask holding arm around her neck, with her dagger holding arm pointing the blade directly at her gut. Her voice grew quiet, her lips pressed right against the side of her ear. "Shhh, sh sh love.." She hushed, the pointed end of the dagger poking right against Emma's side. One good thrust could put her into a world of trouble. Her grip, both around her neck, and around her dagger were tight and snug. "Now.." She started. "I know that Rossy here paid me a generous sum of her product. All of that hard work she put in, harvesting her crop, grinding it up.. Wrapping it. It takes time. Time that she invested. Not you." The tip of the dagger drew up and down her side, the sharp blade scratching the surface of her clothing as she continued to speak. "Now tell me, what kind of person freeloads off of the labor of others without a second thought..? Mm?" Adelyn's teeth poked from her lips, as they gently bit against one of her shiny golden earrings. Ros'elyn faced the pair of them, she started to lift a hand to intervene, but.. She was still. Silent, even. She looked upon Emma with worry.
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Emma froze. She looked down at the arm around her neck. She started to lift her hands, but stopped halfway when she felt the dagger brush against her. Her dress tugged on her shoulders as the knife caught against it. She swallowed. Emma stood tall and sucked her chest in, trying to make space from the blade. She was standing perfectly still in an awkward pose now, her hands still hovering halfway up to her neck. She was afraid to move, and the color was draining from her face. Only moving her mouth, and practically whispering: “I’m not- leeching- I just- don’t have anything to give you-“ Emma let out a sharp exhale and winced when she felt Adelyn bite. Even quieter now, she whimpered: “I really- I didn’t know-“
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wafflemaker 29-Nov-21 11:24 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 11:31 AM
"Ahh tut, tut, tut.." She interrupted Emma before she could continue any further. "You know, beautiful.. Y'reaaally shouldn't try to lie about what you do and do not have when you've got gold dangling from your ears and neck. Now should you..?" Her hoarse voice hummed. "And you haven't really answered my question, either.." She whispered, the dagger poking against her skin, threatening to cut her if even just a hair of pressure was added further. Her voice piped up once more. " What kind of person freeloads off of the labor of other people..? It was not a trick question. There is an answer."
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”Jewelry doesn’t count. I barely have anything else!” Emma thought to herself, slightly annoyed. The words were getting to her, but of course Emma wasn’t going to press it. The tip of the dagger provided a tickling sensation. It felt like someone was pushing a needle into her side. Now practically begging, Emma answered for a second time: “I’m sorry- I didn’t know- this was how it worked…” Emma gulped. “A bad person would freeload… But I’m not freeloading…” By the time Emma was done talking her voice barely rose above the sound of the breeze.
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 11:51 AM
Adelyn smiled. "Nah.. Though that was a good guess. I am a bad person. And what I do isn't freeloading. It is highway robbery. Which is different, and.. Not all too related to what we're talking about now." Adelyn's arm tightened around her neck, starting to squeeze. Enough to make it difficult to breathe, but not enough to choke her outright. "You see there's not much I hate in this world. But I could thank you for adding to that list today. She grit her teeth together. "A rich, spoiled, wretch like you, thinking you can lie to a liar. Pretend to walk around, as if you know how hard it is for people like Ross and I.. When you probably 'aven't even struggled a day in your comfortable little life" Ros'elyn finally snapped. "Adelyn! Enough! If you want double the toll then fine! Just take it from me. But leave her alo--" "Shut up, Ros'elyn." Adelyn snapped her gaze to the halfling. "It boggles my mind you would even waste a breath in defense of this noble coward. You paid your due. Get lost, 'fore it's your guts in the dirt, too."
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Emma let out a sharp and quick whimper when she felt the pressure grow around her neck. She wanted to struggle, but the dagger kept her still. “D-d-don’t do that- I… I can give you-“ Emma went silent for a second as she carefully maneuvered her right arm to her purse, trying to get it off of her belt. Emma let out a rasp cough. As she fidgeted with her purse she resumed quietly but desperately begging: “I’m sorry! I know life is hard for you but… I’ll do whatever just let me go!” Emma legs were involuntarily squirming, but Adelyn was practically lifting her up, so her boots only flung bits of dirt.
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 12:26 PM
Adelyn's tone only grew more vicious as Emma whimpered, and begged. "Aha! Aye, see? Now that the knife's come out and I see through her lie she wants to do everything I'd ever ask for, is that it?" Ros'elyn continued watching, though, if Emma was looking to her, her eyes seemed to glow a touch brighter, the breeze picked up, rustling the trees. And her body seemed to tense up once more. "No I think you had your chance, Emma-- was it? As much as I'd love to just take your coin. I suppose it just occurred to me you're worth more to me dead than you are alive." Her arm tightened around her neck, as the knife lifted, reeling back, readied to plunge. Her hush tone had all but dropped. "Welcome to the real world lass! Shame the day you got acquainted with it was the day it was your last!" Adelyn cried out, as her knife came bearing down. But, to Emma's surprise.. She was still in tact. Adelyn's voice was abruptly cut off, and Emma would find that she had been released from her grasp. Ros'elyn quickly grabbed Emma by the wrist, yanking her along and starting to run. Would Emma look back? "Hurry!"
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Emma gasped, finally able to breathe clearly again. She opened her eyes with relief when the dagger never arrived. Her body lurched as Adelyn’s grasp suddenly stopped. Emma was overcome with adrenaline. She felt like Ross was nearly going to rip her arm off. She collected herself from shock while being dragged forwards by Ross. Once Emma got her footing, she didn’t need any more convincing than ”Hurry!” She broke into a full sprint, clambering over shrubbery, and still being practically dragged by Ross. After a few seconds of dashing, Emma tried to take a look over her shoulder, but Ross’s grip jerked her forwards again, and she only caught the slightest glimpse.
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 06:57 PM
Peering backwards, Emma could see a long brown root protruding from the ground, wrapped tightly around Adelyn's neck. The root yanked. Hard. And the bandit fell to the ground, choking as the root continued pulling with crushing force against her neck.. Did.. Ross do that? With adrenaline coursing through the both of them, and the thick of the forest quickly receding as the two of them sprinted onwards, neither could say what became of the bloodcoat. Ros'elyn hadn't let her go the entire time they ran. Instinct, perhaps.
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After some minutes of silent running, Emma started to pull back on Ross. She was out of breath and sweating, and strand of her hair was stuck to the front of her face. Speaking in between breaths, Emma asked: “What the… hell was… that…” She pulled her arm away away from Ross and leaned forwards in exhaustion, placing her hands on her knees. Emma had never really been up close to anything ‘magic’ before. “She- Adelyn got- the root! Did you do that?” Emma stammered out, unsure of what she was even asking, but obsessed nonetheless.
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 08:05 PM
Ros'elyn stopped as Emma had pulled back from her, pausing as her hands went over her head, and her chest huffed, and puffed. The treeline was much clearer now. There was stone pathing beneath their feet, along with fences on either side of them. "I did.. I did.." She started, her breathing slowly starting to steady. "I did that.. She was about to stab you, you were going to get stabbed.. And I--.." She cut herself off once more, keeling over, breathing deeply.
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Emma stood back up and ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it all back over her shoulders. She took a second to breathe, looking at the sky. “You could’ve… done that earlier you know…” she said, starting to catch her breath but still sounding exasperated. Emma looked down and saw Ross keeling over. She frowned and felt that maybe this wasn’t the time for sarcasm. “I mean whatever- you still saved me. You didn’t tell me about any of that you know... Like that you could do that kind of stuff.” She walked over and planted her palm on Ross’s back. “Thanks for that. Come on, let’s keep moving.”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 08:21 PM
Ros'elyn finally caught her breath as Emma placed her palm upon her back. She stood upright once more, starting to walk. "I didn't tell you because it wasn't any of your business. It still isn't, really.. She would have just let us go had you kept quiet and shown a bit of humility. Suppose that was too much to ask for." She huffed, continuing down the path. "Don't think things are peachy from here on. If she survived, she won't just forget this happened. Even if she didn't.. It will come back to bite us. Sooner or later."
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Emma always carried her ego, but that didn’t mean that she never felt bad on the inside. “It just isn’t right. I mean she was alone… I thought we could take her. She wouldn’t have let me go anyways… Even if I didn’t do anything…” Emma sighed. “You tell me. Could she have gotten out? Are you telling me we’re on the bad side of the Bloodcoats over that?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 08:59 PM
"It's a root.." She grumbled. "If she didn't panic and figured out how to cut with that knife of hers, she could've gotten free. But even if she didn't, someone twice as hungry for blood would have stepped up to take her place. If we must travel from the city again, chances are we aren't getting a friendly chat the next time around." She trudged along. "Just because there were two of us and one of her doesn't make the blades any less dangerous. You know what that flask was, don't you..?" She glanced over her shoulder towards Emma.
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”Oh.” Was all Emma could muster. She wondered about what exactly Ros’elyn’s powers extended to, but since she didn’t seem very keen to talk about them she elected not press the issue. She looked up and over at Ros’elyn when she asked about the flask and shook her head. “Maybe I was too focused on the dagger being pushed into my side” she said, lifting a hand to gesture to the thin cut in the surface of her dress. She continued sarcastically: “But please enlighten me.”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 09:12 PM
"Lungtoad poison, you dunce." She stopped, turning towards Emma. "Did it occur to you for a moment that perhaps I knew what I was talking about the entire time? That perhaps there was a reason I was so compliant? It's because I would like my lungs to continue working. Would you? I don't suppose you've had the misfortune of watching one of your companions bleeding out onto the ground? Rasping for air because their lungs cease to function." She shook her head, turning back around to keep walking. "If you're going to follow me you could at least put a bit of faith in my abilities. Your omnipotent sarcasm doesn't seem to exactly be working wonders for you today."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma didn’t know what Lungtoad poison was, but based on a context she could take a guess. “I guess it’s a good thing she went for the dagger method instead then.” Emma tried to dodge the gravity of Ross’s comment. Emma adjusted her leggings and continuing walking, fixing her hair once more. “Well then the least you could do is be honest about those ’abilities’” she mumbled. “Whatever. Let’s just get out of here.” Emma was please to see growing signs of civilization along the road as they traveled.
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wafflemaker 29-Nov-21 09:23 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 09:28 PM
"You still don't get it. The blade was coated in the lungtoad toxin. What, you thought she would've made you drink it? One good plunge of that knife and you'd have been dead. A slow. Painful death. Choking on your own blood, unable to draw breath. Just to acquaint you with the stakes." Up ahead were large, tall stone walls, spanning for several miles. A large gate was open, with guards posted at its doors and along several windows carved out of the walls. The entrance to the city of Weiss, it seemed. "I'd start showing a bit more gratitude. Next time I might not use them at all.." She shot a glance over her shoulder, before looking ahead once more.
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”Sounds… not so good…” grumbled Emma. Her eyes lit up when she saw the walls. She was happy to finally be back in semi-security. When Ross glared back at her, Emma avoided eye contact and looked to the ground. “I am… grateful…” “So why are you- why are we even here, anyways?” “Does it have to do with that package of yours?”
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Ros'elyn BOT 29-Nov-21 09:46 PM
"I live here." She responded simply. They closed the distance between the forest and the city. The guards at the front gates gave Ros'elyn a shifty look, but said nothing. And as they passed through to the other side, they would be met with.. Fields. Of wheat. Barns. Chicken coops, all scattered among various properties. There was farmland behind the first wall, as they spotted a second similar wall further into the city's heart. As they continued walking, there was a street, with a small housing district for the peasants and farmers alike. Wagons, and stalls were set up outside these homes, with flowers, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and more. There were baked goods. Children running through the gaps in housing with kites, and oxen tugging along carriages. But Ross did not seem intent on stopping for any of its offerings. She was heading even further. Towards the inner city.
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@wafflemaker
21:52
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Not entirely sure whether Ross was being sarcastic about living there or not, Emma avoided saying anything at all about it. “It’s… bigger than I expected…” Emma strained her eyes trying to spot the end of the wall. “What are they even trying to keep out at this point anyways?” As the last bits of adrenaline wore off, Emma considered stopping for food, but Ross seemed to be on a mission. She dutifully followed behind while taking in the sights.
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Ros'elyn BOT 30-Nov-21 09:13 PM
"Anything and everything that attempts to siege the city. If they tried, they would have to get through three individual walls, all of which posted with guards, ballistae, catapults, crossbows.. You name it." Ros'elyn pushed through the crowds of farmers and children, as she was making her way directly for the second wall. "Beyond this is the outer city. And in the center is the inner city. Suppose you could take a wild guess on who lives where."
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Emma follow close behind, practically touching Ross as she tried to avoid bumping into the crowd. She didn’t like the apparent lack of respect for personal space the people exhibited. It only got worse as they got deeper inside. Through the occasional gap in the crowd, Emma could see the second gate. Like the first, she was amazed by the massive structure.
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Ros'elyn BOT 30-Nov-21 09:34 PM
Ross seemed to slip through the crowd like a ghost, expertly weaving through persons with minimal to no contact. She'd certainly done so a time or two. They were upon the second gate before too long. The crowd thinning as there were mostly wagons, carriages, and a handful of people passing through to the outer city. "Is there any set goal you have in mind, following me like this?"
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Emma frowned at the question. She didn’t really want to admit it out loud, but she didn’t have anywhere else to. She could barely afford another two nights at an inn, and was certainly afraid to venture into the wilderness again. All she could do was hope for some kind of breakthrough. She would do anything for an income to survive off of. Speaking a little shyly, trying to not be loud enough to be heard by the crowd, she finally answered: “I… actually I was hoping I could help you out maybe. You seem to know what you’re doing, even though you won’t tell me what. I’m kind of… in a desperate situation myself…” Emma looked down at her feet and followed silently.
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wafflemaker 30-Nov-21 09:48 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 01-Dec-21 05:33 AM
The two of them crossed into the outer city. Clusters of buildings shrouding the blue sky overhead. Rows of housing, winding streets leading in every which direction. Were it not for the signs directing the flow of passersby, navigating it could have been rather confusing. The jungle that was the outer city awaited them, but, as Emma spoke, Ross stopped, and turned. She lofted a brow at Emma. "So-- you.. Decided. After watching me get beaten and searched, that you wanted to help me? Even after we were robbed? And you likely have some idea of what I do?" She seemed to have a rising suspicion. "After all that, the reason you are still here is because you would like to help me."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma couldn’t help but gawk at the city. Even this outer section was bigger than almost anything she had seen before. She walked with her head to the sky, looking up at the rooftops. She thought to herself about how the center would be, if this was only the second section. Reluctantly she looked back down at Ross’s back and spoke in a serious but desperate tone. “I just… look. I don’t have anywhere else to go. Yes, I want to help you. Whatever you’re doing- I’m sure I could help somehow. I need a way to survive. I know how this sounds- but people might trust me more.” Emma tilted her head to the side, putting a desperate expression on her face, even though Ross wasn’t looking. “I’m sorry.” Emma Sade solemnly, looking at the ground.
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wafflemaker 01-Dec-21 09:29 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 01-Dec-21 09:54 PM
Ros'elyn let out a deep sigh, rolling her tongue in her mouth as she contemplated for a few moments. She gave Emma a once over, and after a few more moments of silent contemplation, she spoke. "You're definitely not going where I'm going wearing that, I hope you know. I don't know what sort of pampered living you're used to. In your.. Comfortable abode. And tea time at noon. We don't have that. And we don't dress like it either. If you're going to help me, you're going to sell that gold on you, and those clothes for something less extravagant. Otherwise? You'll find that Adelyn was only the beginning."
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@wafflemaker
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”You can’t be serious…” Emma looked down at herself, patting at her clothes with her hands. Deep down, she knew Ross was right. Plenty of people had already given her confused glares as she walked past. “…I mean… I guess you’re not that wrong.” Emma murmured. “But what do I even buy, anyways?” Emma’s eyes drifted down over Ross’s body. She hoped she wouldn’t have to look like her. A few moments later Emma’s eyes lit up. She pointed to a store as they walked past. “Ross!” she yelled, like a child. “How about in there?” Through the window some modestly made but still fashionable clothing could be seen. The type of stuff that a wealthy commoner would buy.
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wafflemaker 01-Dec-21 10:18 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 01-Dec-21 10:25 PM
Ros'elyn's gaze peered over towards the shop she had pointed at. Then looking back to Emma. "Love, where we're going, even that is too rich for their blood. I'm not asking for much. A plain shirt, no corset. I am not asking you to wear an empty corn sack over your chest. Plain shirt. Simple leggings with no embroidery. And a cloak. Mm? Think you will survive in that? I would very much like to not get my guts turned out. Once you can hold your own, where whatever you'd like. It'd no longer be my problem. But since I don't see you with any means to defend yourself aside from weakly nudging someone against the shoulder.. Maybe swallow your pride for once." Her tone was not harsh, even if the words may have stung. But she was only being genuine, and honest.
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@wafflemaker
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”I can fence, you know. Since I was 7.” Emma looked up at Ross with a half serious and half sarcastic face. Emma frowned and groaned, but she knew she really had no choice, and that Ross was right about the clothing. Eventually Emma ducked into a smaller shop. It was dimly lit and the floorboards creaked. ”Probably right up Ross’s alley” she thought to herself. Her leggings had to go, Ross said the gold embroidery gave it away. So did the dress, not practical and too finely made, according to Ross. Emma picked out a pair of dark brown leather leggings and a tough looking braided belt. She found a simple white shirt that fit her, and tucked it into her leggings. She kept her boots. They were nearly up to her knees to begin with. To top it all off, she found a simple black cloak with a thin hood. She approached the tailor, and he talked Emma senseless with bargaining trickery. She was sure that the thread in her dress alone was worth more than the entire store, but apparently the “damages” from Adelyn’s knife made it next to worthless. In the end of it all, Emma would’ve ended up paying for the new clothes had she not sold her jewelry. Emma got changed and handed over her clothes, reluctantly stripped her jewelry, and then left with just as few coins as she walked in with. Ross had insisted on waiting outside. Emma came out the door and was startled to see her standing just to the side. “Happy now?” was all she said, gesturing at herself, and unintentionally fluttering her cloak with her elbows. She looked over her shoulder and started to readjust it.
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wafflemaker 01-Dec-21 10:45 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 01-Dec-21 10:57 PM
Ros'elyn watched as she emerged from the small shop in her new attire. "Uh huh. Now when you tell people you have nothing valuable on your person, they might actually believe you." She went quiet for a minute or two, before turning at the heel and continuing on once more. "So. Where is it you think I'm going? And what is it you think I'm doing? Color me curious as to what thoughts might be running through that head of yours. If you'd like to assist me, we should become acquainted with how we think."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma tried to catch a glance of herself in every window they walked past. She couldn’t decide how she felt about her new look, but for the time being she decided it wasn’t too bad. However, she felt naked without jewelry, and hated that nobody would ever know she was noble-blood. She was touching the empty hole in her ear and staring into a shop window reflection when she walked into Ross’s back. “Oooo- sorry!” She said, stumbling for a moment. She spoke cautiously, afraid of the embarrassment of answering wrong: “Well… I saw your package. So I’m assuming you really aren’t as interested in plants as I thought you were, and well- but the root! And Adelyn! That was different… so I don’t really know…” “I’m beginning to think it might not be entirely legal…” Emma looked up at the back of Ross’s head expectantly.
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wafflemaker 01-Dec-21 11:09 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 05:04 AM
By the time Emma had bumped into Ross, she seemed to have stopped in front of one particular building anyways. It was a shoddy looking thing, the roof tiles well worn over what had likely been years. The walls tarnished and faded from an off-white to a yellowing cream. It was claimed by the street on both sides, wrapping around the building in such a way that it was in the middle of two forked paths on the finely laid brick streets. When Emma had bumped into her, she glanced over her shoulder, before pushing through the doorway and moving inside of the building. "You've got one thing right at least.." She folded her arms beneath her bust as she turned to finally face Emma now. "What I do is not legal.. Far from it. I do have an interest in plants. But these particular plants are outlawed by most known societies. The package contains my products. Smokes. I travel to my garden, cultivate for about a week, make my products, and return to the city to sell them. Do you understand now?"
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@wafflemaker
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Emma looked at the building, a little disappointed. She didn’t understand why this had to take place is the ugliest building on the street, at least in her eyes. She looked up at Ross and nodded, gulping as she did so. “You have a garden?” Emma asked. She could wrap her head around the rest, but Ross having a garden seemed a little unbelievable. Somehow, she was fairly sure it wasn’t in the back yard of her house.
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wafflemaker 02-Dec-21 05:10 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 05:20 AM
"Not in the way you might traditionally believe. Its layout is vague, so that the undiscerning eye cannot so easily detect it." The room was small, with cluttered furnishings scattered about the place. Candles were lit, along with a chandelier that swayed ominously to and fro. There were chairs, a table, and a couch all gathered around a wooden circle that was oddly more polished than the rest of the home. She wandered over towards the furniture, standing in the circle's center, perhaps going to sit..? But she did not, instead keeping her gaze on Emma, beckoning her to follow. "There are a lot of things you people seem to let slip under your noses. Undetected."
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@wafflemaker
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Emma decided not to press the issue on the garden. Her gaze wandered around the room, and also found its way to the center of the circle. “I’m not stupid.” She remarked, rolling her eyes. She hated when Ross said things like that. Just because she was born noble didn’t mean she was stupid. “So is this… your home?” she asked cautiously, starting to meander towards Ross. She whirled in a circle as she walked, taking in the room one more time.
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wafflemaker 02-Dec-21 05:26 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 05:29 AM
"Never said you were." She placed a foot upon the center table as Emma wandered towards her. "But there is an entire world that you don't know about. One that I am keen to show you. Today." The heel of her boot rested firmly against the table. "This is not my home. But I will allow you one more guess." She smirked, clearly knowing something that Emma didn't.
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@wafflemaker
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She stared at Ross’s foot for second. Its rude to stand on furniture she thought to herself. Stopping in front of her, Emma shrugged, scrunching her chin up. “Wouldn’t know. Although it makes you sound like more of a burglar than anything else.” Looking up at Ross, she sighed, holding her hands up in an exaggerated shrug.
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wafflemaker 02-Dec-21 05:39 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 06:12 AM
With a smile, her heel pushed against the table, shoving it as all the other furniture moved with it, outside of the circle. A deep rumbling could be heard beneath the building, churning. And in a moment's notice, the wooden circle began to move downwards. As an elevator platform. "Also no. But where we are going, you might be able to find a few that are." The platform moved deep underground, slowly. It was dark. Pitch black, even, before light crept through underneath the elevator and to Emma's surprise, she could see lights. Buildings! An entire society beneath the surface of Weiss! There were hooded figures walking. Various life forms which perhaps she hadn't even seen before. All the while the platform drifted lazily to its bottom. Were she looking at the ceiling of what appeared to be a rather large cave, she could see similar entrances scattered throughout. Different platforms. Different access points to this mysterious underbelly beneath the city of Weiss. "Welcome to the underground.."
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@wafflemaker
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As the elevator descended, a face of worry crossed over Emma. When the light finally broke the darkness, she froze. For a while she just stared into the distance at the far away walls. This was without a doubt the most incredible thing she had ever seen. Finally coming to rest at ground level, Emma faced Ross with a look of absolute shock. “All of this? Here? For how long?!” she exclaimed, spinning around and gesturing wildly about the cavern. “And them? These things- or whatever they are- actually exist inside the kingdom?” Her eyes darted from one odd life form to the next. She turned back to Ross and held her hands up. “How could I have no known about this?!”
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wafflemaker 02-Dec-21 10:39 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 07:52 PM
A smile lingered upon Ros'elyn's face as Emma observed the world around her. "Couldn't say, as I am not native to these parts. But it is rumored this city has existed in the shadows of Weiss since the kingdom's founding. A group shrouded in mystery. Some say they pull all of the strings in political happenings to this day. This city was their gift. And we are thought to be their children." She spoke with a sense of pride. She was no native, but it was easy to tell by her expression that she certainly felt at home here. Burly orcs, stubby goblins. Darkskinned elves, dwarves and many more-- the amount of races present could have been counted on four sets of hands more than likely. But they all had a certain sense of.. Belonging. It felt right that they were here. Perhaps doubly so to Emma, given her background. The entrance to the underground was occupied by all sorts of tents and market stalls. Peddling things from weaponized steel from dwarven forgesmiths, to tiny shanks made from various objects, sold by a few.. Interesting looking goblins. Some tents were draped over with curtains, with scantily clad women, and effeminate looking men standing outside of them. Pop up bars. Fighting circles. Warlocks, with their demons out in the open, making pacts with some shady looking characters. Ross took a deep breath. "Let's find Eva."
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@wafflemaker
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At first Emma couldn’t understand why Ross was smiling. It seemed scary and she felt insecure down here. Most shocking to her, however, was the coexistence of so many different races. The fact that half of them even existed was too much for her to handle. But as they started moving, she began to understand the brilliance of this diversity. She may be an outsider, but so was everyone else here. An exasperated “It’s… incredible…” was all she could muster. So many things that were taboo to talk about in her home were now standing in front of her in plain sight. She really couldn’t believe it. Her eyes drifted from person to person, and she couldn’t help but stare at some of the more interesting ones. Just as Ross mentioned Eva, her eyes drifted over a knife cart. “Eva? Another one of your ‘friends?’” she asked, looking over to Ross. “Hopefully this one doesn’t try to kill me.”
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wafflemaker 02-Dec-21 08:27 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 08:53 PM
"Eva? She's no bandit." Ros'elyn seemed perplexed by Emma's conclusion, but didn't linger on it. "And Adelyn is not my friend.. Or.. Wasn't.. I-- don't know if she is still alive." Regardless, she made her way into the crowds, seeming to have a destination in mind, as she began sifted through the masses. Deeper into the underbelly. Some crowds were huddled in circles along the way, the sounds of betting, and fighting roaring loudly over the crowds.
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@wafflemaker
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”Sounds promising…” Emma sarcastically mumbled about Adelyn. As the crowds got thicker Emma struggled to keep up. She couldn’t help but bump into a few people, although none of them seemed to care. Emma spoke louder now, trying to make her voice carry over the crowd. “So this Eva. Who is she? Your buyer?” Emma looked to her side. There were two things (that she had never seen anything like before) fighting in the center of a crowd. She looked back to Ross. “You’re not at least a little uneasy down here? They’re fighting in plain sight.” (edited)
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wafflemaker 02-Dec-21 09:04 PM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 02-Dec-21 09:58 PM
"What?!" She called out in response to asking to Eva is over the crowds. Whether she heard her or simply decided Emma was asking too many questions, who could really say. But she did seem to pick up on the latter question. "Uneasy? Fighting? I'd say that's relatively tame in comparison to what else you'll find down here, love." She called back, offering a glance over towards the fighting circle. A brawny human man was pushed into the crowd and shoved back in by the masses, only for his larger orc adversary to meet him with a flying overhand punch. The crunch of the bones in his nose was audible, and the man thudded to the ground flat onto his back. Outcold? Dead? Severely injured? No one seemed to care, as the crowd roared. Some booed, some cheered. Ros'elyn was keen to walk past, after witnessing that final blow, the crowds thinning out to levels that would allow for normal conversation as she spoke. "..Brutal."
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@wafflemaker
21:59
(She called out in response to asking of Eva over the crowds*)
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Emma cringed when the final punch landed. She let out a quiet and involuntary “eeek!” sound when it happened. She quickly averted her eyes. “Doesn’t seem very tame to me.” Emma commented simply.
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wafflemaker 03-Dec-21 07:33 AM
@Stellar
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Ros'elyn BOT 03-Dec-21 07:41 AM
Ross kept her hands on the straps of her traveling bag while they moved deeper into the undercity. "It's a secret society underground. What were you really expecting? I apologize I'm not the boring peasant commoner you expected me to be." She responded idly. There seemed to be some stone structures popping up among the tents, until there were walls, and streets. More akin to an actual city. The state of them appeared to be in some sort of ruin. The buildings missing bricks or entire roofs for that matter. Some of the walls in disrepair. Street tiles missing. "We're close."
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@wafflemaker
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