[IC] Dining for One: The Human Appetite {Vidya X Rush}

[VidyaParamia]

When man feeds on beast, it is okay in the book of humanity. But when beast feeds on man, it is frowned upon by multiple parties including humanity itself. Though any creature must feed some way or another and if that man was to be sinful, a broken piece in society, that should make things okay. Like the death sentence of a murderer. Of course, every man that walks through to the hidden realm, is not a murderer; nor is every creature.

In the Fae Realm, where a new world is born in the eyes of a misguided human, there are four kingdoms that specifically section off a very valuable piece of land. This land has begun to be called "Transitus Vetitum" or simply just Land of Transitus. Though once despised and closed off from anyone daring to enter, now nobles from the various of Kingdoms have taken interest of venturing into these lands after discovering the first, unborn human. A human who was not born in the Fae Realm but came from somewhere other than their world something of little knowledge. Humans who have been found on these lands, and only so far, usually have been taken away to the different Kingdoms for various of things. Some trained them, while others used them as a sport or a showcase. But one kingdom in particular didn't see them as objects or useful pawns, but a delicacy.

Kingdom of Otresch, a kingdom often viewed in the eyes of others as forbidden, dangerous and ruled by one filled with evil. They have been seen outside of their territory more often than usual just to hunt the Transitus to bring back for the 'beloved' Queen, Queen Nefera. Anyone to catch glimpse of this uniquely beautiful Queen would consider it an omen of bad comings, as her time outside of her own protected castle was slim to none. Nefera was no simple Fae either, as her body was made of floral treats and toxic aroma that was sweet, luring, but far from rewarding.

Once again, the Sentry from Otresch has been sent out to search Transitus for any human that has came to be in the Fae Realm. Though this time Queen Nefera has come to join them in curiosity to see things first hand. She wondered how they acted in the wild, were they hostile before being captured or were they pitiful and weak like a Cabuncle. Time has passed as each of their steps were in sync, crushing dead leaves and fallen twigs making their way deeper into Transitus.

"How far must we travel before we meet one of these Humans before we actually see one?" Nefera wondered.

"It varies My Lady. Some make it towards the outskirts on the Transitus while others don't and often found near death laying around towards the center. That is where most believe is where the Humans come from." replied one of the Guards who walked alongside the Queen.

Queen Nefera's steps were more like slithers from her vines, her arms were crossed and an blank expression to follow...

[rush99999]

Ignore the wing. (For now)

At last. It had finally worked. After countless, countless failed attempts, it had finally worked. The Wall Intangible had been breached, the Infinite Gap had been bridged, and now a human had for the 1st time crossed from the Human Realm into the Fae Realm without stumbling into it accidentally. This human, a seemingly young, stoic-faced wizard by the name of Jacoby Drexlehand now took in his surroundings. "This must be the place they call Transitus Vetitum" Jacoby said to himself evenly "It is good to see that at least some of my information is reliable". Before his journey into the mysterious and magical Fae Realm, Jacoby had soaked up as much knowledge as he could about his destination. But of the few (un)fortunate people who had returned alive, most weren't in an ideal state of mind when telling other people about the Fae Realm upon their return to the Human Realm. This gave rise to a multitude of conflicting accounts on the the Fae Realm was like. But Jacoby was sure that he knew what he was up against and that he could find what he had come here for.

Before moving in any direction, Jacoby looked himself over. Nothing seemed to have been lost during his interplanar journey, so that was a plus. He had (Among other things.) plenty of food and water to last him a good week, plenty of light reading material to keep him entertained if he needed distraction, and a large bag of iron shavings to throw into the faces of any hostile fae if the need arose. Once the check was over and done with, Jacoby pulled out a small white orb and gently tossed it into the air. Instead of coming down after losing the necessary momentum to continue traveling upwards, the orb simple stopped moving all together. 'Locate fae' Jacoby mentally commanded the orb. The orb responded by floating away in the direction of the nearest fae, with Jacoby following behind at a cautious distance but with a pace that was sure in its purpose.

As he followed the orb, Jacoby went over a plan in his head, now that he was here, Jacoby would seek out a powerful fae and strike a bargain. Several humans who had blundered into the Fae Realm had gotten out again by serving the fae nobility for what seemed like an eternity but was really much shorter. Jacoby already had a way out. He had other objectives in mind for what he wanted: Eternal life. Since time immemorial humans had been seeking to unlock the secret to living forever. The closest man had come so far was lichdom, but Jacoby decided to leave that distasteful option as a last resort. So Jacoby found his way here, hoping to gain immortality by serving the fae for a time before returning to the Human Realm.

[VidyaParamia]

Time has passed and the Queen's movement has slowed dramatically. The Guards and Sentries have slowed themselves to keep an even pace with the Queen keeping their guard up at all times. But even the Queen's presence scared off some of the most fierce of creatures. A gentle breeze passed ruffling Nefera's petals, and soon after the guards stopped halting the Queen.

"My Lady, something is approaching. It's unfamiliar." One of the Guards said hushed.

Queen Nefera glanced around at her sides, but saw nothing. As another gust of wind came blowing past, there a glowing orb floating well above them came to a silent halt. All but the Queen came to a defensive stance with weapons raised. One of the Sentries took a few steps towards the orb, examining it unsure what to make of it. It was not a Fae of sorts or even a living object. The closest Guards took precautions and escorted the Queen back a few steps to clear of the object. No one was sure what to make of it.

"Guards, face front. There is..." The Queen firmly said yet pausing herself as something else came into view.

There before them, a human showed from the distance. The Queen raised her posture with peaked interest biting the corner of her pale lip. Finally. She thought. The guarding men turned their attention to the human.
"Halt, who goes there!?"

[rush99999]

Jacoby kept an even pace as he followed the orb. His eyes darted from side to side every so often to make sure no danger was lurking nearby. While it was quite possible that Jacoby was alone, he'd always found that you could never go wrong with being careful. The orb was beginning to slow down now, that meant the fae the orb was were close by. And sure enough, a group of fae eventually came into view and the orb drew to a halt above them.

Jacoby ceased all forward movement and regarded the fae with a speculative eye. Each of the fae were humanoid in shape and each of there appearances were bizarre in their own right. However, Jacoby's attention was drawn to the 1 fae among them who wasn't wearing armor. She had the most bizarre appearance of them all. About half of her body appeared to be plant rather than humanoid. Jacoby raised an eyebrow at such a curious sight. It reminded him of the alrunes that inhabited the Human Realm, only this fae wasn't rooted to the ground.

"Halt" Jacoby heard 1 of the armored fae call out "Who goes there!?".
Jacoby took a moment to move a little closer to the fae. Close enough that he wouldn't have to raise his voice to be heard, but still far enough away to still maintain a respectful distance. It was then that Jacoby replied. "My name is Jacoby Drexlehand" Jacoby said "I am a human, and judging from your interesting appearances, you are most likely fae". Jacoby's gaze shifted from the guard who had called out to him, to the plant fae. "Further judging from the fact you are surrounded by armed guards, I assume you are 1 of the more powerful of your kind. Would I be right in thinking this?".