Estylwen

Souls of Atlas

You will in just a moment, Dlay. XD

Souls of Atlas

Andre Valias said
Roses are red,Violets are violet,I need to post,While I have net.;-;

Soon, my friend, soon. Anyway, I'm moving us again to the water's edge. I think I'll make you guys walk to town by yourself so Azula can nab the runaway more efficiently. That way you guys can start conversing. Talking. Stuff.

Show of hands, who's still paying attention to this RP?

Xiga said
Fixed my post..

Thank you, it did need editing. I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, but Dlay had a great handle on it.

Elementals: Void Assault

Yay, Zars!! :D

I mention in my post that the sky became so full of pollutants that it blocked out the moon and stars at night. Is that cool with everyone? 

Elementals: Void Assault

"If we do this in earnest, we must remember that it will be bloody, old powers falling to new powers always are. That means in the end we will only truly have each-other, against all of the odds. That we must chose to do this, and stay true to that conviction. Gone are the days of being alone, it appears we have lost that luxury."

The old man had left them to sort out their feelings. Like some kind of group therapy for Elementals. For the most part, Hygrons seemed to find banding together not too shabby of an idea. The fire's warmth was making them all cheese heads. 

Annoyed. "You've all forgotten the danger we're volunteering our necks for. Vygorns have one, more resources. Two, the ability to spy on the city. And three, that Void power they got doesn't sound like they're BSing around."

Cora toed at the dying fire, finding herself at the front of the room. People couldn't decide who to look at, her or little Irys. "Listen, I don't mean to be a downer. Trust me, I've been through fucking hell tonight. And if I see any of you out there, I'll say hi and we'll team up or something. But this is gonna be no cake-walk, and I won't have any ditz 'guiding' me. When I'm on the job, I work better alone."

Of course the first words she said to fellow elementals were cold. Who did they think she was? The element of rainbows and ponies? 

She cursed her own apathy. "Sorry, that came out harsh. My name is Cora, everyone. I lost my home and everything I treasure earlier tonight and I just... I'm not feeling the best. When did humanity get so low that every day was a struggle in agony? Once upon a time we were a proud, great race... At least from what my mother said, rest her soul.

"I'm going to go lie down. If I've offended you, we can chat at breakfast. Please, pardon me." Cora said, holding her temples with a grimace. 

She found a some-what secluded area with soft grass and a mushroom umbrella. Judging the temperature was warm enough, she rolled up her black hoodie and used it as a pillow. Folding her hands on her belly, she looked up at the cave ceiling. Gloworms and other bioluminescent bugs dotted the stone canopy like stars, twinkling in Nature's Haven's sky. 

"You miss nature, don't you?" Irys twirled into her vision, landing on her forehead.

A forlorn smile rippled over her lips. "I've never truly experienced it. They polluted the sky and the stars hid themselves. The moon in her sorrow dimmed her own light, and now it's a struggle to even see Luna at night."

Cora rolled on her side, moving Irys to hover over her temple. "My mother told me of a land once covered in trees and animals, fresh springs and all wildlife. Why would Vygorns take away something so innocent and defenseless?"

"Why did Jesse fearfully send you away? Irys thinks its all perspective. Like the following: Beauty is nothing. That would hold true for the Vygorns."

Cora winced at the sound of Jesse's name. "Yeah, if they even know what beauty is."

"All living things do."

***

Next morning, with everyone up and about, the old man made his 'big speech' face. Cora, nomming on some cheese, resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Irys seemed far more attentive, probably because of the fact they were both spirits. 

"This is a big day for all of you. You must set out today and prepare your first offence on the Vygorns. They won't know you're coming if you do it right, but they surely know of your existence already. 

"For the journey itself, I have prepared three days worth of food, and a little bit of water. I believe your Fluvius Hygron can take care of water for you."

"I have endless amounts of water access too." Cora grumbled under breath.

When the old man revealed his gift to the Elementals, Cora felt a pang of humility. If he was going to impart them with tools to even the playing field, maybe his advice was a little more sincere. 

"These items are special, they are Zars, meaning that they are infused with an element."

She looked closely at the homemade rack. Each Zar was different from the next, changing form and need to suit it's user best. She saw things from swords to chain-mail, bows and axes, and items she couldn't label. The blades and metal were freshly polished, and leather recently treated. Keeper of the blades, old man?

She debated which she wanted when her hand passed a belt with two filled sheaths, making the metal within hiss and crack like ice. Slightly panicked, she grabbed the belt, revealing one of the blades. It was of exquisite design, with lots of grooves and artful flair, plus the overall design reminded her of an extinct snake. The blade was coated in frost patterns, freezing to the touch. Both blades were identical in their cold beauty.

"Fates that be, they know me well. I was training with something like this before bankruptcy shut down my master's dojo." Cora mentioned to Irys.

The black belt fit snug in her jean loops, clasped at a metal buckle below her belly button. The sheaths for the twins daggers were angled at a 45 degree at the back, making the wielder unsheathe from behind and bring the blades forward. They were at the right level where Cora's hoodie hid them, so she could easily blend in if the need arose (no one just walked around with antique knives anymore.)

"I can feel my non-shitty attitude rising. That's good, that means these little blades just made my day." Cora said, patting the back of her belt.

***
[OOC: What the dagger's blade looks like: Click here]

Elementals: Void Assault

Don't mind my long-as-hell post. I was REALLY getting into character development, and I've fallen in love with Cora's motivating factor. :D

Also, I have an Avatar reference in there. Just for kicks. Cookie for anyone who finds it~

Elementals: Void Assault

[OOC: Just FYI, italics means thoughts or someone else's dialogue. Unless its an emphasizes on certain words.]

***

Flashes of light interrupted her sleep, feeling more vivid and real than any dream ever could. She saw a cave filled with nature and light, with energy, like the place was alive. She wanted to be there. And it felt like she knew exactly where it was, she could find it. There were voices she couldn't make out, whispers of a different nature. A small creature floated in sight, a jelly-type thing. But her mind drifted back to sleep, and the vision blurred out of focus.

"Irys sees you."

"What the fuck?!" Cora snapped open her eyes in the dark. She looked blearily around for the the voice she swore she heard. Jesse rustled in bed beside her, wrapping an around around her tummy.

"Irys is excited to meet you, Cora." 

Cora narrowed her eyes, feeling mighty confused. Jesse didn't respond to the voice in the least, and it didn't feel as though she was really hearing anything.

"...Are you in my head?" She whispered.

The voice chimed like crystals. "Heehee, no."

In a blur of sparks, the creature from her vision shimmered into existence, casting a pale glow on their bedroom. It was beautiful, like a thing you'd read about in fantasy novels. Its body was iridescent crystals, some as thin as a hair. The creature had a similar form to a jellyfish, it hovered in the air like water or something. 

"What are you?"

"A spirit sent to befriend one of Kyra's chosen. You, Cora. The gift you've ignored your whole life has finally begged to be noticed. Hold out your hand, and embrace the ice within you. Make it snow."

Clips unexplained from her past resurfaced in Cora's mind. The constant chill of her body, the random freezes in summer, the frost that covered her footsteps. All her life, she had been blissfully oblivious to it being anymore than coincidence. And here was a real theory that actually stuck. 

Huh. Magic. Who woulda thought magic could explain anything. Or maybe I'm finally fucked.

She raised her hand, felt the chill inside her, and invoked it. Snowflakes birthed from the tips of her fingers hovered in her palm, reminiscent of a snow globe. Cora felt an excitement building up within her. The possibilities of great things that could happen made her feel something she'd abandoned long ago: Hope.

"Ngnn... Cora? What are you--HOLY SHIT!!" Jesse leapt out of bed, grabbing a bat to swing at the strange jelly that hovered over Cora. 

"Stop, stop, stop! I'm fine!" Cora said, pulling Irys into a protective hug. "Shit..."

"Babe... what the hell is going on here?" Jesse said, hands tight around the bat's grip. 

"I have an affinity to ice, apparently." She said, peeking down at Irys.

Jesse shook his head. "...What does that even mean?"

"I don't know. Well, kay. I kind of know. But it's really hard to explain. Just bear with me, babe. I'm so thirsty. We're out of water, aren't we?" Cora stepped out of bed, flicking on the lights in the kitchen next door. Grabbing a pot, she turned up the heat on the stove. With a bit of struggle, Cora managed to create a lopsided hunk of ice in the pot, which started to steam.

Irys tickled her brain inquisitively. 

"I'll explain in a second..." Cora trailed off, watching the ice melt. She scooped up some pooling water, blowing steam off the spoon. The moment she tried the water, her eyes lit up. 

"Jesse, Jesse! Come here! Heavens be praised, we never have to go without water ever again."

He entered the room cautiously, eyes darting from Cora to the pot. His brows furrowed, a look of extreme concern flashed on his face.

Cora's smile cracked. "It's... It's the purest drinking water I've ever tasted, better than the 'filtered' crap they make us pay for. And this would be limitless. Hell, we could even sell some. We'd have money for real food."

"No." Jesse said. "Babe, no one can know. Don't you see? This... This is magic. It's fucking crazy, for one. Secondly, and more importantly, you--"

"What, could be killed? Is that it?"

"I was going to say arrested."

"Same shit!" She yelled, balling her fists in anger. Jesse recoiled, smashing into the cabinets behind him. His look of alarm wasn't directed at her, though. She followed his gaze to the pot where urchin-shaped ice shards had broken through the metal. 

"The ice reacted to my anger?" She stared in disbelief. 

Cora turned off the stove, looking at the busted pot. The ice didn't seem as innocent now. "Fuck, I'm just trying to look out for us, Jesse. That's all it's been these past years. You and me. I'm just as confused as you, trust me. But we can make this work."

Jesse's face darkened. "Cora, stop. Just... Stop."

She paled. "...Jesse?"

He pointed to the door. "Leave. Now."

"Baby, no..." Hot tears fell like a waterfall down her cheek. "I love you, don't do this."

He turned his face away, looking dejected at the floor. "If you don't go... I'll call the cops. Please, just leave. You've done enough damage already." His words cut through her like a knife.

Humiliation coloured her cheeks. She wept, holding a hand to her face. It felt like chains shackled her feet, every step to that door dragged the heavy remnants of her heart behind, staining the floor with sorrow. The door closed and bolted behind her. 

And she had never felt so utterly alone.

***

Cora wandered like a zombie out of the apartment complex. Irys glided alongside her, finally speaking up. "Are you okay?"

"Okay..?" Hot, carnal anger welled up inside her. It consumed her, overwhelmed her with just how much pain she held. An agony felt by the those of a broken heart and soul. Anger that made the mind snap under such anguish. "OKAY?! I HAVE LOST EVERYTHING THAT WAS EVER IMPORTANT TO ME!"

She turned her hateful gaze on the spirit. "And you! This is all your fault! If you had never come along, this never would have happened!"

With a snarl she grabbed the jelly creature by the top, lugging it at the nearest wall. Irys dematerialized before impact, leaving Cora alone. Truly alone. 

Guilt rid so far up her ass she thought it must have reached her brain. Her head was in her hands, her heart in pieces, and her stomach was somewhere on the floor.  

The vision flashed through her head again; there was only one place she could turn to now.

***

The cave in all it's gleam and glory wasn't nearly as pretty as Cora's vision made it seem. Or maybe she just felt like shit. Yeah, probably that. There were other people in the cave, most sitting silent by the fire. There was an old geezer who seemed to make it his home in the cave, which was mega-creepy. Cora had never met a hermit before. But with how shitty the world was, Cora was surprised she hadn't become one yet. 

She came in just as the old man started his little speech. She felt too shitty to sit, but the fire looked inviting. So she stood behind a couple kid's heads and listened. Unconsciously, her hands scanned the pockets of her hoodie, remember she simply left the apartment earlier. Luckily in one pocket she still had her collapsible baton. But other then the mask scarf around her neck, those were the only items she had to her name. 

Pitiful.

"...You will rest for one more day here, then leave. The Vygorns are ammassing in Atlanta...The Vygorns depend on their leader, Vrail... The black hole to end the Solar System. You must find him and kill him at all costs, else, we die. All of us.... I advise you not to go to Atlanta directly as you will probably get killed, attack smaller encampments or villages to draw them out in small groups from the city." The old man seemed coherent, like he knew his stuff. 

The darkness deepened within her. Atlanta was home to Jesse and Cora. Now that it would be unsafe to return... She might not ever have the chance to apologize. She might never see him again, especially if Vygor-whatevers targeted her. 

"No." She brushed the frustrated tears off her cheeks. "I will see him again. I'll hone this gift to be untouchable, and when I'm powerful enough, I will sneak back into Atlanta. Fugitive or not, I have to see him again. No army could ever stop my reckless love."

Cora raised her aching head, opening her palms to the ceiling. "Irys, I'm sorry I got so upset at you. Can you forgive me?"

"Yes."

Cora relished the surprised looks on the kids around her as Irys morphed into existence. Already she could feel an attachment between her and the spirit. Probably just from Cora's life getting utterly crushed hours before, and she was probably just desperate for comfort, but Irys definitely helped ease the pain.

"Awesome. Let's go talk to the old man and leave these squabblers to squabble." Cora said, noting the tension in the room as everyone tried to make sense of the information. For Cora, the path was clear.

Get strong, get some baddies, get back to Atlanta, win back Jesse, beat the bad-baddies before the end of the world. Maybe ride into the sunset, too.

"Hey, geezer dude. I had a question about the Vygorn... thingies.." Cora approached just as the old man took his leave, literally just disappearing. 

"Shit. Who scared off the old man?" Cora's laugh held no warmth; her eyes were still red from tears before. Who would answer her question now? Certainly not anyone here, no one knew any more on the Vygorns than the next person.

Souls of Atlas

Awesome, so there's gonna be two posts up today, and then we'll all have posted (except for Ves), YAY!! This makes me a very happy GM. //group hug~

Souls of Atlas

New post for your enjoyment~ :3

Xiga said
I am home now :)And today I shall now read and post! :D

Yay Xiga! Shameless, but yay. ;)

If I have to puppet your player a little, I don't mind. Having a life is a good thing.

Souls of Atlas

[OOC: Prepare for a lot of dialogue. Your Charries will have much more to go off of now. Notice I mention what exactly you remember, it's slightly different from what I know some of you were envisioning. My apologies.]

***
The cat stirred, coughing. "...Is everyone okay? Did we all make it?"

She opened her eyes, the blue a stark contrast to the burns surrounding her face. Her gaze flickered, meeting the stressed expressions of the souls. They all looked confused, like they didn't even know which question to start with. 

She raised her head higher. "Hey, we're missing one. The one exotically dressed."

Most souls were conscious, only a couple still slumbered. They would have to be carried. And there was the fact of a soul runaway, she'd have to fill an extra vial of water from the oasis for the exotic soul. They'd likely catch her just outside the village, from what the cat could sense. 

She shakily rose to her paws. "Ugh, can't wait 'till we reach the oasis. One drink of that and the hand of The Lady heals all your wounds, physical, or spiritual. These places are sight to behold too, unlike anything you could *cough* ever imagine." She shook with coughing fits, tucking her head in her shoulder. When they subsided, she rolled her eyes and continued. 

"My name is Azula, I'm the one who brought you here. It's normally a much smoother ride than this, but I hit the dimensional rip wrong, got myself scorched in the process. I still got you all here safely, though. That's what matters. 

"I know you all have a lot of questions. And let me start by telling you where you are: Atlas. The world between realms -- invisibly sandwiched with the Underworld and Heaven. Atlas operates on its own, with it's own deity and such things, but offers to take in broken souls that don't have a home. This paradise of paradises is not as innocent as it looks, unfortunately. Along with fairies, elves and forest spirits, we also hold home to a host of villainous monsters, lurking in the darkness. I will show you how to be safe if we are to save you.

"You're confused you don't remember anything about your life, I know. You remember the information you learned, but personal life events just... Aren't there. Like knowing what a box is, but oblivious to the fact the box may be yours." A gloom coloured Azula's words.

"Meet my eyes, all of you. I'm going to tell you something that will quell all the doubts and worries you may be having right now. This story is universal for all of you. You were all once mortals on earth. You lived, you loved. You accomplished great things, terrible things, made mistakes, and suffered a great deal. 

"You died and suffered in hell a short time before I reached out to you. Had to verify paperwork and whatnot, office technicalities, really. You see, in the Underworld you felt true remorse and your soul started shredding to pieces. That's recompense enough, so we offer this kind of 'second chance' deal. The shredding of your soul will eventually erase your existence, but the only cure for this classified disease is from the touch of a divine. She's here, and I can help you find her. The trade-off was forsaking your old life, including the memories. I told you all of this then, and you agreed to come with me to Atlas. You knew you wouldn't remember anything, but you still trusted me.

"It's a lot to take in, I know. I'll let you chew that over for a bit. But you'll find my words ring true. 

" ...Now you can all stop drooling, it's totally natural I can talk. I'm not just your average cat back home, ya know. I'm a servant to the Divine, after all. The Great Lady herself." She winked. 

"Ah, but I don't want to confuse you completely yet." She coughed again, pawing at Wrensthav's foot. "Would you be so kind as to carry me to the oasis? These burns make it hard to move. It's to the left of us, following the twisted path into the forest."

"Everyone, let's stick together. Carry those who haven't woken yet -- you're stronger as a soul than a mortal, fun fact. We'll beeline for the oasis, then we have to chase down the one who ran away. Our next stop after is the Town of Bela, a quiet place not far from here. Perfect to get you some new clothes and explore. Emphasis on the clothes part -- you'll stick out like a sore thumb wearing what you have now. Is everyone with me?"

***
The group had been walking down the grass path for almost five minutes. Azula craned her head up, breathing in the water-heavy air. The trees and plants surrounding them looked more pristine and perfect than anything earth had to offer; not a leaf was out of place, the grass had no weeds. There were new types of vegetation that couldn't be given a name from how other-worldly and fascinating they appeared. From the sound of it, they were only another five minutes away from water.

She addressed the souls. "Since I don't want to resort calling you guys Soul 1 and Soul 2, we should trying picking names. Has anyone thought of anything?"

Elementals: Void Assault

I just wanted to point out that Elementals: Void Assault's acronym is EVA. And since we were discussing Wall-e before, I thought it was humorous. Teehee. ;)

Synchronize said
omg i love your character estylwen!
ten people is kind of a lot for a roleplay imo ;p

Thanks, Synchronize! :D

But I'd have to agree, ten people is a lot. You'd have so many drop-outs cuz there's so much going on. And curiosity begs me to ask, Xzayler, how goes the IC? :3