Estylwen

Souls of Atlas

***
Xiga -- Dreads

Calmness. She never thought it could be so blinding. But the moment Azula appeared on her head, she simply couldn't panic. The shear amount of tranquility overwhelmed her senses, so much so that she almost forgot to ask the question: what caused her panic before?

Oh right. She didn't know where she was. She didn't recognize anyone here. Her mind couldn't come up with anything conclusive, not about her situation, or anything before. Who she was, her name, her age, her friends and family, nothing was ringing a bell. It was as though the paths to those memories simply no longer existed, there was no way to reach the dark parts of her mind.

This place she was in now, it was beautiful. More so than anything she had seen before. But she couldn't let that distract her. She was surrounded by enemies! Um, strangers. The Calmness in her system still had a hold, she was in control of any anxiety that fought to break free. 

Against her better judgment, she simply followed the group, eyeing the other people up just in case they tried something. The foliage parted, and she beheld the oasis along with Azula and everyone else. Again, beautiful. But what about some answers?

The water was delicious. She was thirsty anyway, and the shiny stones at the bottom of the pool really tempted her to dive in and maybe take a few. She remembered them being precious stones in another world. The oasis water, in particular, worked like magic. Her fatigue and clouded thoughts dispersed, replaced with a sense of well being.

Azula left as quickly as she came, and the dreadlocks soul wondered why it had to be a cat, of all things, to lead them through this... World? Place? Alternate universe?

"It would seem we have been given a couple of suggestions to go on before our official guide returns. Has anyone thought of what they would like to be called? I myself am rather fond of the name Wrensthav Aviovus. Has a nice ring to it." 

His height was what she noticed first. Like a human tree. The single bang arcing down to his back was an interesting feature, a style she'd never seen, uh, before. Whenever before was. 

Names. He was suggesting names, gave one to himself. Wrensthav. She committed it to memory before even trying to decide one for herself. A good place as any to start would be her appearance, she supposed. A look in the clear pool showed her the most golden of eyes, a gruff face with hints of feminism, and dreadlocked hair. It had a few feathers tied into the strands, but they seemed faded and in need of replacing. Her clothes were different earth tones, loose layers with a desert-ish feel to it. Honestly, she thought it looked outlandish compared to everyone else, but when did she care about strangers' opinions? 

"...Tilith. Tilith Dreads. That's what I want to be called. And can someone please explain what's going on here?"

***
Estylwen -- Azula

I wonder how much of that she caught. Azula wondered as the exotic soul accepted the vial and wandered off to somewhere a little more private. Azula counted to ten before she followed, crossing her claws that the exotic soul would partake and find some comfort. Up to that point the soul had shown little enthusiasm to cooperate, still very preoccupied in her own thoughts in trying to make sense of things. But it would soon pass, the uncertainty and suspicion. There was an energy required to keep up that kind of negative defense, and Azula could only hope that the exotic soul would calm down on her own soon. 

What was free will if not to indulge it? 

From her spot in the underbrush, she watched as the vial was emptied. The transformation in the exotic soul was instantaneous. Lights shone in her eyes, her body relaxed, and the tension and worry left her. As soon as she looked like she was searching, Azula knew that was her cue.

"Good, maybe you'll take me a little more seriously now." Azula said, padding out from under a shrub behind her. "That vial didn't contain any ordinary water. It's oasis water, blessed by the Divine. The reason you feel infinitely better is because your soul is healed. And no, I can see it in your eyes already. The amount of water doesn't change anything, and if there's nothing to fix it does nothing except calm your nerves."

The rest of the other souls in her care had Azula slightly worried. They still hadn't left the oasis. It wasn't a big deal, she knew, but she certainly hoped they weren't harming each other or the oasis -- Her Ladyship would kill her. She considered the fact that the exotic soul would feel uncomfortable around the male souls, but with time and patience hopefully she'd know there was no need for fear of souls here. 

"Exotic soul," Azula said, a kitty grin tickling her nose, "We need a name for you, anything you want. The other souls are biding their time at the oasis, the same place I got that vial of water. There is a town not too far from here, with baths and fresh clothes, and the kindest townsfolk. It's up to you where you want us to go."

Souls of Atlas

I love you guys. =w=

Xiga, I actually had half a post started for you, did you want me to finish it or wait for you?

Thanks Wrens~

CosmoNET: Be you. Become anything!

My bad, I was under the impression it was. If it is, in fact, one's soul being transported through space to another planet while they sleep, then I'll have to change my ideas. How does it work then, if weeks can pass by in avatar form on one planet while only a night's sleep passes on earth? ^^;

Souls of Atlas

Awe, Dlay you're sweet. You've made me curious about your post, and it is true we've all been busy. But I don't think this is going to take off. :/

CosmoNET: Be you. Become anything!

I'm very intrigued by this roleplay, and I'll see about a CS in a couple days. I already have an idea for a theme, but I would love to hear your opinion. I enjoy creating things and find myself fascinated with cause-and-effect abilities so was considering the theme 'The Builder'. What would start out as an understanding of components making up game items and minor Causality Perception (limited to seeing only a few steps ahead), these abilities would eventually increase to reversing cause-and-effect to instantly make game items (ex: trees, walls, weapons), and a more improved Causality Perception (more steps, feeling it like a sixth sense instead of relying on vision.) That's merely the umbrella, of course.

Elementals: Void Assault

BattleShovel said
And it doesn't really make sense to me that the Vygorns saw the light from the cave and the people by it, and were able to distinguish the people by it as 'kids', but that we hadn't passed them if we were in fact up the road, I kind of thought that the vygorns had shown up right as we had just left, making it maybe a hundred yards down a straight path before running into them.

Thanks for the edit. ^^

Ah, you may very well be right. I might be imagining too much space between things, I'll admit. But it wouldn't be a straight path down the mountain, that'd be too steep. Regardless, now it is you sir, that has a point. I rest my case. ;)

Xzayler said
The vygorns saw the group in front of the cave. If cora wasnt there, or beau, they wouldn't know. Maybe they approached from the south, not the east.

Thanks for the clarification, GM. I gotta say, introducing the Vygorns like this is a good idea. Will Hesoca be writing at all?

Elementals: Void Assault

BattleShovel said
not to mention that actual action and failure, or success will bind the hygrons unlike anything else, and I think we tried to move faster, we just didn't, which I suppose is a lesson learned. the first of many I'd imagine

Haha, oh definitely. But the Vygorns are waaaay outnumbered; we'll be fine if we can work off each other's attacks. Speaking of attacks, though, it sounds like you got them before they even reached the cave entrance. Cora and Beau are a few minutes out, after all. It would make way more sense if Beau was still trailing behind Cora, closer to the cave entrance and the other Elementals.

And Battle, I had a question about this:

BattleShovel said
... suddenly hearing a baritoned voice in his head Beau listened intently [i]Beau, this is Tugg, yes i can speak, we'll worry about that later, DO NOT let them enter the haven...

Did you specify Tugg could do that in your CS? Its unfair if you suddenly add that in. Cora's guardian can speak telepathically, but she has zero combat ability -- that was my trade-off.

Souls of Atlas

@Andre: It's okay, I expected as much. With you and Xiggy inactive we have another hole in our sinking ship. Souls of Atlas was a good shot, but I admit my flaw was lack of player-driven content right at the get-go. There's no way to close threads yet, is there?

@Dlay: I'll see you and your sexy new character over at TFK, alright? ;)

@Wrens: We should start up a 1x1, you and me. I'd like to take Wrensthav on in the arena, but that's just an idea.

It was a nice try, my fellow friends, but I'm thinking it's best to cut losses here and focus on other literary work. I'll let you know if I come up with another RP down the road, and we'll keep in touch, eh?

Elementals: Void Assault

Cool, Vygorn action. See, if we had moved faster it coulda been us having the sweet 'unknown' intro for the Vygorns. But this works well too. If they totally trash Nature's Haven it'll be the first failure of the elements.

Mad Scarlet said
I'm waiting on Cora, because she's taking a smoke break. XDDOtherwise, I'd like to move along as well.

Haha, oh aren't you precious. Lulz, don't hate it, embrace the smoke, you know you wanna~

Mokeia Mateao said
THERE WILL BE FIRE AND BLOOD

Muahaha, oh my gosh, yes. KILL THEM WITH FIRE! BURN THEM WITH FLAMES!!!

Elementals: Void Assault

"I'm proficient with martial arts and body blocking bullets. So if there's any guns... I'm ready to take them. And summoning up a gale storm should be easy enough."

Cora noticed Aerilyn's hint of surprise at the question. But she brushed it off, confident if there was truly a problem, Aerilyn would stop her there and say something. Martial arts skills was a plus, Cora commended her for that. But the whole attitude against stopping bullets with a body -- her own skin -- was crazy. Why worry about that kind of thing when you had Ice in your team who could create barriers stronger than plexiglass? 

Aerilyn's tag-along as Cora sought after Shida did very much amuse her, though only a knowing smile graced her lips before she spoke with the Fire Elemental. He instantly recognized the cigar was his, of course. But after such a crazy few days, he did something she assumed was out of his nature. With a snap of his fingers, the tip burst into flames, then dimmed to something well-lit and smoky. 

"Enjoy kid, finders keepers."

She carefully took back the stick, eyes locked on the spiral of smoke twirling from the lit end. Her mouth watered, which was weird. A cigar wasn't food, but her taste buds treated it as such, and she could feel the core of her tension just waiting to be released -- beggin' for a toke of that smoke. Toke? Haha, there I go messing up my habits.

"You're a savior, man. Even if I don't like you." Cora said, sucking back on the cigar as though her life depended on it. The relief flooded her eyes, and the tension could be seen literally disappearing from her body. Cora relaxed, nodding to both Shida and Will with a gracious smile. "Gentlemen, I give you back your evening."

She stepped back, lips gingerly on the cigar like it was the sweetest candy. Her gaze was the softest its ever been, no hint of ice or malice in her gray eyes. She felt infinitely better, and it was evident in how she held herself. She glanced at her fellow Elementals, watching how some communed with their guardians, some talked in casual circles, some sat by themselves. Everyone was out of the cave, and Wolgran had gone off and done his old man thing, leaving them be.

"Guys, we should really get a move on if we want to get to these encampments in time!"

It was the newbie who spoke up, him and his impeccable timing. Cora had actually been about to get the show on the road. The cigar in her mouth reminded her that no, she wasn't annoyed someone beat her to it. Instead, she stuffed a hand in her hoodie pocket, held the cigar in the other while she exhaled, and turned heel away from the cave. 

"Aerilyn, Beau, we're leaving.~" Cora said in an almost sing-song voice, walking past the new Lux Hygron. She eyes up his ruffled white hair, tapping ash off her cancer stick. "Phil, was it? I think you're with us too. I'm Cora, by the way."

She kept walking at a steady pace, eagerness in her feet. It was pitch black outside, hard to distinguish heaps of rubble from the trailing path. Maybe having a Lux with them would be beneficial after all. Their destination was Riverdale, and heavens knew the way was a dark, obscure one at this time of night. Cora slowed her feet, hoping she could get a demonstration of Aerilyn's element when she caught up. 

A snap in the brush and ominous footsteps had Cora remembering how lithe her reactions could be. Abandoning the path, she dove behind a rather large rusted heap, hearing voices pass by right where she was moments before. Dark figures she could barely make out against the darkness picked their way to the light of the cave entrance, with the other Elementals none the wiser.

Their cold, foreign voices echoed off the mountain stone, intensifying the fear Cora felt building up inside. "Hey! What are you kids doing here? We must ask you to come with us."