Estylwen

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

So I think I am leaving the rp after thinking about it since I am not sure if I can continue. Sorry for this and good luck with the rp.

@Theyra

Thanks for letting me know, and good luck!

Dark Beyond: Voices of the Past

@WhiteAngel25 How is your post coming along?

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Sunday, 11:00PM

The Temple

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Hollow

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Layla returned home briefly to pack an overnight bag, finding herself returning to the Temple's fold in under an hour.

They fed her, spent time with her, discussed her therapy, which would be starting as soon as possible, and sent her off to bed.

And so she sat here, at the edge of her bed in her Temple suite. The Void, the yawning ache in her stomach was eased, even if only a little bit, with their company and hope.

It made what she knew was coming a little easier to bear.

Her room grew unnaturally cold, and there was a tap-tap-tap, whether water or footsteps, she couldn't tell. But soon enough, a gloved hand was placed under her chin, and in the semi-darkness she looked up at the masked face of Kipnu.

Before a thwack of a gloved slap rebounded off her cheek. Layla's face twisted with the slap, but only a muffled whimper escaped her lips. She sat there, unresponsive, a frozen little girl sitting on her bed.

Kipnu was furious.

“We lost her. We lost Bahlaas, and it's your fault.”

Silence, before a half-chuckle. Layla wiped her chin, daring to look at Kipnu.

”...Good.”

Kipnu shook with rage, reaching over to grip Layla's collar. “You little-”

“What are you gonna do, huh? Cause I'll tell you right now, I don't care.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Your days are numbered. Mark me. Do what you want, but soon I won't be your little rag doll anymore.”

Kipnu stared incredulously. “You really think these people are gonna ‘save’ you? They're gonna save your previous little soul? Hah!”

He threw her to the ground, staring over her. “They're in it for themselves. They'll never give you back that pathetic ball of shadow.”

Layla glared defiantly from the ground, trying to half-sit up. “They will! And when they do, you're gonna be run outta town, or worse.”

Kipnu appeared to roll his eyes behind his mask, using his boot to shove Layla back on the floor. He knelt on top of her, half crushing her as he plucked up a wrist.

“You'll never escape me. You'll never escape being no more than a cursed child.” He said bitterly, pulling back her sleeve.

Layla glared weakly, struggling to breath. “...Do your worst.”

Kipnu stared, before sliding his mask to the side, revealing unnatural teeth. “With pleasure.”

And his sunk his teeth into her skin…

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Monday, 9:00AM

St. Portwell Pier

_{In collaboration with @Shin Ghost Note}

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Bags under her eyes, Layla sat at the end of one of the piers of St. Portwell, docked ships swinging from side to side in the water nearby. There was a nearby seafood eatery she planned to walk to with Adora when she arrived. Layla wouldn't deny a friend food if they wanted to visit her so badly.

If they were friends. Sure, Layla had been non-combative and pleasant with everyone, but what was Adora's angle?

Had Layla done something wrong…?

She wore a simple white sweater dress, black leggings, and runners kicking slightly as her feet hung free at the edge of the pier. Her face easily betrayed sleep deprivation, and a mental hunger. She seemed unwell, burning the candle at both ends.

She'd given Adora the heads-up on where to find her. Now, it was just a matter of enjoying the cool autumn air and waiting. A few moments later, some footsteps approached, and Adora walked past Layla and stood there, with a red hoodie, and for a change, some jeans with some running shoes.

”... Hey there,” Adora said with a sigh. ”How are you doing, Layla? I know we didn’t have the best first impression of each other…”

Layla looked up at Adora as she approached, then shrugged, gaze sinking back to her fluttering feet.

“You haven't done anything wrong in my books, Adora. I was sad when you left, but you're back now. That's all that matters.”

She pursed her lips before continuing. “...Something, uh, on your mind? I figured we'd get a bite to eat down by the way. I just…” She took a breath, “Was enjoying the scenery.”

”Yeah, there is,” Adora said. ”I wanted to talk with you about that whole mess with the Void Heart - and before you get the wrong idea; no, I don’t think it was right for them to up and jump the gun without at least asking you.”

Adora shook her head before turning around to face Layla head-on finally. ”To cut to the chase, I wanted to hear things from your perspective. I wanted to ask you if you wanted their help. Or if you want help now.”

Layla stared for a long moment, before her head dropped. “...Just. Why? Why would they do that?”

She laughed weakly. “Jack made a whole deal about keeping me safe... When he just stabbed me in the back… They all did.”

She paused, before musing for a moment, smiling up at Adora. “Britney asked if I needed help, earlier. You wanna know what I told her?”

She stared at the waves, and muttered. “I didn't need any.”

Another short chuckle left her throat. “Now look at me. I've sold my soul to the Temple in the hopes they return what was once mine. I've let Edict in my head - the fallout, by the way, is horrible. Right now, I'm on a streak for accepting help.”

Layla grimaced, looking back up at Adora. “Though, I'm not sure what help you could give…”

”Look, I understand that the Void Heart was hurting people, and they were acting off of their emotions from Alizee’s death…” Adora sighed. ”But, like I told Jack, there is a world of difference between needing help and wanting it. And it’s just all types of fucked up to just up and make that decision for somebody. Regardless of how shitty their current situation.”

Layla allowed herself a half-smile at that.

Adora shook her head. ”Now, don’t take this the wrong way, but if you got hurt or something because of the Void Heart, that would have been on you. Because at the end of the day, regardless of how much they care about you; you’re a big girl and can make big girl decisions. And it’s nobody’s responsibility but you to save yourself.”

“Exactly.” Layla gave a nod of her head.

Adora put her hands up, closed her eyes, and let out yet another sigh. ”That said, I don’t know your exact situation, so I don’t know what help I can give you, really - but you know that whole fucking saying about magic? Infinite possibilities? There’s a way. There’s always a way.”

Layla mulled it over a bit, before realization dawned on her face, followed by grimness.

“...There is a way. Perhaps a way that is long overdue.”

Her eyes glanced up at Adora. “Would you… be willing to ask Britney if she can use her sealing skills… on me? My ghosts?”

”Consider it, done,” Adora nodded her head. ”Maybe she can teach us both how to seal… we’ll probably need it the way things are going.”

Layla nodded back, a grim look on her face. “You're probably right.”

She stood up from the pier, turning to face Adora directly. “I uh, don't know about you, but I haven't had breakfast yet. Do you feel like heading in for a bite?”

”Sure,” Adora just agreed with a shrug. ”I’m always in the mood for some food.” Adora laughed.

Layla nodded, and gestured to an eatery just a couple steps away. The Golden Lobster. “They won't be busy now. Let's grab some breakfast.”

And she headed inside.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

@ERode Clever, very clever. I'm all for it. We can collab them getting taken once asleep, or we can have that happen off-screen.

Regardless, I'll send over a collab sheet for the talk with Willowsteel.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

@Estylwen Oh I'm rapt with anticipation as to where this is going. We'll hit the collab board again to talk about it more once the meeting's done!

@AtomicEmperor

Yeses, me too! That sounds good to me!

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

The House on the Hill

Interactions: Leon (@AtomicEmperor), Sully (@Atrophy), Nora (@Shin Ghost Note)

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"-The whole point, really was you having rowdy uncontrolled spirits! You're learning, we're trying to improve your control, right!?”

Leon

Layla sweated a bit, a sheepish smile on her face. She had terribly wanted to skip the work and get straight to practicing with Void. But, she had to play by the Temple's rules this time. They knew what they were doing, specializing in apparitions and all.

So a new Charge? Layla made a face, staring at Leon. She had always had apparitions following her around. Now it would be the other way around: she would be the one seeking out an apparition. But who could she ask?

She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Luna, leaning across the counter to shake her a little.

“Talk to me after this, I can help you with that.” Luna said with a wink.

Aislin immediately flattened her gaze at Luna. “I dislike everything you just said, girl. What if Layla doesn't like your brand of demon?”

Luna gave a shrug. “Can't be worse than the violent bloodsuckers she's dealing with now.”

Layla just gave a grateful smile. Yes, anything was better than Mr. Riil and his sisters. Well, sister. Having their numbers reduced by one had made her days just that much better. And she was happy to see it reduce to zero. She was happy to switch them out for something she could maybe tackle better.

Which raised the question, just what apparitions did the House of Cards have…?

Layla pursed her lips. It wasn't a question to ask here and now. She felt slightly admonished, staring at Leon as he hushed her. Void was a sensitive topic. Obviously, with how quickly Luna blew a fuse at it, and her mixed feelings towards Jack…

When Sully came out of nowhere, and shot her in the face with water. At least, she thought it was water, until she unintentionally swallowed some, and realized the delicious liquid was healing elixir. Immediately, like a baby chick seeing it's mama, she opened her mouth to take in the full flow of the elixr. With a satisfied sigh, she wiped her mouth, removing bandages and rolling her shoulders. She felt perfect.

“Sully, you're my knight in shining armour. Just give me a heads up next time!” She said, laughing after Leon.

Gesturing to Luna, Layla gave Leon an enthusiastic nod. “Sounds like I'll have a new Charge after this. So, no worries there!”

Aislin playfully rolled her eyes. “Hey, aren't we suppose to be thinking about what Nora's gonna make for us?”

Layla smiled smugly, looking like a prideful child. “I've already put in my request. Now it’s your guys turn.”

Aislin puzzled over it for a moment, before she turned to Nora with a smile. “A never-ending metal staff! You can just keep extending it, and extending it. Imagine all the people I'd be able to restrain with easy material like that…”

Luna hummed as she pressed her glass to her lips again, before she spoke, “No gadget for me. Wouldn't feel right. At least, not yet…”

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

@Estylwen is there any specific categorization or organization you want them in the HoC NPC post?

@Shin Ghost Note

Thank you for asking. Is it okay if I re-organize the HoC post a little bit? Here is how I would like it to be organized:

NPC List

Leadership
- Valencia
- Isabella

Capos
- Demos
- Lee
- Alexander

Staff
- Fox

Others
- Mr. Roosevelt
- "Lancy"

Deceased
- Phantasia
- Bruno

Thank you!

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Alexander

Alexander.Aetos

28 | Alexander Aetos | He/him [hr//]"Too hot to handle."

Description:

Alexander is the cousin of Demos Castles, and served in his mafia as a made man until they were assimilated by Phantasia Vorpal and the House of Cards. Under the watchful eye of Phantasia, he was promoted to capo, mainly due to his abstraction.

Energetic, bold and hot-blooded, Alexander is a perfect mirror to his abstraction, often appearing with little patience and always wanting to be on the move. Or, on the ‘hunt’ as he likes to call it. He loves his work, and has a penchant for toying with his victims, be it opposing mafia members or rats, before killing them.

He has a wife and kids hidden within St. Portwell. He loves them dearly, but tries to shield them from most of the mafia ongoings as possible. He's satisfied as he earns good coin for them to live comfortable lives.

Abstraction: Black Speed Breaker

Alexander's Black Speed Breaker is a variation of black lightning with a speed effect, red lux, and channeled by the four knuckle duster rings on his right hand.

Black Burst

Alexander creates and gathers black electricity around him, and then shoots forward at flurrying speeds, barely discernible by the naked eye. He can clear distances of up to 40 or so feet, or the distance between two buildings across an intersection. He moves so fast that gravity has little chance to work on him. If he's touched while moving in the Black Burst, the person touching him will be electrocuted as if they stuck a fork in a socket. He can do these in quick succession to be a harder target to hit.

Black Lightning

Alexander is able to create black lightning in his hands and across his body. If gathered in a hand, he can shoot it out to hit a target at lightning fast speeds. He can increase or decrease the voltage, so it can feel like a buzzing numbness, or a painful jolt that causes convulsing.

"Fox"

Elias ”Fox”.Castles

30 | Elias “Fox” Castles (Kastellos) | He/him [hr//]"Don't try me."

Description:

The enforcer and internal affairs agent of the Castles family, and younger brother to Demos Castles. This role was maintained when the Castles Family was defeated and assimilated into the House of Cards. Fox's role is similar to IA agents of corporate businesses where sensitive information is a daily use. He ensures there are no moles, or moles are carefully monitored, interrogated, and snuffed out. He stamps out any dissention, or people talking bad about leadership under any circumstances. And when he stamps this talk out, men are left with horrifying memories and trauma. He ensures men are quick to obey any order from leadership, pulling his puppet strings from the shadows.

Fox himself is fiercely loyal to his brother, and in turn, the House of Cards. They may not always see eye to eye, but he’d glady lay down his life for his kin.

And yes, the back part of his hair is dyed. He doesn't want to be mistaken for an old man.

Abstraction: Shadow Puppeteer

A mix of red and pink lux, the Shadow Puppeteer abstraction allows Fox to puppet any body or sentient entity. His channeler is a ring on his hand.

The Puppet Strings

The strings themselves are a mix of red and pink lux, translucent pink as they are cast, and fading into intangibility and invisibility once sunk into flesh. There are hooks on the end that make the string notoriously hard to pull out. And, once sunk in, turning intangible, they become impossible to physically pull out.

The strings with their hooks don't hurt as they sink into flesh. At least, not yet.

Attacking with the Strings

Fox can cast these strings with a thought, emanating from his being and flying in straight or curved lines towards his chosen target. He can cast upwards of twenty strings at a time.

String Subjugation

One string lodged in a limb controls the muscle group of that entire area. So, if Fox were to attach a string to a forearm, he would be able to control the entire muscle group, including the upper arm, shoulder, and fingers.

These strings connect Fox's mind with another being, be it person, entity, or animal, and allow his will to take over.

To fully take over, say, a person, strings would need to be attached to each forearm, each shin, the chest, and the back of the neck. Six strings in total to fully exert his mind over another and puppet them to his will. More strings may need to be added for beings of different sizes and shapes, or if they are resistant to mind control.

Senses Through the Puppet Strings

Each string, when embedded into flesh or ghostly wisps, relays sensations back to Fox’s mind. He can control a subjugated hand like it was his own, able to feel the sensations of the hand as if it were his own.

A fully subjugated body allows Fox to simply close his eyes, and ‘see’ through the eyes of the subjugated target, feeling as they feel. He can get bodily sensations, and he is able to determine the emotional state of the target.

Pulling the Puppet Strings

Due to the shape of the hook that digs into the flesh of a target, pulling on it causes immense pain. Fox is able to pull on any number of strings he has, as uses this as his favoured torture method.

Detaching the Puppet Strings

When Fox is done with the subjugation, with a thought, the strings become tangible once more, and the hooks disintegrate, the strings slipping from the target. The target will then slowly begin to regain control of their own body again.

"Lancy"

”Lancy”.Zhu

23 | “Lancy” Zhu | She/her [hr//]"What's my next project?"

Description:

Like her father who was friends with the House of Cards before dying in gang attack - House of Cards enemies wanting to finish their ability to forge magical weapons - Lancy is a “special friend” of the Family. Not an official, or even made member of the mafia, but special exceptions and protections are given to her due to her special craft. Her existence is kept under wraps as much as possible for her own protection.

The House of Cards takes very good care of Lancy, employing her to create artifacts on an as-needed basis. However, due to their price and time taken to make, very few artifacts are produced and handed over.

Abstraction: Teal-Tinted Imbuement

By channeling her orange lux through her sunglasses, Lancy is able to imbue objects with a specific purpose, or singular focus. The bigger or heavier the object is, the more lux is required to fill the crevices of the object. This is why she prefers lighter objects, like imbuing sunglasses and parasols. Sunglass imbuement only take a few days, where a steel butcher knife could take weeks to fill with intent.

Her imbuements are purposefully simple to ensure they work. A single line of code, if you will. Imbuements with more lines of code are known to backfire, and can cause harm to the wielder.

A few examples of her imbuements include creating an umbrella that amplifies a person's lux over an area like rain. Another example is creating a pair of sunglasses that force magic to be still, or deactivate.

"What Did They Do To Us?" - A Mysterious Supernatural Escape RP!!

New post is up! We will likely be moving to the surgery room in my next post.