Lia, sadly, was part of those left behind. She had insisted to come, but never begged to. Her dignity could not be reduced to pleading, when she clearly knew her worth as a hunter; everyone else was the problem, as if vision was the only sense to have. A pitiful being to be, depending only on one's sight to see.
She hitched the trophy, pulling on one of the fastening that was starting to come undone. It rattled once again, this time against her armor and pack. Lia listened to the guard, squinting at the direction of his voice as he asked. "Fine work. If I may, how was something as small as you able to slay a creature so massive?"
"I used a snare and shot it in the eye while trapped." She tried to speak calmly. Even then, a hint of spurned anger tinged her speech. "Was there another way to behead an ogre alone?"
Lia wanted to take back her sarcastic question, but she was tired, and the ogre head was getting heavy. With heft, she propped the giant bulbous organ on the ground. It sat neatly; whatever fluid would have leaked had dried up on her trek back to civilization. She could hear the guard behind the desk fumbling about, followed by the distinct chinkling of a bag of coins.
"I believe 40 coins was the agreed upon price." Lia reached forward until her fingertips touched the edge of the table; she then continued, now palming for the bag of coins. Her vision never strayed from the nothingness it was staring at until she grabbed the bag by the tie and pocketed it.
She returns to the ogre and, twisting it until it oriented in the guard's general direction. Lia felt its forehead, looking for the marking she had carved. "Do you see this?" She ran her hand on letters that spelled "IRELIA"
"If you are to announce this creature's demise, I want my name mentioned. Irelia Vyntr." Emphasis on the last name. Lia had a glassy look, yet expressed so much just by the way her eyelids twitched, and her brows furrowed. Her glare was absolute passion.
"Do you understand what I am asking of you.., sir?" Lia stood firmly, waiting for his response.
@TheHangedMan Currently, two servant slots and my master slot :3c
@Tenma Tendo I don't want to trouble you too much, considering you have master and servant already, so this might be a better arrangement if HangedMan wants to take the master slot.
Abi liked to watch people interact; there was some sort of delight just seeing them-- be themselves. If nobody knew any better, the only reason she talks is to make sure her actions are merited, or when she is spoken to.
She brings the milk to her lips and drinks slowly, her eyes darted from one person to the other in banter. (Interesting interesting people~) Perhaps she didn't want to say anything yet? Abi was about to have another bite of the slice of toast, that is until someone else introduced himself.
"I'm Alex. Gothic lolita, right?" He spoke with interest; Abi could tell that Alex was watching, almost studying how intricate her dress was. She loved the attention, slowly putting her glass down to answer..
"I take it you're a fellow fan of my fashion?" Alliteration intended, for that extra dash of literary litheness. Abi squinted briefly, a subtle smile present. "Yes. I am. Don't you think it matches well with my ability?"
"So...Your self-image?" --which was what he asked next. "Like.. how I see myself from the inside. The 'me' that I have kept hidden-- without the layers and the judgement."
Shade Alter, though-- was a fickle little thing. Abigail had learned to inspect herself, so the two beings almost weaved into harmony. A sight for later-- maybe soon.
"You would be surprised at the alters recorded in history." She added, to keep the conversation going. "It's not odd to see Alters of all shapes and sizes-- you could even see some that are of a different gender, and even animals." The true-self was sometimes interpreted as identity-- the perfect bridge between imagination and reality.
She closes that conversation, opting now to add to someone elses. This time, her almost-identical twin.
"Pain, death, and suffering are the harsh realities of life. Blocking it out is the same as averting your eyes to tragedy." She took this small window to get a few nibbles in and a gulp, refilling her glass of milk before answering.
"Viola is correct." Abi wanted to sound as firm-yet-comforting as possible, so she spoke with hints of sympathy. Her mother used to do this all the time. "Those are just realities we can't run from. Although--" Now she aimed at Viola, who seemed too harsh to word herself.
"We cannot come to the truth instantly, wouldn't you agree..?"
Abi spoke with certainty; truth was something she took seriously. Her ability centered around it, so she would know a few things.
The girl opened here mouth, intending to add more of her acquired 'wisdom', until Melody rushed towards the hulking Morholt.
"Speaking of death as a reality.." Abi rose from her seat, ready to head over to the rash pinkette and drag her away if needed.
"Ah...that, Abi, dear, is Morholt the 'Death Knight'." "Oh. So he does have a name." Spoken under her breath.
Abi had another apostrophic chide, coincidentally speaking with Viola at the same time. "--should be quite interesting to watch what happens, hm?" "Should we do something now?" Abi knew the line as soon as it was laid down. Situations like these didn't end well.
(Hmm.. I see a Goliath, but where's David..?)
"C'mon guys, break it up! The year's barely started, do you really need to do this?"
"...God bless your soul, Melody." Once again, under her breath.
Irelia was sitting on a rotten log: a makeshift stool for quick lunch. The fire was low, barely stoked as to not give a bigger smoke trail. She was deep into the forest, a small clearing made to house her simple camp. This was just a small break, and off deeper she would go: unideal for a hunter of her 'condition'
Lia was at the mercy of the forest-- nature, creatures, monsters, bandits. At any moment, a bear could easily wander and ruin her flow. She also had to be careful not to eat unripe/ poisonous matter. All of these, she had to consider as she ate wild berries: silent food, meant to be eaten by the piece. Lia had tested this bunch extensively, first rubbing it on her skin, and then to her lips. If any irritation occurs, that was a tainted bunch. Carefully, she chewed. Slowly. Her hearing would be important to track her mark.
Every twitch, every breath of the forest alerted her to stop and check her surroundings-- but she wasn't looking for those whispers. Lia came here for the beast. She had to listen for the big game.
Lia was just heating up a tin of water to boil some saffron: a hunger suppressant. That is, until she sensed it coming. Her adrenaline spiked; instinct kicked it as she scrambled. She drank the warm water, keeping the spice in her pouch to steep for later.
'thump.'
'thump.'
'Thump.'
"..!" The rustle of twigs, snapping of branches and subtle tremors on the ground could only mean one thing: her target was close. Every step it took closed the gap. Closer and closer, hunter and monster. Lia slung her pack, and then her bow to prepare for the hunt. Her quiver was at the ready: outfitted with the necessary arrowheads to take down the gargantuan.
Lia quickly snuffed the fire with her foot, burying the obvious sign of her presence. She positioned herself by a tree, running her finger by the notches she had made: a noticeable "I·XXX·I" had been carved on its side. It meant a trap was nearby·for giant creatures·meant to immobilize.
Here's a quick guide to understand Irelia's tree markings. Will definitely add more acronyms as the RP goes on.
Her markings consist of three parts: Distance·Trap Size·Trap Type
Distance: Follows Roman Numerals to gauge proximity. Each number is 10 seconds of straight walking in the direction she is facing. Trap Size: Each X is an increment for size.
X: small creatures eg. rabbits, foxes, gnomes XX: medium creatures eg. humans, tigers XXX: large creatures eg. trolls, ogres, bears XV: very-large creatures eg. giant, dragons
Trap Type: Indicates the nature of the trap.
I: Immobilize P: Poison K: Kill M: Mark
Each acronym is separated by a large circumpunct.
The ogre lumbered, not even concealing its location.. The creature didn't survive because of stealth anyway. What it lacked in speed, it made up with raw bulk and power. She had targeted Ogres before, far bigger than this mountain pass scourge. However, this was her first blind hunt. How she would handle this would either make a new reputation as a respectable hunter, or have her stay the disgraced daughter of one of the best hunters in the land. A tall shadow to overcome when all she sees is darkness.
Silica crouched by the foliage, bow in hand. She nocks a broadhead and holds her breath. Her stance was low as she could make it, to reduce noise and visibility-- not that ogres were known for their perception. In honesty, Lia had more with her four senses, than the ogre did with its five.
'thump' 'thump' 'thum---' She was completely quiet as she snuck over to get a better sense. The leaves crunched against her weight. Every crisp was a threat to give away her location. Lia froze, only moving when 'it' did. She matched every step the beast took, never far behind.
The creature groaned and grunted, oblivious to the creeping hunter. His stench gave wisps of dirt and gore, perfect for tracking.
'thump.'
'thump.'
(Come on.. Come on..) Suspense. Lia hoped her trap was good enough: a pitfall trap to pin it in place. Sharpened bone was dug in place at the bottom: boar tusks and ribs to impale. If not, the hole was deep, some few feet to keep the beast confined up to the chest, enough leeway to land an arrow. There was a giant goat carcass on top of the thatched opening: only a heavy creature could break the entwined branches.
(Just a few more...) She readied her bow into a draw. Any second now, the trap should spring.
'thump.'
'thump.'
'thu------CRRRRRRRRRRRASH!!'
The creature rasped in pain. At this point she didn't doubt the bones' effect; this would be something to note for future hunts. The ground tremors grew in magnitude as the ogre thrashed about! It threw what it could, stomping about and lacerating itself in the spikes!
Quickly, she shoots! She could hear another groan! It tosses what it could: dirt, pebbles and other matter! This only helped Lia pinpoint where the creature was. Her senses zeroing in with every action of the brute!
She nocks another arrow and pulls, waiting for the beast's movement. A rock soared, scathing Lia! She releases pre-maturely, missing, evident by the sound of impaled dirt.
This tirade continues another time until she could guess where the head would be. Her arrows could only harm it, only a shot to the head could kill. Each maligned arrow was just a papercut, something to wait out until healed. Swiftly, she unloads her quiver at the location, some would hit, but most just landed on the dirt. By the twelfth arrow, she had gained some sizeable injuries.
Lia kept going, exhaustion getting the best of her. To whittle down a week's worth of quivers would definitely take its toll. She imagined how easy it would have been if she could just see the eyes-- if only.
On the 20th arrow, the creature finally relented. It screamed as loud as it could, louder than ever! The unmistakeable sound of bone being pierced heralded her success!
"Please.. please.... please....." Lia was ready to collapse, yet she kept on. She leaned onto a nearby tree to anchor herself. If she falls down, then she would be prey to the wolves that prowl. No, she wouldn't let that happen!
She waited until the groaning stopped, a hoarse, labored breathing replaced. That was her cue to end it: end the hunt and finally return to Rothenburg. How she dreamed of being welcomed as an honored hunter, and this will definitely be her ticket.
Lia pushed herself off the tree and shambled towards the dying beast. Some last sets of grunting as a sign of its leaving life. Her glassy eyes tried to make contact; she at least tried to 'look' at it in the eyes as she pulled her dagger.
The creature had surrendered. It lay there, literally two feet in its grave. She didn't recite a litany nor given it any more honor than to end its suffering soon.
Her hand clumsily grabbed it by the top of the head for a firm hold. Lia pushed her dagger deep into the beast and made it fast.
'SSSSK
SSSSSSSSSSK
SK SK SK SK SK'
There was only one undeniable way to prove she had hunted an ogre.
[Location: Rothenburg]
Lia had to make camp after her hunt. She was severely hurt and tired; she couldn't leave her wounds to fester.
Three days later, she ambled towards the city gates. Without the signs of nature, Lia was left to use a walking stick to navigate the kingdom-ward roads. Each bump against the stone path disconnected her more and more, until the chirp were replaced with rabble, and the trees were now stands of merchants. It was a cacophony that left her unable to sense anything around her. She would hit a person or two along the way-- yet nobody dared to shout nor reprimand the blind hunter, not out of pity but respect.
Her cranial trophy was hoisted and slung snugly on her back. It's blood had already dried on her leather tunic, along with the battered armor from the ensuing struggle. It had been marked down to the bone, clearly with her name: "Irelia" This was her way of fending off would-be fame seekers, believably more capable of her achievement.
She navigated around the city, reaching where she last remembered the guard's barracks would be.
"I've come here for my reward." She boldly announced, as if the thing she's carrying didn't alert the entire city of the blind girl with a giant head strapped to her back.
Lia had something to show the captain, even a king's guard if she would be allowed to. Clutched in her hands would be a tattered, barely recognizeable hunting notice from two weeks ago.
Thank you. I will definitely consider seeking your help when I'm in a stump, as it seems you're so willing to extend yourself.
Currently, I'm having an issue whether my paragraphs are too short. In fact, this has kept me up at times-- whether I may be too complacent when it comes to detail. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this, and can provide my most recent posts here and in my other accounts.
