Saltwater Thief

The Infinite Railroad

I might make a mechanic or engineer character, haven't had one of those in a long while...

The Infinite Railroad

I'm interested, if there's room.

Through the Doors of our hearts - Finished

Alexander

"Boy do I know how that goes," Alexander replied, thoughts going to the dagger upstairs. "'Don't do that in public,' 'people will see,' 'what, do you think you'll be attacked on the street?' 'Don't bring that to the dinner table!' It gets old after a while."

He spoke in mockery of the various things some adults had told him, and he was sure had told Astrid. It was all rather silly, really.

If he let Hannah or Sumi answer first he'd never get a word in edgewise, Alex thought, so he took the initiative. "Woodcarving, mostly. Go find small logs outside and see what I can carve them into. Can't say I'm good at it, but it helps keep the knife sharp, if nothing else."

Speaking of knives, he thought, his food would get cold if he didn't get back to it. So, as he left the floor open for the girls, he turned his attention back to what was on his plate.

A Modern Magical Superhero Academy

You have my attention.

Through the Doors of our hearts - Finished

Alexander

"Valhalla? Hmm," Alexander thought. It SOUNDED familiar, but from where? "I think I remember a pirate gang back home talking about that, something about a 'Warrior's Hall' or the like? Err, sorry, if you'd rather stop answering questions that's fine."

He quickly apologized as he realized that all the questioning was probably making Astrid uncomfortable. He'd been badgered incessantly, or so it had seemed, when he first arrived. And now here he was doing the same to someone else. Talking about home was hard; sure, the pleasant memories came flooding back, but after they receded all that was ever left was the sad, crushing knowledge that this wasn't home. And in the wake of that, of course, was the doubt of whether or not he would ever see it again. And now, here he was, putting someone else through that.

"So, abrupt change in subject," he said after Kade and Astrid had had their exchange, "What do you like to do when there's nothing to do, Astrid? What's your instrument for killing time?"

Sector X

Sophie

Name: Sophie Castellia

Age: 19

Appearance:

Hider

Power/ Talent: Surge- Sophie's power is very unique in that it relates to other psychic abilities. Specifically, she has the ability to increase the power of nearby psychics by several magnitudes. How great the boost is depends on Sophie's interaction with the intended recipient(s); she subconsciously buffs all abilities in the area around her by a small amount, but if she focuses she can increase the degree on specific allies. Conversely, if her emotions run high and she loses herself, the effects increase and decrease completely at random until she calms down. But the most powerful form of her ability comes from touch; if Sophie physically touches another psychic and applies herself, their abilities increase in power and flexibility by an absurd amount while the contact is maintained.

Biography: Six years ago, Sophie Castellia was just a normal teenage girl living a normal teenage life. She went to school, she did her homework, and she daydreamed. But, where most girls her age daydreamed about boys (and some of them about other girls) or their ideal, fulfilling careers, Sophie daydreamed about something more abstract; she dreamed of doing some good in the world, helping to better the planet she called home in some meaningful way. And she held that idea into High School, where she signed up for the ROTC program. Her intention was to use that to go into a career in the Armed Forces, but it was cut short when her physical capacities were found wanting. The program told her "Sorry, no thank you" and left it at that. At first, she thought, it was no matter; surely there were other avenues, other paths by which she could help others. And so she soldiered on.

Something changed, however, when her unique ability woke up. She'd known about the generic psychic abilities, although hers were weak enough that she could hide them, the same as everyone else. But it wasn't until just after her High School graduation that she discovered Surge. It’s discovery is not an event she goes into details on if she can ever avoid it; it was an accident, a major accident that resulted in most of her friends dying and one of them, her best friend Moriah, left in a coma. Because of it, Sophie had gone into self-inflicted isolation; she didn't associate with anybody, psychic or not, and she worked the graveyard shift because she couldn’t sleep at night. One day, a pair of the Sector’s cohorts came to visit, promising her help and an opportunity to do some good in the world again...

Hobbies: Reading, drawing, and gardening (it helps keep her calm).

Personality: Sophie is, or rather was, an idealist. She was quick with a kind word, or a hug for those okay with that, and always had something positive or optimistic to say, sometimes almost to the line of naivety. Theoretically, she still is of that quality- but it's all been buried under a mask of stone that refuses to connect with anyone.

Role in Sector X: N/A

Additional Info: Sophie's basic abilities (telekinesis and telepathy) are comparatively weak... unless she Surges herself, that is.

Sector X

Sophie

Name: Sophie Castellia

Age: 19

Appearance:

Hider

Power/ Talent: Surge- Sophie's power is very unique in that it relates to other psychic abilities. Specifically, she has the ability to increase the power of nearby psychics by several magnitudes. How great the boost is depends on Sophie's interaction with the intended recipient(s); she subconsciously buffs all abilities in the area around her by a small amount, but if she focuses she can increase the degree on specific allies. Conversely, if her emotions run high and she loses herself, the effects increase and decrease completely at random until she calms down. But the most powerful form of her ability comes from touch; if Sophie physically touches another psychic and applies herself, their abilities increase in power and flexibility by an absurd amount while the contact is maintained.

Biography: Six years ago, Sophie Castellia was just a normal teenage girl living a normal teenage life. She went to school, she did her homework, and she daydreamed. But, where most girls her age daydreamed about boys (and some of them about other girls) or their ideal, fulfilling careers, Sophie daydreamed about something more abstract; she dreamed of doing some good in the world, helping to better the planet she called home in some meaningful way. And she held that idea into High School, where she signed up for the ROTC program. Her intention was to use that to go into a career in the Armed Forces, but it was cut short when her physical capacities were found wanting. The program told her "Sorry, no thank you" and left it at that. At first, she thought, it was no matter; surely there were other avenues, other paths by which she could help others. And so she soldiered on.

Something changed, however, when her unique ability woke up. She'd known about the generic psychic abilities, although hers were weak enough that she could hide them, the same as everyone else. But it wasn't until just after her High School graduation that she discovered Surge. It’s discovery is not an event she goes into details on if she can ever avoid it; it was an accident, a major accident that resulted in most of her friends dying and one of them, her best friend Moriah, left in a coma. Because of it, Sophie had gone into self-inflicted isolation; she didn't associate with anybody, psychic or not, and she worked the graveyard shift because she couldn’t sleep at night. One day, a pair of the Sector’s cohorts came to visit, promising her help and an opportunity to do some good in the world again...

Hobbies: Reading, drawing, and gardening (it helps keep her calm).

Personality: Sophie is, or rather was, an idealist. She was quick with a kind word, or a hug for those okay with that, and always had something positive or optimistic to say, sometimes almost to the line of naivety. Theoretically, she still is of that quality- but it's all been buried under a mask of stone that refuses to connect with anyone.

Role in Sector X: N/A

Additional Info: Sophie's basic abilities (telekinesis and telepathy) are comparatively weak... unless she Surges herself, that is.

Sector X

Sophie's coming back. Just need to make the time.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Wilhelm the Black Blade

Husband of Onyx (@Vesuvius00) and Amalia (@Belle)
Interacting with Onyx & Amalia

Neither of his brides knew how to ride a horse, it seemed. That would make the trip even slower. But there was no helping it, save to remember to give them proper training when time permitted. With little time that was dwindling fast he took hold of both brides by the arm and impatiently pulled them both toward the two horses. No ceremony was involved as he gruffly lifted one, then the other off their feet with ease and sat them atop the horses. He gave little instruction aside from ordering them to take hold of the reigns and aim to keep from falling off before he drew from his steed's saddlebags a long length of rope. He tied the rope first to his own horse, then linked the other two animals to his own and remounted. With nary a word he set them off down the road in a relatively slow but steady procession.

Thankfully the trip was uneventful. They cleared the marsh with no further difficulties, and from there it was a simple winding road into the mountains of southern Drakka. It was nearing nightfall when the dimly glowing lights of Nachtstone at last came into view, and darkness began to set in as the three horses passed through the mouth of the gorge that contained the settlement. It stretched down a narrow path lined with houses, many of them carved into the rock walls of the mountain. Several Drakken and a few reptilian creatures that could be identified as slaves by the crude iron collars around their necks wandered from their places of rest to see their lord's coming, but at the look of discontent on Wilhelm's face none dared say or try a thing. The pass continued further before opening up into a large circular valley where, jutting out from the mountainside in glistening black stone and metal, stood Wilhelm's estate. It was not overly large, standing only three stories in height with a few towers that went higher, but everything about it seemed foreboding and dangerous.

As Wilhelm and his brides reached the gates, three Drakken approached them from the castle, one larger than the others by far and bereft of any neckwear while his cohorts wore bands of polished steel about their necks. "My lord," this large one said as he bowed deeply, "I am relieving to see you returned. With the lateness of the hour we began to question if something foul had transpired."

"You were right to," Wilhelm responded coldly, "Something did. Matteo attempted to betray me. And you know how I... abhor betrayal, Harkus."

"Indeed my lord," Harkus replied, "I see you remain unharmed as alway."

"Naturally. Have a rider sent to the Nox Marsh at first light; if he follow the road he will find the carriage and a mess of corpses that he is to see burned."

"It will be done my lord. You heard him, did you not?" Harkus asked of one of his companions, who only nodded in reply, "Then prepare your horse to ride this evening." The man hurried to heed the command.

"My brides and I are all weary from the journey," Wilhelm continued, "See to it that they are both washed, fed, and shown to their rooms. How fare the tailors?"

"Smoothly my lord," Harkus replied, "They should be finished with the first array by midday tomorrow."

"And the smiths?"

"Delayed by a servant misplacing the gemstones. He has been dealt with properly, and they say they shall finish by the dawn after next."

"Very well. I wish to wash myself. While I see to that, Eliza is to prepare my chambers and await me there. I trust I have made myself clear?"

"Crystalline," Harkus replied again, "You there, take the brides to the bath at once."

While Amalia and Onyx were taken care of, Wilhelm walked briskly indoors and up to the third level of the castle where his personal chambers lay. He washed himself first, still seething with quiet fury, but soon emerged into his bedroom and placed himself into the capable care and hands he'd personally molded his eldest and presently most prized bride to have for the evening.

When the next day dawned, Wilhelm brought his brides before him to give them a proper introduction to the castle. He explained first that there was a hierarchy denoted by the collars; the iron were worn by slaves, the steel by indentured Drakken, and Wilhelm's trusted secondaries such as Harkus wore none. They would be free to ask what they wished of the slaves at any time, as well as the indentured ones when Wilhelm permitted it, so long as it did not violate his own edicts. Secondly, any doors in Nachstone that were open could be passed through, those that were closed only when he was present, and those that were locked never at all, though they could not see any locks or keyholes in any of the thick, heavy, wooden doors. Lastly, if he bid them do something it was to be done to the best of their ability without question or hesitation. Violations, or attempts to violate these laws would be punished, and though he did not say how several of the servants visibly winced at the word. Lastly, he introduced them to their elder sister bride Eliza, an almost unnaturally beautiful Gem who smiled warmly, but seemed just a little empty inside, as though she'd given up a piece of herself. She was pleasant enough, however, and soon set about talking with and getting to know Amalia and Onyx and answering what questions she could about life at Nachtstone.

Around midday, a pair of indentured Drakken appeared bearing a variety of clothing, and Eliza directed Amalia and Onyx to stand still as she delicately helped them strip down and these Drakken, whom she referred to as the tailors, redressed them in elegant black dresses with red trimming. Eliza could always be seen sporting a similar dress code, and she informed them that Wilhelm had all of their clothing made in the castle. Once the tailors were satisfied, they carried the rest of the garments, which came in a small variety of lengths and styles but only ever in black with red accents and trim, up to the Gems's rooms. Wilhelm had looked on as this occurred, but was soon distracted by a letter arriving, endorsed with the royal house's sigil. So, he thought, the old King had finally passed. And now Gaelenesh was to take the throne. He would, of course, demand Wilhelm's loyalty and respect, and so long as he proved to conducted himself in a manner appropriate of a warrior he would have it. But even should Wilhelm find fit to turn away from the former High Prince, Nachtstone would endure. Of that he was certain; it was what his line had always done, and what it would continue to do. For now, he slid the letter into a pocket and paid it no further mind that day. More pressing matters were at hand.

Eliza's Reference Picture

Summary

Wilhelm gets the brides home, has them washed and taken to their beds while he enjoys the company of the Bride he already had. The next day (Day 3), he explains how things work at Nachtstone, introduces Amalia & Onyx to Eliza, and they get their new clothes while Wilhelm gets the fateful letter. He's alright with Gaelenesh... for now.

Day 4 details to follow after further discussion with groupmates.

Through the Doors of our hearts - Finished

Alexander

Sometimes solitude just wasn't permitted at the school. Especially not where Hannah and Sumi were concerned. Refusing would only result in the two of them coming and pulling over insistently, so he sighed and resigned himself as he changed course with his food plate. He kept quiet as the chatter started, though it was interesting to see Astrid and Christopher hit it off like they did. He couldn't keep quiet much longer, however, when Astrid turned and asked him a question about where home was.

"Oh, I went to a place called Sylvent," he replied between bites of food, "Floating islands up in the clouds, airships and planes to get around. Really nice place. Full of adventure."

And there again he found himself wishing he could fly again. The wind howling about him, nothing but the clouds for company, and the whole sky ahead to move about in as he pleased. Walls were tolerable and often necessary, so he never felt cramped out surrounded indoors, but compared to the freedom of the air, well...

"You said you were from a Morte world? Which one?"