Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on Dec 2, 2021 14:31:29 GMT -5
There were landscapes of rain, in vivid colours that seemed to drip down the pages, very soon lying spread onto the bed. All sorts of paintings that she'd take out from the drawing block in her backpack, and spread around. There was a painting of the sky leaning against the pillow, burning blue apart from a single wisp of cloud, apart a single tree in the distance. The courtesans of the Azure Archipelago walked along their pebbled street, on the floor, their embroidery and layered robes captured on paper in exquisite detail. Right beside them, the sun shone through a mist-veiled forest canopy. A barren northern steppe, the rusty polearms of an ancient battlefield stretching as far as the eye could see. Swirling shapes of magic. An underwater scene, with the painter’s two hands drawing tantalizingly close to translucent, gem-like, razor-sharp coral. There were a few other paintings, most of them landscapes, and strangely none of them showing faces. To be forced to part with her memories would feel like having her soul ripped asunder. To offer them in gratitude was to make new memories in turn. Nina smiled. Elegastus smiled back, glad to see she was much happier. Poor girl, thrust into a world she never wanted, instead of doing this, clearly her passion. "I'd love to lass" He said, pulling out one in particular, the underwater piece from before. "I'll be sure to put it on the mantle for visitors to see, and for yourself when ye come home."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Dec 4, 2021 15:45:31 GMT -5
“D-do you try to adopt all humans o-or o-only those that nearly die on you?” A chuckle poorly masked Nina’s shock.
Being offered shelter happened. As a travelling painter, it was not the first or last time she took advantage of people’s kindness. Sometimes she slept in a barn, other times in a palace. Being offered a home, was…
Well. She would have said it wasn’t something that happened.
She wondered whether ‘home’ held a different meaning in the fiends’ dialect. Especially since she couldn’t remember mentioning not having one. Her fingers clung to the edges of paintings as she collected back the rest of them. It all felt overwhelming, and she decided to leave the thought for later to deal with. But it was not the first or last time that Nina found herself confused in a foreign land, and so she did what she always did: look at the other’s expression. It was a good expression.
There would be work to do that day, people to visit, leaf-boats to sail. But for now…
“I’d love to return one day,” she said in the end, her eyes bright.
And meant it.
/exit, stage left
ooc: Thank you for the lovely series of threads ^^
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Apr 3, 2022 8:06:46 GMT -5
She travelled with the Public Indecency, a single-mast cog from Port Argentium on the hunt for glimmering shoals of purple-striped mackerel. Or rather, as her captain would tell you, lightly plodding along. The Indecency was a patchwork thing, made of bits and bobs that had fallen off the behemoth Depravity, some which may have been helped along with a judicious kick, and planks of strange wood from the new world that hadn't even had time to dry. It had barnacles growing on it before it was even built. It creaked and groaned. Still, its one square sail was strong, and though it beelined for land the moment a darker cloud skimmed the horizon, it was also one of the few ships that could safely navigate beyond a day's reach of the shore.
When one of the griffin-riders had brought back news of shoals of fish like endless ink rivers in the open sea (awkwardly damp and dragging back a griffin almost too plump to fly), the Indecency packed up its barrels of water and acorn hard-tack. And Nina was on it when it set off, trying not to get in people's way, struggling to learn on the fly the sailing jargon from the silver-named city's side of the multiverse. She'd left Gray with clear instructions to take care of himself, and plopped herself at the bow, looking forward to the horizon. Because the smaller boats could bring back food for the settlement, but the Indecency had an additional mission. It would sail to Helsreach. It would bring a catch of the largest, freshest fish to the King's kitchen. It was a thanks for their lives, and the lives of people they knew. They'd do the same for the hunters who had travelled to Port Argentium, if any had returned. The rest, they would try to trade it at the market for items that were hard to come by in Argentium. Metal tools and cloth, mainly, Nina had heard. Because if there was one thing that Port Argentium had and the prosperous Helsreach lacked still, that was ships to brave the open sea.
Three days later (it would have taken less, but for unfriendly wind), Nina was running along a barely-guessed path in the outskirts of Helsreach city. The breeze had softened to a whistle, just enough to send her braids flying. She ran, then staggered, and then ran some more. A garland of lavender-scaled mackerel, threaded together through their eye-sockets like some cultures would weave onion and garlic, swayed against her shoulder and side. From the distance she looked like a piece of blue lint twirling against the red sheen of the land. A thin layer of gelatinous fiendstuff covered the soil as far as the eye could see, making the grass and the crops and the few scattered trees look surreal in comparison as they rushed past her. A few times she looked around, fearful that she had taken a wrong turn. But it was not long until Nina came to an interwoven system of creeks, and saw the stone spire of Elagastus's farm in the distance. Well – he called it a farm – it had always looked like more of a castle to the young woman. But then, she had never been part of Hell's aristocracy. On the other side of the creek, there was no fiendstuff. Just freshly tilled soil, and placidly growing cabbages. She carefully brushed her soles in the water before crossing it.
The only unusually red thing on the other side was the running woman's face, as she was reaching the point of not having enough energy to draw in breath. Tiny scales on her face glistened with sweat. She lost the path, crossed a field or two, jumped over a watering ditch and breathlessly climbed the many, many stone steps up to the watchtower-like house made of pale stone, as a gust of wind brought a refreshing spray from the nearby waterfall.
It was only when her knuckles tapped the heavy door that she considered the likely possibility of her acquaintance simply not being home.
“Elagastus! Ooooi! Elagastus, it's me, Nina!” She called.
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Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on Apr 3, 2022 17:46:13 GMT -5
She travelled with the Public Indecency, a single-mast cog from Port Argentium on the hunt for glimmering shoals of purple-striped mackerel. Or rather, as her captain would tell you, lightly plodding along. The Indecency was a patchwork thing, made of bits and bobs that had fallen off the behemoth Depravity, some which may have been helped along with a judicious kick, and planks of strange wood from the new world that hadn't even had time to dry. It had barnacles growing on it before it was even built. It creaked and groaned. Still, its one square sail was strong, and though it beelined for land the moment a darker cloud skimmed the horizon, it was also one of the few ships that could safely navigate beyond a day's reach of the shore. When one of the griffin-riders had brought back news of shoals of fish like endless ink rivers in the open sea (awkwardly damp and dragging back a griffin almost too plump to fly), the Indecency packed up its barrels of water and acorn hard-tack. And Nina was on it when it set off, trying not to get in people's way, struggling to learn on the fly the sailing jargon from the silver-named city's side of the multiverse. She'd left Gray with clear instructions to take care of himself, and plopped herself at the bow, looking forward to the horizon. Because the smaller boats could bring back food for the settlement, but the Indecency had an additional mission. It would sail to Helsreach. It would bring a catch of the largest, freshest fish to the King's kitchen. It was a thanks for their lives, and the lives of people they knew. They'd do the same for the hunters who had travelled to Port Argentium, if any had returned. The rest, they would try to trade it at the market for items that were hard to come by in Argentium. Metal tools and cloth, mainly, Nina had heard. Because if there was one thing that Port Argentium had and the prosperous Helsreach lacked still, that was ships to brave the open sea. Three days later (it would have taken less, but for unfriendly wind), Nina was running along a barely-guessed path in the outskirts of Helsreach city. The breeze had softened to a whistle, just enough to send her braids flying. She ran, then staggered, and then ran some more. A garland of lavender-scaled mackerel, threaded together through their eye-sockets like some cultures would weave onion and garlic, swayed against her shoulder and side. From the distance she looked like a piece of blue lint twirling against the red sheen of the land. A thin layer of gelatinous fiendstuff covered the soil as far as the eye could see, making the grass and the crops and the few scattered trees look surreal in comparison as they rushed past her. A few times she looked around, fearful that she had taken a wrong turn. But it was not long until Nina came to an interwoven system of creeks, and saw the stone spire of Elagastus's farm in the distance. Well – he called it a farm – it had always looked like more of a castle to the young woman. But then, she had never been part of Hell's aristocracy. On the other side of the creek, there was no fiendstuff. Just freshly tilled soil, and placidly growing cabbages. She carefully brushed her soles in the water before crossing it. The only unusually red thing on the other side was the running woman's face, as she was reaching the point of not having enough energy to draw in breath. Tiny scales on her face glistened with sweat. She lost the path, crossed a field or two, jumped over a watering ditch and breathlessly climbed the many, many stone steps up to the watchtower-like house made of pale stone, as a gust of wind brought a refreshing spray from the nearby waterfall. It was only when her knuckles tapped the heavy door that she considered the likely possibility of her acquaintance simply not being home. “Elagastus! Ooooi! Elagastus, it's me, Nina!” She called.
The door would quickly open and she would find herself suddenly pulled into a tight hug by the horned man.
"Nina Lass! You finally came home!" He loosened his grip a bit, and smiled down at her. "How've ye been lass!"
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Apr 13, 2022 16:43:42 GMT -5
A pat on the back. A raised hand, asking for time as the young woman caught her breath,
“I...” she gasped. Her hands were resting on her knees, barely able to hold their own weight. “I broke into someone's mind, brought an assassin back to life, and had a centuries-old construct collapse around me.” A smile slowly appeared on Nina's face as she looked up at Elagastus. “More importantly, I brought you fresh fish.”
As someone who had grown up on a ship, Nina thought there was little in the world tastier than that. Also little that was more foul than fish no longer fresh.
“Oh, sorry.” She murmured, nearly bending back down when she realized that the hug may have stained Elagastus' clothes.
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Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on Apr 14, 2022 12:27:03 GMT -5
A pat on the back. A raised hand, asking for time as the young woman caught her breath, “I...” she gasped. Her hands were resting on her knees, barely able to hold their own weight. “I broke into someone's mind, brought an assassin back to life, and had a centuries-old construct collapse around me.” A smile slowly appeared on Nina's face as she looked up at Elagastus. “More importantly, I brought you fresh fish.” As someone who had grown up on a ship, Nina thought there was little in the world tastier than that. Also little that was more foul than fish no longer fresh. “Oh, sorry.” She murmured, nearly bending back down when she realized that the hug may have stained Elagastus' clothes. "Nothing to worry about!" He said, putting an arm around her and leading her inside. "We'll make a roast of them, that sound good to you?" Little had changed from when she left, other than, true to his word, her painting was hung above the mantle.
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Apr 28, 2022 14:55:28 GMT -5
Nina nodded and walked into the room, suddenly timid against the white-stone walls. She asked for the kitchen, and for where to get water. Something in her felt warm and off-balance, and her steps had the lightness of a dream. It still didn't feel fully real that someone would take up that role of a protective family member for her. She still wasn't sure how to feel about it.
She'd have to gut the fish, she explained, and probably de-scale them, too. “How do you roast fish?” She pondered. How did they cook in Hell? “With herbs, I've seen people do it. With spices. Some slather it in honey, some wrap it in salt. Some leave it plain on hot coals, and I can say it tastes just as delightful. How would you prefer it?”
She looked pensive for a moment, wondering if it had been an appropriate thing to mention things Elagastus might not own, but soon tried to distract herself by immersing herself in work. She would defer to her host, but take initiative if left to her own devices. She was fast with a knife – her own knife, that she might take out for the task – dealing with fish as swiftly as a cutpurse would with untended handbags. Roe, she'd place to the side, alongside chunks of milt, as especially precious things. Sometime in that flurry of activity, Nina found the courage to speak.
“I hope you do not find me ungrateful. You called it home, and I was wondering why...why me?” No matter how much she'd practised in her mind, the traveller couldn't fight the awkward. “You'd barely known me for a few hours before-” Her shoulders bent forward. A clump of scales flew over her shoulder. If she messed up, Nina knew, this could have implications for all of Port Argentium come winter. “I was wondering if I reminded you of someone.” She whispered.
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Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on May 3, 2022 13:06:09 GMT -5
Nina nodded and walked into the room, suddenly timid against the white-stone walls. She asked for the kitchen, and for where to get water. Something in her felt warm and off-balance, and her steps had the lightness of a dream. It still didn't feel fully real that someone would take up that role of a protective family member for her. She still wasn't sure how to feel about it. She'd have to gut the fish, she explained, and probably de-scale them, too. “How do you roast fish?” She pondered. How did they cook in Hell? “With herbs, I've seen people do it. With spices. Some slather it in honey, some wrap it in salt. Some leave it plain on hot coals, and I can say it tastes just as delightful. How would you prefer it?” She looked pensive for a moment, wondering if it had been an appropriate thing to mention things Elagastus might not own, but soon tried to distract herself by immersing herself in work. She would defer to her host, but take initiative if left to her own devices. She was fast with a knife – her own knife, that she might take out for the task – dealing with fish as swiftly as a cutpurse would with untended handbags. Roe, she'd place to the side, alongside chunks of milt, as especially precious things. Sometime in that flurry of activity, Nina found the courage to speak. “I hope you do not find me ungrateful. You called it home, and I was wondering why...why me?” No matter how much she'd practised in her mind, the traveller couldn't fight the awkward. “You'd barely known me for a few hours before-” Her shoulders bent forward. A clump of scales flew over her shoulder. If she messed up, Nina knew, this could have implications for all of Port Argentium come winter. “I was wondering if I reminded you of someone.” She whispered. Elegastus sighed, and sat down at the dinnertable. "I'll be honest with you lass, you do. Ye remind me of my nephew, always trying to find the best for everyone, even if you don't know what that is." He began to explain, "It reminds me of better days. Don't misunderstand me lass, I like you beyond what you remind me of, but it certainly got yer foot in the door."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on May 11, 2022 11:30:13 GMT -5
Nina nodded. For a minute, the hssht-hsssht of the knife went silent. She looked at Elagastus, softly.
“I don't want to hurt you,” the girl finally said. “I cannot stay.” Something hot and painful bubbled in her chest. “Home you called it, and home I would be honoured to call it. But my words may be different than yours, and I mean no deceit.” She looked away. “I am a traveller. A magician. I have...things to do elsewhere, and feet that carry me to the horizon whenever I don't mind them.” Nina's face had a slightly haunted look to it. She wasn't looking forward to going back. Going back, to Gray and the painful memories that followed him around like ravens under his cloak, to the man's brutal silences, to arguing until she was blue in the face that no, he couldn't carry weapons to sleep if he lost his control during nightmares.
Once she had stayed with the assassin out of fear. That hadn't changed – but now she mostly feared for him. She tucked the thought within a fold of her brain for later.
“I can't live with you,” Nina explained, fidgeting with some sparkly scales that had gotten stuck on her hands. “A few days, now, until my ship heads back – I hope more in the future.” Her voice sounded awkward and airy in her ears. Elagastus didn't seem disconnected from reality as she'd feared, but that didn't make this admission much easier. “I understand if this is too difficult, and I won't force you to accept it.”
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Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on May 21, 2022 17:29:17 GMT -5
Nina nodded. For a minute, the hssht-hsssht of the knife went silent. She looked at Elagastus, softly. “I don't want to hurt you,” the girl finally said. “I cannot stay.” Something hot and painful bubbled in her chest. “Home you called it, and home I would be honoured to call it. But my words may be different than yours, and I mean no deceit.” She looked away. “I am a traveller. A magician. I have...things to do elsewhere, and feet that carry me to the horizon whenever I don't mind them.” Nina's face had a slightly haunted look to it. She wasn't looking forward to going back. Going back, to Gray and the painful memories that followed him around like ravens under his cloak, to the man's brutal silences, to arguing until she was blue in the face that no, he couldn't carry weapons to sleep if he lost his control during nightmares. Once she had stayed with the assassin out of fear. That hadn't changed – but now she mostly feared for him. She tucked the thought within a fold of her brain for later. “I can't live with you,” Nina explained, fidgeting with some sparkly scales that had gotten stuck on her hands. “A few days, now, until my ship heads back – I hope more in the future.” Her voice sounded awkward and airy in her ears. Elagastus didn't seem disconnected from reality as she'd feared, but that didn't make this admission much easier. “I understand if this is too difficult, and I won't force you to accept it.” "Lass, you know what the definition of home is?" he asked her, crossing his arms. "Home is the place you go when you have nowhere else. The place that will take you when all else would see you dead and buried." He sighed, lighting up a pipe, filling the room with a warm smell. "I know I can't keep you lass, but that doesn't mean I can't provide you with a home."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Jun 3, 2022 13:32:04 GMT -5
“If this is your home,...then I am glad to be welcome here.”
A pitch slightly too high, that went through her nose. It went up through the windows, to the light that felt so warm and bright. A couple of snorts, more like sniffles that hadn't learned their manners. Nina looked down at the murder scene below her elbows.
“Shall we put these in the oven?” She asked. She threw her braids out of her face with a practised gesture. “Lemme know if there's anything around here that you'd like help with.”
And all the while she felt like she was dreaming.
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Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on Jun 10, 2022 14:27:07 GMT -5
“If this is your home,...then I am glad to be welcome here.” A pitch slightly too high, that went through her nose. It went up through the windows, to the light that felt so warm and bright. A couple of snorts, more like sniffles that hadn't learned their manners. Nina looked down at the murder scene below her elbows. “Shall we put these in the oven?” She asked. She threw her braids out of her face with a practised gesture. “Lemme know if there's anything around here that you'd like help with.” And all the while she felt like she was dreaming. "Nothing at all lass, I keep things pretty tidy. Ye might want to see your room, I kept it ready for you. Get settled in for the night." He suggested.
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Jun 20, 2022 12:29:32 GMT -5
Nina nodded and looked down at her arms. The blue linen had stuck to her skin in wavelets .
“I should clean up.” She said. “Could you take care of the food, Elagastus? And, oh,” she smiled, “would you happen to have an extra tunic lying around? I haven't brought my spare.”
She didn't have a spare.
But there was a waterfall outside, and the oven was already started, perfect for throwing in some rocks to heat the water. By then, some of the logs would have started fizzing into ash, which she'd carefully harvest with a poker, to make cleaning paste. When all was said and done, Nina sneaked back from her room – her room! - all spic and all span, brushing against the walls as she followed the delicious smell drifting from the kitchen. For once, she was wearing no beads in her hair that now hung, lightly steaming, past her shoulders.
“How have things been here?” She asked from the doorframe. “How are you settling in?”
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Elagastus
Established
Roleplay posts: 19
Registered: Sept 21, 2021 10:56:26 GMT -5
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Post by Elagastus on Jun 27, 2022 14:20:09 GMT -5
Nina nodded and looked down at her arms. The blue linen had stuck to her skin in wavelets . “I should clean up.” She said. “Could you take care of the food, Elagastus? And, oh,” she smiled, “would you happen to have an extra tunic lying around? I haven't brought my spare.” She didn't have a spare. But there was a waterfall outside, and the oven was already started, perfect for throwing in some rocks to heat the water. By then, some of the logs would have started fizzing into ash, which she'd carefully harvest with a poker, to make cleaning paste. When all was said and done, Nina sneaked back from her room – her room! - all spic and all span, brushing against the walls as she followed the delicious smell drifting from the kitchen. For once, she was wearing no beads in her hair that now hung, lightly steaming, past her shoulders. “How have things been here?” She asked from the doorframe. “How are you settling in?” "There are extra tunics in ye room lass." *Elegastus said* "I'm settling in just fine lass, better than a lot of the others. I've spent many more years on the surface than the others have. Comes with the territory of me old job."
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Nina
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 290
Registered: Apr 4, 2021 10:46:08 GMT -5
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Post by Nina on Jul 1, 2022 15:03:13 GMT -5
Nina lay in bed, limbs spread out, eyes stuck to the wooden beams supporting the ceiling. Slowly, she'd rolled around the blankets to dry herself, then put on new clothes. The first new clothes that she's gotten in a year, she thought. This time, no one even threatened to burn her old ones with her in it.
The tunic was red. Of a simple make, until you looked closer and saw the subtle checkered pattern crafted into the weave. It reached down to her knees. It was so comfortable that Nina nearly fell asleep right there, if it hadn't been for the equally strong hunger pulling her from dreamland.
So the travelling girl sneaked back to the kitchen.
“I didn't realize that you could travel outside of Hell before.”
She took a moment to compose her voice. She liked Elgastus, but it was always unsettling when remembering that people you appreciate had a past.
“Were you,” she attempted, “as people, able to influence where you were going to be exiled, at all? It's not a bad place,” she whispered, “but it is so isolated...” It was hard to imagine it being picked either by an enemy or a friend.
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