Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 3, 2022 3:33:44 GMT -5
ThornwoodIf not for the chopping of wood and crackle of fires, a newcomer to Thornwood could be forgiven for thinking it abandoned. The vassals and troops of House Vespida go about their days in near-complete silence, rarely speaking aloud and even then only in whispers. The camp is hidden away within a forest, with archers hidden away in the trees to keep an eye out for unwanted guests. The tents themselves are largely of strong, well-oiled sailcloth and have been painted a dark green to blend in with the woods. Most residents of Thornwood carry bows or knives hidden beneath their hooded cloaks and are quick to spot intruders.
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 3, 2022 4:03:37 GMT -5
Once the Harvestman anchored in a secluded cove and the scouts discovered a suitable location to set up camp, the Vespidas went to work. Chained, blank-eyed slaves lugged supplies and tents inland, setting them up according to precise, whispered instructions from their handlers. Hooded vassals carried more precious cargo, carefully hauling locked chests and buzzing wooden hives into the center of the camp. The hives were set up first, each carefully marked with a symbol indicating its contents. Nests of hornets were placed in the woods around the perimeter, offering a deterrent for any potential intruders who might come to sniff around. Within the camp, hives of honeybees were carefully unpacked and set up under Vala's watchful eye. It had been a long journey, and it would do the bees some good to have something other than stored honey and sugar water for a change. The guard platforms in the trees came next, allowing archers to conceal themselves in the canopy and watch for interlopers. Finally came the tents, raised and staked down just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The sharp, jagged needles jutting from the trunks and branches of the surrounding trees lent the name Thornwood to the camp, although it was a name seldom spoken aloud.
With the camp thus established, Vala went for a walk around the hives, checking in on each one individually. She started with the honeybees, peering into the boxes and whispering soft encouragement to the insects within. Not a single bee stung her, although several flew out and landed briefly on her fingertips. Next, accompanied by a detachment of guards, she inspected the hornet's nests on the perimeter. Again, she whispered to the buzzing insects, this time giving instructions to each tiny army as though it were a squadron of her troops. Finally, she made her way back to the camp and walked through the rows of tents, checking in on each and making sure that nothing was terribly out of sorts. Thus satisfied with her inspection, she returned to her own tent and wrote out a list of instructions.
1. Fires permitted only after dark and only with shielded flames. Send out scouting and hunting parties. If there are others in the area, we will discover them before they find us.
2. Maintain hives and colonies. Ensure that all have survived transport and are doing well. Make estimates for time of next harvest.
3. Inventory supplies. Verify figures on food, medical supplies, and armaments.
4. Ensure slaves in working condition. Finding replacements may be troublesome. Keep fed and provided with red honey.
5. Continue to monitor security of Thornwood and family artifacts.
6. Maintain Harvestman in ready condition in case of evacuation.
When she opened the flap of her tent, an attendant was already ready and waiting for her. Giving the boy a rare smile, she handed him the note and sent him on his way with a nod of her head. The messenger bowed and scurried off, his footsteps almost silent on the loamy soil. Satisfied, Vala settled down to relax, pleased to finally be back on solid ground. While a far cry from the Vespida estate, she had every hope that this island could eventually be made into a home for House Vespida. Who knew, perhaps there would be others. Only time would tell.
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 20, 2022 9:14:28 GMT -5
Somewhere alone the way, Emile had managed to quiet down Theophania. The discovery of the missing Desmodus had been enough to keep her mind occupied, mostly. Occasionally she giggled at whatever her mind conjured up in her made up reality. The trees here a bit treacherous, already Theo had gotten scratches on her calf from a sapling snagging her. Despite the minor injury, she looked in good spirits, she had hardly even complained when it had occurred beyond a comment that mother won't like her staining her clothes with blood. Occasionally she'd make a comment on how she saw the world around her, something that often became a droning noise behind the other scout.
Emile shushed her one such instance as he stopped walking. He gestured for her to remain very silent and still, and then pointed at a man-made object. It looked like some kind of beehive, but it looked more like they had been constructed, the pieces were too perfect, unnaturally so. It reminded him of some kind of Apiary if only with certain key differences in design, namely the natural look.
"What is in that?" Theo whispered and clung to Emile's hand.
"Not sure. I'm going to take a closer look." he replied and noticed how tightly his sister clung to his hand. He pulled her hand off of him and lowered it back to her side. "Don't move." he ordered and, akin to a cat sneaking up on a mouse, he approached the hive.
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 20, 2022 22:40:08 GMT -5
High above, two hooded figures lurked in the canopy like a pair of crows. They watched wordlessly as the two children approached, eyeing them as one stepped away from the other and snuck up to the hive. One raised a bow but lowered it a moment later at the touch of the other's hand on their arm. With a shake of the head and a nod towards the children, the second guard indicated that they would simply watch and see. Two unaccompanied children were a suspicious sight, but there was no sense in tipping their hand now. In just a moment, the children would learn why not to go wandering around in strange woods. With luck, they'd go running home in tears and know not to venture too far towards this part of the forest anymore.
As Emile approached the hive, a deep buzzing emanated from within. An instant later, a swarm of large, black-and-white striped hornets emerged from an opening in the underside and sped towards Emile. They darted around the boy's head for a moment before charging in, delivering a handful of painful stings on any exposed skin they could find. Theophania went unnoticed, the hornets apparently not seeing the stationary girl as a threat. In the treetops, the two archers nodded in satisfaction. Surely, the stung children would flee. It was better, really. Missing children would be searched for, leading to more trouble. Best if they ran away with a few stings but no lasting damage.
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 21, 2022 9:19:33 GMT -5
Hornets.
It was quite genius, if also quite inconvenient. It hadn't taken Emile long to recognize the insects in question. He'd been stung by a wasp or two in his lifetime, however a whole swarm could get dangerous quickly. Theophania gasped on his account, clasping her hands over her mouth when the boy signaled her to not do a single thing advice she readily heeded this once. Emile pulled up his jacket over his head to protect himself against the stingers being aimed his way. He felt the sting on his hands but those could be treated. He hissed in response to the particularly painful ones, but otherwise stayed calm. His ruined eye glowed dimly from under the coat, surrounding him with an aura of calm. The boy came off less like an intruder to the hornets and more like a tree: Part of the landscape. He was meant to be there, and not worth the assault.
Theophania looked on anxiously, hugging her doll to her as she was watching her brother get hurt by a cloud with a face, stinging him with little thunderstrikes with a horrid twisted and vicious face bearing down on him. She had been taught how to be a lady, but being a lady did not involve that, thankfully.
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 21, 2022 14:24:22 GMT -5
The effect of Emile's eye on the hornets was immediate. Despite their earlier aggression, they calmed down in an instant, drawing back and buzzing around in slow, confused circles as though trying to remember why they'd come out. A moment later, the pacified hornets turned and flew back to their nest, vanishing inside like smoke into a flue. Emile was left with only a couple of stings for his trouble, leaving painful welts that would soon swell to enormous sizes.
Up in the treetops, the two guards watched in wonder as the hornets abandoned the intruder and returned to their nests. Who were these two? Most children (and most adults, for that matter) would have run away after just a couple of stings. Instead, it seemed that the boy had not only stood his ground and withstood the assault, but somehow turned them away. They'd never seen Lady Vala's hornets act like this. Sharing a glance, the two guards nodded to each other. The children would have to be brought in.
Moments after the hornets vanished, the children would be met by more visitors. A rope came tumbling down, hanging from the canopy high above. Two hooded, cloaked figures slid down the rope like spiders and landed silently in front of the children. Flipping back their hoods, they revealed themselves to be a thin-faced bald man and a stern, dark-haired woman with a scar on her cheek. The woman smiled tightly at them, speaking in a dry, raspy voice that sounded as though she hadn't spoken in a very long time.
"Hello there, little ones," she said, kneeling down to their level. "Are you lost? My my, look at that awful sting. Here, why don't you come with me so that I can give you some salve? It'll take away some of the pain and swelling. Is that your sister? She's lucky that she didn't get stung as well. What are your names? I'm Lira."
Meanwhile, her partner looked around, scanning the woods for any more newcomers. Unaccompanied children were a rare thing, and he wouldn't have been surprised if there were others lurking nearby.
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 21, 2022 16:25:19 GMT -5
Emile waited a few moments from the last sting before peeking out from his jacket. Only once he was sure they lost interest in him that he'd set his jacket bac in place. Theo didn't move yet, because she had enough foresight to know she needed to wait for her brother's signal. The young boy looked at his hands and the skin rapidly swelling in the spots the Hornets got him. While it was nowhere near life threatening, it was best to have them looked at.
"Are you okay?" Theo asked with a hushed voice, "It stung and stung and stung! Does it hurt?" she asked with a bewilderment.
"I'm-" Before the boy could answer her, he heard the weighty sound of a rope having been tossed down, a sound he was fairly familiar with himself. He turned to face the sound, holding an arm out so that Theophania didn't run ahead of him until these strangers introduced themselves. A pair, a man and a woman, both with strikingly different characteristics but not dissimilar to most people they'd met so far. Almost disappointing that other than raspy voices there were no extra fingers or eyes.
Both children looked at the adults but remained eerily silent despite speaking to each other only a moment ago. Their eyes followed both, but while they were looking in their direction it seemed more like they saw through them. Emile didn't say anything at the offer for salve initially, nor did he answer any of the questions. He looked at these adults with sharp but silent wariness. It was more like a prey animal observing than a child. Little Theo, however hid a bit behind the older boy as if not sure about the safety of these adults. While her brother didn't want to say anything, she would in his stead. "Mummy told us not to talk to strangers." the little girl answered quite typically of a good young child.
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 22, 2022 12:41:03 GMT -5
Judging by their serious demeanor and strange, silent observation, it was clear that there was more to these children than immediately met the eye. Lira hesitated for a moment, her gaze flicking back and forth between the boy and the girl. There was definitely something off about them, but she didn't know enough about children to tell exactly what. Still, they'd have to be brought in one way or another. If there were people running around that could dissuade Lady Vala's pets, she'd have to know.
"We're not strangers, little one," she said, turning her smile on Theophania. "I told you my name, didn't I? And besides, wouldn't your mother want your brother to get some salve for those terrible stings? I'd hate for him to go back to her all swollen up like a frog. Where is your mother, anyways? Is she nearby?"
She shot a questioning glance at her partner, who shook his head. Nobody else was around, meaning that the children really had come all this way on their own. Was it just a coincidence that they'd wandered out here, or had they been sent to spy on them?
"Come along," said Lira, beckoning with a tilt of her head. "We'll get you something to eat and treat those things, then we can help you make sure you get back to your mother. How does that sound?"
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 22, 2022 13:21:38 GMT -5
Emile didn't budge at the offers despite how his hands continued to swell beyond anything he'd ever experienced for a Hornet sting. He wondered if one of the stingers broke off in his skin by accident. If that was the case that would need to be looked at, he just wasn't willing to give these people the benefit of the doubt. Theophania on the other hand opened her mouth as if to give a positive answer, until her brother was fast enough to cut her off. "I don't believe that will be necessary." Emile answered.
Theo visibly frowned and stepped around the boy proper, pulling down on his sleeve, like any sister scolding a sibling. "Why not?" she demanded to know.
"This isn't what we're out here to do." the boy answered plainly.
"They sound willing to receive us, wouldn't it make Mother most happy if they are willing to help?" at that, Emile paused and his eyes went from being anchored on Lira and her compatriot down to his shorter sibling. He inhaled, and as much as he would have loved to deny it, she was right. The boy adjusted his pack and looked up at the "adults" in the situation.
"Very well. My sister sees fit to follow you, and I trust her judge of character. Please lead the way." Emile emphasized the word as a warning, but gave a bow to the two guards, a sign of respect and good manners. These children had clearly been raised in polite society or by someone of polite society. Even at the end of the world, the children had not forgotten what Mother expected of good little children.
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 22, 2022 14:06:54 GMT -5
Lira paused, eyeing the two children suspiciously as they spoke. She didn't often hear children talking, but surely they weren't supposed to speak like that? There was definitely something weird about these kids who spoke like adults and didn't run from wasps. Shaking her head, she turned and gestured for the two of them to follow her. She'd let Matron Helen deal with them, she knew how kids worked. In the meantime, all she needed to do was bring them back to Thornwood. Her silent partner fell into step behind the party, bringing up the rear and making sure neither of the children saw fit to turn and run off into the forest. Now that they'd been seen, it wouldn't do to lose them.
Some time later, the little group arrived at the camp proper, stepping into a clearing filled with tents and campfires. Despite the numerous people wandering about, not one single person was speaking a word. Instead, the children would see people communicating via some sort of sign language, fingers twisting and flickering into complex shapes almost too fast for the eye to follow. Most of the people wore the same hooded cloaks as the two guards, with the exception several of dull-eyed, shirtless laborers. Iron collars were locked around the necks of these workers, who all shared the same listless expression as they hauled crates and stacked lumber. Lira led the two children to the shade of a large tree, where a number of children played quietly under the watchful eye of a tall, stately woman in a brown apron. She looked up at the two guards, exchanging a few words in their strange, silent language. After a moment, the two guards stepped away, leaving the children alone with the nursemaid. Reaching into her apron pocket, the woman pulled out a small jar of sticky, greyish salve and gestured for Emile to step forward.
"Come, child," she said, her voice soft and reassuring. When she spoke, the other children looked up in surprise, abandoning their six-sided blocks and wax dolls for a moment. "I am Matron Helen. What are your names? Come, let me see those stings. This salve will help. Are you two hungry?"
Dipping her hand into her pocket once more, she pulled out a pair of small golden cakes about the size of eggs. Giving the two children a comforting smile, she offered them the treats, which smelled vaguely of honey.
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 22, 2022 17:07:09 GMT -5
The children walked together, hand in hand so as to not be separated. Theophania often looked at the guard walking behind them something a child her age was more prone to do when they were of the curious type. Emile had to tug on her hand a few times to call her attention ahead. In her eyes the man appeared like a cocoon of human arms gripping onto each other from under the cloak, two of which the hands were firmly clasped over his mouth and prevented him from talking.
"Silent hands bind you, but do you let them?" Theo asked candidly, a question that likely made no sense to anyone, Emile included.
"You can't just ask things like... that." Emile said after jabbing his elbow gently into her side.
"Sorry." she apologized to the man whom she asked.
As the children reached the camp they were surprised how... quiet it was. Adults were usually noisy, at least all the adults except Mother. Thralls could also get noisy when they were left to their own devices and got bored. Here? Aside from the sound of busywork, there was not a word, not a tune, nothing. Everyone gestured to eachother, it reminded both of them of the triplets back at camp who soke to eachother in a similar way, but they themselves didn't recognize these signs in particular. Perhaps it was a different dialect. Theo was startled by the shirtless people in chains, causing her to cling closer to Emile who looked on with indifferent curiosity. The Unsettling atmosphere aside, the children were led over where the other children quietly played, and where they could finally meet with Matron Helen. Lira and her partner having done their duty, they promptly left them in the care of the Nursemaid. The children's dream-like gazes centered on the authority figure here. Both children greeted the woman appropriately, Emile with a bow and Theo with a curtsy.
Emile seemed more wary of the woman but still approached Matron Helen. Theo noticed how the other children reacted to hearing the woman speak and found it curious. She looked down at the little golden eggs, and when Emile took one, she took the other. Despite children's reputation in voracity in sweets, they didn't eat theirs right away. Emile removed his pack, and after carefully storing his cake within. He approached the Nursemaid and showed his hands that had swollen quite a bit from the hornet's stings by now. It was actually amazing the child wasn't a sobbing mess by this point. The only sign of the pain showing itself in a little tremor in the boy's hands.
"Thank you Matron Helen. May I ask, why is everyone so silent?" Emile finally asked.
Theo stood a step behind Emile, and while he was getting treatment for his hands, she secretly ate her little gold cake after ensuring they didn't hold any almonds or anything immediately discernable as dangerous.
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 22, 2022 17:48:57 GMT -5
The children stared bug-eyed at the newcomers as they spoke, but a gesture from their nursemaid seemed to settle them down. They returned to their play, stacking up their hexagonal blocks and bouncing dolls up and down the little towers. Meanwhile, Matron Helena turned her attention back to Emile, taking his hand with a soft tsk.
"Oh, you poor thing," she cooed, gingerly inspecting the swollen hand. "Children mustn't wander, lest you run into stinging insects like this. It must have been frightening, wasn't it? Well, you'll be okay now. Here, hold still."
Pulling the cork from the jar, she scooped out a small dollop of the salve and spread it carefully over Emile's stung hands. The paste was cool to the touch, offering some measure of immediate relief from the burning sting. Once both hands were properly slathered, she pulled out a roll of bandages and wrapped them around both of Emile's hands. She was generous with the bandages, resulting in both of his hands being reduced to useless, gauze-wrapped lumps.
"You mustn't pull at the bandages now, little one," she said, tying them off and giving him a pat on the head. "Otherwise the salve might get rubbed off and not work as well, understand? As for why everyone is so quiet...well, you never know who may be listening, now do you? People who talk are simply begging to be heard."
Behind her, the children nodded, one girl raising a finger to her lips as she stared at the strange, noisy newcomers. Meanwhile, Theophania would find the little cake to be sweet and moist, tasting mostly of honey. It really was quite a good cake, all things considered.
"Now then," said the matron, wiping off her hands on the front of her apron. "Where did the two of you wander in from? Your mother will be worried, you know. If you tell us where you came from, we can have somebody bring you back to her."
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 22, 2022 19:04:26 GMT -5
Theophania had smiled as the taste of sweetness for the first time in months coated her tongue. It was a simple cake compared to the cakes she'd eaten in the past, but after having been uprooted from their former life, the simple honey cake brought back those lush simple times. It reminded her of the little cakes she'd sneak down to Desmodus whenever they had their tea parties. Oh how her heart ached for their missing sister.
Emile was well behaved through the whole application of the salve although he looked awkward towards this maternal affection given by someone who wasn't Mother. Given his apparent age however it just would have seemed like mild embarrassment, like a child not wanting to be babied because they were all "grown up".
"Stinging insects are only one of the dangers. Don't forget snakes, wolves, bears, intelligent life... In fact, dangers need not be alive. Pits, cliffs, hunting traps, perhaps even bad weather. So many ways to meet the reaper, yes?" It was as if the little boy cut to the chase in his own way. He wouldn't be dissuaded from whatever path he'd set forth on. "I assure you, we set off on this journey quite prepared."
He seemed to consider carefully how much to reveal to this stranger. He looked at his hands now that they were all wadded up thickly as they were. He wondered how long it would be before these could e removed. He disliked the idea or not having use of his hands and relying on Theo to do anything. With one hand he gestured over to the girl he traveled with.
"My sister Theophania and I, Emilius, are from the Correa family. We currently reside next to P- Er.. Within Sevintera." He remembered that Mother had given their location a new address. Such was the way of claiming territory. "Our Mother sent us out on a mission to recover our boat-"
"Sister." Theo interjected with a pout.
"Our Sister shaped like a boat." Emile had rolled his eyes as he "corrected" himself. "We think someone may have made off with it."
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Vala Vespida
Established
Roleplay posts: 25
Age: 26
Appearance: Vala is tall and slender with long, dark hair and a cold, pitiless glare on her otherwise pretty face. As with most members and vassals of the Vespida family, she keeps herself clean and in good shape, not wanting to deteriorate the family's strength. She typically wears impeccably clean silks and heirloom jewelry, but can occasionally be seen donning the traditional hooded cloaks of House Vespida's infamous archers. Her lips and nails are often painted, a luxury afforded to few on the isles.
Equipment: Vala seldom carries many things on her person, as she has the family's porters to bear her burdens. However, she is never seen without her thin stiletto daggers and the wasp-shaped locket that indicates her status as the head of the family. She also often carries around a small jar of honey, mostly as a snack.
Biography: One of the twin heirs to the Vespida family, Vala is a cold, calculating soul who will stop at nothing to keep her family's secrets hidden. In its home region, House Vespida was known for its secrecy and silence. Spies sent by other noble families were invariably found out and fed to the family's hives of wasps. House Vespida holds a number of magical artifacts, which they have sworn to protect with other people's lives.
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 12:51:18 GMT -5
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Post by Vala Vespida on Jan 22, 2022 19:46:54 GMT -5
On the other side of the camp, Vala laid face-down on a table, stripped to the waist. A muscular young man wearing little more than trousers and an iron collar massaged her back, rubbing perfumed oils into tense muscles and stiff joints. He'd been an assassin once, sent to kill her and her brother. Now, though...Vala opened an eye and tilted her head to the side, watching as her masseuse's dull gaze slid over her body. Assassins were good with their hands, and she'd found another use for the man. As busy as she was, it wasn't often that she got a chance to relax and unwind, and so a good massage was something she savored.
Unfortunately, she wasn't able to enjoy her quiet moment for nearly as long as she would have liked. Lira stepped in, nodding deferentially to her and sliding a note across the table. Propping herself up on her elbows, Vala looked over the note, raising an eyebrow at Lira. Unaccompanied children were strange, but nothing to be overly concerned about. Ones who'd turned away her hornets, however...that was worth paying attention to. Dismissing the guard with a gesture, she got up and stretched, feeling some of the aches in her body melt away. Turning to the silent masseuse, she gave him a smile and clicked her tongue. The man sank to his knees, looking up expectantly at her.
"Good boy," she said, drawing a small glass jar full of dark, reddish honey from a pouch at her belt. As soon as the jar appeared, the man's gaze focused on it, following it through the air as she waved it around.
"You deserve a treat for that," she said, uncorking the jar. Using two fingers, she scooped up a bit of the sticky honey within and held it out to the slave. A cold, satisfied smirk spread across her painted lips as the man eagerly licked her fingertips clean, desperate for every last drop of the honey. As he swallowed, his gaze sharpened for a split second as the honey brought a sudden flash of lucidity to his mind. His features twisted, contorting in horror for just a moment before the clarity faded back into the same dull fog as before. Wiping her hand off on a handkerchief, Vala put the jar away and slid back into her clothes, buttoning up her bodice and striding out from the tent. Perhaps there'd be time to rest later. For now, however, work called.
Back at the makeshift nursery, Matron Helen did an admirable job at hiding her surprise. The boy certainly didn't speak like an ordinary child, but she supposed that ordinary children seldom found themselves unattended in the woods. Mention of a Sevintera was important, however, and she made a mental note to tell Lady Vala about it when she got the chance. Although their scouts had spotted campfires and other signs of additional settlements, they hadn't heard a name given to any of them until now. Emile's mention of a boat-shaped sister, however, made her chuckle. Clearly, these two had a rather fat sibling.
"It's nice to meet you, Emilius and Theophania of the Correa family," she said, reaching past Emile to brush a crumb off Theophania's face. "And aren't you a smart one, Emilius. The woods are dangerous, and so you ought to stay with adults and not wander off. And really, is that a very nice way to refer to your sister? She might be very upset if she heard you say that. Did your mother really send you out here on your own? I have a hard time believing that. Who could send such cute little children out into the woods on their lonesome?"
"Someone who understands the value of unique skills," said another woman's voice, low and commanding. Both the matron and the children turned and immediately bowed as a tall, dark-haired woman strode up to the tree, reaching out to pat one of the quiet children on the head. Her luxurious black dress seemed to be made of an impossibly light material, fluttering the the gentle breeze like smoke.
"Hello there, little ones," she continued, turning to Emile and Theophania. "I am Lady Vala Vespida, head of House Vespida and its associated lands. Thank you for keeping an eye on them, Matron Helen. Now then, I'd like to speak with you two. Come."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and headed towards one of the tents, not even glancing back to ensure that the two were following. Matron Helen knelt, lowering herself to the eye level of the children.
"You'd best follow her," she whispered, placing another pair of honey cakes into Theophania's hands. "Go on now, go with Lady Vala and be good. Theophania, you share that with your brother, understand? Off you go now, don't make her wait."
Making a shooing motion with her hands, she ushered the siblings after Vala's retreating back. The other children watched enviously, gazing after Vala and rubbing the head of the child she'd touched.
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Emilius Correa
Established
Roleplay posts: 14
Registered: Jan 2, 2022 11:46:16 GMT -5
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Post by Emilius Correa on Jan 23, 2022 10:59:00 GMT -5
Theophania was about to protest at the assumption they had been insulting their sister, but before she could explain to this kindly woman that their sister actually was a boat, the conversation was interrupted by another voice. This one was clear, confident and held a weight of authority that was made even more apparent by the way Matron Helen behaved in response. The two thralls looked out at the scene and saw how every child bowed to this new presence with reverence, not too unlike how they acted towards Mother, but still a little different. These children didn't seem privy to the same amount of love and affection as they'd been blessed with.
The head of house Vespida herself, Vala Vespida had seen fit to meet with them. Just like every time before, the two children were respectful. Emile gave his polite bow, Theophania smiled and gave her curtsy to the Queen Bee that stood in front of them. The invitation seemed fairly standard, but Matron Helen seemed nervous on their account. Theo cupped her hands to receive the little honey cakes, and nodded as she urged her to share with her brother. She was actually quite happy to receive more of these little treats, no matter how much Emile was side-eyeing her.
"Thank You, Matron Helen." Theo said and then turned to the other children and waved in their direction. Emile grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her along before she took too long greeting each child. "We can't keep the Lady waiting." Emile reminded her. "I know, I know. You're no fun." Theo said and pouted. ON the way, she offered Emile his Honeycake, to which he rolled his eye in response. "Just put it in the bag." he said. It wasn't a no and that was enough to make the little girl smile.
The pair traveled through the eerily silent camp, trying to make out which tent Lady Vala disappeared into. Theo glanced at the people who looked like people who also had a pair of hands clasped over their mouths having their strange conversations. What they weren't saying out loud, in her mind, their conversation appeared like words on a floating parchment paper above each person's head, though the words were not decipherable given they all looked like symbols and arrows. They all looked like people if humans had insect anatomy. Many arms, patches of exoskeleton, large bulbous eyes or several eyes. Thankfully Emile was more than happy to see none of these things.
For once, Theo was the one who stopped Emile, as she spotted a butterfly with arrow shaped wings. Her gut told her to follow it to the largest tent in the camp. Emile had wanted to protest because he was the one leading the way, but there was hardly anything dissuading his sister. Good thing too, as the tent she led them two had been the tent Vala waited for them in.
"Sorry for the Delay, we're not familiar with your camp." Emile apologized with another bow to the authority figure. "Thank you for meeting with us."
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