Dominion Hidden Valley | CIS Dominion of Rannon

[Evyln Weaver]

Nearby: Vytal Noctura Haven Kyyrk Shalita Verd Aadya Volke Viana Morreth Shamira Karuto Ashelia Solidor

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Labyrinthine, coiling, clawing, twisting, turning passages... Mired in heavy fog and the sickly sweet scent of decay. Around them, living things festered - raw & weeping wounds in the Force. This dreadful place was cursed. The humid air weighed heavily over Evy's body, but it did nothing to sway her focus; she'd grown up in forests such as these, even felt Evil before such as this place, and steadily kept along with the group of warriors as they trudged their way through the mud & blood. The group certainly cut a swath through the forest as they moved, making their presence known to whomever - or whatever - lay in wait before them. Before long, as was her custom, Evyln fell toward the rear. She was content to remain silent & watchful, and it was unlikely her companions would pay her much mind. When she was needed, she would be ready.

Clad in dark & loose-fitting clothing, the raven-haired woman had shrugged off her cloak when they'd landed on Rannon. There would be no need to hide her face, or restrict her movements here. The Epicantrix moved with the precision of a scalpel, proving agile & light on her feet - assisting others in the party when necessary, and remaining on guard. Her companions, all well-armed, moved like a cleansing fire over the blighted land. In search of The Heart. In Search of The Dark Side. The Knights Obsidian feared no creature, and Evyln was grateful for their company. The quirky gunslinger with the lollipop seemed so at ease that it rubbed off somewhat on the smaller Epicantrix.

"Weaver," She muttered to herself, "What have you gotten yourself into?"

Worn upon a finger, a single ring pulsed faintly - imbued with power, it would protect her from outside infection by whatever darkness tainted this place. She was glad she'd lifted it when she saw a chance. Twice did she have to ignite her lightsaber: once, to sever a thick vine which snaked violently around one of her ankles, and another time to slay two attacking serpents which leapt from the ground in her direction. The brilliant violet flame sputtered with uncontained power, killing both in mid-air.

At the sudden arrival of the woman alone (out here?) in the wild, Evyln moved with feline grace, enough to keep the stranger in view while protecting the group's flank. Her lightsaber remained unlit, and her gaze carefully scanned their surroundings.

Something was coming.

She could feel it in her bones.​

 

[Shalita Verd]

BLACK REACH​

Equipment: Obsidian Type Strike Armour Phase II | Jacket | Taozin Amulet | Hidden Wrist Blade | Obsidian Lightsaber | Generic Throwing Daggers
Tags: Haven | Vytal Noctura | Kyyrk | Ashelia Solidor | Evyln Weaver

The assassin paused if only for a brief moment to perk her brow at Vytal before returning to help the rest of their party dispose of the slippery snakes. Small as their opponents were, the party made short work of the now floating writhing ropes. When Vytal indicated that they should be moving, Shalita paused only long enough to deactivate her lightsaber and hook it back onto her belt. She picked up half of a decapitated snake from the bodies of the many snakes that had been killed and began to follow the Nightmother. As she listened, she pulled out from a pouch that hung on her belt, a small vial. With the half of the snake held in one hand, she lifted the vial to her lips so then her teeth could grip the cork stopper and worked it free. The woman only had a small window after death to collect the poison and so as her left hand massaged the head of the decapitated snake, she opened its mouth to produce the fangs.

Quietly she pressed the fangs into the opening of the small vial. Combined with the vial’s lip against the venomous gland and the pressure placed upon the top of the snake’s skull, the venom began to drip from the fangs that were forced into the vial. Every assassin should know that when the chance arose, it was important to harvest poisons even on the go. Natural poisons were valuable; for if played right, someone could get away with murder with it and certain venomous snake poisons were undetectable in the blood stream. Unless of course someone knew to look for it. So if Shalita couldn’t dispose of the body soon enough, a good poisoning was a valuable skill to have and of course, it was important to maintain a good collection of poisons for just the right occasion.

Gloved hands massaged the lifeless body until no more poison would drip from its fangs. Pulling the fangs out of the vial, the woman appraised the decapitated snake. She wished that she had caught it alive, it would have been beneficial for her to have a pure natural source on ice. Oh well, Shalita thought as she discarded the body. She lifted the now free hand to take the cork from between her pale lips and applied some pressure to squeeze the cork into the vial's neck to stopper it. Such natural poisons were never guaranteed to last, but the potential uses were always worth the effort to keep them in stock. Icy blue eyes took stock of the small amount of venom within the glass vial, before she slipped it back into the small pouch just as Vytal addressed the newcomer.

Her gaze shifted to the newcomer as she felt the shift of energy that she recognised was energy of the dark spirits present within the vicinity and she shifted upon the spot, while Vytal greeted the newcomer. To have survived this far, the other woman must have some defense capabilities, what they were the assassin wasn't sure yet. Their group had just been mobbed by snakes and this woman seemed to be shaken up by something that they had not been there in time to see for themselves; so the Heart knew that they were here. Perhaps the haunting spirits currently present, was another attack by the Heart. An attack of the psychological kind. The assassin lifted a hand to reach out and place it upon Vytal’s shoulder. ”Nightmother, we shouldn’t linger for too long. If the dark spirits are here, more and more of our group might feel their effects soon enough. Psychological tricks are dangerous in the right hands and I doubt that the Heart won’t hesitate to use some people’s fears against them in hopes to sway us from our current objective.”.

 

[Taiia Locke]

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Equipment: Lightsaber​

Tag: Cali Ziiva | Open​

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Taiia smiled and nodded in agreement with her pink companion before turning her attention back toward her as they began to walk "It is always more interesting to share adventures with somebody than going on your own, that is very true" she kept her attention on Cali as she listened, one thing she had learned long ago people feel you are paying better attention when you look at them. "Natural ability for the mechanical, interesting, and a very fortunate thing. If I ever have need perhaps I can get you to do repairs to my ship from time to time. Do you do upgrades too?" she grinned at her with a mischievous smile.​

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She gave a firm nod "Yes, there is a temple here somewhere I'm not exactly sure where, did you see anything from above by chance? You know before the zombie attack. To be honest, I have only been following where I feel that it is." As she began about her master and discussing her training she nodded. "So you have had training, what happened to your master? We're you separated or something?" at her next comment she simply smiled "You are very Kind Cali, I would be glad to have your help"​

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[Cali Ziiva]

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Location: The Hidden Valley of the Hidden Temple
Objective: Demonstrate her ability to talk the ears off a gundark

"Ooh, yes, I'm great at fixing ships. Upgrades? Sure. Even if they don't fit. 'Course I charge reasonable rates; not those outrageous ones most do." She made pretty good credits working for Locke & Key Mechanics, so side jobs weren't really a problem. Things like Taiia's ship were mostly for the fun of it. Kept a pink girl busy and out of trouble -- at least that's what Xobos probably thought. Probably got Cali in just about as much trouble.

After all, Rannon was supposed to be "vacation" (from Naboo).

A few quick blinks and a lone finger graced her pink lips with a soft hum. "A temple? All I saw were trees when I wasn't busy looking at the zombie. Told me all I needed to know at the time." Her head canted to one side. "But I totally get a feeling it's right over there," the Zeltron declared as her finger pointed ahead and slightly to the right. "Probably, oh, ten minute walk? Maybe eleven."

"The Jedi Master? Yeah," she launched right off into story time as they set off on their adventure, "he came to Zeltros looking for a place full of warmth and love. Zeltros is totally a place for that. No 'Dark Side Nexus' there. No Sith. No war. Just me! So, anyway, I found him off by himself all gloomy, you know? Withdrawn. Well, pink women like me don't like dark, brooding clouds, so I walked right up to him and told him I was going to fix him right up! And I wasn't going to leave until he was right in the feels again. And that's exactly what I did."

A brief pause. "And I did that by being the Jedi's Padawan because that got him talking, and you can't help someone emotionally if they don't talk. I even learned how to use a glowstick." Cali always called lightsabers glowsticks in common parlance. "Then, when he seemed right in the heart again, and after all that training, he just disappeared. Left his saber behind and everything. So, I went after him. I mean, isn't the glowstick important to them? It's what he said. Not sure how he forgot it. But after all this time..." Cali gave a slight shrug. "And I've met so many new people, I just settled out here; but I still love going home now and then."

"I think we're getting close," she announced suddenly, with a little extra pep in her step.

Tag: Taiia Locke

 

[Damsy Callat]

S A B A C C​

Tags: Kiff Brayde​

Wearing: This​

Rannon.

Damsy was tired. She couldn't keep her shoulders up. The emotional toll of confronting Luna about it all was all-consuming. The major had left her with more wounds open than she had closed, which hadn't been Damsy's intention though she had known it would be a possibility. She hadn't left Phoenix Base unscathed herself, but after every selfish thing Damsy had down to privately ruin her CDF reputation, she felt she was debted to put Luna's distraught above her own.

No one here would have heard the news, as it hadn't broken - if it in fact ever would - but that did no favors for Damsy's mood.

And so neither could she, like Kiff, bring herself to traverse the planet in search of answers it truly needed.

She was being selfish again as she wander into the particular cantina the High Marshal found himself at. She rarely ordered drinks, but she made an exception today for a nice, strong brandy on the rocks. She didn't even salt it. It was high time to live on the edge.

As she waited for her order, she picked up small talk with one of the men left in Kiff's gambling wake. Leaned back on her elbows on the bar, she eyed the seafaring scoundrel curiously as her companion pointed him out. "Mother kark beat me at sabacc, again," the man had all but wined in the sithspawn's ear. She straightened, instantly curious. Fengris didn't know how to play that one, or at least he hadn't forced Omega to play it while awaiting their many deployments.

"Excuse me," she replied after tipping back her glass. She brought it over to the card table and sat it on the rim, not taking her hand away. A hint of a smile extended to the admiral. "Kickin' arse and taking names?" A little chuckle and a backwards glance. "You mind teaching?"

 

[Taiia Locke]

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Equipment: Lightsaber​

Tag: Cali Ziiva | Open​

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She nodded as she followed after Cali, the young Zeltron had a good sense of direction as well as her force sense pointing her to the same thing that had drawn her resulting in her just giving a quick nod. "Well if it's not too far I can't wait to see, do you do a lot of these adventures Cali?" she continued to indulge her new friend's habit of conversing, not that she minded in the slightest Taiia did enjoy meeting new people. As she spoke about the Jedi Master she simply listened "Well, it sounds like you were good for him. But I am sure he had his own reasons for leaving. As for leaving ones..." she paused "...Glowstick behind, well that is a bit unusual usually Jedi keep them very close they do consider them a part of themselves."​

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"Well Cali, I am very glad that you found friends out here and a place to hang out as well. You and I are not so different in a lot of ways, I was raised to be a Jedi but kind of like your master. I left that behind cause I felt drawn out here" she motioned around them "To a much wider galaxy than I was exposed to among the Jedi, much to see and learn"​

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[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The Hidden Valley of the Hidden Temple
Objective: Keep a fellow troublemaker company walking through a haunted wood

"All the time. Especially with, uh, my girl." Cali giggled as she caught herself about to say Xobos' name aloud. Not that it was that secret. The two of them had even gone outdoors with the Sithy not wearing her armor. Still, maybe not best to go telling everyone? Maybe. It was fun though. "I don't usually plan on them happening though. Just kind of end up there. Like this one time I was on Ra'Katha to scope out their resource availability and then the Confederacy shows up to get them to join up, and then some terrorists or something showed up, so naturally I ran after them and was almost captured by them." The Zeltron laughed as she recalled the affair. "It was pretty fun. Except for the part where they were thinking about killing me. Can you believe they didn't know a good deal when it was offered them?" And then totally turned on them, but no need to admit that aloud. Or was there?

For a brief spell the pink woman was quiet as Taiia spoke. Her bright eyes fixed on the other woman as they moved through the forest.

"You felt drawn here?" Maybe she meant, uh, away from the Jedi. "Yeah, I never really hooked up with the Jedi. I mean, I asked about the Master, but they didn't know, so I didn't see a point sitting around listening to lectures about the Force. Don't get me wrong, the Force sounds cool and does fun things," because Cali saw the galaxy in terms of enjoyment, "but there's a lot of, well, philosophical baggage that comes with it. I'm just a simple Zeltron looking to enjoy every second and make people happy. I don't have time to sit and meditate on what the Force wants. Like, if it wants something it can talk to me. I'm a great listener."

"Oh, so, what do you think we'll find in this Temple? Doesn't look like this place got a lot of visitors... probably because of the super creepy aura, right?" Maybe Cali didn't have a huge collection of Force artifacts or a shelf full of holocrons, but she enjoyed a fun romp same as the next Zeltron.

Tag: Taiia Locke

 

[Kiff Brayde]

S A B A C C

Damsy Callat

"You mind teaching?"

Kiff raised his eyebrows to see a pretty young woman standing before him, tankard of ale in hand. The High Marshal took a swig of his drink and set it down, studying the girl. Sure she was pretty, but she had an edge that hinted towards a fighting spirit, and a look in her eyes that told of a not-so-tranquil past. Kiff had no problem with fighters; he had been surrounded by them all his life, he was even one himself. But if Kiff was going to make any move, he first wanted to see if she was any good at Sabacc.

"Learning a game like this can cost you a lot," Kiff said, at last, raising his eyebrow as he turned to look the woman in her own eyes. "But sure. Hope you have some credits leftover from that drink," he added, nodding towards the drink the woman was holding. He gestured towards the open seat opposite of him with a free hand, brushing back the sleeves of his flight jacket as he did so. The table was small, made of wood so old that it could barely hold the weight of the Sabacc deck and Kiff's drink. Somehow, though, it managed; a perfect analogy for the majority of Kiff's career.

"So, you have a name?" Kiff asked as he began to deal the cards to both of them, one at a time.
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[Vytal Noctura]

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Tag: Kyyrk | Aadya Volke | Haven | Shalita Verd | Viana Morreth | Shamira Karuto | Ashelia Solidor | Evyln Weaver | Open
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The Nightmother would give Ashelia leave to come or return to camp as she saw fit, but would stress the way back was not safe. Their need was too great to spare those to escort her back, and they could not delay any longer. Every second the darkness grew; as did its defenses against those that would up end it.​

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They forged ahead despite the gnarled trees that leaked black blood, the corrupted wolves, hungry snakes, crazed fowl, and even a violet miasma that sought to bar their path. It was the last one that posed the greatest risk, and spread out before them as a sea of mist. They'd come upon an outcropping that stuck out over a shallow, sunken crater in the forest where the putrid trees sat and the briar heart beat. Thorn-covered vines as thick as aged branches had begun to reach out to encircle the unhallowed grove; they entwined together to form a wall of brambles to keep out those that would excise the poison from the wound.​

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It knew they had come, and that unlike simple villagers they would succeed if given the opportunity.​

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"Sisters. Brothers. Those that would aid in removing the source of the blight on this land... I require you now. To join hands with one another, and with me. Our power, together, will overcome this corruptive spell. The rest, establish a defensive line around us. Such darkness will not let out actions go unnoticed. Beasts and terrors alike will set upon us. We need your hearts and your hands now more than ever," Vytal announced to all those that had followed this far into the reaches.​

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Carefully, the pale Witch drew a symbol on the ground before her while the group quickly organized itself. Vytal's green eyes flicked up at the sealed off grove that would bar the Living from entering, should they survive the soul-leaching mists that surrounded the black briar.​

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At last, she straightened up and stretched out her hands to either side. "Focus your thoughts on removing the Briar Heart from this world, or pray to whatever spirits or gods you believe in to stretch forth their hand and spare those that struggle to survive beyond this valley. Let us begin."​

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"Waters swell, and Earth slides,
Currents blow, and Fire bright.
Let darkness remain at night,
And the children play by light.
This planet that hatred blights,
Its spirits tremble at its might;
Now we come in united spirit,
To break the spell that holds it tight."

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Clouds began to form in the skies above. They churned and darkened as the wind whistled through the brittle trees. Soon the spectral miasmic cloud that barred their path was battered and torn; yet its power refused to wane and its banner began to circle higher into the sky. A funnel of wind tore at the ground that surrounded the Heart's recluse.​

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Meanwhile, thought difficult to see between the brambles and branches, water and earth churned beneath the mighty, obsidian tree that held the beating Heart of Darkness. The planet began to cave in beneath the ancient horror, and yet it remained. Its thick roots had buried deep into the world and would not yield.​

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The clap of thunder shook the foundations of the world as lightning struck from the heavens at the roots exposed to air. Fire began to gnaw its way through and along the many forks that held the tree fast. Again, and again the skies struck. Blasts of pressure and heat swept across the land -- whether from the sheer force of lightning's might, or from the rage unleashed by the Briar Heart.​

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Vytal's hair flew behind her while her eyes narrowed with dust kicked up under the power of the Elements called forth. She continued to chant, though wind's howl and heaven's wrath would make it nearly impossible to hear. Such would be dangerous for those that would fight back the beasts that came from behind to stop the spell that sought to slice the Heart from the world as one would a poisoned thorn. First they must remove the source, and only then could they hope to excise the poison.​

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Soon the Tree of the Briar Heart would be cut free and the mighty currents of Rannon would begin to ever so slowly lift it from the earthen realm. For its time had come and now it would ascend into the darkness -- into the abyss. Cast from the world, which would be free to find its own destiny once more.​

Template By: Darth Metus (Guy)​

 

[Shalita Verd]

BLACK HEART​

Equipment: Obsidian Type Strike Armour Phase II | Jacket | Taozin Amulet | Hidden Wrist Blade | Obsidian Lightsaber | Generic Throwing Daggers
Tags: Haven | Vytal Noctura | Kyyrk | Ashelia Solidor | Evyln Weaver

Their trek through the corrupted land wasn’t without dangers and for Shalita it didn’t phase her at all. However as they came to the outcropping where a wall of brambles began to grow and entangle to keep out its unwanted visitors, the woman took a moment to pause. This forest was the by-product of what could happen when a corrupted force was allowed to grow in power and she wondered about what would happen if they had continued to let it grow. Would the planet just simply die and be no more? Would the dark power simply swallow it whole like a black hole? Her gaze shifted to view Vytal as she spoke and with every word, the woman nodded her head in acknowledgement.

Icy blue eyes watched the Nightmother as she drew a symbol upon the ground and paid attention to every gesture that she made while the assassin herself gathered with the other Sisters and Brothers to join hands with them. She wasn’t versed in many of the spirits or gods, so instead the woman focused upon the removal of the Black Briar’s Heart. Shalita saw within her mind’s eye as if she was doing this like any of her assassinations, but instead it involved fire. Within her mind’s eye, she saw the black heart that oozed black blood; she saw it set alight by a fire that burned so bright, it was blue in colour. One would almost think that it was a cold fire, but instead it was hot, hotter than a normal flame that burned an orange-red. Then the assassin began to repeat the words led by the Nightmother, chanted them with their Brothers and Sisters.

"Waters swell, and Earth slides,
Currents blow, and Fire bright.
Let darkness remain at night,
And the children play by light.
This planet that hatred blights,
Its spirits tremble at its might;
Now we come in united spirit,
To break the spell that holds it tight."​

Her short black hair with white ends, tugged at her scalp as the wind pulled at the strands, but she continued to hold fast, to stay in place and chant with those that had gathered. Even as the world seemed to split open before them, the woman knew that they couldn’t falter even in the slightest. For once a path had been opened, one could only continue to walk down upon it. For if they faltered, then it would only be too easy for any corrupted being to leap forward and sink its roots back into the ground. Almost like the woman’s own fate. She walked two paths at that moment and although she was unwilling to let go of one, she was rather enjoying the one that she now found herself careening down. The woman felt the collective power of those gathered to chant with the Nightmother of the Solanaceae, felt the power that thrummed through her fingertips.

Even though it seemed like the planet was being torn asunder, she couldn’t help but feel solid in amongst those that were to be considered almost like a family. A family of like minded individuals in their pursuit of greater knowledge of the magicks and spirits that surrounded them. Her feet felt solid and in that moment she felt present. Present and alert as the Tree of the Briar Heart was cut free. She felt as if the world around her was beginning to breathe a sigh of relief as if a weight had been lifted upon their shoulders. However, she questioned as to whether their efforts would be enough. Even a tree could leave behind seeds so then it could return later on in the future when its opponent had thought it to be gone. Such was the power of the root of all evil..

 

[Ascendant Muse]

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R A N N O N​

The Heart was cut free.

Braving the darkness, the bold souls of the Confederacy risked life and limb to cease the blight. With the Heart no more, the toxic flow into the valley has ceased. The wounds? Time will heal. The monstrosities? The brave will hunt. Rannon would once more know peace within their lands. Moreover, they would know prosperity within the Confederate community.

OOC// From this post, the Dominion is being turned in for review - but the tale is not over! Feel free to continue writing your stories!
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[Ashelia Solidor]

O B J E C T I V E | Blackreach.
L O C A T I O N | The Dark Forest.
F O C U S | Vytal Noctura , Shalita Verd
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"I ...", she faltered for a moment about how to answer the question of the woman in front of her. Not because of the overwhelming dark presence she emanated, but perhaps out of shame for her own. “I did… I saw visions. About those that are not here… such as my father, but he wasn’t my father. He was too… malicious.”, Or was that her own view of her? She doubted for a mere second that that forest had the power to create something from nothing, but the power to distort someone's vision based on her own judgment and memories.

‘I should have known…’, her heart whispered to herself.

“And of my deceased mother… But she came not to tempt me into the woods, but to help me find my balance.”, 'And stand on my own feet once again', she could have said it as an addendum to her phrase but she chose to keep that part for herself. Maybe it was your beliefs in believing in the balance of all the things that made your mind use the forest to invoke your mother's illusory spirit to help you when she needed it, or maybe it was Ashelia herself, who avoided the long descent. to madness has turned to his mother once again, in search of comfort and protection.

There was power on this woods. Like a twitching thing slowly grasping those that came too close within her reach. The very thought of it made Ashelia shiver for a moment, as the Nightmother spoke about going deeper within the dark woods and how they could protect her from its perils. Almost forcing her to bow her head and make her eyes find the bottom of her shoes as those were the most comfortable place to be, and she couldn't help but hear the whisper in her head asking. 'What would your mother say?', She had been alone for so long that the idea of others helping her, or protecting her, made her feel out of place, out of place, like a piece that didn't fit.

‘Maybe not this time…’, she tried to encourage herself as she raised her head and looked back at the woman.

“I will go with you.”, His lips expressed in a voice filled with renewed courage and said nothing more. When another woman spoke to Vytal with such respect, Ashelia said nothing, she escorted her back to the larger group back, finding her place among the others and keeping her eyes and ears open for what she saw and heard and with those same gaping eyes, she looked to the side, seeing the figures around her holding hands. The elzeri looked at her own, trembling, before shaking them and grabbing them like a serpent's boat in the hands of her neighbors.

Closing her violet eyes, she thought she would put effort into her body to remember Vytal's words, but found that her lips were reciting that chant by themselves.

"Waters swell, and Earth slides,
Currents blow, and Fire bright.
Let darkness remain at night,
And the children play by light.
This planet that hatred blights,
Its spirits tremble at its might;
Now we come in united spirit,
To break the spell that holds it tight."​

And she waited with as a prayer said with regard in her heart. As the evil in the forest withered away back in to where all things dark go, carrying her thoughts and desires, carrying her fears about the world and herself. Would she ever become like her father? When would she truly find a place to call home? As the sun laid down in the east, a new nightfall was to sure to come, alongside new fears and the perspective of a new dawn, that carried the hopes that all would change, or at least become more... acceptable. But, those are like the wind on the trees, impossible to know for sure.

 

[Damsy Callat]

S A B A C C​

Tag: Kiff Brayde​

Wearing: This​

"Damsy Callat," she replied to the man as she sat herself. "How about you?" As he answered, she took another drink and settled back into the chair. "'m a Dauntless major." She punctuated that statement with a shrug before setting her glass back on the table. She stayed leaned forward, elbows resting one on her knee and the other on the table's lip. "I have plenty of salary to blow, but I was hoping I wouldn't have to buy in the first go about." With her hand already on the table, she waved it generally around, gesturing at its settings. "So, what's what?"​

 

[Kiff Brayde]

S A B A C C

Damsy Callat​

"These are the cards, each with a different value that's on the face-up side of it," Kiff explained as he carefully dealt out the deck before putting the rest in the middle. "You add up the value of each card, and you win if your hand is the closet to zero. We start out with two cards and make the initial bet." Kiff slid in several credits into the middle of the table. His tone of voice sounded bored, but he was secretly studying the woman that was sitting in front of him intently. If there was one thing that the High Marshal had learned from his years of experience in gambling and betting, it was to never underestimate an opponent.
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