first verse Augury: Ten of the Void

[AonEne he/him]

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1. Even with you gone for so long, not a day has passed, so his symptoms shouldn't be that bad.
2. Regardless, the gods aren't dying from this.

3. 3 minutes ago, John Flamesinger said:

   John's eyes snapped open, and he took a deep breath as he regained his Power and sat up. He saw the battle and gasped. What's happening?! What in Entropy is that... thing?

   This isn't in the clearing, the Forestlynx is attacking a different group.

 

[John Flamesinger he/him]

Just now, AonEne said:

This isn't in the clearing, the Forestlynx is attacking a different group.

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Ahem... He's John Allseer. He has the power of Facet. *Smiles*

When I said dying I meant figuratively.

It was merely a way for me to get out of posting since I didn't have reliable access to the Internet. Perhaps it's different for him, and it comes in waves? We can figure out more in the gods PM.

 

[AonEne he/him]

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Oh yeah, whoops. I thought you meant he was there.

Meh okay.

 

[I think I am here. he/him]

17 hours ago, Lunamor said:

It pierced the other eye, sinking in deep.

The Forestlynx screamed and jumped back, thrashing its head back and forth, nothing but darkness enclosing it’s sight. The tomahawk remained buried deep within its skull and its crushed shoulder twisted against its body. Thrashing and roaring, the movements of the creature slowed as it brushed past bushes and trees. Finally, a whimper escaped its maw as its legs gave out beneath it and it slumped to the ground, blood pooling from where the massive tomahawk had caused irreparable internal damage.

Price looked ahead, eyes wide. The left lens of his spectacles had a crack through it, but it was still the best way he could see and so he kept it on. He looked to the body of the creature, and then to the Cahayan boy. He was still alive, though anyone with common sense could see there was no way he’d survive the next few moments. He was almost... sad? No, he hadn’t felt sympathy when the Forestlynx had perished. How was this Cahayan any different?

“What do we do now?” He asked, looking to the creature. They were alone, with a horseless carriage in the middle of the forest.

[+Sorana she/her]

27 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

“What do we do now?” He asked, looking to the creature. They were alone, with a horseless carriage in the middle of the forest.

Wordlessly Sagitta knelt down next to the other researcher, quickly searched his body for another knife. It was hidden in his shoe and she took it, left his other belongings where they were. Price had already asked her to reuse the armour of one of the guards, but maybe his colleague was different. Without pausing she limped over to the boy and knelt down.

"It will be over soon."

She said softly, kept her right hand, away from his line of sight.

"No more pain, no more fear. you will be free."

Almost gently she placed the knife on the back of his neck, moved him slightly, to make sure her blow would struck true. Smiling at him, she killed him quickly, as painlessly as possible. The light left his eyes and his body sagged on the ground. Taking his legs and arms she arranged him in a dignified manner, then closed his eyes with her hand. She hadn't known him, had no way to remember him in the correct way, but then he was Cahayan - maybe they didn't care about being remembered. With a start she realized, that she'd never asked for his name, had failed him in that regard. She could only pray that Creativity had an eye on those belonging to them and would remember him nameless, without a proper ceremony.

"Bravely you fought for your country, and even in captivity, stayed true to yourself. May Creativity always remember your name."

The Ta'e'iloan sounded familiar, fit the blood and the death around her. She had spoken the last words so often, always after a battle, most of the time over a nameless enemy they had killed. Then they had carried the corpses away, had burnt them. Nothing they could do now. Getting back to her feet the world turned around her for a moment and she had to close her eyes, focus.

"We need to take as much as possible."

She instructed, pulled the tomahawk out of the forestlynx.

"If possible blankets, food, water. Then we need to leave. At least in Ta'e'ilo a scenery like that will attract more predators."

Fastening the tomahawk to her belt again she looked to Price, gestured towards the other corpses.

"They are Tühine and I suspect, that you know them better than I do. Do you want to speak some words, so that they aren't forgotten?"

@Lunamor

 

Edited September 1, 2019 by Sorana

[I think I am here. he/him]

9 minutes ago, Sorana said:

Fastening the tomahawk to her belt again she looked to Price, gestured towards the other corpses.

"They are Tühine and I suspect, that you know them better than I do. Do you want to speak some words, so that they aren't forgotten?"

Price walked over to the bodies, started to take things like the woman’s medical kit. As Sagitta asked the question he looked up at her, and back at the dead. He shook his head. He couldn’t blame her for asking. The culture must have been different where she came from.

“They are remembered silently, through contemplation. And if they have relatives, then perhaps they will speak some words. But I don’t really think it’s my place to say something for them.” Silent, thoughtful contemplation. Even more so if it was a soldier who died. Then the contemplation was laced with hate.

“The only way we will survive is together,” Price said, taking a backpack of supplies from the carriage. There was no point in denying that.

“I hate that.”

[+Sorana she/her]

1 hour ago, I think I am here. said:

“The only way we will survive is together,” Price said, taking a backpack of supplies from the carriage. There was no point in denying that.

“I hate that.”

No words for the dead. Sagitta almost missed what he said afterwards, her eyes lingering on the bodies on the ground. No words. Nothing to make sure they were remembered.

"When I die, say some words and speak my name. Ask Intensity to remember me."

She stated looking into Price' eyes.

"Otherwise, I will be forgotten, my soul lost."

Usually she'd carry something, showing her tribe and name, a symbol, so that every Ta'e'iloan would be able to bury her, but the nomads had taken it, same as her other belongings.

She noticed the way he spoke, how he held his body. There it was again, the hate. It was dangerous, a path so easily taken and so hard to leave. He most likely wouldn't make a single logical decision when it came to Cahaya.

"We can depart ways as soon as possible."

She suggested and looked around.

"I've never been here. Which direction should we go?"

@Lunamor

Edited September 1, 2019 by Sorana

[Lunamor she/her]

Zura forced herself to watch as Sagitta put the Cahayan boy to rest. It was a mercy he needed, would have begged for if he could, but that didn’t make it any less painful. When her weapon dug into his neck it felt like it was also severing hers. His death had been her fault. She had been the one he had asked for help from, the only other Cahayan, the only person he knew to rely on. And she had let him die at the hands of that monster. At least there were other more competent people like Sagitta out there to make up for her blunders. She spoke some words in Ta’e’iloan over his body, a kindness she respected.

The Tühine man, on the other hand, refused to speak on behalf of his fallen comrades. She found that angered her, a fact which surprised her. They were just Tühine; she had killed some of them herself. So why was she so upset? She almost spoke for them herself, but held back. Having a Cahayan put them to rest would be the equivalent of spitting on their graves. 

She heard Sagitta’s request and made sure to remember it. The Tühine man would likely just ignore it. She responded to her question.

”I came from a village that way.”

She pointed in its general direction with one of her largest knives. She mostly did this to note that she still was a threat, that she wasn’t worth the trouble of killing. Subtle reminders tended to work better than outright threats.

”But with your leg, I am not sure we would be able to make it the whole way.”

The knife moved until it pointed at Sagitta’s wound.

”We might need to st-“

She had to stop herself from saying steal.

”We might need to capture some of the escaped horses.”

@Sorana

@I think I am here.

[+Sorana she/her]

58 minutes ago, Lunamor said:

She heard Sagitta’s request and made sure to remember it. The Tühine man would likely just ignore it. She responded to her question.

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Can Zura speak Tühine? I think so, but I wanted to ask, because otherwise Sagitta will have to translate every sentence

 

Edited September 1, 2019 by Sorana

[Lunamor she/her]

6 minutes ago, Sorana said:

 

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Yes, she has picked it up during her last few years in Tühine 

 

Edited September 1, 2019 by Lunamor

[I think I am here. he/him]

“I wouldn’t worry too much about her leg,” Price said, taking out his ledger.

“She single-handedly beat you with a stick while it was injured, the only thing about the injury we’ll need to watch is those stitches again. I know basic medical knowledge, but if they break again I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix it properly.”

As he spoke he wrote down in his document. There was much to write down, to remember, to record, but there was only one thing worth remembering that Price actually noted down.

If Ta’e’iloan Subject Sagitta dies, say her name and for Intensity to remember her.

“First thing we’ll need to do is locate the horses,” he said. Hopefully the Forestlynx hadn’t killed them all.

[Lunamor she/her]

37 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

“I wouldn’t worry too much about her leg,” Price said, taking out his ledger.

“She single-handedly beat you with a stick while it was injured, the only thing about the injury we’ll need to watch is those stitches again. I know basic medical knowledge, but if they break again I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix it properly.”

As he spoke he wrote down in his document. There was much to write down, to remember, to record, but there was only one thing worth remembering that Price actually noted down.

If Ta’e’iloan Subject Sagitta dies, say her name and for Intensity to remember her.

“First thing we’ll need to do is locate the horses,” he said. Hopefully the Forestlynx hadn’t killed them all.

Zura raised an eyebrow. He insulted her and tried to tear down her plan, then immediately switched to agreeing with her? What in Luck’s dice was he trying to pull here? She hated being forced to work with this guy. Hopefully they would find that village sometime soon.

”Fine.”

Zura flipped her knife and put it away.

”Horses.”

She picked a random direction and strode off, using her Instinct to up the chances of a horse wandering into her path. She didn’t look behind her to see if anyone was following.

@Sorana

[+Sorana she/her]

Just now, Lunamor said:

She picked a random direction and strode off, using her Instinct to up the chances of a horse wandering into her path. She didn’t look behind her to see if anyone was following.

Sagitta limped over to Price while Zura strode away. She looked at the sky, it was late. She had arrived shortly before noon, had slept, their journey, darkness would consume the land soon.

"I'm exhausted."

She told him bluntly, then nodded towards the sky.

"And I'm not sure if we can find the horses today. I can keep up for a while, but I need to rest. I'm a long way from my usual condition. I'm weak and slow."

"I suggest we look for a place to sleep while we still can see something."

@I think I am here.

 

[I think I am here. he/him]

On 04/09/2019 at 0:38 AM, Sorana said:

“I suggest we look for a place to sleep while we still can see something.”

Price nodded, eyes fixed on Zura’s back as she walked away. Probability Instinct or not, it seemed unlikely she’d find a horse before sundown. What horses had survived had probably run away at the approach of the Forestlynx.

“The carriage is as secure as we can get,” he said. “It has a locking door, and is shelter enough. We can burn the wheels to make a fire.” He looked to Zura again.

“We’re going to make a shelter!” He yelled to her. Then, under his breath. “Bloody flatlander.”

It was a derogatory term for Cahyans.

[+Sorana she/her]

3 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

“We’re going to make a shelter!” He yelled to her. Then, under his breath. “Bloody flatlander.”

It was a derogatory term for Cahyans.

"Thank you."

Sagitta leaned against the door, removed her weight from her leg. Tomorrow, it would be better tomorrow. It had to be. A night she spend asleep would help. At least with exhaustion.

"All my life I dreamed of glory. Of battles fought and of heroic tales, told long after my death. It all seems ... bleak by now. Empty. As if I never understood what it all was about."

She watched Price yell after the Cahayan. He offered her shelter, if not with his words, then with his actions. Would she do that? She didn't know and her head swam slightly, so she remained where she.

"Do we need to mount a watch?"

She asked him deliberately not looking in Zura's direction.

[I think I am here. he/him]

4 minutes ago, Sorana said:

Do we need to mount a watch?"

She asked him deliberately not looking in Zura's direction.

“Yes,” Price said. Unfortunately, as predators went to sleep at night, new ones awoke. “I can watch first, while you rest, though,” he said. No need to force her to overextend.

“Being a soldier is considered one of the greatest honours in Tühine,” he said. “With all of the murals, and stories, and everything... sometimes I still dream of glory, though I know I will never really have it in the way it’s expected. They say dying in battle means you go up there, no matter what bad deeds you’ve done.” He pointed to the sky.

“Well, I guess it is damnation for me, then.”

[+Sorana she/her]

6 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

“Yes,” Price said. Unfortunately, as predators went to sleep at night, new ones awoke. “I can watch first, while you rest, though,” he said. No need to force her to overextend.

“Being a soldier is considered one of the greatest honours in Tühine,” he said. “With all of the murals, and stories, and everything... sometimes I still dream of glory, though I know I will never really have it in the way it’s expected. They say dying in battle means you go up there, no matter what bad deeds you’ve done.” He pointed to the sky.

“Well, I guess it is damnation for me, then.”

"I was taught, that it's the highest duty to serve your country. No matter how you do it, as long as you are willing to give everything, you fullfill that duty."

Damnation, she shook her head, followed his finger up into the sky and looked at the sky. They lived only a few days of travel apart, maybe some weeks. But they were so different.

"I can teach you. It's what I know. My mother trained me to be a trader, but what I've really done in my life is fighting. We can get you a weapon, some armour, and then we can see. A battlefield is the worst place in the world, it's gruesome and awful. You can find anything there but glory - but if you want to." She shrugged. "I can teach you how to wield a weapon so that you don't die the first minutes. You instinct will come in handy as well."

Looking him up and down she nodded.

"You will need to add some muscle, but that's pure training. For the rest, your knowledge will keep you from being surprised by your opponents instincts. Until I figured Zura's out, the fight was over."

[I think I am here. he/him]

3 hours ago, Sorana said:

Looking him up and down she nodded.

"You will need to add some muscle, but that's pure training. For the rest, your knowledge will keep you from being surprised by your opponents instincts. Until I figured Zura's out, the fight was over."

“You’d teach me?” Price asked and turned to her with complete surprise. He masked his emotions as soon as he showed him, there was no benefit in opening himself up to a subject. All the books had said friendships between testers and subjects always made things complicated. Everything had to remain professional.

“Anyone who could teach me usually said it couldn’t be done, because of my weakness,” he slid up the sleeve of his coat slightly, so Sagitta could see just how thin his arm was. He slid it back immediately.

[overlord stick]

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So, wait, what happened to the whole thing with the gods? 

@AonEne

[AonEne he/him]

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We're waiting for someone to come help still. 

@John Flamesinger @Blessing of Potency @Dr. Dapper @other gods in the clearing 

[+Sorana she/her]

7 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

“Anyone who could teach me usually said it couldn’t be done, because of my weakness,” he slid up the sleeve of his coat slightly, so Sagitta could see just how thin his arm was. He slid it back immediately.

Sagitta shrugged.

"I never said it will be easy. But if you're willing to train, it's possible."

"I'm used to a long sword, about the size of my body, but I usually have a common short sword as a sideweapon. Probably it's better to start with that. Less weight, easier to handle with less muscle."

Sagitta eyed him.

"You need to be strong to be a soldier, you need to fight. Your enemy and yourself. Your laziness, the pain after training, the fear before a fight. There are easier professions, but if your willing I'll teach you.

[I think I am here. he/him]

2 minutes ago, Sorana said:

Sagitta eyed him.

"You need to be strong to be a soldier, you need to fight. Your enemy and yourself. Your laziness, the pain after training, the fear before a fight. There are easier professions, but if your willing I'll teach you.

“I’m willing,” Price nodded. Then he nodded again, to himself.

“My whole life, I’ve been willing. But life’s never given me a chance.” He had no strength, but he had will in spades. Will and knowledge. He had knowledge too.

“Thank you,” he said.

[+Sorana she/her]

20 minutes ago, I think I am here. said:

“I’m willing,” Price nodded. Then he nodded again, to himself.

“My whole life, I’ve been willing. But life’s never given me a chance.” He had no strength, but he had will in spades. Will and knowledge. He had knowledge too.

“Thank you,” he said.

"Good."

Sagitta smiled at him. Teach him. The thought to teach, to help him reach something he obviously had dreamed of. She'd never created something before. She'd always destroyed.

"We'll start tomorrow at dawn. I need to get back in shape anyways. And we need to find some weapons."

She looked down the street, waited for Zura to make her decision.

@Lunamor

[Lunamor she/her]

Zura paused for a moment, considering. She didn’t want to stay here any longer than necessary- she was surrounded by threats from all sides, from both monsters and people. But the horses had likely been eaten or scattered, and her Instinct wasn’t powerful enough to retrieve them in that case. Plus, stopping for the night would let Sagitta be able to rest her wounded leg. She turned around and stalked back to the carriage. She strode to the side of the vehicle opposite the one the Tühine was on and leaned against it, not saying anything.

@Sorana

@I think I am here.

[+Sorana she/her]

"Let's head inside and close the door. Price will take the first watch."

Sagitta d and slow stepped into the carriage. Her leg hurt and shw grit her teeth against the pain. Finally she sat down.

"No fighting between each other for the night."

She asked the other two and then relaxed, waited for them to join her. A night. And then a journey somewhere. Get a weapon. Find a way for Zura to survive. Teach Price. It felt good. To have an agenda. Something that consisted of more than killing people.

@I think I am here.

@Lunamor