Burnt Origins IC (PG-13)

[lain]

GM: lain
CO-GM: Higurashi

OOC here.

LET THE RPING BEGIN!

In the land of Camelon, nightfall was not a good time to be out and about. One couldn't take a stroll simply to view the moon in its fullness or admire the stars and their constellations with a loved one. No, there were people without such innocent thoughts in mind out after dark. Thieves hid in every nook an cranny watching for travellers or anyone who might have something of value on them. One-- thought you wouldn't know him as a common thief-- was Blink. A boy of seventeen years, tied to the life he destined himself for, was sitting idly in a tree; obviously waiting for someone, though you could not see him for the dark and cover of the brush. The sound of clopping hooves and creaky wheels on a caravan could be heard in the distance and at this, Blink looked down at the pathway.

"One, two, three, four..." he counted in a rhythm, "Not them. Only one horse."

Sure enough, the caravan and the people in it passed by safely... for now.

"I guess I will have to wait until daylight." he shrugged and smiled to himself, "Not that it matters."

The young man's voice was odd. It sounded oddly positive and happy, even carefree. It could be misconstrued as perhaps sarcasm. But, nonetheless, it normally creeped commoners out. Not having anyone to speak to, he normally spoke out to himself or laughed out loud for no apparent reason to anyone else.

"It's a muggy night. Oh... a drop... two drops, three, four," he counted again, but this time he was referring to the raindrops that were steadily growing more numerous. Soon, the rustle of rain in the trees filled the woods. "I like that sound." He leaned back on the trunk of the tree he was resting on and turned his head up with his eyes closed-- a faint smile spread across his pink lips. Drops hit his face and ran down his cheeks. He flinched and opened his eyes when an animal had leaped from one branch to another, causing a 'spat' of rain to hit the ground all at once.

"Almost like blood. But blood is more viscose." he looked down at the pathway, "People must be getting smarter. That just makes my job more annoying." he laughed, sitting up and letting his feet dangle off the branch. He shook his bushy brown, and slightly curly, hair and smiled as he pushed it back, revealing rather stunning blue eyes. He certainly didn't have the look of a bad sort and having such an innocent expression often made it easy to get into places where most were forbidden without even drawing a dagger.

"Maybe tomorrow." he said, jumping down from the tree, landing on his feet, but nearly slipping since it had gotten muddy on the pathway. "Oh, that would have been embarrassing." he stood up straight, "Walking to the nearest village in the mud and rain... Maybe somehow it will be fun?"

With that, he began walking, the nearest village with accommodations not too far off-- perhaps a mile or two. As he walked, a couple of thieves rushed across the pathway from one bush to another. His senses heightened, but he still had a strangely happy or contented look on his face. He laughed, almost in the sort of a giggle, "Silly. You just missed that caravan."

"Caravan?" One man peeked his head out of the bushes and looked at the other, "You are the worst scout ever..." His companion scowled and they both continued on, not bothering to threaten or continue any sort of conversation with Blink. If they knew who he was, no doubt they had heard stories. Some true, some made up. Either way, they didn't want to risk their intestines being strung throughout a tree... that had been made up.

"Happy hunting!" Blink also continued along, now sopping wet. The ground squished with every step of his boots. After a while, he began to smell cattle. That meant a village was nearby-- and one that was well off enough to be raising cattle. He smiled, thinking he might get a nice steak dinner at some point.

"Who goes there?" A villager approached him on the road, holding up a lantern to his face, "We don't take kindly to strangers at night. If you were smart you would have ridden in on that caravan."

He laughed, "You have a good point, sir. I guess you can't trust anyone anymore!"

The man looked him over, "Well... you're just a lad. Ah, I remember when I was your age. Out late at night and getting in trouble... why don't you come stay at the tavern? It ain't pretty. But it's out of the rain."

"That's very kind of you!" Blink smiled widely, "Thank you!"

Again, looks had gotten him somewhere other people wouldn't have been welcomed. He found it amusing and smiled to himself as he followed the man with obviously far too soft of a heart.

"Here it is." The man led him in, the wooden door squeaking and the floor creaking as they both entered. Torches lit the small room and a fireplace at the side of it kept it warm. "You can have a room in the back if-- what are you doing?"

Blink had simply sat in front of the fire, "My clothes are wet. I will just sleep on the floor in front of the fireplace. I can keep it going for you."

"Well... what a strange... thing to do..." He shook his head, "Whatever. Just don't cause any trouble." He walked away into the back room, "Weird teenagers..." he muttered.

Blink laughed to himself and then lay on the floor, watching the fire dance about, ignoring his grumbling belly for now. His eyes soon felt heavy and he fell into a light sleep, the crackling of the wood his lullaby.

[XxStarCatcherxX]

The night had grown cloder as the raindrops hit the wooden roof hard, the sounds echoed through the empty house as the drips from a crack in the roof hit the bucket with a splash. The house was dark with shadows casted in diffrent shapes and sizes from the moonlight. A creek from the back door that led to the back of the house was heard, then it opened fully letting a swoosh of cold air fill the house as it sent shivers to a small mouse that had been in the middle of the hall nibbleing on something, though it soon scattered away when it saw a dark figure step into the house dripping water from it's cloths.

Fall dropped the knife she had been holding, it was stained with blood, new and old. She had just came back from the woods were she had threw a mans body in a cave full of wolfs. The wolfs who occupied the forest knew her face well as she always had discarted the bodies in that woods far away from the kingdom.

Fall kicked the knife to the side as she walked in fully closeing the door, she took off her boots and placed them on the side to dry. The echo of her footsteps could be heard throught the whole house as she dragged her soaking wet, tired, lazy bodie up to the washroom to clean herself.

A few minutes later Fall was in a new set of cloths wich consisted of a short black nightgown.

Some matches layed on the side of her fireplace as she threw in some new firewood then struck a match, throwing it in, then watching the flame grow as it ate away at the wood. She grabbed a blanket wrapping herself in it and sitting infront of the fireplace to warm herself up from the freezing night.

The fire flickerd off the reflection of Fall's soft coal grayish eyes, she crossed her legs pulling them to her chest wrapped in the blanket. Nights like these made Fall think about what had happened in the past years of her lonely life. She looked towards her fathers chair ,then to her mothers books. She could imagine the old days when she used to sit on the ground playing with her toys while her mother read a book and her father repaired a broken arrow, but those memories soon faded away as her mind came back to reality. She sighed and played with a peace of blanket.

"What has my life come to..." Her soft gentle tone danced off the tip of her tounge.

Fall leaned back aginst some furniture as she grabbed paper and folded it into a triangle then flicked it into the fire. Fire consumed the paper, its victim, completely turning it into ashes. Fall only laughed at herself. "im a seventeen year old girl who's living by herself, kills people of trys to kill her, and agin lives lonely....what a great teen life i'm haveing...." She sighed but only smiled. She watched the fire her eyes still wide open. "Tonight....i dont think i can sleep..." She humed a soft lullaby wich eventually turned into soft singing.

Droplets of the rain poured down on her house as her eyes grew heavy and soon she was out like a light...

[Geralt of Rivia]

In the land of Camelon, one is never safe. Wether it's because of the many thieves that wander the streets, the deadly and fearless monsters or even the rising amount of paid thugs but, there is someone people fear more than any of these, he is an assassin by the name of Lethol. Lethol fears no other human being nor does he fear death, but if there is a chance to escape death he would take it without a doubt. Lethol has been in that situation before, when he was a child, King Dethmol's soldiers invaded his village and burned it to the ground, his mam and dad died during the attack and Lethol could have went with them but, he decided to escape by running into the nearby woods, this meaning he continued his life alone.

Today, Lethol lives in a wooden cabin he built just outside of Camelon. He also works in this small hut but only for a few hours then he's out and about. Strangely, Lethol has a lot of money from his job but still, he lives in a small wooden shed even though he could afford a private stone house. Lethol likes his job but he only accepts contracts on the guilty, he would only hurt an innocent person.

*Knock knock*. "Come inside, friend". Lethol said seriously but confidently. "I heard you're an assassin, by the name of Lethol, and that you accept contracts to kill people, is that true?" Said a middle-aged man in a deep voice. "Yes that is true, how can I help you?" Replied Lethol after looking the man in the eye. "Well let's just say, a certain someone needs to die." Answered the man, laughing through his words. "Ok, fill in this sheet of questions and I'll think about it." Lethol said as he handed the man a sheet of paper.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME OF CONTRACT:'Blink'.
LOCATION: Camelon streets or nearby.
REASON: He is a dirty thief who mugged me and took my coins.
APPEARANCE: Unknown.
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The man gave the paper to Lethol and he left before Lethol could even say a word. "Fine then, come back tomorrow". Lethol shouted to the man. "Hmmm Blink, where have I heard that name before, and why hasn't he filled in his appearance?" Lethol asked himself.

[theverybest113]

The nearby forest of the town was no place for a royal boy or godforsaken lord to be walking in, Tyke was waiting, the rain wouldn't effect his shot as he was sitting on the big oak he called home. His hood was on he saw wanted signs all over the town of him, but he needed to go in there to seel the quial before it went bad he figured to walk down tonight a spend the night in the treeline.
So he grabbed the meat and began walking the road bow always in his hand, he didn't know when guards could be popping out to get him. On the way there he silently crept by a young man counting rain drops, looking up he saw the night sky and the moon brightly gleaming his cloak and hood. "god forbid one of the guards spotting me." he told himself making it into the town he went to the treeline like his plan was and waited for dawn to arise, sitting in the tree he began to drift into the sounds of rain and the forest life, he knew though that he had to get up early to get out of town as soon as he left, or maybe he could just walk around until tomorrow night and get a drink at the tavern.
Never the less he knew he needed sleep, so without a thought of resisting the urge he drifted to a cautious sleep.

[lain]

Blink had fallen fast asleep in front of the fire and slept the whole night through. It was unfortunate, because the villager that had welcomed him told him to get up and go before anyone noticed him. He was awakened by a poke with what felt like a stick.

"Hm?" Blink rolled ever and rubbed his eyes, making out the appearance of a boy; and this boy was terrified. He was holding a broom handle pointed at Blink, shaking.

"Wh--who are you?" he spat out, and then gulped. His guard lessened a little when he saw that Blink was perhaps only a few years older than himself.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," Blink sat up and chuckled, "I was stuck in the rain and came inside to warm myself. I fell asleep, obviously." He rubbed his bushy hair and stood up, the boy following his every move with the broom handle, "You are too old to be defending yourself with something like that. It's kind of like something a woman would use to defend herself." He shook his head, "Look, I'll leave. No need to cause a ruckus." He walked past the boy, who continued to watch him. But after a few steps, Blink knelt down and pulled out a dagger from his boot, "Don't scream. This is a gift. For some reason, I pity you." He set it on a small table for the boy to take of his own initiative--which he did, after Blink went out the door. As Blink went out into the street, he could feel the boys eyes on him and he turned and gave a small wave, "Thanks." He smiled and then walked on.

"Oh..." Blink looked around and people were out and about tending to their daily duties, "I must have slept far too late. I sure hope that man doesn't find me... I should get back on the road." he said to himself, but then he felt his stomach grumble. It had been about a day since he had eaten. It was unlike him to linger in one place too long, but he needed to eat. And he was quite thirsty. "Good thing I got paid half in advance..." he muttered, "I wonder if this village even has food to sell..."

At this point in time, money was all but useless for the poor. They had to live off what they grew themselves and it was really of no benefit to have currency. They simply traded animals for grain or other things like that. So, it would call Blink out that he wasn't an ordinary visitor if he flashed a denar of any value. As he was pondering what he might do, he felt a nudge from behind him and turned around to see the boy again. Now, the boy was holding a small basket.

"Here. I can protect my family with that dagger. Thank you. Just take it... I don't have money." He handed the small basket to Blink and then ran back inside.

"Oh... thank you." Blink looked down at the basket which had a small bag of grain in it, a few dry pieces of meat, and some stale bread. He smiled to himself that the boy felt obliged to give him something in return. He had thought all was lost in the way of courtesy. Perhaps there was a small glimmer, just the tiniest bit of hope, for Camelon.

Blink thought of this as he walked the outskirts of the village and settled down against a tree trunk to eat. He kept an eye out of other people, but the odds were he wouldn't find who he was looking for here.

[theverybest113]

Tyke woke up and jumping out of the tree, he walked to the cooked meat vendor. "Ah Tyke!, what i sight i needed new meats soon, here's your payment." he sat down things i needed wood, coal, steel, food, and hard tack. "i need more, plan to go to the pub." Then Tyke looked around and saw that boy he saw in the tree counting rain drops. "hm, such a pity some of the people here, i wish i could help." Tyke said thinking out loud. "what was that?" the vendor said giving him extra things to trade for drinks. "nothing thinking out loud." Tyke replied. "well there ya are have a good day Tyke, God be with you." The vendor said cheery. "may the nines guide you." Tyke said, leaving he walked around looking for somethings to do, then seeing the WANTED signs he kept a low profil until he gets to the pub at night.

[QueenOfRandom]

Darla trudged up the long-grassy hill. She sighed, clutching her black bag and paused for a second.

Things were getting worse and worse in the kingdom. Everyday people got even more violent. Darla supposed that she should be a bit more happy, considering her profession. After all, she was the 'Wise Woman'. More injuries mean more business for her. That was the ways of doctors.

But perhaps 'doctor' was stretching it a bit. After all, her grandfather had been one of the many of Darla's ancestor's who'd went to serve the royal family. At the age of ten he had gone to the academy to study medicine. But at age nineteen, what had Darla done?

She'd had to study in secret. She wasn't supposed to know what little she had known. If any officials ever discovered the textbooks that were hidden underneath her floorboards--she didn't even want to think about it! At the very least, they would be given to some aristocrat who wouldn't put the knowledge to use.

But even with the knowledge she had, there was still so much she needed to learn! If she knew more, maybe she would've been able to help that young man earlier.

He'd caught a thief trying to cut his purse, so instead the thief cut him. Right down the chest.

Darla had been able to seal up the wound, of course. It wasn't a pretty site, considering Darla had to brand it shut. But the wound...it didn't look good. And not just because of the branding.

Darla had decided to return in a few days to check up on him, but it was still highly possible that he wouldn't make it.

As Darla reached the top of the hill where her small cottage sat she sighed once again.

If only things could change.

[lain]

Blink savored his small meal and smiled softly as the last bite hit his stomach. He leaned back against the tree trunk and crossed his legs, looking like a normal carefree boy as he always did... even when doing the unthinkable. He looked around and watched people, seeing a suspicious looking hooded man amongst the crowd. "Why would you dress like that?... it only beckons attention." He said quietly to himself. To him, the best disguise was no disguise. Unless of course you had some painfully obvious thing about you that needed disguising-- perhaps an identifying scar or tattoo.

Deciding that it wasn't a good idea to stick around for too long, he stood up and stretched, leisurely walking up a hill towards the other side of the village and away from people. He noticed though, that there was a small cottage nearby. Also, there was a girl standing just outside of it, seeming reluctant to go inside for some reason. He stopped on the path and just watched her. Her demeanor in itself seemed different from commoners or thieves. His curiosity was further fed when he caught the scent of blood... and charred skin... He was familiar with those scents. The former more than the latter, however. At least of the human variety.

He walked up the path closer to her, her form and stature ever more clear and the scents carried on her even more evident.

"Who are you?" He asked, when in earshot, so very politely and with a cheerful attitude, "You aren't an ordinary person. I'm curious. I haven't been curious about a person in a very long time. Forgive me if I'm being rude!"

[XxStarCatcherxX]

Fall had woken up infront of a dead fireplace. She rubbed eyes and rose from the ground, she walked to her room to put on a simple black dress that had a hood. Today Fall planned to go into town, she had a few things to pick up. She didnt eat anything that morning, she left early putting her boots on.

Mud stained her boots from the night before, since she had been walking in the woods as it rained. Fall looked at the ground from under the hood that hid her face. She only glanced at some people as they walked past her whispering. Fall sighed and pulled off her hood reaveling her long silverish hair.

After sometime she finnally gathered all her things. Fall walked to town square were she sat down. She looked up at everyone as they walked past, she seen some people hurt, crying babys, children lost.... Fall felt bad for them, no family and all alone.

[QueenOfRandom]

Darla turned around in surprise. It was a young man who spoke. He couldn't have been too many years younger than her. He had a very cheerful demeanor about him. And he seemed fairly innocent.

Still, Darla didn't trust him. After all, if her profession had taught her anything it was that people are hardly ever what they seem.

But despite Darla's suspicion, she didn't see the harm in telling him. After all, it was a simple question. One that many people in the town already knew the answer to.

"I'm the doctor. Or the Wise Woman as many of the locals call me." she said.