Page 4 of 14 FirstFirst ... 23456 ... LastLast
Results 31 to 40 of 134

Thread: [M] The Sword and the Fang [Namingtoohard & Ashen]

  1. #31
    The Ashen One
    Ashen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    A land that smells of sunflowers
    Favourite Roleplay Genres
    medieval fantasy, adventure, psychological
    Posts
    5,686
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    99

    Default

    Lec hadn’t expected Issa’s reaction to the docks. They’d grown up in the backyard of the unforgiving body of water Issa was so enamored by, so to them, it was little more than a source of food, a railroad for the ships that came from the other ends of the world. But Issa would never have seen water so endless, and Lec scolded themselves for being so inconsiderate. Of course he’d want to take in the sights; didn’t tourists travel from all over the world to see for themselves the shining sunlight reflected off the shimmering waves? They were likely rushing him, so consciously, they let Issa take charge for a little while.

    They watched him, the way his eyes lit up again. Had Lec ever had that wonder for the water before? They looked back out over the ocean and sighed. Likely, they’d never experience that awe again, but watching their companion, seeing him take in this world for the very first time; Lec was happy for the chance to witness that.

    Much of the dock was surrounded by rope, a safety measure for clumsy people and curious children, but Issa didn’t seem satisfied with that. The two walked further from land, stopping at the end of a stretch of planks without any rails. A sign where the rope stopped warned against the dangers of getting too close to the water, and another had regulations for fishing. Again, Issa gazed at the waters as if they were the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Perhaps, Lec thought, they were.

    “Huh?” Lec was caught off-guard by a question they had an answer to. “I think it’s a bit less than five thousand kilometers to the next port,” they replied, forgetting the exact numbers they must have read in a book once. “Disregarding the size, I’d advise against not trying to swim it. There are constant storms over the ocean, even if they rarely make it here. Sometimes they help speed boats along, and other times they slow them down. But our, ah, floating buildings are made for that. A human would be killed, easily.” Lec paused, then added, “Or a Lucet.”

    They followed Issa’s gaze to the horizon and casually looked over the brewing clouds, the gulls hunting their seafood entrees. Just being here brought back countless memories, family holidays and school trips and even a date or two. The ocean brought with it a peace that few other places in the world could know—

    The moment came to a halt when Lec heard Issa fall. Their eyes snapped to him, now kneeling on the planks, trying to… go in the water? Lec panicked, moving to Issa’s side to help him away from the lapping currents, but Issa’s expression stopped them. He was happy. Issa wanted to touch the water. He was in violation of every rule of the docks, but he was curious. As long as he held onto the boardwalk, as long as the age-old planks didn’t suddenly give way, what was the harm? They’d be able to save him if he fell, and Issa seemed too careful for that anyway. So, ignoring the glances that came their way and the occasional verbal warning by a well-meaning onlooker, Lec let Issa have his fun.

    After a few moments, the human too stretched their body across the planks, wincing as sun-kissed wood touched their bare belly. They cursed their outfit again, preferring to be trapped in anything but this, but for now they waited for their skin to become accustomed to this new temperature, and they lay beside Issa. The water below was a deep blue, and Lec could see flashes of green, yellow, and brown kelp tangling through the small waves. Tiny fish pecked at the surface of the water, not yet big enough to be served on silver dishes, seasoned with spices from all corners of the world. How long had it been since Lec had enjoyed a view like this?

    And as they got lost in the colors underneath them, the sounds of waves and gulls and people, the saltwater smell of their childhood, Lec thought they didn’t want this moment to end. They felt like a child again, without responsibility, enjoying a small moment of peace in their war-torn world. They were falling in love with the way Issa was reacting to things, as if everything Lec had to explain was exciting, the most fascinating thing he’d ever heard. The way he tried to twist his perceptions to fit human life, smiling all the while, it was enough to distract Lec from their gnawing hunger, their newfound homelessness, their father’s grudges, their utter hopelessness.

    Issa’s next question interrupted their thoughts, and they took a moment to consider it. Was anyone sure of how deep the ocean stretched? They tried to remember every book they’d ever read about their waters, marine life, the mysteries of the ocean floor. “I’m not sure,” they admitted, “but I’d guess it’s at least as deep as it is wide. Maybe even deeper. The researchers who study the ocean haven’t even been able to catalog all the creatures down there yet. It seems a new one is discovered every few years.”

    They wondered how many fish Issa had seen. Living in a forest, he’d likely never have seen the whales, dolphins, or sharks that Lec had sometimes seen surfacing along the horizon. Would Lec, a mere human, get to teach a real Lucet about animals? Lec laughed at that. They would probably be the first human-Lucet pair in such a situation in the history of the world, they thought.

    Lec’s eye caught on something in the water, and an idea blossomed in their mind. They reached for Issa’s hand, the one dancing along the ocean. Lec closed their eyes and muttered something under their breath. They were silent for several moments, until the waters seemed to spiral away from their hands. A cone of waves shot out from beneath their touch, wrapping their hands in a liquid veil. When the water fell away, Lec released Issa’s hand, where they had left the thing they’d seen floating. It was a shell, one with shades of brown washing over its otherwise white surface. The deep crack in it brought a frown to Lec’s face, but they supposed it was to be expected. “For you,” they said with a smile. “A souvenir. There are many more where it came from.”

    They pulled themselves away from the water and sat on the edge of the dock. Lec held their hand, as if their small feat of magic had somehow injured it. Their stomach growled in protest, and their headache lightly drummed against their skull. They were too weak to be using magic carelessly but… They looked back to Issa. This stranger, this man born of enemy blood; was he worth it?
    Thanks to Craze for the beautiful Bravely set!

    ~Recruitment Thread~
    Spoiler: Ashen's Personal Hall of Fame 

  2. #32
    Mistborn
    Namingtoohard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,797
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    498

    Default

    Were he currently anywhere else, Issa felt that he likely could have spent hours amusing himself down on the water’s edge. Speculating over what it was like down near the bottom, as he had so recently voiced to Lec. Imagining what sort of strange creatures might be found down there, and how his shapeshifting powers might allow him to interact with them. Watching the light of the setting sun play over the water, shifting and changing and glittering as the minutes slowly slipped by. Listening to the waves break against the boats and pier alike, and relishing in the feel of the spray on his face. There was still a great deal more about the human town that the Lucet wished to see, however, so these few stolen moments would have to do for now. He could console himself with the knowledge that Lec had agreed to his return, though. This likely wasn’t going to be the last time he ever saw it.

    His thoughts were interrupted by the rustle of clothing, the gentle thump of movement along the boardwalk, and the flicker of movement by his side. Issa tore his gaze away from the ocean briefly to glance up at Lec as they lay down beside him, and favoured his guide with another gentle smile. Words felt unnecessary, and he watched the human in silence for a moment, before turning his attention to the swirling water below once more.

    The warnings spoken by the other humans who just so happened to be passing by all seemed to fall on deaf ears, dismissed as unimportant and irrelevant compared to the answers Lec was providing him with. Some of the things they said seemed a little bit difficult to believe, but who was he to refute such claims? Lec certainly had grounds to know better, and had proven themselves to be trustworthy thus far, with how the day had played out already. The sound of the human’s unexpected laughter, too, was easily preferable. It even seemed musical, almost. Truth be told Issa wasn’t entirely sure what had caused it, but the Lucet didn’t feel like ruining the moment by asking.

    When Lec reached for their hand, Issa allowed them to take it without any resistance. After spending the entirety of the day thus far walking around holding hands, the Lucet had failed to realise that such wasn’t normal for most humans, and had ceased to wonder over it. They threw a subtle glance towards Lec when they began to mutter, but the words were spoken too softly for even them to hear. It was only when the water began to swirl that Issa realised that something out of the ordinary was going on here. That Lec was performing magic of some sort. Causing this strange behaviour, somehow, using mystical powers that were beyond his reach or understanding.

    Struck with a sudden wariness, Issa was quick to straighten up a little. The Lucet tried to pull their hand away, but only gently – their fear tempered slightly by the slowly-growing trust they seemed to hold for this human. Lec’s grip proved enough to hold them steady, and Issa watched on with a sort of morbid curiosity as the water began to gather around their intertwined hands. The sensation of the water flowing over his hand was familiar in and of itself, but the unusual sight and circumstances remade it into something strange. It didn’t feel painful, or seem inherently dangerous, so he’d muster his courage and hold fast, at least for the moment.

    Thankfully, the water subsided after no more than a few moments, seemingly without incident. What’s more, it seemed to have left something behind. A gift, to hear Lec tell it. Had this been their plan all along? Issa would pull away from the water good and proper then, straightening up so that he was simply sitting on the edge of the docks. The Lucet began to examine the shell a little more closely, cupping it gently in one hand, whilst the fingers of his other roamed over its surface gently. Gazing over its ripped surface, Issa couldn’t help but feel as if this was some sort of reward for his trust, even in the face of magic.

    “It’s beautiful.” Issa almost sounded surprised as he spoke the words, his tone soft, and his attention still fixated on his newest keepsake. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. But you probably already knew that already, I suppose” he continued, a soft chuckle slipping from his lips. It was a few seconds longer before Issa remembered his manners, and turned his attention to Lec good and proper.

    “Thank you” Issa offered sincerely, another small smile gracing his features as he briefly met the human’s gaze. Such words felt insufficient, in the face of everything the human had given them thus far, but they were the best he felt capable of offering now. This was just the latest in the long line of gifts he had been given today, but it felt a little more tangible than the others, and so Issa was determined to treasure it. Maybe one day he’d find a way to return the gesture.

    Once the moment had passed, Issa took a few brief seconds to put the shell away. It vanished into the depths of his clothing, tucked away in to the pouch that he felt most secure. Then, satisfied that it was time they moved on, turned his attention to the things that were actually taking place along the docks. His gaze wandered over sailors loading and unloading cargo. People haggling with each other much as he had seen them do in the marketplace. Even a few small-time fisherman, who had dropped their lines into the water here, instead of taking a boat out. Certain that he’d find something else to interest him soon enough, Issa reached for Lec’s hand again, before setting off back the way they had come, away from the water’s edge.

    Their wandering was a little more aimless this time, since Issa didn’t have a real destination in mind. The Lucet found plenty of new things to draw his curiosity, however. He stopped briefly to watch a few sailors playing a game of ‘Liar’s Dice’ nearby, in which they were throwing small little boxes marked with dots, and keeping them hidden from each other by covering them with mugs. It took him a few rounds to figure out the basics – that the sailors were making guesses about how many times each number had shown up on everyone’s dice, based on what they could see on their own.

    Curiosity satisfied, he moved on.

    The two came across a flock of seagulls, which were currently chirping amongst themselves loudly, arguing over some fish scraps. When he caught sight of them, Issa let go of his guide’s hand and sprinted off towards them. He let out a wordless cry and threw his arms wide once he managed to get close, much as a young child might, before laughing joyously to himself as they all took flight and scattered. Issa watched them wing away for a moment, silently tempted to join them, before he returned to Lec’s side and took their hand once more.

    Curiosity satisfied, he moved on.

    Finally, the two of them happened across one of the larger boats currently docked on the pier. Issa wandered over to its gangway idly, before glancing up it. The deck itself was obscured by the railing that ran around the outer edge of the ship, but he could see at least two people walking around up there, doing whatever it was they were supposed to. The sight brought another idea bubbling forth – one Issa was surprised hadn’t occurred to him already.

    “Can we try and actually explore one of these?” He asked the question without so much as glancing back in Lec’s direction, secure in the knowledge that they would answer regardless. Without so much as waiting for an answer, the Lucet would move to climb up the gangway. He’d place an unsteady foot on the ramp, releasing Lec’s hand in favour of leaning forward to hold the sides. Unless the human intervened in some way, either by word or action, the Lucet would start to scamper up the gangway and onto the boat proper – something the sailors might not necessarily take kindly too, depending on the circumstances.

  3. #33
    The Ashen One
    Ashen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    A land that smells of sunflowers
    Favourite Roleplay Genres
    medieval fantasy, adventure, psychological
    Posts
    5,686
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    99

    Default

    When Issa sat up on the edge of the pier, looking out at the ocean and down at his new souvenir, Lec sat up with him and took in the moment. This was the setting of their childhood, where they had watched the ocean during countless sunsets, had tried to skip stones along its surface, had watched sunbeams paint flames in its waves. Nostalgia seemed palpable here, and yet, everything seemed so new. Issa’s excitement was clear on his features, and he was excited about everything, even things Lec imagined no human would get excited over. The familiarity for this place was disrupted by this sudden newness. Instead of Lec discovering anything here, they were discovering the endless things that excited this curious foreigner. They were surprised to find any new experiences here on these wooden walkways, but there was Issa, showing them the joy in things they had forgotten to notice.

    When it was time for the two of them to move on, Lec tried to think of more things they could show to Issa. There was still so much to show and explain, but as they lost themselves in thought, Issa found his own way. He led them around the dock, stopping only to watch a new sight or study a new custom. Lec remained silent, realizing it was important to not explain everything, to let Issa understand things for himself. If he were placed in this human world, would he be able to figure it out? Would he survive? Lec couldn’t be sure. He seemed to be enjoying their culture fine on his own, so Lec left Issa, a child eager to learn, to understand their world in his own way.

    They continued through the docks, exploring all the things Issa found new and interesting. Lec hadn’t even noticed the luxury cruiser they were walking besides; ships like that one were commonplace at the docks, after all. But Issa looked at it with a gaze of fascination, causing Lec to stop and study it too. It was a cruise ship, one that belonged to a trusted company overseas that boasted affordable cruises and excursions. As a kid, Lec had dreamt of going on a holiday aboard a ship like this one, but their father would have never spent the money for one, affordable or not. They looked over the bold letters painted along the side of the ship, then glanced at each crack and discoloration. It was an ordinary cruise liner, one that needed some post-cruise maintenance. To Issa, what sorts of paradise did this boat suggest?

    They should have expected his next question, but they still stammered over it. “I don’t think,” they started, but they stopped themselves. Climbing aboard an off-duty cruise liner was trespassing, and they were sure they would get in trouble. But the ship had likely just returned from a cruise and would not be taking off again anytime soon. What was the harm in taking giving Issa a quick peek, especially since he’d never seen anything like it before? Lec looked around them. The people on this end of the docks were busy with daily life, and they likely hadn’t taken notice of they and Issa walking by. Lec looked to the ship, to the people shuffling by onboard. They could likely sneak past them without a soul noticing.

    As a kid, hadn’t they dreamt of breaking onto a ship? Of causing mischief like their peers, of having a single day of fun wreaking havoc across the docks they loved so much? And now, as an adult, wasn’t it their moral obligation to keep Issa from doing just that? They watched him climb the gangway, excited and curious and fearless. How could they say no to that?

    They stepped into line behind Issa and walked close enough to him that only he would hear their whispered words. “Just try to stay out of sight, okay?” Even if Issa was used to camouflage needed for survival, this was a far cry from the forest he was used to, and to a human, his dark eyes and odd clothing would make him almost impossible to not notice. Shaking their doubts and hoping for the best, they followed Issa onto the ship. As soon as they stepped on board, a girl in a sailor’s uniform looked straight to them, bright eyes narrowing. Swearing, Lec gently pushed Issa aside to handle her.

    “Hi,” they started, then silently cursed their carefree tone. “We’re here to do some inspections on the S.S. Analise. You don’t have to mind us at all, we’ll just send the results via the post.”

    The sailor crossed her arms over her chest. Her voice was low, irritated. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a shit liar?” She turned to Issa, glaring. “Do you want to tell me what you and your little freak are doing on my ship?”

    Lec winced at her words. They cast a glance to Issa, hoping he would not react to her insult in a way that would escalate the situation. “We just want a little look,” they admitted. “Is that okay?”

    “No, it’s not okay.” She took a step towards them. Though she was small, she commanded an air of authority. “You can either give me the money to pay for tickets and wait for the next cruise, or you can get the hell off.”

    Lec chewed their lip. Was that it, then? Issa would have to go home not knowing about cruises, about the countless things to do aboard one. Lec had been stupid to even entertain the idea of otherwise. But a part of them didn’t want this to end. They wanted to be a kid again, to run among these ships, to cause the trouble they never had. What harm was it, to sneak a little peak? They turned to Issa, and with a hand they motioned towards a narrow strip that led to the back of the ship. “I’ll race you,” they said, words falling from their mouth, unexpected. In the next second they were speeding down the strip, going against their better judgment for a chance to relive their childhood and allow Issa a taste of it.

    Of course, they weren’t a child, and there was no excuse for trespassing like this. But the sound of their bare feet against the mopped floorboards drowned out their doubts. Adrenaline kept their legs unstoppable. They had decided they were going to show Issa this ship; there was no going back now. It wasn’t the tour he might have been expecting, far more rushed than that, but with a sailor chasing them, they’d have a story to tell and laugh over later—they hoped.

    The sailor yelled after them, surprise quickly melting to anger tainting her voice. Lec could only hope Issa would run after them. They turned towards him and motioned for him to follow. “Come on, Issa!” Their voice was cheery, excited even. They didn’t realize they were smiling. Turning back around, Lec threw open a pair of doors on the side of the ship and dove inside. They were in a lavishly decorated lobby; they could see themselves in the reflection of the polished black marble columns here. The reception desk was vacant, though snaking along it were a series of vibrantly colored flowers. Lec couldn’t stop to admire the scene; they continued running, taking a corridor beyond reception. Though they had never been aboard this ship, they knew cruise liners weren’t all different, and as they planned to lead Issa through the halls, through eating areas and recreational spots, to organized lounge chairs and chlorined pools and decorated stages, they wondered what their companion thought of this whole idea now.
    Last edited by Ashen; 06-14-2020 at 12:02 AM.
    Thanks to Craze for the beautiful Bravely set!

    ~Recruitment Thread~
    Spoiler: Ashen's Personal Hall of Fame 

  4. #34
    Mistborn
    Namingtoohard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,797
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    498

    Default

    Issa did a wonderful job of ignoring his guide’s half-formed objection, an eager grin splitting his face as the top of the gangplank and the deck just beyond drew near. Fully prepared for yet more excitement, the Lucet hesitated only briefly at the top of the ramp, before finally stepping out onto the boat good and proper. He’d take another quick step to get out of Lec’s way, before immediately throwing a glance down at his feet. The sensation he felt – or almost total lack thereof, really – was surprising. Issa had expected the entire thing to tilt and shake and bob with the waves, much like the outer ends of the docks themselves had done when they were walking along them earlier. Yet the entire thing felt stable. Just how had the humans managed that?

    Still looking downwards, Issa tapped his foot a few times against the surface of the deck, as if doing so might reveal some of its secrets to him. The Lucet was quickly distracted from his idle musings at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, however, and glanced up to find that one of the people on board had already noticed them. Well, so much for staying out of sight. Issa was quick to take the hint when Lec pushed him aside gently, more than accustomed to letting the humans deal with each other by now. He made a point of directing his gaze elsewhere, whilst not-so-subtly listening in on the discussion between his guide and the lady.

    Issa failed to suppress a snicker when the lady called Lec out for being a terrible liar, despite the obvious implications, and the looming knowledge that this excursion might turn out to be a lot shorter than he had hoped. His amusement was quick to fade at the next sentence that flowed out of the sailor’s mouth, however. The Lucet’s expression quickly darkened, and he found himself torn between conflicting feelings of shame and anger. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, tight enough for his knuckles to turn white. He was tempted to try and argue with her, or to start a fight, but some instinctual part of his mind warned him that this lady would gleefully seize any opportunity she could to escalate the situation.

    He was distracted from such thoughts when Lec finally spoke, though it took his mind a few seconds to register the words that fell from their mouth. A race? To where? And weren’t they about to get kicked off the ship anyway?

    He was just as shocked as the sailor when Lec suddenly took off, racing towards the far end of the ship. Thankfully, Issa recovered from his surprise first, and quickly took off after his guide, at their urging. The Lucet worked hard during the first few seconds to try and close the distance between them, before doing their best to match Lec’s speed once they had caught up a little. A quick glance over his shoulder revealed that the sailor had finally taken off after them, but was still a good several metres behind. A laugh bubbled up from somewhere inside him, and Issa made no attempts to stop it as the two of them burst through the doors and into the ship’s interior.

    Issa slowed to a jog when he neared the centre of the lobby beyond. He turned in a slow circle as he moved, the majesty of the sight threatening to steal his breath away. This place seemed infinitely more lavish, much more visually impressive, than the inside of the library that the two of them had visited earlier that day. That felt backwards, somehow, but who knew how these strange humans thought? Either way, he could still appreciate the stunning visage laid out before him…before he caught sight of the sailor chasing them running through the entrance. Letting out a soft yelp, Issa quickly turned to face forward, and sped off after Lec again.

    The two of them managed to open up a bit of distance from their pursuer as they snaked their way through the ship’s interior. Most of the corridors themselves seemed almost identical to Issa’s untrained eye, who was only able to measure their progress in the shortness of his own breath, and the satisfying burn that was slowly creeping into his legs. Only the larger rooms that they passed through served to break up the monotony, each offering up subtle details and suggestions as to what they were used for in the brief glances their speed provided Issa. The two of them passed through a large buffet area, complete with long serving tables and smaller ones for people to eat at. Given that the place was currently devoid of food, however, Issa could only guess at what its purpose really was. The performance area was a little more obvious, with its uniform seating, mood lighting, and raised stage. The pool, by contrast, only served to confuse the Lucet.

    “Why did they need to make their own pond when this whole thing is surrounded by water?” Issa wondered aloud between breaths, when he felt he could spare the oxygen. Lec would probably be able to rationalize, he knew, but the Lucet wasn’t expecting an immediate answer.

    They came upon a flight of stairs, and Issa took them three at a time, flying down into another section of identical hallways. Several of the doors had been left open here, and allowed Issa a brief glimpse into the cabins beyond, though he found the interiors significantly less interesting than the larger rooms that they had passed through up above.

    Issa found himself wondering why these ones had been left open, whilst all the doors they had passed before had been closed. His question was answered approximately five seconds later, when the Lucet rounded a corner, and was confronted with the sight of a cleaning lady and her cart blocking the walkway ahead. An obstruction like this was nothing compared to what he dealt with on a regular basis running through the forest, however, and so the Lucet didn’t bother slowing. The cleaning lady had just enough time to shriek in surprise and throw herself to the side before the Lucet vaulted her cart in a single bound, touching one hand to its surface briefly as he threw himself up and over. The entire motion seemed almost effortless, executed with a sense of feline grace and agility that even the most competent thief would envy. The effect was ruined slightly by the way the contents of the cart spilled over the edges as it rocked, disturbed by the motion, but Issa paid them no mind.

    Things took a rather worrying turn when the Lucet and his guide came upon a crossroads. The hallway they were travelling down branched off in three different directions. At first, Issa continued moving straight ahead. Whilst his legs and lungs were burning a little more earnestly now, the Lucet was enjoying the exercise, and he had little chance of guessing where any of the paths led anyway. He hadn’t gone more than five steps before a burly man with no neck, dressed in the same uniform as the sailor from above, stepped into view at the far end. The brute had the look of someone who kicked puppies in his free time for fun, and he yelled out for the two of them to halt when he caught sight of them, before immediately moving to head them off. His intentions clear, Issa stumbled to a quick halt.

    “Ah, shit. Looks like our friend decided to call for some help. Guess we’re playing tag now instead!” Issa offered between gasps. He grabbed Lec’s hand and immediately started back the way they had just come, before turning down one of the side paths he had neglected previously at random.

    Issa made it halfway down the next hallway before another idea occurred to him. The Lucet glanced over his shoulder to make sure their newest pursuer wasn’t yet in sight, before pulling Lec through the next open doorway that they passed, into the bedroom beyond. The Lucet dropped their guide’s hand in favour of throwing the door shut, before promptly helping himself to a seat on the floor, with his back pressed up against it. He was panting heavily now, but made a point of holding his breath when the sound of footsteps reached his ears, not wanting his ragged breathing to give them away. When they faded, the Lucet let out a heavy sigh. He allowed himself a few moments longer to try and steady his breathing, before giving his guide a wan smile.

    “Sorry to ruin the fun, but I think I need a moment to catch my breath after that” Issa offered, his voice little more than a whisper. He’d occupy himself with a brief glance around their new surroundings as he did just that, before continuing once it seemed that the both of them had recovered a little. Enough to speak, at the very least. “What do you think they’ll do if they catch us?” he asked, tilting one head to the side slightly. Despite the topic, his tone was oddly conversational. More curious than concerned, at the very least. As if he were merely interested in the possibility, instead of afraid such a thing – and whatever consequences that might accompany it – may actually come to pass.

  5. #35
    The Ashen One
    Ashen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    A land that smells of sunflowers
    Favourite Roleplay Genres
    medieval fantasy, adventure, psychological
    Posts
    5,686
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    99

    Default

    Angry footsteps echoed through empty halls, drowned out only by the sounds of Lec and Issa storming through every corridor of the ship and their ragged breaths. Lec knew they were being immature, would regret this later, when they faced the consequences of not only breaking and entering a cruise liner, but also bringing a sworn enemy on board, but they couldn’t bother to think about any of that now. As they continued running, Issa at their side, they wore a grin as wide as the ocean itself. Despite the mess they would be in, right now, they were having fun.

    And from the looks of things, so was their companion. Issa’s gaze seemed to sweep every room they entered, begging questions that had no time to be answered. Lec wanted to know what Issa thought, what opinions he was forming about the humans who had built this vessel or the ones who vacationed on board it. What was he thinking of Lec now, a guide through areas off limits? But Issa had no negative thoughts about any of this; Lec was sure. That smile of his was too pure, that laughter too joyous. Lec laughed with him. Of all the ways they could have predicted this day-long tour to have gone, this had not been on the agenda.

    As they ran through the pool room, Lec was careful to avoid knocking into the beach chairs scattered about the room. This area had yet to be tidied, and though the floor did not look wet, the area around the pool was its own hazard. Lec led Issa away from flotation devices and discarded food wrappers, making their way out of the room, but just before they reached the door, Lec stopped. “Pond…?” they repeated warily. If there was a pond on the ship, it meant that the thing was leaking, and that they were in deeper trouble than they thought. But Lec’s eyes glazed over the pool, Issa’s definition of pond, and they burst into laughter. They recovered quickly, shooting after Issa again. “It’s not—” they started, but they stopped themselves. What was a pool but a manmade pond, anyway? Lec made a mental note to answer Issa’s question later, by showing him. They would take him to the public pool in town, watch him splash and wade through the pond of man’s design. Lec found themselves picturing it, Issa standing out in the water, ignorant of public pool etiquette, water glistening on his bare chest, dripping from his hair, the sun setting his eyes aglow—Lec choked awkwardly, and they tripped over their own feet. They shook it off quickly and were soon running by Issa again, cheeks much rosier than before.

    With Issa now in front, Lec let him lead the way. They couldn’t hear the sailor anymore, but they knew they weren’t in the clear until they were back on land, far from this ship. They slowed their pace slightly, trying to catch their breath. The two rounded a corner, and Lec’s eyes fell over a woman. Panicked, they tried to reach a hand out to stop Issa, but the Lucet slipped just out of their grasp, barreling towards the poor woman who must have thought she’d been alone. Lec stopped, bracing themselves for the loud mess Issa was about to create, thinking of ways to get them both out of it. Issa saw the woman too, but instead of slowing, he maintained his speed, careless. As he approached the woman and her cart, Lec couldn’t look away. But the woman moved away, and Issa jumped over the cart in one fluid motion, only causing a small trail of cleaning supplies to fall to the floor. It was over in just a moment, but Lec found themselves staring after the Lucet, mesmerized. That graceful agility with which he moved, as if he were more animal than human… Lec scolded themselves for forgetting even for a moment what Issa was. He wasn’t human; of course he could move like that. But that revelation did not impress the human dancer any less.

    Lec shook their head and urged themselves to move on. Standing idly would just put them both in danger, especially now that they had another witness. They started after Issa again, moving the cleaning lady’s cart out of their way and muttering an apology to the poor woman Issa had scared half to death. They caught up to Issa and kept his pace, though their body pleaded them to stop. Pain flared up Lec’s legs, and their head drummed harshly against their skull. Dizziness threatened their balance, and they wondered when they had last eaten. Was this a good idea after all? “Issa,” they started, about to suggest getting back to safety, but their eye caught on a man at the opposite end of the hall. Even from a distance, Lec could see the no-nonsense glare he cast upon them. In the next moment they were being tugged away, their hopes of escaping this chase now slashed.

    Somehow, Lec found it difficult to be upset about that. Issa was acting so childishly. He saw this as nothing more than a game, an opportunity to lose his predator. There was something uplifting in the way he spoke, as if to this foreigner no bad could come of any of this. Perhaps he was too trusting of Lec to get them out of this, or perhaps he really did not understand the position they were in. Either way, Lec smiled. Though they now struggled to keep up with Issa, they knew they had to keep going. Their tour was far from over.

    Issa stopped and dragged Lec into one of the cabins, and the exhausted mage all but fell to the floor. With the door shut, they slunk to the plush carpet, breaths loud and uneven. They hadn’t seen how many rooms in this hall were left open; would their closed door give them away? Lec couldn’t even consider it. They were thankful for the opportunity to catch their breath, though they could have done without the room spinning. Their stomach made a small sound of protest and, cheeks coloring, they hoped Issa had not heard. Regardless of how weak they felt, for now, they were safe.

    Issa’s question wandered into their mind even before it was in the air. Lec’s gaze was trained on the door, listening for footsteps that had long since walked by. “We would probably be fined,” they replied simply, still panting. “It would be up to town council to decide exact punishments, but likely we’d get some kind of labor penance. It would be funny if they made us clean the ship for… breaking onto the ship.” Lec inched away from the door, dragging themselves to the bed. Sheets spilled from it; the previous inhabitants of the room had ended their cruise with a bang, apparently. It was then that they could finally look around the room. It was an average cabin, with a television tucked into a hanging entertainment center, automatic lighting, plush seats, dated art. Noticing something, Lec walked to the far end of the room, and they called Issa over. They pulled away the shades, revealing the view of the ocean’s surface, stretching far as the eye could see.

    It was just the sight to relax Lec. Fish fearlessly poked at the surface of the water, only meters from the window. The sun was setting; how long had they been running? “Imagine being in the middle of the ocean, looking out at the world from just this window,” they said. “All the animals too afraid to approach land would be there, just waiting to be seen. I wonder just what’s out there. Don’t you?” They turned to Issa and smiled warmly. “How’s the tour?” they added. “Quite the invention, cruise ships, huh?”
    Last edited by Ashen; 06-23-2020 at 03:09 AM.
    Thanks to Craze for the beautiful Bravely set!

    ~Recruitment Thread~
    Spoiler: Ashen's Personal Hall of Fame 

  6. #36
    Mistborn
    Namingtoohard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,797
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    498

    Default

    If he had heard the sound made by his guide’s stomach, Issa gave no outward sign of it. Instead, he was still focusing on his own breathing, even as Lec answered the simple question that he had posed. The Lucet made sure that he was sitting with his head tilted upwards and his shoulders pulled back, to keep his airway as open as possible. There was no doubting that he had enjoyed the exercise, to a degree, but even someone as fit and energetic as him needed time to recover. The day had been action-packed even before this, and Issa had no doubt that sleep would come a touch easier than normal tonight.

    Even so, Issa pursed his lips as he pondered the potential implications of Lec’s answer. Doing labour for the humans sounded like it could range anywhere from ‘not that bad’ to ‘absolutely terrible’ depending on the exact job that needed doing. Given how most of the humans had reacted to his presence thus far, however, Issa hardly expected them to take it easy on him. As for being fined…well, the Lucet didn’t think he had much the humans would be interested in taking. Would his guide be forced to pay on his behalf? What would happen to Lec if Issa didn’t comply, or fled back into the forest to escape whatever punishment was forthcoming? Heck, would Lec be punished for bringing a Lucet into the city to begin with, only to have them break the rules? Troubling questions, and Issa suspected that he wouldn’t like the answers if he were to ask.

    Well, that left them with only one option, then. Issa needed to make sure that they didn’t get caught at all.

    Easier said than done.

    His musings were interrupted by a few simple words from Lec, who had apparently moved whilst Issa were distracted. The Lucet took a few seconds longer to gather himself, before slowly climbing to his feet. The muscles in his legs groaned in protest at being forced into motion again so soon, but the Lucet persevered, and eventually joined his guide over by the window. The sight beyond allowed the sea to steal his breath away once more, and made Issa forget all about his physical woes for a moment.

    The sunset itself was nothing short of spectacular. A thin veil of clouds projected a halo of yellow and orange, making it seem as if the very sky itself were burning, set alight by only the most gentle flames. Alone, it was merely pretty. The way that the water reflected the sunlight, however, setting dancing with every little wave and ripple, transformed it into something truly awe-inspiring. And that was to say nothing of the fish that seemed to have surfaced, for reasons known only to them. Issa brought a hand up and pressed it against the window gently, uncharacteristically silent as he took it all in, even after Lec had asked their question.

    “I guess it was always going to come to an end sooner or later” the Lucet muttered softly to himself. When he finally tore his attention away from the view outside, Issa would meet his host’s gaze, smiling in earnest. “It’s been incredible. Thank you.” After a brief pause, a look of realisation would flicker across his features, and he’d quickly continue. “The tour, I mean. As a whole. Not just the cruise ship…though I suppose that’s been pretty incredible too. You get what I mean.”

    Feeling slightly flustered, Issa would reluctantly turn away from the window, leaving at least one of Lec’s questions unanswered while he sought a distraction elsewhere. His gaze would sweep the room briefly, flickering over the bed and artwork, before finally coming to rest on the television, sitting in the middle of its shelving. That was another curiosity. Another strange new thing he was unfamiliar with. And right now, it would prove useful as an easy way out of this conversation.

    “What’s that over there?”

    Issa wasted no time in trotting over to where the television was hanging. The Lucet reached out to brush his fingers over the screen gently, before his curiosity got the better of him. He started pressing a few of the buttons lined up beneath the screen at random, hitting those tied to volume and channel, clearly trying to make the thing work, so that he could see…whatever it was supposed to do. The television, of course, remained defiantly silent for the moment – mostly because the Lucet was yet to try pressing the button linked to turning it on.

  7. #37
    The Ashen One
    Ashen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    A land that smells of sunflowers
    Favourite Roleplay Genres
    medieval fantasy, adventure, psychological
    Posts
    5,686
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    99

    Default

    Issa’s gasp brought a smile to Lec’s face. Living in the forest, he had likely never seen a sunlight so grand and beautiful as this one. Lec wondered what his sunsets were like; were the Lucet even able to see the sun as it slid beneath the canopies of their trees, sinking to the earth behind bushes and stumps? They figured there was a different kind of beauty in that, one ethereal and dreamlike, with sunlight reaching over each corner of nature, of green and brown. Perhaps Lec would have to see such a sunset for themselves, someday. If they didn’t die the next time they set foot in that cursed forest.

    They awkwardly averted their gaze when Issa met it, already worrying that he thought they had been staring. His words drew their eyes again, however, as a blush ran across their cheeks. Issa thought this was incredible? Lec struggled to find anything in their afternoon deserving of such a praising word. His tour had been an afternoon spent with a quirky, boring guide exploring a town of people who could kill with their glares alone. Was it possible Issa found Lec incredible? Did he enjoy their company that much? No, Lec scolded themselves, turning away again. Idiot. Of course, Issa was likely overjoyed about this opportunity to explore the culture he’d been so curious about, with a guide who could explain the things he was confused about. The identity of the guide was irrelevant, and Lec probably only made Issa’s perception worse, if anything. He thought they hated him—shouldn’t they have hated him? Didn’t they hate him?—and with how anxious Lec had been all day, most of Evimaire likely would have been a better fit. But Issa was happy about this day, as if Lec had had reason to doubt from his facial expressions throughout their tour. They were doing something right after all.

    Issa started away, breaking Lec from their thoughts. They followed him, and for a moment they saw a flustered look on his face. Incredible. The word resurfaced in their mind, as well as the echoes of their conversation with Evelin. Shut up, they told themselves, irritation now painting their features. Their harsh look easily fell away when Issa picked up the remote control to the television and fumbled it. He reminded them of their father, who hadn’t grown up with such technology and was not keen on maneuvering it. The comparison made Lec chuckle softly. “That’s a television,” Lec explained. “We can use it to watch motion pictures for entertainment, or documentaries to learn things. It works like a radio, but with pictures—Oh.” Judging from the look on Issa’s face, he didn’t know what that was, either. “Never mind. Um, here.” They awkwardly grabbed the remote from Issa and ran their fingers over the buttons. They were all so small, so many, each with a different symbol or color displayed. Lec had never had a television set at home, and they were suddenly aware that they had never used a remote, either.

    Another awkward chuckle filled the room. Lec thumbed over a couple buttons and watched the screen, waiting for it to turn on. They located a button isolated from the rest and pressed that. For a few moments, nothing happened, but then the screen blinked on. Jagged black and white lines of static tore across the screen, and a soft buzzing sounded. They remembered that the arrows changed the channel, at least, and they tried cycling through to find anything that would play. “Oh,” the announced, “wait. They probably don’t play anything when there isn’t a cruise in session.” It was something they should have figured earlier, and they silently swore at their own stupidity. “I’ll have to show you later.” But would any of Lec’s friends who owned television sets allow a Lucet into their homes? Lec looked back to those dark red eyes. How would they convince anyone that he wasn’t bad? But then, they realized, they didn’t even know that themselves. One day of obedient touring would never make up for the two or three decades Issa had of living as the enemy.

    They sat back down on the bed, willing their doubts away. “Normally you’d be able to use this to find something to watch, even if you’re sitting far away.” As they spoke, their eyes wandered to the static lines, dizzying. They used the remote to try to turn the television off. However, they hadn’t noticed there were two isolated buttons on the remote, and they clumsily hit the one opposite from before. “The films can be—” they started, but their voice was drowned out by the screaming of the television set. The on-screen static stopped and was replaced with a prompt asking for some sort of button input. The sound was overwhelming, an old tune with instruments not even used in modern music. Lec jumped from the bed, and the remote fell from their hands. They frantically felt the television for the button on the set to turn it off. They pressed it, and silence returned to the room again, not without making Lec’s heart beat out of their chest again.

    They took a few moments to calm down. “Sorry,” they breathed, “sorry. I didn’t mean to…” To what? What had they even done? Likely they had pressed a button to access more exclusive content, maybe part of a paid program, but why had it been so loud? A realization dawned on them, one that drained the color from their face. “We should go,” they suggested silently. There was no need to explain; if any of their pursuers were anywhere near them, they definitely knew where they were now. Not ready, still panting, Lec pulled open the cabin door and peeked down the hall. No one, yet, but it likely wouldn’t stay that way for long. “I hope you’re ready for part two,” they said, smile returning to their lips, trying to keep things light though they knew they had just ruined their time to rest. How much longer would they be able to go on? They shook the thought and started down the hall at a jog. “Let’s go.”
    Thanks to Craze for the beautiful Bravely set!

    ~Recruitment Thread~
    Spoiler: Ashen's Personal Hall of Fame 

  8. #38
    Mistborn
    Namingtoohard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,797
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    498

    Default

    Eager to learn more about the latest in the long line of new curiosities he had encountered today, Issa quickly forgot about playing with the television himself and instead focused on his guide as they began to speak. This time, however, Lec’s words only served to confuse the Lucet further – an unfortunate fact made all the more clear by an obvious flicker of uncertainty that slowly crept into his expression. Half the words that Lec used to try and explain were beyond his understanding. Words that Issa had never heard before, and would have been hard-pressed to try and repeat if asked.

    Thankfully, Lec seemed to realise this rather quickly, and decided to try a different approach. Issa relinquished the remote willingly when his guide reached for it, thankful that he had been spared the embarrassment of having to admit to his ongoing ignorance. Instead, the Lucet turned his attention to the television good and proper, more than happy to let the local expert handle the technical side of things, and eager to see just what manner of creation this would be. After all the wonders he had seen so far today, Issa’s expectations were high.

    He waited with baited breath, but as the seconds dragged on, a hint of doubt began to creep into Issa’s mind. Was it supposed to be taking this long? Had something gone wrong? Or had the television already began to do its job, and Issa had just missed it? The Lucet had just opened his mouth to ask when the television finally sprang to life, the flickering screen casting an inconsistent light through the room. Issa couldn’t help but jump a little at the unexpected sight, though he was quick to recover. He took a few uncertain steps towards the television as he watched the static dance across the screen, and even raised a hand to lay it against the screen gently, but remained unable to discern its purpose.

    Things finally became clear the next time Lec spoke. The television wasn’t actually working, and whatever was happening now was just a sign that something had gone wrong. Whilst a touch disappointing, at least that was an explanation that made sense.

    Issa continued to stare at the strange lights and shapes in silence for a moment, and was just preparing to turn away when Lec hit another button on the remote, and the television began to screech. Caught entirely off guard but the sudden, ear-splitting sound, Issa flinched as if he had been struck. The Lucet stumbled back a step, raising both of his hands to his ears instinctively. His eyes were narrowed in a grimace as he stared at the strange new sight on the television’s screen, his mind failing to comprehend what had happened, and what was going on now. He lowered them only a few seconds after Lec had managed to silence the damn thing, and responded to their suggestion with a simple nod.

    Issa waited in silence as Lec checked the hallway immediately outside the door, and a ghost of a smile flickered over his features at their cheery words. A welcome return to how things had been before all this strangeness had started, and forced them to abandon their rest break early. He tried to force all thoughts of what had just occurred from his mind, and instead set out into the hallway, hot on the heels of his companion. Much like before, Issa did his best to match the pace that Lec had set, perfectly content to stick to a jog whilst they had the chance.

    The early parts of their wandering passed by uneventfully. The two trespassers had enough good fortune to avoid stumbling into any of their pursuers, at least to start with. Issa made a point of slowing down whenever they neared a corner, peering around it cautiously to make sure there was still nobody else around, before continuing onwards. With any luck, the sailors had been distracted by the loud sounds the television had made, and were now several hallways behind them. Whilst the untimely end of their rest was unfortunate, maybe some good had come of it, after all. Truth be told, the Lucet still had no idea where the two of them were supposed to be going, but he didn’t particularly care, either. He did, however, begin to wonder just how long the two of them could really keep this up. Especially if it came to another extended chase.

    “Maybe we should start thinking about our exit strategy. I’m not confident we can outrun our new friends forever, and I wouldn’t count on giving them the slip with the same trick twice” Issa offered idly as the two of them continued to jog, throwing another brief glance Lec’s way as he spoke. From that point onwards, Issa made a point of leading them upwards, electing to take the stairs whenever they stumbled across them.

    His decision eventually proved to be their undoing. Issa and his guide emerged into the fading sunlight and cool waterborne breeze, only to find that their hunters had regrouped. Several sailors were standing in a small cluster near the same gangway that Lec and Issa had used to board the ship. They were engaged in a heated discussion, and the woman from before was gesturing wildly with both hands whilst she spoke. Issa slowed to a halt when he caught sight of them, swearing softly under his breath. Almost immediately, one of the sailors looked up and spotted them, attention drawn by the motion.

    “Hey! They’re over there!”

    Just like that, the chase was back on. All of the sailors turned and started sprinting towards them. Issa didn’t take much time to look, but he could have sworn that he saw at least one or two of them reaching for weapons. Unwilling to wait around and find out, Issa reached for Lec’s hand, before turning and sprinting the other way. On impulse, he decided against heading down the stairs they had just emerged from, and back into the depths of the ship. Instead, he opted to run parallel to the ship’s starboard rail, towards the back, and the port that lay beyond.

    To Issa’s dismay, the two of them didn’t pass another place where they could easily disembark, or another entrance that would lead them back down below. They passed several rows of seats, passing through what appeared to be some sort of observation or gathering area, before finally running out of ship. Issa skidded to a halt just short of the boat’s rearmost guard rail, which had clearly been designed to stop clumsy guests from falling overboard whilst the ship were out at sea.

    Issa released his grip on Lec’s hand to hold the edge of the railing instead, and leaned out over it to sneak a glance at the water below. The view below didn’t fill him with confidence, but when he cast his gaze back the other way, the Lucet found that they were now well and truly trapped. The sailors chasing them had fanned out into a rough semicircle, cutting off all avenues of escape, and were steadily coming closer. Issa swore again at the sight, louder this time, whilst his mind scrambled to come up with something, anything, that could prove a potential escape strategy.

    His first idea was that they could leap the railing and chance the fall, but Issa wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about taking that risk if he didn’t have to. Making a run for it and breaking past the sailors seemed like a plan doomed to fail, however. The Lucet could always transform and slip away, most likely on a pair of wings, but the idea of abandoning Lec to bear the punishment for both of them didn’t sit well with him. Not when he was the one who had wanted to investigate the ship in the first place. Issa backed himself right up against the guard rail, his gaze flitting back and forth between the different people surrounding them, as the reality of their situation began to sink in.

    “Well, I guess this is the end of our little trip” he offered, sounding more than a little uncertain. He turned his attention back towards Lec good and proper, mouth already open to apologise, before one last idea sprang to mind, and he hurried to voice it.

    “I’m…I don’t suppose that you could magic us up an escape route, right?”

    Had he more time, the Lucet doubtless would have apologized to Lec for getting them into this situation. Explained that the human only really needed to get themselves away, since Issa was fairly confident he could slip the net in animal form if needed. As it was, however, the sailors were closing in, and Issa didn’t have the time to articulate such thoughts properly. Not before their metaphorical predators descended upon them.

  9. #39
    The Ashen One
    Ashen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    A land that smells of sunflowers
    Favourite Roleplay Genres
    medieval fantasy, adventure, psychological
    Posts
    5,686
    Mentioned
    18 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    99

    Default

    As the two of them ripped through the halls of the ship once more, Lec silently cursed themselves. If they had just been less of a klutz, they could have rested longer, could have come up with a better plan. Now their clumsiness was bound to get them in trouble. They doubted their own punishment would be too severe; they were a well-known and respected member of this town, and with how they looked, any gavel-bearing figure of authority would have pity on them anyway. But the Lucet? What would they do to the foreigner, to this enemy on unsafe land, all because Lec was too stupid to operate a television remote? They tried to dismiss their thoughts. Their time was better spent thinking of a way out of this mess. Their fun was over, and now they needed to make sure nothing too bad would befall them and their companion.

    They nodded weakly at Issa’s words, fatigue seizing their voice. Issa was a better guide than they were in this state, so they let him lead the way, back to where they had first entered the ship. The lobby was just as spotless as they’d left it, and their footsteps reverberated off the sparkling surfaces. From there it would be a quick sprint back to the gangway and away from the staff and any consequences. Lady Luck, however, had other plans for the trespassers. Just as they crossed the threshold of the lobby and were back under the setting sun, Lec noticed the crowd of angry sailors blocking their way to freedom. Mumbling a swear, they took a few steps back into the ship, but it was already too late. With enemy eyes trained on them, a voice called out, alerting everyone of their location. They were trapped.

    Issa grabbed Lec’s hand, and he led them away from their pursuers, away from the lobby, towards the front of the ship. Lec wanted to protest: the only exits were likely the gangway they had used to board and an identical one on the other side, facing the ocean, cleared away while docked. Going this way would only trap them against the front of the ship and the angry mob of cruise staff behind them. Lec wanted to convey their thoughts to Issa, but there was no time, and what other choices did they have? There were no escapes now. It was time to own up to what they had done. Resignation settling into their features, Lec let themselves be tugged along, knowing there was no way out of this.

    But Issa was less willing to give up. He peered over the ship’s rails, and in the meantime Lec had a moment to catch their breath. They surveyed the group behind them. Were those… swords? They hadn’t been expecting violence from the staff, and now, they weren’t sure they would get off as easily as they thought. They cast a glance towards Issa. His words were chilling, simple and obvious as they were. Where was the boyish glee that had been there before, the carefree attitude with which he had tackled this whole adventure? His wary tone only added to the gravity of their situation, and Lec bit their lip, panicked. They couldn’t think of any way out, not with their heart racing, with sworded sailors approaching. Would they flee if Lec made their own weapon, one made of ice, of fire? Or would that make them more likely to attack? If Issa used his powers, would the unsuspecting humans run from a tiger, or a charging elephant? Or would that ensure their death here?

    As Lec tried to grasp onto any idea that made sense, Issa’s suggestion came out of nowhere, a last-minute effort to save themselves. Lec quickly shot him a glance, disbelief and concern painted on their face. Issa didn’t know anything about magic. He couldn’t know how mentally exhausting it was casting even simple spells. He couldn’t know that most mages could hardly control a single element, let alone all of them, or that abuse of magic was strictly against the law. No, Issa saw it as a thing to be feared and revered, a thing to hurt and a thing to help. And Lec, the strongest mage Evimaire had ever seen, had to use whatever they could to get them out of this situation. Whether they could summon the strength to call upon the elements, whether their plan would work, whether they would face consequences later for their manipulation of the world; Lec didn’t have time to think. They barreled into Issa, lifting him overboard, and they leapt after him, blind, praying this would work.

    A few seconds. That was likely all the time Lec had to perform some miracle that would stop them from crashing into the surface of the water, from stealing their breaths, from breaking their bones. With more composure than they knew they could muster, Lec extended their arms straight in front of them, as if to break their fall. They swiftly swiped towards their chest, and they mumbled to themselves, quick, calm. A whirlpool then rose from the ocean, swirling gently and growing until it was tall as the ship itself. Lec and Issa fell into this whirlpool, a much shorter, softer fall than the one waiting for them. As they circled the vortex, Lec tried to push their hands away from them, moving their abomination, but the waves of their whirlpool soared over their head, threatening to drown them. They held their breath and struggled to surface. Once more they tried to move the waters, and this time, the waves obeyed. The whirlpool slowed and sank into the ocean, and the waters returned to normal, as if nothing had disrupted them at all.

    Back on ground level, Lec choked the saltwater out of their lungs. It was an amateur’s work, they scolded themselves; weren’t they a better mage than to create something so reckless? They shook their head and brushed the wet hair from their face. Born on the docks, they knew they could swim in their sleep, but the realization that Issa might not know how to swim dawned on them with a new wave of panic. Their eyes scanned the ocean’s surface, seeking any sign of him. Why hadn’t they used air? They could have created a zephyr strong enough to carry them back to earth—why had they gone with water? Now, as they failed to find their companion, they cursed their bad decisions of the day even more.

    “Issa!” Their voice wavered, and they wondered if he would even hear them over the heartbeat of the ocean’s waves, the song of the gulls. They dove underwater and continued the search, ignoring the sting of saltwater in their eyes. He couldn’t have gone far—right? Had their whirlpool been stronger than they thought? What if Issa had been flung somewhere far, into the depths of the ocean, where he would die alone and confused—No, they couldn’t think that way. They poked their head above water, and a wave shoved them back under, dizzying. When they could breathe air again, they looked all around, until they saw him near the boardwalk.

    Relief bathing their face, Lec swam to where Issa was staying afloat. They latched onto him as soon as they reached him. “Gods, Issa,” they murmured, feeling him for any injuries he might have gotten, more things to blame themselves for. “I’m so sorry. Are you alright? Are you hurt?” They wrapped his arms around their neck, easily handling the weight of them both in the water. In their panicked frenzy, they didn’t realize how close they were, how they could feel Issa’s breaths on their skin, his heartbeat so close to theirs. “Can you swim?” they asked, a question they should have posed earlier. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll get us out.” And without waiting for an answer, Lec began swimming. They struggled to keep Issa’s head above the water as they moved. Slowly, they made their way to the end of the dock, where they helped Issa climb onto the boards before following him. “We should get away from here,” they suggested, taking his hand and leading him away from the water, away from the sailors, back into town where they hoped no one would recognize them.

    It was only then, as they near collapsed into a bench outside a soap and perfume store, that they could finally relax. They looked over Issa, hoping he was alright, hoping he didn’t hate them. “That was stupid,” they mumbled. “I shouldn’t have done that. Any of that. I’m sorry.” Their clothes, not meant to be wet, clung awkwardly to their skin, and Lec was all too aware that their eyeliner, already ruined, now likely looked monstrous. They wiped at it idly, knowing it would do no good. Bringing their focus back to Issa, they noticed his clothes also hugged his features, though his skin piqued their interest. On his chest, the black ink of a tattoo—wasn’t that…? They shook their head and looked away, embarrassed for staring. “Are you… okay?”
    Last edited by Ashen; 07-21-2020 at 01:31 AM.
    Thanks to Craze for the beautiful Bravely set!

    ~Recruitment Thread~
    Spoiler: Ashen's Personal Hall of Fame 

  10. #40
    Mistborn
    Namingtoohard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    3,797
    Mentioned
    20 Post(s)
    Rep Power
    498

    Default

    The incredulous expression that passed over Lec’s features seemed like an answer in and of itself. That look alone was as clear as any verbal refusal, and Issa’s heart seemed to sink in his chest. Apparently the two of them weren’t getting out of this predicament as easily as he might have hoped, and the Lucet was forced to accept that they would have no choice but to face the consequences of their actions. Even so, Issa wasn’t sure that he regretted what they had done. He had gotten to see something new and wonderful, gotten to laugh and play, and gotten to spend more time with his guide, exploring their home. Though perhaps he would feel differently once everything was said and done, and the two of them had been handed their punishments.

    Now, Issa simply had to hope that he would last long enough to see just what that may entail. That none of the sailors would use their surrender as an opportunity to effortlessly rid themselves and the town of this non-human trespasser, who wasn’t even worthy of the time and effort necessary to punish them under human law. Did he even qualify for those sorts of right? It wasn’t a comforting thought, but it didn’t seem as if he had any other options. He'd simply need to take his chances.

    Issa was just deciding on how best to submit to their captors when Lec sprang into motion, tackling them over the guard rail, and out into the open space beyond. He was so surprised that he didn’t even think to cry out, in fear or shock or anything else. Time seemed to slow as the ship’s deck seemed to shrink into the distance. Issa’s hands reached out, seeking salvation, but were met with nothing but empty air. The wind howled in his ears, cutting as deep as the most cruel and callous of laughter, as if mocking him and his inevitable fate. The Lucet knew that he could try changing into some type of bird, but the water was only a few seconds away, and the chances of him being quick enough to finish transforming and take flight in that time were slim.

    Then they saw Lec, who had apparently leapt over the rail after them. Saw the strange way they were moving their arms. And then the next thing he knew was water. Water above him, around him, everywhere. Crushing and cold, stealing the breath from his lungs, and threatening to drag him downwards. Issa fought against it, thrashing around in a mixture of fear and desperation, but the torrent seemed as relentless and unending as the movements of the moon and stars. A force so overwhelming that it cared nothing for him and his efforts, like a boot crushing an ant. What could he possibly hope to accomplish? Even so, the Lucet continued to struggle.

    Was this Lec’s magic? He doubted that the human mage had decided risking death was better than capture, and had thrown him overboard without a plan. Issa couldn’t be certain, but the mere possibility was enough to fill him with dread. He had suggested this, certainly, but the Lucet had been unprepared, and in the heat of the moment, he couldn’t help but panic. Today Lec had shown him a gentler side of this mystical force, but a few scarce moments of kindness were hardly enough to undo years of conditioning. Years of superstition and fear, all of which now threatened to drown him just as thoroughly as the water all around.

    Then, finally, the forces battering him seemed to lessen. Issa had no way of knowing it, but Lec’s magic had run its course, leaving him at the mercy of nothing more than the regular ocean swell. His endless struggling finally bore fruit, and the Lucet managed to break the surface, if only momentarily. Issa managed to keep himself afloat just long enough to suck in another half a breath, whilst the waves conspired to drag him under again. Lec's cry fell on deaf ears, as all of Issa's attention was focused on the struggle to keep his head above water, which he managed with only limited success.

    And then, like an agent of the goddess herself, Lec was there. Issa felt someone grab at him, and was quick to latch his arms around their neck when given the opportunity. Fingers curled around cloth and skin alike, desperate to avoid letting their would-be rescuer slip away, no matter how desperately the waves might try. Aside from that, the Lucet did little but cough and splutter as Lec ferried the both of them back towards the shoreline, his eyes forced closed the entire way.

    Issa had never quite felt relief like those first few moments back on land. When the water seemed to relinquish its grip on him, and he could feel solid ground beneath his feet once more. Even so, he continued to cling to Lec as his guide escorted him over to a nearby bench, and forced him to sit. Once he was done coughing up what little water he had swallowed, Issa’s chest heaved as he sucked down air as quickly as he could manage. Even then, it took a few moments of silent arguing for the Lucet to convince himself that there was no more cause for concern, and that he could safely uncurl his fingers.

    When Lec spoke, a soft chuckle slipped from Issa’s lips, accompanied by a wry smile and an incredulous shake of the head. That was how it started, at the very least. Once the Lucet had started, he didn’t seem able to stop. His laughter grew into something more robust, more genuine, and dragged on for a good several seconds. All his wonder and amazement at everything they had just done, from the second they had set foot on the ship to just now, pouring out at once. Issa glanced at Lec once he was done, not quite able to banish his amusement from his face, or his tone.

    “Okay strikes me as something of a comparative term. Considering that the other possibilities were either death or capture, yeah, I’d say I’m doing okay. Heck, by those standards, I’m positively fantastic.” The Lucet accented his words with a few idle nods, before finally seeming to settle. He’d turn his gaze back towards Lec, his expression shifting into something a little more earnest. “What about you? Are you okay?” The Lucet had apparently failed to notice his companion’s staring, distracted as he had been, just as he failed to care about the exact the state of their makeup.

    Once he had his companion’s assurances that they were also fine, Issa turned his gaze away again. The Lucet spent a few moments watching the last remnants of the sun’s light fade from the sky, content to relax and enjoy the silence for a moment, now that the thrills were over. He brought a hand up and raked it through his damp hair, trying to brush away a stubborn, wet, annoying curl that insisted on hanging lower than its siblings, infringing on the edges of his vision slightly. Once it was finally settled back into a place that felt a little more appropriate, the Lucet would speak up once more.

    “In any case, you don’t need to apologise. If anything, I should be thanking you. Good goddess above, I still can’t believe we got away with it, even now, and it’s all because of you. Under any other circumstances, I’d probably be alarmed at how much I’m starting to owe you, and how quickly. ” Another quick glance in Lec’s direction, and another warm smile, though it would fade slightly as he forced himself to speak the next words that came to mind.

    “In any case, maybe it’s time we call it. On any other day, I’d love to see what this place has to offer after dark, but I’d prefer to get back before everyone starts to miss me too much. They’d start asking questions…and I’d prefer to be well-rested if we’re going to end up doing this again.” The Lucet had, of course, conveniently forgotten to mention his own weariness. “Besides, we haven’t exactly gone far. Wouldn’t want our new friends to realise that we’re still hanging around. They might decide to come say hello.” He'd gesture at the boat with one hand idly, still very much visible from their current perch, to illustrate his point.

    With that said, Issa forced himself to climb back to his feet, despite the way his legs protested. He’d turn to face Lec and offer them his hand, seemingly intent on helping the human up.

    “Would you mind showing me the way back? One last little trip for the day. We can even walk this time, if you'd prefer.”

Page 4 of 14 FirstFirst ... 23456 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •