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 Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:12 pm
Baltty's Journey: Day 1
Balt entered the shrine once again. It was the one place he felt he could find answers. Answers for what it really was that he sought. However, by the time he entered the room, one of the three goddess statues was gone. Almost as though she had vanished into thin air. Perhaps she had. After all, they did give off the feeling that they could do something as small as that and much more. Though while she wasn't here...
Balt approached the pedestal, peering down at the plaque before he leaned in closer.
"The Goddess, wrought with Paranoia, created--Hey what--I can barely read this!" He complained, glancing over the rest of it. "Something something, she discovered how to replicate--"
"Or so it goes."
Balt just about jumped out of his skin.
Behind him, the missing goddess in question stood. In her grasp a glowing instrument, while cables and for emerged around her. Talk about spooky. Though before he could comment on it, she handed something to him. A bag. Unsure of what it was she was doing, he gave her a curious look.
"Go on," She urged, her crooked smile causing him to try and return it. Though his happened to be more subconscious and awkward. "open it up. I have a gift for you."
A gift now was it? Well he didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth but--it was a bag.. What did he need a bag for... and after looking inside, he found it was an empty one at that.
"There's nothing insi--"
"Oh." He watched as the goddess clenched and unclenched her hand, causing an uneasy feeling to stir inside of him. Was she worried about something? Upset maybe? "A small error. It's okay, I can fix this." She assured. Not that her intense stare helped. "With your help, I can fix this. Could you fetch me more parts?"
More parts? What kind of parts were those he wondered.
"I stored them in my special labs but it's getting a little cluttered down there. Just look for the chests, they should be inside. I don't need everything it holds, just the heart."
"The heart--what heart?" He started to ask but stopped when she handed him the scissors.
Now what would he need these for?
"That should do the trick. Just the heart. They don't need theirs after all,"
Now he looked back up at her, a questioning look on her face. Hers however, had a touch of sorrow.
"...they didn't quite make it."
They? He was curious to know who 'they' were. However, his question was left unspoken. He had a job to fulfill. Besides, given the job, he was bound to find out sooner or later anyways.
With a crooked smile of his own, he walked through the small opening and into the darkness. Though what he found on the other side was kind of surprising.
Three doors.
Each different. Both in looks and the feeling they gave off and while the second two were interesting, if not unnerving, it was the glow of the pumpkin that drew him forward. It was unexplainable, but it made happy to see and for some reason, he felt that this was the door for him to choose.
Perhaps this was one of the things he searched for?
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:53 am
Balt stepped in and took in a breath as a nostalgic feeling overcame him. For a second he could see them. Pumpkins! The soft glow, their smiles... quiet. Balt focused. In the distance there were voices. They sounded familiar even, and warm and before he knew it, his lips quirked up into a smile.
But why? He didn't recognize them. Was he just that happy to hear other people here? No... it felt like it was more than that. He genuinely felt that he was happy to hear them. Someone he had been waiting for...
The door slammed shut behind him, and he was surrounded by light. More pumpkins? No not just more, an entire pumpkin patch. All of which seemed to be leading him down a particular path. Not that he seemed to care. He was admiring the bright glow and the various faces carved into each an every one. Though that wasn't all. At the end of the path was a large open field and completely covered in small luminous orange flowers.
It was like a dreamworld here.
However, in the midst of the field was one thing that stood out. A tombstone. Written on it was a name he had never seen before.
"Here lies Nolita." He read aloud, nudging the withered flowers up. "Who are you Nolita?" He asked. Not that he was expecting an answer. But as he leaned in closer he could hear something from beneath the grave.
Thump-thump.
That sounded like...
Thump-thump.
"A heart?" Heart... didn't the goddess ask for him to bring back a heart? But this was a grave... Then again, she had told him that 'they' no longer needed it. Could she perhaps have meant because they were already dead?
Well it couldn't hurt...
Whoever this 'Nolita' was, they were already dead and if the goddess needed it, then well he kind of had to take it, right? Besides... it was strange to say but... it was like it called to him. So pushing away the flowers, he dug the scissors in and dug around within the pliant ground. Digging until finally it was loose enough that he was able to reach down inside. However, just as he began to pull the heart free, something flashed before him.
"Haah? You're going to what now?"
A pitch black haired and skinned woman, with eyes as bright as the pumpkin's glow stared--or rather glared down at him. Her ears folded back in an irate gesture.
"Just when did you decide to go and do this--and without consulting me first? Damn it Tybalt! Not only am I your pack alpha, but I'm your Jackdamned sister!" She cursed under her breath, kicking something out of the way. "A stupid dumb a** like you would probably flunk the entrance exam anyways. Why go?"
It was strange but, even though her words sounded harsh, there was no hiding the worried look in her eyes. It was almost like she was putting on a front to cover up her real feelings.
But just as fast as the memory appeared, it faded again leaving him there with the heart in hand. Its soft yellow glow reminding him of the job he had to do.
Thump-thump.
With one final beat, he pulled the heart free, tilting his head to the side when it stopped pulsing. Curious as to why it stopped.
Was this really okay? He wondered; tucking it away into the bag.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:24 am
With the heart secured there was only one thing left to do and that was find a way out of here and back to the shrine. However, something was wrong. The longer he walked the more things began to seem strange. For starters, the firm ground was no longer firm, but pliant, slick, and sticky even. Not only that, but the moment he reached a dead end, he could hear it. The sound of something behind him, sloshing through the water.
The sloshing eventually turned to footsteps, however by the time he turned around to locate the source, it was gone. Nothing was there.
Oookay. Strange and slightly unnerving.
With no other option but to turn around and look for another way out, Balt continued on. However this time, the water began to climb. Becoming deeper and colder and--
Slosh.
It was back again.
"Please give it back."
Startled, he turned around and found nothing.
"Maybe I'm imagining it..?" He wondered aloud and began walking again. Only to stop when the water climbed so high, that he was neck deep in the fluid.
No choice, he had to go back and--
"Please give me back my-"
Before he could even react, it grabbed hold of him dragging him down and beneath the cold surface. He fought to reach the air, clawing and thrashing the break free, but the figure held him firmly just out of reach.
Pain!
Realization set in. It wasn't just drowning him--he was vanishing! Slowly but surely, his whole being was fading away and--
Balt froze beneath the gaze of the attacker. Its hollow eyes and bared teeth sending a cold chill down his spine. Colder than the water.
"If you're going to go, go!" The woman from before snarled, turning her back towards him. "Don't come back until you've proven yourself worthy. I have no need for weakness in my pack. If you fail, don't you dare come crawling back."
Her words in spite of how hurtful they were, they weren't words of banishment. Rather, she was challenging him. Perhaps, in her own way, she believed in him. She believed he would succeed and come back to the pack.
"Go on! Get out of here! GO!"
Ah, that was right. He had to go. If he failed he would never be able to show his face to her again. He had to get out and--
"Give me back my heart."
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:31 am
With a snarl, Balt struck at the figure again. But like before, no matter how hard he struggled, there was just no fighting him.
Unless...
He grabbed the scissors, a determined look in his eyes as glared up at the attacker.
It was him or them and there was no way he was just going to roll over and die now! He had to get back, he existed for the goddesses, he existed for the blessings. He did NOT exist so that this creature could snuff out his existence.
With a yell, Balt shoved the scissors into the creatures chest, giving it a good twist and causing the creature to shriek out in pain and--
It disappeared.
Not only that, but the water was gone and with a few coughs and a weak curse, Balt coughed up the renaming water.
He did it. He had won.
As if to reward him, the warm light lit the room, pouring over him like a warm embrace. The exit. However just as he was about to pass through the door, he caught a glimpse of something glaring balefully back at him. Not only that, but it was clutching his scissors in its hands...
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 10:44 pm
Baltty's Journey: Day 2
"You cannot escape forever."
Tybalt was parked by one of the pedestals, looking up at the goddess who's hand was gently running over the scythe she held. "You must face your Fears. Eat or be eaten. That is the way of it here. Were it another time... I wonder which one you would be?"
He didn't say anything, nor did he quite understand what she was getting at, but he continued to sit and listen obediently and quietly.
Though he hadn't said anything, the goddess dropped down from her perch and began to circle around him.
"I wonder indeed. Perhaps we shall solve this little mystery? Take this."
In her other hand was a jeweled dagger. A dagger which was then handed towards him.
"That should be more than enough," She continued, causing him to look up.
"Enough for what?" He started to ask, but she continued again.
"You will need to learn to fend for yourself, to take on your challenges and judge for yourself what it means to sacrifice. That is the only way you will become stronger, else you'll fall prey to someone greater still."
He still didn't quite understand. But he had no reason to distrust her. However, as she spoke, Balt watched as the blade of the dagger slowly began to rust until finally turning a stained dark colour. Now a true reminiscent of Ruin.
"You are ready." She spoke again, gesturing with her scythe for him to leave. "Go."
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:22 am
He felt cold... and there was a strange, constant hum which was painful to his ears. Curious, Balt opened his eyes and immediately regretted his decision. It was bright. Too bright. Even the walls were too white, making the lighting worse than it already was.
"The hell?" He muttered, sliding his hands across the smooth surface he was laying on and discovered he was on a table. Wait, wasn't this one of those medical tables? What was he doing on one? Better yet, how did he even get here... he didn't recall ever falling asleep, so how..?
Bzzzzttt
The hum of the lights made him focus again. It was simple, he just had to get out of here, or find someone and ask what the hell was going on.
Easier said than done.
Balt took a couple of steps and just about fell on his face. Fortunately, the door wasn't that far from him and he reached it, using it to support him until his legs regained their strength. Though surprisingly, when he finally turned the knob of the door, he found it was unlocked. However...
Two steps out into the hall and Balt felt the urge to groan. The hall was no different than the room. Perfectly white walls and painfully bright lights... It was a wonder he hadn't already gotten a headache from it all.
Balt took another step forward, but the moment he did a sudden, loud bang sounded from behind him, causing him to whirl around to see what it was.
Nothing.
No one was there. Even the door was still wide open, just as he left it and after looking, he found there was nothing inside.
"Hello..?" He tried calling, regardless. But as expected, only the steady hum of the lights could be heard.
He kept walking.
Unfortunately for him, the hall never seemed to end. In fact, no matter how much he walked, he felt that there had been no progress at all. Was there even an exit? Was he going to be trapped here for the rest of his existence? Apparently that wouldn't be the case, because eventually, he finally saw it. The exit.
Thud.
He spun around again, but like before, nothing was there and the door was wide open with no signs of it ever being touched. He continued walking.
Thud.
He turned again--only this time, something was there and they were watching him. But it wasn't only that. He could hear a strange scraping sound, like metal on metal and then he noticed it. In one of their blackened hands were a pair of rusted scissors.
Thud. Screech. Thud. Screech.
They moved closer, but Balt couldn't move. He was frozen with fear. It wasn't until the cold claws reached around his neck that Balt managed to break out of his daze and run as the terror set in.
He was scared. So scared. The world was spinning. He couldn't think! He reached the door, slamming into it, but to his dismay, it was locked. Upon further investigation, he noticed the red latters, standing out boldy against the door handle.
Passcode required.
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OnionGrump rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:28 am
Frantically, Balt scanned the room, looking for anything he could possibly use. But everything looked the same. White walls, bright light, never ending halls and there was that creature in the way of his escape anyways and he did not want to close the distance between them.
Fortune was on his side however because he spotted the slip of paper, thanks to its red stain, and snatched it up.
A=0, B=1, C=2.
--what?
Distance: 35
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OnionGrump rolled 1 4-sided dice:
4
Total: 4 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:33 am
Balt continued to look over the piece of paper.
He was starting to panic now. He had no idea what the message meant. Was this part of the code--or was it merely a piece of garbage.
Distance: 30
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OnionGrump rolled 1 4-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:46 am
In the middle of his panic, Balt spotted a second scrap of paper and snatched it up, comparing it to the first.
A C E G.
Could it be--
Quickly, he punched in the code, expecting the worst.
0, 2, 4, 5
But to his surprise, it worked. The door slid open, granting him his freedom from this hell hole.
Distance: 25
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OnionGrump rolled 1 4-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-4)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:53 am
Using the cover of the trees, Balt slowly crept along, hoping to find a way out of here. The figure, as far as he knew, was gone. He could no longer here the thudding of its feet, or the scrapping of the scissors opening and closing. But just to be safe--
He looked behind him--
--and just about died from a heart attack.
The figure was right behind him, still steadily following him.
Not waiting around to find out what would happen if the figure caught up to him, Balt ran and kept running, even when he reached the bridge. He even got mostly across before the wind caught it, rocking it just enough so that he stumbled a little. It was then also that he felt something sharp against his shoulder, however what followed was worse. Something sharp bit into his back, causing a sharp pain. He didn't stop to look. He knew what was there and what would happen if he turned to face it. No, he continued to run and run as hard as he could.
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OnionGrump rolled 1 6-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-6)
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:04 am
Balt skidded to a halt, frantically searching for a way through. But there was none. It was a dead end--or was it?
Off to the side was a monument, the sad remains of a haunted house. But just as he was about to approach it, strange shadows cast over him and--
It was there.
Slam.
He crouched down, his vision blurry from tears. Tears for what, he didn't know. But beside him was a pitch black skinned woman, eyes fiery with rage.
"That traitorous b*****d!" She snarled, kicking her foot into the wall again. "How could he--his own blood!" She let out a yell of frustration, now slamming her fists against the walls. He on the other hand, continued to sit, face buried against his legs which were tucked up tightly.
He didn't understand what was going on. He only knew that they were gone and she was hurt. Hurt and angry. He couldn't even speak. Only cry.
"If you have time to mourn and cry over them," She pushed herself away from the wall, looking directly at him for the first time. "use it to get stronger and fight back. Take revenge!" She told him. Her hands were now coiled tightly into fists. It was easy enough to tell, that she was having a hard time dealing with their deaths either. But she couldn't mourn or cry for their loss. She couldn't show weakness. Not to the pack, or anyone. Not even her brother.
A flash of red forced him awake. The dagger he had in his hand was now a glowing a bright red, as if resonating with the haunted house.
"Now or never."
The goddess' words echoed in his mind as he raised the dagger.
Fight!
With a low snarl, Balt plunged the dagger, deep into the figure's chest. That was all it took. The figure, unable to fight back collapsed, already dissipating by the time they hit the earth.
He would not become the prey. He couldn't afford to give in now.
The dagger was retrieved, glowing brighter than ever before as the doors to the haunted house swung open. His mind was set.
He would fight and become a predator.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:03 pm
Balt selected the deep red pot. Unlike the others, this was the only one that appealed to him. In fact, the more he looked at it, the more he felt as though it was made specifically for him. Lucky!
However, the longer he stared, the more his surrounding began to shift and change unti--
Green eyes shone in the darkness. Glowing like two large fireflies in the forest. It was dark. With only the moon light the forest. Just enough to show a large black dog lazily walking through the forest. At his ankles, bouncing around and practically running to keep up with him, was a much smaller, blue eyed version; still pudgy with baby fat.
"Were are we going? Are you going to show me how to hunt?"
Tybalt was excited, it was one of the few times his brother allowed him to tag along. Better yet he even asked him to come along! Bastion was always wandering off. Always going off on adventures and exploring. Why wouldn't Nolita let him do the same?
"Hmm... yeah something like that." The older black dog said, keeping his eyes on the path ahead of them. Though careful not to step on the pup with his larger, heavier paws.
Tybalt's eyes lit up. Glowing brighter than they already were.
Bastion was going to teach him how to hunt! He was going to be hunter! Just like everyone else in the pack!
Clearly this excited the pup. He was practically prancing now. His short wispy tail sticking up in the air, proudly.
Bastion didn't even seem to notice.
Time passed and the pup found himself watching a fat moth that was fluttering along by them.
Snap
Tybalt's ears perked, eyes wide as he glanced around the forest. Someone else come with them? No.. they didn't make a sound when they walked. A creature of the forest then? Prey? PREY!
"Hey Bastion I thi--" Tybalt turned to look at his brother, but no one was there. "Bastion?"
The black dog pup sat heavily on his haunches, confused. Weren't they going to go hunt? Why was Bastion playing with him? He often played pranks on him. Just like this but--
A low growl sounded in the woods, sending a chill down the pup's spine.
That didn't sound like a deer---and that definitely wasn't a rabbit!
"Bastion this isn't funny!" He whined. "Could you just come out! I don't want to play this game!" Was it even a game? He changed his mind--he wanted to go home! But in spite of his pleas, the older black dog was no where to be found. "Bastion..?"
A few more growls could be heard, followed by more. A pack? No. Those weren't--
The growls turned to a roar, echoing through the woods. So loud that Tybalt just about fell over in fear. But still Bastion was nowhere in sight.
He was so telling Nolita on him for this!
Rustle
The pup's fur bristled and he hunched his shoulders. The forest had gone dead silent now. Even the crickets and peepers had stopped singing. Something had scared them away.
Rustle
He prepared to run. If he left now, he was sure he could find his way back on his own. Maybe.
"Hey!" The sudden voice made him jump in the air, eyes wide with fright. "You're still here?" He asked, rubbing at a fresh, long gash along his muzzle. Not that Tybalt cared. Instead, he glared at the older black dog. Which, to be honest, probably looked more comical than threatening to Bastion. He didn't speak either. Choosing to give him the silent treatment. But again, Bastion didn't seem to notice. "Well if I were you, I'd start running. I may have pissed off a certain crowd and, weeeell... they didn't seem too happy about it." He grinned, completely unashamed.
"You... wha--"
Before he could even finish his question the rustling grew louder and suddenly a dark cloud burst from the foliage around them. Only it wasn't a cloud.
Wait...cats? No---demons! Demonic beasts, but feline in shape. Large ones at that.
Tybalt squeaked. Frozen in fear by their enraged yellow eyes.
"Basti--"
Bastion was gone again. Already running.
"Consider this your first hunting lesson, little brother!" He called back, almost laughing with the thrill of the run.
H-HUNTING!?
"T-this isn't hunting! I'm gonna die!" He cried, running after him. Though his short stubby legs could only cover so much ground.
"Oh? Well. Treat it as survival training then!" He called again, his voice already becoming farther and farther away, as he left Tybalt further and further behind him. Not to mention completely surrounded by the enraged beasts that he had managed to attract.
And they were angry. Very, very angry.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 2:37 pm
Tea Guest Log  Colour of Tea Tasted: Crimson Description: Confusion, FEAR, hopelessness, Abandonment, Loss. Your commentary on its flavour: It had a sweetness to it at first, soft and subtle and bright. It had notes of familiarity and warmth hidden in its depths as Maiden sipped on, but soon realized that it was only good at the surface, the bottom where the tea leaves rested was dark and bitter and left his palette in need of something richer. He only wished the creature in the reflections of the tea had a sweeter blend in the future.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:25 pm
Tea Guest Log Colour of Tea Tasted: Grey-Red Description: It felt excited at first, but the aftertaste was terror and panic. Lost. Your commentary on its flavour: At first, this particular tea seemed very hopeful, and it was a happy memory of camaraderie and joining in with a group. It was a feeling that brought a smile to Zanna's face, though that smile faded with the longer the memory went on. The snap made her jump, and the panic afterwards was terrifying. The poor pup seemed so lost. Wasn't anyone going to help out? The memory only seemed to grow worse when who the pup was looking for had arrived--Bastion was his name? He said he attracted some beasts that looked terrifying from the perspective of the pup, and then he just ran away, leaving the pup there. Zanna hoped that the pup had managed to flee. The situation seemed so frightening!
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Codebreaking Conversationalist
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:58 pm
Tea Guest Log Colour of Tea Tasted: Dark Red Description: Spicy with excitement that turned bitter with fear. Your commentary on its flavour: It was sweet how much the pup looked up to his older brother but it soon became clear that his older brother didn't deserve to be looked up to. Andie winced when the pup was let alone and then wanted to scoop him up when the angry cats appeared. He really hoped the pup could run fast.
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