Daisicle generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
Daisicle
Aged Genius
Offline
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:22 am
Darkness, air hot and heavy with humidity, dust, and mold contrasting with the icy cold of the stone against her skin. Looking around proved to have no results, and trying to breath in deeply only caused the princess to cough. Just... What was this place. Pulling herself up, she turned her head, the emptiness of the left identical to that on the right. She closed her eyes, concentrating for a moment as she flared open her wings and reopened them, filling the room with an instantaneous light.
If but for a few moments.
Looking to the side of her, she saw a figure on the ground nearby, and she was only able to take a few steps before it could be recognized as a faun. One she recognized by the skin, but was unrecognizable in her vision. Limbs seemed to be bent into unnatural positions, ribs poking from his side through organs, his skull, fractured, with cerebral fluids gently running down to his chin, past dulled eyes, and into the growing puddle of blood and innards beneath and around him.
At the sight, she turned away, the light vanishing, as she moved to cover her mouth and crouch down. Her eyes closed as she fought back the violent urge to vomit, knowing that, surely, he was not as he seemed. He was fine, he must be fine. Even so, even though she knew this, her stomach lurched and her skin sweat in resistance. The seconds before it passed seemed an eternity, a sheen of sweat across her brow and spit seeping from her mouth and down her chin. Celestia returned to a regular sitting position, looking into the darkness towards where she had seen the body as she wiped her mouth, and called out meekly. "Faroth... A-Are.... Are you injured...?"
She was so distracted by these thoughts that she was unaware of her missing bag and the glass shattered on the floor near her.
Teigra
They have shelter in the fact that THEY ARE IN A FREAKING TEMPLE C'MON MAN. Actually, no, there's probably more realistic stuff nearby left from the past, but I'll think of it later on.
Princess Celestia + Faroth In a small room, like that of an ancient temple or pyramid. It is dark and dusty. If a light source is found/used, it will reveal a flat stone slab in the center of the room, supported by a single round stone. The slab is perfectly smooth, but the round stone is carved with intricate pictures depicting the Faerie Pae'il. There are also many bugs and cobwebs. There are 2 small holes in the Eastern and Western walls; big enough to crawl through. There is an entry-way on the Northern wall. * Celestia's pack split open and all of her items have scattered all over the floor, but a few items seem to be missing. The lantern's glass globe has shattered, the canteen seems missing as does the bug repellent and blanket. Faroth's pack has survived intact. * Among Celestia's items on the floor, they might also find a ceremonial knife and a small round mirror.
Celesia's backpack contents (on the floor): * matches * a pocket knife * a bandana * a small first-aid kit prepared by the fairies of the Fallassion House of Healing (bandages, poltice, herbs, etc.) * 2 flares * a small shovel * an old doll * bananas, beans, nuts, and cacao * all of the plants meant for spices * one or two bromaliad * a Fairy Queen
Teigra generated a random number between
1 and 2 ...
2!
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 10:02 am
The flash of light would have been nearly blinding after so much darkness, had Faroth's eyes been open at the time. As it were, it served as a stimulus, like the rising sun, to begin waking the prone Faun. He stirred slightly, kicking up some dust from the floor in the process. Inhaling at the same time, the dust tickled his nostrils, prompting a sudden, startling sneeze. The loud noise fading, he blinked from a half-risen position, seemingly puzzled by the encroaching darkness.
Where am I?
It felt like morning...but, then why was it so dark? And why was the floor so cold? Why was he on a floor at all? Ugh, too many questions, still too early...perhaps it wouldn't have been so bad if his head didn't hurt so much.
Only now did he realize he wasn't alone. Another voice...female...it seemed familiar, if he couldn't place it immediately. She knew his name as well. He was still a little hazy upon waking, so he wasn't quite thinking clearly yet. He didn't hear anyone else close by and he certainly couldn't see much at all. Pushing past the dull ache in his head, he shuffled a bit to sit up, bumping into something yielding at his side. His pack? Right...the jungle hike...
"I don't think so," he answered, not sounding entirely sure of himself. His head did hurt, but a cursory run of his fingers through his hair didn't yield any new bumps or injuries that he could find. He felt fine otherwise, aside from confused. "Yeah, seem to be in one piece," he added, rolling his head and shoulders to work out some of the stiffness. "So uh...where are we and what's going on?"
Memories were slow to return at first, and though he felt fine physically, something was bothering him. Something was missing, like a hole...something that was normally there, but now absent...
Wait a minute...
Spurred to alertness, he attempted to scramble to his hooves, though the dull throb in his head nearly made him stumble to the floor again. "Raina?" He called out for his familiar, adrenaline surging. Where was she? He couldn't immediately sense her nearby. Moreso... "Ranuin?!?"
Where was his son?
Panic had seeped into his voice, and Faroth struggled to keep reasonably calm as he tried to work through what had happened. They had been hiking, gathering plants and seeds, he remembered. The sun had been setting low in the sky...was it night now then? His memory of hiking through the jungle was mixed with one of looking down on it, however. A dream? It had to be, didn't it? Then, nothing else until waking up here. Surely they hadn't made camp here, wherever 'here' was. He had no memory of any stone place, given what he'd felt of the floor. And if they had, wouldn't he have at least had a tent? And where were all the others?
It finally clicked who he was talking to. "...Princess? Is...is there anyone else here?" he asked, hesitant to hear the answer.
((Rolled a 2 for Water. So, they'll have to find food somehow.))
o0_Daisuke_0o
Faroth's Items:
Backpack Tent Bedroll Canteen Week's Worth of Dried Food Rations (Trail Mix, Jerky, and Special Fairy-Prepared Meals that only need Water to rehydrate) Matches Pocket Knife Pocket Lantern (Algae) Bandana Bug Repellant First-Aid Kit (Bandages, Poltice, Herbs, etc) 2 Flares Small Shovel Solar Blanket A Couple of Manuscripts in Ancient Pae'il Language Basket with Some Bananas, Coffee Beans, Cacao, Bamboo Cuttings, Mushrooms/Fungus, Ferns, Spices (Jungle Rose, Purple Nettle, Pearl Flower, Titan's Orchid) and a couple Magic Reagents (Bee Fern, Jungle Bells, and Purple Kiss) for Takeko.
His voice and admittance to his being okay were enough to calm the princess. Yes... That was right... It was only these silly hallucinations, or visions, or whatever you might call them, distracting her. None of it was reality. He was not hurt, nor was she. There was a pause between his words and her own, as she willed herself to breath slowly. "I haven't any knowledge, I fear," she called back to him, her voice becoming noticeably calmer and more like herself as she did so. "From a moment's glance, it would appear we are confined to a sort of stone room." That much, or that little, she had gathered before her eyes had found him.
Any specifics, however, had been lost in the moment.
His screaming took the princess, whom had been moving to properly right herself again, by complete surprise. Her body reacted before her mind could process the source of the loud noise, with her arms reaching to cover her head and her legs forcing her back as she screamed.
A tense moment passed before she could move again, her arms falling to her knees and her eyes looking to the darkness. Ranuin... That boy, the one with whom she had been speaking! Where was he; was he alright? Her own fear filled her as she brought forth light again, although perhaps half the strength of the last time, and looked around, avoiding making eye contact with any part of Faroth.
As her spirits sank, so did her light again, and perhaps the last thing he would notice before the darkness overtook them once more was the princess shaking her head. "I see no others but ourselves... I believe we are alone here..." There was a sort of... defeat... in her voice, much different than she would speak in any normal given situation.
But this was anywhere from normal, wasn't it?
Teigra
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:04 pm
Faroth winced at the princess' shrill scream. He'd had no idea his shouts for the others would be so alarming, but he suddenly felt bad nonetheless. Immediately, he slumped shamefully in the darkness, even if he couldn't be seen. "I'm so sorry, I didn't think. I didn't mean to frighten you," he hurriedly apologized, worry still present in his tone. "It's just...my son..."
He trailed off as the light grew, raising a hand to shield his eyes, having become accustomed to the darkness. He blinked a few times, wondering at the light before he realized it was coming from the princess herself! As soon as it grew, it seemed to dim though. Unwilling to give up the ability to see now that he had it, he scrambled for his pack, bumping it with his hoof before he managed to get it open. He wasn't sure how long the princess could keep the light going, so he hurried so she wouldn't have to. He managed to get his lantern out before the darkness overtook them again. It took some fumbling, but he managed to get the lantern lit; it wasn't exactly flooding the area with light, but it was a small orb of comfort in the darkness of the unknown.
Forcing himself to calm, so as not to further alarm the princess, Faroth took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. What had happened to the others? Or, perhaps they were fine, and Faroth and the princess were the ones to whom something had happened. Not the most reassuring thought, but, in a way, it helped put things into perspective so the Faun could organize his thoughts. He set the glowing lantern on the floor. The reflection of the light was caught by the broken glass on the the floor and a quick look told him what it was. Looked like his lantern and the princess' powers were the only light they'd have then. "Careful, I think your lantern may have broken over here," he warned. Injuries were something they didn't need right now.
"Sorry," he apologized again, rubbing his neck sheepishly as he stood straight again. "I suppose I panicked. It's just...my son," he repeated. "Ranuin, and Raina, my...companion," he added after a moment's hesitation, unsure what else to call her that wouldn't require a lengthy explanation of the wolf's presence. "The only reason we were on this trip was because it had been my idea to come. If they ended up hurt..." He trailed off, unable to finish. His eyes were on the floor when suddenly his expression shifted. "Wait..." He closed his eyes, silent with no explanation, focusing on his bond with the spirit wolf. "Wait...she's okay. I don't know where she is...she's too far away...but she's okay, I can tell that much," he muttered in a monotone, 'listening' for a bit longer before seeming to shake out of the trance. He could feel Raina's shared confusion and anxiety mixing with his own, despite the distance. He couldn't tell where she was or even how far, but he tried to send her some reassurance that he was okay before his focus weakened. "Hopefully, Ranuin is with her. She'll look out for him," he finished, half explaining, half trying to reassure himself.
He attempted to look around the room where they found themselves. "Well, if no one is here but us, there's little more we can do for them until we get out of here and find them," he muttered. The soft glowing light didn't reach many of the dark corners of the room, but it was better than nothing. At the very least, it revealed a stone...dais of sorts in the center of the room? A flat slab of stone supported by a second round stone, carved with...something. It was hard to tell what it was from where Faroth was standing. Taking a step or two forwards, his eyes sought out Celestia before continuing, noting how she'd fallen quiet.
Where was his head? She'd asked if he was alright, but the stupid fool hadn't thought to check on her. Something about her posture bothered him, as well as the tone of her voice. And she seemed...a bit more jumpy than he'd remembered the former leader being, at least in the short few days he'd traveled with them when the Faunies first arrived on Telrunya. Of course, it could all be attributed to being thrown in a strange situation so abruptly, but...still, didn't hurt to ask.
"Err...Princess?" he asked in a gentle tone. "Are you alright?"
She dared not look directly at him, even as the lantern was lit, out of a fear of what her mind might trick her into seeing next. There was a momentary flicker of her eyes up to him, acknowledging his words, before she said her own, softly at first, but quickly returning to what could be considered her normal tone. "Ah... So you are his father," a pause and a smile before continuing, "How fitting. He takes after his mother then, I presume?" It was a small attempt at lightening the atmosphere, yet one she didn't hold for long. "Surely they remain safe with the others..." again she paused as he spoke, listening to his words without any further ones to add of her own.
The princess's eyes drifted to her side, finally making notice of the mess that had become her pack, as well as the shattered glass near her. She could pick them up... Yes... That was what she should do... "Have you room remaining in your pack?" she mumbled as she moved to start gathering her supplies. It would be a shame, and possibly detrimental in a situation such as this, to leave it behind.
Even as she said that, she made no motions to ever look at him, rather just speak out loud to whomever. She wasn't brought out of her task until she was addressed directly, her head turning to him, yet her eyes instantly looking downward and away. "Yes... Of course; you needn't worry, as I haven't an injury to speak of."
Not physical, of course.
At this, she returned until her arms were full of her pack's contents, as well as two things that seemed strange and new. Motioning to the knife and mirror, she asked, "Do these belong to you?"
Teigra
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:49 pm
Wait...the princess knew his son? Well, at least it didn't sound like he'd been misbehaving or making a bad impression. He hoped. At the comment, he chuckled a bit. "Yeah, he's mine. He was only little more than a tot when you all arrived. Course, there was a lot going on for those few days we traveled together. I think he spent as much time as he could playing with Pinkie Pie," he laughed. "I suppose he does take after her more..." he mused, thinking of Chika; coloring-wise at least. He was pretty sure the 'wolf' part somehow came from him, though...Raina had been just as perplexed as the two Faun when the children arrived. Perhaps a little leftover 'wolf spirit magic' clung to Faroth even after all this time, she'd suggested. He'd scoffed at the idea at the time, but he hadn't managed to come up with anything better himself. "I sure hope so," he murmured with a sigh, shaking his head. No, they needed to focus on where they were and how to get back to the others...who were likely absolutely fine.
Noticing Celestia's movements, he checked his own belongings. As far as he could tell, everything was still in his pack that was there before. "I think I still have some room. Oh wait, I had a basket too...wonder if that...no wait, there it is." He found the basket lying on its side, but with all the herb cuttings and seeds still within. He carried both pack and basket over to set them beside Celestia. "Go ahead and put whatever we've got together; I'll handle it." Even if she wasn't injured, she didn't need to carry anything when he was perfectly capable of doing so. Just wasn't right. Besides, it seemed they were in this together now. He wasn't sure what they'd gotten into exactly, but carrying stuff? That he could do.
Then, he looked at the two new items in her hands, a bewildered expression on his face. "Err...nope, not mine." He scratched his head. "Maybe they were here already? Still...can't hurt to take 'em. I don't think it looks like anyone's been here using them in a while," he muttered, waving at a dangling cobweb.
Faroth lifted the lantern to cast the light around the room. Seems there was more here than they originally thought. Perhaps they'd start investigating and see if they couldn't find a way out. But, before that, he felt the need to clear the air. "Well, I'm glad you're alright. I am sorry about startling you earlier. I suppose we were both a bit on edge and I shouldn't have started shouting like that. I apologize, princess."
It was a relief that there was room remaining for her things among his own, even if much of it was simply repetition. She carefully moved to place things among like things, separating the plants from everything else as they were put into either bag or basket. Not looking up, her tone was questioning, if not a little concerned, "Are you certain? There is no harm in me helping." There would be no argument, no matter if he insisted or not, about her carrying anything. Such a thing wasn't worth the energy.
Returning her eyes to the new, strange objects, she shrugged lightly before placing them with everything else. "I agree. I find it doubtful that they remain of use to anything that may..." her own pause as she noticed cobwebs, a flicker of disgust on her face, "...or may not remain."
As she stood and properly stretched her wings, her arms went behind her back and she turned to face him. Almost. Like before, he might notice that she never actually looked at him or spoke directly to him. "You needn't apologize. I am sorry you had to hear me in such a disgraceful state." The princess meant it, not just implying her scream, but the state she had, and remained, to be in. Turning on her hooves to look onward, she motioned towards the center of the room. "Best we start our search out sooner rather than later, yes?"
So long as she could keep up her act, the princess could get through this. Afterwards she would return home and remember to never trust any of these miscellaneous postings for events that included those damned blood pae again. Their involvement is clearly what caused the trip to become sour.
Teigra
Last tag before bed; night
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 10:17 pm
At first, Faroth hadn't noticed anything odd. Afterall, in the dark, it was hard to make eye contact when speaking to someone if you couldn't see them anyway. But now that they had a little light at least, it seemed that every time he turned to address Celestia, it was as if she'd just turned away to look at something else, suddenly capturing her attention, even if she was still speaking to him. However, when he followed her gaze, he could never quite figure out what it was she was looking at that seemed so fascinating. Odd.
Perhaps there was just too much to see now that they had a little light. This did seem to be quite a curious room they were in.
Brushing away a momentary frown, Faroth shook his head and tried to force a chuckle. "Well, perhaps we can just put apologies away for a while then, if all is well. Anyway, don't worry about me, I'm stronger than I look." A forced smile again. "I'll handle the heavy lifting. It looks like we're going to need some heavy thinking though to get out of this mess, and that may not be so much in my skill set," he added sheepishly.
Focusing on the dais at the center of the room, Faroth nodded. "Alright, we'll start here, then move out towards the walls, see what we find." Holding the only light, unless Celestia felt up to her earlier trick with making her own light, Faroth moved beside her, looking at the flat slab. There wasn't much to it, however the rounded stone beneath...
He crouched, holding the lantern up a bit. "There are...pictures," he mused aloud, leaning in close. "Looks like pictures of little people. Pae'il." He had to squint at them to tell, but... "Fae, I think."
"If you insist, I shall leave you to just that then." As he had already gotten his lamp to work, Celestia was fine just letting him lead the way, as it were, by its light rather than her own. Even if is was only a fraction of the power she could exert in Equestria, it still took concentration and energy to keep it going, and who knew how long it might take for them to be rid of here? Heaving thinking? At an earlier point in time, the princess might have added her own sort of comment to imply that she could handle that much; now, she was not so sure how well her mind actually remained. If it could play such tricks in her unconscious, surely it could play tricks on her conscious as well.
Faroth didn't need to know that though. He was better off not knowing.
Everyone was better off not knowing and just assuming her to be fine.
Motioning as if to look to her companion, she nodded and moved at his pace. Her eyes scanned carefully across the room, watching the changing shadows and how they played in the crevices and upon the stone, before returning to where he had bent.
There was a pause before she decided to join him, deciding that she best help him to understand what was happening. These were just pictures, anyways, and apparently resembling the fae, surely it would be innocent enough. Reaching her hands half a meter or so away from the stone, she closed her eyes momentarily, concentrating, before bringing forth light as they reopened. It was similar to the second time she had called it in intensity, intending only to be used to study the carvings.
How... interesting... "Is this of some help?" she asked before taking a closer look herself. While it was intended for the purpose of observing the stone, the entire room would be better lit, perhaps allowing for the possible paths to be better seen.
Teigra
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 3:42 pm
"Woah..." Faroth backed up a bit, no longer needing to stare at the images from quite so close. "That is...really, exceedingly helpful right now," he chuckled quietly, shaking his head a bit. "Now, let's see what we have here..."
The light was helpful in making the images easier to see, that was for sure, but not necessarily easier to understand. His brow furrowed in thought for some minutes before the Faun finally sat back with a sigh. "I dunno, I can't make heads or tails of it," he said with a dejected sigh. If only he had some sort of context to put the pictures in. Help would be nice.
He lifted his eyes from the stone, noting how far the light extended that Celestia had summoned. "Hey," he reached to touch her arm, then gesture towards the outer edge of the room. "Looks like we may not be as trapped here as we first thought," he observed, a bit of hope creeping into his voice. Still in darkness beyond, the frame of an entry-way on one wall could be seen, and on the walls on either side, he saw smaller sections of darkness that looked like they could be openings of some sort. Small, but possibly passable, if potentially a little confining.
Moving from no options to several options simply shifted the type of decision that they needed to make. Frowning, Faroth stood and offered Celestia a hand to help her up again. "Well, I dunno about these pictures, but maybe we can find a way out of here without understanding them." He stared at the entry way to the north, then passed his gaze over the two other darkened sections of wall. "Maybe we'd best not just go rushing off though. We could use this as a sort of...base maybe, and explore outward. We'll have somewhere to return if we hit a dead-end or something that way, then we can come back and try a different path."
He didn't voice all of his thoughts, but he was growing a bit uneasy about all of this. Perhaps it was just the suggestions planted in his mind by the guide fairies before, but....after that story about the crazed Fae and what he did to the Angel and Demon children...then the general oppressive nature of the mound they'd explored...it'd left a lasting impression on Faroth. Perhaps it was tainting his thoughts, influencing them, but...
The little pictures of Faerie Pae'il. The flat stone slab, looking something like...an altar or offering table. Then, the knife that Celestia had found on the floor, seeming that it could be somewhat ceremonial in nature...
He didn't want to plant any ideas that might prove false in the long run; especially if Celestia were still as unnerved by all this as she seemed. He didn't see any point in causing undue panic, especially when everything was so covered in dust and cobwebs. Even if something bad had once been associated with this location, what would it matter now, when all they wanted was to leave anyway?
Her eyes were focused intensely on studying the carvings, trying to understand what they could be, if not in vain. They didn't move as she heard his breath, and her head shook in response. "It seems quite foreign and strange to me as well..." Maybe it took a fae to understand a fae's drawing? Could be possible, at least.
As her arm was touched, her body jolted and the light flashed brighter with the momentary movement. Looking down, a bit ashamed of herself, the princess paused a moment before lifting them again to look further ahead to the walls. It would seem Faroth was right, as there appeared to be three possible ways they could go. Great. This was going to become another labyrinth, wasn't it? Oh, if she cursed, you could only imagine what a colorful assortment of words she might be thinking at this moment.
"Do you suppose they might be large enough for us to go through?" she asked, taking his hand to stand as her eyes remained to the distance. She mulled over his suggestions before nodding; it seemed like quite a rational, reasonable idea. "I agree with your thinking..." she let her arms fall, along with her light. Even if she were a princess, Celestia didn't want to waste energy when it was not needed.
Perhaps, under normal circumstances, she would have made the same, or similar, connections as he did regarding their situation, but as it were, she was much more preoccupied with trying to appear normal. As best as she could anyways. Looking, then motioning with a hand gesture and a shrug, towards the eastern wall, she waited a moment before starting to walk in that direction, careful to avoid any bugs crawling below her.
"This appears as fair a path as any to begin, I suppose..."
Teigra
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:19 pm
Faroth lifted the lantern to take over as light source while Celestia rested her ability again. Seemed to make as much sense as anything right now. "That works," he agreed with a nod. "Start at one side, move to the other as we need to."
The light flare had been hard to miss, though Faroth had held his tongue for the moment. Still, he was starting to wonder if it was less the situation that seemed to be making the princess uncomfortable and more something he had done instead. They seemed to be in agreement regarding working together, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it was something personal about him that kept the princess from even looking him in the eye. He couldn't imagine what it could be.
Maybe he wasn't being formal enough with her. She was likely still used to more formal terms and gestures of respect. It wasn't that he didn't respect her; he did, of course. Just...man, he really sucked with this whole 'dealing with people of protocol' thing.
Sighing softly to himself, he tried to shake it off for now. All he could do would be to try his best. The sooner they could get out of here, the sooner Celestia wouldn't be stuck dealing wish someone so common and unrefined. The surroundings probably weren't helping, he noted, brushing a cobweb out of his path.
Trying to mask his thoughts from escaping to his tone, he knelt and tried to shine the lantern down the eastern-most passage. "It looks like it could be a tight fit. I can go ahead and check it out," he offered.
Nodding, Celestia added in, "'Twas my precise thoughts," it would be easier to keep oriented about their location if they explored in such an exact, thought-out manner, rather than just diving headfirst. At the first sign of something troublesome, they could always just return here.
If she only knew how badly she was failing her attempt to act as if nothing were the matter, if she knew how uncomfortable she was making Faroth feel, the princess might have taken the opportunity to stop. Admit that something was the matter.
Admittance was the first step to recovery, right?
But, she did not, as she was far to preoccupied in her thoughts. There was no acknowledgement of his feelings, no attention paid to his own unspoken gestures. How could there be when she couldn't even look at him without being filled with horror? Even a moment's consideration to his own feelings, rather than hers, might have given her a cue from the strained tone alone that she was failing.
Joining him in a crouch, her wings folded up behind her, her eyes looked into the dark hole. Moving aside, she nodded. "If you insist..." he hadn't insisted, but he probably would. She paused, shaking her head. "...Actually, it is probably best if we remain together. You can lead if you prefer though."
The last thing they needed was to be caught out separated.
Teigra
Princess Celestia + Faroth In a small room, like that of an ancient temple or pyramid. It is dark and dusty. If a light source is found/used, it will reveal a flat stone slab in the center of the room, supported by a single round stone. The slab is perfectly smooth, but the round stone is carved with intricate pictures depicting the Faerie Pae'il. There are also many bugs and cobwebs. There are 2 small holes in the Eastern and Western walls; big enough to crawl through. There is an entry-way on the Northern wall. * Celestia's pack split open and all of her items have scattered all over the floor, but a few items seem to be missing. The lantern's glass globe has shattered, the canteen seems missing as does the bug repellent and blanket. Faroth's pack has survived intact. * Among Celestia's items on the floor, they might also find a ceremonial knife and a small round mirror.
Celesia's backpack contents (on the floor): * matches * a pocket knife * a bandana * a small first-aid kit prepared by the fairies of the Fallassion House of Healing (bandages, poltice, herbs, etc.) * 2 flares * a small shovel * an old doll * bananas, beans, nuts, and cacao * all of the plants meant for spices * one or two bromaliad * a Fairy Queen
Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:51 am
More mixed messages. He was trying to save her from the 'dirty, common' work of crawling through dusty, bug-infested tunnels, and instead she was insisting on coming with him. It would have given her time that she didn't have to deal with him or even pretend she wasn't avoiding looking at him for whatever reason. Instead, she was trying to share the burden with him. Unless...she thought he might leave her here alone or something.
That was a depressing thought. He'd never do such a thing. Not on purpose at least. If something happened to him instead...but, he'd never just leave her all alone here. Even if something did happen to him, he'd try to get back to her, let her know of the danger...something.
His ears drooped slightly. Spirits, he really, really sucked at this. No wonder she couldn't look at him, if that's what she thought. Setting the lantern at the entrance to the tunnel, Faroth glanced in just long enough to note the cobwebs and something that looked like some kind of beetle skittering away from the light.
"I'll go, clear the way and all that," he said quietly. He couldn't help but note the difference between this princess and the one who had led her people to a strange land, saving them all and remaining an inspiration and guide to her former travel companions. And the difference? This time, she was just with just Faroth, rather than a collection of those who understood how a princess was supposed to be treated, apparently.
He hesitated before heading into the tunnel, but it wasn't because of the cobwebs. "Celestia, I--, I mean, Princess," he winced, correcting himself quickly. Stupid Faroth. Stupid titles. Clearing his throat, he continued awkwardly, "I just...wanted to apologize again. I know this must not be easy for you, stuck in such a situation with no one else to help you than some...foolish, common Faun who can't remember titles and protocol and things. I'm sorry. I've always been kinda' a screw-up, I know." He stared at his hands. "But, I try my best. And I keep my promises. So...I promise, whatever it takes, I'm going to help get you home safely...okay?"
He wasn't sure it would help, but he could hope that she could at least look at him. At least, not in disgust. Though, he supposed that would depend on how much his promises meant to her. Possibly, not much, depending on what she thought of him. Ears still drooped low, he turned back towards the tunnel and picked up the lantern in one hand. "Alright, I'll lead. Try to clear the path. Watch your wings, Princess, it looks like it could be a bit confining in there," he warned, then ducked his head to enter the tunnel.
What... What was with this princess thing...? It sounded so strange when he said it, so foreign and unnatural. It wasn't spoken from his lips when they first met, nor any time after, so... why now...? "No..." she mumbled, shaking her head. He was getting this so, so very wrong. How had she not noticed his opinions before it got like this? "You are wrong... I... You are not to be blamed..."
Even as she spoke, she was now acutely aware of how confusing it must be. She says one thing, but her body does another. Words of trust, actions of distrust.
How could they get through something like this when any time she looked at him, all she could see was decay? "I... Stop... " She grew silent. The words... They just wouldn't come. What could she say without sounding mad? Would saying it only make it worse?
Appearing, again as a light, bright as the first time the princess had brought it forth, a small ball moved to catch his eye before returning to the main room between the two.
Was this...?
"What this fool is trying in vain to say is that she cannot look directly at you without seeing death," the mellon scoffed as it continued, "I did warn her that hiding such a thing would only bring harm to others, but, her royal stubbornness would not listen to my advice. She is no longer worthy to be called by the title of princess."
Moving closer to Faroth, she took a more pleasant and polite tone. "I am Clairvoyance, the mellon watching over this bloody clod. It is a pleasure to speak with you, Miseur Faroth."
Why was Clairboyance here? She rarely appeared to the princess, and had never appeared to another. This wasn't needed! "Leave us be," she said under her breath, a glare at the light resting to the side of him.
"Silence, you disrespectful cretin," her tone was much more powerful than before. "As you have once again proven your incompetence, it is clear my intervention is necessary." At this she grew silent, aware of how shameful it was to argue in the presence of others.
teiga
Princess Celestia + Faroth In a small room, like that of an ancient temple or pyramid. It is dark and dusty. If a light source is found/used, it will reveal a flat stone slab in the center of the room, supported by a single round stone. The slab is perfectly smooth, but the round stone is carved with intricate pictures depicting the Faerie Pae'il. There are also many bugs and cobwebs. There are 2 small holes in the Eastern and Western walls; big enough to crawl through. There is an entry-way on the Northern wall. * Celestia's pack split open and all of her items have scattered all over the floor, but a few items seem to be missing. The lantern's glass globe has shattered, the canteen seems missing as does the bug repellent and blanket. Faroth's pack has survived intact. * Among Celestia's items on the floor, they might also find a ceremonial knife and a small round mirror.
Celesia's backpack contents (on the floor): * matches * a pocket knife * a bandana * a small first-aid kit prepared by the fairies of the Fallassion House of Healing (bandages, poltice, herbs, etc.) * 2 flares * a small shovel * an old doll * bananas, beans, nuts, and cacao * all of the plants meant for spices * one or two bromaliad * a Fairy Queen
