The first thing to do was the armor. There were so many pieces of it, but it had been so easy to forget that it wasn't all one elaborate item. Now, as she pulled off the mantle, and shed everything but the dress underneath, she realized it was all a crumbled mess of metal and leather that fell to pieces at her feet once it had been disassembled. She took each piece in turn, bringing it to the edge of the lake and carefully washing them until they shone once more. The stains of blood and dirt bled into the water, and their dark hues sunk down and spread out until there was none left. The water winked clean and bright at her almost instantly within seconds, and she reached out for a new piece.
Eventually, a full set of clean armor was resting on the grass to dry, and all she had left was her dress. Looking down at it now, she sighed with aching disappointment. The edges were ripped to shreds, and the dress itself - once floor length - stopped not far past her knees in ragged tears. Her sleeves were all but gone, used time and again to bandage a wound or clean a bloody face. She had been picked apart, scavenged by the birds of war, and what cloth remained was stained with more red than white anymore. She felt the itch to tear it off completely, but then she would be naked, and that was wholly unacceptable in present company. So instead, she walked the edge of the lake, until she found a pool of it surrounded by shrubbery, offering the illusion of solitude.
She climbed into the water, dress and all, and pulled the veil off of her head and face to leave it at the shore before wading fully into the lake. Far across the way, she could hear the splash of others, but she was determined to find her solitude once more, and she ducked under the brush of her little hideaway, cast immediately into shadow.
Coin sized shafts of light glittered through the barbs of shrubbery, casting a pinch of stars thrown against her body. It was enough to see with, and she used the light to scrub away the stains of blood from her dress where she could. The crust and grime left the fabric, but what remained was a soft, pinkish color; a permanent reminder of ever drop of blood spilt against her body.
She would never be clean, like this.
One last, paranoid glance at the safety of her hideaway was cast, before she ducked under the water and let the dress pool upwards off of her. Her hair soaked itself in water, and she remained submerged as she ran her hands through it, trying to cleanse it as best as she could. The dress floated effortlessly until it snagged on brambles, and hung safely against them while she shook her hair underwater. She stayed there, surfacing only long enough to breathe, before she bobbed back underwater and began to violently scratch her skin. The gore and grime was gone now, but there was still something left. Something that refused to be washed away, no matter how hard she scrubbed. Her skin reddened under her rough tough, but she refused to yield until the thought came unbidden into her mind.
She would never be clean again.
Her head rose up from the water, bobbing in slow, melancholy movements, as she floated back against the brambles and rested against them. It was hard to tell when exactly she started crying, because the lake had already gotten her face wet, and there wasn't much visible difference.
Posted: Sun May 17, 2015 2:02 am
The waters of the lake looked so cool and peaceful. Jason wondered if he bathed in these pristine waters if it could wash his transgressions away, but he doubted it.
He hadn't had a chance to speak to either Riley or Yuki since the corridors. The thought of facing them terrified him; how could he talk to either of them after he had hurt them so badly?
It was strange how he felt so far away from them and yet so close at the same time. He could understand Riley's pain now, could feel the every same need to punish himself as she had wanted punish herself. But even knowing this he still blamed himself for being so weak to fall under the grails curse.
Sighing, He began the long process of stripping himself of his armor. It was caked in so much blood and grime, he'd need to wash it as well. He placed each piece on the shoreline before he focused on his undergarments, making sure to leave his pants on. It wouldn't do to be caught stalk naked here.
After some time washing off all the muck, his armor gleamed in the light, and he finally had a chance to rest his tired aching body. The water felt amazing on his skin, and he dunked his head briefly to wash his hair.
Resurfacing, he relaxed in the water, listening to the sounds of the lake and hoping it would soothe his soul. It did not.
Gritting his teeth, he went to get out of the water when a flash of purple caught his eye, and he glanced over to see-
"R-riley?!"
His shocked voice stammered out her name, and while he could see her face was wet from the lake, he could also see her red eyes, a obvious sign she had been crying.
"O-oh, R-riley, I'm so sorry." He said, anguish written all over his face, until something obvious clicked in his face.
She was naked.
Now his sorrowful face turned into the brightest of red, and the only thing he could do was shriek.
"O-oh god. I'm sorr- I didn't - ack - sorry, - I wasn't aware" He flailed in his spot, arms waving around franticly before he just gave up, closed his eyes, and shouted.
"I DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE"
And then he dived under the water.
He didn't come back up.
OOC
My character's name: Jason Kenneth Character's journal link: Here! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER A tall guy wearing a black coat under simple dark pants and a white shirt, coupled with black leather boots. Has blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair tied back into a short pony tail Rank of character knight.
It would have been foolish to not take full advantage of clean water, and seeing as others had taken to the offered luxury swiftly, Yuki presumed that the waters were permitted for their time of rest and healing.
He'd only removed his boots, armor and tunic. Like all of the others, cleaning the gore and ichor from the pieces and cloth would come. Just not yet.
Stepping into the cool water, slowly, he paused when it reached above his waist, taking time to unwrap the bandages around his torso, then those around his shoulder. He tossed them toward the bank to join his possessions, Darius the only one that had been laid down with deliberate care.
As soon as the water passed the point of the wound that Mordred had inflicted on him, Yuki sighed audibly in relief. The pain of it melted away, the pure waters soothing and working to heal the damage done.
While he had never expected that he was alone, he wasn't aware of just how close his friends were to where he'd selected to go in.
At least not until he heard Jason screaming some nonsense about not deserving to live. He jolted at first, startled, but he quickly followed the sound to find them.
As soon as he realized what had happened, he made his way to them, one hand positioned just so, shielding his view from Riley as to show some decency while he tried to rescue Jason from trying to drown himself.
He reached for the man with one arm, then the other, eyes shut tight now that he didn't actually have to use them to locate the glimpse of another body under the water's surface.
He firmly hauled Jason's head and shoulders back above the surface.
And planted one hand firmly over his eyes, just in case.
"Stop being so dramatic, you dolt. I don't want to have to try and bring you back around because you tried to drown yourself."
OOC
My character's name: Yuki Character's journal link:Here BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Reference here; without pointed ears. Rank of character Knight Sacred Points obtained: 35/100
Nio Love
poke mattix
Posted: Sun May 17, 2015 8:39 pm
The sound of her name snapped her into action. She was no fool, she understood how easily her haven of solitude could turn public, so even as she cried she had been tense, ready to grab her dress at a moment's notice. All Jason had to say was her name, and her hand reached out for it, dipping it underwater enough to hold it flush against her body. He was apologizing, but he wasn't exactly doing anything about being able to see her, and widened her eyes impatiently, waiting for him to get it. He eventually did, and dove under the water to drown himself. She took this chance to pull the dress on over her head, and swum out quickly, prepared to pull him out of his misery.
Instead, she found Yuki there to help him, and her swim slowed to nothing more than a bob in the water, sinking down until she was nothing but big, bright eyes and blushing cheeks.
It took a little too long for her to avert her eyes, and her embarrassment paid the price.
"It's all right, Jason." She lifted just above the water's surface to whimper out a shaky, nervous breath. She would have said more, but to do so almost made her turn her eyes back to them, and when she did, she caught the sight of something dark and distressing. Under the clear, pristine waters, she could see Yuki's curse still black against the skin. Her eyes lifted up to look at him in concern, but then she registered the sight of him just as she had a moment ago, and all her problems came back. Her head sank back under the water, because it was cold and refreshing against flushed cheeks.
And here she thought this would be a purifying experience.
Thankfully Yuki was there to save Jason from his own stupidity, even being kind enough to cover his eyes in case he didn't do it. With his own eyes tightly shut, he resisted the urge to break down and retell how much of a bad person he was and managed to give out a few "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry"s instead.
He of course heard Riley say it was fine, but with her voice coming out in such a small whimper it just made him feel even worse, and he hung his head in shame.
"P-please. T-tel me how I can m-make it up to you." Although he had no idea how he could ever do so, he could always try.
OOC
My character's name: Jason Kenneth Character's journal link: Here! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER A tall guy wearing a black coat under simple dark pants and a white shirt, coupled with black leather boots. Has blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair tied back into a short pony tail Rank of character knight.
Hitsuzen
Nio Love
Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 9:09 pm
Yuki wasn't sure if Jason was apologizing for potentially seeing Riley in a state of undress, or for what happened back in the corridors. Yuki himself didn't find him at fault, just as he hadn't faulted Riley when she was controlled by the mirror.
A brief pause was given on his part, after Jason hesitated just long enough after his string of apology and pleas.
"I'm going to let go of you now. Close your eyes and please no drowning." Yuki said to Jason, before doing just that. "Should I just... Back away slowly, or can I open my eyes?"
OOC
My character's name: Yuki Character's journal link:Here BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Reference here; without pointed ears. Rank of character Knight Sacred Points obtained: 37/100
"I am dressed!" Riley huffed out, finally resurfacing enough to speak. "I have been dressed for quite a few minutes now. It's my fault, I thought these brambles would - I should not have taken the chance. Come on now, Jason." She reached out, and gently, hesitantly patted his shoulder underwater. "We'll forget all of this happened and start fresh."
poke mattix
Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 10:09 pm
Once Yuki had let go, Jason straighted up, Keeping his own eyes covered with one hand. However it was soon apparent he needn't have worried, as Riley had been dressed for quite some time.
"N-no, You don't have to blame yourself..." He said, cautiously moving his hand to open one eye just to make sure. Yup, she was dressed. "T-that sounds like a marvelous idea" He agreed, letting his body sink back into the water.
"It feels quite nice, doesn't it?" He mused, splashing his face to clean it (and cool it off). Glancing back at his friend, Jason was drawn to the black mark upon his body. Having been late to that particular party he was not fully aware of the fact Yuki had been cursed, but he knew enough that such a mark could not bode well for the man.
Feeling concerned, he wanted to ask him about it, but wasn't sure just how to go about it. He didn't want to seem rude and pry into something that might be private.
"Y-Yuki...e-er, have you been well?" He asked, not wanting to directly ask so inquired about his health instead.
OOC
My character's name: Jason Kenneth Character's journal link: Here! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER A tall guy wearing a black coat under simple dark pants and a white shirt, coupled with black leather boots. Has blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair tied back into a short pony tail Rank of character knight.
Yuki risked opening his eyes with Riley's response, an awkward grin upon his lips as he did so.
...And then it was his turn to have a flush rush to his face in a deep pink hue, and he closed his eyes again just as quickly. "Nope," Yuki said firmly. "I don't think I should have done that."
Just before he was closing his eyes again as not to look at the woman's white garment that did little to hide anything with it soaked through, he realized that Jason too was moving a hand from his eyes... Yuki planted his hand on the top of Jason's head and pushed him under. "False alarm; don't look."
OOC
My character's name: Yuki Character's journal link:Here BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Reference here; without pointed ears. Rank of character Knight Sacred Points obtained: 37/100
Nio Love
poke mattix
Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 3:35 pm
She misunderstood that flush in his face to mean what she should have realized already - being together in a lake, even if they were clothed and apart from one another, was a little sketchy for her tastes. She backed away when he closed his eyes again, blushing furiously in embarrassment.
Then he tried to drown Jason again, and that settled things. "I'll go. I apologize. I'll see you two when your bathing is over, in a more appropriate setting." Her voice laced with guilt, but she was confident that this was the right choice, so she slowly bobbed back to the edge of the lake, and began to pull herself out of it. She would get out of their way so that they could bathe in peace, without the distraction of a woman near them.
"My armor is down on the right. I'll wait there until you're done. And I won't look! I promise." She didn't need to make that promise - they both knew she wouldn't look. One glance at Yuki's bare chest had already been too much to bear.
OOC
My character's name: Riley Illithadian Character's journal link:ok BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Tall, slender, graceful, and entirely obsessed with purity; Riley was raised from birth as a priestess of the light, and continues to follow the values and practices of her stringent sisterhood. She is always prepared with a ritual or a prayer to help purify anything necessary, especially the air and water surrounding them, or the earth beneath their feet. She does not like being touched, or looked at for very long, nor will she meet the gaze of a passerby for longer than is absolutely necessary. She is meek, humble, and completely unprepared for what lies ahead of her. Physical Description:CLICK HERE She wears an unadorned white medieval dress, and a belt of large, extremely heavy prayer beads as a constant burden to remind her of her duty. Her face is partially covered by a modesty veil, which hangs at the lower half of her face. Her eyes are grey, and her hair is black, with only the top layer matted into tight dreadlocks using beeswax - these are carefully wrapped and braided with purple and white ribbons. See this picture for an example of this hairstyle. Intricate filigree of some metal slips in and out of the top of her hair, weaving upward into delicate designs created with special religious significance in mind. Rank of character knight
Jason hadn't had a chance to look at Riley again, thankfully, because as soon as his hand was moving away he felt Yuki's hand pushing him under the water again.
...Okay, that did it. It was on.
Crouching on the bottom, he turned and grasping both of Yuki's legs, pulled them towards him to trip him up, then pushed against his hand so he could surface and actually breathe.
'Cough' "That goes for you too!" He said, one hand clasped firmly over his eyes, the other trying to keep Yuki's head down. "Here you are telling me, 'cough' off when you're doing the same thing!" And while he couldn't see Riley, he had become accustomed to how she sounded when she felt she didn't something wrong.
"Riley, y-you're not allowed to feel bad. That is my job. And his, for being a pervert. A-and me too. Because I shouldn't have done such a l-lecherous thing. I'm the one who should be apologizing for interrupting your bathing. Please don't be upset." That was his job.
OOC
My character's name: Jason Kenneth Character's journal link: Here! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER A tall guy wearing a black coat under simple dark pants and a white shirt, coupled with black leather boots. Has blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair tied back into a short pony tail Rank of character knight.
Hitsuzen
Nio Love
Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 12:55 am
Yuki was squirming and shouting out a startled sound of protest before he was going under, after Jason gave a mighty tug on his legs and dunked his head a moment later.
He came up sputtering and laughing between his attempt to cough up the water he'd inhaled in surprise. If he already looked like he had too much hair before, it was only worse now with it plastered to his face and what bit of his back and shoulders reached above water.
Well, at least he didn't have to cover his eyes. He couldn't see a damn thing now.
OOC
My character's name: Yuki Character's journal link:Here BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER Reference here; without pointed ears. Rank of character Knight Sacred Points obtained: 41/100
Jason took one look at Yuki and, with a frown, just shoved him into the lake via hand to face.
OOC
My character's name: Jason Kenneth Character's journal link: Here! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY CHARACTER A tall guy wearing a black coat under simple dark pants and a white shirt, coupled with black leather boots. Has blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair tied back into a short pony tail Rank of character knight.
Hitsuzen
Nio Love
Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 11:20 pm
Riley might have paused as she was leaving when Jason called Yuki a pervert, but she refused to turn around, or react to it. "I'm not upset." She called out over her shoulder in assurance, despite refusing to turn to look at them. "I'm simply giving you two time to be boys." Which they were doing in spades, even as she spoke. She could hear them splashing as they dunked one another, and a smile kissed her lips, before she continued to walk back towards her armor. There she finally turned to sit down next to it, careful to brush her dress down under herself until she could sit comfortably and watch the lake glisten and wink at her, daring her to turn and watch the boys again.
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