Welcome to Gaia! ::

The journey southwards through Payminuim thus far had been made as easy and without stress as reasonably possible by the cult. Passed from one beak masked warden to the next Felicity and Claudia had been treated like royalty. Not a single penny had been taken from them for their travel and for the most part they had been hosted for free too! It seemed as though Obscurvos’ reach of influence infiltrated throughout the land and the network of members had somehow all been instructed to care for the newly inaugurated Grimm and her flower caedos; the cult certainly wanted to look after their plague owners! However... Being the fragile and highly strung woman that she was Felicity couldn’t help but fret as they called in at foreign places. Her chaotic mind was prone to inventing all sorts of dangers that not even the protection of their dark escort could abolish.

Claudia on the other hand was relishing the experience. Often deserting her whimpering mistress she settled herself instead on the shoulder of their driver, watching the world go past with wide glimmering white eyes. At first she had nestled in a makeshift miniature blanket to escape the bite of Shyregoed’s cold or had even tucked herself into the cult member’s collar, close to the quick pulse of their neck, but as they had moved south she could lounge freely – unafraid of the weather. Every one of their various wardens thus far had treated her with admiration and the flower’s already sky high view of her place in the world was sent to astronomical levels. She couldn’t wait to be greeted by the members at the cult’s headquarters!

They were about half way through the journey now, stopped at a traveller’s inn in Imisus somewhere. The owner of the place owed something to the cult and when Felicity and her guide had flashed their black masks over the bar his eyes had widened and he had nodded silently; handing over the keys to the finest rooms. At this Claudia had beamed. The House had so much power. Her whole tiny body was keen to be able to weild it’s power too. Sadly her small form restricted her somewhat, but in time... In time she could be at the same level as- no... Higher than the man in the shack marked by the cult’s symbol. Thinking about it made her black face crack with a wicked glowing smile.

“W-what are you smiling ab-bout?”

Claudia glanced distastefully at the woman sitting on the other side of the table. They had chosen to spend the evening in the inn’s garden. People who ordered drinks from the bar could come outside to enjoy the fine weather whilst sipping their cold beverages. Claudia was relishing the balmy evening. However, her guardian had to be present and her stupid interruptions would undoubtedly irritate her if she kept disrupting her train of thought.

“None of your business...” She responded, crossing a leafy leg and adjusting her petal cap so that she could observe others present in the garden. The imbeciles didn’t know she was here. If they did they would be admiring her, or skirting around her with fear. She wasn’t sure which reaction she preferred... She was half tempted to do something to draw attention to herself but refrained from it. Their guard had advised them to keep on the low... They were, after all, just passing through.

The morning after that installation into their room Claudia and Felicity were met by a rapt knocking upon their door. Felicity was garbed only in her nightdress, having slept in after the exhausting journey of the day before, and answered the fervent calls for occasion by peering out of a carefully measured crack. What her fretful eye spied was another cultist woman, her mask perched daintily on the bridge of her nose with the beak positioned almost fashionably considering how ugly the masks usually looked. Self consciously she opened the door a little more, making sure all the while to keep the majority of her twiggy frame concealed. “H-hello?”

The other woman, appearing perplexed at the Sherygodian’s reluctance to fully open the door frown momentarily before announcing in a honeyed tone; “Hello, Felicity isn’t it? I’m Mary.” She gave a sweet little smile, leaning forward to peer with curiosity into the room. At this Felicity felt even more unnerved. Why was this stranger so interested in her room? Was it usual for newcomers to be gawped at like this? Perhaps this other woman wanted to see Claudia... All she had to do was ask if that was the case. Provided that the flower was not in a funny mood the human was certain that the vain rose wouldn’t mind in the slightest at having someone going out of their way to admire her.

Fortunately Felicity’s confusion was swiftly cleared up as the woman continued to speak, “I used to be in this room – when I first joined The House... That was about a year ago.” She sighed, a slight hint of reminiscence moving over her eyes like a sheen of memories – almost tangible. “It seems such a long time ago... But more recently my plague has grown, become a fine locos. But we couldn’t live in this room anymore – it’s not big enough for two fully grown humans you see. So we were relocated to a larger room.” Over the course of this explanation Felicity had wrapped her dressing gown – a flimsy creation – tightly around her skeletal frame and allowed the door to widen, giving the previous tenant a good look at her old apartments.

“My, my... You can tell it hasn’t been lived in for a while.” The other mused, a laugh bubbling out of her lips. The northerner glanced around... Sure, there were a few cobwebs clinging to the corners of the room and the wardrobe was certainly quite musty with a coating of fine white dust... But it was luxury compared to her frigid home in Sherygoed. The warm light fixtures made it cosy and even Claudia, perhaps the fussiest creature Felicity had ever encountered, had said little about the state of the place. Though, that thought seemed to have traced it’s way through the woman’s head too soon as moments later the flower caedos had flounced onto the scene and catching the end part of the woman’s exclamation she was nodding fervently.

“You’re right, so right. It’s a fine base... But the grime!” As she clambered up Felicity’s body she paused to flash the other a grimace – as if this place was below her but she was putting up with it for now. “Though... With a little hard work clearing up the mess I am certain it can become quite a fine abode. Don’t you think?” By this point she had established herself on her usual perch, Felicity’s shoulder, and was able to extend an introductory hand. “I’m Claudia, nice to meet you. Mary was it? May I be so rude as to ask why you’re calling Mary? Felicity is not yet finished making my boudoir presentable and I would care to have her services back.” A wicked glint was in the rose’s eye. She could make it clear now that Felicity was second to her. The house had to value the plague more than the keeper.

Again laughing and evidently obvious to the bitchy tone of voice utilised by the excitos Mary happily obliged, revealing her reason for visiting the pair. “When my plague was a child,” Claudia mentally rebuked the woman, though her outward visage only displayed a slight downwards curve of the mouth. She disliked it when humans likened plagues to their life cycle. She was an excitos, not a child. “She had this trio of... what are they called... stunted plagues? Yes... That’s right. Born from leaves they were a great help to her when she was younger – there weren’t as many plagues around back then and she didn’t have many friends. Admittedly they were an odd bunch, but they were all she had. Nowadays she doesn’t have as much time for them, what with being more actively involved in the cult. So I thought that you might appreciate their company?” With this the woman delved into a bag at her side and after a moment of searching extracted a trio of interesting looking characters.

The most acceptable looking one was standing on her palm. He was minuscule, barely reaching up to her thigh, yet he had a sense of elderly wisdom about him. He face was like paper, incredibly thin and crinkled all over. Like a dead leaf each movement he made produced a light rustling as his garments rubbed together. In his hand was clasped an incense burner; it did not appear to be producing any scent but the chain – a simply sinuous plant fibre – was wrapped tightly around his tiny hand. Claudia didn’t like the look of him... But was intrigued as to what he could offer her. If he had already served another plague in the cult, he may have knowledge of useful information... The other stunted were in a much less noble state. Sprawled in a heap on the human’s other hand they were in a messy tangle and giggling dumbly like foolish imps. The robed leafy one gave a curt cough and they righted themselves, snapping to attention in an attempt to regain some composure, yet stupid grins stayed plastered on their faces.

In everything but colour and alignment they were identical. One blazing red – the signature colour of autumnal leaves – and the other a fresh green they were garbed in elaborate tiny outfits. On their heads were swooping hats resembling leaves and at their sides were sheaths, presumably guarding pin-like swords. Though they were acting like buffoons at the moment the quick thinking plague swiftly thought of a reason for accepting their company. They could be the force she needed. As a lady it was below her to do manual tasks – dusting and shifting materials around her new home for example! That was a job perfectly suited to the wiry muscles of these miniature men. Thus the flower moved her eyes back up to the ‘helpful’ human and nodded.

“Of course, I would love to take them in...”

Several minutes and one awkward discussion between the Grimms later Claudia was positioned below her new home with the stunteds lined up before her. A slightly awkward silence seemed to have fallen over them as she continued to inspect them, walking up and down their short line with the critical gaze that could be likened to an officer in the army inspecting his troops. Even the previously giggling pair were fidgeting awkwardly. Finally she spoke and a smile crept onto her stern expression. “Hello, I am Claudia. I’m your new mistress now. I don’t know what kind of relationship you had with your previous owner but I’m making it clear now that you’ll be my servants. Don’t fret though, so long as you do as you’re told and behave well you’ll be happy in my service... With that said, shall I ask names?” Like anyone thrust into such a new and apparently threatening situation the trio seemed taken aback but nevertheless they didn’t voice a complaint. “You, what name do you go by?” A spindly black finger pointed luxuriously to the sensible monk-like one.

“Ma’am... It’ll... be a pleasure working for you.” He creaked, clutching the incense burner closer to him almost protectively. “I’m known as Lockwood...” His flat face turned to look at the other two stunteds that were eyeing him with a look of desperation. “My companions here... I’m afraid they can’t talk ma’am. Never been able to, not said a word since they were born – just giggles and chortles y’see.. They can follow orders and understand everything you utter though ma’am. They go by the name of Linton and Hareton.” A gestured of his surprisingly elderly looking hands indicated which was which and his eyeless visage drifted back to face the much taller and authoritative plague.

She grinned, clapping her hands at this response. “Wonderful. Thank you Lockwood, it doesn’t bother me that they can’t speak. I’m in no needs of their company,” at this she let loose a peel of laughter, scoffing at the notion of needing a hearty discussion with any of these lesser plagues, “their physical services will be much appreciated I’m sure. In fact, I have work for them already.” This perked their interest and their slumped position shot up straight – grins widening at the promise of work. Work was good! Work could be turned into play, especially if they could work together. “My rooms need tidying – they’re filthy. You can help them too Lockwood. Felicity will get you some water and one of her pieces of clothing can provide cloth for you to scrub with. It’s filthy but between you I’m certain you’ll have it done by the end of the day. How does that sound?”

Lockwood nodded, too afraid to decline and Linton and Hareton beamed! The rose’s coldness had washed away and was now replaced by that beautiful glowing smile. They would be more than happy to help!

Pleased, Claudia rubbed her hands before adjusting a few petals on her dress. They were already scrambling up the wall to enter the alcove and inspect the place that they needed to spruce up. This was perfect: A perfect start to her role in The House. Now, a handful of feeble stunted... The future? Who knew how many people she could ensnare with her perfume of pretty petals and glimmering smiles!

The cold was a bitter enemy to the flower. Ever since her near death experience she had opted to take as much protection as reasonably possible against the chill, even f it did render her looking ridiculous and – heavens forbid – ugly underneath the layers of warmth trapping garments. Felicity’s knitting abilities had been employed by Claudia via the use of guilt trips and outright demands and now the rose had multiple woollen miniature clothes.

Covering her body and smothering her floaty petal skirt was a knitted burgundy jumper. The turtle neck was pulled tight around her neck and on top of it was a red and black striped scarf to keep any cold winds from giving her a chilly shudder, at first it had been bulky and she had hated how it smothered her mouth... but after discovering how much it warmed her the rose had grown to put up with it. Her legs had been difficult for the human to find and miniaturise a knitting pattern for... After all, no human had feet curled into points like Claudia’s and even if she could emulate knitted booties in that style it would not solve the issue of the bulky leaf covered legs. In the end the caedos had to settle for a pair of navy blue socks, too baggy around her toes but nice and snug on the legs... She looked silly with the floppy feet but the material did prevent her feet from feeling the harsh chill that the northern region was famous for. Her hat protected her head... But the end medley of colours was abrasive to the eyes; green, white, red, black, blue... Claudia was just glad she didn’t have to look at herself.

Today the excursion into the bitter outside was for a good cause though! The Troupe de Panymium certainly sounded interesting and when the plague had seen advertisements about them through the grime stained windows of Felicity’s house she had forced the woman into action. They had to go and see them! Begrudgingly the broken woman had made the arrangements and now, after catching and uncomfortable a ride on a farmer’s wagon to the city, they were entering the plaza where a loud voiced man was inviting them to dine and enjoy the feast provided. Interested in the spectacle Claudia poked her head out of the pocket she was residing in. Being around waist level meant that she couldn’t see as much... But since it was busy it would be safer. Being knocked off the ditzy woman’s shoulder would not be enjoyable, especially with her petals all snared up and unable to give her an umbrella to float down upon.

Whereas Claudia was examining everything with a keen eyed interest Felicity was looking decided less interested and more nervous by the minute. This place was familiar – she had been here before – but the notion of performers and strangers bustling around put her on edge. Being included into any sort of performance where all eyes would be on her terrified the shaky lady... Hopefully this troupe did not employ such tactics of grabbing their audience’s attention....

A week had passed since the dramatic end of the Troupe de Panyminum’s performance and the shockwaves were still rippling through Colwe and the surrounding towns. Amongst crowds there was a hushed whisper of people talking about it. Every now and then Felicity would catch a conversation about the matter. Often she overheard a confession of being present at the macabre event, usually followed by a stunned gasp and an urgent pressing for details by the confessor’s audience. Felicity hadn’t said a word about it to any human soul. Firstly because she had nobody to talk to, but also because she felt that it was almost disrespectful to bring the grim event up all the time with those who weren’t present.

Now she had nearly returned to the exact spot that the festivities had taken place in. Claudia had instructed her to go to the capital to investigate the mages but like a ghost haunting some memory of another life she had drifted to this chilly quarter of the city. She half expected to see the wooden stage with its richly embellished decorations still standing, or the taint leaked from crushed stunted plagues still staining the snow underfoot... But no; there was barely a trace of the atrocious happenings remaining. Even the mood of the crowd bustling around visiting different stalls set up by vendors was cheerful and upbeat – a far cry from the panic stricken mob that had fled from the dark eyed plagues contorting themselves for wicked entertainment.

Rubbing her fingerless gloved hands together the woman felt at a loss for what to do... The weight of the memories lingering in this place was immobilising and she regretted returning even if her trail here had been mostly unconsciously selected. The plague perched next to her ear quickly ordered her and gave her a purpose again.

“Don’t just gawp. Do something. What time is it? You must be hungry... Unlike plagues you humans need to gorge yourselves to sustain your body... Grab something and then we can go look elsewhere.” The flower’s mood was actually quite good at this point despite the relatively bitter tone to her utterance. Though they had not had any strong leads in regards to gathering any new information for The House her stay in the wintry region had become much more comfortable since gaining her servants and the support of the cult. With the stunteds to wait on her hand and foot she need not do anything by herself nor did she have to trust the worthless woman to do what she wanted correctly... And The House? They had been kind enough so that when she had mentioned her abysmal living conditions in the wardrobe they had sent a peon of some description to Felicity’s house to install a superior dwelling in the base of the wardrobe. Admittedly it was not much more than extra insulation and a shelf to separate her living quarters from the servants but compared to before it was luxury.

“I h-haven’t got any m-money...”

Claudia sighed... The woman really didn’t help herself sometimes. “Your loss. Move onwards if that's the case.” Like a human riding some sort of beast of burden she tapped her legs on the woman's flesh to urge her forwards - the Grimm obliged, not even considering to object to the derogatory treatment. She was used to it by now.

The weather was slowly becoming chillier as the day passed – the height of the sun had stooped and longer shadows stretched between the buildings. A breath of autumnal wind ruffled the straggly half grey, half brown hairs tied in a loose knot atop Felicity’s head. She was still meandering round the marketplace with an aimless glaze in her eyes – there was an awful lot to take in; a culture shock of sorts, and the time away from Jin-Ho was only a still nagging tug at the very furthest corner of her mind. Claudia had not raised a complaint either as she was content to allow her guardian to explore the new territory now that they had left the company of the obnoxious stall keeper who had offered and had lunch with them.

She had bought the knitting needles that she had spied amongst other unusual and useful treasures – a new tinder box with a metal striker, (bound to last much longer than her flint when she returned to the cold climate of the north) a set of sewing needles to replace her practically blunt set at home worn with the use over many years, and finally a little leather bag to keep these new treasures in. Her frets about pickpockets from earlier had obviously been displaced over the course of the day. The people of Isimus were so friendly; first the offer of lunch and then every stall keeper had smiled so jovially as they ripped her off – unknown to her charging her double, sometimes triple, the amount they would have normally done for their wares. Thus with this false sense of security she had diverted from keeping her money in the sash around her waist (away from the possible grasp of grubby thief’s fingers) and instead it was jingling almost temptingly at the bottom of the bag.

Needless to say, Felicity was practically inviting someone to try his or her luck and steal her; A foolish little easy target.

However, the roaming eyes of the young urchin did not even have to consider stealing from the woman because upon spying the girl through dull sunken eyes a sensation of sorrow welled up in the Sherygoedian’s heart. Such a waif-like figure… Dirty faced. And her feet were exposed to the elements! Felicity’s mouth was slightly agape – the poor thing! She knew that the rose would chide her for such a sudden weakening of emotions but she simply could not help herself. Children in need would always touch her heart. Perhaps it was because she pined for a babe of her own to care for but knew that a touch of charity was the best she could muster… Either way she had shown kindness to street strays in the past – Chauhn – and she was keen to do so again.

“E-e-xcuse m-me?” She approached the girl from the side, clasping her new bag tightly between her pale sinewy hands. “C-can I help you… Y-you look s-so young.. p-please…” she fumbled with the drawstring of the bag, searching for her purse so that she could thrust a penny or two at the girl, “tak-ke this?”

On her shoulder there was a sharp intake of breath, whistling through a thin unpleasant grimace. As the woman had expected the plague did not approve of this unwanted kindness – it was most unlike how an Obscuvian should act… But it was too late now and she held her tongue for the meantime – just making do with glaring at the filthy street child hoping this charitable ordeal would be over as soon as possible.

As Felicity entered through the grand ornately carved wooden doors forming the entrance to the library a flurry of snow seemed to whip from behind her. Clawing at her hair it seemed as though the weather was attempting to snare her and stop her from receiving sanctuary in the musty warmth of the building. However as the door slammed to a close behind her the atmosphere of the place enveloped her in a temperate and stuffy hug preventing the chill bite of the outside world from tormenting her any more. Compared to the blizzard outside the climate in here was balmy; almost tropical. She shrugged a collection of flakes clinging to her coat off her, leaving a dusting of white on the flagstones near the door, before taking steps forward, through the entrance hall and into the actual body of the library.

As the warmth seeped through the hardy clothing that the woman had donned a squirming started up around her bust. It wiggled upwards gradually until a flower capped head protruded from the woman’s neckline, struggling against the constraint of Felicity’s scarf.

“We’ve arrived? Good. Let me out, I can’t stand to be in here much longer... When was the last time you washed?”

A shamed grimace on her face Felicity simply put a hand up to her neck and loosened the scarf so that the caedos could clamber out and onto her usual spot on the human’s shoulder. She didn’t speak; she knew any words would simply earn her a berating lecture from the flower about washing and smelling like any other person to whom warm water wasn’t readily available. They were here for a reason after all. This place was commonly used by mages for private study – the shelves in the alcoves of the dusty place held secrets of magic and the history of the fellowship. It wasn’t the information that the cultist pair were there for, they just wanted to mingle, meet mages and get a positive name for themselves. Claudia still loathed the practisers of magic but it was a necessity if they were to succeed in feigning membership.

Where to start though? It wasn’t as though mages had their membership to the fellowship branded upon their foreheads... Felicity had no way of knowing who to talk to. As if socialising wasn’t hard enough already with her awkwardness and wicked companion!

She really had no business being here and she should probably make an exit... That was what Felicity kept saying to herself in her head; a mantra that her conscious was repeating over and over, urging her to think of the friends that she had made amongst the mages. What kind of repayment for their kindness was this?! Spying... It was despicable. Jin-Ho especially deserved better than this. Even from the first few words they had exchanged he had shown a soft heart towards her. They had been friends, more than friends even. Not lovers – no, she was never going to fall in love again, her heart was still raw and tender from her past love – but best friends. Many times they had wandered throughout the mage’s lofty halls and the snow strewn streets exchanging smiles that nobody but he could drawn from her. Yet overriding this faithfulness to her companion was the overriding loyalty to her faith.

Creeping around the mage’s headquarters like this was the best way that she could serve Obscuvos. Her observations on previous trips around the castle had already been noted down and fed back into The House. They knew the crude layout, the rough routines, who to avoid and who could be easily felled or slipped past... She knew all of this had been useful to her god and his workers and that eased the pain of her betrayal.

And anyway, if she faltered even for a moment she had her devilish little flower to pinch and prod her back onto the ‘right’ track.

The room she had just entered had been specifically requested for exploration by the priests: Something about it being pivotal in a planned infiltration. Nothing serious but they would appreciate if she could aid them. Obviously she had not declined but due to her growing guilty conscience it had taken her a week or so to build up the determination to act upon this mission...

It was a well sized room – not huge like some of the castle’s grandiose halls, but large enough for her footsteps to resonate a fair amount against the stone flooring – but every inch of the walls were covered in various oddities. Snippets of all sorts of cultures: vases, statues, paintings, miniature carvings, pieces of jewellery, calligraphy. Felicity gaped; it was a feast for the eyes and she wondered briefly what on earth Obscuvos desired with information on such a room. Seeming to sense this wonderment and confusion Claudia dragged a pointed finger across the woman’s paper thin skin.

“Don’t question our lord... Just... examine and do as you were told...”

Nodding, Felicity proceeded to walk into the room, between the tall cabinets – fascinated by the objects from all over the world... So fascinated in fact that the first step into the wet puddle didn’t register...

“H-huh?” She glanced down... Half expecting to see a puddle of thawed snow formed due to a maid foolishly leaving a window open. But of course, there were no windows – they were at the heart of the castle far away from the outer walls.

And melted snow isn’t red.

Felicity screamed.

Claudia paused for a second and then, very slowly, a grin formed on her face.