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 Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:40 am
The river shivers again under the touch of Ronan's stick. As the team converges near the bank, suddenly something strange happens. A hand made of water pulls up from the riverbank and snatches Isobel's ribbon, gripping the fabric tightly, and yanks the poor frei down. The force of the pull is so strong that the frei is pulled sharply into the bank, smacking her head against the earth as it pulls, knocking her out completely.
But it gets worse. The hand of water continues down with the current, pulling the poor girl with it, beneath the waves.
If the team wants to see her alive again, they should hurry.
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Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:44 am
“I think Rivener is right, camping out is a good idea. We’ve had a long day and it’s better to start camp while there is still daylight than fumbling with things in the dark.” What Axel didn’t mention was the fact that she wasn’t too sure as to what they’d find if they went walking around through the forest in the dark. Old horror movie were wiggling their way into her memory and this forest was not one she wanted to get lost in alone in the dark. “Fire should be the first thing we get done.” It would keep predators at bay while they slept, but someone would have to keep guard.
“Be careful.” Axel was eyeing the other side of the bank, her head tilted. “Are you sure those are towels? What are towels doing out here?” She squinted a bit to try and get a better look, covering her eyes with one of her hands. Though she didn’t have much time to get a good look because the water hand that had come up to make a grab at Isobel had the guardians attention now. As the Frei shrieked in terror, clawing at the air and then Axel’s arm as the guardian tried to get a hold of her, but it was too late.
Axel had been unable to get a grip on Isobel and she watched in horror as the Frei was carried away into the water unconscious. Axel was already knee deep in water trying to pursue them, but there was no way she could make it, the others had to help her. “Help! We have to get her back!” The guardian was going hysterical, and she waved at them to help her. “She’ll drown!”
((I think Im on time, if not ignore this! ))
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Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:25 am
Ronan had begun to remove his shoes in preparation to cross when Axel expressed her desire to set up camp first. He went ahead and finished taking them off, more inclined to get the process over with himself. Part of him didn't want to be staying on the same side of the river the wasps had come from, even if the water wouldn't stop anything similar. It was a mental thing really. "I might be able to make a makeshift rope bridge," he said, frowning when the stick gave another shudder, out of synch with the current. What could even be causing that movement?
The question was answered in one of the worst ways possible. Ronan had only a split second to register the watery hand before it dragged the frei into the water, Axel screaming for help. "Stay where you are!" he shouted to the others, ripping off his shirt and pants as fast he could. Going into a jungle river nearly naked probably wasn't a good idea, but going into turbulent water with the drag of clothes would be even worse. Soon down only to his skin tight boxers the selkie dove head first into the water, eating up distance with a powerful dolphin kick.
After what felt like far too long he finally caught up to the raevan, putting one arm around her and pulling her up above the surface and doing his best to not get dashed back under by the current. He could hold his breath for a long time if he needed too, but not the young frei. Now for the hard part - getting back.
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Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 3:03 pm
Rivener had been busy staring at what definitely LOOKED like towels, tilting his head and squinting to try and make it out clearly. He had only just started moving closer to the edge of the water to try and get a better view when the damned river came to life, reaching out and snatching Isobel. The Scorpion's wings flared open, as did his eyes, and he lurched to try and grab the girl as he passed by him- his hand clamped down on air, missing her by a hair. <********> he swore internally, chasing and trying to grab the Frei still as she slipped away, but the river was too quick!
Ronan stripped quick and jumped in, though with a LIVE river that was probably not a good idea. "s**t!!" Riv swore aloud, dropping his backpack and frantically digging through it. He started swearing louder. "There's no rope! Why the ******** is there no rope!?" No time to keep digging. He heard the other two breaking surface again, glancing at the river- yes, there they were! "We have to help them out of there!" he muttered, cussing at his heavy-feeling wings and his burnt arm. Usually he would be flying over there and carrying them both out no problem! But these injuries...
"Ah, there, that!!" A thick vine from the trees nearby looked like a good sturdy rope substitute, so Rivener hurried to it, pulled his large hunting knife out and chopped it after making sure it wasn't a snake or something. He tugged on one end until a large loop of it came free, cut it, then carried it back to shore. "Here, Axel, help me pull them out! Ronan! Can you grab this?" He threw one end out, trying to get it as close to the water-trapped pair as he could, holding the other end securely, ready to pull.
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Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:25 pm
As Ronan jumped into the river, a strange sensation came over him. With his head underwater, he could hear the sound of screaming and sobbing, as though all the creatures in the water, of the water, were crying out to him. The hands bearing Isobel away seemed to hurry, trying to speed away from him, like a child trying to keep its treasure. Her weight is heavy in Ronan's hand, her light hair undone and slipping over her pale unconscious face.
The current bears the both of them more than halfway across the river, and the hands continue to splash up and around Isobel, although strangely they seem to be leaving Ronan alone. The hands of the river latch onto the vine Rivener has thrown, tugging it angrily, trying to pull the Sigel in with all its might. Rivener can see tiny little hands, like children's fingers, lapping beside him, trying to tug at his ribbon and snatch him into the water, as well. But no matter his adrenaline, his wings are still feeling sluggish and uncooperative, and when he flares them open in surprise, they shoot pain into the joints of his shoulders.
As for Ronan, the only thing he can feel is ghostly hands tugging at his arms, but with an almost plaintive appeal, rather than adversarial.
Don't leave us, the river's water whispers. Leave her here. You belong here. You both belong here...
It's only then that he notices what the towels are on the other riverbank.
Selkie skins.
It looks as though someone has collected them. They are strung up, slit down their middles, branches poking through their eyes. Some sadistic hunter seems to have lain them out on the tree to tan and dry, like a trophy.
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:25 pm
Ronan’s words seemed to freeze Axel for a split second, but it was enough for her to turn to see him undressing and swimming away after the Frei. “What the hell is going on!” Confusion and fear seemed to churn and gnaw at the guardians insides until she finally spotted Ronan and Isobel. Axel was scrambling back out of the water to help Rivener with the vine. They should of had rope with them, they should have prepared for something like this... But how could she have known the water would come alive?
The fear from before turned sour, anger bubbling up as the hands seemed to be trying to grab onto the vine and pull Rivener in too! Axel grabbed onto the vine as well and pulled as much as she could, if they tried to pull the sigel in she’d be able to grab him. “What the f--” Her eyes find the skins and she stares at them, disgusted that someone would leave some skins just hanging there, she was no idea what the skins actually are having never seen a selkie. Her eyes focus on Ronan again, he needs to grab on or they’ll lose both of them. “Let’s pull together!”
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Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 3:13 pm
Ronan angrily ran his hand down the length of the vine, trying to dislodge the watery hands. It was an uphill battle however, each appendage fighting him all the way. Kicking closer to shore Ronan kept himself between the hands and Isobel the best he could, and then he threw the frei bodily into the air, away from the water and towards the others, vine tied around her and no longer in his hand. He just hoped with his weight off the vine they might be able to pull her in.
Arms free again the selkie began his personal swim back towards shore, but now he heard it. The whispers. His hair stood on end in a way that had nothing to do with the temperature of the water, a shiver running down his body. No, stop, I can't! he croaked in the tongue of the selkies, words rusty from disuse. Swimming faster, almost panicked, he fought against the words and the current. This wasn't supposed to be happening! Not here, not now!
Hand finally smacking against the shore, Ronan heaved himself out of the water, breathing heavily and looking back over the river, only to find himself gazing at the seal skins. After a long moment of silence he staggered over to a tree, sitting down at it's base with his knees to his chin and head in his hands.
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 12:06 pm
Rivener couldn't believe his eyes when he saw those little hands reaching out to grab the rope, the Frei, his own ribbon. HANDS. Little kids' hands that were, quite honestly, freakishly strong. They grabbed his ribbon and tugged, his rune hitting the cold water and sending a shock up his body that culminated in another jolt of pain as he tried to extend his wings and flap out of the way, a reflex action. "Augh!" Riv hissed as he splashed down to mid-torso. The cold seeped into him with biting little needle-like feelings and he had to frantically claw his way out of the water again WHILE still trying to hold onto the vine because he was not going to drop it, no, no no.
Thankfully he made it out, though he just flopped onto the ground and didn't bother trying to right himself yet, not when Ronan had set Isobel drifting towards them. The Scorpion nodded at Axel and they pulled together, eventually getting the poor unconscious Frei out.
Ronan followed not long after, though he wandered off to huddle under a tree. Riv figured it was because, you know, being gripped by tiny baby hands while you're swimming is pretty damned traumatizing.
"I'll ah... S-s-s-set up camp. Need fire. You can sit this out and keep an eye on her. Is she okay?" He spoke mostly to Axel because he wouldn't ask Ronan to help just yet. The man looked like he needed a moment. Riv had to keep himself moving or the cold would set in, so he went to the pack and started getting out what they'd need. The small tent, the lighter, and a few snacks. Riv himself would be able to feed soon- they had a good open swatch of sky above the river, the Sigel would be able to see the stars.
As he squeezed as much water out of his clothes as he could, though, Riv saw the flower pinned to his lapel. It was wilting!! Those flowers from Meli's hair NEVER wilted! The red eyes went wide and Rivener all but pulsed with helpless, frantic worry. He couldn't do anything to help her. He didn't know where she was or what was wrong! All he could focus on was his own group, though he did pause as he set up the tent, no longer able to stand it. He cupped the flower close to his mouth and kissed it. Maybe compliments and flattery, which seemed to feed her when they'd been together, could work from afar through these flowers. He sure hoped so. "You're beautiful. You're strong, so much stronger than anyone knows. You can get through whatever you're going through."
...And that applied to him, too. He could get through this. The words seemed to fill HIM with inspiration then and he set up the tent with renewed vigor, then built a stone circle for the eventual campfire, before starting to skim the camp for firewood. He would NOT be going into the dark on his own, no sir. "If anyone spots anything that looks like good camp fire wood, can you let me know, please, guys? I'll bring it to the fire."
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:01 pm
Isobel lays against the ground, pale and unconscious. No matter of first aid revives her, no matter what the team tries. It seems it may be time to fire a flare and get the villagers to come and take her out of the jungle...
As for Rivener, the wet and wilting flower does not seem capable of inspiring his injuries away. The sluggishness and pain in his wings still hold fast to him, unfortunately. He may also want to refresh the gauze on his burn, now that it has gotten wet.
The water rolls against the shoreline toward Ronan, hands trying to grasp him, still whispering. The selkie skins on the other side of the shore wave like grotesque flags. Is there any way to save them now? And if not, shouldn't someone take that travesty off its grisly, triumphant place and give it a proper burial?
Help us, the water whispers. Ronan, don't forsake us...
The night has begun to roll in, and the fading light takes with it any sense of security the team has left.
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Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:17 pm
As soon as Ronan is safe, Axel is running towards Isobel, she drops to her knees skidding a bit as she gets a mud patch and gently gets a hold of Isobels head. Axel has no idea how CPR works, but from what she’s seen in the movies she puts her two fingers under her chin and pushes around trying to find a pulse. Theres a heavy sigh that escapes her lips, and she gently grabs onto the Frei’s body to clutch Isobel closer to her. “I think she’ll be fine, but I also think we should send out a flare and get her out of here? I can’t carry her around, and we certainly cannot leave her here. Can you pass me your bag please Rivener? I’ll send out the flare."
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Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:44 pm
The continued whispers sent Ronan scrabbling further backwards, his head thunking against the tree and hands digging into the ground. He - he would deal with this in the morning. It was too dark to do anything right now, he was worn out, and trying to do something about the skins and the voices would just do more damage than good at the moment. "There's some wood over here by the tree," he called over to Rivener, not completely paying attention.
Once his clothes had been retrieved (somewhat hastily), Ronan went over to Axel and Isobel. "She... should be okay," he said, taking in her condition. "You need help with anything?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:07 am
Rivener nodded at Axel when she asked for his bag. "Of course, damn, I should have thought of that." He'd completely forgotten about the flares, much to his embarrassment. The Scorpion frowned, wondering if he was so much more flustered than he thought. Moving quickly, Riv dragged his backpack to the human and pointed at the side pockets. "It should be in there." He then proceeded to the tree where Ronan called out there was wood.
While the Selkie joined the others, Riv picked up the last of his wood pieces and brought it to the camp circle he'd made, piling things on with a bit of tinder he retrieved from his backpack along with the lighter. He was no woodsman but with the lighter Rivener eventually managed to have the flames stick. He grinned proudly and moved to the tent then. It was actually easier to set that up, and Riv turned to the others. "We'll set watches, right? I can take the first one. The rest of you should get some sleep once the villagers come for Isobel."
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Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:44 am
Isobel's skin is clammy and pale, with her hair still clinging to her cheeks. Her breathing is shallow and thin and her eyes are closed tight. It's clear just looking at her that the sooner she gets out of the jungle and gets medical attention, the better. Now that she is out of the water, blood slowly begins to ooze from where she cracked her head on the shore, coloring her light hair red. It's certainly time to fire the flare.
The night descends on the team in a hush. The river is quiet, and there is no buzzing of murderous wasps. Only the gruesome selkie skins across the river flow in the breeze, horrible little flags that they have become. The moonlight sometimes catches the ruined and clouded eyes of the skins, glinting them across the river.
The team, had they noticed the skins, may well wonder who put them there... and if they are safe to bunk in a place where a hunter dwells.
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:30 pm
Axel gave Ronan one teary eyed look and shook her head silently, no he couldn’t give her anything she really needed right now. “What about you? Are you okay? What... What happened in there? I feel like I’m going insane.” Water did not grow hands, water didn’t move the way that river had! “This can’t be real right now, what if this river took the doctor? How are we suppose to get him back?” Anything could have happened to the doctor after this little episode, what if they found his body in the water? A shiver ran down Axel’s spin and she pushed the thought away.
Grabbing the bag from Rivener, Axel opened it up and searched around blindly for the flares and gun. Her hand brushed them and she grabbed on to pull them out and load the gun at once, taking a deep sigh she lifted the gun and pointed it upwards towards the sky before releasing a single flare. The flare went off easily, going up, up and up in a brilliant red light before it began to descend and slowly the darkness began to return. Axel hoped they’d be here soon and could find them easily, there was no telling how much time Isobel had.
“Are you sure you want to take the first watch Rivener?” Axel said to the other Raevan as she put away the flare gun back into the bag. “I wouldn’t mind staying up until they pick her up.” The guardian put a protective hand on the Frei’s shoulder.
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Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2013 2:11 pm
"You're not insane," Ronan said, "As much comfort as that would even be." While he had more than enough first hand experience with the potential supernatural side of the realm of water, this was a bit much even for him. "Right now we just have to focus on what we can do." Watching the flare ascend in the sky the selkie went and began to set up the tent, bumping and pinching his hands more than a few times but eventually getting it to a suitable state. "Just let me know who's doing what watch," he said, taking a drink from his water bottle. He didn't care which watch he would receive so he'd let the others talk it out, his own gaze flickering now and again to the skins on the other shore.
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