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 Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:32 pm
Jace stood at the foot of the walkway leading to the manor, a frown fixed on his face. The young boy's eyes staring with a touch of contempt at the stone structure ahead; Briarstone Manor. On outward appearance the manor didn't seem to deserve it, the structure boasted a whole three and a half stories. The Balrathi family could afford such things as money was never a question for them, hearing the creak of the carriage behind him Jace saw that Stephen had collected his bags. The manservant had been with his family for many years, he had a rather timeless quality to him making determining his actual age more then slightly difficult. A carriage had brought them out the distance to the estate something Jace was rather thankful for, he never trusted the machine bound with rune magic and gears that his father kept especially for such a distance.
"He's not here is he?" Jace's eyes flickered back to the house and then to Stephen as he spoke. Although impressive upon first inspection a careful eye could see there were telltale signs that the staff in charge of the houses upkeep did not expect their master home anytime soon. Over the years Jace had come accustomed to things the servants let slide when his father was not around; he didn't rank high enough on the fear scale for them to worry about his reaction to an unkept walkway or shrubs that needed trimming.
Pausing near his young master Stephen looked toward him and offered a slight nod, "your Uncle has business in the port. There is no telling how long it may take him to return. You shall be looked after well here."
A smile came over the boy's face but it lacked any sort of humor, instead it seemed filled with bitterness. "I could have stayed in my father's villa and been ignored. I'm not certain why it is I was to come out here." His father had never had time for him, and with his mother's death it had come down to the choice of being shipped off to a private school of some sort or to the country to stay with his uncle; never caring much for the company of others his age and with the hope that he could still get to the city Jace had picked the latter. His father sending him away hadn't come as much of a surprise to the boy, even before his mother's death his father had been distant and now that she was gone he had gone almost completely quiet on him. He suspected that his father noted his mother's pale green eyes and strong cheekbones when he looked at him; his hair was black and like all Balrathi males it fell in unruly waves over his shoulders.
"We should respect your father's wishes," a bland unhelpful response was all Stephen had to offer him. Considering the man's position Jace was almost surprised he had gotten any at all.
Stepping forward Jace rolled his eyes when he was sure Stephen couldn't see, "right lets see who is around here then. Get me packed away out of sight," a disapproving click of the tongue as the only response that the manservant gave him as he strolled forward purposefully toward the house. Stepping onto the porch the front door opened a young overly pretty maid greeted him, Jace made his way slowly toward the porch as Stephen spoke with the girl, in a sullen protest of unhappiness.
Night was falling on the area and it sounded as if preparations for his room had already been made, there was even a dinner ready for them if they were hungry. Jace considered holing himself up in the room but his stomach protested and he let himself be ushered inside to eat and see his new residence even if it did feel like an exile.
As night fell and the living turned to their homes for warmth and safety other creatures slowly started to take to the night. A full moon hung heavily overhead and to those that would believe small lights played across the nearby waters of the river dashing here and there playfully as a few darted out from the nearby forest. A small grouping of the lights make sounds that were much like giggling as bits of power burst near some of the others causing a scattering of those gathered in startlement. From the group an incoporal almost humanoid creature moved from the riverbank to eye the nearby estate. With a grin the older ghostling whistled to the others gathered nearby and dashed out over the grass moving toward a gate leading to an outdoor pen of horses.
The various balls of light laughed as they spread over the open field, many likely wouldn't have ventured so far from their forest of safety but goaded on by their elder many found the strength to do so. One particularly colorful light being dashed up along a tree, with the faint sound of giggling her lamp swayed as several pears fell to the ground. More of the young ghostlings dashed up after her causing almost all the fruit to fall to the ground of the ill fated tree, as they dashed toward the tops of the branches. Soon a game of hiding amongst the branches and hitting each other with bits of energy was in play.
The dinner had been tense, Jace ate as quickly as he could and headed toward his room declining help in finding it. Some unseen servant had taken his bags upstairs earlier. With a sigh the boy stopped at the end of what felt like endless corridors and frowned some; perhaps he should have had one of the house servants show him the way the room was on the third floor which meant more walking and more ways to get lost. He highly suspected that whoever had created the layout of the house was either not sane or overly amused by puzzles. Rounding a corner a chilled hand closed around Jace's wrist; in the dark hall it appeared as if the hand was made of shadow. Letting out a startled cry the boy dropped the lantern, luckily the lantern was of sturdy make and fell lopsidedly to the ground flickering wildly. The flickering flame soon illuminated a face and a woman stepped out from a hidden panel in a wall. Dark skinned and aged, she used the hand not holding onto Jace's wrist to sooth plain full skirts.
"Best pick that up boy, before it catches the carpet on fire," there was a twang of sorts in her voice, a woman of lower class Jace thought obviously one of the servants he hadn't seen yet. Retching his wrist free he bent and picked the lantern up, whatever his thoughts were on her social standing he kept to himself as he observed the old woman's steel gray eyes watching his movements; strange eyes cold and still.
"You startled m-" the look on the woman's face caused Jace to pause his sentence he couldn't quite place it but the look in her eyes said she didn't have time for restating the obvious. Feeling out of sorts Jace glanced to the ground wiping the hand of the wrist she had been holding subconciously onto his pants. "Uhm, I need to find my room," standing up somewhat more straight he poured a bit of command and snobbery into the next part, after all it made no sense to be skittering around a servant like he was doing. "Show me the way to my room."
The woman's wrinkled face shifted slightly as her lip twitched in amusement, "this way young master." And without another word she started down the hall, Jace found himself having to quicken his pace more then he would like to keep up with the gray haired dark woman whom didn't seem to be exerting herself in the slightest. Stubbornly he hurried to keep up attempting the entire time to not look as if he was hurrying. After moving through several twisting halls the woman came to the stop at a door, it didn't look particularly different from the other doors they had passed perhaps even more drab then the others. Reaching out she pushed it open, "your room." Inclining her head slightly the old woman stepped back allowing Jace to move forward. With a sigh the boy stood near the doorway he could see his bags near the foot of the bed but as the door suggested the room didn't appear overly special; almost as an afterthought he turned to ask the old woman her name only to find she had already started on her way leaving him alone.
Shuddering against a sudden chill Jace made his way hurriedly around the room using his own lamp to light the gas lights running along his walls. Only when the room was filled with light did Jace start to relax some, a sound from outside drew his attention moving to the window he peered out into the night. The room looked out into the orchards behind the house, frowning he realized the sounds were coming from the horses something seemed to have startled them flickering his eyes over the area he caught sight of some of the trees shaking their branches moving erradically; despite the fact that it was only a few trees moving he quickly rationalized that there must be a wind. A feeling of unease crept over him and hurriedly he turned from the dark window to the comfort of the light.
The game ran for sometime before one particular ghostling found herself bored with the whole ordeal. Using a bit of energy she flittered off to the side of the tree pushing aside two other young poltergeists as she does. A light in the distance filled one of the rooms to the large structure that stood to the far side of the field and her attention was drawn. Bobbing out along the branch of the tree she sits on the edge idly plucking at the leaves letting them fall to the ground amongst the disturbed fruit. One of the ghostlings still playing bumped into her from behind, swiveling in her seat she snapped her teeth menacingly before dropping off the side of the tree and flittering to the ground. Staying low to the ground Loa made her way across the grass stopping at the edge of the fence that marked the end of the orchard.
For a time she just sat her eyes scanning the structure but staying in the orchard the feeling eminating from the house didn't settle well with her; the feeling of the living. Crawling up the fence she settled on a rung watching the house another moment, as she was about to turn and head back to the forest the backdoor of the manor opened. Startled pure stubborness kept her from fleeing instead she stayed and waited a young servant boy with what appeared to be thrown on overalls held a lantern high his face somewhat distraught as he looked out at the orchard beyond. He stood in the doorway as if unsure if he should go see to the horses or not, Loa watched the young one curiously and cautiously from the shadows she noticed someone moving behind him before he himself seemed aware. A dark skinned old woman reached out and touched the boy's shoulder causing him to jump; the boy's fear brought a small giggle to Loa as she observed.
"Joey boy, head ta bed," the old woman's voice had a deep commanding feel to it as she spoke her steely eyes looking out into the dark, "nothin' you can do tonight. It's a night for the Spirits, the horses will be fine in the morn just tired."
Gulping down his fear Joey watched the old woman, "Erzulie you need to not sneak up on people like that! And...I don't believe none of that what if there is an animal out there and one of them gets hurt?" The voice of the one tagged Joey didn't seem so certain, bringing a bit of glee to run through Loa as she observed it.
"Joey, just go onto bed and don't worry 'bout it."
Loa continued to listen and watch the living bobbing along the run of the fence as she did, confident that neither would see her. None of them ever had when they wandered to the forest. Joey didn't seem to be one for arguing his case too long and after a moment of pause headed back inside. It was then Loa's turn to freeze in place as she realized the old woman's eyes were fixed directly on her, startled the ghostling just stayed in place a moment before dashing around the fence post and using it to hide behind a moment. Hearing the old woman's skirts rustle Loa didn't wait around to see what would happen and instead started out full speed across the field heading back to the safety of the forest.
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:50 pm
Jace frowned heavily eying the brightly lite yard beyond. With a soft sigh he finally stepped out of the backdoor of the house. He had considered hiding away in his room the entire day but the obvious curiosity of the house servants made it impossible to find peace even there. Deciding he didn't want to dally too long in the doorway as even here he would likely grab attention Jace started out toward the orchard; hopefully he'd find a bit of peace there and a tree with enough shade to offer a place to nap.
Sounds from the stables came to his ears and pausing the boy rested his hand against a nearby tree. He considered turning and fleeing back to the house instead of facing whoever was working with the horses, but the face of a young servant came to view before he could once the other boy saw him he didn't want to make a fool of himself by running off like a frightened rabbit. Reminding himself that he was a master in the house he didn't bother watching the other boy long before walking with an insolent expression toward a nearby tree.
Attempting to stand taller then he really felt Jace forgot to watch where his feet were taking him, his foot hit one of the peaches that had fallen from the trees the night before and the boy let out a startled cry falling to the ground.
"Ow," frowning with almost a pouting expression he winced realizing he had fallen on another piece of fruit, reaching behind himself he pulled it out and tossed it to the side. The servant snickered softly setting aside the gardening tool he was carrying as he did.
"Ya alright there? Got ta be careful 'specially in da orchard," the boy nodded slightly to Jace.
Frowning at the question Jace stood and brushed himself off, "I- I'm fine!" With a sigh he sucked in a slow breath and looked around the area he had fallen. All the fruit was just to the point where it wasn't quite rip. Quirking a brow he leaned down and picked up one of the peaches that were still quite hard, "why did they fall from the tree?" He spoke softly remembering the strange shaking that seemed to fill the trees from the night before.
Joe paused a long moment as if not sure he should answer or not, even without Jace looking at him he spoke anyways. "Ol' Erzulie says it be da spirits. Best ta be leavin' 'em alone...an' stay outta da orchard at night."
Looking up Jace eyed the other boy a moment as if he was wondering if the servant was attempting to tease him in some way, "spirits? That's silly talk...superstitions." Frowning some he dropped the fruit and walked off, his voice hadn't sounded convincing even to himself and the words he realized were those of his father. Outside it seemed wasn't better then hiding inside.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:25 pm
It was dusk and as always the servants had flittered away from the orchard and outer edges of the estate, moving to the safety and light of the house. The moon was waning and only cast a slight sliver of light over the area, deep within the forest various types of ghostlings rose to meet the night and go about their own business. One colorful wisp moved from the others sauntering toward the estate and orchard, tonight she didn't have others to goad her on but was compelled by her own curiousity.
Something was drawing her to that place, Loa frowned as she peered out of the forest. Something about the house and the estate in general was pulling her toward it. For a moment the little wispling just sat hovering slightly in the air a thoughtful look in her eyes before she bobbed forward out of the forest and into the orchard. Without the others that usually found this place interesting the orchard itself was very quiet, carefully she made her way forward keeping an eye out for movement. Most living wouldn't notice her but she went slowly remembering the strange old woman from the night before.
Settling at the fence Loa watched the house, looking at it again she felt a strange twing of familiarity about the place. Drifting forward once she was sure none of the living were nearby Loa moved toward a flower bed set under the window sills of the first floor. The flower bed was overgrown and unkept making the little wisp frown part of her mind screamed that was wrong...the flowers had always been kept nice before.
Before? Before what, she wondered. Her mind was quiet refusing to give her any more information on the subject. A small amount of energy flung from her in frustration, ripping up one of the nearby overgrown plants in the process. Turning toward the flower bed now with anger pushing down on her mind she found herself distracted before she could do more damage to the plants.
Soft notes reached her ears, looking around for the source Loa realized that the music was coming from the house. Watching the structure a moment she settled her gaze on the one window with a light on, it was the same one that had a light on the night before as well. Moving toward the house she found creepers moving up along the bricking, with quick movements she started up the climbing plants toward the sound from above.
Jace laid on his stomach blankly staring at a book from the library. Across the room a phonograph he had requisitioned from the library sat playing some classical piece he had also found in the library. The book was decidedly boring but the boy decided at least the music helped keep him sane. Since he had spoken to the stable boy in the orchard he had been keeping a low profile, no telling what the servants were saying, but truthfully he didn't want to know and he didn't want to chance running into that old woman again. He had a feeling she was the one called 'Erzulie' that had been spreading the rumors of spirits. Rumors he himself would sleep much better at night not knowing about.
It didn't take her long to reach the window, carefully settling her lantern to the side she made her way to the window sill peeking into the window as she did. The room itself appeared somewhat familiar to her, a feeling that was coming more and more often. The little wisp wasn't sure how she felt about it but for now refused to let it bother her, for a moment she watched the boy on the bed and once it appeared he didn't realize he was being watched she let her eyes drift toward the thing that the music was coming from. Finding a comfortable spot on the corner of the window sill Loa settled in listening and watching until the boy settled in for the night and turned the contraption off. Her eyes watching his movements and settling for long moments on the phonograph once it ceased to play.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:39 pm
Reserved for solo about growing up - pre metaplot
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:40 pm
Reserved for pre metaplot solo.
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