Despite the feeling of pride she wore about her like a cloak, there was a small piece of her that was terrified about handling this on her own. Sasha knew she worked better without the interference of others - with the exception of one Washington Becker, Sasha much preferred to spend her time in solitude.
This felt a little different. Sasha really had no idea what she was getting into. She'd yet to really go through the information she'd been left. All of the past twenty-four hours had been spent preparing herself for her departure, spending those last precious hours with Wash. The thought of being parted from him for even a week had her nerves on edge, the resentment sour on her lips when they made their final farewells.
Only a week. For now, at least.
Nona gave a soothing hum deep in the recesses of Sasha's thoughts, a non-invasive gesture that brought Sasha back to center. She'd faced worse than this and had come away stronger than before. She'd been a toy to the Clans and she was still here, still breathing, still fighting to survive.
This mission was special to Sasha because it was special to the Doctor. Sasha yearned to have that self-assurance that came with great power, that show of absolute control just as the Doctor had. No other authority on the island was even at the same level as the Doctor as far as Sasha was concerned, and she wanted to be just like him.
Perhaps one day she would.
As she waited for the tech to assist her with the portal, Sasha's thoughts returned once more to Wash. Part of her was glad this had happened. She would bounce back. Sasha knew she was resilient, and with Wash's support… well. Perhaps there was another way to handle that deep and dark thing that she desperately wanted to embrace. Perhaps the love of a strong and stable man would help.
After receiving the go ahead from the portal technician, Sasha moved through it with her luggage trailing behind her. She wasn't sure what would be on the other side, but she was as prepared as she was going to get. In truth, dealing with paperwork and sorting through a musty house didn't sound so horrible.
She would do whatever she needed to in order to prove that she was utterly and completely capable of doing whatever needed to be done.
lizbot
IDK if you wanted to get into physical descriptions of the estate or if I should do that, but I'm ready for whatever you wanna do, lizbo <3
Gimme some sugar bby, rdy when you are
Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 11:11 pm
The portal opens to a swamp-like forest thick with low hanging fog. The damp air hold a distinct chill and echoes with the cries of the local wildlife. In the distance, a large crumbling mass looms ominously before her. It's a wreck of an old castle with large swathes of ivy slowly tearing its stone walls to pieces and only a terrible darkness waiting within.
The surrounding forest holds several more structures as well, small, but they appear to be much more secure as well. One is a small gardener's hut, it has the air of tidiness despite years of dust and and a rather robust community of spiders. A stone chapel sits silently facing the castle, it's dark within, sunlight only weakly filtering through windows of stained glass. Lastly, a bit deeper in the forest, a curious little hidey-hole awaits like something out of a story. A tiny, child-size door that opens into the hollowed out trunk of a massive old tree, long since dead but still relatively sturdy.
As soon as her eyes adjusted to the thick, heavy fog, Sasha drew in her surroundings. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, honestly, and though she would never admit that she was quite stunned at the disrepair of the buildings that came into her line of sight… she was.
The second thing that struck her was the eerie silence - and yet, at the same time, the raucous calls of birds and frogs were noisy, to say the least. The lack of any real wildlife on the island had numbed her to the realities of life away from the barren rock of Deus, and Sasha took a moment to let everything sink in.
The final thing that Sasha realized was the little fact that she was, indeed, completely and utterly alone. Aside from Nona, the moors belonged to Sasha, and for a moment she allowed herself to dwell on that fact. No supervisor, nobody. Only her and the foreboding sight of the estate that sat in the distance like some eerie, decrepit sleeping dragon.
There was something off about the stone beast. Sasha could sense it, feel it deep in her bones just as she'd been able to back home in France - before such things became commonplace in her life. Before things like shadowmen and unheardof beasts became a day-to-day occurance - before they'd become her job.
It's nice here, I suppose.
<It is cold. Nona was hoping for some place warmer, and much less… damp.>
Wishful thinking that we would have a real place to stay. Shelter first, and then we'll have a look around. I think a place to stay is the first logical step?
Nona chirped softly in agreement, the weapon on alert as Sasha secured her luggage and a small duffle she'd packed with a week's worth of necessities. Food, drink, and a small first aid kit were among her supplies, small precious things that would ensure her survival during this week spent alone.
A slight breeze picked up as Sasha moved away from her belongings. She kept her distance from the estate, the sight of the green ivy clawing throttling the stone walls of the building setting her teeth on edge. The vines took her back to one of the many harrowing experiences she'd survived.
Nona rumbled softly, the sound shaking Sasha from her thoughts.
It's been a long time since I've been alone like this.
The weapon's totem flashed briefly, a beacon to remind Sasha that she was never really truly alone. The young woman chuckled and worked a small perimeter around the building. Her silent, booted footsteps brought her upon a small shed that looked to be in very good condition despite the years of neglect.
The door opened, catching slightly on the ground as Sasha slid it open.
There was instant movement, and Sasha watched a few spiders shoot across the floor. A cold sweat cloaked the back of her neck. Despite the infestation of eight-legged friends, Sasha briefly took in the sight of the relative tidiness of the small shack. It secure, close to the estate, and would serve its purpose well. On the other hand, spiders.
I don't want to have to waste time cleaning. This might work in a pinch, but I'd rather explore our other options first.
Nona was a low, agreeable hum in the back of her mind.
Stepping back out of the shed, Sasha closed the door behind her and continued working around the estate. The next structure that drew her attention was the large chapel that sat facing the larger, ivy-throttled building. It was far closer to the house than the shed and seemed relatively pest-free. The sunlight that filtered in through the stained-glass windows provided a dull, prismatic source of natural light, and Sasha let out a low hum as she moved further inside the building.
This will work, I think.
A flicker of shadow caught her attention, and Sasha jerked in response.
Bats.
<They sound delicious.>
Chapel is out. We'll keep looking, but it seems like the hut is going to be the best option.
Sasha came across no other buildings as she finished her trek around the estate, and as she came to a halt where her inventory was stored, Sasha let out a low, heavy sigh.
"Why did I expect something different than this," she groused under her breath, hands on her hips as she thought about her options. "A bat-infested chapel or a spider-ridden hut."
<Eat something while we look at our options. Perhaps a stroll about the forest would make you feel better, mm, dove?>
Rummaging through her food, Sasha withdrew an apple. She took a thoughtful bite and moved back into the forest, exhaling softly as she soaked in the dull, colorless sky and the rich forest sounds.
The trees here are so old, Sasha relayed silently to her bonded as she took another bite of the fruit.
<It is nice here. Something about it is.. almost soothing to Nona.>
To me, too.
As she wandered even deeper into the forest, Sasha kept her eyes open for any sort of danger that might present itself. What she found was not danger - but something odder, whimsical.
Is that a door in that tree?
<It would appear to be. A small door, yes, but a door indeed.>
Curious now, Sasha moved towards the thick tree with its tiny little door. When Sasha turned the handle and pulled, the door opened freely revealing a small space within - it would be cramped, but sturdy, and lacking any sort of wildlife as far as Sasha could tell. She couldn't help but think about that odd room that sat somewhere beneath the Doctor's office - furniture and instruments hewn from wood much like this little hiding spot was.
Sasha shook herself from her reverie.
I think I can fit inside.
Nona laughed, a bright tinkling sound of amusement.
We'll leave our supplies at the hut - and we'll bring what we need to sleep here.
She turned an about face and caught sight of the estate in the distance through the thick tangle of trees.
An hour later, supplies secured at the gardeners shack, Sasha stood next to the tree again. A tight fit, to be sure, but there was something oddly comforting about the tight quarters.
I want a better look at the estate.
Assuring herself that Nona was tucked away safely beneath her shirt, Sasha moved towards the ivy-riddled, crumbling stone behemoth.
lizbot
tldr; sasha is staying in the tree (she has her sleeping supplies there and a few pairs of clothes/shoes/etc.) and has secured her supplies (food, drink, some clothes) at the gardener's hut. she is currently moving back towards the crumbling stone building to get a better look at it - purely recon, for now, no weapons drawn
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 3:17 pm
The fog clears slightly to reveal the setting sun as it slips steadily behind the castle ruin, its shadow spreading further and further across the grounds. Approaching the grounds, the chill in the air sharpens cruelly around Sasha's form. The sun drops out of sight and the castle's shade slips over her ankle.
An abrupt silence crashes over the grounds.
For one brief moment, the darkness pooled in the gaps and windows clears, offering Sasha a brief glance into the building. Her own face stares back at her, and at first it must seem a mirror, but the face is wide-eyed and smiling sweetly, framed by a fall of long raven tresses...and then it's gone, hidden behind a massive dark shadow that suddenly looms above Sasha. For a breath it pauses and then darkness crashes down around her.
Castle Boss:
Shadowling Swarm 999 HP Auto-attack: 10
To escape out of the castle's shadow roll 1d100. You must roll above 66. Failure results in Sasha feeling dozens of limbs grabbing at her and dragging her toward the castle, it also causes auto-damage.
Sasha crept silently up to the window, peering in so she could get at least a small glimpse of the old building. For a long stretch of time the entire scene seemed far too surreal. The shadows seemed to flicker beyond the window frame - a shift of something moving beyond the filthy glass. At first it seemed as if she were looking at herself - a ghostly reflection - but it was like looking at someone exactly the same, but different. Certain things were off. The hair, the smile...
Sasha fell back from the window, eyes wide.
The sun seemed to vanish in the next moment, and things took on a more ominous air.
Perhaps it was disorientation that caused her slow reaction time, or maybe it was the eerie chill that tainted the air, but when the shadows pulsed and shifted, Sasha didn't move. It wasn't until they crashed down at her feet that she jolted - but she wasn't fast enough. The shadows grasped at her with cold, hungry fingers, and Sasha jerked into action, doing her best to scrabble away from the grasping shadows that threatened to consume her.
Her best was not quite good enough, and Sasha lost ground as the shadows pulsed with ominous intent.
Digging her fingers into the ground Sasha scrambled to her feet. The shadows licked up her legs, and when she finally made it to her feet the shadows pulled her back down.
<Use me!>
To do what!
She felt frantic, the cold shadows burning her legs with their chill.
Her hands felt raw from digging into the soil, her throat sore from the rasping breaths she took. Every time she made any sort of progress, the shadows clawed at her legs, twining around her ankles only to pull her back towards the house.
A million icy fingers intent on dragging her down, and she was growing weaker with each moment she fought to free herself.
Sasha felt maddened by the primal need to survive, but she couldn't help but feel as if she were fighting a losing battle. she was losing ground at a rapid pace, the distant tree line growing dimmer and dimmer in her line of vision.
She had enough strength to attempt one last struggle, but she was feeling drained at an alarming rate.
Finally she was able to gain some footing. Scrambling to her feet, Sasha tripped once before she shot forward. She ran and didn't stop running until she was safe back at the tree line, and even then she nearly didn't stop.
Just beyond the borders of the forest, Sasha stumbled to her hands and knees, her breathing harsh and uneven. A cold sweat was pouring down her face, and scratches and scrapes covered her fingers and palms.
I broke a nail.
<Three. You broke three.>
The conversation felt almost humorous and yet disjointed. Falling to her side, Sasha stared up at the dark blanket of leaves that shrouded her from the night sky.
<The first aid kit, dove. Clean the wounds. I can only do so much, sweeting.>
Sasha didn't answer her bonded. Instead she merely rested on the dark forest floor for a good stretch of time. When it felt as if her heart was not going to explode from her chest, Sasha sat up before rolling to her feet. She felt dirty, gross and grimy - but she was alive.
With a loud groan, the young woman moved towards the gardener's hut where she retrieved the first aid kit and some water, along with a small notebook and a few pencils. From there she returned to the hollowed tree.
After she cleaned the various scratches and scrapes that littered her hands and lower arms, Sasha settled into her little den and, with the intention to document her experience, promptly fell asleep.
HP 10/50
Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 8:39 pm
Day One
There appears to be three structures on the property aside from the mansion itself. The perimeter of the visable property seems to be secure, but I do not know how large the property itself is, or how far away from the house it extends. The mansion is in a horrible state, and by my experience with the house, seems to be very unfriendly. More on that later.
The small gardener's hut is where I am currently keeping my supplies. The church may be an option for shelter, but for now I feel safe where I am in this small tree. It seems to have been built for a child. There is a door just big enough for me to fit through, and I can secure it from the inside.
Last evening around 1700 I thought to run a small recon mission just to get a better look at the house itself. It is my opinion that there is an infestation of sorts in the house, though I do not know the origin of it. For a moment I thought I saw someone in there, but at this time I believe it was some sort of odd reflection of myself, only very different. I am not certain at this time - but I do believe that as of right now, the house is not safe to approach, and it is highly likely I will not be able to take care of this infestation on my own.
I do not plan on approaching the house again, but I do believe that some sort of investigation is needed considering the experience I had with the house's shadow. It seemed as if it were alive, and wanted only to pull me towards it. I was able to break free after a struggle.
At this point I am considering asking the Doctor for one more week here. I can't explain it, but I feel indescribably drawn to this house, and I need to understand what happened here. I would feel better having someone here, but I don't know if they would let me bring the one person I would prefer to have here - Wash.
As I draw closer to day seven, I will send the Doctor a message to see what he thinks.
Tomorrow I am going to the chapel to see if I can find anything of interest.
x Sasha Belrose, Life Division
lizbot
was gonna have her poke around the chapel a little!
In the night, a soft young voice echoed strangely through the woods.
Bonne nuit, mon ange C'est l'heure de fermer les yeux Et de mettre ces questions de côté pour un autre jour Je crois savoir ce que tu me demandais Je crois que tu sais ce que j'essayais de dire Je t'ai promis que je ne te quitterais jamais Et tu devrais toujours savoir Que où que tu puisses aller Où que tu sois Je ne serai jamais très loin
But seeking after it yields no results.
The chapel remains much the same as the day before, but the morning light reveals two doors. One on the left, the other to the right.
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:45 am
To say she hadn't slept well the previous night would be a complete understatement. One might even say that it was the understatement of the century, so to speak.
The night before had been spent tossing and turning after a short nap. She'd woken once to handwrite a short report by the light of Nona's runes, a tedious thirty minutes that should have had her falling back to sleep out of pure boredom. She'd teetered on the edge of sleep -
- and then she heard the voice.
Jotting the sing-song words down in the margins of her notebook, Sasha had bitten back the urge to peer out into the woods, to see if she might catch a glimpse of something. Anything. She'd been sore from the harrowing experience with the house just hours previous, and the last thing she'd wanted to do was to gain the attention of something she didn't have the energy to fight off.
The words were spoken french, and she'd written them down in french before rewriting them in english.
Goodnight, my angel Time to close your eyes And save these questions for another day I think I know what you've been asking me I think you know what I've been trying to say I promised I would never leave you And you should always know Wherever you may go No matter where you are I never will be far away
She couldn't help but feel as if the words were incredibly ominous despite the lilting voice that had carried the message.
Morning hadn't come soon enough for Sasha.
Nothing outside seemed out of the ordinary, and Sasha closed the door of the little tree behind her after assuring herself that Nona's totem was secured around her neck.
After a quick breakfast, she was back on the move. Light filtered weakly through the heavy clouds that seemed forever omnipresent, and though her legs still felt sore and battered, Sasha wasted no time in approaching the chapel. Despite the terrible experience of the previous evening, Sasha couldn't deny the urge she had to enter the house.
<Not again.>
It will need to be done at some point, Nona.
Her bonded seemed to shift restlessly, uncomfortably.
<Not now, then, dove. Not alone.>
The interior of the chapel was clearer at this time of day, the dull light from outside trickling in through the stained glass windows. The prismatic light illuminated two doors. One to the left, the other to the right.
After a brief moment, Sasha chose to try the door to the right. She moved very slowly, and very, very carefully.
The door on the right opened to a tiny rectory. A bed, table, and two simple chairs could be seen in the brief light. As Sasha steps in a voice, curling with the accent of several countries and softly burred with age, spoke up behind her, "So you've decided to step in for a visit, then. My apologies about the bats, dearling, but it's been quite a turn since I was able to evict them."
Swinging the door shut would reveal an ancient woman in a rocking chair behind it, a piece of knitting sitting in her lap. Staring straight ahead as she spoke, her eyes were filmed with a thick, milk white. "You shouldn't wander too long in these abouts, she won't like it."
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:36 pm
lizbot
It took a moment for Sasha's eyes to adjust to the room. At the first sound of the voice, Sasha startled, peering around the door before swinging it shut.
"I had no idea someone else was here," Sasha murmured softly, moving closer to the woman. "You knew I was coming?"
A million questions tore through her mind. She remained alert to any sudden movements that the woman might make, a little leery of any perceived kindness. She wasn't able to bite back one other question, brow furrowing with concern.
"Heard you the day past, dear," the woman stared straight ahead as her hands resumed her work with a soft clickity-click. "The mistress never makes enough sound to disturb the bats. You're quite young, if you don't mind my saying so, what business have you here?"
