Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
Prompt It was bound to be sighted. The curious travelers by air and sea noticed something strange on the island to the north. Movement, cultivation, fires and camps. Something was settling there, and it wasn't them. As explorers set out in the name of science, they found themselves run off by the large bug-tribe known as the Alkidikes.
Were they expanding? It was strange considering how they spoke of peace and protection. But it was clear that no one outside of them was allowed on the island. As explorers watched and observed, they soon discovered why.
A tree...a small tree was growing every day deep in the heart of the island.
Rumors have spread about the Alkidike's expansion. What are your thoughts? Are you excited or nervous of your new neighbors? Do you think they come in peace, or are they a danger to the future of the island?
A small crowd was gathering outside of Triva Cafe. The little square building with large glass display windows and flowers of various colors decorating the ground below was on a typically quieter, outer street of the city but today it was not quite so quiet. A group of younger lightning and gaein men were cheering at two figures who were sparring off. It wasn't exactly a brawl, but more of a competition it appeared. Makeshift target barrels had been set up on the street and it looked like one had a few extra bolts in it compared to the other one.
One of those figures was a lightning male who was rather fit and pacing about, ready to find out when the lithe woman across from him was going to strike next. His orange curls were damped by freshly thrown water and there was a spark of annoyance in his vivid blue eyes, "Look 'ere!" He called out tauntingly before another bolt went whizzing past his ear, "Hey!"
"What?" Chrysanthe taunted him, her foreign looks already causing her to stand apart from the rest of the crowd. The golden hybrid with pink accents held a crossbow in one hand and rested her now freed hand against her hip in defiance, "You wanted proof that I could hold my own and there you have it! Need anymore? I've got plenty of bolts!" Her cheeks were flushed beneath the scattered pink gemstones and despite the rough look of the situation it appeared that she was rather enjoying things. Most of the crowd was as well considering the way they cheered every time the girl trumped her opponent.
Cocky jerk thinkin' that a girl like me couldn't hold my ground against some invasion or explore some new lands. She huffed and shook her head, the curly locks bouncing with the movement, "I'll call it quits when you tell me that you were wrong!" There was no way that she was going to back down from this one!
Nilah44
Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 8:59 pm
Teigue had been pulled away from his work to go on an errand for his parents. Their family regularly sent some goods to a certain cafe and while his parents were usually the ones to come pick up and help support the cafe they had to do some other things work related and thus sent their eldest. Tei sighed and readjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder. He was just about there when he heard a commotion outside and then saw the semi large crowd outside. Brows furrowed he approached. Being on the tall side, it wasn't too difficult to see over most of the crowd and what he saw was quite surprising. A girl out shooting a fit lightning man. 'I'll call it quits when you tell me that you were wrong!' She told the other competitor. Tei couldn't quite contain the small laugh that escaped him. From the looks of the other man, it didn't seem likely he'd admit defeat. "Hey do you know what's going on here?" He asked the closest person, a young geian woman, as he watched. "These guys had come into the cafe where the young miss was working and just started being rather demeaning to her and so she stood up for herself. Rather talented with a bow she is." "Hmm, I see..." In the hopes of saving himself, and perhaps others, a little trouble he decided to intervene. Taking a quick look at the barrels to see the woman was quite decidedly the winner. Moving himself through the crowd he broke the line and approached. "Miss I think I can be pretty sure this young man won't admit his defeat so on behalf of the men present, I feel I'm safe to declare you the winner." Working on the farm meant he wasn't exactly the average adolescent. He kept himself fit with doing basic chores and it showed. "Shall we?" He raised an eyebrow at both participants and gestured back towards the cafe.
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 9:11 pm
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"Oh well would you look at that?" Chrysanthe let out a chuckle, "There's someone with reason in this crowd after all." Despite her playful words, her gaze narrowed at any of the boys who tried to make a move towards the newcomer. It was quite obvious indeed that her finger had moved back towards the trigger of her crossbow and that a new bolt was in her other hand. If they truly wanted a fight then she was more than ready, a fact that several other troublemakers who had bothered the cafe in the past year or so could attest to, and in fact part of Chrysanthe wished that they would step up. I do love a challenge after all.
Unfortunately it appeared that they were rather content to step back this time. Chrysanthe made a face at her competitor before tossing her hair with a twist of her head, "Perhaps next time boys." She taunted before skipping towards the cafe. Along the way she snaked an arm through the gaein boy's own, "I'm figurin' that you're comin' in for the store so I'll let this slide for now. Work is more important than wasting time like this." She peeked one last time over her shoulder just to make certain that no one was trying to be sneaky behind them.
It seemed fine. Some pride may have been hurt that day by the foreigner's outplay but it gave the boys a good excuse to just slip away. She just trusted that they wouldn't try to come back to make more trouble. If anything she would just dump some more water in their faces and call them out for more public humiliation, "Thank you, I suppose." She commented towards her new companion, "They wanted to say that I couldn't hold my own if the bug women came this way and I didn't take too kindly to that suggestion." As the bell chimed their entrance into the actual cafe, Chrysanthe slipped her arm away from the gaein boy's own, "I'm Chrysanthe and I'm hopin' that you actually did need something from the cafe. I wouldn't have wanted to leave that fun otherwise, okay?"
Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 9:17 pm
Once again, Teigue snorted but tilted his head down and tried not to smile. This girl looked like trouble yet fun. It was only proven as she dismissed the others before linking their arms together and leading them into the cafe. He nodded as they moved through the tables. "I am, I'm here to pick up an order my family usually has of some baked goods. My mom usually picks it up but was preoccupied. It's nice to meet you, Chrysanthe, my name is Teigue." He smiled genuinely. "Anyone who actually thinks the bug women are a big danger to us right now don't actually understand what's going on." He said it louder than he had actually intended, which was not saying it at all yet found himself speaking some of his knowledge anyhow. Tei had heard some tid-bits when he had come to town the previous week and had made sure to write it down. As it concerned a tree he found it very fascinating. Still, he hadn't meant to try and insult anyone, especially since this woman seemed the fighting type. He had no desire to insult her in any way.
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 9:26 pm
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Ah, so he was a customer. "Too bad your family often comes along. Would have been nice to see you on occasion." Chrysanthe teased lightly before moving towards the counter, "What's your family name for the order, Teigue?" She asked as she walked behind the counter, "It may be a bit since the owner is working on some last minute things. You want to take a seat and maybe I can grab you something to eat while you wait?"
As she busied herself behind the counter by grabbing a couple of fresh pastries, Chrysanthe found herself halting thoughtfully. Her hands hovered over the basket of pastries before finally moving again, "You really think you know exactly what is going on?" She asked with curiosity, "No offense but the Alkidike haven't been known to always be the nicest of the races." It was fairly common for many to still have their reservations about the true intentions of the Alkidike even with the extremists exiled. Or perhaps that was her Sautian roots speaking? Chrysanthe had been born in a time right after the war with the extremists and the stories of their antics had haunted her youngling years. Belreans hadn't really dealt with the extremists so she could understand why they would be more more open to the idea of the Alkidikes being reasonable and less like brutes.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 9:41 pm
Even he couldn't help the small blush across his cheeks at her comment yet did as she asked and sat on one of the bar stools. "It would likely be under my father's name, Lian. I don't mind waiting, the day is still early." Teigue stretched his arms up and out before readjusting the strap on his bag. Unfortunately, as he feared he was asked about his little bit of knowledge he had shared. "You're not wrong, they aren't known for that. And no I can't exactly claim to know what is actually going on, only what I suspect. I know being a geian and all probably puts me at a disadvantage when it comes to knowledge of the mainland but I like knowing things and usually grab onto whatever random knowledge I hear." He paused as he gathered his thoughts.
"From what I've gathered of the Alkidikes, they've split into two factions, yes?" Again he paused, almost slipping into teacher mode that he uses with his siblings. "And for lack of a better way to put it, they worship a tree goddess? Or something along those lines?" Another pause. "These Alkidikes have been here for long enough that if their intention was to attack I feel they would have already done so. In that I would be assuming these were their extremist group. But, as they've not, I feel it's likely the ones who will ask questions before using their pointy things." He raised an eyebrow at her teasingly. "But that's not all..." He drifted off as he tried to recall exactly what was said.
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:05 pm
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"Ah, yeah then that order will be a bit. That's a name I recall." It was a familiar name and Chrysanthe was honestly surprised that this was the first time seeing their son. Then again it's not like I'm always working here. Taking two pastries from the basket, the hybrid left the counter and plopped into one of the decorative wooden chairs. Patting the table before her she gestured towards Teigue, "May as well sit down here with me."
"Anyways." Chrysanthe began after a slight pause, "I mean you are right about that. Those from the other continent definitely have something of a bloody history with some of the Alkidikes so it's no wonder that they're nervous now." She tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully, "But you're also right about the factions. If it was the Extremists then I would definitely be more worried but the other Alkidikes? Maybe they're just doing some sort of weird ceremony for their tree." But wasn't it strange that it was all the way in Belrea? What would they need over here that wasn't in Chibale?
Her thoughts halted as she realized he was making a tease towards her, "Haha." Chrysanthe quipped back with a small laugh, "Sometimes that's what keeps you alive. I know that some of them wouldn't let you ask questions first so sometimes its better to pin down your worries before they can jump you first." Taking a bite of her pastry, Chrysanthe twirled the remaining bit in her hand, "What else have you heard? All I heard so far is a bunch of rumors about them plotting something whether good or bad. I would like to know and even suggested that a bunch of people go over to check it out but then those boys had to say that someone delicate lookin' like me would surely just get hurt instead." She let out a 'pfft' sound at the thought. They were the ones to get hurt by her when she showed them exactly how tough she could be!
Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 10:13 pm
Teigue joined her at the indicated table and accepted the pastry. He ate as she shared her thoughts on it. She had good instincts about it, he felt, and seemed pretty honest in her opinion. "Again," He laughed, "You're not wrong. Sometimes it is better to get the jump. Yet sometimes its beneficial for us to not. I believe if we were to be hostile towards the Alkidikes here on Belrea we would be met in kind. You've almost hit the bullseye this time. So yes there's been a lot of rumors but also some witnesses to why I believe they're actually here. They've planted one of their trees here. In a way they are doing a weird ceremony for their tree, it's just unknown what. The extremists had planted a new one on Yael, right? If what I've heard is correct, then it sounds like Belrea is going to have their own Alkidike tree here on our continent." Finishing the last bits of the pastry, he absentmindedly cleaned the crumbs from the table and into his napkin. Softer he added, "Anyone is a fool to judge a person based on their physical appearance or gender. Its simply archaic." He chuckled remembering the barrels. "At least you showed them though I doubt they learned the lesson."
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2020 11:00 am
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Ah, he really is someone with good sense. Chrysanthe was pleased by Teigue's agreement and nodded her head in response. However, he did raise a good point which caused her mouth to press into a fine line. Had those on the other continent showed any hostility before the Alkidikes attacked all those years ago? She had been far too young to know about such details. If so then perhaps the stories would have been a lot different. Still, she believed that the temptation of conquest was often a good motivation for those who attacked without being provoked first. What if that was the case here?
"You sure they aren't here to invade and take over? Doesn't always take pickin' a fight to start a war over land." She flicked a stray crumb from her fingers as she pondered his words, "If they planted a tree won't they want more land to raise Alkidikes? Is Belrea really okay with that?" And there was no idea of how the new generation would grow...or if the tree would actually produce children. It's still so strange that they rely on a tree to reproduce. Chrysanthe mulled over the thought before Teigue's next words completely caught her off guard.
"A fool, you say?" Swallowing, Chrysanthe focused on the pastry in hand as to avoid the surprise that had flickered across her features. After years of being harassed as a hybrid child on the other continent she had fled from her past to Belrea, a land where five years ago not much was known about her kind in general. The scars of the past, of her mother's betrayal of her wind husband by sleeping with a matori man, of Chrysanthe being an outcast for her divided heritage and the scorn of pure bloods had left quite a mark on her heart. For someone to so casually call those people who had taunted her fools.....well the thought made her feel a bit strange.
Her mind catching up over her initial shock, surely he didn't realize how deeply those words affected her, Chrysanthe let out a small chuckle. "I 'spose I did show them, but you're right. A fool is a fool and will probably come back for more a** kickin'." She smirked before catching another piece of the pastry with her lips, "If the Alkidikes did decide to invade the city then I'm sure those boys will be the first to run."
Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 10:07 pm
Teigue couldn't help but shrug. "There's really no way for me to say so on that. No, I'm not sure that they aren't here for that. No, I'm not sure they won't eventually want more from us. Only time will tell really." There was no telling how things would actually proceed until they happened. He was sure strategists were probably going blue in the face trying to figure it all out right now. And thats why they were strategists and not him.
He had missed the surprise that had so quickly flickered across her face. "I mean, yeah. But I suppose we're different here on Belrea? It's not like that on the mainland is it?" He was so used to having geian and lightning hybrids around he didn't think much of it. When she made her last comment he couldn't help but laugh. "I don't know, they'll probably be in the front lines and 'conveniently' find some reason they had to leave. Don't want to come off as weak right?" He winked before laughing. What idiots those boys had been.
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Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 1:55 pm
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Chrysanthe shrugged, "Fair enough though it would be really unfortunate if they got the jump on us 'cause of that." Perhaps it was a bit of a bad trait on her part but the hybrid girl had learned that sometimes you had to stab first and then ask questions later. Working at the bakery and living in Belrea the last couple of years had slightly calmed down her aggressive nature but it was hard to lose some habits. Overseas, especially when traveling through the more wild areas, you had to keep your guard up. One mistake could mean a lot....she really hoped that the presence of these Alkidikes wasn't such a thing.
The young woman slowly nodded, her lips curving upwards into a smile. Of course he didn't realize how heavily his words had affected her. Belrea was different after all. That was why she had found some peace by moving to the new continent, "It is slightly different. There's quite a few more bigots overseas." She admitted, "Including some of those Alkidikes. It's why they exiled some of their own who didn't believe in earthlings and especially didn't believe in dilutin' bloodlines with hybrids." So much so that they resorted to murder and nearly starting a war. Chrysanthe hadn't been around for the battle but she had heard plenty about it when she was younger. Just thinking about the Extremists made her shoulders tense, "So yeah definitely different overseas....but it's been at least two years since I went over that way. Maybe things are different now." Maybe? Who knew?
"Totally." Chrysanthe found herself laughing yet again, the tension slipping away from her shoulders at his wink. It was a stupid idea yet she could totally imagine the boys from before doing just that, "Brave, brave fools." She offered lightly, "What would we do without 'em?"
Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 11:54 am
"Hmmph." Teigue snorted at her description of the mainland. If things were like that over there then perhaps it was just as well that he had no intentions of leaving Belrea. They could keep their hatred, he was just fine over here. The way she talked about it and her words in the past made him a little sad for her. "I'm sorry for whatever you went through. But at least you found Belrea, hmm?" He smiled kindly at her. "Never the less, I think we should just be prepared for anything, it's the best way I feel." He shrugged. He wasn't one to start the fight but would be prepared to end it.
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:22 pm
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Chrysanthe couldn't help but smile at the geian's reaction to her descriptions. Even if her painful past sometimes haunted her, it was no was no where near as bad as it once was. She couldn't help but to be thankful to the Belreans that she had met in the past couple of years who had helped her to accept herself. Teigue's obvious disdain at such attitudes was touching and made her glad that she had picked such good company to spend the morning with - even if he had interrupted her fun in showing off against those lightning boys, "Yeah, I suppose I am thankful for finding Belrea." She teased lightly as she finished off her pastry.
"I agree." Her tone shifted and became more serious, "It's better to be on guard just in case." Chrys pushed away from the table with a sigh, "Speaking of which I should probably be on guard for my boss so that I can help get your order together." Chrysanthe started away from the table, heading towards the backroom, before pausing one last time to cast a smile towards the geian boy, "Thank you for the company today. I had fun." She waved one last time before disappearing from view to help finish up his family's order from the bakery.
Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2020 2:38 pm
Teigue couldn't imagine living somewhere with so much hate. He had grown up in such a loving household, even thinking about someone having to live in less made him a little upset. In any case, she changed the subject. "No worries, we all have jobs to do. And really I should be thanking you for the pastries. I enjoyed myself way more than I thought I would when I was asked to run this errand. So, thank you." He said genuinely with a smile before watching her walk away. Well, maybe he'd have to offer to come pick up the order more often.
