The Guardian (12) - Maybe you expected weeds and mushrooms down here. Maybe you expected bugs. You probably didn’t expect a raven. Or, at least, it looks like a raven. It is a rather large bird, and seems so impeccably groomed that it almost doesn’t even look real. It has no dust, no dirt, no feathers out of line. Sometimes, it seems to mind its own business, but in the darkness you can hear its flapping wings and scratching the ground nearby. All the same, it is very curious about you. Sometimes it will follow you around. It is unintimidated by you in the slightest, and seems to hold no regard for personal boundaries. It might stand at your feet, or on your shoe, or land on your shoulder if it feels like it. It will pick through your hair or pockets, like it is looking for something. It likes jewelry, and you might be wise to remove what you have once the bird starts poking around.
The raven does not just croak or chatter, it talks. Sometimes, it will repeat what you say perfectly. Sometimes it will repeat it in a mocking tone. Sometimes it says something completely new. Maybe you hear it whisper ‘help me’, or you hear it weep, or scream, but sometimes–when you look at it–it seems like it understands. Occasionally, it makes a vague observation about your expression or hair, and while it does not carry out a conversation, there is an intelligence in its eyes that makes it seem like it’s amused by you. It cannot be caught and will shriek and attack if you attempt to cause it, or the cemetery, any harm. It will bite, scratch, and peck until it chases you way, so it’s best to do no harm and let it be.
Cemeteries that were underneath the very city in which, they, the Vanguard resided? Was this somehow an unforgotten passage into the Dark Kingdom? Should she, Corporal Nessaela, be wary of such a place? Was it her duty, as a newly minted corporal, to investigate? Perhaps not. But with the new power that was entrusted to her Nessaela had to at least make an attempt to suss out whether this new location was of any concern to be worried about. It meant that for the first time Nessaela was actively trying to research something without being prompted by any external forces. This was something that she had felt was important enough to take on herself. Of course it meant putting aside the research already in the works, but this was more important; or so she believed.
Getting a kit stashed together had not been too difficult and considering that she was already leaving the house in which the Vanguard resided at all hours of the day, it wasn't at all unusual for her in order to complete what she must in terms of her projects. Making sure to activate the glamour that hid her non-humanoid features from prying eyes did the corporal follow the printed map that she had painstakingly copied down by hand before descending into the chaos that was the night time vista of Destiny City.
Upon finally arriving at the dirt path that was definitely leading downward, the corporal glanced around before shaking her head in dismay. Was she actually going to do this? Well it wouldn't be the first time that she made an unusual decision and more than likely it wasn't going to be the last time either. With a resolute nodding of her head Nessaela stepped onto the pathway that led down into what was said to be an underground cavern. She shed her human glamour as soon as it was safe to do so. Her sword was on her person as soon as the glamour was dropped and she gently ran her hand over the hilt, admiring the design before turning all of her attention to what possibly lay beyond. She would be ready for anything this evening.
Or so she believed...
xLP
Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:47 pm
tefla
Halley had heard about a newly found cemetery. Cemeteries equaled places to look for ghosts. Ghosts equaled a new opportunity to try and communicate with them. Not to mention she could also meet fellow ghost hunters, or something equally as interesting.
As she carried her ghost hunter pack Halley figured it'd be easier to go as a civilian and find a place near by to power up. It would limit the amount of people following her power signature and well just made more sense and less obvious than a senshi carrying a ghost hunter pack. After she powered up and headed into the entrance she felt a cool draft come past her.
It wasn't something she was familiar with not having explored underground caves as much as haunted houses and other buildings; so the senshi was curious as to who she was about to run into. Hoping very much it wasn't a hostile entity. She slowed her pace a bit and looked around, when she noticed a shock of green hair and what she assumed to be blue leggings which belonged to some unknown uniform but they seemed like they were probably order aligned from the colors. Well it wasn't paranormal but it also wasn't -- the normal negaverse agent or senshi she had run into.
Halley pondered before she ventured, "Hi, coming to investigate the cemetery too?" She offered as a friendly introduction, though she kept her distance because she wasn't sure about the weapon that was on the vangard's side, after all this was the first time she was meeting someone like this.
Nessaela would have to get much better at shortening her reaction time if she were to be a good corporal. Even as she drew her hand away from her sword at the unexpected voice from behind did she also turn to take in the newcomer that stood a bit of a distance away. Probably a smart move given that the stranger looked at her in a sort of perplexing way. Instead of brushing off the encounter Nessaela gave the cemetery interior another curious glance before deciding to be truthful.
"I believe that I am, investigating that is," her voice was steady before she stepped to the side to allow the other to pass if she chose to do so, "but I'm unsure as to whether or not my investigation matches that of your own subject. For you seem to have a lot more equipment than I do," and here Nessaela trailed off to stare with open curiosity at all the gear that the other ... this strange senshi, seemed to have with her. What was it all for?
Pausing for a moment to brush her fingers against a weathered old stone marker did the Velencian decide that transparency about what she was looking for may not be appreciated by the senshi and so she merely pursed her lips together. Would this strange senshi end up being a friend or foe?
LP
my tags might be a little spaced out. making sure I don't overdo it in regards to typing too much with injured fingers. but I'll make every effort to tag things in due process
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2023 11:29 pm
Halley was still looking owlishly at the other something was different, well their skin was obviously different but who or what was this person? The senshi of superstition was very curious.
However, it was rude to stare so Halley did the next least awkward thing, "Halley, senshi of superstition!" She said offering her hand towards Nessaela. She grinned, "I'm here to investigate the paranormal. Cemeteries that have been untouched for ages and just freshly disturbed are great candidates for proving ghosts exist."
The senshi of superstition grinned proudly as she spoke, "It's why I have all this random gear. Voice recorders, flashlights, camcorders, electromagnetic field detectors, you name it I should have it. Even little things like a ball and some shiny trinkets to see if the ghosts are drawn to them and move them." She looked towards the other, "What kind of investigation are you doing?"
"Cemeteries that have been untouched for ages and just freshly disturbed are great candidates for proving ghosts exist."
Nessaela, had she had a mirror, might have looked into it to see a face full of confusion staring back at her. Even as she shook the offered hand did the Velencian try to make sense of what this senshi, Halley, had just admitted to researching. Ghosts, paranormal? Her mind was quick to grasp the notion of the subjects but her comprehension of why people would want to do something like that was still playing catch up. Feeling as lost on the subject Nessaela took a deep breath before releasing it. She took a quick gander at the items that Halley had brought along before realizing that she'd not introduced herself and that had to be remedied, but as it didn't appear that this senshi was unaware of what she was then should she just try playing at being something she was not?
Keeping her hand in the other's grasp did Nessaela gently give the limb a friendly squeeze before she let go and her hand dropped to her side. There was a certain reflex in wanting to hide her true identity but perhaps honesty was the best move going forward as to not sour possible relations. "I'm Nessaela. I thought that this uncovered underground region needed to be explored for safety risks. I can't say if I've uncovered any risks yet, but the night is still new."
Seeing as though Halley seemed to want to explore the paranormal her gaze sought out the other's before she offered a quick smile and a gentle tease as well, "I'm certain that you'll find something here worth investigating tonight if you love the paranormal."
LP
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2024 7:48 pm
tefla
Halley saw the confusion on Nessaela's face but it was an unfortunate look she got often times from others that lived on earth as well. As a lot of people don't always want to admit there's paranormal or they often mistake normal for the para.
She didn't let that bother her. Though the other spoke about safety risks and Halley nodded, "Ah, it's nice to meet you Nessaela!! Safety risks are also a good reason to explore recently disturbed areas like this. Who knows how stable the ground is above."
The next statement though made Halley beam a bit maybe Nessaela wasn't the normal person who doubted what she was hunting but in fact just truly confused at her method to her to madness. "I sure hope so!!"
She paused when she heard feathers ruffle and looked around. "Huh what was that?" She asked as she looked around for the source, a bird perhaps? But what it was doing down in the underground cemetery?
Nessaela was pretty sure that the dropped hint about her own status of being paranormal had been missed but perhaps Halley hadn't caught the tone of her voice when she was teasing the other. Having the choice to not be "investigated" would probably be the wiser one to take anyways. The corporal glanced around at the cavern roof above them before idly stooping down to grab a loose pebble from the ground. Her gaze travelled back to the ceiling and the stalactites that hung from them before she simply flicked the pebble off into the encroaching darkness.
"Roof seems sturdy enough like it won't cave in anytime soon. Ground is pretty firm as well. Just odd that this place has never been seen before."
As Halley seemed to hear something and spun around to look for the source of the noise did Nessaela quickly activate her ComTech to scan the senshi. There wouldn't be any harm in at least making some sort of catalogue to reference later on. The scan took only seconds and It was then that Nessaela also caught the sounds of something shuffling around in the dark. Her gaze narrowed to try to pierce the darkness around them before she brought out a flashlight from her subspace pocket in order to catch sight of what it was they were both hearing. Her flashlight's beam moved from left to right before reflecting off a pair of eyes that seemed too low to the ground to be another person, "Is that what we're hearing?"
LP
Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2024 11:16 pm
tefla
Halley nodded when the other said the roof seemed sturdy enough to not cave in anytime soon and that the ground was solid. "Oh that's good, I'm glad it's stable!"
She seemed curious, "Maybe it's because it was hidden? There's a lot of odd things that go on around in Destiny anyways. This is probably one of the least weirdest incidents."
That probably didn't help Nessaela feel any better but it was the truth. She was watching the pair of eyes low to the ground, "I'm sure that's what we're hearing." She knelt down carefully, "Hello?" the senshi of superstition didn't seem phased that this might be a bad idea.
"Hello. We won't hurt you," a voice parroted back to Halley.
The words were unexpected surely. The one who had spoken them were even more unexpected. Was that a raven? Nessaela's mouth fell open. Could Terran creatures talk? Given the situation was this even a normal creature? What would it have been doing down here, in a cemetery of all places? Slowly the corporal tried to see if her technology could get a more accurate reading before she simply turned it off. So far it didn't seem as if the bird was dangerous. It hadn't attacked them yet. This was certainly something new for the books though. Glancing back towards Halley, the corporal jerked at thumb towards the bird's location before finding that it had moved. "Okay then,"
What she wasn't prepared for was to feel a sudden weight on her shoulders before the raven gently pecked at one of her exposed ears, "Hey, enough of that. Shoo. Go on now. Be a good bird,"
Nessaela was intrigued by the bird's antics already but it didn't mean that she wanted to have to endure the inquisitive explorations of one. Gently she rolled her shoulders and made a move to push the bird off her shoulder with a gentle prod of her fingers, "that's not a safe place to be."
LP
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2024 11:11 pm
Halley stopped and her head whipped towards the voice that parroted back. She hadn't expected a Raven but "Oh what a smart bird."
Halley smiled, she knew they could learn human words but hadn't encountered a Raven yet that was able to speak. Parrots and Cocktails she'd seen and heard some very vivid language from some of them.
She watched as the bird landed on Nessaela's shoulder and pecked at one of her ears.
"Smart bird!!" The Raven parroted back. When the other it wasn't safe there, "Plenty safe! Pretty!" The raven preened at Nessaela's hair.
Halley laughed, "Oh, it likes you." She offered her hand out for the bird, "Come here pretty boy." She coo'd trying to get the bird from Nessaela before it annoyed her too much.
"He does seem to like your hair." She said watching the bird trying to preen. Halley suddenly seemed to have an idea and she pulled a small shiny coin from a zoo out. "Would you like the shiny coin?"
The feeling of something as unusual as a bird's beak parting various strands of her hair wasn't exactly unpleasant. In fact, if Nessaela was being truthful to herself, she would have found it more relaxing than irritating. Although the sensation did lend itself to the result of her gently trying to dislodge the raven from her shoulder when the ticklish sensations continued. When Halley made the observation that the raven seemed to like her hair a little too much the corporal glanced back to the creature perching on her shoulder before repressing the urge to giggle.
When Halley offered her arm out to the bird though Nessaela watched to see if anything would happen but the raven simply continued to run its beak through her hair. Only when the coin was produced did the bird stop its preening to stare at the offered token.
"Give shiny coin," was warbled right near Nessaela's ear and the corporal flinched. The raven's beady eyes travelled to stare at the coin before it flew off the girl's shoulder. It landed on the ground before Halley to peer up at the hand that held the shiny coin before squawking, loudly.
"Ouch," Nessaela rubbed at her affected ear before glaring down at the creature with a look of consternation, "It's not nice to yell in people's ears, you know."
The raven never took its gaze from Halley's hand but its voice parroted back some of Nessaela's words, "yell in ears not nice but fun."
LP
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 11:41 pm
tefla
Halley was grinning as she watched the bird enjoying preening Nessaela's hair though it did seem that the other didn't really want the bird there. Which was fair and she was glad she could distract it with a shiny object.
There was a pause though when she realized the bird had shouted in Nessaela's ear. "Oi, apologize to her for yelling in her ear. It might be fun for you but that wasn't nice."
There was another moment, "Plus if you don't apologize you don't get the shiny coin." She was walking the coin on her fingers watching the bird. She fully expected the bird to steal the coin and not apologize
"Shouting is fun!" The raven bobbed up and down and warbled loudly about how shouting was fun. All while watching the coin move in Halley's hand like she was going to do a magic trick with the coin. "Want shiny coin. Give!"
The raven ignored Halley telling it to apologize and decided to take flight to try and snatch the coin from the girl's hand. "Mine!"
Halley narrowly managed to hide the coin in her hand but soon enough flipped her hand over for the bird to grab it in order to keep from being attacked in a flurry of wings. "Alright, Alright."
She wrinkled her nose a bit before sighing "You should still apologize. You have the coin now."
"No. No apology," was enunciated clearly as the raven pecked at the hand that held the coin before it made a sound that sounded eerily like laughter. The raven was a cheeky thing. It walked up the senshi's arm before staring directly at Halley before it warbled once more this time directly at Halley's face before it took flight with the shiny coin offering clamped tightly in its beak.
Nessaela watched as the raven departed. Her gaze was thoughtful even as she rubbed at the ear that the raven had so rudely tried deafening before moving her hair back into a presentable look. It had been an interesting experience to encounter such a smart earth creature. Her gaze found the senshi's as she sighed, "I'm guessing that wasn't a normal species of bird? Can all birds speak?"
If all birds had that ability would further research have to be done upon re-evaluation?
LP
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2024 4:17 am
Halley looked aghast when the bird refused to apologize, wrabbled in her face and took off with the coin. "HEY, come back here! You got the coin but I expected to be able to give you proper pets!"
The senshi of superstition wrinkled her nose at the bird who was, well disappearing to who knows where to stash the coin.
"Oh there's birds that speak, mostly Parrots and Cockatiels I believe. I've heard Ravens can learn to speak but not that well usually. At least to my knowledge." She seemed to think about their encounter and continued to sulk a bit the bird didn't at least allow her to properly pet it. "Ravens are really smart, if you leave them enough presents and they trust you, they'll usually bring you something back. It might not look like an amazing treasure but it's still a gift regardless."
Interesting, was the word that went through Nessaela's mind before she turned her head to gaze in the direction that the raven had flown off to. It had already disappeared from sight and instead of trying to figure out whether it would come back Nessaela instead turned her attention to the senshi that had shared this odd experience with her.
The corporal had had half a mind to silently record the exchange and she saved the footage before tagging it as something to rewatch later. Nessa's gaze once more went to stare at the ceiling. This really was an interesting place and the Velencian tilted her head to the side before merely shaking her head. "It's odd I find that we're able to train certain creatures to speak and yet this corvid seems to have had none of that and yet it was able to almost mimic our words back to us without being trained to do so. Unusual indeed."
Pulling out a cellphone, Nessaela scrutinized the time before she turned her attention back to Halley, "any chance you would want to meet here on another night? I believe I have to return home now and I would like to further explore this place in the chance we could re-encounter our feathered friend."
LP
call this a close on your reply? figured it would lead into the paranormal one
