Mae dywyll noson stormus(A dark and stormy night)CLOSED

[Mikoto]

Three days since leaving Londinium

They'd been marching for hours now. Two shitty nights sleeping outside every creak and crunch in the night making the entire party stir as nerves ran high. She didn't fully comprehend how they were all so nervous. Scratching an itch behind and ear absently as she road on Bedwyr's back. She'd been doing so since the day before at midday. The roads were worse than they'd feared this far out from the city. Cracks and holes ran everywhere along the roads. Progress had been slowed slightly by the conditions of the road. It had made the thoughts linger in the back of her mind how the axels were fairing. She'd not built them to take much abuse. Or rather not as much abuse as they were taking. 

The morning had been overcast and humid. The constant feeling of impending rain combined with the humidity had made it difficult to want to remain in this stifling breast plate she wore. The lighter geared players in their group had it easy she wagered. Their gear was stifling but still more breathable in a way. Her's was a solid steel plate. Great for defense terrible for comfort. Despite her selfish desire to remove her chest plate and let her helmet hang from its strap from her sword pommel she would remain in her stifling gear. Better to be fully armored than partly should an ambush occur. She'd relented slightly and was riding with her face shield up. That much was enough of a risk in hostile territory as this.

Putting her mind as the cart banged along the road behind her she contemplated her method of construction of the wheels and axles of her cart. The construct had not been made with the intent of traveling the rough road surfaces they were on. And she'd been foolish enough to neglect to assume the roads would be in such disrepair. By doing so she'd have beefed up the axels and wheel hubs to take this punishment better. Instead she'd not thought much about it and was now plagued with the looming certainty that the axel would break at some point and then they'd waste valuable time waiting for her to fix it. And the entire time she'd be chastising herself as she fixed the broken part.

They'd been forced off the main road hours prior. Tree's had fallen at some point and the blockage would take considerable time to clear. So they'd backtracked to this road they were on now. From what she could tell they were headed towards some kind of settlement. There was no idea how large exactly it might be but needless to say the settlement would likely have people. Which might mean selling some of their wares and lightening her carts load. A smile crossed her face for a brief instant before she stifled it beneath her usually placid features. That distracting thought process was enough for her to not notice the hole.

The bang was loud and she was nearly thrown from her saddle. Regaining her composure on the saddle she immediately halts Bedwyr before turning to look at the cause of the noise. Internally a flash of frustration cut through her like an industrial laser. The axel, this was the most likely piece had broken and the cart sagged heavily to that side. Not saying a word to her compatriots Mikoto dismounted and placed the two pieces of wood she kept for holding up the cart under the tongue. Releasing Bedwyr from the harness she lets him roam about as she assesses the damage without sticking her head under the cart. That last bang had been the undoing of it is seemed. 

((WC-619))
(Tags: Capsule Tobin Franny Stein @dumah Dwarf)

[Capsule]

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Somewhere along their journey, progress had dropped to a crawl. It was by no means the fault of the Adventurers, but the decrepit old road. As to be expected of a forgotten path, it was horribly maintained. Holes riddled the road, and bits and pieces of debris (mostly the remains of trees) blocked their way. It was tiring, and whatever sleep she managed to get at night was poor. Sleeping out in the open made Capsule uncomfortable. You never knew what would creep up on you in the wilderness. In the real world, there were bears, wolves, and wild cats to consider. Here? A blood sucking plant or something equally startling.

With her Hearing Aptitude skill, Capsule managed to spook herself the prior night. The sounds of rustling had caught her ears, accompanied by the overwhelming sensation of being watched. Bosco had sensed it as well, and would have awoken the entire camp with barking, had she not stifled him. The last thing they needed was the stalker knowing its prey was aware of its existence. Of course, she had made no mention of this to the others. She was convinced that no one would believe her, since she had not even seen the creature. She just had a feeling that something bad would happen.

Capsule kept near the cart, Crystal Reindeer on one side, curious dog on the other. Having gotten over her saddle soreness, she was not so eager to try riding what Mikoto had called a "land ornament". She could, at the very least, use the reindeer as additional support and defense, in case something happened -- BANG. Capsule immediately stopped when she heard the sound. It was too close from comfort. "Oh…"

It seemed the cart was broken. Judging from the way the cart was sagging to the side, it was probably the axel. Mikoto was already inspecting the cart, while her horse was free to gaze or do whatever it is that horses did. Capsule decided to keep an eye on him, as unnecessary as it may be. She like animals, and would rather not see the head of the horse end up at the foot of someone’s bed. For all she knew, their stalker could be a (human) criminal of sorts. Landers, man.

The Enchanter approached the horse with some caution, but did not reach out to pet him. One, it was rude to touch a pet or mount with permission. Two, she did not want to be kicked by the horse if he turned out to have an unfavorable disposition. Three, getting distracted left her exposed. Four, horses creeped her out, for reasons she would never fully understand. So for now, she settled for amusing the horse by bouncing a fireball in her palm, eyes warily examining their current location.

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∝: 467
♫: A Promise
✏: Dwarf
@: @dumah, Franny Stein, Mikoto

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[Franny Stein]

Walking through the splashing muck and slime, Franny had long since given up on the idea of feeling clean.

Listening to the swash of her own tired feet, the small girl wondered in her own personal little abject bubble of misery which was now heavier: herself or her clothes now over-saturated with an inseparable amount of cold rain and still colder sweat.

“Oh and how I chafe, and chafe and chafe, my thighs, my underarms, my soles, they’re going to be red and ragged….”

“...And I wanted birds….” Franny laughed to herself.

“Asked for birds and it pisses rain, what else could go-“

Franny had spoken too soon. With a crash, the wagon had earned the tiny necromancer a brief reprieve with absolutely no cover to speak of. The girl was too tired to flinch at the bang. She only turned in tiny microscopic steps until she was now facing the subject of her ire.

“An axle broken and off goes the wheel of my fortune,” She sighed bitterly.

However, scanning weary eyes over those further to the rear, Franny immediately assumed a business like guard. Something was off. Summoning a skeleton with a low murmured chant, she instantly conjured another with ‘Reinforcements’. The tiny necromancer couldn’t be certain if oddball had spooked the animals or if it was the other way around but there was a certain tension.

“This is just far too convenient, if we were in some hellish desert they’d be shooting rockets at us at any moment….”

Franny paused closing her mouth on a thought and swallowing it.

“So why is everyone playing it so quiet?”

Sending the first skeleton to block as best as it could with its raggedly cloak and body the torrenting rain hitting her probably very humid companion, the knight of the cart, Franny sent the second one in the appearance of aid on the exposed back side of the column while keeping a wary look out. Franny said lightly, half in conversation, half in code, just loud enough to gather the attention of anyone who might be paying attention while shooting for a kind of normalcy in spite of the assumed urgency of the situation:

"Like one who, on a lonely road,

Doth walk in fear and dread,

And, having once turned round, walks on,

And turns no more his head;

Because he knows a frightful fiend

Doth close behind him tread..."


“Coleridge. It also happened to appear in a novel I’m rather fond of. A little apt, don’t you think?”

Franny laughed.

“I wonder what made me think of it. Maybe the fact that this world itself used to be a fiction. You know, like how a detective novel needs a closed circle to get started? Say, we wouldn’t happen to be near Geneva would we? I’m not so sure I’m ready to earn my name sake…”

Lightning.

Franny was carrying on a conversation to keep the quiet at bay while all the while making references.

“Play it cool, Right?”

“Or do we catch my drift?”

Franny gestured casually to her own name on the U.I.

Frannystein, if one were to eliminate the space. Very near the title of a novel better known for its unnamed monster.

NOTES- Franny attempts to be genre savvy. Referenced "Rhyme of The Ancient Mariner" as well as Frankenstein. 


WORDS- 471



TAGS- Mikoto Capsule

[Tobin]

(OOC: Sorry Franny; much as the banter is fun the way I imagined Dwarf didn't allow me to include it. Fantastic buildup though. ^^)

WC: 780


The great wilderness was where the Dwarf was at his most confident as it was where he carved out his fame. The black moss, Stonehenge, even that foul unspeakable beast that made the worst nightmares feel like tender wet dreams.  Unlike many others the Dwarf of the party seemed to take the journey from Avon in a stride enviable to much of his companions as despite his lack of height the broad fellow rode out at the front of the party; namely because he didn't stride due to his mighty mount the inventively named Iron Gerald, the Iron Gerald. His sure gait betrayed the ease he felt on the ramshackle paths that once ran through Wales, an ease only earned by one used to long distance haul; entirely unfiltered by welsh currents that tugged at the edges of the cloak. After all he was, unlike many, a national of this great nation of Britannia! His love for the country swelled in his bosom like the storm that gathered in the north! The chilly northern winds his companion, the firm ground his lover (Not the boar, they are just bro's), the rain his bl-

"Peh, feckin' grate, it's gonna rain. I'mma gonna be ruinin' mah hair 'n' everehthing!

Ok. Perhaps not that last part. Hatred of rain is fairly universal, though it's fairly ironic that it was he, and not the ladies that pretested at fizzy ends. That, and having Caer Dwarf toss him at various beasts made everything else seem quite trivial.

"Wer' gonn hav' ta double our paces ta find shelter oar w're gonna get soaked! Jesus,ya would hav' thought mor' oaf ya would have brought tents or something, so we arn't wandering in caves like a bunch of shat smeared..."

The rant trailed off off in barely coherent mumbles as his gaze scanned the horizon, thoughts drift away from the outgoing performance he put on. Sure, he had the bed roll in his bag and usually that had been enough in the past but usually he had travelled just by himself and found shelter where he could; with a small company following him into the wilderness a small cave or a great tree wouldn't surface. To further add to his headache the cart that they had taken with them was ill equip for rough terrain the further up the mountains they rose. Naturally there were certain benefits that the cart offered; food, not having to use precious space on cargo space and less durable adventurers could rest on the move, but the fact that the cart was en-cumbersome and slow going had made the dwarf debate it's useful-

-Bang-

The Dwarf drew a deep breath and let out the slowest sigh imaginable as he turned back on his grumbling mount, the headache was another constant companion he soon learned to dis-appreciate.

-Now, it can be used as fire wood at least.-

A tired chuckle escaped his throat as he dismounted and strolled the remaining meters, that one he would keep to himself to save Mikoto's confidence. Tobin took another moment to take a deep breath as he tilted his head back and looked down; yes DOWN on those foot bound mortals, once again assuming the mantle of the loud one. 

"Rite, which one of ya ladies hav' put on weight? Dun't be shy now! Gahahahah!"

The great big laugh was strained as he examined the cart, though the pleasent enough expression soon faded to the dark frown as he scratched at the stubbles of his chin and left his sky blue eyes glaring like little pinpricks; already missing the comfort his natural mask had provided him. As much as his skills catered toward improvisation they were usually deployed to tackle problems that didn't need resolving, namely the absence hangovers or how to control the offspring his boar sown in the countryside.

" 'ow bad is it lassie? 'n' more importantly, 'ow much of it can ya fix in five."

Five being minutes and that being the time he wanted the cart fixed in., after all the coming storm was the most pressing matter on his mind. Not the gigantic hole that punctured the mountain, nor possible mob attack; being a high  level tank left the Dwarf with a self confidence that only few in the land could share. Most things he could kill if he felt the need to thus he was quite killed. Not the rain, the rain was a monster that couldn't be tamed, slain or reasoned with, turned up at precisely the right time to inconvenience BBQ's and ruin his hair. Did I mention he was feeling concious about his hair today? These locks; until he could inquire quietly to capsule about that potion, that would have to do.

[Deleted]

The overall mood of the expedition had quickly managed to go from bubbling excitement and glee to, well, much less of all that. The troubles of a vanguard expedition were starting to kick in. Dumah was a bit upset about all of the issues they'd faced up until now, but he was an adventurer at heart, and nothing would get him down as he trekked on with sword in hand and allies by his side!

"Peh, feckin' grate, it's gonna rain. I'mma gonna be ruinin' mah hair 'n' everehthing!"

Dumah looked up at the sky, taking note of the thick layer of clouds. He tapped at the air several times as he navigated his menu, opening his inventory and conjuring a hooded jacket into his hands. He held it out towards Tobin, offering it to him. "Sir Tobin, perhaps you would like to wear this? It is a weatherproof cloak I tailored into the style of a hooded coat. It may be a bit big on you, but if you roll the sleeves up, it should fit you similar to a robe."

Dumah had been walking in the front of the expedition for two reasons. His first reason being that he would be able to see any monsters and trouble ahead, allowing himself and the other fighters to take care of the trouble; his second reason was that he was just so excited to explore, he wanted to be one of the first to see everything. As the party walked ahead, Dumah managed to hear a loud bang thanks to his Hearing Aptitude skill. He quickly turned around to examine the scene and see what had happened. As he turned and saw the cart broken, he rushed to it, and to Mikoto. "I see the cart has broken down... Are you all right, Ms. Mikoto?" Dumah's first priority was to make sure Mikoto had not been injured. Having been in the front of the group, he did not know she had been mounted upon Bedwyr. After she claimed to be fine, Dumah looked to examine the cart, using his Magic Light spell to get a clearer view under the cart. "The axle seems to be the problem. Ms. Mikoto, you are a carpenter, if I am not mistaken; do you believe a repair would be possible?"

- 386 Words -
- Total: 386 -
Tags: Tobin Franny Stein Capsule Mikoto

[Mikoto]

Great. Everyone wanted to discuss the broken axle. Dwarf wanted it fixed in five minutes which was doable providing her spare axle had not been misplaced. Though it was hard to say if it had as she was away from the cart plenty when the camped for the night. For all she knew anyone of her compatriots could have taken it for easy firewood or placed it to one side on the ground while they searched for something else and forgot to put it back. She'd been careful to check the contents of the cart each morning before they shipped out for the first few days. Now she didn't bother hoping that her companions were responsible enough to clean up after themselves and respectful of others personal property. Standing as Dumah, the ever polite one, approached she'd begun to search with the rest of her spare parts. Then the wave of obvious seemed to roll forth from Dumah in a seemingly innocent torrent. Internally she wished to cut him with the dry wit she possessed. Inside she wanted to punish his overly polite nature and tear at him for being captain obvious. She'd known immediately what had broken by how the cart sat. She didn't need some light spell or someone else to point such a thing out to her. Taking a moment to collect herself she doesn't look at Dumah before replying, "Thank you Dumah."

Turning to Dwarf after discovering her spare axle was missing she places a hand on the side of her cart. "Unfortunately my spare axle has gone missing. So we'll not be moving from her for at least an hour. " Turning back to the cart she resumes her rummaging within the contents while in search of her toolkit.

[Franny Stein]

Overhearing the hooplah, Franny bit her lip...

"Figures...."

Gazing briefly at a puddle she wondered if it would begin to quiver with the mass of her bad luck.

"That happened in a movie...the one with the dinosaurs....I wonder if something will spit acid in my face and put me out of my misery?"

Summoning a third and fourth skeleton, Franny began to form a perimeter. She eyed the bushes, but this was clearly out of her pay grade. She had received no training on fighting imaginary chimera that could attack from any angle and she certainly wasn't an expert in gorilla tactics. Franny considered just setting the country on fire and being over and done with it. Would the wet ground take? Sighing, Franny continued to look left and right. She felt a chill down her back but was not yet sure if it was the just due to the cold wet clime.

"I don't like this."


Franny began to restlessly move her skeletons from the outpost square formation into a loose revolving outline like ants. The overall body of the work was starting to reflect her impatience. She wouldn't mind fighting something she could see. But when the possibility of ambush loomed, she was left standing in the open with no idea as to where she should direct her monsters. If she couldn't direct her monsters....

"How can I win?"

[Capsule]

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Capsule was only half listening as the males of the party took their turns expressing concern for the broken axle. It was kind of a big deal, since they would be stuck in this foreign land until they could progress, but uh… She would just feel better if more precautions were being taken. The albino sighed softly as she looked away from the shifting shadows. This would get them nowhere fast.

Franny appeared to be scouting out the area with her skeletons, so that was something. Capsule flung the fireball into the distance. It was probably a good thing that logic worked differently in this world, otherwise the whole place would have gone up in smoke. Aside from the presence that continued to dog her, Capsule was bothered by the lack of birds or other local wildlife. Where was everything? Where was the life?

"Tch…" How did one go about securing an area? Cause they definitely needed to do that. They lacked barricades, however, or anything else particularly useful. All Capsule had on her person were some event items and potions. She patted her pockets. There had to be something she could do--

Her white hair whipped around in an arc behind her head, a harried attempt to pinpoint the sudden darting shadow. Was that their stalker? Bosco was softly growling in the direction from whence the shadow came. "Um, guys? Can we forget about the cart for two seconds?" She was confident that Mikoto could fix it. "I think we may have another problem." Hopefully that would keep the stalker from making any rash decisions… or just enrage it into attacking them.

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∝: 273
♫: A Promise
✏: Bluh bluh notes.
@: Mikoto, Franny Stein, Tobin

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[Tobin]

(OOC: Don't mind Dwarf's rambling, he's trying to live up to the angry scotsman archtype. XD Capsule @mikito @bebel, Dumah)

WC: 497

The Dwarf rolled up his eyes at the explanation of the issue, like most men the Dwarf really disliked it when a problem wasn't solvable within the previously allotted time and huffed a heavy sigh. That, and he had canalized said axel to fuel a distillation two nights ago when he had mistook a spare part for extra wood so he felt mildly guilty, mildly being the key word. Though when the young lad, Dumah (lady boys too beautiful to be men made him uncomfortable for some reason) had cut in with his accurate assessment he let a loud rumble escape his throat.

"Peh, it don't take a genius ta figur' tha' out laddie. Gahahah!"

The Dwarf then exhaled in a loud huff, his response to the problem baring in much in common with a middle aged woman being told she was wrong.

"Look, ya a craftar arn't ya lassie? Can't ya just put a ‘nothar-"

"Um, guys? Can we forget about the cart for two seconds?"

An eyebrow quaked up as his hairs bristled with indigification as he twirled, he could already tell that, as he walked to the albino, rambling with the pointy hands, this was going to be one of those days. (I mean, someone was writing his thoughts on a glowing laptop, that meant something terrible always going to happen!)

“Gah, fine, Dumah laddie, ya make sur’ she gits wha’ she needs. Git tha’ time down, I already feel the struorm comin’. Wha’ is et Cap?”

Tobin cast a glance out to the wilderness where the silent town lay. At first he couldn’t quite identify issue, despite his levels in animal tamer his style had more in common with of Steve Erwin rather than Paul O’grady thus the absence of wildlife went over his head, what he did see however, was the enormous shadow that stirred in that mighty pit, grey dense wool that poked up over the top of the wall. Tobin paused, his eyebrows arched as a flicker of recognising danced in his eyes.

Then he laughed loudly.

“Ahahaha! Ya called meh fa’ a bloodeh sheep? Wha’s tha’ gonna do to us? Make us sheer ‘im?”

The Dwarf started momentarily at the enchanter, then franny, before he shrugged following the reply and started to advance forward to place him himself between the “harmless” object and the party, likely after being prodded to do something about it he finally shouted at the beast and jabbed a stubby finger in its general direction.

“Fine, if ya aren’t gonna do somethin’, just bugger oaf won’t ya!”

As he announced this –hellfire overdrive- was activated, sizzling the droplets as they hit the great crimson flame. Sure, Tobin wasn’t tall but he was at least half again as broad as most adventurers as he tensed his muscles in a display of primal power that, thus far, had repelled most weaker mobs without incident, if something was going to come , it would likely trip over this low wall of manly Dwarf flesh before it hit the party.