Stories from Elsewhere [Saskia/Eisbaer]

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Blacksmith

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 With every dawn of a new day, her eyes that revealed that she would continue to reawaken to this world. Alone. Trapped. And possibly, forgotten. Her body succumbed to grief overwhelming as her eyelids began to flood with translucent tears as crystalline drops cascaded down the smooth edges of the woman’s face. She felt a terrible pain in the back of her throat, a certain numbness as she frowned lying in the slim white sheets of a bed that provided little of the comforts of home. She could feel her spirit sinking into an abyss as her mind wondered. Thoughts creating a mental slideshow of everything that reminded her of the family and hometown she loved.

She turned on her side, pulling the sheets over her head, as if to try to protect herself from her fears, but they would continue to haunt her. The most insufferable thing about this world, was that time always seemed to pass so slowly within this sandbox prison. It forced a person to contemplate everything they left unfinished in the real world. She began to think at how she had neglected her own family and how distant she had become from her mother and father. She wanted deeply to apologize to them and tell how she loved them and wanted to spend time with them.

Her thoughts drifted towards childhood friends who she used to call everyday and hangout with all the time, yet when fortune and fame came knocking, she eloped away with her insatiable greed and materialism and neglected those friends she shared happy memories with. She began to wonder how she became more comfortable with luxurious goods than embracing the comforts of people who loved her and enjoyed her company.

Now, in this world she was broken down to just a normal person, the same as any other who roamed the world of Elder Tale. Stricken by the effects of overnight poverty, Saskia had trouble adjusting to this new lifestyle as she began to suffer from the withdrawals of having the comfortable lifestyle she had built taken away from her. It was then, that pride would shift into regret as Saskia could her chest grow heavy. Her shoulders jerked as her eyes clenched shut. Burying her face into her pillow, the pink haired wolf hair cried for nearly half an hour as she ushered futile prayers to be set free of this world. However, like a dying man tried to bargain with God for life everlasting, Saskia’s prayers would be in vain.

Having difficulty coping, she crawled to the edge of her bed and sat up on the edge, rubbing the built up tension in her forehead with her fingers as she sniffled and let out a defeated sigh. She lifted up a shaky finger to interact with her menu interface, and with minimalistic energy, she navigated her way to her friends list. She could fill her heart racing as she scanned through the list. She needed a tough shoulder to lean on during a time like this, or perhaps just a good listener. Instinct kicked in and selected ‘Eisbaer’ and opened a telepathy link to chat with the woman.

“Hello…Constance..?” A saddened feminine British would speak.

Upon hearing an answer, Saskia would continue in a tone that expressed grief and heartache as she began to breakdown.

“I don’t want to do this anymore, Constance. When are we going home? It’s been seven days, Constance. SEVEN!” A loud sniffle could be heard. “Time moves so slow in this world and it’s like a prison! The food is horrible and all of the villager’s hate us after the riots. I’m tired of being in this shithole of a game. I regret buying it. I just want to be back home with my family and friends…I miss my mum and dad…if this keeps up, then I’m probably not going to make payments on anything…I’ll probably lose everything. My home, my car….there would be so much debt that I’ll be ruined. I’ll…I’ll…”

More pained sniffling could be heard.

 “And I was thinking about something people were saying…if our real bodies are stuck somewhere in the real world…think about what could be happening to us. Some of us could already be dead or hospitalized. And I lived so isolated from people since Michael…so I don’t even know what’s going on. Why is this even happening to us…”

Hope’s voice cracks as she cries some more.

“All of this just drives me crazy, Constance. Instead of singing and doing something I love for money, I have to turn into some type of barbarian and get attacked by all sorts of…things…just to not starve. I barely scraped up enough to finally afford to stay at an inn, but it’s hard to sleep at night with all the worrying I’ve been doing about what’s going on. “

She heaves a heavy breath as she tries to maintain her composure, but still there are traces of sadness in her voice.

 “I think it’s also just the crazy adventurer’s and villagers in this town. I’m getting sick of it. I just need to get away. Get some fresh air. Let’s go some place. Anywhere. It’s just…all the people here. Seeing them so sad makes me sad, and I know exactly what they are going through. I’m sure you’re probably going through things, too and I hope you are holding up alright. I really do. I just..I just think it may be nice if we go out and blow some steam and get away from all the chaos of londiminium for a while until things blow over. "


Saskia waited for an answer as she wiped the tears from her face and looked outside the window. Her expression was melancholy as she noticed the misfortune that others had to sleep outside  tonight and the Landers seemed to be giving them looks of disgust as they littered the streets and she came to the realization that though she had it bad. Others were fairing much worse in this dilemma, and she began to wonder if Constance, too, was having to live like this during the first days of the riot.

"If you want, I can meet you at the town square in say… fifteen minutes? Then we can get the hell out of this crazy town.”

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: [Vylbrandia De Noir Vanity Set] , Starter Platemail, Starter Great Shield, Starter Spear, Harden's Ring, Harden's Bracelet, Amulet of Faith

ABILITIES USED: Telepathy.

Post Theme Song: Click here!







TAGS: Eisbaer

template by caesar

[Eisbaer]

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Constance was faring as well as anyone else in this strange, new world. Probably much better than some, who were too afraid to leave the safety of the city. She was one of the brave souls who was eager to get out and explore, to discover what she was truly capable of. Not much in the world of Elder Tale made sense to her, but she refused to mope around and just feel sorry for herself. That wouldn't make any of this easier, or keep her mind off her woes.

The woman shifted onto her side, and winced at the stray strands of straw that poked her through her mattress. The inn she was staying in was not...high quality, but it was all she could afford right now. Living in nicer rooms was too expensive for her to burn her coins on. That would hopefully change once she found a profitable niche, like her crafting class or other subclass. Advertisers made decent money in the real world, even those porn blogs that got paid for clicks and views. She just had to figure out who would want to purchase her services.

She rolled over onto her other side and placed her hands beneath her head. Golden eyes stared up at the ceiling, squinting every time light poofs of dust drifted down. Above her, her rambunctious neighbors (a huge werecat and a tiny elf) were consummating their relationship for the third time tonight. She was never going to get any sleep at this rate, though that was nothing new. How many nights had she spent like this, sans the obnoxious sounds of sex? If you guessed "too damn many," you'd be correct.

Work kept her up plenty. There was always something to do; background checks to run, surveillance, missing persons, digging for clues the cops couldn't find on their own, etc. And then there were the nights where life pinned her by the throat. She ignored her loneliness whenever possible, self-medicating in unhealthy ways -- how long had it been since she'd had a smoke?

Constance ran her fingers over her lips, nose sniffing for the comforting scent of nicotine. It wasn't there, of course. This wasn't her physical body, with the familiar aches and pains. Even her ankle was miraculously healed. She was still adjusting, but for the first time in years she could actually apply pressure to it without wanting to hold back a whimper.

Just as she was about to roll over for the umpteenth time that night (and maybe yell at the couple to quiet down), Constance felt a tingling in her ears. It took her a moment to realize that she was picking up a telepathic call. "Hope?" She sat up, stifling a yawn with the back of her hand. "What's up?" She didn't know what would make the girl call her at this hour, but it was a welcome distraction.

Suddenly, Hope was emptying her purse all over the restless detective. Constance felt exhaustion slowly leech at her brief rush adrenaline. Oh dear..."Easy Hope, easy." It was good for her to get it all out, but she worried for the girl's mental state. When people got frantic like this, they were either on the brink of or experiencing a mental breakdown. She'd seen this a few times from sensitive clients. Comfort was not her greatest quality; getting things done was.

She waited patiently for Hope to finish, forcing herself to leave the comfort of her rough made bed. "Look, I know you're tired -- I am too. But I don't think we should be so hasty...we're only level one. There's not a whole lot we can do." And yet she was on the move, pulling on her clothing with one hand. "I am willing to humor you, however. I'm not interested in settling down and being content with the way things are." Her last ex hated that. She was the romantic sort and wanted to make things official; get married and adopt a pug.

"I'll meet you over there in a few." She hung up shortly after, and not a moment too soon. There was a soft crack from above, followed by a soft cascade of wood chippings. The werecat was going to kill that poor elf at this rate.

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∝: 713
✏: ---
@: Saskia

瑤光

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[Saskia]

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Practicality and sensibility emanated from the Druid’s voice. The young wolf hair admired those qualities. Being one who’s entire industry focused around expressing a circle of emotions, Hope was naturally expressive and considerably irrational which created a type of dissonance that made for platinum albums. From lovelorn tales about growth through toxic relationships to songs expressing sensuality and the essence of a loving soul; Hope was always one to wear her heart on her sleeves. If she felt something, normally the world knew it. A woman like that could barely hold water. So as her emotions spilled out to the druid who lent a listening ear, she gradually felt herself feeling at least a litter better.

[break][break]

It reminded her of the time when Constance offered the customary consolation most women got after discovering the heinous truth that their partner was playing the field behind their backs. Michael was just another dirty mutt willing to occupy anything willing to spread itself open and swallow him in. Hope began to not regret the plan B pill she took after a promiscuous night when Michael decided he wasn’t ready to become a father, despite his enthusiasm to ‘mark his territory’ that night. Men could be dogs sometimes, but Michael was a special breed of stupid.

[break][break]

As Saskia got dressed, she began to contemplate the vision of the pictures of Michael in the back seat of in car in a secluded corner of the neighborhood where the streets ended in a dead end. The photographs Constance took made Hope’s sanctuary of love crack into pieces. But nothing quite hit her like when she witnessed that he didn’t even bother to clean up the genetic residue he left on the back seat. He always was a sloppy criminal. At least, that’s what Constance’s reports had found after the trail of bread crumbs he left behind.

[break][break]

After putting on the short sleeved purple turtleneck and sliding on her dark purple cargo pants, she buckled her double faceted black belt, and threw on her dark brown trench coat. The crazy thing about traveling at night during the winter in the heart of Londiminium was that it was bound to be cold. Fortunately, her gear provided several layers that would warm her through the night.

[break][break]

Other nights, she had Michael for that, but at least now she could write off having to worry about ever seeing or hearing from him ever again. Perhaps this world did have a bright side after all.

[break][break]

After taking a moment to undo the makeshift wrap she made for her hair from ripped bed sheets, she began to fix her hair before reaching under the bed and withdrawing her black combat boots, the final piece to her [Vylbrandia Darklight] Vanity Set. After accenting herself with a few accessories, she took a moment to cool off. The rhythm of her heartbeat finally slowed as she tried to plan for a positive day. The doorknob clicked as she cracked it open and slipped outside, being sure to be light on her feat as she skulked down the stairs.

[break][break]

She was happy that the druid obliged, as this little midnight excursion might do her some good to unwind. As Hope left the inn, she could feel the frigid winds as she exhaled a cloud of white mist. She started to wonder if perhaps she would be able to conjure up a flame one day. It certainly would have helped keep her warm.

[break][break]

The town was obscenely quiet, with the exception of preying courtesans and several shady figures with dark hoods. They seemed to be ever so vigilant of the guards’ patrol routes as the armored protectors of the city maneuvered their way through the town square. Hope wandered the streets looking like a lost puppy, bumping into a courtesan, and offering timid apologies in return for her clumsiness.
After finding the town square, Hope would isolate herself from the crowds, sitting down on the edge of the fountain, with her hands in her pockets, cold air rising from her pink lips.

[break][break]

Suddenly, a stranger approached her. It was a wee dwarf, traveling about in a drunken stupor, reeking of a brewery.
“Pardon me, lass.” He hiccupped as he scurried to lean over the edge and puked into the lovely fountain at the center of the town.

[break][break]

“Ugh. Disgusting! I know he did not just...” Saskia groaned in disbelief as she pulled the flap of her trenchcoat over her nose, gazing at the red bearded dwarf in disgust.

[break][break]

“Ughh…spilled me guts back there, didn’t I?” The dwarf laughed heartily. “Ohh…I think I might ‘ave coughed up my lef’ kidney…oh…I think I need to rest..” He groaned as he leaned down on the floor and passed out at the scene.

[break][break]

Hope was not used to this bizarre town, but it was definitely true: The freaks did come out at night. After relocating away from the horrid smell of dwarven sleezebag, Saskia waited underneath a lightpole, trying to make herself noticeable for when Eisbaer arrived.

[break][break]

Unfortunately, that might not have been such a bright idea either when a suspicious looking elf began eyeballing her, clearing undressing her with his eyes.

[break][break]

“Mm..you know… I always had a thing for you wolf hairs..I hear we can make your eyes light up and bring that primal nature out of you…always wondered what something like that might be like…so how much you selling it for?” The elf said as he held his hands in his pocket with a smug expression.

[break][break]

“Excuse me?” An angered pair of brows clenched tightly together in response as Hope squinted maliciously at the woman.

[break][break]

“Come on, baby…every girl has their price…what’s yours?” The elf snickered as he slid his fingers up towards her hair. “I’d like to run my hands through that pretty pink hair. "

[break][break]

Hope smacked the hand away immediately, growling at the man with her fangs. “Don’t touch! And I’m not for sale scumbag, now get lost before I call the guards!” She raged at the elf scornfully.

[break][break]

“Easy, baby…I’m gone. “ The elf stated as he slid back like a serpent. “Don’t have to tell me twice.... “ He walked a few steps before waving a hand back at her, " but I’ll be seeing you around…feisty little wolf hair.”

[break][break]

“Tch…asshole…” Hope scoffed as her eyes lost their golden glow and reverted back to their clean cerulean hue. “I am so ready to get out of this freaking cesspool…” She muttered in a white breath as she noticed a familiar feminine figure approaching.

[break][break]
Eisbaer

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made by jaronart

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[Eisbaer]

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Prowling this medieval(?) themed world in khakis and a collared shirt felt awfully off-putting. Despite (or in spite of) the late hour, there were still people going to and fro. Some were huddled up together for warmth, others lurking within the shadows like thugs or drug dealers. If she had a purse, now would be the time to feel compelled to holding it close. As far as she knew, it was impossible to actually steal from someone, provided they had the mind to store their valuables in their inventory. That was a safe guard that made this world ideal to the real in some ways.

She stiffened when a dwarf brushed against her hip, almost kneeing the little man in reflex of a self defense course she took a few years ago. As a PI and a woman, she had to know how to defend herself. The dwarf staggered back, shrinking at the sight of the tall woman and unmistakable wolf hair characteristics. She gave him a look that said "Watch where you're going," and lightly slapped him in the face with her tail when turning away. It was still a work in process, but soon she would master these racial quirks.

The rest of her walk was uneventful, though she could not help but notice some animosity between a woman and what appeared to be an elf. Constance's ears lowered in displeasure at what she presumed to be sexual harassment. An agitated woman and a man in the middle of the street was always cause for concern. This time, it ended before she could even intervene.

Her wolfish traits receded by the time she was within arms reach of Hope, though her expression remained one of concern. The younger woman seemed fine, from what she could see. And if the man had tried something, the guards would be here by now. One creep was nothing to worry about unless they returned for more trouble, so she decided to leave it alone for now, unless Hope was rattled enough to bring it up.

"Hope, are you all right?" That was a question that could be related to the girl's distress call, or the encounter from a few moments ago. It was also redundant as hell, yet society dictated they play along with arbitrary rules. "Cause usually people start having second thoughts right about now."

Sometimes, all they needed was the walk and fresh air.

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∝: 410
✏: Distress Signal
@: Saskia

瑤光

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[Saskia]

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A loosely clenched hand raised above her chest as the wolf hair released a relieved sigh as the shadow of the man vanished into the shade of an alley. She felt the tension remain stagnant as the saw the glint on the broken glass from the dwarfs bottle of booze. Her eyes faltered at the sight of the town of Londiminium as courtesans snickered by large vases of decorative flowers. Lights from the windowsill’s in the second story flickered out as the shadows from behind them disappeared back into their quarters. From the disgruntled glares the two were receiving from the native villagers, it seemed their audience wasn’t exactly too welcoming of the adventurers.
[break][break]
“Is this really where we can call our refuge?” Hope looked up at the dark haired Druid with doubtful eyes. She took a moment to weigh Constance’s question carefully. She wasn’t exactly all to confident in what was worse; the idea of returning to her bed and being left alone with her thoughts, or the notion of roaming in the darkest of night with the unknown predators of the nightlife. Hopefully, she could find her light in the comfort of people she could grow to call her friend.
[break][break]

“ I guess it’s true what they say...the freaks really do come at night. “ Hope folded her arms, casting a scowling glance at the courtesans that laughed at her plight.
[break][break]

“I’ll be fine. I’ve dealt with fans that have been a little…overzealous in their approach before. Maybe I was just…at the wrong place at the wrong time…” A saddened gaze lifted up at Constance, perhaps seeking validation. “We aren’t exactly in the best district in the city… I’ve heard these are the kind that lurk around at night do less than reputable things for less than respectable people. So let’s head to a district that’s a little bit…less slummy.”
[break][break]

With that, the wolf hair began to walk towards the market district, if only just to find a place that offered serenity, even if that serenity had to be found in more guard patrols.
[break][break]

“Seems to be a lot of troublemakers at night… but we’re in the city…so won’t those Royal Guards show up if there is any fighting in the city?” Hope asked, as she reflected upon her first time meeting them. “Those things were pretty scary… watching them destroy all those adventurers during the riot. I never seen so many people die like that. It was like watching a mass genocide. So many people…our people exterminated like that. “
[break][break]

Hope’s eyes lingered on the floor. A sign of her innate fears and depression. “Of course the adventurers were all acting like idiots, but when they tried to attack back…I was useless…though they outnumbered the Royal Guards by like an army to one. The guards ripped through them like paper. “
[break][break]

Hope continued the path as she noticed wagons being pulled by horses arrive at the Fancy Vixen. It seemed that a shipment of arms were being shipped and exported somewhere as several heavily armored landers seemed to be standing guard outside of wagon. However, their armor was unlike the guards of Londiminium.
[break][break]

Hope’s eyes noticed that their armor seemed to be much more technological advanced than any other villagers she had encountered. However, as one of the guards turned his head in her direction, she shifted her gaze towards Constance and continued talking. “You know…I don’t know what’s been going on..but lately...I’ve been seeing dead people. Like…there was a girl. I saw her during the riots. I know for sure that she died. She was crushed underneath one of those large battleaxes. Yet, I could have swore I saw her in the marketplace the other day. Then there was this guy eating breakfast at the inn, I know for sure he got shot three times in the back by an archer and disappeared. Something strange is going on here, Constance. The dead are coming back to life…”
[break][break]

Hope had mixed feelings about the situation. She was sure Constance would call her crazy, but she knew what she saw. What she witnessed was very real. She never imagined what life would be like if a person where absolved of the notion of death. Being beyond the ability to cease to exist was remarkable, yet it seemed to defy the will of natural universe. Could they possibly be as immortal as time itself?

Eisbaer

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[Eisbaer]

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One didn't need to question the validity of the pink haired woman's claim. Anyone with eyes and some sense in their head could tell that Adventurers were unwelcome here. Constance was still struggling with whether or not it was their mere presence or the riots to blame for the animosity of the NPCs. Probably a fair bit of both, to be honest. To them, Adventurers were savage outlanders, out to lay claim to things that did not belong to them, along with harming the people of the land.

As someone who was born and raised in a predominantly Korean neighborhood, she was used to blending in with the crowd. The only times she truly stood out were college, and when she set up shop in a more predominantly...white area. It was a slap in a face at first, and the not so subtle racism agitated her at times, but eventually she grew accustomed to it. She could do the same here if she tried.

"It's all we've got," she simply put. Now was not the time to play on separate sides. If they were going to be living in this world, no matter how temporarily, then adaptation was top priority. "I've always been a minority of some sort. There are two options, as I've always seen it: you can allow them to get to you, or hold your head up proud and show them what you're capable of."

She didn't show it in her stoic expression or the way she carried herself, but Constance carried plenty of emotional and some physical scars. One night, she cried on her ex's shoulder after a Brexit supporter shoved her off her bike and demanded she "go home". It wasn't the first time someone expressed similar sentiments to her, but they were never so bold, either. They mostly said it with their eyes, so she could brush them off and go on her way. But to actually put their hands on her and leave her lying in the street, a gash forming on her forehead?

Constance briefly clenched her hands into fists. That was a time where she had to sincerely take her own advice to heart, and she liked to think she came out stronger for it. "Yeah. neep 'em." Comfort was not her strong suit at the moment, but she was trying. She had to be strong for Hope's sake. "There's not much they can do to us in the city, but I really need a change in scenery."

She followed Hope, slowing her gait so as to not outpace the shorter woman. "It's...unsettling, but I'm glad to have the Guard on our side if something goes tits up. I missed the slaughter, fortunately." She was one of the lucky few to do so. Dying, even if only temporary, was not her idea of a good time.

There was more she wanted to say on the subject, but out of fear of scaring Hope, refrained. As far as she knew, death was not a permanent thing in this world -- for Adventurers, anyway. She could not say the same for the people of the land.

"...you what?" Hope's claim was so outlandish that Constance's steps fell out of rhythm. "I. I don't think you're seeing the dead." It was just a theory she had, but considering some skills involved raising dead allies, she felt confident in her skepticism. There was something about a church, as well. "It's a game, remember? Even if you did see similar people, it's highly possible their avatars mirror those of others. Personally, I think it's simpler than that."

How did that Sherlock quote go? Something about accepting the weirdest explanation when all others failed? "You could be seeing the dead, but they never truly died, if that makes sense. In games like these, your character respawns. And this is a world where magic exists, so anything is possible, ne?" It felt like a stretch, but that's what her instincts were telling her. "Of course, the best way to find out is via experience or asking someone who has gone through it already." Personally, she preferred the option where she didn't die.

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∝: 704
✏: Deadmau5 x Clannad
@: Saskia

瑤光

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