Welcome to the world of 2425. Following a botched first-contact with an alien species known as the Ferricks several years ago, and an equally unsuccessful second and third attempt at creating an alliance Earth has for all intents and purposes become both a lab and a dumping ground for various species across at least two galaxies. The United States in particular has been the site of a failed attempt to bring about Ragnarok for reasons known only to those who attempted it, sees a new plague per week, and on all too frequent a basis someone will randomly wake up with magic that ends up doing them more harm than good. Humans are a scrappy bunch though (kind of like the cockroaches of the cosmos) so they’ve been trying to make the best of an absolutely bonkers situation. In this odd new world governed by self-declared royalty, an ever-changing moral code, and a shadowy fae fronted mafia do you have what it takes to survive long enough to find out what, if anything, awaits you in the last place in America reported to be untouched by the chaos, a place where you may finally find peace or a way off this planet for good? Do you have what it takes to brave the Journey to the end of the world?

Basic rules:

*One entry per participant with a consistent look and personality throughout the contest (any major alterations e.g. hair color change must be explained in the story in some way e.g. you don't have to detail the process of dying your hair but another character should notice it).

*This contest is 5 rounds, every round will last 120 hours. Timeliness is going to be very important in this contest. In your impressions each of you will be given a choice about how you want to proceed for that round, you’ll need to PM me what you want to do and I’ll give you some insight. So for example the initial impression may read something like "your party was the first to embark on the northwestern trail towards your first destination Old Orleans. The trip is supposed to take 3 days but on day 2 you encounter a hitchhiker on the side of the road asking for a lift to a religious site that'll veer you off course significant and delay you by 3 additional days. Do you agree to take the drifter where he wants to go or do you decide against it?". Keep in mind that these will be 5 day rounds but this is NOT the type of contest where you can play catch up so if you miss a round your party will be viewed as being “delayed” and your choices in the next round will be the same choices you had for the round you missed.

*The contest is both edit and non-edit

*Please keep my characters as I wrote them/am writing them. Most of us know Tonk's Lucifer rule, it's a great one, I'm not going to bother reposting it, just please follow it.

* I’m NOT asking you to write standard stories for this contest, instead think of your entries more like logs or diaries that center around specific incidents/interactions that happen during the round. Those of you who went on the Orion Mission are familiar with this format; those of you that didn’t can look at those entries for an idea of what I’m talking about because the contestants executed the idea far better than I can explain it.

Round 1 Info

Round 1 will take place during the first 7 days of your journey. All of you will be starting at various points along the east coast.


In your entry please include all of the following from the team claim OR if you're new include it as follows:

Name

Age

Face Claim

Role

Personality Traits

Story based on the first seven days of your journey (see initial impressions for starting points, further instructions will follow after I'm told your choices).

Outfit(s) Show me what you were wearing when you first began your journey and feel free to post additional looks as you see  fit

When your entry is complete please write R1 complete or something similar in your entry.

R1 will end Thursday August 12 23:30

Last edited by Dare (07/08/2021 at 23:23)

UPDATE: I've had some questions about the world so if you're interested here's what's what. Please note that if you've already written something that contradicts this info, that's fine, don't rewrite it.

Question 1: What do the Ferricks look like?

Ferricks are humanoid creatures except they all have violet eyes and an extra pinky finger. Ferrick halflings (half Ferrick/half humans) are identifiable by an extra thumb). When Ferricks get sick or covered in mange of some sort they start to sprout coarse hair behind the ears that cannot be cut as a matter of culture.

Question 2: What's the world like?

It's 2045, there have been wars and catastrophic climate change and aliens and magic but there are still some things you'd consider to be normal. Electricity still exists, there's still indoor plumbing, supermarkets and fast food places are a thing but everything is more scarce. In looking for a pop culture reference it may help to think of it like the world in "The Hunger Games". There's still wealth, there's still poverty, there's still life and there's still people trying to make a way forward. If I'm not detailed enough for you when I introduce a specific location, please PM me.

[/i]

Question 3: What are the masked markets like?

Think of them like giant open air bazaars where everything is for sale but no one wants to be seen buying or selling because of the illicit nature of some of the items. These are pop up style places so they don't have fixed locations and sometimes they'll be long gone before you need them.

Question 4: How do Ferricks deal with crime?

Okay so I debated answering this one because I didn't want to sway any future decision making but in the interest of fairness I'll answer it...sort of. The Ferricks aren't earth police per se but if you harm one of them or try to get something through a checkpoint that you shouldn't you'll be subjected to "reassignment". The only way to find out what that means is to get in enough trouble to have it happen.

Below please find your initial impressions. If you have questions PM me.

BambiFoxx

Neither Aleric or Caleb can remember quite when (or how) you showed up at the Night Train but they’re willing to let you on as a passenger as long as you promise to pull your weight and not cause any trouble you can’t get yourself out of because neither of them has the time or inclination to deal with a damsel in distress. While your first day of travel will go smoothly on day two you’ll begin to notice that not only is the ride rougher but that the brothers seem to be fighting, albeit in hushed tones. Late in the evening they’ll come to you with Aleric telling you it’s time to prove you’re not just a pretty face, the train needs fuel and it needs it fast do you want to:

a) Take your chances at a nearby masked market that’ll it’ll take you and one of the brothers a full day to reach on foot to see if you can acquire something (anything) that’ll keep the train running…

b) Try to reason with the brothers that it’s their train and therefore their problem…

Please PM me your choice.

Fashion-Chic

Sav is more willing than Dom to have you along for this ride but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to be willing to cut you any slack. Traveling northwest from Boston your parties first stop is what used to be the Met in Old New York, a place that it takes you three days to reach thanks to heavy rains. Dom and Sav are at the museum looking for something to make a trade with a woman known only as the curator who’ll appear as a veiled holographic figure. She turns down every offer they make when Sav pulls you to the side and tells you that he knows exactly where the item is and that he’s going after it but wants your help, do you:

a) agree to go with Sav to retrieve the item…

b) offer an alternative solution…

Please PM me your choice; if you select option b let me know what your solution is

Schogettchen

Both Brayden and Chase are glad to have you as a part of their traveling party believing that there is safety in numbers and as hard workers themselves they respect your role as a laborer. Traveling southwest from a Maryland farm towards the sovereign state of New Appalachia after only a few hours your party is flagged down by a trio of women in white who ask for your help in setting up a their new encampment as they lost their old one, and many of their friends, after they built it over a fairy circle, do you:

a) agree to help them even though it will delay your trip by several days…

b) argue against helping them and insist that your group travels forward…

Please PM me your choice.

Zaralee

While Mercucio will be happy to have you along for what he calls “the festivities”, Wren is less certain about your presence and how it may alter their travels. When you first encounter them they’ll be in a lavishly appointed double-decker bus headed towards destinations westward but otherwise unknown. For the first day of your travels things will go well but a Ferrick checkpoint at what used to be one of the borders between New Jersey and Pennsylvania poses a problem as the bus is not only charmed with illegal magic but may or may not have been the personal vehicle of a Ferrick high official, do you:

a) advocate for leaving the bus before you have to go through the checkpoint…

b) advocate for taking your chances on the bus...

Please PM me your choice.

J3zab3ll

Bex and Vix will be energetic and eager to make friends with you as you leave New New Jersey behind  for destinations westward. Your party will narrowly avoid a Ferrick checkpoint which is being dismantled as you set out on the first day but on the second day as you’re crossing into the Ohio deserts  you’ll encounter a shrouded figure on the side of the road with a sign that reads “Help”, do you:

a) advocate that you stop and help this person…

b) advocate that you leave them where they are and keep driving…

if you select option a let me know how you want to help them e.g. by offering them a ride, by giving them supplies etc.

Please PM me your choice.

Last edited by Dare (09/08/2021 at 16:18)

the missing form

Name: Delphine Easterbrook
Age: 25
Role: Influencer
Group: The Collectors, Mercucio & Wren

Traits: extroverted, loyal, impatient, wicked, observant, likes the attention but only when she wants it, spoilt, snobbish, charming (most of the time), witty, relentless, curious, brave (bordering on reckless), adventurous.

Bio
Delphine was born in 2400 - a year considered to be a lucky one in the middle of very unlucky circumstances. She grew up protected, she grew up without actually being aware of the situation around her, and by the time she was old enough to develop some sense of compassion, she could not bother to give a shit.

Delphine never fails to mention she was named after the ancient temple site Delphi which has been associated with prophecies and prophets, which then turns into a story of her supposed foresight: predicting things, events, social scandals, which has, more times than not, had more to do with people being predictable, lies being far to easy to say, her own curious mind and hawk-eyed personality, impeccable timing and, willingness to push people into her desired narrative.

Normally, with Delphine, it's more about the things she keeps to herself. She is still able to surprise herself with her willingness to go the extra mile to get what she wants, or at least manipulate someone into giving it to her.

general plan, just in case

thank you, Rach, for the idea!

i. beginning of the journey
ii. getting some conversations with either, possibly learning about the bus ownership, checkpoint we're talking about in the choice of the round
iii. advocating staying on the bus, getting through the checkpoint
iv. driving & bus malfunctioning

chapter i

The lavish double-decker bus looked like little bits of gold glimmering on the high noon sun. It clearly was fashioned according to the ones illustrated in the old books about old London, but she liked the balance between the old and the new.

Delphine threw a quick smile to Mercucio, as she walked past him and towards Wren, who sat on the stairs of the bus, looking her up and down as she approached with a small luggage bag and a smile on her red lips.

“Majestic day to start the journey,” Delphine says. Wren shrugged her shoulders, disinterested in her observations. She continues sitting, Delphine stood in front of her.

“Care to move?”

“Care to use the back entrance?” Wren replies without so much as shifting gaze anywhere.

“I’m already–“ she sighs, pushing her lips into an angry dot, rolling her eyes and heading to the back. She doesn't have that much choice if she were, to be honest, but there is very little chance of that happening, anyway. So, she does the unthinkable, biting her tongue for a wild moment, which amused Wren additionally - she caught onto her smirk as she stepped into the bus and saw her leaning towards her.

Delphine dragged whatever she managed to carry to the upper deck, almost tumbling down on her (far too high) heels on her way down (she would not really admit it, and she had to bring those for the trip, she honestly did not have the heart to leave them behind).

"Are we set, then?" Mercucio steps onto the bus, Delphine nodding to him, while Wren did nothing much, asides from stepping deeper into the bus, finding her comfortable spot on the soft cushions near the two. -"So, we can leave."

Surprise washed over her face, making Mercucio chuckle, and Wren looked pretty happy with herself and Dee just went with the moment, finding her spot next to the window - they headed to the west, she realizes as they drove past a familiar brownstone and she decides to pay one little bit of respect to her family home before, hopefully) seeing it for the last time.

chapter ii

Had this been another moment, Dee might be inclined to sulk about no one putting much attention to her being there, present for the ride, but given the circumstances and the fact this was a one-way trip for her, she chooses silence.

Mercucio had a few maps out on the table, displayed very clearly without a marking set on them – nothing betrayed the destination whatsoever. Dee looked at them for a moment, eyes travelling the roads and paths trying to figure out any sign of their potential destination that might or might not be drawn in. Brows furrowed, she leans in a little bit more before blinking once as she glanced up, locking eyes with Mercucio. Lips spread into a Cheshire cat grin.

"Are you any good at reading maps?"

"I like to think I am," Dee replied, leaning back in her seat. -"Maybe if you told me where we're headed—"

"You aren't driving, so what's the point?" Wren reminds Dee of her existence, stepping from the upper deck with the same unamused look on her face, which seemed to have been exclusively reserved for Dee, as she confirmed by flashing a smile to Mercucio before assuming her position across from them.

"Is curiosity a good enough reason?" Dee tried.

"Maybe on another day," Wren replied without missing a beat.

"Is there anything I am allowed to ask?" her patience was wearing thin.

"Permission to disembark, I guess?" she chuckles to her own reply. Mercucio rolled his eyes shortly.

"We might have to postpone this bonding for a moment," he says finally, diverting his eyes to Wren. -“There’s a checkpoint ahead.”

For the first time, she actually seemed interested.

“What? When?”

“I’m guessing within an hour,” he says and the bus started to slow down a bit, as she got up, heading to the map. His finger points to what used to be a border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and her expression is suddenly worse than at any point when she talks to Dee.

“What’s the matter?” Dee asks.

“A bump in the road,” Wren replies, staring at the map as if the answer will show itself there. Well, it might, Dee assumed in the end, considering Wren sees beyond this realm, or reality or whatever one might wanna call it.

“Understatement of the day,” Mercucio replies, glancing at Dee. -“Maybe we should considering finding another transport.”

Wren looked very displeased, hands crossed on her chest, brows furrowed. She glanced at Mercucio, but instead of saying much, she delivers on nothing.

“Okay, if someone m–" Dee tried, only to be interrupted with the answer she was asking, but the tone she did not care for.

“If you haven’t noticed, Delphine, no one is driving this bus and I assume you do know what magic is, and that there ar–“

“I’m not stupid,” Dee snaps finally. -“Illegal magic is something that can be dealt with if this is your only concern,” she furrows her brows, waving her hand dramatically towards the cockpit. –“I can drive while we go through the checkpoint if this makes it seem less suspicious,” she added.

Nothing on their faces changed one bit.

“Well, that might be helpful,” Mercucio continued and she smiles at him, nodding. -“Only, this bus might or might have been a property of a high official,”

“Please don’t say Ferrick,”

“It’s Ferrick official,” his tone is a bit more playful than one might like, but there’s very little she can do about it. -“Quite high for that matter, right?” He glanced at Wren, she grimaced as she nodded.

“Yeah, very,” Wren confirms.

“So, we’re driving in a stolen bus soaked in illegal magic,” Dee chuckled, unsure of what else to do at this point. She sat back down, looking out the window.

“Can we adjust our route?” Wren asked, Mercucio shook his head in disapproval. -“Go around it? Is there even a checkpoint there?”

“This is the best route, heading towards Ohio, no way around it,” he says.

“Checkpoint is there,” Dee interjected, shrugging her shoulders. -“We’ll just have to go through it,”

“Or leave the bus,” Mercucio replied.

“No,” Dee hears herself say immediately. Wren’s brows dart up in surprise, a bit of suspicion too, she imagines, and she turns towards Dee.

“What do you suggest?”

“Take our chance on the bus,” she says, considering it might get them fucked up in the process, yet she is fairly certain her call is the right call: an unexplainable moment of intuition or burning desire she is translating into intuition? Who knows, who cares.

There’s no answer from either side, but she is adamant in defending her opinion.

“Is there any other place we can find another transportation?”

“I guess no,” Mercucio replied.

“And there is no other way, so instead of walking to wherever we’re heading, we stay on the bus and see what happens when we get to the checkpoint.”

Nothing.

“Are you really telling me you’ll willing to walk?” Dee turns to Wren. She did not answer, but that girl was not willing to walk to the other side of the street if she did not have to do it. -“So, I’m guessing we’re gonna see what happens when we get there.”

She wished she sounded more confident as she said it.

chapter iii

They arrived at the checkpoint at dusk.

Dee felt her heartbeat louder as she made her way to the front of the bus, Mercucio sitting behind the wheel, pretending to be driving. There were a couple more vehicles before them, she makes her way to the seat right behind him, prompting him to glance over his shoulder, a smirk lighting up his face.

“Nervous?”

“Not really,” she said. It felt like she should have been, but it could have to do with a lifetime full of actions without proper consequences that made her both overly confident in her decisions and detached from it, making her detached from any sort of outcome-related thoughts. She could claim that this is true, and to some extent, it was, but with long-lasting deprivation from any real repercussions, there was no certainty in that. Yet, to Dee, her words were true: she would panic, she would consider her options, she would do as she wished and she would move on with her life.

“The moment of truth,” he says, as they approached the outpost. The bus door open, and two guards standing outside boarded the bus, more interested in the conversation between them.

“It’s a huge thing,” the first one said, moving his weapon from one hand to another, quickly throwing a glance towards Wren, who just sat in her usual spot, silent. It took a moment for all three of them to notice the extra thumb. Perhaps, there was hope? –“Anyone else on the bus?”

“No, just this little party of three,” Wren replied in her own way, flashing a smile. Fake one, but still a smile.

“This bus seems to be another thing,” the second one took another step inside, glancing around, and up the stairs.

“What’s taking you this long?” a third guard stepped onboard, glancing at the two already inside, and then the three humans. -"If I miss out on anything–“

“This one still hasn’t decided if he’s going,” the one standing near the stairs replies shortly as the third one rolled his eyes.

“Screwdriver is one of the best spots, are you out of your mind?” he seemed annoyed, and Dee looked all over her mind in search of one answer: where in the world did she hear that name?

“He’s right, you know?” she speaks all of a sudden, grabbing everyone’s attention at once. -“Screwdriver is the best destination,” she nods, giving one playful smile to the third guard.

“What do you know about clubs here?”

“Oh, yeah, I have a friend who spent a year here recently,” she replied. -“She moved north a few days ago, we’re heading there for a visit, but she raved about Screwdriver, right, guys?”

“Endlessly,” Wren continued. -“She would just refuse to shut up about it,”

“See?” the third guy seemed convinced, glancing at his friends, until there’s an annoyed sigh coming from the reluctant one and he leads the way out. The three of them got out, and as Mercucio was about to close the door, the third guard continued, staring straight at Dee.

“If you have no other plans, you should come and check it out for yourself,” he says.

“We’d love to,” she replies with a small pout. -“Only we promised her to be at her new house by tomorrow, and we’ve already wasted too much time,” she delivers the line with a regretful look and a small shrug. -“On our way back, for sure,” she ends with a promise.

He nodded, glancing once again at Wren, before he stepped away from the bus, closing the door.

Once they were far enough, Dee feels a rush of relief and plasters a smug smile on her face.

“How did you know about a club here?” Mercucio asks, turning towards her.

“I don’t,” Dee replied. -“It’s the end of the shift, it’s either someplace to eat, drink or fuck, nothing else to do around these outposts,” she concluded - one thing she picked up from the guards her family used to hire was that - and it made her feel more than just good to have been right about this, you could always see the glow of it on her.

"Are you always this smug when you do something well?"

"Do well?" Dee scoffed. -"I killed that, I fucking nailed that, and yeah, I'm also used to getting things to go my way," she concluded, with a playful shrug. They got far away from the outpost, and Mercucio got up from the driving seat, standing up, right next to where she sat, glancing shortly at her before he moved to the back of the bus.

"I wouldn't mind living with that expression," he noted playfully. -"Especially if it means the luck stays on your side."

chapter iv

Dee woke up a few hours later, still holding the book on her chest, fingers pressed neatly around it. She makes out the shadows around her, noticing she is not the only one sitting there: Wren was. looking into the empty space in front of her, and Dee was unsure if she was asleep or awake, just blankly staring into, well, nothing.

"Are you going to stare at me for the rest of the day?"

"Ah, good, you're neither dead nor asleep," she raised her brows, rolling her eyes, as she simply readjusted, bringing herself to open the book again, even though she did not feel like reading.

She just felt talking to Wren even less.

Wren moved her hair a little bit, thin nails pulling the blonde strands to the side of her face, as they both sat there in silence. Now, Dee is a curious girl - always has been - yet, Wren is not awakening this in her.

No, absolutely not: the sheer pettiness that resides in her due to the fact Wren is openly disliking her is bigger than the curiosity she feels about her powers and she sees no way of changing that.

When she wants - truly wants - she can make herself disinterested in something, or someone: no matter how much she might have liked it at first.

She gets up, closing the book, trying to go to bed - there was little to nothing to do right now, except for sleep, perhaps, and she drags the book along.

"Ancient times name, outdated clothes, and now old books," Wren says, tone loud enough to be heard, and to make Dee abandon her plans.

"You look like you could star in one of those books, so, I'll take the expert's word for it," she replied nonchalantly. -"And now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go to get some sleep, so if you want to chat, you can just start, not throw insults," she said.

"Who told you I want to talk to you?"

Dee just scoffs at that, giving it a playful shrug.

"You just did," she replied. -"Hope it can be an actual conversation the next time, tho."

chapter v

There is no way of saying why Mercucio is the leader of their little group: it would make more sense to be equal-part, but the fact Wren really seems to care very little of anything else happening outside her own bubble might be the cause.

Eyes jumping between the two, Dee tries to keep her mind on the book, but the endless - and she does mean endless, which carries weight as she was a guest to many such celebrations - drive through Ohio seems to be playing tricks on her. She is unable to focus, she is bored, she is restlessly sitting in a tin box and in the middle of nowhere.

She exhaled.

"What's the matter?" Mercucio said.

"I'm feeling restless," she says. -"Are we in a huge rush or can we make a stop at a market, at some point?"

"I believe something could be arranged," he replied shortly and she stays silent for another moment, fingers wrapped around the book in another attempt to focus on the words written on the thinning paper. Dee's eyes grew heavy, she feels like she could sleep (some more) and settles comfortably into the seat.

Book slammed to the table before she wakes her up, startled.

Wren smirked. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"You two can try to play nice," Mercucio seems like he is supposed to be interested and is not doing the best effort in pretending to be. Wren remains silent, so Dee does the same. He glanced up, neither responded.

"Come on—"

He's interrupted by a loud bang, prompting all three of them to stand up, Dee watching around as the bus slowed down.

"Wren?"

"I am not doing anything," she says, walking to the door as the bus came to the halt. There was a cloud of smoke coming from the engine, blinding all three as they came out.

Westward ho! to the west! she remembers something she'd seen in a book once.

Right now, a westward no, would be more precise.

Done.

Last edited by Zaralee (12/08/2021 at 13:08)

Kyra / The Farmers / Laborer

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

Name: Kyra

Age: 30

FC: Phoebe Tonkin

Role: Laborer

Personality Traits: Strong, athletic, fit & capable of handling herself should the need arise. Awkward around people & in social situations; doesn't know what to say or how to deal with them. Her decisions are usually rash & impulsive; doesn't plan ahead or think about possible consequences. Calm, collected & not easily angered; often appears as if she isn't showing any emotions at all. Tends to forget about her limits & often doing too many things at the same time, but is capable of dealing with the lack of sleep. Hard worker & doesn't stop until the job is done. Prefers to do everything on her own before asking for help; used to relying on herself only. Great orientation skills; knows her fair share about hunting & fishing.

Story

Start of Journey

I

Kyra hugged her knees close to her chest as she sat on the backseat, eyes looking out one of the windows watching as they kept driving past abandoned buildings... not many people lived in this area and those who did, only because they had nowhere else to go.

She didn't pay much attention to Brayden and Chase who sat in front of the car and chatted with each other. The car - or maybe it was a small bus - wasn't the most luxurious one but it was somewhat spacious and more importantly, it worked.

It still felt strange to be on this journey... a journey to the one place untouched by all the chaos. Part of Kyra didn't believe it to be true, she had seen too much in the past years, she had witnessed the pain and suffering herself... one of the reasons why she preferred to be on her own.

And yet I'm here. Kyra thought to herself leaning her head against the car window.

It had been a spur of the moment... another of her rash and not well-thought-through decisions. Her work at the farm had been done, her things had been packed and she was ready to leave when Brayden and Chase had shown up. With no next goal on Kyra's mind yet... no idea which place she would go to, it seemed like the most obvious choice to join them.

"Kyra?"

The woman turned her head away from the window and towards the voice of Chase, "Yes?"

"I asked if you are hungry." he tilted his head to the side with a questioning expression.

"I could eat." She replied carefully as she wasn't used to people who looked after her... or cared for her needs.

Chase offered a smile in return before he reached something out of her sight, "Just one moment."

Kyra didn't expect him to climb over the seats before settling down across from her. She blinked a few times before finally accepting the small bag he was holding out in her direction.
 
"Ehm, thank you," she mumbled.

"And are you excited about our trip?" Chase asked smile still on his lips.

"Well... I." Kyra felt lost and unsure... social situations weren't her thing and never would be. But now that she was on this trip... travelling in a car for the next days if not weeks until they would eventually reach the place Brayden and Chase had spoken off. It seemed like avoiding the men wasn't going to be an option unless Kyra was ready to be dropped off at the next inhabited place.

"I don't know yet." she finally said after a long moment of awkward silence had passed between them.

Kyra could feel his eyes on her as she pulled out a piece of bread from the bag he had handed her earlier. It wasn't much... but what was in those strange times? Not to mention that in the end, it was better than nothing at all.

"What about you?" the question sounded strange and not as it came from Kyra herself.

It is all about making an effort... the woman thought to herself as she took a small bite from the bread.

"I'm pretty excited." Chase beamed at her, "I know that we probably have a long and adventurous journey ahead of us but I think it will be certainly worth it in the end."

”How did you...” she pointed awkwardly at Chase and then at Brayden.

”Met?” the young man offered with a chuckle, ”We are from the same farming community... when we heard about the place, it just felt right to go looking for it together.”

”Oh.” Kyra blinked again.

”What about you?”

”What about me?” she replied confused and eyebrows knitted together.

"Well, I noticed that you were ready to leave before Brayden and I showed up and..." He stopped mid-sentence scratching the back of his head, ”Is there nobody waiting for you?"

That was certainly a question Kyra hadn't been expecting... usually because she didn't meet many people that cared much about others but also because she liked to stick to herself.

”No." She replied, her voice sounding surprisingly firm and slightly cold.

"Oh... I didn't say anything stupid, or did I?” Chase said lips pressed together.

Kyra only shook her head. Truth was that there hadn't been someone in her life she would even slightly consider family for a very long time. She couldn't remember her parents or if she ever had any siblings. It had always been her and no one else.

”I'm still sorry, Kyra." Chase said smiling slightly as he looked at her.

"It is alright." She shrugged.

"Well, I'm going back to Brayden. I offered to take over as our driver." He started climbing back towards the front of the car but stopped for a brief moment to turn back to her, "Don't hesitate to ask him or me should you need something."

II

Part of Kyra had suspected that sooner or later they would run into some kind of trouble or problem... given the strange times they lived in, it was only natural. They had been on the road for a few hours heading southwest towards the sovereign state of New Appalachia... a place the woman hadn't heard much about. And yet it was still strange that trouble showed up in the appearance of three women dressed completely in white. She had expected Ferricks or maybe Fae but not that.

Kyra stayed in the background watching Brayden and Chase as they spoke with the women.

"Thank you for stopping." One of them said, her face hidden underneath her white cloak... it was a strange contrast to the nothingness around them.

"We lost our old encampment and many of our friends after we built it over a fairy circle." Another of the women explained.

Kyra arched up one of her eyebrows... fairy circles weren't unheard of. She was yet to see one herself but maybe it was better if she never did. Magic was a tricky thing... dangerous and often doing more harm than good to those who possessed it.

"We were hoping if you could help us build a new one." The last woman spoke up, "We haven't seen many people these days."

Brayden and Chase shared a look with each other as they talked quietly with each other but before they turned around facing Kyra.

"We have agreed that you should be the one making the decision." Brayden told her arms crossed in front of his chest as he looked at her, "What should we do?"

The woman looked at him with wide-open eyes... he wasn't seriously leaving the decision in her hands? In the hands of the one person in their little group who had no idea about social concepts and how to properly act around other people.

Rationally, Kyra knew that there were only two options in this situation, either help the women or don't help them. She pressed her lips together peaking over Brayden's shoulder to look at the women again... they looked harmless in their white clothing but it could be all just a trick.

"We shouldn't help them." Kyra finally said... she could see that it wasn't the answer Brayden and Chase had been expecting from her. "It could be a trap... and we don't really know them," she argued - or tried to - but her decision had been made.

"You are going to tell them." Brayden's eyes were hard as he looked at her. For a brief moment, she locked gazes with him before he turned and walked back to the car. Chase said nothing, didn't even look at her as he walked past her to join his friend.

"Is something wrong?" One of the women spoke up forcing Kyra to turn her attention away from her companions.

"We can't help you," Kyra said with no emotions in her voice. Part of her wonder if she should tell them that she was sorry... sorry that she had made the decision to leave them here without the help they needed. But she didn't, instead, she looked at the trio one last time, glad that she couldn't see their faces before she headed back to the car.

"What was that?" Brayden asked the second she had closed the door behind her, "I can't believe it!" His voice echoed through the vehicle and could probably be heard outside as well. "This was extremely selfish." he shook his head before punching the steering wheel.

"Brayden..." Chase tried to intervene.

"We are three abled-bodied people... we could have helped them easily and quickly with setting up a new encampment." Brayden continued unbothered by Chase's attempt to calm him down... and unbothered by Kyra's silence. "But since we agreed that the call is yours..." he shook his head again before he finally started the car.

Kyra remained silent... she didn't feel like that there was anything she could say that would make the situation better. Like Brayden had pointed out, the decision had been up to her.

III

At one point, Kyra must have had fallen asleep during the ride... the next time she opened her eyes, it was already dark outside and her neck and legs felt stiff. She yawned loudly, stretched her arms before slowly sitting up. Through the window, she could see Brayden and Chase talking with each other.

Doesn't look like we have reached our goal yet. Kyra thought to herself as she pushed the car door open only to be greeted by the chilly night air.

"Oh, you are finally awake," Brayden said turning his head in her direction. "We will camp here for the night before continuing our journey to New Appalachia."

She let her eyes wander around the area... there was nothing except a few abandoned houses - not much of a surprise given that they were in the middle of nowhere. Whoever used to live here had left years ago.

"I could try and hunt something for dinner," Kyra suggested with a shrug. Despite electricity, running water and restaurants still existing, she had learned how to hunt and to fish from a young age... mainly because she had never been in a position to afford such a luxurious life.

"Do you really think that you will find something out there?" Chase asked looking around sceptically.

"It is worth a try." she shrugged again before she moved to pick up her bag... it didn't take long before she found the dagger she carried with her all the time. "If there is a river nearby I could also fish something."

"Hunting sounds like the better idea... from what I have seen on the maps, the next river is hours away," Brayden spoke up. "Though I'm not convinced that you will actually find something out here."

"You don't know that." she pointed out. The sun hadn't completely set yet... it wouldn't be easy for her to see everything but she would also not be seen by whatever animals might lurking around here.

"Chase, you will start by setting up a camp and fire for the night," Brayden said while he rummaged through his own belongings.

"And what will you do?"

In the corner of her eyes, Kyra noticed that Chase had crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at his friend with one of his eyebrows arched up.

"I'm going with Kyra." Brayden replied, "We don't want her to get lost in the dark." he added with a small smile on his lips.


"Do you really expect to find something out there?" Brayden asked after he and Kyra had walked a few minutes in silence... Chase and the car had long disappeared from their sight.

"Why shouldn't we?" she replied looking at him from the side, "Just because humans no longer live here, doesn't mean that all the animals have left as well."

She was aware that they didn't know each other long and that there was no reason why he or Chase should trust her... especially after the decision she had made only hours ago. And still, she couldn't help but wonder if they were going to question each of her ideas.

"And what exactly are you hoping to find?"

"Rabbits... maybe deer." Kyra shrugged... her gaze was focused looking straight ahead as she moved slowly forwards.

It was a strange feeling to be not hunting alone. She didn't mind his company per se but sooner or later his questions and talking might become a problem.

The sound of something moving caught her attention and Kyra stopped in her tracks bringing one of her hands to Brayden's chest, "Don't move." she whispered.

"What? Why?" he asked sounding confused as he looked around, "There is nothing."

This time she didn't bother with replying, instead, she pulled out her gun crouching down carefully... another sound, this time coming from the right. Something was lurking in the bushes nearby.

"Stay here."

Kyra didn't wait for his reply or indication that he was actually going to follow her words. Instead, she kept slowly moving towards the gun already in her hand ready to shoot... and to kill if necessary.

Breathe in and out! she kept thinking to herself, Don't make any noise.

The bush was only a few metres away from her when all of a sudden a rabbit jumped out... Kyra reacted immediately and shot at the animal. It wasn't the clean kill she had been going for but the deer was down.

"That was unexpected," Brayden said slowly making his way towards Kyra. "How did you do that?"

"What exactly are you talking about?" she replied putting the gun back into the holster.

"Know that the rabbit was there... I haven't heard anything."

"Maybe because you weren't listening." She picked up the dead animal, "Or you were talking too much."

Brayden first looked at the deer and then back at her face, "Where did you learn to hunt?"

"From someone." Kyra pressed her lips together, "Years have passed since then and I don't remember his face or his name."

It had been either learning how to hunt and kill or starve... without her parents or anyone to call family, Kyra didn't have many options about how she wanted to survive.

"You don't know how to hunt?" she looked at Brayden as they walked back to the camp... for tonight they wouldn't need to worry about their rations.

"There was never the need to learn it, I guess." he explained, "I don't know how much Chase told you already... but we grew up in the same commune. I know about farming, I can tend the land, make sure that the crops grow strong."

"Mhm, I see." Kyra hummed.

She knew her fair share about farming but usually, she did things because she was told to them and not because she understood the process behind it.

"You seriously found something?" Chase sounded both amazed and shocked.

"Kyra did." Brayden pointed out. "Apparently, I talked too much instead of being helpful." he chuckled briefly.

"Well, it is true," she muttered under her breath before setting down the rabbit.

IV

"We are almost there," Chase said with a bright smile after the car drove past a huge sign.

Border to New Appalachia - 5 Miles.

It was his turn as a driver today while Brayden was lounging lazily on the middle seat with a book in his hands. Kyra had expected to see more people this close to the border but it was surprisingly empty... maybe this would all change once they had passed the border.

"Oh, don't we know them?" The tone in Chase's voice had changed, no longer cheerful, instead, it sounded slightly alarmed.

"Who are you talking about?" Brayden sat up, the book slipping out of his grip and falling on the floor with a thud.

Kyra turned her head towards the front window only to spot a trio of women dressed in white.

Can it be? she thought.

"It could be just a coincidence." Brayden pointed out and yet he climbed over the seat to join Chase.

"And what if not?" Chase asked sounding not very convinced.

The car came to a halt... Kyra watched closely as one of them rolled down the window.

One of the women stepped forward, face once again hidden underneath the white cloak.

"And so, we met again."

Last edited by schoggettchen (12/08/2021 at 20:00)

FC- Maeva Giani Marshall
~Rune
Flexible, noncommittal, Resilient, curious/ investigative
Drifter
Bex n Vix~
R1Done

How it started

Rune was walking the shadowy streets of New Jersey trying to find her next meal when she heard voices coming from around the corner she was about to turn. Rune halted in her steps and peered around the corner before quickly and quietly pressing herself up against the building she had been walking beside. She placed a hand up against her chest hoping with all hope that the group of Ferricks she had almost walked right into could not hear the thunderstorm that had become her heartbeat. Fear lassoed around her neck like a leash, guiding Rune backward. Rune moved with caution backwards until she knew she was for sure out of harms way. She continued in this opposite direction until she came upon another curious sight. Two women in black hot wiring a car. Intrigue and curiosity burned deep within Rune, causing her to covered her eyes and take a step out of the safety of the shadows.

As Rune got closer she was able to hear what the two women were saying. "Okay. So what do we do first?" The red haired woman asked her blacked haired companion while loosely holding a knife. The black haired woman looked utterly confused as she stared at the mess of wires they uncovered within the ignition. Finally the black haired woman answered "Cut the power wires" she said with a shrug. “ But which ones are the power ones?” The red headed woman fired back looking exasperated and about ready to cut all the wires in front of her.

At this point Rune decided to step in and help the pair “cut the red ones” she said simply. The synchronized way both women swung their heads to face Rune in shock was kind of hilarious to watch. Rune said nothing though, expecting a fight or bout of questioning, but the red haired woman just shrugged. “Okay” she said before taking her knife to the red wires happily.

It was now Rune’s turn to stare in shock, she could not understand how the red haired woman just took her for her word. Her, a complete stranger. Rune’s thoughts were interrupted when she realized the black haired girl was examining her. The women’s eyes traveled from Rune’s covered ones questioningly down to her hands.

Understanding the woman’s unspoken question Rune splayed her hands out in front of her to show that she only had ten fingers, no extra appendages. This display seemed to satisfy the black haired female as she then turned back towards the car watching as the red haired woman took the newly cut red wires and twisted them together. The red haired girl gave a small cheer when the cars electrical system started up. Rune watched on in interest wondering where they were planning to drive to.
The red haired woman turned to Rune. “What’s next?”

Warmth bloomed in Rune’s chest at the feeling of being needed, a feeling she did not feel often. “Well next you need to do the same with the brown wire but since there’s only one, after you strip it you need to touch it to the red ones to start the car.”
The red haired girl nodded in understanding before proceeding to cut the brown wire, pulling back some of its brown plastic, and then touching it to the twisted red power cables. The car started up, causing the two women to have a silent celebration.
The black haired female turned to Rune. “How did you know what to do?” Rune looked slightly away sheepishly “I might have done it myself one or twice before, I just didn’t want you to shock yourself like I did my first time.”

“Well thank you for that. My name js Vix and this is Bex.” The black haired women stated while pointing to herself and her companion. “Rune” she states simply, weakly pointing to herself.

"Well Rune, where are you headed?" Bex asks while walking around to the passenger seat of the car. Vix began wrapping the exposed wires with a small piece of clothe.
"Oh, uh… well nowhere in particular. I guess I just go wherever the wind blows. What about you two?”

“We are going west” Vix answers while covering back up the ignition. “west?” Rune heard rumors of the mysterious west but never anything concrete.“Yes the West. The last place in America reported to be untouched by this chaos” Bex states while gesturing around us. “A place where you may finally find peace or a way off this planet for good” Vix continues. Off this planet, Rune was once again intrigued. “That sounds amazing, I would love to go west.” “You should come with us.” Vix states while finally settling into the drivers seat. “Are you sure” Rune again couldn’t believe how trusting these two were. “Yes come on, hop in. Without you we wouldn’t have been able to even start this car up. Or we’ll we would have but it would have taken longer.. just come on.” Bex stated her sentence running on. Rune wondered if this was a crazy idea but then wondered what the west would be like. Pushing doubt aside she hopped into the car.

~~~~~

The girl group of Bex, Vix, and Rune was a curious one. It was easy to see that Rune was the quietest of the bunch, Bex the quickest to anger, and Vix, well Vix was like a talkative peacemaker. Rune experienced Bex’s quick temper first hand, after she and Vix switched driving positions after narrowly avoiding a Ferrick checkpoint that was being dismantled. Rune clutched her seatbelt, expecting to see the Gods sooner then later, as Bex swerved around corners and yelled obscenities out her drivers window.
It was on their second day on the road when they came upon her. Driving into the Ohio deserts they all spotted a single shrouded figure on the side of the road with a sign that read “Help”. A sketchy area and an even more sketchy scene.

It was dark out, only a handful of street lights lined the curb. Long expanses of shadow could be noted between each each pole. And the figure stood just within the light of one pole, the shadows at their back were black and beckoning as if waiting for the figure to step back and swallow them whole.

Bex wanted to leave the person as is so to not get off course, while Vix wanted to help. It was Rune who suggested helping the mysterious figure but only if they could give the group something of value for their help. This compromise seemed to calm Bex’s ire, while Rune just hoped that the figure standing alone in the dark wasn’t a serial killer that would slay them all. As Bex drove slowly towards the figure Vix gushed. Her exact words “Aww. She looks more like a sad puppy then a predator.” Rune shook her head in wonderment of Vix’s attitude to the situation, It was then Rune was reminded again of how trusting these two women were. If they weren’t the way the were Rune herself wouldn’t be in the car right now. Rune and Vix both rolled down their windows when the car finally came to a stop at the lamppost the woman stood bedside.

"Excuse me? Ma’am? Do you need a ride?" Vix asked smile large and confident. The woman walked slowly towards the car, as she get closer the more pitiful Rune realized she looked. Rune was reminded of her own times on the streets. No, They can’t leave her out there . “Yes I do” the mysterious woman says softly, cautiously eyeing the occupants of the car. Before Vix can say more Bex cuts in “We can take you anywhere you need to go but what can you give use in exchange for our help.” “I can guarantee you safe passage through Old Orleans which is a treacherous territory. It’s also where I need to go.” Vix’s smile grew larger “that sounds great, come on in”. she waved the woman forward.

"Oh um ok, Thanks." the woman says hesitatingly probably expecting Bex or Vix to want more details, but Rune understood these two, they were trusting, they took people for their word. Rune opened her car side door allowing the newest member of their girl group to slide in beside her. It quickly become apparent that their newest passenger was not very talkative but it was ok, Bex and Vix talk enough for everyone.
And so that’s how they got to Old Orleans safely, with the help of a powerful hoodoo priestess they picked up off the streets.

Last edited by J3zab3ll (10/08/2021 at 20:44)

Ballori Kemp // 23 // The Hunters // Drifter

Background information

Name: Ballori Kemp

Age: 23

Face Claim: May Tager

Traits: alert; cautious; compassionate; complex; creative; dutiful; hates change;  independent; mature; meticulous-thinker; modest; mute; mysterious; observant; perceptive; principled; private; quiet; reliable; repressed; resourceful; tough; withdrawn.

Group: The Hunters

Role: drifter

Bio: I'd love to tell you more about Ballori, but I think the only person who really knows Ballori is Ballori herself.

1. Drip drop

36 minutes.

That's how long it had taken the duo to begin bickering about Ballori's presence.

Just a mere 36 minutes.

It was hardly surprising though.

They'd found her hiking through the desert, day four of the sun's unforgiving foul mood. Her lips were cracked, her throat was parched and every cell in her body cried out for a single drop of water. And yet, the blazing heat still allowed beads of moisture to escape from places Ballori didn't even know it was possible to sweat from. An earlier fall had left blood hard on her face and she stank. Really, really stank.

When the strange green truck had first pulled up beside her, Ballori thought it to be a mirrage, that the sun had finally turned her against her. It was only once she'd slammed against a hard floor and was gulping down water did she realise that what was going on was real.

Someone had picked her up.

Well, two people actually. The furthest away man was watching her with suspicious eyes. But the closer, darker-haired man looked more concerned than anything.

"What's your name?" he asked softly, handing her a wet cloth

Ballori said nothing as she accepted the offering and began dabbing at the large cut above her right eyebrow.

The untrusting man rolled his eyes. "She clearly doesn't speak English. I swear to God if you've picked up a Ferrick..."

Ballori shook her head ferociously, causing the man to cut off midsentence.

"So you do speak English?" the kinder man asked.

Ballori nodded.

The other man took a step forward with gritted teeth. "So why don't you tell us your name."

"Dom, stop. She's probably just scared." The kind man's eyes flicked from his friend back to Ballori. "It's okay, you're safe now. I'm Sav, and that's Dom."

"What were you doing out in the desert?" Dom asked, sounding impatient.

Silence.

"Hello? Are you deaf?"

"Dom! Stop." Sav snapped. He turned once more back to Ballori, his tone softened. "Are you hungry at all?"

She stopped wiping herself and shook her head - dehydration certainly quelled one's hunger.

That had been 36 minutes ago. Now the two were at the front of the truck, arguing in hushed whispers.

"We don't know who she is!"

"We can't just throw her out, it's chucking it down!"

"Then we'll wait til the rain's stopped!""

"Dom! Where's your heart man?"

"Oh come on, we don't know anything about her. She's not even thanked us for saving her. She can't be trusted."

Ballori hadn't said a word the whole time she'd been aboard. The water and shelter from the sun's evil rays had had cleared her mind and she was finally assessing the situation.

The men. They looked pretty similar to be honest. Hair in a slight quiff, the stubble expected a few days after shaving and muscles that must be a hit with the ladies. Even though they had helped her they weren't too be trusted. Like Dom so kindly kept pointing out, they didn't know anything about each other.

Drip. Drop.

The truck. There were two floors, with a ladder connecting one to the other. The first, the one Ballori was currently propped up in, looked like more general living quarters. The drivers were sat up front, and there was a small space for preparing food as well as a radio and some cushions on the floor acting as a sofa. In the far corner there was a bucket, collecting water that was leaking through the broken roof. The upstairs was presumably some sort of sleeping area.

Drip. Drop.

The plan. Well, Ballori didn't have one. And Dom and Sav certainly weren't about to share theirs with her.

Drip. Drop.

Damnit that leak was annoying.

Ballori's eyes darted across the room, searching for something that could be used to stop the leak. A sensible idea would be to block it with some wood, but she didn't have any nails and didn't think the two men would be too happy if she started breaking apart what little furniture they had.

Drip. Drop.

There must be something.

Insulation peeking out of a gap in the wall caught her eye. Ballori quietly moved over to the wall to examine it further. As luck would have it, the outer wall was still intact, meaning taking pieces of the insulation would not impact the wall itself.

"What are you doing?" Dom cried, spotting Ballori attacking the wall.

"Erm." was all Sav could muster.

"I told you this was a bad idea!"

Dom lunged towards her but Ballori was quicker. She darted up the ladder, once at the top strecthing towards the hole. She stuffed the insulation firmly into the gap, ensuring that all areas were well padded. As predicted, the water stop rushing through.

"Oh."

"We've been meaning to fix that for weeks." Dom stated, as she climbed back down once more.

"Well, I'd say she's proven her worth." Sav chuckled. Neither Ballori or Dom responded, prompting Sav to speak again. "Where are you heading?"

Ballori thumbled around in her pocket, digging out a rather battered compass. She pointed, and showed it to Sav.

"Northwest?"

She nodded. Sav looked at Dom, who sighed heavily.

"Fine."

2. Not here for the tour

Ballori watched as her two companions continued to tare the museum apart. They had spent the past hour searching for items within the exhibits. She'd tried to help at first but each time she'd present an artefact to one of them they'd shake their head and toss it to the side. Not knowing what they were looking for or why, Ballori decided instead to perch on one of the seats, much to Dom's annoyance.

"Ready?" Sav asked a few moments later.

"Sure. Come on, Emma."

Emma. Urgh. That was what the two had decided to call her since Ballori wouldn't tell them her name. Still, I guess it's better than Girl, which is what Dom had spent the first day calling her.

As she collected a handful of the items and followed Dom and Sav to wherever they were headed, Ballori couldn't help but reflect on the past couple of days. She didn't particularly like either of the men, nay trust them, but their willingness to let her travel with them was enough for her to tolerate them for now. Sav was more supportive of the idea, though Ballori wasn't a fan of how reckless he appeared to be. Still, she preferred him over Dom, who's mood was difficult to predict. Sometimes he was nice to her, other times he'd reflect Ballori's silence back to her.

All thoughts quickly left Ballori's mind as a veiled holographic figure appeared before them. Though this was the spot they'd entered the museum, the figure certainly hadn't been there before. She looked mysterious and eerie, and made Ballori feel slightly uncomfortable.

Sav and Dom placed their items on the ground before the figure and took three steps back, prompting Ballori to do the same. The figure sorted through the items, discarding each one as she went. When she picked up the final artifact she examined it carefully, before shaking her head. The figure then vanished as soon as she had arrived, and Dom gave a heavy sigh. Sav, on the other hand, looked disheartened.

Ballori looked at the two of them, confusion displayed.

"That was The Curator." Dom disclosed, picking up on her emotions. "She has something we need. Only thing is, you have to offer her something in return."

"Yeah, well I think I know what she wants."

"I doubt it."

Sav rolled his eyes. "Emma. I know what she wants. Ignore Dom. Help me find it?"

"I think we'd be better searching the top floor again."

"Emma?"

Although no real details about the desired item had been disclosed, Ballori couldn't shake the feeling that Sav didn't really know what he was looking for.

The figure had been donned The Curator. They were in a museum. Surely The Curator was looking for something with meaning... something that completed some kind of collection?

"Emma?" Sav asked again.

Ballori shook her head. No, whatever Sav thought was right, wouldn't be. Instead, she pointed down.

"I don't understand..."

She pointed down again.

"I... I think she wants to look in storage." Dom figured.

"No, it won't be down there. We need to go-"

"No." Dom interrupted. "We've already searched the rest of the museum. Emma seems to have an idea, so let's check it out."

Dom marched towards the door leading to the basement, beckoning Ballori to follow. Ballori was close behind, hoping that Sav would also follow them down.

She didn't want to be the cause of any tension in the group.

* * * * *

"This is ridiculous, we don't even know what she's looking for." Sav muttered.

"Give it a rest Sav, just give her a chance."

"Oh how things have changed over the past couple of days..."

Now it was Ballori's turn to sort through the items with Sav and Dom showing things to her, which had put Sav in a right foul mood.

"I bet she doesn't even know what she's looking for..."

Oh but she did. Ballori had heard stories, whispers, of a Dainichi Nyorai figurine. It was said to represent the importance of knowledge and truth-seeking, which Ballori thought may be of extreme concern to The Curator. It was also one of five figurines, and could be the final missing piece to something greater.

"How about this?" Dom asked, presenting a small bronze figurine to Ballori.

Ballori nodded enthusiastically - that was it. Exactly what the group needed.

Hopefully.

* * * * *

Ballori had been correct - when Dom offered the Dainichi Nyorai the had made a strange noise of satisfaction, before offering Dom an item unseen by Ballori. Dom had given her a slightly patronising pat on the back as a form of thanks.

Sav didn't say anything.

Now they were finally back on the road, unknowing of the challenges that lay ahead.

COMPLETE
Huge thanks to Schoggettchen for the truly amazing character banner!
Sorry this feels a bit rushed, I've been a bit busy!

Last edited by Fashion-Chic (12/08/2021 at 20:05)

By and large, here comes Jahi... DONE

NAME: Jahi Wylder

AGE: 22

FC: Zhavia (Carisa Ward)

ROLE: Tinkerer

Traits: Innovative, audacious, conniving, spontaneous, magnetic, bohemian spirit, eccentric, arrogant

For Jahi, life is a game… and she plays to win. She is active, energetic, resourceful, freedom-loving, and adventurous all at once. She is not particularly concerned with concepts such as work, order, and tidiness. Responsibility and obedience are equally foreign notions she has little interest in exploring. She craves movement and action but is capable of introspection and objectivity… when necessary. She ventures off the beaten path and is attracted to anything original or cutting-edge. Her bold, daring nature, sensuality, and overwhelming desire for more together with her impulsiveness sometimes lead her into unusual if not compromising situations; taking risks without considering the potential consequences of her actions. She can be a bit of a tomboy who isn’t scared of anything and yet she embraces her femininity enthusiastically as much. She seldom does things by halves, but she trusts in her own ability to maneuver between the perils she encounters in this strange, wild world.

Theme Song: Crazy, Classic, Life

Chapter 1 - DONE

It's A Pirates Life For Me - DONE

Day 1

Loud clomps punctured the quiet… heavy, confident footfalls from thick wooden platforms announcing my progress through the passager car as mossy dark hues flashed through the dirt-grimed windows. It was quiet now, the compartment empty unlike a few hours ago.

Stumbling upon the train… and the brothers, in my opinion, had been the biggest boon of the day, though I was not convinced either of them felt the same. Not that it mattered any longer. I was on board, heading west with them despite whatever reservations they may have had.

And I’d be a fool to think they had none. I’m sure I’d have plenty if I were in their shoes… finding some random person poking around their… home. But they had to give me some credit. Who in their right mind would assume based on its outward appearance that anything other than four-or-more-legged creatures would inhabit such a place? I’d assumed it was a great place to continue my forging; rusted bolts and corroded engines were treasures to someone like me. But I’d found neither inside. Just the two men discussing their plans… an excursion to the west in a rather remarkably cozy interior. It had taken considerable effort and even still I was likely nowhere near to acquiring their agreement until I let on about my inventions and capabilities with machinery and gadgets. Sure, I was no full-blown engineer… but in this day and age… who didn’t need a good tinkerer? Grudgingly, and with me grinning like a loon, the brothers allowed me to tag along on their voyage.

They were both off somewhere else now, the multi-car train speeding through the tunnel at a surprisingly low hum while I made myself comfortable in the dining car which they seemed to have decided would make a much better bar as an entire section seemed to be dedicated to housing an array of liquors and beers. I hadn't a clue how and where they acquired such a collection, and food seemed to be a much more scarce commodity… but you learned to get by on what you can these days.

Popping the cap on an ice-cold brew, I settled into a corner seat listening to some ancient rock tunes one of the brothers seemed to be fond of blaring through hidden speakers and silently celebrated the day. At just the right moment, when I needed an escape, I’d found this… them. I hadn’t even bothered to go back to the hovel I was currently calling home… not to get any other personal items, nor to say goodbye.

“What’cha sippin’ on?”

I twisted my head to watch the younger brother, Caleb, stroll confidently into the compartment and head purposefully to the stacks of bottles.

“Some malt…” I muttered lifting the dark green glass and swishing it lightly in the air.

He grabbed his own before sliding in opposite me.

“How’s the first day holding up?”

“Well… neither of you have tried to murder or attack me… I’d say I’m 50/50 on my expectations of this little adventure.”

“The night’s still young” his eyes wrinkled at the corners as he took a long sip.

“Indeed… maybe I’ll be the one doing the murdering or attacking.”

“I doubt you’d announce it if you planned to.”

“Oh ye of so little faith”

He chuckled, let a moment pass before he started making the standard inquiries. Where I was from… about my family… what I was doing when the world first went to hell. Why I was out forging all alone. I answered plausibly… similar tales I’d given to others in the years since the aliens arrived and the fae slipped out of the shadows. And I felt his answers were no less evasive but hinted at a bit of truth. Not that I’d make a big deal over truths. In this world, sometimes your guard was all you had left. All in all, the evening was enjoyable. Caleb was charming and funny and a wicked flirt. One half of the duo had come around to the idea of having me tag along.

I had the excuse and the means to make my escape. At least for a little while. Perhaps this wouldn’t work out… they really could be psychopaths. But for some reason, instinct told me this situation was far better than the one I had just up and left. And at any rate… for however long this lasted, at least they would be fun to look at while I put as much distance as possible between myself and the coast.

With the best of luck, I’d be thought a victim to the environment and he’d never bother to go looking for me.

Day 2

“Urrghh…”

Gritting my teeth I tugged the pillow tighter around my head for what seemed like the fiftieth time only to wince as one of the stupid feathers inside poked its way into my scalp for the seemingly hundredth time.

“Dammit to hell!” I growled, finally giving in by tossing the offensive cushion away and jumping to my feet. Another wince hissed into the private cabin when I reached around to cradle and massage my tailbone as I glared at the lumpy, way-to-soft seat mattress.

I wasn’t even given a few moments to adequately curse the wretched thing before the loud thunking began again followed immediately by jerky motions that sent me stumbling with a jarring slam against the doorknob. I didn’t even bother to smother the wail as the loud thumping did an admirable job of covering it up.

I glanced down at the pile of all the worldly goods I could still call my own and gave an idol thought over who would be picking through the items left behind before another choppy lunge drew me back to the present. Without another thought, I stormed out in nothing but the oversized men’s shirt and socks I’d dug out of the cabinet in the small cabin the younger brother, Caleb, showed me to the night before.

It didn’t take long to track them down in the locomotive car, looking and sounding remarkably displeased with the other. With my padded feet muffling my approach, I almost got close enough to catch wind of the disagreement, but one caught sight of me and they both clammed up quite quickly after that.

I was immediately struck again by how handsome each of them was. Both tall, both oddly tanned for spending most of their time underground. And with one in a tight white tank, the other a fitted tee… there was no need for me to make assumptions about their muscular build. Fine specimens… each in their own way. But my curiosity was piqued… so much so that I barely even gave any thought to the way each gave their own pronounced head-to-toe glance in my direction.

“Don’t tell us you always wake this late in the day?”

The darkened tunnel through the window gave little indication of the weather or time of day so I frowned before looking back to Caleb’s grinning face who had spoken first.

“What time is it?”

“Well past noon…”

“Noon!”

I exclaimed at Aleric’s accusatory tone. I never slept so late. It was far too dangerous to lounge about past the break of dawn where I came from… unless of course, you wouldn’t mind all of your belongings being stolen or the threat of some vagabonds knife at your throat. 

“Hope you remember we don’t do loafers around here…”

I wrinkled my nose, “I can pull my weight…”

Suddenly his eyes shifted again, trailing downward as his lips inched into a tiny smirk.

“Doesn’t appear to be much of it…”

“Dynamite is small too!” He wasn’t the first, nor likely to be the last to taunt about my size. Both men chuckled.

“Yeah, okay… as long as you remember... no free rides.”

“I got it yesterday when you told me like 3 times…” Before he could respond the train lurched, jostling all three of us. “Do I need to check that out?”

I demanded. I knew I sounded snarky, what with the uncomfortable ride in the last hours, knowing how late it actually was, and now the teasing… I was feeling a bit edgy.

“I got this… there should be enough fresh water in the third car for you to wash up but don’t go crazy…”

“You’re saying I stink now too?”

Another smirk, “Well luckily you’re standing downwind so I haven’t had to find out…”

I rolled my eyes and pressed my lips together. Really? Downwind inside a train car.

Caleb snorted stepping around his brother to lace my arm through his.

“Ignore him, he’s just smarting because he miscalculated some things… and probably also because that shirt looks way better on you than it does on him.”

At that moment, I blushed. Not only because of what I wore but who’s it was. I mean… I should have considered that the clothing belonged to one of them but I’d been more interested in having a bit of privacy and a good shelter to sleep under after such a long time that either of those things was the furthest from my mind.

“I’m sorry, I never meant to swipe your stuff… I will be sure to return it.”

Caleb laughed again, his eyes twinkling.

“Nonsense… he’d admit it looks better on you too if he weren’t being so ornery this morning…”

“Afternoon…” I heard Aleric grumble something else incoherent as Caleb led me from that car down the passage to the other, the one his brother mentioned for freshening up. It was much more elaborate than he let on.

The train sputtered once more.

“I won’t be long… I’ll go try to help figure out what’s going on…”

“No, it’s okay… I’m headed back now… no need to tie all three of us up with that mess. You relax, there’ll be plenty for you to do in the coming days.”

I snorted derisively.

“I doubt your brother would approve.”

His smirk was very similar to Aleric’s as he waved a finger up and down in front of me. “Told you… he’s just boorish over how much better you look in that.”

“I think you’re flirting with me, Caleb…”

“Damn… what’ll it take for you to know it?” I giggled while shaking my head, but another jerky motion made us both wobble where we stood before I could respond. “I better get back… take your time… I’ll see you a bit later.”

“Okay, thanks… oh… hey, I spotted some machinery and equipment in one of the cars yesterday… just kinda tossed into boxes... would you guys mind if I fiddled around with some of it?”

“What now?” He looked utterly perplexed for a moment. “Ooh… oh right. Just some junk we swiped up at one of our last stops. Sure… have a blast…”

After he left, and my quick wash up (because I had no intention of wasting freshwater that we might need for drinking later on), I made way to the storage compartment that I’d spied the previous day.

I have no idea how long I sat alone, pulling apart and reconfiguring bits and bobs, gears, circuit boards, and anything else I got my hands on. Most likely hours. I remembered glancing up when the train came to a halt but also had no concept of how long between that point and the time the brother’s found me hunched over the make-shift workbench I’d configured to delve into the electrolytic capacitor I currently had my fingers wrapped around.

“Hey…” I muttered after peeping at them blankly, not even bothering to adjust my microscopic goggles because my mind was still locked on computations of the nanotechnology used within the gadget.

“So… it’s time for you to step up and get involved.”

Another few moments passed as I blinked… almost staring through them before the sound of one of them clearing their throat finally registered.

“What?” I frowned and almost instantly began rubbing the most annoying cramp in my neck. Now that I’d noticed it. Both of their faces looked somewhat grim. “What’s wrong?”

“We’re out of gas… we’ll need to head out for some first thing in the morning so you should go get some rest.”

Again, I blinked, this time focused solely on Aleric as he issued his commandment. He looked even more agitated than he had earlier in the day. Instead of answering, I tugged out my pocket watch stunned to find that it was nearing midnight.

“We?”

I turned towards Caleb who continued to look none too pleased.

“Yes… we” Aleric confirmed.

“Unless you’d rather go with me…”

“We’ve already discussed this.” Aleric cut in. “You remember last time… and the time before that… and…”

“Yeah, yeah”

Silence ensued with Caleb looking incredibly sulky. Somehow, in the short time I’d known them, I expected Caleb to put up more of a fight… or at least have some type of snappy comeback towards his brother. None came. Instead, he huffed in annoyance and turned to leave.

“Okay.”

What else could I say? The man had made it clear many times in less than a day that I would be expected to help out. I was prepared to do so. But yet, it seemed as if he’d prepared himself for some sort of confrontation by the way his shoulders seemed to relax after my agreement.

I rose, twisting my neck side to side while discarding my goggles onto the pile of notes I’d written in the last hours. It was only then that Aleric stepped closer, his eyes shifting over the mess I’d made. He plucked one sheet between his fingers.

“What are you working on?”

“Building a supercapacitor with nanotechnology and integrating the circuits for an enhanced transmitter with a scan encryptor and plasma projection.”

The skeptical arch of his brow only instigated a similar response. Was he clueless or doubtful?

“A digital electromagnetic telelocator device…?” His expression did not change. I pressed my lips together and tugged the paper from his fingers, stacking it with the rest. “What time do you want to leave in the morning?”

“Early… before dawn. Think you can interrupt your beauty sleep?”

“The beauty sticks regardless of what time I rise.”

He smirked watching me closely for several seconds.

“You know… I think you’ve managed to wrap my brother around your little finger in less than a day.”

“But not you?”

“I’m made of sterner stuff…”

“I haven’t even tried yet… on him, or you…”

“Is that a warning?”

“An observation.”

He laughed, a deeper, richer sound than his brothers. “Very well… just know… when you play with fire, you tend to get burned.”

“And you’re the fire?”

“Whole damn inferno.”

“Arrogant much?”

“It’s not arrogance if it’s true.”

“Oh gosh.” I couldn’t contain the giggles that bubbled up out of me. He grinned before turning back to the more important topic.

“We’ll walk about a day each way to the market… do you have a mask?”

“It’s one of those…?”

“If you need one, I might…”

“I’ve a mask.” I injected. “But… if you don’t mind, I could use a few pieces of old clothes or just some material you might not need…”

“You’re welcome to whatever’s in your cabin… you might want to check the wares at the market as well… if there’s something specific you need.”

“Will see… but I should be able to make do.”

“Okay, get some rest then sleeping beauty… you might not like how I wake you if you try to oversleep.”

“Now who’s the one trying to make threats…”

“Not a threat, a promise.”

Yo Ho and a Bottle of Rum - DONE

Day 3

I was up, long before dawn, and oddly excited about the excursion planned for the day. There really was no reason to be. It’s not as if I hadn’t been to a masked market more than once. They were always the same but, yet, I was. I’d stayed up quite late the night before as well, tailoring a pair of men’s pants into shorts for myself and cleaning the weapons I’d wear. As I said… I’d been to a few of those places before.

Only a fool went exposed. And I was no fool… as far as I knew.

I knew I should have forced myself to rest, and I did try, knowing that we’d be on foot for an entire day but sleep eluded me. And it had taken a single light rap against my door for me to yank it open to the surprise of the bright-eyed man opposite it.

“Good. I don’t have to get the mega-blaster…”

“Mega-blaster?”

“Luckily you’re awake and don’t have to find out…”

I wrinkled my nose as he pushed the door wider, holding it back over my head while I dipped under to join him in the corridor.

“Mask?”

I patted the garment cinched onto my belt-holster earning a nod before he moved ahead to lead the way through a couple of cars. The dining car hummed softly from the generator that had been set up the night before but all the others were eerily quiet. Luckily, the weather was moderate enough above ground to keep us from freezing underneath without fuel to keep the entire train heated during the night.

“One sec… I need to grab something.”

And without even waiting for a reply he turned, leaving me alone in the dark to await his return. I assumed Caleb was still asleep but after a couple more seconds I was proven quite wrong.

“Good morning…” I could see the brightness of his teeth spread wide as he strolled over, his voice deep and groggy as if he had barely rolled out of bed.

“Morning…” I chuckled, “what are you doing up so early?”

“How do you know this is early for me?” The fact that he stifled a yawn as he spoke made me giggle again.

“Umm-hmm… with being left alone all day you could sleep to noon and no one would be the wiser…”

“Bro is a taskmaster… he likely has a list of fifty things he hopes will keep me busy and out of trouble for the rest of the next two days.”

“Do you need help keeping yourself out of trouble?”

“Hell no, trouble is where all the fun is had…”

I shook my head muffling my laugh.

“I thought you were still in bed…” the elaborate eye roll followed Aleric’s deep voice coming from a place behind where Caleb stood so the elder brother had no idea of the antic.

“I’ve come to see off our little hitchhiker… make sure she’s all set up for traveling with such a bore.”  And indeed… a moment later he held out a small parcel wrapped in brown mesh… “I’m sure he’s got all the boring stuff covered… energy bars, water, first aid… I’ve got you here a little prime grade herb, a couple of little blue Feiv pills, and a canteen of the good old fashion moonshine…” he leaned in and whispered dramatically loud “you’ll be needing them to numb your senses from all the boredom you’ll have with him.”

I bit the inside of my cheek spying Aleric doing his own eye-roll and head shake at his brother’s taunting.

“And this is exactly why I am going and you aren’t…”

Caleb grinned and winked before Aleric made it clear it was time to get going by shoving a stocked hiking backpack into my arms. I tried… but was unsuccessful at hiding my laughter as Caleb continued to try and bait him while I strapped up.

“Hey now, don’t want to forget these…” the man teased as he took the ‘essentials’ he’d brought me and slipped around to fit them inside my pack.

“You are a mess.” I hissed with far too much amusement.

Aleric stepped closer and the strangest sensation trickled down my spine. It wasn’t like he moved in any particular way, not aggressive or suggestive… nothing enticing at all about his actions. He hoisted a headlamp over my head, buckling it into place but as I looked up at him, and for some irrational reason, I found myself catching my breath. Our eyes connected, held, for the briefest of moments. All the mirth of a few moments ago had melted into something else entirely. And it was only after he moved back to began to add his headgear a few steps away, that I felt it start to even out.

And mere minutes later, we were on our way.

I was relieved, in truth, for the lull in conversation as we started our journey through that dark and damp tunnel. Bit by bit I mimicked Aleric’s footsteps, the sound of boots crushing stones and moist earth echoed alongside the tracks in tune to the kaleidoscope of muted yellow light bouncing against moss-covered stone walls. The air felt oppressive, soiled by moist eroded earth and hardening sediment.

It gave me time to think and really wonder about that odd moment at the train. Aleric was a handsome man. There was no reason I shouldn’t feel attracted to him. I was no virginal, prudish lady. I enjoyed spending time with men, both platonically and intimately. It was just the suddenness of my reaction to him that had me curious. That jolt of awareness when he drew near that I hadn’t felt until that morning… and that I hadn’t felt towards Caleb who, in actuality, was the more approachable and entertaining of the two.

I was fairly sure that either of them could be an interesting distraction should things progress in that direction. But they were both still perfect strangers and there could definitely still be something completely and utterly wrong with either of them. My eyes shifted to Aleric’s backside, flashing light highlighting the way his thighs and glutes flexed with each step leading the way before me. Perhaps not physically wrong… but mentally. They could both be completely off the rocker.

I giggled out loud then winced and lifted a hand to shield my eyes from the sudden blinding headlight pointed in my face.

“Geez…”

“Sorry…” he muttered angling the light away. “What happened…?”

“Huh? Nothing…” The doubtful expression was unmistakable but instead of giving in to it, I let my attention focus on his clenched fist. “Is that a map?”

Up it came, waving between us as he nodded then pried the papers open a bit and frowned again looking around.

“The passage we need should be right around here somewhere…”

“Passage?”

Instead of responding, Aleric moved closer to the tar-toned foliage coating a nearby wall. He appeared to be inspecting it causing my brow to arch before I began glancing around a bit. The train was long gone behind us and there was nothing but tunnel as far as I could see ahead.

“Here!”

He’d moved further down the track and holding a handful of tangled vines away from the wall as I moved closer. And sure enough, looking in illuminated a narrow corridor with a flight of stairs several steps behind the greenery curtain. I glanced at him skeptically while tucking a loose braid into my cap, but he just prompted me to continue through with a nod of his head.

“Your little map told you this was here?”

“Sure did…” I felt pressure against the back of my pack, gave him one last doubtful look before bending to pass into the path.

Aleric quickly switched places, squeezing ahead of me to continue leading the way as we began our ascent in the brighter (thanks to the flashlights), tighter space. It was a steep incline and he kept us at a brisk clip but eventually, the air lightened around us and I could even make out the smells of fresh air before we finally saw the light of day.

Tugging on my pocketwatch proved that it was already near midday and based on Aleric’s response we were still some ways away from our destination. We traveled mostly in silence, stopping only twice to relieve ourselves and snacking on energy bars and lots of water. I assumed we were making a good pace, my feet sure were screaming that we surely must be arriving within minutes, but it was nearly dusk when we finally came to a stop.

“The market is about another twenty minutes south but we’ll stay here for the night and go there early before everything is all picked over.”

I was more than too exhausted to do more than simply nod in agreement.  The very first thing I did was remove the leather holster and vest I wore, setting my weapons in a safe dry place so I could dry the sweat that had gathered under the fabric before it began to blister. It had been quite some time since I’d traveled so long and burdened. Immediately after wrapping my hair in a scarf overhead, we worked together setting up camp, me managing our shelter and small campfire while Aleric hunted down a decent-sized rabbit and some wild mushrooms for our supper.

“I’m surprised…”

Curiously, I peeked over the rabbit leg I’d just taken a hefty bite out of.

“I expected you to complain more… or at all really… during our walk.”

“Walk!?” I snorted sarcastically and wiped a bit of grease from my lips with the sleeve of my shirt and trying to poke a loose braid back into the turban. He smirked in response.

“I thought you’d be incredibly bratty all day.”

It was my turn to smirk. “I strike you as being particularly bratty?”

“In fact, yes. I expected you to slow us down and be way too insolent about the long distance.”

“Sorry to disappoint.”

“Yes, you’ve robbed me of my ranting reprimands…”

I laughed before taking a long sip of the drink that Caleb stuffed in my pack earlier and tilting it forward in offer. I part of me doubted he would take it and the rest of me tingled slightly when he did.

I forced myself to take another bite instead of sitting there gawking at his adam’s apple roll as the warm liquor slid down his throat. And found myself very conscious about sipping from the cap after him.

In all honesty, Aleric surprised me too, not that I admitted it to him. The company and conversation during dinner were much better than I expected. He was amusing and engaging and relaxed like I hadn’t seen him before. Of course, it had only been two days… but still, it was fun. We finished off the alcohol but I firmly refused to partake or even suggest the other treats that Caleb had packed away for me.


“So… I’ve been wondering…” I ventured sometime later, our bellies full and a warm and fuzzy feeling behind my half-closed lids. We had both managed to get situated in our bedrolls side by side to conserve heat after putting out our small fire.

“Hmm?”

I twisted to my side to see him lying flat on his back, eyes closed and his chest rising and falling slowly, looking utterly peaceful and content.

“What were you and Caleb arguing about yesterday?”

One of his brows rose and an eye popped open for a tiny second but he just wiggled and sunk back deeper into the puffy blanket.

“Why on earth are you wondering about that?”

Was there a tiny bit of a slur to his voice?

“If I’m going to be a part of this team, it’d be wise of me to have an understanding of whatever difficulties we are facing.”

He continued to lay perfectly still and I thought he’d just ignore me and my question until he finally commented several moments later.

“We weren’t arguing…”

“Bullshit.” I laughed, as I began twirling the braid between two fingers and shaking my head. “You were obviously at odds over something.”

He grimaced then finally shifted to face me fully.

“It wasn’t an… argument. My brother just sometimes needs to be reminded of things.” He shrugged.

I arched a brow, clearly waiting for more. I was to be disappointed.

“What things?”

“Most things.”

“Really informative. How am I supposed to keep from making similar mistakes if I don’t know what they are?”

“You seemed fairly capable and careful during our hike… think you’ll be okay.”

“So you’re saying Caleb’s a shitty hiker?”

He laughed and before I could, he reached out and curled the single braid behind my ear. I definitely felt it in more places than there.

“I’m saying he’s reckless and rash.”

“You think dropping everything and hitching a ride with two completely strange men without a backward glance isn’t rash or reckless?

“True. Shall I chastise and criticize you for your lack of impulse control?”

I nibbled on my bottom lip as my eyes skimmed his features. My fingers itched to brush against his scruffy jaw.

“Depends I suppose… are words really so much of a deterrent for bad behavior?”

“Oh.. are you suggesting corporeal punishment suits you better?”

I snorted, “only if you don’t want to see tomorrow…”

“Now, now, don’t be too dismissive, this idea of yours may have some merit. I’m thinking my belt could make for an adequate restraint… or… well belts have always been very good for spankings, I seem to remember my father calling for the strap a time or two with us.”

“You lie.” I laughed at his faux wide-eyed innocent look. Well… wide may have been an overstatement. I was fairly sure his opened no further than my own.

“Sure, he never could seem to get his hands on one at the opportune time, but he certainly liked to threaten it. It might be worth a try though, to ensure you get a proper lesson...”

“I’d venture it is far too late to try and turn me into some well-behaved young lady with manners…”

He blinked, still managing to keep the mischief in his eyes from reading across his lips. “Is that what I said I wanted to do to you?”

I think it was inevitable that my pulse would start racing madly when my muddled brain was faced with his words. Every nerve in me tingled.

“I’ve gotten lost, to be honest. Something about chastising… and restraints and spankings…”

“Awe yes… spankings…” he wiggled his brows.

“I’d fight you if you tried.”

He smirked… “battle scars prove you survived...”

“Isn’t it a rule that guys aren’t supposed to hit girls?”

“Pretty sure that went away when the world got invaded by hell. It’s survival of the fittest now Jahi… take what you can, give nothing back.”

“I’m plenty fit.”

“I’ve noticed.”

Again, my pulse ricocheted, jumping so hard I swear he had to hear my heart beating. Was I inferring more into his words… maybe mishearing them completely? My muddled brain searched for some witty comeback, something taunting, flirty perhaps.

“We should get some sleep.” I nodded mutely, still fumbling in my mind for words that would make sense. “We’ve another long walk tomorrow.”

“You’re right.”

And yet, nothing but the wind softly rapping against the makeshift shelter moved. I felt frozen in time and space, suspended from afar watching him watch me.

“Good night Jahi”

“Good night.”

And he finally turned to snuggle back into his bag, his back finding its way to my view as air slowly filled my lungs once more.


Day 4

We were up early again, breaking down camp and dressing in gear, weaponry, and our masks. Apparently, during his hunt, Aleric scouted an adequate hiding place to stash our equipment instead of lugging it all to the market.

Despite our attempt to get ahead of the crowds, there was already a great deal of hustle-bustle at the early hour. Vendors and customers rushed about, shouting and haggling over prices and products alike. Multicolored stands littered the street, the peddlers doing their best to entice passers-by to their stalls for the unbelievable deals they had to offer. And yet, pickings were slim and incredibly shabby, if anyone were to ask me.

I frowned as I side-stepped an emancipated-looking mutt with its equally skeletal owner.

“Do you really think anyone here will have petrol?”

“I never said we were looking for petrol…”

My arched look was completely unseen beneath my mask.

“I’m fairly sure you said we needed fuel for the train… that is the whole point of this trip…”

“Yes… but not petrol.”

The fact that his voice had lowered considerably and that he even leaned closer to speak had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Once more I glanced around but now my mind was reeling.

“What then?” Mimicking him, I hissed the question.

Instead of answering, Aleric cupped me by the elbow and guided me a distance from the stalls.

“We need living matter… it’s what fuels the chugger.”

“Livi…ssss” I gritted my teeth when the pinch on my arm turned viciously hard just as a masked female strolled by.  At least, its shape looked female.

“Just… trust me”

Giving a crisp nod seemed to be satisfying enough because he released my arm and once again led us back to the vendors. We passed the counters that appeared to be more stocked… those with perishable goods like fruits and veggies, seafood, and milk. There was a couple, dark-handed gas-masked nomads, offering a selection of garments and bright-hued fabrics that I stroked my fingers over wistfully before Aleric seemed to spot something of interest.

The mange-covered Ferrick halfling gave me the creeps, I can’t lie. I never trusted their sort, not in the whole time they had been on earth, not upon my first nor any subsequent interaction with one. But it was where we headed, stopped… who Aleric finally engaged in discussions with.

The creature, in hushed tones, tried to haggle the purchase of its blood. And the idea of it coiled a knot in my stomach. Did the train truly run on such things? What kind of technology did they have on that thing that would convert living matter to fuel? My tinkering mind couldn’t help but ponder the mystery. But Ferrick blood? How long could that possibly last us if we took only a couple of pints? I needed more information!

But even as I stood there contemplating the improbabilities of traveling more than a few miles on such a small amount of fluid my eye caught sight of something more unusual on the very next stall.

I took a step closer and was immediately approached by the seller, a portly female shape in a simple black mask that covered just eyes and nose.

“You have a good eye Miss…” her voice sounded aged… matching the wrinkles etched around her lips.

“What is it?” The bush seemed to sparkle or glow when the rising sun brushed against its surface.

“This is a regenerative flowering bush… you won't find anything like it here… or anywhere else.”

“Regenerating?”

“Magically engineered. You can’t go wrong with that.”

My initial reaction was to point out how temperamental and unpredictable magic was… ever since the truth about the fae world was revealed… when us lowly humans were confronted with the fact that all of our myths, fantasies, and folklore were actually true, the markets had been flooded with items purported to be cures and solutions and remedies to all the ails that we could ever imagine. But there was always a price to pay for magic. That is what most humans eventually found out.

“Of course, if magic isn’t your thing…” I almost laughed. I wondered for a moment if the elder woman was actually a witch. She certainly seemed to be reading my mind… some sort of fae at the least.  “I’ve got these spiders… hearty fellows. Sure to be a good source of calcium or if you’re having a pest problem. Need to harness some venom?”

I shook my head. Even if spiders were the key to getting the engine running… the tiny amount jarred in front of me seemed measly. So, the bush I supposed.

I’d be willing to wager that anything would be better than some Ferrick’s sampling of blood.

Turns out, Aleric agreed. He conducted the sale with the older woman and we were shortly on our way. But not before he stopped and haggled down the price on the small bolt of cloth I’d lingered over a short time ago.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “You looked as if you wanted it.”

“How gallant.”

He snorted. “Not really. You’ll be the one carrying it the whole way back to the train.”

I wrinkled my nose but it was shortly followed by a cheeky smile.

Anchors Away - DONE

Day 5 through Day 7

It took us a bit longer to get back than it had going, what with our extra load of the bush and my fabric. It was already past dusk when we started our descent into the tunnel with still many more miles to go before we finally returned to the train. Needless to say we… or at least I was quite weary when we stepped aboard. And I was certainly in no mental state to answer any of Caleb’s questions upon our return.

“I was about ready to send the dogs out after you… I expected your return this morning”

Maybe I was imagining his tone as being harsher than it actually was when he yanked the compartment door open ahead of us. It made sense that he might worry about his brother when we did not arrive as originally planned.

“What dogs?”

Aleric chuckled at my exhausted confusion.

“Things changed… we made camp and hit the market this morning instead.”

“A heads up would have been nice…”

“We stayed off the main roads and didn’t linger long.”

“You could ha…”

“Leave off Caleb… we’re back… safe and sound.. And the girl is…” a perfectly timed yawn interrupted his words… “tired.”

I yawned again, though, if he weren’t completely correct, I would have laid into him about the term ‘girl’.

Aleric stepped around him and started unloading and removing his gear. The bush seemed to brighten, shimmering in the dim evening light. Caleb’s concern quickly turned to curiosity about the strange plant.

“You’re not installing that tonight are you?”

Both men turned to me with varying expressions.

“You should get some rest… you’re worn out.”

“I’m fine” I lied, feeling as if I might miss out on something important should I go at that moment.

“You’ll be no good to the team if you succumb to your fatigue. Go, rest. There’ll be plenty for you to do in the coming days.”

I frowned, as did Caleb at Aleric’s words. Not that I understood Caleb’s reasoning. Still, I hesitated, despite knowing if I dared attempt to help with anything in that moment I’d surely make a mess of things. My eyes burned with the weight of needed sleep.

I waited a little longer but then gave in. There was no point in being bull-headed to my own detriment. I would be lying though if I said I was not tempted to walk right back in on them when I heard them begin to talk in hushed tones the moment I stepped out of the cabin.


I slept long and hard that night, waking at another ridiculously late hour and still feeling far too sluggish to my liking. I dragged myself out of bed and immediately sought coffee.

Caleb was there, sipping on his own dark brew while bent over several sheets of some sort of schematics. Building blueprints perhaps? I could not tell for sure because he abruptly folded them as I approached. I wasn’t sure he did it intentionally but my guess was that he did it purposefully. But he smiled and immediately began to converse with me with his usual flirty charm… no evidence of his surly attitude from the previous night showing.

It did not sit well with me to find out Aleric was already busily working on fueling the train. I was insanely curious about what and how it was done. But apparently I was not allowed to find out. At least, not yet. Instead, Caleb gave me a list of other things that needed doing… all menial and uninteresting.

I was disappointed but tried to rationalize. It had only been a few days. I shouldn’t expect to be more involved just yet. It was tough though, biding time. I was not the sort of person that liked to wait.

Unfortunately, my lack of involvement meant that I had no idea what the delay was about. But it took nearly that whole day for Aleric, and Caleb at times, to get the engine going. I couldn’t help but wonder non-stop how they integrated live matter into the fuel line… and really wanted to understand how it worked. When I happened upon one, or both of them, they were utterly vague and even evasive with the answers to my horde of questions. They weren’t even really giving me any answers about where we were going, why they wanted to go there. But I was along for the ride at that point… no turning back now.

I did my part in the coming days, cleaning, categorizing stock, and preparing dried goods. It wasn’t much though and I’d eventually make my way back to the make-shift workshop/storage room to fiddle around with the gadget I’d started working on to keep myself distracted.  So much in fact that I nearly had the thing operational when one of the guys announced that we had arrived in Old Orleans.

Now… why we were there, I aimed to find out.

LOOKS


R1 - DONE

Last edited by BambiFoxx (12/08/2021 at 17:07)

Round 1 is now closed

Welcome to Round 2!

Everyone is moving forward but not everyone is getting ahead, based on that from here on out the time frames of your rounds will be based exclusively on the choice(s) you make.

BambiFoxx

Aleric: He was pleasantly surprised by the way you were able to hold your own on the way to, and more importantly at, the masked market. The flirtatious conversation you had though has him in his head as he doesn’t want to get sidetracked from the mission at hand. However he is only human and not immune to your charms should you choose to pursue something with him.

Caleb: He’ll continue to be openly and brazenly flirtatious with you, more so when Aleric is around even being bold enough to suggest that you might share his sleeping car.

You’ll enter Old Orleans during their Mardi Gras season, an influx of masked revelers means that while some people are in town for a good time , others are more interested in making trouble. Aleric wants to only go above ground to grab a few supplies but Caleb insists that you all should attend one of the hoodoo balls. Do you:

a) Side with Aleric to get supplies and keep moving...

b) Side with Caleb and attend one of the hoodoo balls...

Please PM me your choice.

Fashion-Chic

Sav: Under normal circumstances he’d be annoyed that someone had showed him up but you got him and Dom what they needed and that’s what mattered most to him in the moment. The more he thinks about it though the more he wonders how you knew what the curator wanted when he and Dom couldn’t figure it out. He’ll spend more time observing you from the sidelines to see what type of read he can get from you.

Dom: Armed with what they went to the Met to get he’s more willing to have you along for the ride and will try to press you for information about who you are, where you’re from and what you were doing alone in the road.

Under the best of circumstances the Ohio desert is a treacherous place as the entire state has become a wasteland where what little survives is vicious. Complicating matters as your party arrives you see tell-tale neon lightning flashing in the sky signaling the start of a magical storm. These storms are tricky to say the least because they can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few months and with the rains come side effects that are equally unpredictable. Sav and Dom need something that’s a few miles past the border. Sav wants to take the truck in alone, leaving you and Dom to camp out until he returns. Dom on the other hand wants to change course and head to the sovereign state of New Appalachia where he’s insistent they can get what they need. Do you:

a) Side with Sav to have him go into the desert and into the storm...

b) Side with Dom to travel to New Appalachia

Please PM me your choice

Schogettchen

Brayden: While he thought your hunting skills were impressive that didn’t dispel the thought that you were selfish for not wanting to help the women build a new shelter and faced with one of them again he’s regretting the decision he and Chase made to allow you to decide as a way of testing your character. He’ll confront you about this behavior and at some point ask you if you can be a team player.

Chase: He’s not happy to see the trio of women again especially since you chose not to have the group help them. However, he’s going to wait to pass any judgment until he sees what awaits you all.

The trio of women you didn’t help previously are members of cult that worship a minor deity, a demigoddess of justice and they are the de-facto security force for New Appalachia and the sole arbiters of who can cross its borders. Your failure to help them when doing so would have only been a minor inconvenience has made them unwilling to let you cross the border. Brayden wants to seek an audience with them to see if a resolution can be found, however Chase is insistent that it may be simpler to just apologize and take a detour. Do you...

a) Side with Brayden and try to get a resolution…

b) Side with Chase to apologize and detour…

Please PM me your choice.

Zaralee

Mercucio: He’s pleased to have you on board and finds you far more endearing than he thought he would in the short time you’ve been traveling together; he’ll be more openly flirtatious as your travels continue.

Wren: There’s a great deal about you that she simply doesn’t like and the more openly interested Mercucio is, the more openly hostile she’ll become.

A broken down vehicle is never a good thing, but it’s a particularly bad thing when you’re someplace like the Ohio desert. Under the best of circumstances the Ohio desert is a treacherous place as the entire state has become a wasteland where what little survives is vicious. To complicate matters there’s clearly a magical storm raging which is likely what caused your bus which is steeped in magic to suddenly lose its steam. You can choose to back track into Pennsylvania which is a few miles away on foot or Wren can use her Finch to find you transport through the desert and the storm. Mercucio isn’t opposed to backtracking but Wren is insistent on using Finch and finding a way through. Do you:

a) Side with Mercucio and head back into Pennsylvania…

b) Side with Wren and allow her to use her Finch to find transport...

Please PM me your choice.

J3zab3ll

Bex: Is thankful to have you along for the ride as you’ve proven to be incredibly resourceful. She’ll be more talkative and more willing to open up.

Vix: She’ll continue to be talkative and energetic and will start to fawn over you and emulate your mannerisms.

When your group arrives in Old Orleans, Mardi Gras season in in full swing. An influx of masked revelers means that while some people are in town for a good time , others are more interested in making trouble however your group has been granted safe passage through the city as you’ve all been marked with the protection of Mambo Flor who has invited you to be her honored guests at a hoodoo balls. Bex wants to decline the invitation and get out of the city as soon as possible and if you press why she’ll tell you something about needing to get to Texarkana. Vix on the other hand is taken with Old Orleans and wants to stay for the ball. Do you:

a) Side with Bex and head to Texarkana…

b) Side with Vix and stay in Old Orleans for the ball…

Please PM me your choice.

For this round please include the following:

A story based on this part of your journey (see initial impressions for starting points, further instructions will follow after I'm told your choices).

Outfit(s) Show me what you were wearing at pivotal points in your story

When your entry is complete please write R2 complete or something similar in your entry.

R2 will end Tuesday August 17 23:30

Last edited by Dare (13/08/2021 at 16:07)

Kyra / The Farmers / Laborer

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

Name: Kyra

Age: 30

FC: Phoebe Tonkin

Role: Laborer

Personality Traits: Strong, athletic, fit & capable of handling herself should the need arise. Awkward around people & in social situations; doesn't know what to say or how to deal with them. Her decisions are usually rash & impulsive; doesn't plan ahead or think about possible consequences. Calm, collected & not easily angered; often appears as if she isn't showing any emotions at all. Tends to forget about her limits & often doing too many things at the same time, but is capable of dealing with the lack of sleep. Hard worker & doesn't stop until the job is done. Prefers to do everything on her own before asking for help; used to relying on herself only. Great orientation skills; knows her fair share about hunting & fishing.

Welcome to New Appalachia

Story

V

"Welcome to New Appalachia." The woman in white said, "I'm afraid that you won't be able to pass through it though."

"What? Why?" Chase spoke up... his voice filled with confusion.

Kyra didn't blame him though she had a slight suspicion why they weren't allowed to continue their journey.

"I'm sure you all know why." the second woman replied and for a brief moment, Kyra felt like she was looking straight at her, "Your decision not to help us...  it would have been just a minor inconvenience."

"And who are you to decide what happens here?" Kyra's mouth once again being quicker than her brain... she could feel Brayden glaring at her from the side but choose not to react.

"You are a curious one." the third woman chuckled briefly, "We are members of a cult that worships a minor deity, a demigoddess of justice... only we can decide who can cross the borders of New Appalachia."

"And seeing as we aren't giving you the permission to pass, it would be best if you turn around and search for another path." The first woman suggested before they turned and walked away.

"Great!" Brayden exclaimed loudly throwing his arms up in frustration, "If you hadn't decided on being selfish, we wouldn't be stuck in this mess." He looked at Kyra. "But it is too late for that now." He let out a frustrated sigh.

Kyra crossed her arms knowing that she had fucked up... but as he had pointed out it was too late now. She turned her head slightly to the side looking over to the three women who still stood next to the borders of New Appalachia... so close and yet so far away.

"Maybe not everything is lost yet. I will try to speak with them... maybe a resolution can be found." Brayden proposed.

"And what if not?" Chase asked, "I think it would be easier if we just apologise and take a detour."

Kyra looked at him and then back at Brayden... both of them were making good points. Apologising did seem like the easier option but it would also mean losing precious time.

"I agree with Brayden... we should at least try if there isn't another way to get past the border," Kyra said.

"You do?" Brayden sounded pleasantly surprised.

"It is worth a try." she shrugged.

Honestly, both ideas had their advantages and risks... there was no telling if the women would accept their apology nor if they would be even interested in hearing their proposal.   

Chase didn't look too impressed by her choice but said nothing as she and Brayden turned and headed back to the three women.

"I thought we made it clear that you wouldn't be allowed to pass the border." One of them spoke up.

"I know but actually we were wondering if we could find a resolution," Brayden told them, "Like is there anything you need help with... or anything we can do for you?"

The trio looked at each other before focusing their attention back on Brayden and Kyra.

"You need to atone for your selfishness by working for the residents of New Appalachia and helping them to fortify their homes against the coming winter."

Kyra and Brayden shared a look before he slowly started to nod, "Of course... just show us where we can find material and tools and we will be starting right away."

"All in due time. Why don't you tell your friend first what we have decided?" One of them asked pointing back at Chase who stood next to their truck.

"You can stay in one of the empty buildings if you wish." Another woman added, "Unless you prefer sleeping in your car."

"We will be fine. Thank you." Brayden replied with a slight smile before he reached for Kyra's arm, "Let's head back to Chase."

"And what did they say?" Chase asked looking at them with one of his eyebrows arched up.

"If we help the residents of New Appalachia with fortifying their buildings, we will be allowed to pass the border," Kyra explained.   

"Seriously? That is all?"

"If there is more, they didn't mention it yet." Brayden shrugged, "We will be starting in the early morning hours... the sooner we are done, the sooner we can leave and continue our journey."

Kyra hoped that there wouldn't be any more tasks for them... she didn't entirely trust these strange women and knowing that they were part of a goddess worshipping cult didn't make it better for her.

Only a few days and we will be out of here. she thought to herself as she settled down onto the backseat.

VI

It was still in the early morning hours... the sun hadn't completely risen yet as the sky was still a mixture of dark and red-orange. Kyra couldn't tell how long she had been awake, still lying on the backseat... sleep hadn't been easy to find last night. She kept turning around feeling restless until exhaustion had finally had taken over. She let out a sigh stretching her legs before she finally sat.

"Are you always up this early?"

Kyra startled slightly before she turned her head to see Brayden leaning over the front seat.

"Yes." she shrugged, "Sleep isn't exactly a luxury I allow myself to have... and well, the sooner we get started, the sooner we can leave."

"Can't argue with you about that." Brayden stretched his arms before he climbed out of the truck.

Kyra looked after him for a brief moment before she leaned over the seat to see that Chase was still sleeping peacefully and without any care in the world. For a second she considered waking him up but decided against it... she didn't know how he would react and stress was the last thing she needed that morning.

Shaking her head, she slid out of the truck as well... the air felt chilly against her bare arms.

"I was actually hoping to speak with you." Brayden's voice had turned serious as he looked at her with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"About?"

"It is about the decision you have made... you know already that I thought it was selfish and honestly, I regret that Chase and I ever allowed you to make the decision... a decision which was supposed to be a test of your character," Brayden said with a harsh look in his eyes, "We got lucky that they agreed to our resolution because I don't know what we would be doing otherwise."

Kyra pressed her lips together as she looked at him, "Don't assume that I don't know that..." She had fucked up... caused unnecessary problems. All while knowing that it could have ended much worse for them.

"I want you to be honest with me, Kyra." he took a step forward, his eyes never leaving hers, "Being on this journey with Chase and me means that you can work as a team... Can you be a team player, Kyra?"

She blinked in surprise... she had been expecting anything at this point but certainly not that. The problem was that she was used to being on her own... maybe too much. Kyra had expected that travelling with Chase and Brayden was going to be different. She didn't regret her decision to tag along when the opportunity arose.

"Honestly, I don't know." She replied after a few moments of silence had passed between them, "I haven't been in such a situation before... mainly because I don't travel or work in groups." she licked over her lips, "I'm not a person who asks for help when I have a problem... and I don't know if that will ever change. But I can... no, I want to try and be a team player."

Kyra couldn't tell if that was the answer Brayden had been hoping for but it was the truth... it was a strange feeling to talk openly about herself and how she liked to work and how she preferred things to be. It was something nobody except her knew... and all because she wasn't the kind of person to wear her heart on a sleeve.

She could still feel Brayden's eyes who still hadn't said anything... she knew that it might not be the question he had been hoping for but it was the truth... and that should count as well.

"Aren't you going to say something?" Kyra blurted out after the silence between seemed to be neverending.

"Mhm, we will see whether you mean it or not. I think there will be plenty of opportunities over the next days." Brayden said, his face not showing any emotions. "I'm going to wake up Chase... it is better if we don't waste any time."

"Okay," Kyra nodded.

This could have gone worse. He hasn't decided to leave me here... at least not yet.

VII

Working for the residents of New Appalachia felt like coming home after being away for a really long time... Kyra hadn't even realised until this point how much she had missed doing her part of hard work... the ache in her muscles and the feeling of adrenaline rushing through her body. She was used to it after doing nothing else in the past few years. And until she had joined Brayden and Chase she hadn't been able to imagine that her life might be different. Being on the road together with them was like an adventure... one she had never dared to even dream off.

"Someone is looking happy today." Chase appeared next to her looking also pretty pleased himself. "Any special reason for that?"

"I have missed working... I know that the circumstances could have been better but I don't mind that they need our help." Kyra replied with a shrug.

"Is that why you have been at the farm?" he tilted his head to the side.

"Jup. I started working there... I think about 5 months ago. And before that, I was at different places but I never did anything else than working." Kyra explained before she picked up another piece of wood.

Currently, she was working on fortifying one of the homes for the coming winter... the house was in surprisingly good shape, just a few of the windows needed to be replaced.

"Really? Doesn't this get boring rather quickly?"

"I never saw any reason to complain." she shrugged again, "And I never thought of doing something else."

"And yet you decided to leave with Brayden and me... not to mention towards a place you don't even know if it exists." He pointed out with a knowing grin.

"Just because I never heard of it, probably along with many other people." Kyra was quick to reply, "I must admit though that I had no idea what to expect when I left with you."

"But?"

"Well, partly I still don't know what to expect but I'm not screaming yet or have demanded that you let me out at the next stop... which is definitely a good sign." she chuckled briefly shaking her head, "Though I think we can all agree that my first impression could have gone better."

"Yeah, it could." Chase scratched the back of his head, "But to me, there is no reason to keep thinking about it... yes, your decision wasn't the best but right now it looks like it all worked out in the end."

"Let's hope it stays this way," Kyra murmured.

"I'm sure it will." Chase offered her a reassuring smile before placing a hand on her shoulder, "So, can I see you smile again? Because I think it suits you a lot better than this gloomy look."

Kyra caught in surprise by his sudden and unexpected admission could only blink and stare at him... her body and mind were frozen and unwillingly to cooperate any longer.

"Okay, I think I better leave before I keep breaking... and distracting you." Chase teased playfully before he removed his arms and took a few steps backwards, "Till later, Kyra." He flashed her another smile and then turned around walking away.

"Idiot..." Kyra muttered under her breath after he was long gone.

******

Two days had passed since the group's arrival in New Appalachia... two days of hard work and running various errands. And while most of the time Kyra was occupied, she did find her mind slipping now and then reminding her about Brayden and his question whether she could be a team player or not. Her answer hadn't changed though she had to admit that she didn't find it as easy as she had hoped to try and prove to him that she could work in a team. She was too set in her ways of working alone... on not relying on others.

A sigh slipped past her lips as she stopped in front of yet another house that needed to be fortified for the winter. Already from the outside, she could tell that it wasn't going to be easy... the roof was in a bad shape, some of the windows were missing and she couldn't imagine that the inside looked any better. Shaking her head, Kyra took a step closer when she spotted Brayden in the corner of her eyes... it looked like he had just returned from one of the many errands. Chase as far as she knew was working on the other side of the border.

"Hey," Kyra called out waving in Brayden's direction. "Do you have a moment?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes. It is just..." she stopped mid-sentence pressing her lips together.

"It is just what?" Brayden crossed his arms looking at her. His expression was a mixture of patience and curiosity.

You can do this... you are just going to ask for his help. No reason to act like something bad is going to happen.

"Could you help me?" Kyra muttered under her breath looking anywhere but him.

"Well, I don't have anything to do right now but are you sure? I mean what happened to working by yourself?" he asked and she couldn't tell if he was being serious or teasing her.

"I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't sure." Kyra pointed out, "If I do it alone, it will take longer than necessary and I was under the impression that the sooner we are done here, the sooner we can leave... but maybe I was wrong about that." she shrugged nonchalantly.

Brayden moved his gaze away from her and towards the house right next to them, "Are you certain that someone lives here?" he furrowed his eyebrows together not fully convinced.

"Yes, a couple actually... I have spoken with them only a few minutes ago." she breathed out, "It might be hard to believe but sometimes people don't have a better choice."

"Sounds like you are speaking from experience."

"I am." Kyra admitted, "Not every farm or other place I stayed at while working there provides nice living quarters... most of the time I have to take what I can get. Sleeping in a car is surprisingly pleasant compared to that." she offered him a slight smile. "Anyway, are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course... let's see how bad it is." Brayden returned the smile before heading towards the house.

Luckily, the inside wasn't as bad as Kyra had first thought. The house had certainly seen better days and it wouldn't be as easily fixed as the others but it was manageable.

"There is something I have been wondering about." Brayden suddenly spoke up as he walked around touching one of the walls or windows now and then. "I noticed that you were ready to leave before deciding to go with Chase and me... where would you have gone next?"

"I had no concrete goal set on my mind... sooner or later I would have found a place in need of workers." Kyra shrugged.

She grabbed one of the chairs nearby climbing on top... the roof had seen better days but nothing that couldn't be fixed. It would just take a bit more time.

"No family to go to?" She heard Brayden's voice right behind her... he was leaning against one of the doorways looking at her with a slightly bemused and curious expression.

"Not in a very long time."

"Oh... sorry I didn't know." Brayden replied quickly.

"How could you? I haven't mentioned it before and besides, I don't remember much about them." Kyra explained letting her gaze wander around the rest of the room... two windows were in need of repair. At least, the wall was sturdy and would keep most of the cold outside during the winter.

"Is that why you learned to hunt?"

"Kind of... I was never truly alone since I would find groups to travel with though I didn't really belong to them." Kyra started to play around with a piece of wood, "I don't remember his name but I know he was older and had probably seen a lot of this world already... one day he offered to teach me about hunting and I said yes."

"Well, it certainly paid off. It was pretty impressive I have to say." Brayden admitted.

"You and Chase grew up in a commune, right? How was it?"

"We did." A soft smile was playing on his lips as he stepped closer to Kyra, "It was a farming commune."

"Must have been nice."

"It is... I always thought of it as a community instead of a traditional family. Chase and I might not be related but I have always seen him as a younger brother." Brayden explained, "When we first heard about the one untouched place in this world, it was obvious that we would be seeking it together."

"And then I came along."

"You did." Brayden agreed before shaking his head, "Anyway, we should get started. There is still a lot to do even when working together."

VIII

It was finally done... the homes were fortified and there were no more errands to run for the inhabitants of New Appalachia. Kyra felt a sense of pride as she looked at the results of their hard work over the past few days... it hadn't been always easy but they had managed. Also because she had been able to jump over her shadows a few more times... not only asking for help when she needed it but also offering it. She had already said goodbye to the few people she had spoken with during the past few days and was currently waiting for Brayden and Chase.

"You have done well." Kyra looked up seeing the trip of women walking in her direction, "You have atoned for your selfishness."

"The homes have been fortified and after speaking with our people we know that you have done everything that they have asked from you." the second woman said.

"It wasn't my work alone," Kyra told them.

"We know."

"You can't be serious!" Kyra turned away from the three women and looking over to Chase and Brayden who were standing near the border obviously arguing with each other. The older one was throwing up his hands before he stormed away.

"Brayden, wait!" Chase called after him but it was useless.

"Excuse me." Kyra said to the trio, not waiting for a reply before she walked past them and towards Chase, "What was that?"

"I only told him that I was going to stay..."

"You are what?" she interrupted him, "What are you talking about?"

"I have decided that I'm not going to travel any further. I have found someone who would be willing to take my place but Brayden wouldn't listen." Chase explained looking a bit lost.

"I don't understand. Did something happen?" Kyra asked... her mind was clouded with confusion and irritation. She liked Chase's presence and replacing him with someone else didn't feel right. Especially not after what Brayden had told her about the community and how he always saw him as a brother.

"Nothing happened. But I feel at home here in New Appalachia... working with the residents is like back at our commune." Chase explained and she could see it in his eyes that he was being truthful.

"I see." she bit her lower lip. "If that is what you want." she forced herself to smile... the thought of trying to convince him to change his mind did cross her mind but it wouldn't be fair.

"It is." he nodded before looking over her shoulder. "I'm not sure if Brayden agrees with me though."

"I'm going to talk with him." Kyra briefly clasped his shoulder and then turned around walking over to the car where Brayden was pacing up and down.

"Did he tell?" Brayden asked as soon as Kyra was close enough.

"He did," she said with a sigh.

"I don't understand how he can suggest that someone else takes his place... I don't want someone new on the truck." Brayden exclaimed and kept on pacing up and down.

"Aren't you bothered at all that Chase wants to stay?" Kyra arched up one of her eyebrows watching closely.

"Of course I am." he stopped looking at her and then let out a sigh dragging a hand through his hair, "Look, I just want to leave... I have no intention of even seeing the person Chase would consider as a replacement. What do you think?"

"Then let's leave." Kyra told him, "Our work here is done anyway. I just want to say goodbye to Chase."

"Good... let's go." Brayden nodded.

Saying Goodbye to Chase was a weird feeling and yet she knew that it was the right thing... after all who was to tear him away from a place that felt like home to him.

IX

A day had passed since Kyra and Brayden had left New Appalachia and Chase behind them. The journey felt certainly quieter now... she wasn't much of a speaker and he was too focused on driving and on keeping them alive. Not to mention despite the extra space, she still kept her distance and stayed on the backseat of the truck.

"Looks like we got lucky." Brayden pointed out suddenly.

"What are you talking about?" Kyra asked without turning her head away from the window... there was nothing but sand out there. Not that she expected anything else from the Ohio Desert. It would be a real surprise to see anyone living out here.

"See that over there? On the right?" he asked pointing out of the passenger window, "It looks like a Magic Storm passed just through... if we had left moments earlier, things might not have gone this smoothly."

"I have never seen a magic storm before." she told him hugging her knees to her chest, "Actually, I don't think that I have ever seen someone using magic... I have only heard stories and rumours."

"Maybe it is for the best. Magic tends to be dangerous from what I have heard and not something to be messed with."

"Mhm good point," Kyra murmured leaning her head against the window.

"Speaking about stories... did Chase ever tell you about the dry well we explored?" Brayden asked.

"No, he didn't. What happened?"

"Come a bit closer and maybe I will tell you." Even without seeing his face, she could tell that he was smiling, "We have plenty of space now and this way I don't need to talk that loud."

"You could just have asked..." Kyra murmured under her breath before she threw her backpack onto the seat in front of hers and then climbed over the seat herself. "So, the drey well... what happened?"

"I was 15... Chase was almost 13. There was what we believed to be a dry well near the commune we lived at." From her spot, she could see the contest smile on his face, "One day after work was done and we didn't know what else to do, we decided to explore it... after all, it was just a dry well. None of us expected it to be something interesting."

"Mhm, something tells me that it wasn't just an ordinary dry well."

"And you would be right. We soon discovered that it was actually an underground grotto... I'm still amazed that no one had found it before since it wasn't exactly small but apparently only two teenagers would be stupid enough to check out a dry well." Brayden chuckled.

"Mhm, stupid isn't the word I would use... curious sounds much better and fitting." Kyra pointed out smiling slightly. "What happened after you found the grotto?"

"Chase and I decided that it would be only fair to share it with the others in our age from the commune... it didn't take long before it was our hangout spot. The place we would go to after the work was done or whenever we needed a break." Brayden explained, "And for two years it worked out just perfectly... we had our spot and we were happy about it."

"And now I get a bad feeling that something changed." she leaned her head on the seat next to Brayden looking out of the front window where only more and more sand could be seen.

"One of the elders found out and the grotto was filled in... from one day to the next our spot was gone." he let out a sigh, "It might sound strange but for me, that was sort of the day I grew up as I no longer had a clear tangible escape."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Brayden," Kyra whispered. She couldn't fully relate to his story as she never had a spot that was her escape... and even if she had there would have been no one she could have shared it with.

"It is alright. Years have passed since... a lot of other things have changed since then." Brayden shrugged.

"I'm afraid that I don't have a story about a special spot or anything like that but maybe you would like to hear about my first hunting experience." she offered.

"What kind of experience are we talking about?"

"A rather embarrassing one... one not many people know about. You would be the third... wait fourth one actually." Kyra bit on her lower lip.

"Now you made me curious." from the side she could see the smile on his lips.

"I had just learned the basics about hunting, what to look for, what not to do and how to not fuck it up like a complete idiot. Until that night I have never hunted alone and in hindsight, I might have been too confident about my abilities." Kyra took a deep breath.

"Oh, I have the feeling this will be pretty interesting."

"Work was done and with the woods not far away from the farm, I thought it would be easy to find something. I set out feeling ready and prepared and it wasn't long before I heard something... thinking it was a rabbit or maybe a deer." she brushed a loose strand of her hair back, "What I hadn't considered was the other hunter who had been travelling with the group... had forgotten that he had laid out traps."

"Don't tell me?" Brayden wasn't even trying to hold back a burst of laughter.

"I ended up in one of his traps." she dropped her head into her hands, "I could have seen the trap since he hadn't even bothered to hide it properly... it was a stupid thing made with a net. If it hadn't been for my knife I would have probably spent the night trapped... nearly broke my legs when I fell down. But I learned something from it."

"To watch where you are going?" he laughed shaking his head.

"Not very funny." Kyra muttered, "How much longer until we are in Indiana?" she asked in a hope to change the topic.

"If we are lucky and nothing goes wrong we should be there tomorrow." Brayden replied, "Do you want to drive for a while?"

"Only if you want to find yourself in an accident." she shook her head.

"I guess that translate to You don't know how to drive."

"And you would be right... never had any reason to learn it and I don't think that now would be the perfect moment to learn." Kyra pointed out. "But feel free to take a break whenever you feel like you need one. A few hours aren't going to make much of a difference as long as we reach Indiana safe and sound."

******

True to Brayden's words, they did reach Indiana in the early evening hours the next day after the rest of the journey passed by uneventful and rather quickly... there was no telling if it would remain this way. She had never been to Indiana before, couldn't tell what to expect and what to look out for.

A yawn slipped past her lips as she stretched her lips when she spotted something or better someone walking on the side of the road.

"Brayden, wait." Kyra leaned forward placing one of her hands on his shoulder and pointing at the hitchhiker with her other hand, "We should stop... maybe they could need help."

"Sure this is a good decision?"

"I don't know about you but I don't need repetition of the last time I didn't want to help someone." she pointed out.

For a moment their eyes locked... Brayden didn't look fully convinced and yet he stopped the car.

Last edited by schoggettchen (17/08/2021 at 21:02)

By and large, here comes Jahi... DONE

NAME: Jahi Wylder

AGE: 22

FC: Zhavia (Carisa Ward)

ROLE: Tinkerer

Traits: Innovative, audacious, conniving, spontaneous, magnetic, bohemian spirit, eccentric, arrogant

For Jahi, life is a game… and she plays to win. She is active, energetic, resourceful, freedom-loving, and adventurous all at once. She is not particularly concerned with concepts such as work, order, and tidiness. Responsibility and obedience are equally foreign notions she has little interest in exploring. She craves movement and action but is capable of introspection and objectivity… when necessary. She ventures off the beaten path and is attracted to anything original or cutting-edge. Her bold, daring nature, sensuality, and overwhelming desire for more together with her impulsiveness sometimes lead her into unusual if not compromising situations; taking risks without considering the potential consequences of her actions. She can be a bit of a tomboy who isn’t scared of anything and yet she embraces her femininity enthusiastically as much. She seldom does things by halves, but she trusts in her own ability to maneuver between the perils she encounters in this strange, wild world.

Theme Song: No Roots

Chapter 2 - DONE'ish w/plans to elaborate

Aye, Aye Captain - DONE

“You know, we could just sneak away for a while... have some fun...”

I smirked at the taunting words.  I’d only just returned to the dining cart to collect the list and money for the items I was tasked to acquire.

“And then who will do my shopping for me?”

He already stood mere inches away but somehow managed to shift even closer, the heat from his body trailing down my side.

“Blah, I bet there isn’t anything too pressing on there. Just say you couldn’t find whatever it is…”

He slowly began curling a braid in his hand as he leaned in so close that I could feel the breath of each word caress my skin.

“I’m sure your brother wouldn’t approve…”

“He doesn’t have to know.”

I laughed and shook my head.

“Caleb, don’t you have somewhere you need to be?”

Both of us looked up to see Aleric striding into the room, his forehead creased into a frown. A tingle raced down my spine but I was fairly sure it had nothing to do with the fact that Caleb continued to twirl a piece of my hair between his fingers.

“I was just convincing Jahi that I could help her…”

“You mean distract her…”

“Tomato tomato…”

Caleb chuckled softly near my ear while Aleric shook his head looking none too pleased. Seconds later he strolled over, passed a slip of paper and a wad of crumpled bills into my hands.

“There’s a market on the waterfront that should have most of the items on your list…” He then held out another paper inches beside my face. “You’re headed to Lakeshore”

“Aye, Aye Captain…” I did not miss the smirk or sarcasm in his tone as he exchanged the braid for the list.

I arched a brow and even attempted a quick peek at the items on his list but Caleb folded and tucked it away before I got a good look. And seconds later it became more than apparent that Aleric seemed suspiciously impatient for me to get going.

The discussion earlier hadn’t gone exactly as I imagined it might have, what with them both opposing what we should do now that we arrived in Old Orleans. I’d been very tempted to check out the revelry above that Caleb hinted at but, for reasons entirely my own, I wanted as much distance between my past and this great unknown ahead. Aleric’s suggestion that we collect supplies and keep moving sounded best, but, mine aside, I couldn’t help but wonder what his motives were. My interest was equally perked when both men finally agreed over splitting up to cover the most ground.

So now, with our tasks divided I was being ushered ahead as if they both had things to discuss that couldn’t be whilst I was around. I didn’t care too much for being excluded… regardless of how long I’d been a member of the team or not. But I played along… exiting the train and leaving the two behind.


*************************

No one ever said I would do as I was instructed though. I certainly never agreed to it. There were a handful of vendors marketing wears just outside the terminal and a throng of partiers crowding the streets that I slipped between. Where I found myself lingering while slyly keeping a watchful eye on the passage I’d just come out of.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I was thinking… I certainly had no plan. A tiny part of my mind gave idea to taking Caleb up on his offer and his obvious flirtation. It seemed like the quickest and easiest way to attempt to figure these two brothers out. But after about 15 minutes of absolutely nothing happening, I just about gave up and started to get on with the business at hand. But at that moment, Aleric slipped through the darkness and quickly tugged a dark hood over his head. With still no sight of Caleb, I made the rash decision to follow him.

He moved stealthfully, weaving between the crowd with a deceptively casual stride. I say that because I felt for certain that this man was intent. Both on his task and destination. I found myself at times having to skip a few steps and jostle between a few drunken partiers to keep up. It didn’t take too long before the atmosphere changed and the revelers were replaced by locals, the festive streets turned more mundane. My pulse raced though, the longer I paced myself behind him, ducking here and there to avoid being spotted. Eventually, he turned down a narrower road where he suddenly slipped into a faded pink house.

I nibbled on my lower lip, hesitating on whether I should continue or not. But even before I could formulate my next thoughts an inky, slender fingered-grasp tugged me back. Looking back, I wondered why I didn’t scream out but at that moment there was nothing but a somber calmness. Soothed somehow by the presence or the touch of the obsidian woman I found myself being pulled forward, pushed or pulled, I wasn’t even sure… but before I understood I was standing before a window and I could clearly make out a much older woman and Aleric huddled together.

They appeared to discuss something… as if they were making a deal perhaps? I frowned, leaning closer but only barely managed to make out the word “duppy” before their business appeared to conclude and the older woman slipped through a long paisley-printed curtain at the rear of what might be some sort of shop.

And then he spied me for the first time, locking gazes with me through the window. I felt frozen to the spot as his expression quickly changed, growing stormy even before he took the strides necessary to approach me.

A distinct jangle of bells announced his exit of the strange house before he took several more steps to my side, where I stood, too confused to do more than wait.

“What are you doing here?”

“I followed you.”

“Clearly… why?”

“Because I’m sick of being the only one that has no clue what is going on.”

He frowned before shaking his head, still looking incredibly displeased. Or pissed off in fact.

“What did you hear?”

I pressed my lips together tightly and peered back at the house, through the window. The woman still had not reappeared.

“Not enough” I complained to only get an arched, unsatisfied look in return. My jaw flexed and I considered being obstinate, it was little more than he deserved. “Nothing really…” I finally snorted in disgust. “That strange woman brought me over and I saw you and the old lady… something about a daughty? Dappy… duppy?”

He continued to frown, “Strange woman?”

I glanced around again, rubbing my wrist self-consciously at the spot the obsidian-colored woman grabbed only moments before. But she was nowhere to be found. Which only added to my confusion as I described her and the odd sensation I got from her.

“Ahh…”

His understanding did not at all alleviate my bad mood. I still felt confused, left out.

“What the hell is going on Aleric? Who was that woman… both of them… what are YOU doing here?”

He hesitated, staring down at me judgmentally. My nostrils flared and ire began to bubble underneath.

“Do I need to march into that house and ask the old crone?”

His eyes widened slightly before he appeared to soften and even smirked. I was not amused.

“She’d never tell you anything.”

“She’s a salesperson right!?” I challenged and even side-stepped him as if I had every intention of getting into that muted pastel home.

“Whoa… whoa, hold your horses…” I felt his hand sneak around to hook me by the waist so he could literally lift me back a few steps. Immediately, I squirmed and wiggled in an effort to free myself of his hold and somehow ended up facing him with the full length of our bodies mashed together. Only then did I go still, except for the violent hammering of my pulse in my ears. “I’m just checking on something for the train.”

“What?” Sadly, the venom I intended came out more raspy, accompanying the slow trickle of tingles spreading down my spine. Whether he noticed or not, he gave no indication. But he did seem less upset than he had been moments before… when he first found me there spying on him.

“The bush is keeping the train running… it will continue to do so. But… It's a lot of power. I need to better manage it, get more control over it.”

I continued to press my lips together, standing there trying to ignore the feel of his body against mine.

“I’ll show you more when we’re back on the train and out of this town…” He must have read my skepticism correctly. “I promise… but you’ve got to make your own promise… not to go stalking after me in strange, most likely dangerous places.”

“You don’t know if this place is strange to me or not. And I never go anywhere unarmed...”

He smirked as his eyes shifted downward. I found myself swallowing a shallow gulp when one of his fingers slowly brushed my bare flesh when he traced the edge of the revolver strapped to my thigh. Another squirm only accentuated the closeness of our bodies more.

“We’ve got an agreement?”

Was he purposefully trying to distract me? His words were on task but that caress was no so innocent. Or was I simply a bit overwrought and imagining more than I should.

“Fine.” I eventually hissed out. “I won’t follow you if you tell me the truth about things going forward… no excluding me anymore.”

“We’ll see.” It took a couple of seconds for his words to sink in before I began to shake my head.

“Guess we will. I’m only as trusting as the trust I’m given...”

“You’re a stubborn girl. Some of these places can be quite hazardous...”

“I’ve been called worse. And been in sketchier places...”

“Am I supposed to be impressed?”

I paused, scanning his face while it seemed he did the same. The fact that we still stood there at the side of the road far too intimately close was not lost on me. In fact, it seemed to be the very thing I couldn’t take my mind off. I licked my lips blinking through the mask that supposedly helped me blend in with the crowds.

“I think you don’t know what to make of me.”

Did his gaze shift to my lips? I could feel every nerve puckering excitedly.

“I’d say that’s not the half of it…”

I honestly do not know and didn’t think he even meant to say such a thing but it hung between us somehow like a taunt. For me anyway. It was hard… beyond the way his eyes roamed over me, to tell what he was thinking.

“I’m assuming you’ve gotten none of your shopping done?”

“Are you always the stickler for getting the job done…”

“There’s lots more time for playing when it’s done quickly.”

“Caleb would have me believe you’re incapable of having a good time.”

I was unable to control the sharp intake of breath when his fingers splayed behind my gun-harnessed leg, squeezing softly just beneath the surface of my frilly skirt to pull me up even closer.

“You shouldn’t always trust everything my brother says.”

“So he’s a liar?” The words choked out of me. Shamefully, I had absolutely no interest in the conversation when my mind was fully focused on the trail of his calloused fingers.

“Aren’t we all?” Thankfully the snugness of my corset hid any obvious displays of excitement. “Some more consistently than others perhaps…”

“And which are you?”
“The one that does what it takes to get things done.”

I honestly could not say if it was his seductively gravelly voice, the continued caress of his nimble fingers, or the idea that this man could be dangerous in more ways than one. All I knew, for a fact, was that I was drawn to him… and currently more than consumed with the idea of having him.

“Do you need help with your shopping?”

“No…” the tiniest hint of a frown creased his lips. If I hadn’t been staring directly at them I might not have even noticed. “But I won’t mind the company… or the playing afterward…”

“You assume there will be playing after…”

The fact that his fingers continued to linger, still delicately inching along the back of my leg had me feeling smug.

“I’m stubborn, remember? And I like to get what I want.”

“I’ve already warned you once about playing with fire.”

Slowly, my lips curled, eyes wrinkling slightly and I wiggled a little more, this time closer, literally grinding against his hard tall body.

“Not to steal from your brother... but... Aye, aye, Captain." I'd stretched up on my tiptoes, letting my lips graze across his jaw to his ear before adding in a soft purr... "Just know... I’d not be the only one getting burned here…”

With that taunt, I finally slipped back, turned, and started the way we’d come. I didn’t have to look back to know that he followed a few paces behind.

Sleep When You're Dead - Plotted

So, just in case I cannot get the actual full part written in time...

What happens:
They are finished shopping and have arrived at the pre-arranged meeting spot. Caleb is there already. They will have dinner... drinks. Perhaps more than a few drinks. There will be obvious signs of Jahi's heightened interest in Aleric but she will play along with Caleb's flirting and be confused by his moody behavior. After Aleric gets frustrated/annoyed beyond patience and sends Caleb away Jahi will caution that maybe he shouldn't have done that. Aleric will be quick to respond that she is welcome to join him, wherever he is... to which Jahi will suggestively point out that she already made plans for her night. Aleric is more than accommodating. And after a more conscious/less intoxicated repeat performance in the early morning hours, they'll get ready to head back to the train. It is only then that they realize Caleb has gone missing.

THE LOOKS
Stalking Aleric through Mardi Gras crowd


R1-DONE | R2-DONEish (plans to elaborate)

Last edited by BambiFoxx (17/08/2021 at 18:43)

Ballori Kemp // 23 // The Hunters // Drifter

Background information

Name: Ballori Kemp

Age: 23

Face Claim: May Tager

Traits: alert; cautious; compassionate; complex; creative; dutiful; hates change;  independent; mature; meticulous-thinker; modest; mute; mysterious; observant; perceptive; principled; private; quiet; reliable; repressed; resourceful; tough; withdrawn.

Group: The Hunters

Role: drifter

Bio: I'd love to tell you more about Ballori, but I think the only person who really knows Ballori is Ballori herself.

Round 1

1. Drip drop

36 minutes.

That's how long it had taken the duo to begin bickering about Ballori's presence.

Just a mere 36 minutes.

It was hardly surprising though.

They'd found her hiking through the desert, day four of the sun's unforgiving foul mood. Her lips were cracked, her throat was parched and every cell in her body cried out for a single drop of water. And yet, the blazing heat still allowed beads of moisture to escape from places Ballori didn't even know it was possible to sweat from. An earlier fall had left blood hard on her face and she stank. Really, really stank.

When the strange green truck had first pulled up beside her, Ballori thought it to be a mirrage, that the sun had finally turned her against her. It was only once she'd slammed against a hard floor and was gulping down water did she realise that what was going on was real.

Someone had picked her up.

Well, two people actually. The furthest away man was watching her with suspicious eyes. But the closer, darker-haired man looked more concerned than anything.

"What's your name?" he asked softly, handing her a wet cloth

Ballori said nothing as she accepted the offering and began dabbing at the large cut above her right eyebrow.

The untrusting man rolled his eyes. "She clearly doesn't speak English. I swear to God if you've picked up a Ferrick..."

Ballori shook her head ferociously, causing the man to cut off midsentence.

"So you do speak English?" the kinder man asked.

Ballori nodded.

The other man took a step forward with gritted teeth. "So why don't you tell us your name."

"Dom, stop. She's probably just scared." The kind man's eyes flicked from his friend back to Ballori. "It's okay, you're safe now. I'm Sav, and that's Dom."

"What were you doing out in the desert?" Dom asked, sounding impatient.

Silence.

"Hello? Are you deaf?"

"Dom! Stop." Sav snapped. He turned once more back to Ballori, his tone softened. "Are you hungry at all?"

She stopped wiping herself and shook her head - dehydration certainly quelled one's hunger.

That had been 36 minutes ago. Now the two were at the front of the truck, arguing in hushed whispers.

"We don't know who she is!"

"We can't just throw her out, it's chucking it down!"

"Then we'll wait til the rain's stopped!""

"Dom! Where's your heart man?"

"Oh come on, we don't know anything about her. She's not even thanked us for saving her. She can't be trusted."

Ballori hadn't said a word the whole time she'd been aboard. The water and shelter from the sun's evil rays had had cleared her mind and she was finally assessing the situation.

The men. They looked pretty similar to be honest. Hair in a slight quiff, the stubble expected a few days after shaving and muscles that must be a hit with the ladies. Even though they had helped her they weren't too be trusted. Like Dom so kindly kept pointing out, they didn't know anything about each other.

Drip. Drop.

The truck. There were two floors, with a ladder connecting one to the other. The first, the one Ballori was currently propped up in, looked like more general living quarters. The drivers were sat up front, and there was a small space for preparing food as well as a radio and some cushions on the floor acting as a sofa. In the far corner there was a bucket, collecting water that was leaking through the broken roof. The upstairs was presumably some sort of sleeping area.

Drip. Drop.

The plan. Well, Ballori didn't have one. And Dom and Sav certainly weren't about to share theirs with her.

Drip. Drop.

Damnit that leak was annoying.

Ballori's eyes darted across the room, searching for something that could be used to stop the leak. A sensible idea would be to block it with some wood, but she didn't have any nails and didn't think the two men would be too happy if she started breaking apart what little furniture they had.

Drip. Drop.

There must be something.

Insulation peeking out of a gap in the wall caught her eye. Ballori quietly moved over to the wall to examine it further. As luck would have it, the outer wall was still intact, meaning taking pieces of the insulation would not impact the wall itself.

"What are you doing?" Dom cried, spotting Ballori attacking the wall.

"Erm." was all Sav could muster.

"I told you this was a bad idea!"

Dom lunged towards her but Ballori was quicker. She darted up the ladder, once at the top strecthing towards the hole. She stuffed the insulation firmly into the gap, ensuring that all areas were well padded. As predicted, the water stop rushing through.

"Oh."

"We've been meaning to fix that for weeks." Dom stated, as she climbed back down once more.

"Well, I'd say she's proven her worth." Sav chuckled. Neither Ballori or Dom responded, prompting Sav to speak again. "Where are you heading?"

Ballori thumbled around in her pocket, digging out a rather battered compass. She pointed, and showed it to Sav.

"Northwest?"

She nodded. Sav looked at Dom, who sighed heavily.

"Fine."

2. Not here for the tour

Ballori watched as her two companions continued to tare the museum apart. They had spent the past hour searching for items within the exhibits. She'd tried to help at first but each time she'd present an artefact to one of them they'd shake their head and toss it to the side. Not knowing what they were looking for or why, Ballori decided instead to perch on one of the seats, much to Dom's annoyance.

"Ready?" Sav asked a few moments later.

"Sure. Come on, Emma."

Emma. Urgh. That was what the two had decided to call her since Ballori wouldn't tell them her name. Still, I guess it's better than Girl, which is what Dom had spent the first day calling her.

As she collected a handful of the items and followed Dom and Sav to wherever they were headed, Ballori couldn't help but reflect on the past couple of days. She didn't particularly like either of the men, nay trust them, but their willingness to let her travel with them was enough for her to tolerate them for now. Sav was more supportive of the idea, though Ballori wasn't a fan of how reckless he appeared to be. Still, she preferred him over Dom, who's mood was difficult to predict. Sometimes he was nice to her, other times he'd reflect Ballori's silence back to her.

All thoughts quickly left Ballori's mind as a veiled holographic figure appeared before them. Though this was the spot they'd entered the museum, the figure certainly hadn't been there before. She looked mysterious and eerie, and made Ballori feel slightly uncomfortable.

Sav and Dom placed their items on the ground before the figure and took three steps back, prompting Ballori to do the same. The figure sorted through the items, discarding each one as she went. When she picked up the final artifact she examined it carefully, before shaking her head. The figure then vanished as soon as she had arrived, and Dom gave a heavy sigh. Sav, on the other hand, looked disheartened.

Ballori looked at the two of them, confusion displayed.

"That was The Curator." Dom disclosed, picking up on her emotions. "She has something we need. Only thing is, you have to offer her something in return."

"Yeah, well I think I know what she wants."

"I doubt it."

Sav rolled his eyes. "Emma. I know what she wants. Ignore Dom. Help me find it?"

"I think we'd be better searching the top floor again."

"Emma?"

Although no real details about the desired item had been disclosed, Ballori couldn't shake the feeling that Sav didn't really know what he was looking for.

The figure had been donned The Curator. They were in a museum. Surely The Curator was looking for something with meaning... something that completed some kind of collection?

"Emma?" Sav asked again.

Ballori shook her head. No, whatever Sav thought was right, wouldn't be. Instead, she pointed down.

"I don't understand..."

She pointed down again.

"I... I think she wants to look in storage." Dom figured.

"No, it won't be down there. We need to go-"

"No." Dom interrupted. "We've already searched the rest of the museum. Emma seems to have an idea, so let's check it out."

Dom marched towards the door leading to the basement, beckoning Ballori to follow. Ballori was close behind, hoping that Sav would also follow them down.

She didn't want to be the cause of any tension in the group.

* * * * *

"This is ridiculous, we don't even know what she's looking for." Sav muttered.

"Give it a rest Sav, just give her a chance."

"Oh how things have changed over the past couple of days..."

Now it was Ballori's turn to sort through the items with Sav and Dom showing things to her, which had put Sav in a right foul mood.

"I bet she doesn't even know what she's looking for..."

Oh but she did. Ballori had heard stories, whispers, of a Dainichi Nyorai figurine. It was said to represent the importance of knowledge and truth-seeking, which Ballori thought may be of extreme concern to The Curator. It was also one of five figurines, and could be the final missing piece to something greater.

"How about this?" Dom asked, presenting a small bronze figurine to Ballori.

Ballori nodded enthusiastically - that was it. Exactly what the group needed.

Hopefully.

* * * * *

Ballori had been correct - when Dom offered the Dainichi Nyorai the had made a strange noise of satisfaction, before offering Dom an item unseen by Ballori. Dom had given her a slightly patronising pat on the back as a form of thanks.

Sav didn't say anything.

Now they were finally back on the road, unknowing of the challenges that lay ahead.

3.

4.

INCOMPLETE
Huge thanks to Schoggettchen for the truly amazing character banner!

Last edited by Fashion-Chic (13/08/2021 at 16:53)

the form

Name: Delphine Easterbrook
Age: 25
Role: Influencer
Group: The Collectors, Mercucio & Wren

Traits: extroverted, loyal, impatient, wicked, observant, likes the attention but only when she wants it, spoilt, snobbish, charming (most of the time), witty, relentless, curious, brave (bordering on reckless), adventurous.

Bio
Delphine was born in 2400 - a year considered to be a lucky one in the middle of very unlucky circumstances. She grew up protected, she grew up without actually being aware of the situation around her, and by the time she was old enough to develop some sense of compassion, she could not bother to give a shit.

Delphine never fails to mention she was named after the ancient temple site Delphi which has been associated with prophecies and prophets, which then turns into a story of her supposed foresight: predicting things, events, social scandals, which has, more times than not, had more to do with people being predictable, lies being far to easy to say, her own curious mind and hawk-eyed personality, impeccable timing and, willingness to push people into her desired narrative.

Normally, with Delphine, it's more about the things she keeps to herself. She is still able to surprise herself with her willingness to go the extra mile to get what she wants, or at least manipulate someone into giving it to her.

the plan

vi. well, clearly do something about the bus
vii. a bit of dealing with both
viii. siding with m to feel the wrath of w

chapter vi.

The bus came to a very rowdy halt, Dee slamming into Wren, who pushed her off immediately and onto Mercucio, unintentionally.

“Sorry," Dee lifts up, glaring shortly to Wren, before turning back to Mercucio.

“It only took a screeching halt for us to become closer," he jokes, helping her up. -"What happened?"

The question seemed to have been directed towards Wren, so Dee looks at her, waiting.

"I'm not sure," she says.

Not the answer either would expect, but definitely not now: getting stuck in the middle of a desert, in some godforsaken wasteland, Ohio was not the luckiest thing that happened. Dee furrows her brows, peeking outside the window, trying to figure out—

Well, she didn't know what exactly, yet she stared outside until she turned to Wren - Mercucio seemed to have been outside already.

"There's a storm coming," she says, while the girl approached her as if disgusted with this conclusion - her face sunk a little once she caught a glimpse of the dark grey skies. She says nothing, stepping outside, prompting Dee to do the same: she pulled her jacket on, walking out of the bus. A strong gush of wind blows the ribbon off her hair, prompting her to glance after it, standing still as she catches the sight behind the other side: the storm she saw was nothing but a glimpse into what has been brewing on the other side.

Mercucio stood next to the hood of the vehicle, but Dee doubts he knows much about what is happening, instead of hearing the last part of the sentence.

"-it's this storm," she said.

"What can a storm do to a bus?" Dee seems confused, while Wren only gave her a pitiful glare, rolling her eyes without bothering to answer.

"It's a magical storm," Mercucio offers. -"And the bus—"

"Is soaked in illegal magic, I get it," she threw a smile, getting closer to them. -"So, what can we do?"

"You, nothing," Wren concluded, almost knocking her over as she walked past her, and Dee rolls her eyes.

"This is getting a little old," she says.

"You're always free to fuck out of here," Wren threw back at her, stepping into the bus. Another gush of wind, and she turns as she hears Mercucio slam the metal back into its place.

"What have I done this time?" she sighs. -"Breathe too loudly?"

He chuckled, gesturing towards the bus, and as they stepped back, Wren is in her spot, her Finch next to her.

Dee stumbles back a little: having never seen it this close, she is taken aback by the looks. Mercucio holds her forearms as if to steady her in her place. She blinks twice, before turning to him, if only for a second, and smile.

"You've met our Finch, no?"

"My Finch," Wren insisted.

"No, I don't think I have," Dee mused.

"So, I think we should go back," Mercucio cuts the little bewilderment moment of hers short, and she stares at him: going back? Not an option.

"Absolutely not," Wren spat. -"I'll get us a transportation, we are not turning back, let alone walking," she says, and Mercucio seems to have less patience for her antics right now.

"You think this is possible in this storm?"

"Or Ohio?" Dee blurted out. She was not the traveller before, at least she did not travel around wastelands, but she knew as much about them: move on, there's nothing to do here, unless you're disposing of a dead body, or trying to become one.

"Yes," Wren replies matter-of-factually. -"I can do it, just give me a couple of hours, and we'll be on our way out of here," she says. Dee couldn't tell why Mercucio did what he did, but she stood there facing both of them as he turned around and looked at her.

"Delphine?" he said. -"What do you want to do?"

She takes a moment to think, and every possible scenario is running in her mind with only two common thoughts behind it: don't die and don't go back. She took a breath, brows furrowed, looking at Wren.

"You can do it?"

"Of course," she replied - another disgusted look on her face as Dee crossed hands on her chest, shrugging.

"I think we should give her a chance then," she says. -"Use your Finch and get us out of here."

chapter vii.

Middle of the night in the desert of Ohio could not have gone by slower than it did already. The Finch left their side soon after the argument, and Mercucio seemed surprised by the fact Dee stood by Wren's decision at that point. The sleeping arrangement, in the second deck of the bus, was now occupied by Dee, who#I  found her spot near the front end of the bus. Carefully, silently, she made her bed in order not to wake up Mercucio who stepped up only an hour later, in order to get some rest - possibly preparing for a walk that has to happen sooner, rather than later.

Dee knocks down a book, but it lands on the soft cushion, and she stands still for a moment: Wren was walking, and she's trying to listen for the return of the Finch, and their ride.

Nothing, but a movement coming from the place where Mercucio was.

"Will you actually be able to sleep?"

"I thought you were," she replies to the whispers.

"Wren?"

"Is doing her absolute worse in tolerating me," she replied.

"We've got time to kill," he says.

"I might have asked this question sooner, but you two never did seem like a couple, so, are you?" Dee pushes aside her need to be coy about it, opting out for the more direct route this time.

"We are not a couple," he chuckled in what seems to be a very brief moment of what seemed like optimism. Dee smiled in the darkness. -"Why would you think that?"

"Because she seems to hate me a bit more whenever you show you don't," she whispers back. -"And I don't dislike her, not at all," she continues without any purpose to her words. -"I admire what she has, yet, she thinks nothing of me, and normally, this is when I just drop out,"

"So, you're dropping out?"

"I am," she mused, biting the inside of her lip, closing her eyes for a brief moment. -"If you want to walk back, I'm going to go back with you,"

"What changed since an hour ago?"

"Nothing changed, that's the issue."

There's movement heard from downstairs, both Mercucio and Dee go silent, trying to figure out if it's the Finch returning, yet nothing happens. Wren paced a little, she let out a smile sometime after it, but nothing in their universe changed one bit, and Dee grew more restless with every moment. Brows furrowed, hands buried in her own hair, as she laid flat on her back. Breaths came in, breaths came out, and she replays her last days in her mind, stopping without a mistake at the same place.

Blood. Knife. It felt like a 1900's cliche situation often depicted in books, novels and such: the crime of passion. Well, first and foremost, a crime.

Passion should be ignored, as it is for the best.

So, she cannot really go back, but heading back a few miles sure works better than sitting in a bus in the middle of the storm.

"It's getting louder outside," she whispers in the hope Mercucio is awake. Brows furrowed, she prompts herself up on her elbows, glancing to the side. The storm was raging outside, part of her did not wish to open the blinds and see what is happening there, part of her had hoped for the Finch to return soon. There's a sigh coming from the darkness.

"It's been two hours,"

"It's been two hours," she parrotted, falling back onto the soft blanket. She wanted to crawl back inside of it, pull it over her eyes until all the sounds become muffled, all the light is gone, and she can wait in the warmth. She wondered if she made the right call taking a chance with them. Lost in her own thoughts, she slips into dreams for a moment, running through the halls of her childhood home, hand in hand with—

There's a slam to the side of the bus, throwing her off a little bit.

"Fuck," she says, grabbing something as the bus swung for a moment -"Wren?"

There's nothing.

"She's fine," Dee says to Mercucio. -"If she was dying she'd either use the last breath to tell me to die."

He gave a chuckle, half-heartedly - walking down.

"Wren?"

"I'm fine," she says as he stepped down. -"Not dead," she glared at Dee a moment later, and Dee pulled a mocking face. She tripped the next second, almost slamming her head against the seat, so that was a good rule of thumb to keep in mind when dealing with Wren.

Don't be mean. Don't talk back. Don't breathe, unless you really have to.

"It's been two hours," Mercucio says. -"Maybe it's time to walk,"

"Absolutely not," she spat and returned to her seat. -"He'll be back with a transport," she says. -"I can assure you," she turns her attention to Mercucio. She was cold, rubbing her shoulders, and he instinctively pulled a blanket from somewhere, throwing it on her. There was something inexplicably intimate about the way they interacted - or something that comes as a result of living together for a year - and Dee chooses not to impose at the moment. Wren only took one look at her, and she decided against her better judgment to step away and become more passive in her role, returning back to the warmth of the covers and comfort of the darkness, shielding her from the raging storm outside.

chapter viii

Dee was sure she closed her eyes for a short moment, stepping into the middle of another argument. She takes a glimpse outside - the dawn was an hour or so from breaking - and the storm is still in full rage.

The fight was not far behind.

"Can your spirits tell you if there's something around us that can help?" Dee could hear Mercucio ask from the bus.

"You know it doesn't work like that," Wren spat.

"And the Finch, where is the Finch?"

"In case you haven't noticed," if her voice could cut holes, he would not be standing there. -"We are in the middle of a storm, I don't know! How would I know? Why do I need to know it, the Finch will return, like any other time, and the two of us will find our way to go forward," she says.

"Three of us," he replied, making her roll her eyes.

"It's good to know you are listening," she says.

"So, you don't even know if it's close if it—"

"I don't need to know where it is in order to know we will have—"

"You cannot possibly know this!" he cut her off as Dee stepped out of the bus. Neither paid her much attention, allowing her to take a few steps in the dark.

The storm seemed like any other until you realize it wasn't only rain, nor only sand that flew around - there were sparks resembling shards of broken glass that flew around, glimmering without light to reflect - Dee has never seen a magical storm before.

Blues and greys from the skies glistened with little bits of deep, warm reds that flew around - she makes a whole turn, taking in the wind, not being able to hear herself well, and her eyes land back onto the argument.

"Let's wait a few hours—"

"We don't have that luxury anymore, Wren! We lost that three hours ago when Finch left," he surprised both of them with his tone of voice. -"I'm walking back, and I suggest you do the same, otherwise whatever—"

"I'll make us a fucking shelter," she argued, and Dee found herself unable to believe that: Wren is not bothered enough with anyone to keep her promises: the second it stops serving her, it's forgotten. The wind blew harsher, again, and this might have been the turning point for her: the danger was close enough. -"And if the Finch is not back by morning—"

"Wren," he said, but then let out a sigh. He turned to Dee the next moment, looking at her looking at him. -"I'm walking out, are you going to with me, or staying with Wren?"

So, if this was the other way around, she would be happy to wait out the storm with Mercucio in the bus - with Wren, she believes she has more chance of survival in the desert during the storm.

She nodded, taking a short detour to the bus, picking up some of her things, stepping outside with her bag and some water.

There's nothing on Wren's face for a split second. Then, there's rage.

She slapped the bottle out of Dee's hand. Otherwise, Dee might have been a little bit tamer, or more frightened - but right now, she was eager to get out. She stops Wren's hand mid-air, to the surprise of both her and Mercucio, and pushes her to the side.

"Stop acting like a brat, and come with us," Dee tries to reason. -"No one is worth shit if we die waiting for a maybe to happen," she said. Wren said nothing, standing in disbelief as if truly checking if this was a bluff. -"Please."

Nothing, for a solid ten seconds, and Dee shook her head, walking past the girl.

"You will regret this," Wren hissed, as Dee picked her bottle. -"You are not going anywhere, you hear me?" she yells. Dee walked past Mercucio, with him following closely.

They were a few steps away when the screaming stopped - or at least, they stopped hearing her.

"You didn't want to go back," he says, a few dozen minutes in. -"What made you change your mind?"

Dee shook her head, feeling the cold, finally. The adrenalin left her, but her steps were still as determined as they were when they started. They walked, but she was pretty sure neither knew exactly where they were going.

"You were right," she admits. -"Selfish reasons did not work this time around,"

"So, you're trying to run away from something," he announces as a conclusion, Dee handing him a strange look. She nods. -"Wren called it,"

"It's not too hard to figure out why someone goes from everything they know," she concluded. -"Speaking of, I still don't know what you two are hoping to find wherever you're heading," she continued.

"Perhaps it's better it stays like that," he chuckled, throwing one of his smug smirks, and she rolls her eyes this time around. Perhaps, middle of the night, middle of the storm, middle of nowhere, asked for honesty.

The dawn was starting to break.

Things would look horrible in minutes, she is certain of that, so this is it, time to say the truth.

She is about to, pave the way, and she stepped another step when he walked into something, pushed onto the ground. Dee took a step back, offering a hand to Mercucio, sitting on the ground. He takes her hand, pushing himself up only to step into an invisible wall.

"What the hell?"

Dee pulls on his hand - hers comes through, his doesn't.

"Wren," she says as if a breath escaped her.

"Fuck!" he yells. -"She must have set some kind of barrier there—"

He said something else, but all she can imagine is the two of them returning, backing to the bus, to find Wren there, all her rage directed right to one point: Dee. She let go of Mercucio's hand, unaware she was holding it this long. Dee pulls him down a little, tugging on his shirt, taking him by surprise. The kiss is good, she has to admit. Warm and cold alike, and he pulls her neck, pulling her a bit closer to him, but she stays her ground, moving a bit further.

The sun started to come on the horizon. Dee smiled, apologetically, which she doesn't do.

"You're leaving?"

"Should I go back and wait for her to make me her plaything?" she chuckled. -"I think I've had enough."

He nodded, and she nodded back.

"Have a safe trip," Dee says. -"Hope you get wherever you were going,"

"May we meet again."

DONE.

Last edited by Zaralee (17/08/2021 at 23:16)

FC- Maeva Giani Marshall
~Rune
Flexible, noncommittal, Resilient, curious/ investigative
Drifter
Bex n Vix~
R2 done.

The Hoodoo Ball

“Wakey, wakey, Rune! We’ve got a big day ahead of us!”, a familiar voice pronounced while pulling on said girl’s sheets. Rune’s eyes opened to the sight of an excited black haired female standing next to an equally unexcited red haired one. “Seriously, why are you waking me up so early” Rune groaned as she leaned up from the soft cushiony bed she had been sleeping on all night to peer out the window at the barely risen sun.
“The Hoodoo ball is tonight. Mambo Flor's personal tailors are waiting for us downstairs to take our measurements!” Rune felt herself awaken at Vix’s words, remembering that they were to be presented as honored guests tonight at one of Old Orleans biggest celebrations. Rune sighed as she got up. She did not want to keep the tailors waiting. Rune was grateful for Mambo flor’s hospitality especially since it meant sleeping on a big fluffy bed last night and not pressed up against their car’s window. After setting the bed sheets back to their rightful position, Rune followed Vix and a grumpy Bex downstairs to meet the tailors.

Nightfall came fast. The day had been a whirlwind of dress fittings, luxurious foods, and dealing with a complaining red head who could not stop muttering about Texarkana. Rune now stood in front of her guest bedroom’s mirror,  placing the final part of her outfit on: the mask. The mask was a lovely piece of blue satin that went over her eyes and nose. It had a light blue diamond embedded into the top center of the fabric. It was one of the most expensive things Rune had ever held in her hands, and she couldn’t help but cherish it. Rune caressed her mask one last time before heading out of her borrowed room to meet Bex and Vix.

Inside the ball there seemed to be hundreds of masked revelers dancing, talking, and drinking. And entering into the ball as announced honored guest was a electrifying experience. Rune felt both exhilarated by all the attention and equally charged with energy telling her to escape it all. Rune watched from the corner of her eyes as Bex’s hands slowly clutched into fists, knowing that all the attention was irritating the woman more then she already was. Luckily soon after their announced arrival the music started back up, it’s tune so enticing that most of the crowd felt need to begin dancing and drinking again. The trio moved forward and into the horde.

It was late in the evening when Rune came to the realization that she could no longer catch sight of, or even find, Bex or Vix. To be honest it was not the easiest of tasks, as everyone around her was wearing a mask and it seemed like the amount of people in her vicinity had doubled within the last hour. Rune was about to take herself outside for some much needed air when Mambo Flor approached. The generous host informed Rune that Bex had gone outside and that Vix was looking for her. Seeing as how Rune planned on going outside anyways, she decided to first go and  check on Bex, then see about Vix. Bex had been irritated all day and Rune just hoped the woman hadn’t hurt anyone outside.

Bex was not hard to find, she was easily spotted with her mask off standing next to the groups vehicle. As Rune got closer she could hear the woman mumbling about needing to get to Texarkana. Rune sighed not realizing that the woman was still fixated on that random place.
As Rune looked around she realized that Bex’s antics were starting to draw a crowd. luckily mambo Flor’s protection made it so that no one was intervening whenever Bex had a sudden and usually violent outburst.

Rune came upon the woman just as she decided to kick a trashcan towards the crowd in anger.
With her hands out Rune tried to calm the woman down. “Bex please” she pleaded, reaching out to place her right hand on the irritated woman’s shoulder. Bex startled, almost breaking Runes arm in the process of grabbing said hand off her shoulder. Rune debated on trying to reason with the angry woman or just deciding to let her release anger out on the town when the most unexpected thing happened.
Vix ran outside screaming both their names. her hands and dress coated in bright red blood.
Rune’s only thought at the sight ‘I guess it’s time to go to Texarkana’.

Last edited by J3zab3ll (18/08/2021 at 03:50)

Round 2 is now closed

Welcome to Round 3!

Everyone is moving forward but not everyone is getting ahead, based on that from here on out the time frames of your rounds will be based exclusively on the choice(s) you make.

BambiFoxx

Aleric: He enjoyed the night you spent together and the banter leading up to it. He'll be more forward with you though not in a possessive way

Caleb: His demeanor will determine if/when you find him

With Caleb missing the first thing that Aleric will want to do is return to the train to see if that's where his brother is. When you get to the train however you'll search everywhere but the engine room Do you:

a) insist that Aleric tell you the secret of the engine now...

b) suggest going back above ground...

Please PM me your choice.

Fashion-Chic

Magical interference has you stuck in a time loop and your group is delayed (Please use R3 to tell your R2 story)

Schogettchen

Brayden: He wasn't planning on it but the time you spent in New Appalachia has made him develop a fondness for you. He however will not immediately express this worried about scaring you off. Should you wish to pursue something with him beyond your platonic interactions you'll need to initiate it.

The hitchiker that you insist on stopping for is actually a woman that Brayden knows from the compound, and one that he has an intimate history with: Reese (https://imagesvc.meredithcorp.io/v3/mm/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F6%2F2020%2F10%2F12%2FTWD_609_GP_0817_0108-RT.jpg) and she claims to have business with a Shaman in the Ohio deserts and is hoping that you will take her there. Do you...

a) suggest offering her some spare supplies while you continue on your journey...

b) suggest taking her to Ohio even though it's in the opposite direction from where you're headed…

Please PM me your choice.

Zaralee

Heading alone into the night you soon stumble across a small caravan of cars, there are seven in total and while many are dark and hiding their inhabitants there are two with lights on. The first is a modded, steampunk style van with a man standing outside shirtless and using a small flashlight to read a book (see "The Grifters" in the team claim). The second is a hearse with two men sitting on the hood and talking in hushed tones. One is a red haired man dressed in medical scrubs (https://img.nbc.com/sites/nbcunbc/files/images/2017/11/10/S3-ChiMed-CastBio-Will.jpg), the other is a man so heavily tattooed that in the twilight it looks like he's wearing a shirt until you get closer (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/03/70/0f/03700f6b662596df660f9b96dfd4b1d9.jpg). The man with the book smiles and waves, the man in the scrubs does the same. Do you:

a) Approach the man with the book...

b) Approach the man with the scrubs...

This will determine your new companions.

Please PM me your choice

J3zab3ll

Magical interference has you stuck in a time loop and your group is delayed (Please use R3 to tell your R2 story)

For this round please include the following:

A story based on this part of your journey (see initial impressions for starting points, further instructions will follow after I'm told your choices).

Outfit(s) Show me what you were wearing at pivotal points in your story

When your entry is complete please write R3 complete or something similar in your entry.

R3 will end Sunday August 22 23:30

Kyra / The Farmers / Laborer

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

Name: Kyra

Age: 30

FC: Phoebe Tonkin

Role: Laborer

Personality Traits: Strong, athletic, fit & capable of handling herself should the need arise. Awkward around people & in social situations; doesn't know what to say or how to deal with them. Her decisions are usually rash & impulsive; doesn't plan ahead or think about possible consequences. Calm, collected & not easily angered; often appears as if she isn't showing any emotions at all. Tends to forget about her limits & often doing too many things at the same time, but is capable of dealing with the lack of sleep. Hard worker & doesn't stop until the job is done. Prefers to do everything on her own before asking for help; used to relying on herself only. Great orientation skills; knows her fair share about hunting & fishing.

Indiana

Story

X

Slowly the truck came to a halt a few metres ahead of the hitchhiker... Brayden still had a tight grip around the steering wheel. He turned his head looking at Kyra with a stern expression.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes," she replied before opening the car door and sliding out... it was cooler than she had anticipated and she wrapped her arms around herself while she watched the Hitchhiker coming closer.

It was a woman dressed in dark clothes, gun strapped to her thigh and wrapped in a long cloak.

"Reese, is that you?" Brayden had stepped out of the truck as well... his expression was a mixture of confusion and recognition.

"Brayden? What the hell are you doing out here?" Reese replied looking at him and then over to Kyra, "And who is that?"

"You know that I could ask you exactly the same." Brayden shook his head, "We are just passing through Indiana heading Southwest... and that is Kyra."

Kyra didn't miss the smile on his face as he introduced her. "Nice to meet you." she turned to Reese briefly lifting her hand as a greeting, "How do you know each other?"

"Oh, Brayden and I go all the way back." Reese's lips were curled into a smirk, "We know each other from the comune... you know being friends for years before taking it a step further. We had a great time together... too bad that it didn't last long."

"Reese." he hissed through clenched teeth.

"What? You know it is true." Reese was still grinning as she took a few forwards stopping right in front of him, "How long has it been since I left?" she tilted her head to the side, "Must have been at least 5 years... if not more. I have never thought that we would meet again, especially not in those circumstances."

"You still haven't answered my question... what are you doing out here, Reese?"

"Me? I have some business to do with a Shaman in the Ohio Dessert. I know it isn't exactly along your way... especially since you are heading in the other direction but maybe you could take a little detour and take me there?" Reese explained her whole attention directed at Brayden.

"Of what kind of detour are we talking about?" Kyra spoke up, surprising both Brayden and Reese... honestly, she had no intention of helping her out. But maybe it wasn't her call to make. She didn't know her and more important she wasn't the one who had a history with Reese.

"Oh, that is hard to say... could be hours or days. The Ohio desert is unpredictable, treacherous and known for magical storms." Reese replied with a shrug.

Brayden looked at her and then back at Kyra surprising both of them when he wrapped a hand around Kyra's wrist, "Excuse us for a moment." He didn't bother waiting for a reply from Reese before he turned walking back to the truck.

"What is wrong?" One of Kyra's eyebrows was arched up as she looked at him.

"Do you really want to help her?"

It wasn't the question she had been expecting, "I don't know... she is your... friend." The word sounded foreign after hearing exactly what kind of history he shared with Reese. For some reason it bothered Kyra more than she was willing to admit... she didn't know Brayden for a long time now and yet she couldn't deny that she felt surprisingly comfortable in his presence. "What do you want to do?"

He let out a sigh dragging a hand through his hair, "Honestly, I don't know. As Reese said it has been years since we have last seen each other and I hadn't imagined that we would never meet again." It was obvious from his voice how conflicted he felt about the whole situation.

"Oh, I see." Kyra blinked a few times. "Is that all or is there more behind it?" she asked carefully... not wanting to offend him or say something wrong in this weird situation. "I mean I would understand if you want to help her out since you know each other... even if it would mean taking a detour."

"It feels like I'm about to start something new." Brayden licked over his lips, "And I..."

Kyra stopped him by placing one of her hands on his arms, "It is okay. You don't need to say anything more." she briefly pressed her lips together turning her head back in Reese's direction, "Maybe we could at least share some of our supplies with her... after all, she said it herself that she still got a long walk ahead of her." she shrugged.

"Sounds like a plan." He nodded, "Oh, and Kyra, thank you." he offered her a small smile before walking back to Reese.

"We won't be able to help you, Reese. You can give you some of our supplies but we won't be taking a detour." Kyra told her. She had her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"Are you kidding me?" Reese exclaimed loudly throwing her a nasty look before she turned to Brayden, "You can't be seriously agreeing with her? You know what we have been through together and now you are leaving me stranded on the side of the road."

"I'm sorry, Reese. But I have to keep moving forward." Brayden replied, his face a blank mask.

"You mean that you two have to keep moving forward." she hissed, "Well, thank you for nothing, Brayden."

"The supplies." Kyra held out a small bag in Reese's direction, "Take them or leave them. It is your call."

Without any word Reese snatched the bag from her hands, her gaze was cold and harsh... she didn't turn around, walking back in the direction Kyra and Brayden had come from, likely heading towards the Ohio Desert.

"Are you alright?" Kyra asked glancing at Brayden from the side.

"Yes," he replied though she had a hard time believing that he was actually telling the truth. But she wasn't going to push him or force him to be honest with her. "Come, let's keep going. It will be night soon and I don't want to stay out here in the open." he clasped her shoulder briefly before heading back to the car.

With one last look at Reese who was slowly disappearing in the distance, Kyra opened the passenger door sliding into the seat right next to Brayden. He arched up one of his eyebrows in surprise but said nothing as he started the truck.





The night was approaching soon and it didn't seem like Brayden had any intention of stopping soon... it had been a quiet drive for the past few hours. The encounter with Reese was still present on Kyra's mind, for some unknown reason she hadn't been able to forget about her and what the woman had revealed about the relationship she had shared with Brayden. Rationally, Kyra knew that it shouldn't her bother as much as she did... there was absolutely no reason. After all, they were friends and nothing more.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Brayden asked all of a sudden.

Kyra turned her head slightly, "What are you talking about?"

He moved one of his hands briefly away from the steering wheel and pointing at the book in her lap, "You have been on this part for at least an hour now... either it is a very fascinating story or your mind is occupied with something else."

"Oh." she blinked pressing her lips together. She hadn't even noticed that she had stopped reading once her thoughts kept drifting away. She closed the book... it was old, the cover well-worn and some of the pages had been ripped in slightly. "Nothing special... on my mind I mean." she shrugged, "Shouldn't we stop soon?" Kyra had lost count of how many hours they had been already driving at this point.

"We will. I'm just looking for a good spot." Brayden replied.

She knitted her eyebrows together before turning her head over to the passenger window... it was already slightly dark outside and didn't really seem like the most inviting place in the world, "I'm not sure if there is anything to find out there."

"Are you doubting my abilities?" his voice sounded playful.

"I wouldn't dare." Kyra chuckled briefly.

"Good." He nodded, "Are you sure that everything is alright? You seem awfully quiet today."

She tilted her head to the side as she looked at him, "Do I really seem like a person who talks a lot?" Kyra reached over placing her hand on his shoulder, "I'm fine, Brayden. But thanks for looking out for me."

"Anytime Kyra." Brayden flashed her a smile. "That doesn't seem like a bad spot?" He pointed out of the window and something to his left side.

"I don't see anything." Kyra narrowed her eyes together before she scooted closer to him... their shoulders almost touching.

"Seriously?" he shook his head laughing briefly. She felt frozen when all of a sudden he grabbed her left arm lifted it up and pointed at the same spot he had been trying to show her earlier, "Do you see it now?"

"Yes..." she whispered surprised by the sudden closeness and the touch of his fingers around her wrist. In the distance, she could make out a few houses. "Do you think someone still lives there?"

"I don't think so... I have heard stories before about people building improvised houses where they stayed for a few months - usually during the winter - before moving along," he explained letting go of her hand again and yet Kyra made no intention of moving back to her seat. "The houses might not be longer in the best condition but for tonight it should be more than enough."

Brayden stopped the truck a few metres away from the houses - hidden behind stones and a few bushes. "Only take what you are going to need for the night. I want to be out here as soon as possible since we still got a long way to go."

"Speaking about that... how much longer do you think will it take?" Kyra grabbed one of her bags before closing the passenger door.

"Hard to say. I don't want to jinx it but you can never know what will happen next." he shrugged.

True to his words, the houses were indeed empty... judging by their state it must have been years since someone had last been here. "If something happens, I can always blame it on you." Kyra teased with a grin. She dropped her bag on the floor of what might have been a living room - or maybe it was a bedroom - once before she turned back to Brayden, "We should still have enough supplies but maybe I could try and see if I can find something around here?"

"Sure why not. I will set up our camp for the night." Brayden nodded. She had almost walked past him when he suddenly reached out wrapping a hand around her arm, "Oh, and Kyra? Just be careful that you don't end up in another trap... I mean for me it might be funny, but I don't think that you see it the same way."

"Haha." She rolled her eyes moving her hand out of his grip... as she walked back outside she did her best not to read too much into his words.

He was just teasing me and nothing else. Though it didn't sound as convincing as Kyra wanted to.

XI

The sun was barely peeking over the mountains when Kyra stepped outside stretching her arms and letting out a content yawn. It certainly was something to sleeping underneath a roof and surrounded by four walls compared to spending the night inside the truck... it wasn't unpleasant and she had slept in far worse places before. Shaking her head, Kyra looked around the remaining houses, all in the same bad shape and she doubted that there was anything valuable to find around here. A new campfire was quickly lit and the remains of last night's dinner - rabbit - were roasting over the fire. Kyra sat in front of it, knees hugged close to her chest as she just sat there and watched.

She didn't turn around as she heard footsteps behind her knowing that it was only Brayden and her around here.

"That is certainly one way to wake up." he said lips curled into a smile before he settled down next to her, "How long have you been already up?"

"Well, it would be a waste to throw away food and if I can't drive, I can at least do that." she shrugged, "Not too long but I didn't want to wake you up... not when you looked so..." she stopped tilting her head to look at him.

"Like what?" Brayden kept his gaze locked on her.

"Peaceful." Kyra finally replied though the word cute had always been on her mind it wasn't something she was willing to admit... at least not out loud. "But now we should eat unless you have changed your mind and want to stay here longer." Head tilted to the side she looked at him.

"Mhm, it is a nice and quiet place but honestly, I do feel safer when we are being on the road... you know fewer chances of running into trouble," he explained.

"You know... I have been wondering about this." she said before grabbing a piece of meat, "I have always assumed that living in commune would mean safety... and yet you are always on the lookout."

"It was a safe place but always because we had strength in numbers. Here on the road, it is different. You probably know better than me how dangerous it can be." Brayden pressed lips together, "To me, it feels like that there are certain risks that I can't allow myself to take."

"And yet allowed me to tag along." Kyra pointed out.

"I did but I never saw you as a risk to the group. I know the start wasn't the best and could have gone smoother but you have proven that you are capable of working in a team." He offered her a content smile, "Besides I do enjoy your company."

"I do enjoy your company as well," Kyra muttered. It wasn't a confession that easily came past her lips but it was the truth... one he deserved to know about.

Breakfast was over soon and with most of their things quickly packed together, it didn't take long before they were on their way again.

Brayden stopped in front of the truck head turned slightly to look at her, "Going to join me again?"

For a moment, she was confused wondering what he was talking about now again when she remembered yesterday... how she had taken the free spot on the passenger seat without thinking after they had parted ways with Reese.

"Why not? Unless you don't want me to..."

"I don't mind, Kyra." Brayden was quick to interrupt her, "It might sound silly since we aren't far apart when you are sitting at one of the backseats." He dragged a hand through his hair, "But for some reason, it feels kind of empty when there is no one sitting next to me."

She stepped closer clasping his shoulder with one of her hands, "It is okay, Brayden. I know things haven't been the same since Chase left and I might not be a good talker but I'm good at listening... should you ever need it."

"Thank you, Kyra." The smile on his lips was sincere as he placed his hand briefly on top of hers.

"Anytime," she whispered.





"Still reading the same book or did you get lost in your thoughts again?" Brayden asked, amusement obvious in his voice. They had been driving a few hours at this point through Indiana... luckily, without encountering any problems or more hitchhikers, though Kyra had the slight feeling that she might be biased in judgement.

"The same book but a different story." she replied looking up briefly to meet his glance, "It is a collection of short stories from various authors... I must have read most of them a few times already." A soft smile played on her lips.

"Sounds like the book has a special place in your heart. Where did you get it from?" Kyra didn't miss that he was smiling as well... or the look he was giving her.

His sudden interest in her wasn't unwelcomed but it made her feel confused... she didn't have a lot of experience regarding social situations and the people she had truly considered as friends could probably be counted with one hand. Slowly she was reaching a point that made her wonder if the friendship with Brayden wasn't developing in another direction. Kyra had never felt this comfortable around someone else before... and it would explain why she seemed to be frozen and at the point of blushing whenever he reached out to touch her.

"Earth to Kyra!" Brayden's voice calling out her name and one of his hands waving up and down in front of her face brought her back to reality. "Looks like your mind was slipping again. Maybe you can tell me about it one day."

"Yeah, maybe." she muttered before shaking her head, "About the book... I found it years ago. I had joined a small group of laborers and one day we were had stopped at an abandoned village for the night." she licked over her lower lip, "I couldn't sleep and started wandering around... I didn't expect to find something and yet I did." she closed the book directing her whole attention and focus towards Brayden. "I have it with me all the time... not that I own a lot of stuff, to begin with. And I suppose that everybody owns something that is special to them."

"Yeah, they do," Brayden said though it sounded absent and more like he was talking to himself and not with Kyra. She got the feeling that there might be more behind it... but why should try and push him to talk about something he didn't want to? "You have mentioned before that you travelled with groups. Why didn't you stay with one of them?"

"Honestly, I never saw any reason. It wasn't like I knew much about them or they knew much about me... it always felt more like a community of purpose. None of us had to be alone when we would travel to another village, city, farm or whatever else when there was the need to." Kyra explained with a shrug, "I wouldn't even be able to tell you all of their names or what they looked like."

"And this?" He asked pointing first at her and then back at him, "Is that a community of purpose too?"

"No, it isn't." Kyra said more forcefully than she had intended, "When I first joined you and Chase, I didn't know what to expect. But I like travelling with you... and if I was only looking for a way to reach another village, I would have long left you. But as you can see, I'm still here and I don't have any plans of changing that."

"I know that, Kyra." Brayden smiled softly, "But it is nice to hear it from you... and I like travelling with you as well. I do enjoy those quiet moments of yours though it is also nice when you are telling me more about yourself."

"It is nice getting to know you as well, Brayden." Kyra returned the smile before she opened the book again going back to the story she had been reading previously... and yet she could feel her mind wandering again. She even caught herself glancing at Brayden a few times from the side.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked breaking the silence that had started to settle between them.

"What? Of course not." she shook her head hoping to hide the slight blush on her cheeks. "It is just..." Kyra bit her lower lip, "Forget it."

"And what if I don't want to?"

"I feel comfortable around you... and this is new for me and I just don't know how to deal with it," she said in one big rush. "I hope you aren't feeling comfortable or..." she left her sentence unfinished.

"I'm not... feeling uncomfortable I mean," Brayden said with a slight smile. She watched in amazement how he reached for her hand intertwining their fingers together, "I meant it when I said that I enjoy your company, Kyra."

Not trusting her voice, she squeezed his fingers back hoping that he would understand her little gesture... judging by the smile on his face, it seemed that he did.

XII

"Kyra... Kyra." she felt someone shaking her shoulder slightly.

Until that point, she had been sleeping peacefully... their second day driving through Indiana had been pretty uneventful.

"What?" she murmured before slowly opening her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that Brayden's face was pretty close to hers... closer than it had ever been before.

"You have fallen asleep which usually I wouldn't mind but after turning around you are laying on my shoulder."

"Oh..." Kyra sat up stretching her arms before she made herself comfortable in her seat again. "Sorry about that."

"It is okay. You can sleep anytime, just not on my shoulder... at least not when I'm driving." Brayden said and actually winked at her.

"Is that an invitation?" Kyra felt rather daring at the moment... probably surprising herself more than Brayden.

He actually blinked a few times before a smile appeared on his face, "Maybe."

Kyra feared that he could hear how hard and loud her heartbeat was beating at this point... she tried to distract herself by looking out of the passenger window.

Nothing, nothing and what a surprise, absolutely nothing. she thought to herself leaning her head against the window. At this point, she was no longer thinking about sleeping... she hadn't missed that she tended to be closer to Brayden ever since they left New Appalachia. And what she had thought might be awkward - sometimes it was - felt surprisingly normal and natural.

"Did I have said something wrong?"

"No." Kyra shook her head before she finally turned back to him, "I just keep surprising myself... months ago I wouldn't have done a lot of things I did ever since I joined you... which isn't a bad thing." Kyra was quick to reassure him, "I'm most certainly repeating myself but I do like being in your company... and I do enjoy talking with you and learning more about you, Brayden."

"So, I don't need to be worried that you might regret coming with me?" He locked gazes with Kyra for a brief moment. She noticed the smile on his lips and yet also saw a slight hint of worry in his eyes.

"Absolutely not." Kyra made sure to return the smile.

"Great." Brayden turned his head back towards the street.

She watched for a while just because she could, "So, how does it look like?"

"Well, not good." he admitted scratching the back of his head, "We are lost... Chase was the one who used to navigate. It was always his talent."

"Oh, shit," Kyra exclaimed.

"Jup and to make it even worse, fuel is running low as well." He hit the steering wheel with one of his hands.

"Fuck!" she cursed before starting to look out of the windows hoping to spot something or someone... anything that would help them get out of this mess. "Wait... is that a sign?" Kyra pointed to her right.

"Looks like it... okay there is a town on the left and a town on the right." Brayden pointed out looking at her from the side.

"Go right," she replied not even hesitating once... she could only hope that they still had enough fuel to make it to the town safely.

Last edited by schoggettchen (22/08/2021 at 20:56)

By and large, here comes Jahi... DONE

NAME: Jahi Wylder

AGE: 22

FC: Zhavia (Carisa Ward)

ROLE: Tinkerer

Traits: Innovative, audacious, conniving, spontaneous, magnetic, bohemian spirit, eccentric, arrogant

For Jahi, life is a game… and she plays to win. She is active, energetic, resourceful, freedom-loving, and adventurous all at once. She is not particularly concerned with concepts such as work, order, and tidiness. Responsibility and obedience are equally foreign notions she has little interest in exploring. She craves movement and action but is capable of introspection and objectivity… when necessary. She ventures off the beaten path and is attracted to anything original or cutting-edge. Her bold, daring nature, sensuality, and overwhelming desire for more together with her impulsiveness sometimes lead her into unusual if not compromising situations; taking risks without considering the potential consequences of her actions. She can be a bit of a tomboy who isn’t scared of anything and yet she embraces her femininity enthusiastically as much. She seldom does things by halves, but she trusts in her own ability to maneuver between the perils she encounters in this strange, wild world.

Theme Song: Church

Chapter 3 - DONE

Shiver Me Timbers - DONE

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Day 9 morning

“I’m sure he probably just came back here when he left last night…”

I skipped a few steps trying to keep up with Aleric’s long stride. Seconds later we entered the Night Train but even as I crossed the threshold I got a bad feeling. The car was completely dark and eerily quiet.

“Goddammit,” The grumble was pronounced despite the way he spoke under his breath as he switched on a light and started down the aisle moving to the next car. “Caleb??”

My stomach coiled into a knot at the obvious concern accented in his roar. But no call was returned… no sound at all. Before too long we made it all the way to the entrance of the engine room with still no sighting of Caleb.

“Wait here…” Confusion arched my brow at the stern command and he didn’t even hesitate or give me a chance to respond. Simply jerked the door open and stepped within. In my shock, I hesitated and it wasn’t even until I heard the distinct sound of the metal clicking together and a low thud of the deadbolt connecting that I moved. Disbelievingly I jerked at the handle, foolishly refusing to believe what my mind knew to be true. He’d locked me out. 

Astonished, I stood there, simply staring at the dark motionless door for several moments. But it didn’t take very long… seconds really… for the bewilderment to shift, darken… detonate. My lips smashed together, nostrils flared and my heart pounded as both disappointment and indignation took hold. It had literally only been one day before he broke his promise.

Our eyes locked when he returned, firmly securing the door as he did so.

“He’s not in there either…”

I was certain that my rage was unmistakable, staring at him as I was with my arms crossed firmly over my chest. But the man stubbornly refused to comment… a simple uttered ‘what’ would have set me off. But instead, he remained silent, refusing to give the slightest indication that he was open to dealing with the emotions simmering inside of me.

“Perhaps we should return to the surface to continue the search…”

I was surprised I sounded so calm considering how fast my anger was spiraling into an inferno. But my pride refused to let me confront him at that moment, refused to give voice to the resentment he had to see all over my face. Not now, not with his brother missing. Perhaps not ever.

“Yes, we should… I must find him.”

I nodded curtly and without waiting another moment I turned and walked back the way we’d come, straight out of the train, tunnel, and up to the surface without uttering another word to him. In fact, those were to be the last words I spoke to him for many hours to come.


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Day 9 evening

“I’ve arranged a couple of rooms for us…”

I nodded as he slipped into the chair opposite me.  The hotel’s small diner was nothing like the trendy-hipster spot it had been before the arrival… but it was clean and temperate, which was enough. We’d roamed around Orleans for hours, checking the shops, parks, and beaches all over the Lakeview area since it was the location assigned to Caleb the previous day. To no avail. At least the long hours had given time for my rage to reduce to a slow simmer.

“We’ll try again tomorrow…”

Again, mulishly I nodded before taking a sip of the dark brew I’d ordered. It was incredibly bitter, the cashier apologizing for the lack of cream that day but I didn’t mind. I’d drunk worse and likely would again before this life ended.

“He can’t have gone far…”

I plucked at a hangnail that was just starting to form on the edge of my thumb as a frown etched across my face.

“Does he do this often?

There was enough of a pause that I looked up, catching the obvious hesitation in Aleric’s glance. Immediately, all the ire bubbled up again.

“I’ve already told you he can be reckless and rash…”

“To just wander away in the middle of the night without a word… disappear for an entire day? That’s not unusual?”

“I wouldn’t call it usual…” he started, hesitated again, “but it isn’t the first time no…”

My mind reeled with this information, pulse raced. Why I thought there would be no hiccups on this journey, I cannot say… but this particular one might be too much to bear. I nibbled on my lower lip as I cupped my drink again and considered what this meant for me. With a train we had to have traveled a great way from where they picked me up… it’d been days now. Surely enough distance between there and here that I could relax a little. But I couldn’t be sure. And I didn’t like the idea of taking the chance. But what option did I have? Aleric would never leave his brother behind… we could be stuck here indefinitely while Caleb indulged in his little bender.

I glanced at Aleric and my stomach fluttered, an image of the previous night… of that morning, filled my head, shoving aside my anxiety to replace it with an unwelcome surge of lust. I did not appreciate it one bit and even silently berated myself for wanting him despite his obvious distrust. I tried, unsuccessfully, to remind myself that we barely knew each other… but I had taken him at his word the day before, and I didn’t like the feeling of being a fool. Luckily he was glancing down at a map he picked up somewhere instead of me. How mortifying would it be if he were to see I still wanted him.

“We’ll search French Quarter more tomorrow then try Treme if we have no luck… though I seriously doubt he’d be there…”

I put my focus on my drink, watching the fluid swirl inside as I twirl it slowly. Aleric was dangerously sexy, and after laying with him I knew he could back up the looks with a mere touch. But I obviously couldn’t trust him… he’d proven that with his refusal to be honest with me, to include me. So why was I still here? Helping him find his brother who was literally delaying my journey with his antics? I should go, leave them both behind. Find another path. But… I couldn’t help but reconcile that traveling underground on a speeding train was far better. Even if we delayed another day, I’d still get farther with them than trying to convince entirely new people to let me hitch up with them.

And I imagined tracking was far easier to do above ground than not.

So, no… for now… the train was still the best choice… but if Caleb continued to be missing much longer, I’d have to once again rethink this decision.

Aleric was still dotting things on his map… plotting… planning. My eyes were drawn to one of his fingers tracing a path on the map, slow, careful… delicate. Like they had been on my body. I gritted my teeth and stood abruptly.

“Can I have the key to my room?”

Every inch of him froze except for the elevation of his head, and eyes… to look up at me. My heart raced wildly, stupidly.

“I planned to order some dinner so we could plan our route for tomorrow…”

“I’m not hungry.”

Slowly, he leaned back. Once again his eyes roamed over me, inch by inch, over my face, neck… chest… down lower. I mashed my arms tight to my body while trying to simultaneously hold out a hand for the requested key. I held my breath, waiting… eager for him to confront me, daring him too. So I could unleash my fury on him. I wanted to rage, oh so badly.

But he let me down again.

“Fine. They might have something you can grab in the morning… but we’re headed out early and as soon as we find Caleb tomorrow we’ll get back to the train so we can be on the way.”

“Not soon enough…” I grumbled under my breath but just wiggled my fingers insistently when he looked at me with that arched brow. Even then, I thought he might say something but instead, he just passed an oblong-shaped key and chain into my palm. I nodded and left.

Only to have a fitful night of wayward dreams.


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Day 10

I was sullen and silent the next morning and throughout the afternoon, every minute that Caleb continued to elude us only adding to my irritation. Though at one point I started to actually get more anxious. What if something horrible had happened to him and I’d done nothing but bitch, internally mind you, about the inconvenience of it all. He could have been abducted, maybe… arrested… harmed.

“Dammit!” I jumped when his fist pounded against the tabletop between us, drawn out of my thoughts and fears. “If he’s not dead I’m gonna kill him…”

I nibbled on my lip. We were back at the hotel again, the sun starting to set on another day of delay. He tugged out his map and notes, stared at it for a long moment.

“Do you have something you can change into?”

“Huh?”

He glanced at me, head-to-toe as best he could in our seated positions. Self-consciously, I fiddled with a frayed string against my thigh.

“I’ve heard there’s some bars and dance spots... places Caleb may go to… I want to go check them out”

“And I need to dress up?”

“Easier to get information when you don’t look like you are seeking it…”

I pressed my lips together again but nodded, seeing the wisdom in his idea.

“I can probably rip something together.”


And so, about an hour later, we were making our way to yet another part of town. I’m reminded of my route through the French Quarter the other day. When I’d stalked Aleric. I shook my head, had it really only been 2 days ago? But this time, I walked close to his side, letting him weave our path past garish floats, masked strangers, and rowdy drunks over to the downtown district, across from Bourbon Street.

The world may have gone to hell, but Orleans, I was realizing, had not lost all of its charms. Music and laughter were our guides, a certain kind of madness ascended upon the throngs of revelers invading our space. And with the varying costumes, it was hard to tell what was real and what was fantasy… history foretold of the fae long before they were revealed to be the real deal.

It didn’t take long for us to start mingling with those gathered and surprisingly, Aleric was effectively convincing as one of the many beer-sloshing carousers. He seemed almost magical as he cunningly fielded inquiries between our sharing booze and smokes, dancing in the streets… making merry. As the night wore on, one group faded into the next. And I’d catch hints of words as the man beside me charmed those around him like some chess or puppet master. Women flocked to him in hordes, some men as well I noted. It was disconcerting and awe-inspiring at the same time. But instead of rationalizing why I’d feel either of those things, I tried my best to ignore the attention he continued to rile up. Tried to ignore my stubbornly insistent attraction to the man.

Instead, I tried my own enchanting. Flirting came naturally to me. I’d used it more than once to get ahead, and had no qualms about tempting someone with either words or body. The only trouble here was that I didn’t really know or understand Caleb enough to decipher clues as to his whereabouts. And so, before too long, the night began to be about enjoying myself rather than a tracking mission.

My eyelids grew heavier, my grin wider, my movements slower, more suggestive against those nearest to me. I’d lose track of Aleric periodically but then our gazes would connect and I’d do something silly like stumble or sway clumsily, my stomach coiling into knots or ridiculously fluttering. The air around me would turn electric, charged with longing… lust. But I’d try to look away… to ignore him, and the unbidden desire, muddily trying to avoid thinking about wanting him. Choosing instead to lean lewdly into whatever body happened to be close enough by, to distract my betraying mind.

I couldn’t even say how long we lingered, or how long Aleric questioned the crowd around us. I only distinctly remember that at some point, it was no longer a stranger’s body that I wound up against. When and why he ended there, directly behind me, was beyond my ability to think. I just instinctively knew when it was him. My pulse skyrocketed and my breathing grew shallow, ragged. Every nerve stood on end as I let my eyes drift shut and blocked my thoughts, giving in to my urge to slither back against the tall hard frame. His fingers inched down my thigh, sinking between the thin strips of my fishnets, gripping bare flesh and dragging me back firmly… his groin unmistakably hard. Then his lips were against my throat, my ear… his teeth tormenting me with the delicate nibbles he applied. An obscene cross between a growl and mewling whine spilled out of me, choking over my pounding heart.

“Let’s go…” he hissed, his fingers lacing between mine, and then we were moving.

I tried to clear my fuddled brain on the walk but there just didn’t seem to be enough time. I tried again, when he ushered me through the lobby with purposeful steps, straight to my room. I turned suddenly… blocking him from moving any further. My chest rose sharply as I leaned my head against the door and stretched an arm out. Seeing my fingers splayed across his chest seemed to hypnotize me though and I couldn’t seem to drag my gaze or mind away from the way his top clung to his well-formed body. It could have been seconds or minutes that I just stood there, mesmerized by the look of him. But then finally I did, shifting until I tilted and looked up through half-hooded eyes. The raging sensations continued tingling through my limbs while my mind worked double-time trying to breakthrough. Some hazy warning struggled to the surface and I even shook my head, a frown started to crease my brow…

“I don’t want to talk to you…” there was venom laced in my longing. I knew I meant it, but I could hardly think of why at that moment.

“That’s okay…” the low rumble of his voice washed over me like hot lava, burning a path through what little resistance I seemed to be able to muster. “I have no intention of talking tonight…”

Shamefully my pulse raced even faster and the low groan seemed to be all the encouragement he needed.

His hand slipped around my side, squeezed, and pulled the knob. But even before I could stumble back as the door swung open I’d been wrapped in his arms, his mouth on me, his steadier footsteps guiding me backward. My hands sought and circled him, lips latching to his as if every ounce of breath I needed must come directly from his mouth. His fingers made quick work of the shambles of a dress I’d tossed together for the evening, ripping additional strands of the already frayed material in his effort to wrestle it off me. He’d barely gotten the bodice apart before his mouth latched on to one taut mocha-hued nub, nipping and tugging at it before tossing me atop the bed. Then he joined, stretching out over me and squeezing each mound, beginning to devour one between his lips again while the other hand deftly jerked the fabric between my legs… savagely ripping both fishnets and the thin patch of cotton underneath.

I squealed and moaned, my fingers desperately returning the favor, gripping, yanking, shoving fabric that seemed to keep our bodies apart. And true to his vow, words eluded us. The night was filled with frenzied limbs, mouths, and groans filling the silence, consuming us both until eventually, at some ungodly hour, we collapsed in exhaustion. Fleetingly, foggy memory made me resent my body’s easy betrayal as I snuggled back, melting into his embrace as sleep claimed the last bits of my consciousness. 

Scurvy Scoundrel - DONE

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Day 11

I tried to take a peek, slitting one eye open, only to shut it quickly and wince. Not that that stopped the blinding light from burning the back of my eyelids. Softly I groaned and pulled one of the soft pillows over my reddening face… only to growl and toss it away again. My nostrils flared wide as shivers raced down my spine and my fuzzy mind slowly cleared. Carefully, I dragged myself to an upright position and squinted at my surroundings, clutching the bed sheet against my chest.

The balcony door sat open, letting the early morning sun creep in. But other than that, the room itself appeared to be untouched. That wasn’t the problem at all. It was the lingering scent of him, clung to my linens and body that taunted me. Vivid images of yet another night of unbridled passion assailed me. How I wished my drunkenness had robbed me of the memory.

But no, I was not to be so lucky. My body squirmed recalling every kiss and every caress. I counted, one, two, three… gritted my teeth as I tossed the rumpled sheets aside, continued, four, five… six. Parts of me quickly puckered as I slipped from the warmth of the bed, barefoot and bare-assed.

“Oh, good, you’re up…”

Screeching, I jumped, stumbled, and struggled to grab up the sheet, jerking it up and across my body clumsily before glaring at him.

“What the hell are you doing here?!”

The bastard smirked. “I slept here…”

He stood beside the balcony door making me assume that’s where he was when I initially woke… fully dressed and cupping a steaming mug of something that smelled suspiciously rich and nutty. My stomach chose to growl in approval.

“You have a room of your own, don’t you” I accused, snatching the fabric a bit more, untangling it around my legs while a good third of it dragged on the floor.

“You’ve slept nearly half the morning away… and we need to go.” He stepped forward and nervously I retreated, earning myself another annoying grin. “I’ve got quite the photographic memory of every little inch you’re hiding there… even down to that cute little berry-shaped mole just under the curve of your…”

“Shut up!” I hissed frustratedly as a flush crept across my face. Damn him. “What time is it? Where are we off to today? What’s the rush?”

His merriment dried up slightly before he plunked a discarded shirt off the back of a nearby chair and tossed it in my direction. I barely managed to capture it while still clutching the sheet. Barely. I glared again at his wolfish expression.

“We’ve a lead...”

“You found Caleb? Is he alright?”

“Get dressed and we’ll go find out…”

The fact that he continued to stand there, staring directly at me and sipping his drink was quite antagonizing.

“And I’ll meet you in the lobby once I do…”

“You know... more than just my eyes have roamed over what you're hiding…”

Tingles raced down my spine and my core contracted. But I stubbornly, maybe even desperately, clung to my linen shield

“Fine, but hurry up…” he laughed, before finally leaving.

If only the scent, image, and taste of him were as easy to remove.


⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 11, continued

Aleric’s attitude was significantly more severe as we made our way to the outskirts of town and a quaint brick front cottage-style home. The neighborhood was quiet, looking like something out of a storybook if I were to tell the truth. Well-trimmed hedges lined a charming porch with potted plants hanging from the rafters. My gaze was drawn to a white painted rocking chair in the corner as we strolled to the door and a tingle of apprehension shot through me. Something felt… off.

I was frowning as Aleric lifted his hand, my own shooting out a fraction of a second too late as the rapping sound erupted into the eerie silence. He turned to me, curious but I was looking around again. Looking for… something. Someone. There were no neighbors, no animals. No sounds.

“Hiya! How can I help ya?”

It felt like my stomach dropped completely out of me as I spun at the sound, my eyes widening, connecting with an identical pair gawking back at me.

“What the hell is going on here?”

It was my voice… at least it sounded like it… and those should have been my words, but they weren’t. I stood there, mute and confused.

“What’s wrong babe?”

“Caleb…!”

“Aleric, what the hell are you doing here?” He exclaimed with a glare and moved ahead of the woman, his eyes suddenly connecting with mine. “Who is that?!”

Aleric glanced at me, then back again, with the oddest expression on his face.

“Caleb, what have you done?” It was low… accusatory… fearful. Or maybe it was my own feelings that made me think I heard it in Aleric’s tone.

“What kind of sick game are you at!?” He demanded… Caleb, that is, growing more agitated as he pushed his way ahead of the woman that had answered the door, equally confused and growing agitated behind him.

“Caleb, what’s going on?” My voice asked… mine… but from her. She looked worried… nervous, scared. I watched her press her hand to Caleb’s shoulder, snuggling closer to him as if she needed his support. Meekly? Weakly? My stomach coiled violently as he wrapped his arm around her, tugging her closer, protectively. His gaze shot towards me and I stumbled back at the viciousness in them…

“Go inside Jahi… I’ll handle this…” He spoke sternly but then turned to her and seemed to do a complete 360, growing gentler as he cupped her face and even gave a quick peck on the forehead. Her worried gaze shot back between Aleric and me before she did as she was told and disappeared into the house. What the fuck was going on indeed?

“Caleb…” Aleric sounded so cautious, calm even… “we need to get back to the train… still a lot of track ahead...”

The younger man’s eyes drew together, rage burning in them as if a switch went off inside him. He stepped out onto the porch and in my direction but Aleric shifted, standing between us as he continued to speak to his brother.

“Hey man… we can fix this…”

“What witch did this?” He sneered as he continued to scowl, raking his eyes up and down the length of me. He even reached out, attempting to grab ahold of me. Survival instinct kicked in and I had the forethought to duck out of the way but it was Aleric’s quick reflexes that truly kept me out of harm's way. His hand shot out and snatched his brother’s bulging bicep… only long enough for me to put several feet between us. Caleb was fast though, and he jerked and shoved Aleric, making his older brother falter a few steps himself.

“Some witch did this!” He spit, his voice raising while staring rabidly at me.

“Cal… you don’t know what you’re doing…”

“ME!?”

He looked deranged, his eyes almost glossed over with the fury that seemed to be bubbling up inside of me. Aleric must have seen the motion the moment I did, Caleb’s fist rising before something came flying towards me. I squealed and ducked while Aleric quickly grabbed ahold and jerked me further out of the way as something exploded on the ground where I just stood.

“YOU BRING THIS IMPOSTER HERE… TRYING TO CONFUSE ME!”

His voice boomed as another loud crash pounded the ground beside us, pieces of a shattered boulder spinning at our feet. I reached for my gun but Aleric gripped my wrist, squeezing it tight as he shouted out.

“We’ll go… Caleb… we’ll go…” and he pushed me ahead of him, keeping his body between me and his brother.

I peered back. He was completely unhinged, heaving like a madman with an unearthly glow burning in his once charming eyes. Fear continued to choke back any words I might have said as Aleric rushed us away.

And we didn’t stop or slow down at all. Not a block away, not at the hotel, not even once we were underground. Aboard the train, Aleric rushed ahead, leaving me dazed and confused in the dining car before several minutes later the train was chugging to life. And then we were moving forward. Away from my past and away from the chaos, but most importantly, away from his brother.

X Marks The Spot - DONE

  ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 12

“How are you feeling?”

I rolled my head towards the doorway that Aleric filled up. I’d tried to sleep but it, needless to say, eluded me. When he returned to the car last night I think he quickly realized I was in no condition for talking… or anything even though he started to try. None of his words registered, my mind was reeling, the insanity of the day firmly taking hold of me. So instead, he’d pulled me against his side and just sat silently as emotions rioted inside of me.

I never cried, but the unshed tears burned my eyes. Confusion, rage, terror… more rage battled for supremacy, wanting to be the first to be dealt with. It had been hours now, only a tiny dim light illuminating the cabin as we sped through the dark tunnel. I don’t remember what time it was that he got up to go ‘check on things’... minutes? Hours? But he was back and his concern was unmistakable. I wasn’t rightfully sure whether it disturbed or irritated me more.

I laughed mockingly.

“Jahi…”


“Am I?!” I demanded, jumping up and beginning to pace anxiously. “Am I Jahi? What the hell was that? Who? Am I trapped in some warped nightmare?”

“Jahi…” he repeated, stepping closer, gripping both my arms and forcing me to stay still. “Stop it. You are you…”

“I was just looking at ME… walking… breathing… talking… how do you know THAT wasn’t really me?”

“Pfft…” he shook his head… “you would never be so damned obedient”

I mashed my lips together at the attempted humor but he wasn’t wrong. I still couldn’t wrap my head around any of it. Nothing made sense.

“What the hell Aleric? What was that? Who?” The desperation in my tone shocked me. 

“I… I honestly am not sure what Caleb did… he’s never done anything that problematic before.”

My gaze narrowed. “Caleb…? You think he did… how…? Why?”

He released me and raked his fingers through his hair. I honestly felt my back go straight as my nostrils flared knowing that he would continue to hide things from me. I crossed my arms and started to count, trying to control the forthcoming outburst...

“I should have told you everything a while ago… maybe then…” he shrugged, looking a little defeated which tempered my rage far faster than anything I could have done.

“Told me what?”

But he didn’t answer right away, again, giving me the impression that he still wouldn’t. I felt like I was on a roller-coaster. He walked over and grabbed a bottle of dark liquor, poured a shot… tossed it back, and poured another before tilting the bottle in my direction.

“It’s barely morning…”

“It’s five o'clock somewhere…” he mimicked in a sing-songy voice before purposefully pouring two measures and passing one to me. “Trust me… you’re probably gonna want it…”

I frowned but after a few moments of him finally speaking… finally sharing. I did, in fact, need it. The fluid burned a path down my throat as I tried to come to terms with it all.

Caleb had magical abilities. For years.

“We traveled above ground in those days… and didn’t know the storm was coming… or how devastating it would be. It whipped up, a whirlwind in a matter of seconds and we had been by a river, away from our shelter. We raced back… and I was sure to have him ahead of me… he was the entire way.” He shook his head again. “But then we were at the shelter and he was holding it open… urging me in… I should have waited… demanded he go first… maybe then…”

He paused again, looking a little lost in his thoughts… reliving the memory I guessed. I waited, uncertain what to say, not really understanding fully but knowing somehow that it was a very bad memory for him. He shook his head again.

“I went in… but Caleb got caught, struck with the power of that storm. It was a magical storm, charged violently. I managed to yank him out of it… but the damage had been done. After that, within a few days or so, he started to exhibit powers. We thought it was a lark, amusing at first. He’d been able to conjure small things… things we could use. Food, supplies… it was… beneficial. But then he started to do reckless things with it, fooling around, showing off. Eventually, we found the train and managed to get it running. It was some time before we found it though. Before things started to change.” At my arched brow, obvious confusion, he stood. He grabbed the bottle by its neck and chugged the last of its contents. “Time I showed you then…”

It took me a moment to realize he wanted to go somewhere else, but finally, I rose and ended up following him. To the engine room. There was literally no way that I could connect his story to whatever was hidden behind there. And even once he opened the door, held it open, and let me through, I still could not fathom what I was seeing. Oh, I understood. But I simply could not believe it.

Beady-purple eyes sat in the most grotesque, blubbery face, glaring at me, from behind thick black metal bars. Not just at me, at Aleric too. Froth foamed around the leather o-ring gag strapped across its pinched but snarled mouth and vulgar growls hissed from its throat. Its stubby hands were strapped as well, locked in position but it barely moved even without the restraints. Rolls of fat bulged out of clothes that were obviously several sizes too small. A few steps away from the steel cage sat the magical plant we’d purchased at the market the other day. Most of its leaves were in infancy, regrowing of the glowing stalks that had been plump and lush the day it arrived.

“Looks like our battery has woken from its nap…”

Revulsion raced through me as I stared at the creature before me, a sneering look of disgust before I looked up at Aleric. His steely expression proved he understood how dangerous this situation was. Stubbornly he reached in his pocket and tugged out a small packet and I watched as he clipped one of the few large leaves and sprinkled a bit of dust over it before stuffing it between the small metal ring. Somehow the obese ferrick gobbled it down its throat. Within seconds, the enraged violet-hued eyes faded, glassed over and any resistance, hatred, every emotion at all drained from its face.

“Aleric…” I finally spoke after its entire body went utterly listless. “You’re not worried someone might find out?”

“Now that I have the duppy flakes, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

A duppy. If the ferricks ever found out that he was keeping one of them a prisoner, much less zombifying them. Not that I felt they deserved anything less, not in the least. If I had the power, they’d suffer far worse fates.

“You’re not afraid… horrified…”

I was not sure if it was confusion or surprise I read on his face. There was definitely curiosity.

“No.” My clipped statement was followed by my glancing back to the prisoner, then to the engine that its overweight body was charging. “It’s about time one was useful if you ask me…”

“Well… we thought it a grand find too. Until it began affecting Caleb.”

It was only then that the two things started to connect for me. I’d seen a ferrick working with a fae before, sharing a bond to impose their will on others. I’d been one of the few people to survive the experience, having been too young and scrawny at the time to be of any interest to either of them. And yet, even knowing what could happen, my stomach coiled and my heart lurched as Aleric began to explain how the ferrick began amplifying Caleb’s magic to uncontrollable levels.

Caleb’s conjuring began to turn more burdensome. Large objects would weigh down the train, or block its passage. He’d go to market and return with items or people that would need to be dealt with. And recently, he started having blackouts… where he wouldn’t remember places he’d been or actions he’d taken. Times where Aleric would find it necessary to lock his brother in a cabin until the trances faded. And the ferrick would laugh about the disruptions and the delays. Aleric had hoped with the duppy flakes Caleb would be less volatile, but… then he hadn’t actually made it back to the train.

We left the engine room, returned to the dining car, and opened a fresh bottle.

“Don’t you have a stun gun or something? Can’t we just go back… capture him and lock him up until it passes?”

“I considered it. Even grabbed one when we first returned.” I waited, letting him gather his thoughts without interruption. “He would have killed you up there.”

He had tried I believed. Those had not been small rocks crashing around me.

“He’d never manifested a whole other person before. I fear he’s gone off the deep end this time.”

“But only until the spell passed, surely he would be back to normal after a few hours…” I bit my lip reasoning that we’d looked for him for almost three days and found him in the state we did. “Days maybe.”

“Weeks? Months?... How could we know? His obsession may be irreversible.”

I blushed. “I’m sure he would recover…”

“Are you? You remember where we found him right? At home. With his gal, a cozy little house with a white picket fence and rocking chair on the porch and all. Very mid-20th century Americana fantasy world.” He shook his head, falling silent again.

What could I say? It was scary, considering who his ‘gal’ was. And pushing the thought even further, how exactly would he respond to his obsession if he were to find out that I had actually taken his brother as a lover?

I had no idea if Aleric even considered that fact but he was no fool, it must have crossed his mind.

“I just can’t trust that we and the train would be safe with him aboard.”

Sadly, I had no argument to offer. Not then, and not in the days that came after as we traveled to a destination in the Dakota mountains. Instead, I offered my help and my support. Aiding in tasks that needed doing, tinkering and building, and repairing while Aleric buried himself in work as well. It became routine fairly quickly, though I could tell that the loss of his brother was never too far from his mind. Except, perhaps, at night when I would offer my comfort, wrapping him in my arms and letting him unleash his frustrations in wild, unconstrained passion.

It wasn’t until the fifth day of our journey that anything additionally noteworthy took place. The train drew to a stop. It was midday so I had to go in search of Aleric. Finding him standing at a window looking out into the tunnel was a surprise though.

“What is it?”

He frowned, glancing down at me. There was only the tiniest bit of hesitation but I still caught it. I felt it.

“A hitchhiker.”

That was all. No explanation. I frowned now, arched a brow high. Why had he stopped the train if he were going to just stand here?

“Don’t you think we should check on them?”

“Not sure…”

I waited but again he did not elaborate.

“Why?”

He remained silent, returning to look through the glass. Annoyed, perhaps far too quickly with his continued lack of trust and refusal to share what he was thinking, I stepped past him and shoved the door of the cabin open. I didn’t even hesitate to step out into the darkened tunnel. Indeed, I even chided myself for my recklessness, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself even if I wanted to. All because I was agitated and stupidly hurt by the man’s reservations where I was concerned. A man that I was starting to fear I had grown far too fond of.

THE LOOKS



R1-DONE | R2-DONE'ISH | R3-DONE

Last edited by BambiFoxx (22/08/2021 at 22:43)

FC- Maeva Giani Marshall
~Rune
Flexible, noncommittal, Resilient, curious/ investigative
Drifter
Bex n Vix~
R3 done

R2

“Wakey, wakey, Rune! We’ve got a big day ahead of us!”, a familiar voice pronounced while pulling on said girl’s sheets. Rune’s eyes opened to the sight of an excited black haired female standing next to an equally unexcited red haired one. “Seriously, why are you waking me up so early” Rune groaned as she leaned up from the soft cushiony bed she had been sleeping on all night to peer out the window at the barely risen sun.
“The Hoodoo ball is tonight. Mambo Flor's personal tailors are waiting for us downstairs to take our measurements!” Rune felt herself awaken at Vix’s words, remembering that they were to be presented as honored guests tonight at one of Old Orleans biggest celebrations. Rune sighed as she got up. She did not want to keep the tailors waiting. Rune was grateful for Mambo flor’s hospitality especially since it meant sleeping on a big fluffy bed last night and not pressed up against their car’s window. After setting the bed sheets back to their rightful position, Rune followed Vix and a grumpy Bex downstairs to meet the tailors.



Nightfall came fast. The day had been a whirlwind of dress fittings, luxurious foods, and dealing with a complaining red head who could not stop muttering about Texarkana. Rune now stood in front of her guest bedroom’s mirror,  placing the final part of her outfit on: the mask. The mask was a lovely piece of blue satin that went over her eyes and nose. It had a light blue diamond embedded into the top center of the fabric. It was one of the most expensive things Rune had ever held in her hands, and she couldn’t help but cherish it. Rune caressed her mask one last time before heading out of her borrowed room to meet Bex and Vix.

Inside the ball there seemed to be hundreds of masked revelers dancing, talking, and drinking. And entering into the ball as announced honored guest was a electrifying experience. Rune felt both exhilarated by all the attention and equally charged with energy telling her to escape it all. Rune watched from the corner of her eyes as Bex’s hands slowly clutched into fists, knowing that all the attention was irritating the woman more then she already was. Luckily soon after their announced arrival the music started back up, it’s tune so enticing that most of the crowd felt need to begin dancing and drinking again. The trio moved forward and into the horde.

It was late in the evening when Rune came to the realization that she could no longer catch sight of, or even find, Bex or Vix. To be honest it was not the easiest of tasks, as everyone around her was wearing a mask and it seemed like the amount of people in her vicinity had doubled within the last hour. Rune was about to take herself outside for some much needed air when Mambo Flor approached. The generous host informed Rune that Bex had gone outside and that Vix was looking for her. Seeing as how Rune planned on going outside anyways, she decided to first go and  check on Bex, then see about Vix. Bex had been irritated all day and Rune just hoped the woman hadn’t hurt anyone outside.

Bex was not hard to find, she was easily spotted with her mask off standing next to the groups vehicle. As Rune got closer she could hear the woman mumbling about needing to get to Texarkana. Rune sighed not realizing that the woman was still fixated on that random place.
As Rune looked around she realized that Bex’s antics were starting to draw a crowd. luckily mambo Flor’s protection made it so that no one was intervening whenever Bex had a sudden and usually violent outburst.

Rune came upon the woman just as she decided to kick a trashcan towards the crowd in anger.
With her hands out Rune tried to calm the woman down. “Bex please” she pleaded, reaching out to place her right hand on the irritated woman’s shoulder. Bex startled, almost breaking Runes arm in the process of grabbing said hand off her shoulder. Rune debated on trying to reason with the angry woman or just deciding to let her release anger out on the town when the most unexpected thing happened.
Vix ran outside screaming both their names. her hands and dress coated in bright red blood.
Rune’s only thought at the sight ‘I guess it’s time to go to Texarkana’.

Texarkana

Bex played with the dial on the car radio again. Rune noticed that the longer Bex drove, the more she seemed unable to keep herself still. The car windows were open but the air was stale and warm around them. Vix whimpered in her sleep as she laid across the back seat. The entire trip to Texarkana seemed surreal — two and a half long days of wondering what “Bad thing” Vix had done. The group had not stuck around Old Orleans long enough for Rune to be told what happened, and Vix was not forthcoming either. The woman seemed only able to apologize and cry the entire ride.

As Bex went about turning the dial between stations. Static, jazz, static, talk, static, country, and then again with Rune’s favorite static. Rune let her mind wonder.
She thought about the past. About how once she young. Naive, innocent. Rune wondered why she had to go and  grow up. Why did she have to get older and learn about the ways of the world the hard way. Rune missed being young. She missed not having a care in the world. She missed not knowing and in turn not worrying. But most of all she missed when the only pain she would experienced could be fixed by a bandaid.

Rune’s musings were interrupted when Bex finally brought the car to a park in front of a nondescript house. Rune was about to question where they were and why, when she heard sounds coming from her open window. The rumblings of movement coming from the direction of the house they were in front of. Rune looked over in time to see a small army of armed men come rushing out of the house. Rune was frightened and her body immediately jumped into survival mode. She pressed the latch to unbuckle her seatbelt, while also yelling for Vix to wake up. She went to open her car door but Before she could even make it out, the group of men had surrounded the car. The men opened all of the car doors at once. Rune tried to put up a fight but she was no match for the man in front of her. In no time the men all had a hold on each girl and were dragging them inside.

Last edited by J3zab3ll (20/08/2021 at 07:40)

...and the official playlist is now also linked to the banner.

the form

Name: Delphine Easterbrook
Age: 25
Role: Influencer
Group: The Collectors, Mercucio & Wren (past); new group (Fiske & Simms)

Traits: extroverted, loyal, impatient, wicked, observant, likes the attention but only when she wants it, spoilt, snobbish, charming (most of the time), witty, relentless, curious, brave (bordering on reckless), adventurous.

Bio
Delphine was born in 2400 - a year considered to be a lucky one in the middle of very unlucky circumstances. She grew up protected, she grew up without actually being aware of the situation around her, and by the time she was old enough to develop some sense of compassion, she could not bother to give a shit.

Delphine never fails to mention she was named after the ancient temple site Delphi which has been associated with prophecies and prophets, which then turns into a story of her supposed foresight: predicting things, events, social scandals, which has, more times than not, had more to do with people being predictable, lies being far to easy to say, her own curious mind and hawk-eyed personality, impeccable timing and, willingness to push people into her desired narrative.

Normally, with Delphine, it's more about the things she keeps to herself. She is still able to surprise herself with her willingness to go the extra mile to get what she wants, or at least manipulate someone into giving it to her.

the plan

ix. picking the new transport & deciding to convince them to go through the storm
x. encountering the Finch in the middle of the storm

chapter ix

Dragging her small bunch of stuff behind, her mind goes from logical kind of despair all the way through the spoilt brat act, tears streaming down her cheeks, sobbing and all of it considering she forgot her favourite shoes back on the bus. She stood, for a minute, in place, considering heading back towards Mercucio and Wren, but decides against it very soon: there was nothing for her there anymore - so, now she is sobbing over the fact she kind of liked Mercucio around, and she'd never see him again probably. Dee continues her walk when an outline begins to form in the darkness - sillouethes of cars appear and she lets out a sob, or two, deciding to stop it before it turns into a bigger mess than it already was: her heart reached a normal pace very soon, and by the time she was in the close proximity of the caravan, she had settled into this quasi calmness.

Given the fact it's still night, the storm is raging and there's shit to do in the middle of the desert, there are only two lights shining in the cars.

A man is standing, shirtless, near the car, with a book in one hand and flashlight in the other, paying little attention to anything, yet still managing to catch a glimpse of her. He smiles, waving. She does the same, noticing this is not the only eye she caught at that moment.

Hearst stands a few vehicles behind, a tall man in some kind of medical garment in front of it - he does the same, and she stands there for a short moment, deciding to head to the doctor. There's a man in dark clothes standing right behind him that she did not really notice until she already set her pace, dragging the suitcase in his direction.

"Strange time to be taking a walk," the doctor said. His hair, now she was close enough, is red in hue, and his face looks kind. She thinks so, at least.

"The point is to never stop moving, no?" Dee offered a smile before she offers him her hand -"Delphine,"

"Fiske," the red-haired man said, turning to the man behind him - who was not wearing a shirt, after all, but sporting large tattoos covering half of his (visible body) -"And this is Simms," he added, Delphine offering the hand to him.

"Ohio desert is not the safest place for a woman," Simms says, and she wishes to tell him he has no idea, but instead puts the suitcase down and exhales deeply. -"Your name is very interesting,"

"It does have an unfamiliar feel to it," Fiske agreed, glancing up and down, but not in a rude way: it felt like a careful, objective examination of someone they might consider taking with them. Dee gives a playful shrug.

"My mother was obsessed with ancient mythologies," she explained. -"You'd think someone named after an oracle would be able to anticipate they would walk alone, in the middle of the night, during a magical storm?"

"Irony," Simms said. -"Where did you come from?"

"There," she turns towards the actual storm, before turning back to the two men. -"Barely got out alive, but I won't lie - I'm happy I got to keep any of my things," she sighs, giving another little shrug. -"What brings you here?"

There's a moment of deliberation happening wordlessly between them before Fiske picks up the conversation.

"We're heading to Lost Vegas," he said, and for a second she did not believe she heard him right.

"Sorry, did you say Lost Vegas?" her face drops all of a sudden, and the red-haired man smirks, confidently, playing it down a little.

"Yeah, our friend invited us," he says. -"Where are you headed?"

She takes a moment to figure out if this was a time to lie - and the only thing that runs through her mind is the sound of her bare feet made against marble and blood. She smiles, interrupting that thought.

Nowhere, in particular, might be the right answer, but Lost Vegas sounded like a plan she did like - the place was of legends, and at least right now she knew where she was going to.

"Wherever the day takes me," Dee said nonchalantly. -"Right now, it could be Lost Vegas, if you're okay with me hitching a ride with you?"

There's some silence, but she smiles.

"I'm no longer welcome in my home, so I'm searching for a new one, you know?" Delphine concluded. Simms' eyes gaze down to her hands, and she realizes she did not announce she's all human and nothing but the human.

"Oh," Fiske seems surprised by her opinion - or the honesty, but she might be surprised by this bit too. She picked an invisible lint from her dress, before looking back up.

"So, if you are in the mood to have a very talkative person accompany you to some point, or maybe even all the way to the destination, I'm it," she said in one breath.

"Before we agree to that," Simms cuts in, a playful smile on his lips, -" and you've got to understand I have to ask—"

"Human, yes," Delphine nods - she'll never forget the evening when she first heard about the Connecticut Accords. -"Are you?"

Sitting in the middle of a table at a dinner party - and god, does she hate those, it's unimaginable how one decides on the format where only one side of the table seems to be interesting while the rest is utterly dull - and the thought occurred to her. Yes, she encountered fae before, but normally under the circumstance, she'd know who they were. And then, someone mentioned a breach of the Connecticut Accords and how the mentioned person did not disclose they were not human - and, honestly, it might just be very easy to do so these days, no?

"Yes," Fiske replied for the both - or so she hoped. Dee nods, before cutting to the point.

"So, should we?"

"Should we...?"

"Get going," she replied, walking towards the car. -"Should I place the bag in the back, or how is this going to work?"

"Proactive," Simms throws, and even though she is not sure if this is a good thing, she takes it as a compliment and moves on. -"The storm—"

"Is this car spell-bound or magic in any way?" Dee asks, eager to get going, which seems to be a lonely spot in the group.

"What?" she's asked as she is throwing stuff into the hearse, catching a glimpse of camping gear, which instantly seems like a red flag - the idea of getting stung by a scorpion while trying to sleep did not seem like something she's willing to do. So, maybe she should have tried to reason with Wren?

She pulls her head back in right now.

"This is a magic storm," she explains. -"Unless your car is magical, or spell-bound, or anything related to it, we're good to go,"

"You seem to know a lot," Fiske sounds a bit suspicious - or so she guessed - and Simms just seems eager to answer.

"I built the car," he says finally, nodding. -"It's good old mechanics and engine,"

"Congratulations," Dee smiles. -"We've got ourselves a great vehicle then, and I believe we're good to go."

chapter x.

"So, heading to Lost Vegas seems like quite the trip to take," Dee says, sitting comfortably in the back, prompted on some sleeping bags, hands thrown over the seats. -"This is not the most comfortable, tho," her brows furrow, as she tries to find a place to settle in more nicely.

"Well, the back part was not really made with consideration to comfort," Fiske makes a joke, glancing at her shortly in the rearview, and she chuckles.

"That's a very good point," Dee replied, pushing her hair back. She lost her ribbon, she's not sure she has more in the bag given the abrupt departure. -"Anyways, Vegas,"

"A friend invited us," Simms replied shortly - she believes him to be less comfortable with her presence there, hand on the hold and another on his knee.

"Have you ever been there?" she asks, curiously.

"I haven't," Fiske replied, tossing his hair back a little bit, and she glanced at Simms.

"You?"

"No, first time, too,"

"So, we're all be new there," she mused. -"Well, if your friend extends the invite or at least some kind of 24-hour visa to a curious girl with absolutely no plans,"

"All options are open, I guess," Fiske replied. -"So, you really got no plans?"

"None," she replied. -"I mean, I'm not just randomly stumbling around—"

"Only, you just were," Fiske snickered,

"—but in my defence, I had a very shitty day," Dee concluded, before realizing the topic needed a detour: too many questions might come up she is neither willing nor in the mood to answer. -"I don't think I've asked," she interjects as Simms was about to speak. -"What do you guys do?"

There's a moment of silence before Fiske replied.

"I'm a doctor," he kept his hand on the wheel, while he took out some imaginary wrinkles from the bottom of the scrubs, glancing shortly at Simms.

"I don't have to work," he snickered, giving a very playful shrug, resting his hand on the seats, turning towards her a little.

"What kind of answer is that?" she chuckles, trying to keep her focus on him, while her eyes glanced all over the place as they drove closer and closer to the eye of the storm.

"Have you seen me?" he asks, matter-of-factly and flat tone. -"With a body like this, you just..."

"Don't?" Dee laughed playfully, just to be interrupted by a light swing of the car - she turns around, noticing something in the movement: the bus is glistening through the storm, and in the faint sun, there's a very clear sight of Wren yelling at Mercucio.

The car drives past it, Dee looking out the window, noticing Mercucio yelling at Wren in equal measure, while the eye of the storm got closer and closer to all of them.

Still, the car rushed through the desert, tires raising the dust on the dry ground and soon after, there's a bump soon after.

"Holy fu—"

There's another bump, this time stronger, more precise, and Dee looks outside, seeing a familiar eerie humanoid shape hovering above the car, but her mind computes it only moments later: the Finch.

"Go around it!" Simms says, but no matter how much Fiske tried to avoid it, manoeuvre around it, it did not give up. Dee glanced at it, before glancing back in the direction of where the bus was, realizing the obvious.

"Shit," slips under her breath - the Finch was sent to get a ride.

Now, they were the desired ride.

Fiske puts it in reverse, stepping on it, rushing backwards to avoid it.

"What is that?" he asks, but the Finch catches up to their plan quite soon, running into the car again - only, this time, she picks up on the trail of blood he left on the car. Dee furrows her brows, leaning forward as it tried to attack again.

"Run into it," she says, all of a sudden - and both men look at her for a short moment, before turning their gaze to the predator again. -"It's hurt,"

"What is it?" Simms asks, but she repeated what she said.

"Run into it, trust me, it will either fuck us up, or we will fuck it up," Dee continued in a very firm tone of voice. -"Right now!"

holy shit, I'm actually DONE ahead of time.
nope, nope, lemme catch up with the outfits, sorry about that

Last edited by Zaralee (20/08/2021 at 22:43)

Round 3 is now closed (Sorry for the delay, I was feeling gross yesterday)

Welcome to Round 4!

Things are getting...interesting. Some of you have taken significant steps forward, but your choices may pull you back...or worse.

BambiFoxx

Aleric: Seeing the version of you that Caleb manifested and revealing to you the truth of how the train runs has left him feeling exposed in ways that he hasn't ever been. He'll cover this up with more teasing and taunting physically while struggling to keep you at arms length emotionally hoping that you don't get hurt.

Your decision to hop off the train to approach the hitchhiker has Aleric feeling equal parts annoyed and on edge. The hitchhiker you stop for is this man: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPDYRQLjb6nGoM-QEL4ilEX6IL82fnbn4atQ&usqp=CAU who immediately starts questioning who you are and why you have his brothers train. Do you:

a)a rush back to the rain demanding explanations from Aleric...

b)ask the man who his brother is...

Please PM me your choice.

Fashion-Chic

Magical interference has you stuck in a time loop and your group is delayed (Please use R4 to tell your R2 story)

Schogettchen

Brayden: He is more comfortable with you then he planned on being with anyone and this is a reality that has him missing home in ways that he'll be quick to admit. He'll be more open with you.

The choice to go right has left you in a town where all of the shops seem closed and home windows are shuttered. There are also no people on the street. As the truck runs out of gas Do you...

a) try to find gas...

b) explore the town...

Please PM me your choice.

Zaralee

Fisk: It's been far too long since he and Simms have come across a beautiful woman, especially one with so much spirit. He'll be openly flirtatious.

Simms: He doesn't entirely believe that you're wholly human, a pretty young woman emerging unscathed from the Ohio Deserts during a magical storm. He'll keep you at arms length unless you give him a reason to get closer.

As the hearse collides with the Finch in addition to a sickening crunching sound you'll also hear a loud wail that's unmistakeable as being female...and human. The wail will echo in your ears for several minutes before fading into a low hum. The hearse will however be undamaged and you will be able to get to the other side of the desert with no issue and into Indiana. Once you arrive there the guys will find a small roadside hotel for you all to refuel. After a vivid night of nightmares you'll wake up feeling...different, stronger and will be keenly aware that you now have magic. Do you:

a) Reveal this to Fisk and Simms...

b) Test it out...

Please PM me your choice

J3zab3ll

Bex: She'll be relieved to be in Texarcana convinced it's where she belongs and will not struggle against being taken. If you talk to her you'll notice her mood is more demure.

Vix: She'll be agitated, screaming and largely incoherent, except to babble about the bad thing.

After being dragged into the house the three of you will be thrown into a windowless room. One by one you'll each be taken out. Bex will be first and she'll be returned hours later with a content smile on her face. Vix will be next and after only a few minutes she'll be returned, clearly sedated and unable to speak. You'll be last and a man will scan your wrists, neck and eyes several times before declaring to the others assembled that you're not "one of theirs". After some conversation among them you'll be told they don't need you and you're free to go. Do you:

a) Leave...

b) Try to get them to release Bex and Vix as well...

Please PM me your choice

For this round please include the following:

A story based on this part of your journey (see initial impressions for starting points, further instructions will follow after I'm told your choices).

Outfit(s) Show me what you were wearing at pivotal points in your story

When your entry is complete please write R3 complete or something similar in your entry.

R4 will end Saturday August 28 23:30

By and large, here comes Jahi... DONE

NAME: Jahi Wylder

AGE: 22

FC: Zhavia (Carisa Ward)

ROLE: Tinkerer

Traits: Innovative, audacious, conniving, spontaneous, magnetic, bohemian spirit, eccentric, arrogant

For Jahi, life is a game… and she plays to win. She is active, energetic, resourceful, freedom-loving, and adventurous all at once. She is not particularly concerned with concepts such as work, order, and tidiness. Responsibility and obedience are equally foreign notions she has little interest in exploring. She craves movement and action but is capable of introspection and objectivity… when necessary. She ventures off the beaten path and is attracted to anything original or cutting-edge. Her bold, daring nature, sensuality, and overwhelming desire for more together with her impulsiveness sometimes lead her into unusual if not compromising situations; taking risks without considering the potential consequences of her actions. She can be a bit of a tomboy who isn’t scared of anything and yet she embraces her femininity enthusiastically as much. She seldom does things by halves, but she trusts in her own ability to maneuver between the perils she encounters in this strange, wild world.

Theme Song: Savage

Chapter 4 - DONEish (return for part 4 after a nap if there is time)

Ahoy, Matey! - DONE

⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 16

Every step away from the entrance of the train felt more and more unsettling but I was entirely too stubborn to turn back now. Not unless I would be willing to admit to Aleric why I’d rushed out in the first place. And I absolutely was not willing to do that. I reached down, instinctively seeking the barrel of my six-shooter only to falter a step when I remembered it was still sitting on the workbench I’d been working at when the train came to a halt.

I was already spotted by the cloaked figure ahead and my stomach was coiling as the worst possible scenarios started to roll in my mind. What if Justice or one of his goons had trailed me after all? But even if someone had found the underground tunnel, or the tracks… who would dare to consider I may have found an actual train to board… to escape? My heart raced madly as piercing blue eyes peeked out and bore into me.

“Who the hell are you...?” I blinked and came to an abrupt halt at the terse, agitated male voice. The surge of relief at his confusion did not last long though. “... and why the hell do you have my brothers’ train?”

“Your brother?” My heart was racing a bit as I tried to come to terms with what he was asking, my mind spinning with new ideas. Was the train stolen? I should go back… warn Aleric that someone had found it… him. But when I looked back, the entrance to the train was completely dark and he was nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t even bothered to exit… to have my back. I gritted my teeth as I turned again. “Who the hell is your brother?”

Suddenly, he snatched the hood away and I was stuck thinking someone that handsome should not look so grim. Or maybe it was the menacing expression that enhanced his chiseled, angular features.

“Brothersss…” he sneered as his head lowered, giving me a complete head-to-toe once over. “ A giant killjoy and a freak… useful though I suppose.”

Wrinkles deepened across my forehead as he spoke, with me still trying to follow along. But the man did not even wait for an answer… he simply turned away and moved to pass me along the track. Belatedly, I spun to stop him… intent on keeping him away from the train when his next words hit me like a mack truck.

“Aleric!... Caleb…?”

I couldn’t have been but a few steps away when he boarded the train but I felt as if I were watching from a distance, the words, the movements… all in slow motion. Even as my feet moved closer I still felt as if I were in some warped tube. Then Aleric was there, literally appearing from the shadows of the still darkened compartment until he was mere inches from the stranger.

“Brady…” his expression rapidly converged from skepticism to confusion… to… outright fury. Even worse than what I’d seen the day he caught me spying on him at the pink house…”What the hell are you doing in the tunnels!?”

Then, without warning, as I continued to watch in that strange little bubble his hand rear back and slammed forward. The loud crackling sound registered and I gasped, utterly stunned before I was suddenly moving, rushing forward as the other man stumbled backward then fell flat on his ass in the middle of the dining cart aisle.

“What the hell Aleric?!” I yelled as I squatted next to the stranger and winced seeing a deep purple shade immediately begin to spread in the center of his pretty face. That is… under the brick red splatter and fluid streaming down the nose and contemptuous grin the stranger wore.

“Well hello, brother!” Tears brimming his eyes as he spit blood out while pinching the bridge of his battered nose cautiously. I, on the other hand, fell back on my hunches, staring at the newcomer as if he had just sprouted horns. A moment later I was focused on Aleric who had not made one move closer, though he did twist one hand over the other before shaking his right gingerly.

“Brother?”

Aleric glanced at me now as did the other man, both expressions quite stormy, while Aleric smashed his lips together stubbornly. I pushed back and rose, brushing dust from my pants then glared at the one I knew while the other made a struggle to his own feet unassisted.

“What the fuck is going on, Aleric?”

“Yeah, good question…”

My jaw flexed beneath my grinding teeth but didn’t bother glancing back even though I could hear, Brady was it... moving about. My glare was reserved exclusively for the scruffy-faced man ahead.

“This, Jahi…” he finally spit out, “is my brother Brady… the bastard that jumped ship as soon as things started to get messy with Caleb…” There was a loud derisive snort that Aleric spoke louder to talk over… “blaming me for what happened and pissed because I wouldn’t allow Caleb to be used for his schemes…”

“Bullshit!”

I spun around now, watching Brady wag a finger with one hand and clutching the neck of a corked bottle of rum in the other. There was a piece of stained tissue sticking from one nostril and a pile of bloodied tissues piled on a counter.

“We all benefited from his magic… more than once… don’t let him fool you luv… that one is as conniving as they come…” I narrowed my gaze on him as he popped the cork and took a long swig straight from the bottle.

“And yet you are the one that left. Disappeared… more than six months ago… never to return!”

“And yet…” he snarkily mimicked, “... here I stand…”

“Why?”

“Why?” Indignation radiated in his tone. “Because I finished what I left to do… brother.”

“Which was?” I injected after several moments of Aleric’s stubborn silence and witnessing that distrustful glare in his eyes. Brady’s response to me was almost identical. He took another swig off the bottle while staring at me before he finally spoke again.

“Just who the hell are you again, Luv?”

“That’s right… just deflect. When you’re lying through your teeth it’s the only thing you have left.”

“Give over Al, you know damned well I never abandoned you… I went on a scouting mission… and I’ve returned with the damned invitations to Lost Vegas I went for…”

He scoffed. “What mission? You’re nothing but a liar.”

“Aren’t we all?”

I couldn’t help but reflect back to the time Aleric responded similarly to me as I glanced between the two of them. But I held my tongue in the ensuing silence, feeling certain neither would appreciate my interrupting once more.

“It just so happens in this case, I’m not…” and in a flourish, he whipped out evidence that he strolled over and shoved against his brother’s chest. Still obviously mistrusting, Aleric took a hold of and looked over each item individually before glancing back at Brady's smug face.

“Is this for real?”

If I’d been in doubt before, that arrogant grin was proof positive of their relationship. Then abruptly Aleric looked at me quizzically… appealingly, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“What?”

“Lost Vegas…” he spread what I could now make out as tickets between his fingers and waved them slowly. Admittedly, I was torn while narrowing my gaze on the objects. The rumors of the place ran along the lines of Shangri-La… some mythical place of undisputed pleasure and peace. Perfection, if one were to buy into the whispers. But they were that… just rumors. Finding such a joyful paradise in this world was like trying to touch the sky… and I did not believe in fantasy.

At least I thought I wasn’t. Until presented with the possibility of finding the utopia.

“We could detour… check it out…” My heart raced as I darted between the temptation gripped in his fingers and his expectant gaze. “What do ya think Jahi?”

“I…” the refusal froze in my throat. I really should get further west… hadn’t I just had a fright in the tunnel, I tried to remind myself. Thinking I’d been found. My stomach coiled and I licked my lips before nibbling on the lower one. I was not the whimsical type, another reminder shouted in my head. “I guess… we could go take a look…”

“Tiens bon mon cher…” I frowned as Brady stepped up, moving between the two of us and slipping the tickets from his brother’s fingers. “As you both can see there are only three tickets here… and cute as you might be…” he tilted his head up and down before looking back to Aleric, “Caleb cannot simply conjure up a fourth for your little morsel here… not with the security measures in place… I’m afraid she will have to be left behind.”

Silence ripped through the train car. I swear I could hear my heart hammering as Aleric grimaced. Minutes… seconds? I couldn’t say, but some moments passed drawing a furrowed brow from Brady who darted from one of us to the other before looking around a bit more.

“Where is Caleb?... Caleb!” He moved past us and started down the aisle.

“He’s not here.” Aleric finally blurted out.

“What?”

There was no denying the harshness of his demand and again my stomach tightened, curled in over itself as Aleric raked his fingers through his dark hair.

“We left him… he’s in Old Orleans… or was last we’d seen him.”

“You left...” Incredulously, he shook his head as if he were trying to wrap his head around the words before he looked again between us. Moment by moment his gaze narrowed until they were barely slit and his lips curled dangerously. “We???”

Instinctively I inched my fingers down my thigh again. I felt exposed, vulnerable without the weight of my pistol against my leg. Not that I considered shooting Aleric’s brother, or rather not his other brother… not really. Still, I sure would have felt better having it.

“Yes. We had to.”

“You had to!?” his voice erupted but it was the sound of glass shattering against the wall that had me jump back. “You had to leave our brother? You two… just left him?”

Seconds ticked by, or longer before the new brother threw his hands up and growled before he turned and stalked out of the car. Aleric grimaced at the loud bang coming from the corridor followed by another shout before glancing at me apologetically and stalking off in the same direction.

Loot, Plunder, Pillage and Play - DONE

⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 16 continued

I mashed my lips together as I lifted the pack of dehydrated hydra steaks, mindlessly scanning the nutrients listed. The letters and numbers mostly blended into each other. And no matter how many times I re-read each word, I simply was just too distracted to make heads or tails of the information. Wordlessly, I returned the packet to the shelf and moved to the next item… a container of mermaid jam. I frowned, looking up, scanning the compact convenience store to find Brady slipping a few items into the cart he’d taken hold of when we entered. Another quick turn and I laid eyes on Aleric speaking directly with a tall, lanky merchant in hushed tones several feet away from both of us. And from the dark scowl on his face, I’d say the discussion wasn’t going too well. The fellow next to him appeared jittery, his eyes and hands darting around while he produced three parcels for Aleric’s inspection. Each refusal of the newly offered item seemed to make the store clerk more agitated or uneasy.

But then again, that look could be the residual from the argument that had taken place earlier. Between him and Brady. Unfortunately, I was as clueless over that disagreement as I was about the current one. The few words I did manage to catch then clearly indicated that Brady was none too happy about Caleb’s absence. And he barely gave me a second glance when they both returned and Aleric tersely announced that we all would be traveling above ground to pick up some supplies.

“We’ve got some caramelized phoenix eggs today as well..”

I blinked at the person in front of me… another merchant hovering behind the deli counter looking expectant. I shook my head and set the loaf down before moving down the aisle to stop beside Brady.

“What are we doing here?” I murmured in a low tone once again glancing towards Aleric who continued to speak with the other man.

“Shopping…” obviously I added silently at his curt, dismissive reply.

“Yes, yes My Friend!” I heard, seeing the merchant frantically nodding and shaking Aleric’s hand before passing him a brown paper bag. Seconds later, Aleric strolled back to us, gave his brother a firm nod before we finalized the purchase of the items Brady collected, and left the shop.

Oddly enough, the remainder of the afternoon seemed to go in a similar fashion. Strange, eclectic shops where one of the brothers would converse with one or more clerks, sometimes disappearing from sight for a bit before we would again purchase a few things and move on. And yet, by the time we returned to the train, I was fairly sure our haul was nothing like it should have been.

And if I were a betting woman, I’d wager any amount of money that Brady purposefully moved to stow away the items before I had a chance to rifle through them.

“Aleric, what th…”

“Jahi…” his jaw flexed as he dug two fingers into his wrinkled forehead. “Please… can your questions wait until later?”

My fingers curled into fists at my side as I ground my own teeth to refrain from speaking. I gave a brisk hesitant nod, earning a sigh of relief that irked me a bit more.

I tried to console myself with the thought that at least he hadn’t flat out refused to hear my questions that he obviously knew I had. But it didn’t do much good. I threw myself into working before seeking my bed without any further interaction with either brother for the rest of that night.

That is until some point in the middle of the night, the door to my cabin parted. I squinted at the shadow highlighted by the dim light from the corridor and considered a firm objection. But instead, I found myself lifting the covers. Wordlessly, the door closed again and he crawled in beside me, each pulling the other closer allowing fingers, lips, and more to caress and explore until we dropped into a deep, exhausted sleep.


⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 17

Aleric was already gone when I woke the following morning, but I was fairly sure not by much time based on the warmth of the bed beside me. Quickly, before too much time lapsed, I jumped up, dressed, and rushed out.

It didn’t take too long to locate him, rummaging in the storage car with several boxes of items at varying stages of fullness. I frowned, of course.

“Good morning…”

He jerked and made a concerted effort to twist around and spy me between the mess he made. I would not say that he looked excitedly pleased by my presence despite the way his gaze shifted down my body and lingered over my curves before he straightened further and tucked some sort of box cutter into the belt at his waist.

“Hey…”

I walked closer and pulled an object from the top of one box. Now that I’d found him I started to feel a little anxious, which was quite ludicrous. I nibbled on my lower lip as I flipped and traced the exterior of the jar I held before squaring my shoulders.

“I thought we would speak before you left this morning…”

“And I thought you’d sleep quite a while longer after the long night you had…”

I wrinkled my nose at his taunting words and leering grin, “hardy-har… you’re up and about already…”

“I’ve more stamina, clearly…”

I considered throwing the jar of… I glanced down again and frowned harder… deltonium phaser gel. My eyes shot up, catching his blank stare still locked on me. I had no clue what he was thinking.

“Where did you get this?”

Slowly, he stepped forward and plucked the item from my fingers and firmly, but carefully, stuffed it back in the box that I now noticed had a full row of similar jars. My pulse raced madly as I watched him and let my mind run wild with ideas. I could feel him hesitating… again… and still. But then, a heartbeat later he looked directly at me again.

“We stole them.”

“Stole… we…?”

“Caleb and I, when he was still here… Brady helped me add a few things yesterday.”

I tugged the flap on another box, Aleric making no move to stop me, and felt chills race down my spine. Quantum surge charges… hyper-floss packs… re-chlorinated sustenance sticks. I shook my head a little again, realizing that on some level I had to know with all the supplies I’d been able to get my hands on during the journey… tinkering with objects that were usually so scarce. And what about the ferrick he held prisoner? I knew, deep down, that he… they… were no innocent travelers. I’d guessed, somewhere along the line, that there was something darker at play here. Perhaps I’d let myself believe after the incident with Caleb that he had been the darkness. But now… no. Now, I feel that perhaps, a tiny part of me stayed because I had to have known it was more to it, them… him.

“All of this? How… where? why?”

“Not all… some are trades, some purchases though less of those than the others...” He leaned back against a workbench and crossed his arms over his chest. Looking utterly calm and casual as he admitted that he and his brothers were thieves. “We courier objects to different locations, acquire others that we need for trading… and manipulation if need be. And keep the operation running, by whatever means necessary.”

“Who do you work for?”

He smirked mockingly, sending another shiver of chills down my spine. Every nerve started to tingle really, from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. I crossed my arms over my chest, concealing just how vividly my body was responding to the truth laid before me. Relief, in all honesty, surged inside of me. But that wasn’t all. Not by a long shot.

“So, no one?”

“We work for each other.”

“You and your brothers…?” He nodded and I continued to nibble on my lip, thinking…

“Why do you do it? Would you stop?”

“Because I’m good at it. And because I can. We can.” The arrogance in his tone was like a toxin being intravenously fed into my blood system. His jaw flexed hard. “And no. I see no reason to stop.”

“Are there more?” God, my voice sounded raspy.

“More?”

“Brothers… sisters… family?”

“No, it’s just the three of us now. Or was… is...” he shook his head but then I noticed his gaze narrow as I stood there, just watching him, unable to look away. Suddenly, he stalked closer, forcing me to tilt my head by the time he towered beside me. “You seem a little nervous. Are you worried... scared that we mean you harm?”

I snorted or tried to. Shamefully, it sounded quite meek to my ears.

“Should I be scared of you and your family?”

His body brushed against me and I trembled. “Many are… rightfully so. We are dangerous men.”

“Perhaps Caleb shook me a bit…” I admitted throatily looking up at him. His eyes, his lips. He smirked, The blue of his eyes nearly disappearing behind his narrowed lids as one finger slowly trailed along my jaw and inched down my throat making me tremble even harder. Visibly, I guessed when he stretched his palm flat against my neck and gently dug the pad of his thumb against my pulse hammering there.

“Well, it’s true… I have no interest in actually murdering you… just hurting you a little when you drive me a bit crazy...”

The sadist in me smirked even as I wondered, idly, how I could even think to laugh about the genuine jeopardy I had been in just days ago when his brother had tried to do just that. He continued to watch me while he moved to cup my chin, rubbing the calloused tip of his thumb across my mouth.

“I believe you are a bit of a mad hatter, Jahi…”

My nipples grew taut as I slithered my tongue out and coiled it around his finger.

“I’m definitely not made for the faint-hearted… or kind do-gooders and nice guys...”

“What’s wrong with nice guys… have you ever met one?”

I squirmed, wickedly teased that he didn’t claim to be one. “You can’t be a nice person when you live in a world of savages…”

His fingers dug in deeper, gripping my jaw and tilting my head even more while his other hand inched past my hip and cupped me closer.

“Is that what you are, Jahi?”

My pulse raced harder as I slithered against him, digging my pelvis against his groin.

“The worst…”

His nostrils flared and his lips parted slightly while his eyes burned a path downward.

“Isn’t this quaint...”

I gasped and jerked around at the snide tone. Aleric, to give him credit, seemed less startled but still moved a step back, slower.

“Morning brother…”

“Thought you were going to meet me first thing…”

“I was just informing Jahi what it is that we do…”

I could easily imagine icy blue daggers firing from the glacial coolness of his gaze.

“Well haven’t you just brought her into all the folds…”

I bit the inside of my cheek as I glared back at him. With the status of things at the moment, going off on the brother Aleric had left might be rather vexing.

“I’ll go…” I muttered looking back at the elder brother. “I had an anomalous power spike in the neutronium bracket that was making the nano waves splinter erratically last night...”

Aleric nodded. I hesitated though, annoyed by the interruption but there really was no way out of it at this point. I gritted my teeth as I moved away, stopping inches from Brady who leaned against the threshold blocking the doorway with that same harsh glare brimming in his eyes. Though, I got the feeling that there was also a hint of skepticism. Quite similar to the look Aleric had given that first day he found me working on one of my gadgets. His eyes seemed to bore right through me. But I refused to give him the pleasure of asking to be let pass.

Seconds ticked away as we both just stood there.

“Brady give way… let her pass…”

“Ooh… sorry, princess…” he spit out, making the word sound like a curse as he straightened ahead of me, “I didn’t hear your pardon…”

“I’ve done nothing that requires requesting a pardon… you, however, are in the way...”

He smirked.

“As was Caleb, I imagine…”

The lie felt like such a sucker punch but, still, I refused to give him the pleasure of a reaction. When he realized he would not get the rise he hoped for he stepped back and made a rather extravagant flourish with one arm and bowing slightly.

Stonily, I walked from the cabin with my head held high and only rushed my steps once I heard the door shut behind me.

Raise The Black Flag - DONE

⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 18

The rest of that day I tried to sequester myself with my work, making a concerted effort to avoid Brady as much as possible. And, once again, wantonly satiated my hunger for Aleric, later that night.

He and I did not speak of the conversation at all. I simply accepted him when he arrived in the wee hours and he was gone before I woke. But I couldn’t quite convince myself that the coiled knot that sat in the pit of my stomach the next morning was solely due to a need for sustenance. I wanted or needed… something more.

And perhaps because of that strange feeling… that unrestrained confusion, I was a bit on edge. Or rather, more than a bit. I felt as if I’d been stepping on eggshells for far too many hours. It simply was an impossible situation, for me, biting my tongue.

So, eventually, by the middle part of that day, just as I entered the dining car for a bit of lunch, that disgruntled bastard provoked me just one too many times, and I erupted…

“What the actual fuck is your problem?”

Sadistically, tingles raced down my spine when he looked up. He lounged arrogantly across the length of a bench and directed a world of venom that he seemed to have been holding back for some time in my direction. He didn’t raise his voice, nor even his body, to appear more threatening. He didn’t rise at all, made literally no move towards me but yet, it seemed as if he had been waiting for me to declare the war to begin.

“You, you are my fucking problem…”

“I haven’t even done shit to you…”

“You did! You caused a rift between my brothers and ran one off…”

“I di… did what?!” I swear my eyes must have bulged two centimeters bigger.

He rose now, ominously stalking closer like some startled bear from his hibernation. But I was just as eager for this confrontation, his bad attitude had worn extremely thin in a number of hours.

“Yes, you!... but yes… how exactly did you do it?” he demanded in a low, hard tone, jabbing a finger in my direction. “Aleric would never leave Caleb willingly. I don’t buy it for a second. And he’s been sniffing after you the entire time I’ve been back… what kind of fae are you really?”

My mouth dropped open at the accusation, fury bellowing up.

“I did nothing to your crazy ass brother. And Aleric left him because he lost his fucking mind and tried to kill me!”

Brady shook his finger again, at the same time his head wagged side to side. “Bullshit” he sneered. “I know my brothers. Aleric is the protector. And if Caleb tried to kill you… it is because you were a threat!”

“Yeah…” I bared my teeth in my fury… “I was a fucking threat… to that fake me he was shacked up with at that house in Orleans!”

Brady frowned… “What the fuck are you talking about?”

But I was too livid, apparently as pent up for this fight as he seemed to be. I shoved, forcing him to stumble a step backward despite the striking size difference.

“How the fuck would you like to show up and stare at some weirdo fantasy version of yourself clinging to your brother while he shoots boulders at you to eliminate the competition?!”

“Wait… what?” He repeated and grabbed both my wrists in one hand to keep me from pushing at him anymore. But I was not in the mood to think straight or to be obediently controlled. I brutally slammed my foot down over his, the thick platform heel crushing against his own boot. I wasn’t sure if I managed to cause any real pain but the sharp yell he unleashed when I followed up with a direct kick to his shin proved otherwise. Suddenly, he released me and began hopping on one foot and rubbing the assaulted limb.

“What the hell is going on in here?”

I spun around, heaving wildly.

“The little hellion’s gone quite mad…”

“Hellio- ...” I growled and lunged at Brady, but somehow, unbelievably, Aleric managed to make it across the space to yank me around the waist and pull me back before I got a chance to lay hands on the other.

“Whoa now… !” I struggled, wiggling, and managed a kick against Aleric that loosened his grip.

“Let me goooo!”

“Dammit, Jahi!” he shouted and jerked even harder, rattling my entire body against his.

“It’s really quite magnificent…” Brady’s voice chimed in sounding quite far away in my mind but when I did manage to gaze at him he was only steps away. Still bent, rubbing his leg.

“What the hell did you do?”

“Nothing…” Brady eyed me warily, or so I thought until I noticed how his lip started to curl upward at the corner, “... much.”

My nostril flared wider as my chest continued to rise and fall harshly above the vice-like arm gripped around my torso.

“Nothing much…” I mimicked sarcastically, vehemently… “except blame me for coming between you and Caleb!”

I heard and felt him sigh behind me.

“Brother… I told you it wasn’t her fault.’

“What the hell… yes, you expected me to believe you’d just abandon Caleb for no damned good reason… but I can see quite clearly the reason.” He muttered but then shook his head. “Or so I thought.”

“I told you the reason… he lost control of his…”

“He’s lost control of his magic before! You’ve never left him behind, before… her... ”

“I didn’t do sh…” I gasped as the grip around me tightened even still, choking the words out of me.

“He’d never manifested a person before… never been that obsessed… or deranged.” Aleric paused as if he were debating what to say. “He never tried to kill a woman before… or me standing beside her…”

Brady frowned, looking over at me but it was the sound of the second sigh that hissed out of Aleric, his weariness, that put a tiny bit of a cork into my anger. At least, I stopped trying to break free. For the moment.

“Why though…” Brady still struggled to understand, though I noticed he wasn’t being quite so derisive towards me. His words reeked of genuine confusion… curiosity. “She must have seduced him into…”

Or not! Rage, once again, fumed to a blinding light like wildfire across a dry field, making me shove at Aleric’s hand. Viciously I dug my nails into his flesh, his gasp egging me on as I tried violently to break free. I determined that Brady definitely needed an ass-kicking. But a contemptuous sound erupted out of a body shaking Aleric while he securely held me back.

“If you had seen the other… pliable… meek… dependent… you’d know it was all in his head.”

Brady snorted. But he definitely was looking at me differently. It was a few more moments longer before he lifted his hands yieldingly.

“Truce?”

Silence reigned as I contemplated his proposal.

“Can I trust you to behave?”

“No!” I hissed at Aleric but kept my narrowed, fierce gaze locked on Brady. “But I won’t attack if that’s what you’re asking…”

“It’ll have to do…”

I stumbled slightly from the momentum of being released and straightened the hem of my top that had risen a bit during my struggle. Then, without another word I strolled out of the room, leaving the brothers to their own council.

Maybe Hide The Rum! - TBA/DONEish

⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 19
Brady will arrive with a bottle of rum, proposing they let bygones be bygones. Jahi will decline his offer, initially, still bitter of not only his accusations but her uncontrolled response to his bating. But she'll give in eventually and share a drink with him. Then another. At some point, Aleric will arrive and join in, the three of them spending the rest of the afternoon and evening drinking quite a bit. The brothers will share stories about the past, amusing tales to laugh over, nothing serious or deep. There will be jokes about living dangerously, loving it... Jahi will share too much about her past, admitting that she was part of an anti-ferrick commune and escaped when it was rumored that she was to be engaged to the son of the zealot leader, who some suspect to be a half-blood fae. Inhibitions will definitely be lowered for her and flirting will be bold and graphic with both brothers. At a point, there may be more than one pair of hands on her before she finds her way, or is escorted, to a bed that night.

High Tide - DONE

⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️ ⏺️

Day 20

The next day I struggled to ignore the pounding headache I acquired from the following night's late hour... and drunkenness.

I wasn't even truly sure how I made it to my sleeping cabin. But somehow I managed. And the relief at waking up alone was unmeasurable. Though, I wasn't exactly sure that had been the case the entire night. Perhaps the images of hard, flexing muscles and wicked caresses were just fragments of deep alcohol-induced sleep. Vivid, wanton fantastical dreams. But now I was paying the price.

For both my lack of certainty over how... and with whom I may have spent the night. And over the throbbing pulse that sounded like a chorus of Viking war drums.

I winced and set the gears aside I worked on then took several deep, steadying breaths while massaging the dark circles under my eyes. The morning had already flown by and I had no idea where either of the guys was working that day... or what they were doing at all in reality. Plotting a new path maybe... figuring out their next heist? Maybe I should seek one out... be nosy, find out more about their operation...

But even as I thought it, the momentum of the train started to decelerate. I frowned because I couldn't remember how much longer we were supposed to travel, but I didn't think we'd be arriving at Lost Vegas this soon.

It only took a few minutes to stroll through the cars and find the brothers standing almost in the exact spot I found Aleric several days ago. The day Brady returned.

Both of them turned at my entrance and chills raced down my spine. I couldn't help feeling exposed, vulnerable. I wished I could remember everything I said the night before... or done for that matter.

But their expressions were nothing like they had been the day before. Aleric peeped over his shoulder, frowning at my approach as if he did not wish to have one more thing to think about. A second later, he returned his gaze in the direction of the window, his shoulders squaring firmly as he looked out and I couldn't help but wonder what new threat we were about to be faced with. While Brady, on the other hand, cocked his head back with an unfocused gaze, tossed a distracted wink and dimpled grin before he also sought whatever was just outside the window.

My brows rose at their distraction, curiosity gaining the better of me I moved closer and immediately released a loud, horrific gasp.

"Yeah..."

"What is going on?" I hissed back to Aleric, too dumbfounded by the sight ahead to realize that both men seemed to have their hands on the grip of a weapon.

"Definitely not a long-lost brother returning to the fold..." Aleric added grimly. I peeped at Brady briefly, who grunted in return.

And then we just stood there, staring... watching as the huge horde of people came clamoring down the tunnel in the direction of the train.

THE LOOKS


R1-DONE | R2-DONEish | R3-DONE | R4-DONEish

Last edited by BambiFoxx (28/08/2021 at 20:04)

Kyra / The Farmers / Laborer

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

Name: Kyra

Age: 30

FC: Phoebe Tonkin

Role: Laborer

Personality Traits: Strong, athletic, fit & capable of handling herself should the need arise. Awkward around people & in social situations; doesn't know what to say or how to deal with them. Her decisions are usually rash & impulsive; doesn't plan ahead or think about possible consequences. Calm, collected & not easily angered; often appears as if she isn't showing any emotions at all. Tends to forget about her limits & often doing too many things at the same time, but is capable of dealing with the lack of sleep. Hard worker & doesn't stop until the job is done. Prefers to do everything on her own before asking for help; used to relying on herself only. Great orientation skills; knows her fair share about hunting & fishing.

The Town

Story

XIII

"Well, that doesn't look really inviting." Kyra pointed out her eyes narrowed together as she looked at the closed shops and shuttered windows... it must have been years since someone had last lived in this place.

"No, it doesn't." Brayden muttered in agreement when all of a sudden the car made a dying noise and stopped in the middle of the street, "But I'm afraid that this our stop." He let out a frustrating sigh before pushing the door open and stepping out of the car.

Kyra reached over the seat grabbing her cloak and one of her knives tucking it into the back of her belt... she looked around before she followed him outside. "What now?" she stepped closer her hand briefly brushing against his.

Ever since her realisation that her feelings for him weren't just friendship... and since knowing that it was the same for him, she had been more out-going with casual touches and feeling more confident in telling him stories no one else knew.

Brayden's lips were curled into a smile as he turned his head to look at her, "We are definitely going to need gas to continue our journey.. or we can try and see what else we could possibly find in this place." he shrugged.

Kyra briefly moved her gaze away from his face to the houses surrounding them. No one of them appeared to be in their best state making it hard for her to believe that anything valuable could be found. "Gas is our main priority right now... I don't know about you but I don't want to stay in this place longer than absolutely necessary."

Their truck was standing in the middle of a street - Kyra assumed that it once was the main street... it was way too open leaving them vulnerable if somehow other people still lived here.

"Agreed." Brayden nodded. He reached for her hand squeezing her fingers softly, "How about we split up? I know it isn't the wisest decision but given the circumstances, we might be quicker in finding gas." She could see the uncertainty in his expression.

Part of Kyra didn't want to part with Brayden... wanted to stay at his side. But rationally she knew that he was making a good point. With a sigh, she slipped her fingers out of his grip, "Be careful Brayden." Without really thinking about it, she got on her tiptoes and pressing her lips against his... it wasn't more than a quick brush.

"You too, Kyra," Brayden whispered a soft smile playing on his lips. They shared one last glance before Kyra turned around heading down the street... away from the truck and away from Brayden.





Kyra's lips were pressed together in frustration as she walked away from yet another of the house with shuttered windows... she had been walking down the street for a few minutes now and so far she had found absolutely nothing. The shops that she had encountered had been dark and the shop windows were empty. Some of the houses were surrounded by overgrown gardens and the few gas canisters she managed to find had been used a long time ago.

"What happened here?" she muttered under her breath as she approached yet another house. She tried the entrance door expecting it to be locked but to her surprise, it wasn't... with slow and careful steps and knife in her hand, she pushed the door open looking inside. Kyra was greeted by darkness and signs that whoever used to live here had left quite in a hurry... parts of the furniture were lying on the floor, the floor and the surfaces were covered in dust and cobwebs. She pressed her back against the closest wall slowly moving forward and keeping herself prepared should the house prove not to be empty.

The kitchen didn't look much better than the living room, cupboards have been pulled open and most of them were left empty... in the corner of her eyes, Kyra spotted a door next to the fridge. She carefully opened it peering around the corner.

"A garage?" she whispered to herself. The room didn't look as messy as the rest of the house and if she were looking for tools she would have found some... stepping further inside she noticed a few gas canisters lying on the ground.

"Fuck!" Kyra exclaimed grimacing once she realised that all of them were empty. She kicked the against the wall before pulling the garage door open and stepping back outside. Kyra refused to give up just like that... she couldn't lose hope, not after all she had been through ever since she left the farm with Brayden. They had made it this far despite the obstacles they had run into.

Dragging a hand through her hair she let her gaze wander around the street... it almost seemed endless with house after house after house. She couldn't tell how much time had passed since she parted ways with Brayden. But she knew that she had to keep going because this town wasn't going to be the end of their journey.

"Somewhere there has to be gas... I just know it." Kyra muttered to herself as she continued her journey down the street... she did no longer bother checking houses without a garage. In her mind, it would make more sense to find gas if there used to be a car once.

After more minutes passed without her finding gas... after snooping through garages, overgrown gardens and abandoned shops she came to a stop in front of an intersection. She looked right and then left when she spotted a sign only a few metres away from her.

"Gas station..." Kyra read and without thinking she started running down the streets. She didn't bother checking any of the houses that she passed along the way... her mind too occupied with the fact that she had hopefully found the solution to their problem.

She quickened her pace when the gas station finally appeared in the distance... it was rather small and without the sign, she would have probably missed it and would still be searching through empty houses. For a brief moment, Kyra stopped in her tracks when she noticed that a person was approaching the gas station from the other side.

"Kyra?" she heard Brayden's voice echoing through the air.

"I will be right there," she called back... as she got closer to the gas station she could see him standing near one of the gas pumps. "Any luck?"

"Nope."

"Damn." Kyra cursed just as she stopped next to the other pump which was dry as well. "You managed to find something else?" she tilted her head to the side and looked at him.

"There is a gas station at the other side of the town but all the pumps are dry too." Brayden sighed out while slowly walking over to her. His hands found hers and she smiled as she felt him squeezing her fingers. "What about you?"

"Nothing... I did check some of the garages I found along the way but whoever used to live here made sure that nothing was left behind." she pressed her lips together.

"Yeah, I have noticed that as well... something must have happened here." Brayden said before slightly tugging on her hand, "Come, let's have a look around here. Maybe we will have luck and manage to find something."

XIV

Kyra and Brayden had been walking around the gas station for a few moments when he suddenly stopped walking and pointed at something partly hidden by one of the buildings.

"Is that... a car?" he narrowed his eyes together.

"Well, it is possible." she shrugged, "But the whole town is abandoned... why would leave someone a car here?"

"No clue but we should check it out. If it is indeed a car, it might be our way out of here." Brayden gave her hand another gentle tug.

"It is really a car." Kyra had a hard time keeping the amazement and surprise out of her voice. She walked closer peering through one of the windows... the key was lying on the front seat and in general, the car appeared to be in a good shape.

"Let's see if it still got fuel." Brayden opened the car door grabbing the key, "And jackpot!" He looked at Kyra with a huge smile on his face.

"Indeed." she smiled back at him... she was still surprised by the fact that a car with fuel would be standing in the middle of an empty town. Rationally, it made absolutely no sense but she knew it was their way to continue with their journey. "We should take it."

"Of course. It is a shame to leave the truck behind but I don't see any other way of getting out of this journey and getting back on the road." Brayden replied before pointing down the road at his left side, "Come, the truck shouldn't be too far away from here. And I want to be out of here before it gets too dark... I don't really trust the quietness of this place."

"Sounds like a plan." Kyra walked around the car and this time she was the one to reach for his hand. "Honestly, I don't know what to think about this place. Something must have happened here otherwise I couldn't explain why all the shops and houses are empty... whoever you used to live here must have had a pretty good reason to leave."

"Mhm, I suppose we will never find out." he pointed out with a shrug.

They managed to reach the truck in no time still standing there where they had left it... in the middle of the road. Part of Kyra was going to miss the vehicle. Not only because it had been surprisingly comfortable but also because of the stories she had shared during the journey or those she had learned... and it was the place she had realised her feelings for Brayden ran deeper than friendship.

"Only pack what is absolutely necessary. Space is limited in the car... though if we are lucky we won't be that long on the road." Brayden offered her a smile before letting go of her hand.

"Careful with what you wish for." Kyra chuckled briefly. She opened the passenger seat pulling out the two bags she had been carrying with her the whole journey... she had never owned many things, to begin with. Kyra leaned against the car watching Brayden who was rummaging through his belongings in the boot his expression getting more panicky with each second that passed.

"Where is it?" he kept muttering to himself before throwing one of his bags out of the trunk.

"Where is what?" One of Kyra's eyebrows was arched up as she stepped closer peeking over his shoulder... as she could see was a few bags, blankets, weapons and jackets.

"The soil is gone." his voice was filled with desperation... his gaze heartbreaking as he turned his head to look at her. "I know that I put it here... I don't understand how." Kyra watched as the realisation slowly appeared on his face, "Reese! She must have taken it."

Kyra placed one of her hands on his shoulder, "Okay, deep breath in and out. Because right now you aren't making any sense to me, Brayden. You mentioned a soil... what soil and why do you think that Reese must have taken it?"

"Because she knows what it means to me... and why it is special to me." he sank down on the ground his back touching the car.

She looked at him before sitting down across from him. Kyra grabbed his hand, "The soil... tell me about it because right now I still have no clue what you are talking about."

A few moments of silence passed between them before he found the strength to talk again, "Because the soil is the only way that I can have any sort of future away from the commune." Brayden squeezed her fingers, "Chase and I took it once we have decided to leave and set out on this journey... the reason why we protected the soil, is because it is literally the soil we grew from... I need it to start my own family."

Kyra blinked a few times trying to wrap her head and mind about what he had just told her. "I'm not sure if I just understood you correctly... you grew from the soil?" Part of her wanted to freak out, pull her hand out of his grip and get away from him as far as possible. But the other part refused to move... too surprised by what he had just told her.

"I did."

"But you are human, right?" she asked.

"I am. Except that I grew from the soil and not inside a womb." Brayden told her, "You aren't freaking out."

"It might sound strange but I don't see any reason why... you are still human and to make it doesn't make any difference whether you were born from a womb or if you grew from the soil." Kyra gently squeezed his hand, "I'm curious though... why did you grow from the soil? Is there any particular reason for it?"

A soft smile played on his lips, "It started as an experiment from what I know and over the time it just became natural for the people living on the commune." he started to explain, "Over the year it proved to be quite practical as we could ensure that all able-bodied adults were able to work... no woman had to take a break for months if not years due to a pregnancy. Not to mention it allowed for clear planning of the exact numbers of new mouths to feed and it enabled sex selection."

"Oh, that does sound indeed practical." Kyra admitted, "It is still a bit strange and unnatural but we do live in strange times." she smiled briefly, "You mentioned earlier that you need the soil to start your own family... why?"

"Because everybody who is born this way can only have babies this way."

She blinked again... this was certainly unexpected but maybe it would explain why Reese had taken it. She was from the same commune, she had to know about the soil and probably also why Brayden had taken it with him on the journey in the first place.

Kyra was aware that her relationship with Brayden was still fresh and new... she couldn't tell how long she would be with him and if she would be the one he would start his family with but honestly, it didn't matter. It was Brayden's dream and the soil was his only chance and she would try her best to make sure it might come true one day.

She got up pulling Brayden along with her, "We can still find Reese and get the soil back from her."

"Really?" he looked at her his eyes filled with wonder.

"Of course." Kyra smiled at him. She wanted to move towards the front of the car but stopped when Brayden gently tugged her back.

His lips found hers... his free hand wrapped around her waist. She could see the smile on his face after he slowly pulled back. His forehead resting against hers.

"Thank you, Kyra."

Last edited by schoggettchen (28/08/2021 at 21:17)

FC- Maeva Giani Marshall
~Rune
Flexible, noncommittal, Resilient, curious/ investigative
Drifter
Pia and Kya~
done

Mind games

Part 1

Such a fitting night for the end to come. Rune could hear the heavy rain pounding against the old building, and see the occasional flash of lightening beneath the small crack of the door. Rune wondered how they had gotten here, how She had got here. Tied up in the middle of such a dreary room.
Rune watched in helpless fear as one of the armed men opened up the only door of her windowless cage. finally returning with Bex who they had taken many hours ago. To say Rune was shocked by Bex’s appearance would have been an understatement. Instead of beat up and broken like Rune expected, Bex returned to captivation with a smile on her face. Rune wondered what kind of mind control magic these men had. As it had to be magic to make Bex so content, no one should be so happy with being locked up.

Next they took Vix but they did not keep her as long as Bex. In fact Vix was brought back to the dreary room in less then 5 minutes. And when she returned it was obvious that she was clearly drugged. Rune tried speaking to the glassy eyed woman, begging for her to respond. but not a word came out of Vix’s mouth, Her eyes staring off into nothingness.
Then it was Rune’s turn. And after seeing Vix she fought against the bindings that tied her and against the man that was trying to move her along. Rune did not want to return with her mind manipulated like Bex or as a shell of a person like Vix.
But Rune’s struggles were in vain. The man easily subdued her and brought her out to the others. Rune stood on unsteady feet as another armed man came forward with a weird piece of machinery in his hands. This was it Rune thought, this was how they would scramble her mind. The man waved the device over Rune’s wrists, neck and eyes several times as Rune kept her gaze averted towards the ground not wanting to look directly at the machine nor the surrounding men. Finally the man stopped moving his handheld machine around, taking a step back. Turning to face the others he declared that she was not "one of theirs".
Rune wondered what “One of theirs” meant as the men huddled together having a hushed conversation between themselves. Finally after some time of deliberation the first man who retrieved her from the windowless room announced that she was unneeded and feee to go. Rune felt a second of remorse for her two other companions before quickly deciding that she would be better help to them free and outside then locked up right bedside them.

As Rune turned away from the men and sprinted towards the door to freedom she heard two loud and fast footsteps behind her before feeling a sharp pinch at the back of her neck. Rune felt a sickening lurch deep in her stomach before the world went black.

Part 2

havent reread/ the bare basics

When Rune reopened her eyes she could not believe what she saw. In front of her was the border sign for Old Orleans.
In an attempt to reorient herself and organize her disorderly mind Rune glanced around her surroundings. A gasp of pure shock escaping her mouth as she stumbled backwards in surprise.
Rune’s behind planted into the dirt as she stared at what could only be Bex and Vix arguing amongst themselves in front of a row of cars.

Rune stares in shock and Confusion, as she begins to question her own mind. Had her time in captivation all been a dream or was this the mysterious mens’ way of messing with her mind. Was she locked up and staring into nothingness just as Vix was.
Rune sat in despair for a long time. before finally curiosity set in. Dusting herself off, Rune rose from the ground and started her approach towards the two woman.

As she approaches Rune’s eyes fall upon Vix. It was amazing to see the woman so animated and speaking after so many days of whimpering and sadness.

But the biggest shock of Rune’s life came after hearing the names the pair were calling each other. Instead of saying their names were Bex and Vix like expected, the women were speaking to each other and calling themselves Pia ( Bex lookalike) and Kya (Vix lookalike). Wondering what kind of alternative universe Rune stepped into it she stopped in he tracks,  momentarily blanking out

Rune felt frozen, stuck. That is until the pair noticed her frozen form and stopped their argument. Unsure of what to do in the situation Rune awkwardly introduced herself .

Kya the Vix look alike was super talkative and super interested in all the places Rune has traveled. Rune still startled answer all of Vix’s Doppler she questions until Kya asked a question the made Rune pause
“Where are you headed next?” before Rune could truly think of her answer she blurted out “West”
Rune took a breath… a pause. before nodding, more to herself than to the others “I’m going west” she confirms.
Pia offers to let Rune ride with them“ But It’s only good if you can drive for a bit and are willing to go to Texarkana.”

Rune fidgets at the mention of of the place she never wanted to visit again before visibly forcing her body to relax.
Rune stared off to the side trying to hide the devious smile she felt creeping onto her face while nodding. "Texarkana huh... and me driving...  yeah I can do that.”

This time as the car drove off from Old Orleans Rune reflected upon her future and not her past. Her future that she was going to make sure was a long and beautiful one. Not stuck in anyone’s windowless room
~~~

Pia drives for the first day and Kya drives for part of the second day before handing the keys to Rune to drive the last leg. As Rune drives closer towards Texarkana Pia becomes very animated and starts rattling off directions. Directions in which Rune ignores.
This enrages Pia and scares Kya who has clearly never seen Pia like this.
Unphased Rune keeps driving and as soon as she clear of the Texarkana border she finally takes notice of how quiet Pia has become. eerily quiet. Suddenly before Runes eyes Pia’s body starts to violently shake.
Kya begins tugging at her seatbelt while simultaneously reaching for her car door handle. Rune swings the car to the shoulder of the road as Kya starts begging for Rune for to get out the car. Looking at the still angrily shaking Pia Rune unhooks her own seatbelt. knowing the jig is up Rune hops out of the car ready to head off West with Kya.

Last edited by J3zab3ll (01/09/2021 at 03:50)

the form

Name: Delphine Easterbrook
Age: 25
Role: Influencer
Group: The Collectors, Mercucio & Wren (past); new group (Fiske & Simms)

Traits: extroverted, loyal, impatient, wicked, observant, likes the attention but only when she wants it, spoilt, snobbish, charming (most of the time), witty, relentless, curious, brave (bordering on reckless), adventurous.

Bio
Delphine was born in 2400 - a year considered to be a lucky one in the middle of very unlucky circumstances. She grew up protected, she grew up without actually being aware of the situation around her, and by the time she was old enough to develop some sense of compassion, she could not bother to give a shit.

Delphine never fails to mention she was named after the ancient temple site Delphi which has been associated with prophecies and prophets, which then turns into a story of her supposed foresight: predicting things, events, social scandals, which has, more times than not, had more to do with people being predictable, lies being far to easy to say, her own curious mind and hawk-eyed personality, impeccable timing and, willingness to push people into her desired narrative.

Normally, with Delphine, it's more about the things she keeps to herself. She is still able to surprise herself with her willingness to go the extra mile to get what she wants, or at least manipulate someone into giving it to her.

chapter xi

The scream coming from the distance echoed through her mind, masking the sound of flesh and bone grinding under the vehicle, and she looks back into the storm - she believed with every fibre of her being she would do the same, she would abandon Wren in a heartbeat if she had the power - and leave her alone. Walking in the middle of the night through the desert, alone, made her believe her own thoughts: she would have done the same. And now, she has a feeling she did something much worse.

Dee had no doubt in her mind that it was Wren. The sound started loud, loud as if she was yelling next to her ears, and she covers them, pushing the palms onto them to make it more silent. The loud voice turns into a whisper only moments later.

"Hey!" Simms calls out, and she quickly tugs her cheek back, wiping the trace, and looks back to the front. -"You can look forward now," he says. -"Don't look back, not a pretty sight."

She looked at him, nodding shortly as he coldly glanced over her again, looking back at the road ahead. Suddenly, Fiske touches her hand, the one on the seat, giving it a little squeeze. She turns her palm, returning the squeeze.

She settles down on the sleeping bags a moment later, closing her eyes for only a second.

chapter xii

Dee wakes up as the light hit her face, furrowing her brows in discomfort and moves a little.

"Good morning, beautiful," Fiske said, leaning back from the passenger seat, throwing her a very cheeky smile. -"Welcome to Indiana,"

"Thanks," she pulls herself up, holding onto the seat. -"Where did you say we were?"

"Indiana," Simms interjected. -"Ever been?"

"I haven't, no," Dee replied. She's been living in their apartment her entire life before she ran away. -"I've only been to a couple of places in my life,"

"One being Ohio desert in the middle of the storm," Simms mused from the driver's seat, she's sure he glanced at her in the rearview mirror. She glances up, locking eyes with Fiske at the moment.

"I'm unsure of the reasons you've had to walk through that storm alone, but it could not be that bad," he says, looking forward again. -"You've stumbled onto us, that's a potentially fun thing."

chapter xiii

They drove up to a small hotel within some hours - there's not much to see on the road they took, but they all agree it will do them good to sleep in an actual bed, stretch out and in Dee's mind, it might help to get her to actually fall asleep completely.

Simms grabbed his stuff from the trunk and Dee picked out some cash from her bag, paying for another room for herself - the money hasn't been spent for a while, she was happy about it, and in her mind, she had no intention to share any space, even for one night.

"Give that to me," Fiske took the bag from her, and she smiles.

"Thanks," Dee said, and he extends his hand, allowing her to go first into the hotel, where Simms threw her the key before skipping a few steps to get ahead. She makes her way up the stairs, glancing back at Fiske as she went up - he was definitely checking her out.

"I don't think my ass is that interesting,"

"I'd disagree," he replied playfully. -"It's rather enjoyable to look at," he chuckled, catching up to her. -"Promise to do my best not to, anymore," he concluded.

"Look or get caught?"

"Depends on where you stand," he throws playfully and she rolled her eyes, returning his playful smirk. They walked up to the room with doors open, Simms already making his way towards the bathroom - as shown by the fact he was walking naked inside - Dee looks away, as they walk forward to the next room. She unlocked it, pushing the door open, standing there as he squeezes next to her, far closer than he should - or could have, stopping right in front of her.

"Thank you," she drags you out far too long, leaning against her own hands and the door, waiting for him to either do something or go out to his own room. He chuckled, pushing his hands into the pockets of his scrubs, leaning back too.

"It's been a long time, you know?"

"Long time?"

"Since I last had a chance of flirting with a beautiful woman," he smirks, and Dee is quite sure she is actually falling for it. Or is it really falling for a story when you're aware what's the goal here and you want to participate?

"So, when was that?" she goes along, and he chuckled, still leaning on the wall, still looking at her, and she still looked back at him.

"Beautiful women, I'm not entirely sure," he said, shrugging a bit, glancing around, the room. -"Beautiful woman who's also a spitfire Ages ago since I had the pleasure of having one join our little band," he looks around. -"Around the same time I had the last good night sleep," he made he chuckle.

"That's intere—"

"What's actually interesting is the fact you got the room with a big bed," he says, looking at the part of the bed visible from where they were standing. -"Expecting some company, or hoping for some?"

"I love to take up a bit more space," she replied. -"And should company happen, it's always good to have a bit more space, don't you think?"

"Seems you've got it all covered," he smiled, when Simms slammed on the wall from the other room. -"My turn to shower," Fiske says, heading out of the room. -"You're free to join," he chuckles on his way out, Dee closing the door behind him.

She sat on the bed, feet bundled in the soft blanket, body wrapped in a semi-decent towel and her wet hair falling on the shoulders. It looks shades lighter today, after washing the ashes, the dust, the sand out of it, and she remembers how soft it used to be. She feels a headache coming slowly. Dee gets off the bed, heading to the door. There's a soft knock heard, so she approaches the door, listening closely for a moment.

"It's me," she heard, opening the door a bit. Fiske smiles, as she opened them completely. -"You're not asleep?"

"You aren't either," she replied.

"We wanted to check on you," he explains, both still standing on the door, and she chuckles.

"Check on me?" Dee finds it amusing. -"And both of you?"

"Oh, Simms insisted," Fiske chuckles. -"But, all jokes aside, how are you?"

She's unsure what he's asking about - they had no clue about her connection to the Finch, nor the fact they passed by Mercucio and Wren on their way here - so she shrugs.

"The thing today..." he starts, tracing away from where he was going. -"It's not easy to witness a death of any kind," he said, and she's trying to stay silent, mainly because she knows first hand he's right. -"All I'm trying to say is..." he reached out, touching her hand shortly, and she flinches a little bit. -"...Are you okay?"

Dee is unsure of what to say, smiling instead.

"I'll survive," she says. -"You?"

"We've done things to survive," he replies in an attempt of a playful tone and she chuckles.

"Hasn't everyone?"

He looked at her for another moment, as if trying to come up with valid reasoning behind his belief but ends up shrugging.

"So, are you going to come in and pretend you're worried about my mental strain, or if there are bed bugs in here or some other silly excuse that might or might not lead to some more flirting?"

She swings the door open before finishing the sentence.

"Nightcap would have been my choice of excuse," he says, smirking as he entered. -"Even brought my own," he shakes a flask in front of her as he entered the room, and Dee closed the door behind them.

"That's actually a nice one, I have to admit," she agreed, as he walked over towards the bed - she didn't waste her time, pushing him down lightly and pulling him closer for a kiss.

"Not wasting time,"

"I rarely do," she replied, sliding her hands from his neck down to the hemline of his shirt, pulling it down the next moment.

"So, tell me," he leaned back, prompted on his elbows, Dee steps out of the towel, kneeling over him, and pushing him down into a kiss.

"Oh, enough with this talking," she says. -"Just stay with me, tonight."

chapter xiv

She reaches out to touch the warm skin next to her, running her fingers down his spine, and right to the butt, squeezing once, and a very cheeky smile plays on her lips, eyes still tightly shut.

"Good morning," she whispers, reaching up towards his head, blindly reaching out for another kiss, fingers tangled in the hair, as she crashes her lips into his for a wet kiss.

She feels the fingers in her hair and a harsher pull, Dee opens her eyes to see a familiar smirk looking back - red eyes, blond hair and she jumps up in terror screaming.

It took her a moment to see the knife in her hand, the blood on the sheets, the lifeless stare Fiske had - and she screams even louder.

"Hey," she heard, feeling a little shake. -"Delphine?"

She opened her eyes, making out the figure of Fiske in the darkness, a worried expression on his face, as he moved the hair from her face, wiping the tears off her face - she grabs his wrist, but he didn't stop, touching her face.

"What happened there?"

"I—" she tries, but ends up shaking her head, before forcing a smile.

"You're cold and sw—"

"I'll go shower," she bit her lip for a moment, before glancing at him again. Fiske nodded, twisting the corner of his lip into a smirk.

"Want me to join?"

She's up from the bed before he can reply.

"No," Dee replies before entering the bathroom. -"But don't go to sleep, I'll be back in a short moment, and I need to you stay up for when I get back," she chuckles, closing the door behind her, using the moment to get the hold of herself.

chapter xv

She's been staring at herself in the mirror for around 20 minutes now - and with each passing minute, she is more and more aware of the fact she did not imagine this.

The energy, the air, the confidence - there's something more here now. And it makes sense: Wren's screams and her face appearing in the nightmares, the fact she did wake up as if she had just been sleeping in the best bed and had the best sleep, the most amazing rest of her life as if she's awakening a new person.

She smiles at her own reflection, getting out of the room, marching towards the car where both men were waiting.

Simms is leaning on the car, arms crossed on his chest, annoyed and he huffs once he saw her. Fiske, on the other hand, seems to be happy to see her in a refreshed mood, making a few steps to take her luggage, throwing a flirty smile as he did.

"You look like you've had a good rest," Fiske stands within her earshot only, and she chuckles, shortly.

"Barely," Dee replied, glancing over at Simms.

"Now you're here, should we head out?"

"I think we need to talk before we do," she said seriously, taking a few steps forward. Simms seems annoyed, spreading his hands in some kind of gesture she could not really bother to look into at the moment, so she jumps to the point. -"We killed a Finch yesterday, and, uhm, the person he served died with him," she speaks at a pace which does not allow either a moment to consider what's coming next. -"So, long story short, the magic did not disappear and it found us last night, or more precisely, it found me."

Fiske chuckled.

"What?"

Instead of saying much else, Simms gestures towards the stairs, leading both up the stairs.

"This is not the topic to discuss in the middle of a fucking parking lot," he grumbled. Fiske threw his hands, playful expression of confusion as he did as Simms bid, and Dee followed them both.

"Prove it," Simms said the second they closed the door. Dee approaches, but he steps backwards, suspiciously looking at her.

"Come on, what do you think I'll do?" she says, knowing very well there were options - she did feel stronger, she felt like she could have possibly been in control.

"I'm not sure," he says, and Fiske laughs again.

"Are you two pulling a prank on me?"

Dee rolls her eyes, looking at him. "What do you want me to do?"

"Just show me what you can do," Simms replied.

"I can compel you to do whatever I want you to do," she replied, glancing at Fiske. -"I can compel both of you,"

"I'm not sure how exactly—"

"Shut up, come over here and kiss me," she looked at Fiske, and he stops mid-sentence, doing her bidding, somewhat surprised.

"That he could have done without—" Simms started, so she turns towards him, looking straight into his eyes.

"Drop down on your knees, Simms," Dee says, and as if he was cut down, he does it - the shock on his face is bordering some kind of fear, but as he got up, holding onto the bed, he seemed to be somewhat impressed.

"Okay," Fiske says, staring at her. -"So, this opens some possibilities," he says and she smirks at him. It might have made her realize the same: she's free to go wherever she'd like, perhaps?

Instead of an ongoing aha moment, she goes into a rabbit hole of questions, one after another - and before she gets a moment to make clarity, she hears them talk, mentioning some scores that had to be settled, and the word revenge echoes in her mind clearly.

"What?" she asked, looking at Simms.

"After you two vanished last night, some halflings—"

"Are you joking with me?" Dee stopped him, and if she were to judge by his clenched jaw, it did not sit well. -"You'd like to me risk things over some petty—"

"Not petty—"

"Not relevant either!" she cut him short and glanced at Fiske. -"Do you agree with him?"

Fiske, noticing the potential war at hand, looks at both.

"I agree we have this newfound potential," he says, hand running through his hair. -"Huge potential,"

"Exactly," Dee agreed, glancing at Simms. -"So tell me why do you insist on using power on trivia?"

No one said much, so she wants to suggest they head towards Lost Vegas, now she is certain she can enter it, but before she can do much, there's a blunt hit to the door, the handle turns and out of nowhere, a familiar face in agony.

Mecucio makes a few extra steps before collapsing at her feet.

The last thing he spoke was the only certainty in the situation: yours now.

chapter xvi

He was still out, like a sack, resting comfortably (or so she hoped) on the new things they picked up the next day. Simms, sleeping in the back of the hearse, book on his chest, and Dee sat in the passenger seat, back to the door as she looked at all three of them, one by one.

Fiske turned towards her, glancing in the rearview mirror.

They didn't even leave the hotel properly, yet Simms was asleep, and Mercucio was unchanged.

"So, you last saw him before you stumbled into us during the storm?"

Dee nods, deciding to figure out how to tell this story.

"I travelled with them for a few days," she says. -"He was alright, but the girl hated me, not sure why," she continued. -"We parted ways in the storm, Mercucio and I wanted to head back and she did not,"

"So, she sent the Finch?"

"Yeah," Dee replied. -"To find transport, which is why it attacked us restlessly, and I did not know what would happen if we killed it."

He scoffed.

"And here I was, thinking you were upset about the death,"

"I was," she replied, glancing at him - he did not move his eyes from the road. -"I didn't know what happened to them until—"

Dee shrugged instead of continuing.

"So, now he's in the back, in a coma—"

Instead, Mercucio moves all of a sudden and opens his eyes.

"Shit! Stop!"

Dee unwillingly makes him stop, Fiske pulling up alongside the road and she jumps to the back helping him get up - Simms moved a little, quick to get out of the car.

"Hi," she says, as his eyes focused. She can't decide on the emotion behind it, sitting back a little, reaching for the water to give it to him. Fiske stepped out of the car too, both him and Simms discussing something outside.

"How did you find me?" Dee asked as he drank water.

"I'm bound," he replied shortly. -"Bound to find you, and bound to you."

Dee flinched back a little.

"What do you mean?"

"You're bound to me now, and I am bound to you by the same magic that once belonged to Wren," he says - it does not make it much more sensitive to her. She glanced outside, trying to figure out if either Fiske or Simms heard him, but Mercucio reaches for her hand, exhaling.

"We need to go back, Delphine," he says. -"We need to go back to Brooklyn to break this spell."

She didn't know how to tell him the return - powers or not - was not an option anymore.

DONE.

Last edited by Zaralee (29/08/2021 at 23:30)

R4 is closed...the final round will be opening tomorrow.

Round 4 is now closed

Welcome to the final round!

Things are getting...interesting. Some of you have taken significant steps forward, but your choices may pull you back...or worse.

BambiFoxx

Aleric: Having Brady back on board the train, and seeing the way the two of you get along has made him start to rethink if maybe he hasn't been as clear with you about his feelings as he should have been. He's finally ready to pull you in closer and while he's not looking for "happily ever after" per se, he'd be willing to treat it like one grand adventure if that's what you wanted.

Brady: He knows firsthand how gruff and dismissive Aleric can be and has been shut out more than a few times by the older man so now that you've become better acquainted he'll be intent on showing you he can be different, more open because he fully understands why both of his brothers fell for you and he'll want you to choose him.

The crush of people running toward you in the tunnels makes it impossible to push the train forward any further without you creating a mass casualty event. Aleric wants to stay put and see if the tunnels clear but Brady is concerned that makes you all sitting ducks for whatever has everyone running.

Do you:

a) agree with Aleric that you should wait at least a few hours to see if the ruckus dies down...

b) agree with Brady and go out into the fray...

Please PM me your choice.

Fashion-Chic

Magical interference has you stuck in a time loop and your group is delayed (Please use R4 to tell your R2 story)

Schogettchen

Brayden: The decision to try and track both Reese and the soil down has him smitten and he'll be forthcoming with the fact that while he thought he'd been falling for you before he's certain of his feelings now.

The choice to go back towards Reese means going back to the Ohio Deserts and as you drive closer you'll notice an ominous storm cloud and what sounds like warm drums coming from the east.

Do you

a) try to convince Brayden to turn the car back west..

b) continue to drive towards Ohio to find Reese...

Please PM me your choice.

Zaralee

Fisk: Your powers of compulsion don't bother him but he can tell that they unnerve Simms and that has him trying to balance keeping Simms calm and flirting with you with the former taking precedent.

Simms: He's in no way convinced that the powers you have are new, he just feels like they're newly revealed and that has him on edge. He won't do anything to provoke you outright but you will notice a coldness.

Mercucio: He'll become increasingly combative with you and angry with himself for letting himself end up in this position.

Refusing to head back towards Brooklyn means that for better or worse Mercucio is now a part of your traveling party as well. You'll drive forward for 3 days stopping only for fuel or the odd meal before reaching Lost Vegas. The gated entrance to the city which is usually manned by a dozen armed guards is completely vacant, graffiti and what looks like 100 years worth of Ivy creep up the walls and the air buzzes with a static electricity. Fiske wants to push forward and walk on in, Mercucio is still whining about wanting to go back to Brooklyn and Simms spits out that you're all just going to do whatever it is that you want anyway since you can compel them (he'll then meekly step back as if proximity is the source of your powers).

Do you

a) enter the city...

b) suggest going somewhere else...

Please PM me your choice

J3zab3ll

Kya: She'll be scared, uncertain, and want to know what you did to her friend, she'll beg you to tell her why you lied to them, why you lied to her

The side of the road isn't a great place to be for two unarmed people with no shelter to retreat to and no destination in mind and it's even worse when one of them is becoming increasingly agitated and there's a nasty looking storm on the horizon rolling in from the east with the sound of war drums in the air.

Do you

a) head southwest into Tex-West, a patriarchal territory with limited rights and freedoms for women

b) head northwest towards the Oklahoma constructed Ocean, a mer-colony that is rumored to be inhospitable to full humans.

Please PM me your choice

For this round please include the following:

A story based on this part of your journey (see initial impressions for starting points, further instructions will follow after I'm told your choices).

Outfit(s) Show me what you were wearing at pivotal points in your story

When your entry is complete please write R4 complete or something similar in your entry.

R5 will end Sunday September 5 23:30