hunting trip

[3:22 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania wandered around outside with Valerie for quite some time. It wasn't like she was sure where they could get some live game, after all. The most was the ocean surrounding them, but since the water was so cold, Titania didn't think there would be anything they could actually catch there.

So, out to the open fields instead! Titania had adorned a fur coat just in case it was too cold still, but she found the temperature quite nice. "Hmm.. I wonder what sort of wild life they have here.. Perhaps a fox or two? Maybe even a bear?" Titania commented as she walked side by side with Valerie. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:49 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie took in a deep breath before letting it out. She too found the temperature to be pretty nice. She didn't even seem too bothered by the cold.

"A bear would be a fun catch." Valerie nodded. "Big enough for the both of us too. If we can find one we can work together to hunt it down." She smiled slightly. "But this is an isolated place so we do have to be patient."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[8:25 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania nodded, looking around with curious and excited eyes. "A bear would be optimal.. Perhaps a deer, as well," she hummed. "I can create a covering for us to make it easier for the animals to not detect our prescence.. But I will not be able to get rid of our scent," they suggested. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[8:51 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Fun. I can try to change the formation of the ground if need be too if that helps." Valerie offered. "Dirt into ice can be useful to slow down our catch..." Valerie looked at the ground.

"That is if the ground isn't too hot or cold too touch...the environment here sure is interesting..." Valerie trailed off thinking.

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[8:59 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

"I believe it would be more cold than hot," Titania commented as she looked over the snow. "I wonder where we are located on the globe currently.. we traveled quite far up north, it seems.."

The princess continued walking, her steps sinking slightly into the snow covered ground. "Perhaps a fox or seal would find this place more fitting than a bear.." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[8:16 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Mmmhm." She nodded."I've never really hung out near volcanic fields before. Pretty interesting." Valerie looked around the area, mentally taking a few notes.

"I think there's a mountain path over there. We can try our luck with goats perhaps?"

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[1:44 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania nodded and continued on with Valerie. "I cannot wait to share a fresh meal with you, Miss Valerie. As they say, a meal is good, but only a great meal is enjoyed with company," she smiled bright at the other woman.

"Do you share fresh meals often, Miss Valerie?" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:07 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Aww shucks." Valerie blushed slightly before she shook her head. "As for myself, I try my best. Often I'm busy working for my family. But when I can me and my gals get together and enjoy a meal." She glanced around the area.

"You see, uh," Valerie stuttered for a brief moment. She even seemed a bit nervous. "I'm a vampire." She turned to Titania, flashing her fangs.

@ajjjjjjjj

[5:08 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

"You and your gals?" Titania repeated with a curious look. "I am happy to hear you work with your family, it can be difficult as one gets older... But a good meal with your loved ones is a special sort of feeling," she smiled warmly. Her eyes were a bit reminiscent, as she thought of her father.

When Valerie showed off her teeth however, Titania's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "A vampire? Like the ones from the story books?" She asked with a bright smile and rocked a bit on her heels. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[5:26 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Mhm." Valerie laughed. "Blood-sucker and everything. A good meal with my family is always something I cherish. Its a bit hard since I became the head of the Gallo family but I still always try to do it once a week or every other week."

"Uh. Do you know what the Mafia is..?"

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:01 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania clasped her hands together in a happy motion. "You are the head of your family? That is amazing, Miss Valerie!" She gleamed in awe. "But do not vampires need to feed on humanoid blood? Or is blood of any creature okay?" She hummed.

"And the mafia..? No, what is that?" She curiously asked. "Is it some sort of title?" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[6:13 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Mhm. I can do both. I don't particularly have a preference..." Valerie tapped her chin in thought. "Anything goes for me if I am being honest." She shrugged it off. Truth be told, Valerie did prefer human blood a bit more but..she kinda kept it to herself.

CW: talk of drugs and crime

"Its..well. A group of people. A organized group of criminals...selling drugs, weaponry, hiring hits. It depends on what you want really. I usually don't get too bloody, I try to support other families. More into making deals than ruthless killing. Uh." She looked away. "Now don't think any of less of me now, Kay?"

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:55 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

The princess hummed as she listened to Valerie, and they flashed her a toothy grin. "Well, hopefully whatever creature we happen upon, it will be enough to satisfy you, Miss Valerie. The most I could offer otherwise is some of my own blood, but it is not human, so it may hurt you more than anything. And I do not want to see you get hurt," Titania replied.

She continued to listen to Valerie with full attention, raising a brow as they finished. "Criminals..?" Titania repeated, her smile faltering just a bit. They looked Valerie up and down, as if she didn't quite believe Val fit that title. "Criminals are scum who use deceit and power to use others for their own benefit... but you are nothing like that at all, Miss Valerie." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[7:05 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Not human. Valerie rose her eyebrows curiously at Titania. "I see." She said slowly. After a few seconds she offered a small smile. "Cool. Not human. Respect." She shrugged before she let out a small sigh.

Valerie frowned slightly before she shook her head. "I can agree with your statement, to a degree, Titania." They admitted. "Most people use lies and power to get what the want. Its truthfully what I'm used to. What my family used to do before I took over." They crossed their arms, shutting their eyes for a few seconds.

"But for me, I try to make deals and make sure others don't need to die. Violence doesn't solve all the problems I run into with my job. It solves a few but for me I prefer to use a more peaceful approach. Most people think I am weak for doing that. But I can gain more allies like that."

"...Apologies. I didn't mean to go off on a tangent. Truthfully, I didn't want you to think any less of me because I need to get my hands dirty sometimes. Most people do."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:26 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

As Valerie spoke, the sound of Titania's heels trudging against the snow slowly came to a halt. She stopped right in front of Valerie and turned to face her head on. "I think you are a wonderful and amazing person, Miss Valerie," Titania stated. There was no hesitation to her voice, nor any doubt.

"As I said before.. I do not see a criminal in you. All I see is a person who is kind and ambitious. Perhaps I do not understand all of the details, but everyone has a past they do not like to dwell on. I judge people for who they are now. I will never know the type of person someone used to be... so, I will continue to think what I already do of you—That I would like to have you as a friend," Titania smiled. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[8:22 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie looked up at Titania for a moment before they blinked in surprise. They seemed a bit caught off guard by Titania telling them all of that but they offered a shy smile in response.

"Ah.." They said slowly before they placed a hand on their cheek. "That's awfully kind of you, Titania...truly. Thank you. That's a good way to think of things, honestly. Not to dwell on the past and to judge someone for who they are now. Not who they were.."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[8:36 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania smiled bright at Valerie and nodded her head vigorously. "Yep! No one can change who you were in the past, but the present and future are ever evolving. So, no need to worry about those sorts of things left behind!" They chuckled. It was almost a little unerving how honest Titania was.

"Now, let us focus on our future meal! I shall go ahead and put a covering over us, so hopefully the animals will start coming out," Titania said as she waved her hand. A slight pink-purple glitter fell from the motion of her swipe, and a veil of invisibility was put over the two. "There we go! No one should be able to see us now." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:39 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

It was a bit unnerving how Titania was brutally honest, but if Valerie kinda appreciated it. She'd much rather be told the truth than lied to her face. So maybe it wasn't the worst thing.

"Oh definitely." She agreed and smiled. God was she hungry now. "Like you said, a good meal is better with a friend to share it with."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[5:16 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

"I am glad you think the same, Miss Valerie. It has been some time since I was able to, beyond with Miss Hannah, of course," they smiled before starting to walk once more. Hopefully, whatever they came across was big. She would be able to save some for later in that case. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[6:47 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie trailed behind Titania before she smelled the air. Maybe she could track something?

...Hm nothing yet.

"I can't track something at the moment...maybe if we go a bit further?" She suggested.

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:27 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania nodded and pulled her dress up a bit, as the snow got a bit higher as they continued. "That sounds alright. Perhaps all of the animals are hiding in their dens?" She suggested with a small shrug. "I am used to tracking bear dens... But I do not see anything big enough to constitute that. Maybe something big enough for a fox, however?" Titania hummed as she looked around the slopes. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:49 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Maybe." They nodded slowly before freezing. After sniffing the air one more time they moved forward, making sure to keep quiet. "I got something." They whispered. "I think its an eagle based on the smell...but we need to get a bit closer...follow me."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:47 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania paused as soon as Valerie did. They watched Valerie sniff the air and gave them an eager nod when she spoke. "Really?" She whispered back, her tone excited despite the volume. The princess quickly followed along, not wanting to get too far behind. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[10:27 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Yeah- I lost it but- give me a few seconds." They frowned slightly. "Shit..where did this damn bird go?" They swore. "I'll find it again, just..need to think." They walked around the surrounding area, sniffing.

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[10:46 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

The princess nodded and gave Valerie a determined look. "You got this, Miss Valerie! I believe in you!" She cheered from the sidelines. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:20 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie made a small frustrated sound as they couldn't locate the bird. "Damnit." They hissed. "There's so many surrounding smells its so confusing." They rubbed their temples. "Ugh."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[8:04 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania frowned a bit as she saw how frustrated Valerie became. She wasn't sure how she could help... 'How do humans calm down? Wait, Valerie isn't human though, they are a vampire.. Ugh! Think, Titania!' The princess let out a small determined huff and stepped towards Valerie.

Suddenly, the princess bent down and bonked their foreheads together. "There! If we have two heads thinking about this, we should be able to figure it out!" She smiled bright, not even inches separate from Valerie. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[2:17 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie watched Titania for a moment and let out a small squeal of surprise as Titania leaned in and bonked their foreheads together. Then they smiled and let out a laugh.

"Great minds think alike as the saying goes." She grinned. "Thank you. We'll figure it out."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[4:23 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania nodded, still keeping their foreheads together. "Yes! Just focus, Miss Valerie. I am sure it will come to you with my extra brain power!" She exclaimed with determination.

"If not.. well, maybe we will have to do a different approach-" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[5:15 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

There was a few moments of since on Valerie's end as she shut her eyes, focusing on the sounds and smells around her.

...There!

Valerie opened her eyes and too a few steps back before she moved forward, quietly and carefully...and soon enough! The two of them found the bird they were looking for.

"There it is.." Valerie whispered. "Gotcha, you fucker..."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[5:17 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Even as Valerie focused on the bird, she might see something out of the corner of her eye...

... something that looked eerily like another person. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[8:41 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania stepped back as soon as Valerie finally sensed the bird once again. She smiled, eager to follow her wherever she went. "Ah! I see it!.. Now how do we capture it?" She whispered back to Valerie, unaware of anything beyond the bird. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:36 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie glanced over at briefly before she shrugged it off. Whatever she saw, she'd deal with later. "I have my claws..' Valerie said quietly. "And fangs. I can pounce on it and then we can share it? Or if you have a weapon on you by any chance.."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:08 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania shook her head. "No... I usually also pounce on wild game. Weapons are not commonly used for hunting back home," she quietly said. "Perhaps we can double team it then?" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[1:24 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"That cam work." Valerie agreed and crouched down slightly. "Whenever you're ready. We'll pounce."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:38 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania smiled and gave Valerie a confident nod. "Alright. On the count of three then," they replied and turned back towards the poor, unsuspecting bird.

"One...two...three!" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[8:58 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

On the count of three, Valerie quickly dashed forward and caught the bird with a grin. "Gotcha." She laughed. "Finally!"

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[3:57 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania took off the same moment Valerie did, catching the bird's right wing with what seemed to be her teeth. The eagle wasn't any match for the two, however and Titania smiled with feathers and blood coming from her mouth.

"Wem goth ith!" She said, a bit muffled. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[11:10 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie didn't waste any time enjoying her fresh kill, she used her hand to wipe some blood and feathers from her mouth as well before he let out a small laugh.

"Mhhmmm~!" She hummed. "We macke a grwet team."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:24 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania beamed, the corner of her cheeks curling in so much it hurt. It had been so long since she could hunt hands on. It was nice to share a victorious kill with another.

Prying from the bird after it went still, she used one hand to hold her side. The blood wasn't getting any less. "Oh! Make sure you get every last drop, Miss Valerie! It would be a waste of your hard work if you did not," she urged and gestured the wing where Titania had bitten towards Valerie. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[4:19 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Mhm." Valerie nodded. "Course." Valerie agreed and continued to eat and enjoy the meal. She shrugged off the amount of blood that got on her and her clothes, not reacting much. It didn't matter, really, she could always wash her clothes.

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:22 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

The princess was happy Valerie got to enjoy a fresh meal and waited for the vampire to finish before even munching on a bit of the eagle's wing. "Thank you, Miss Valerie.. For hunting with me," she suddenly said. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[2:19 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie glanced up from her meal before she looked over at Titania. "Yeah, no problem, Titania. Any time. Maybe we can get your other friend Hannah to join us next time?" She suggested. "I think the three of us can have a great time, too."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:20 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

"Oh! We can have a girl dinner in that case!" She smiled bright at the idea, imagining her and her two friends enjoying a freshly caught meal. "Oh.. Maybe we can even invite Miss Kass? I am not sure if she would enjoy the rawness of it all, but I am sure she would also enjoy the company. I think it would be fun to have a girls night!" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[7:45 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Definitely. Even if Kass isn't the biggest fan, I do think some girl time could be quite nice. I have a friend named Ryu who we could potentially invite as well.." Valerie suggested. "A girl dinner sounds quite fun."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:53 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania took a little bit more of the eagle meat, chewing slowly before swallowing. "Mhm. I do not think I have met this Ryu person... Are they also into fresh raw meat?" She asked with an excited smile. "A group hunt would be even more fun! It has been forever since I went on one of those!" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[8:17 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"I don't think so, but, I think she'd probably be down to hang out regardless. She's pretty cool like that." She told Titania. "Kinda like Kass. Not her thing but still here for a fun time and to just be with a group."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[8:28 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

The princess nodded, taking a few more dainty bites here and there of the bird carcass. "I see. Well, if you like her, she must be an enjoyable person—like you!" They giggled with a warm smile. It probably seemed a bit more daunting with the blood smeared all over the lower half of their face.

"I do not think I have ever had a girls night before.. I am really excited," Titania said with an honest smile and looked down at their food, pinching a bit of the feathers between her fingers. "Is it fun?" @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[4:12 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

At the compliment, Valerie felt their cheeks burn a bit before they nodded. "Definitely. I have a bit of history with her. A few parties here and there but she's chill."

"As for a girls night...well, I think so." They took another bite. "In my experience we talk, tell stories, maybe try and summon a demon or something." They half joke. "Do our nails or hair if we want. Its a fun night."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:32 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

"History, hm?" Titania commented with a tilt of their head. "You two knew each other before coming here?" She asked.

As Valerie listed what a girl's night was, Titania couldn't help but start swaying a bit in her stance. "A demon? That sounds exciting!! I have always wanted to try a ritual! And doing makeovers sounds fun too!" She said with an excited look in her eyes. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[1:56 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Yep." Valerie nodded. "We uh, work in the same business. Family friends, you can say." They explained quickly before they grin. "I think it would be exciting. Me, you, Ryu, Hannah and Kass. Maybe even another friend or two if possible. We'll figure it out when its closer or something."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[3:41 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania munched on a bone before smiling a bit at Valerie. "Oh, she also works in the same field? Well.. I guess in a situation like you twos'... It is probably nice to have some people you trust," they hummed quietly. Titania smiled as she looked down to what little left of the bird they had before taking another bite.

"That sounds nice... A group of friends to do things with." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[5:52 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Definitely. Its always good to have someone's back." Valerie agreed. "Like us." She grinned. "We hunted together. I got your back and you got mine, yeah?" She pointed at Titania.

"You got me as a friend, girl! I ain't letting you go so easily. We're having this girls night ASAP~☆!"

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:18 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

A sparkle shined in Titania's eyes and she nodded in agreement with Valerie. Her lips curled into yet another bright smile as she scooted just the slightest bit closer to the vampire. "I most certainly will have your back, Miss Valerie. You can count on me," they replied with an earnest look.

"I hope I get to meet more people like you and Miss Kass. It makes me feel something I cannot describe. 'Happy' feels much too mundane," she softly laughed. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[6:33 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie wiped her mouth and flicked some blood onto the floor before she stretched out. "I'm sure you will." She told her.

"Perhaps joyous? Or excited?" Valerie suggested. "Those are some good ways to describe it. I can't help but agree. I've struggled to fit in with some others and well...mmm..meeting you and Kass has been very nice and reassuring."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[7:16 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania looked over Valerie as she stretched before looking shyly looking back down. "Hm.. Perhaps those are similar words to what I am searching for.. But those do not quite feel right either," the princess replied with a shake of her head.

"Despite that.. It has been enjoyable," they smiled as they stood up and dusted off their dress. Though, it was a bit difficult with the blood on her hands. "We should probably go wash up.. It is late now and appearing in the halls with blood all over us will most likely raise alarm." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[7:37 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Mmm. Sometimes its hard to describe how you're feeling. I know I definitely struggle." Valerie mumbled a bit before she shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Turning on her heal, she nodded. "We should get back then so we don't give the others a scare. If you want you can use my room to washup. I know you said you don't want to share a room or anything but I could at least offer my room temporarily so you can change and get cleaned up."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:05 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

The princess thought about Valerie's offer for a moment before nodding her head. "I suppose if it is just to get cleaned up, then it will be fine. I will have to go pick up some fresh clothes from the library, but then I will come meet you at the room," they smiled faintly.

"Hopefully it will not be too hard to find." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[2:09 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie dusted herself off briefly before she turned towards the building. "It has my name on the plaque! Kass and I share a room so hopefully, she's there too and I can give her the update on a girls night..." Valerie looked at her nails before she flicked off some blood.

"Lets get a move on then. It is a bit chilly."

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[3:44 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania nodded. "Oh, you and Miss Kass share a room? That is rather convenient... Though, is it okay if we have a girls night outside of your private quarters? I am not entirely comfortable with spending that much time in your personal spaces.." They hummed as they started walking back with Valerie. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[6:18 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"Mhm. We'll see what we can do, you know? I don't particularly know if we can..just do to the circumstances here." Valerie frowned a bit. "Like if there's a lounge or anything but we can search, alright?"

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[8:49 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

"I believe there is.. or maybe we could ask to sort of borrow either the grand hall space or dining hall space for a solo event?" She suggested with a small smile. "Sort of.. oh, what do humans call it.. renting a space? For a night?" Titania chuckled.

"Just somewhere not so intimate." @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[3:43 AM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

"I think that'd also be a good idea too." They agreed. "Hopefully they'd let us. If not we can try the library or something along those lines. Makeshift sleeping bags." They laugh.

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

[6:39 AM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

Titania smiled warmly at Valerie, relieved they were agreeing with her. "Mhm! Thank you for being so understanding, Miss Valerie..." they replied and walked with a little chipper in their step.

"I will head to the library real quick then. I shall see you in a little bit in your quarters," Titania said as she stepped towards a different direction. @Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[7:55 PM]Aj | Ryunoske+Titania:

@Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S

[10:10 PM]Cap! | Valerie + Inu + NPC'S:

Valerie shook her head. "Its no problem, Titania. I'll see you around, then!" She waved goodbye. "Come find me when you're done!"

And off Valerie went.

@Aj | Ryunoske+Titania

madeline in the snow

[9:35 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

While the interior temple areas had been cold, it was nothing compared to the blistiring chill and forcefull winds that had taken over the volcanic fields. Madeline would be able to see very little- the snow disrupted her vision of the rolling fields, the rocks and ditches in the ground. She wouldn't be able to hear much either- the roar of the wind drowned up any other sound. It was a harsh winter night- so cold that even in her heavy coat, Madeline would feel it biting into her. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[9:51 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline continued to trudge on, ignoring the cold. Her body was shaking, but it was unclear if it was from the chill, her powers, the lightning, or a combination of all three.

Her bad arm was dragging in the snow behind her as she trudged along, not even sure of where she was going, or where she was right now.

On her bad side, her shirt was beginning to rot away as well, only increasing the effect of the windchill she was facing. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:55 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

As Madeline treked aimlessly through the winter storm. Somewhere in front of her, beyond the snow and the darkness, she saw a faint, warm light, like someone else was out there with a lantern. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[9:59 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Seeing as there was nothing else she could see, she used what remaining mental fortitude she had to pivot, and start trudging in that direction. Her boots were getting buried deep in the snow, and the rate of her pace was decreasing significantly. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:01 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

As Madeline got closer to the light, it began to look less like someone with a lantern and more like... a campfire? She was still far from it, though, and the winter chill was unrelenting. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:04 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"Mmmnnnnmmmm.." Madeline groaned as she kept trying to push forward. She reached out her good hand toward the fire, despite being nowhere near close enough to feel it. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:13 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

As Madeline trudged along, the winter chill would bite at her. She'd begin to loose feeling in her fingers, and her ears, and in the tips of her toes beneath her snow-sodden boots.

As she neared the light, she'd discover it wasn't a fire at all. It was... a pillar of light, of warmth. Like someone turned time forward to summer but only within a tiny space. The snow had melted away there, replaced by lush foliage. The light that permeated through it wasn't fire or daylight- it was a warm, heavenly glow.. A woman sat there, leisurely lounging in the flowers and grass, idly twirling a lily blossom in her hand. She wasn't dressed for the cold, only wearing a simple shirt and loose pants, though she looked otherwise... normal.

She was unaware of Madeline's approach, gently singing, "Clusters of crocus... purple and gold... blankets of pansies, out from the cold..."

@Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:21 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

This was death, wasn't it? Such a lovely, warm place, hidden out in the middle of the blizzard. It made no logical sense whatsoever, she was walking toward the light.

Regardless of that, it was too tempting, especially to her half rotted brain at the moment, to ignore. She tried to speed up, only to trip and fall face first in the snow instantly. Her bad arm, now frozen solid, flung forward and gripped at the snow. She pulled herself forward a few inches with it, but the arm was weak from the cold. It shattered like ice before putting itself back together each time. She moved her good arm forward to try to drag herself that way, trying to ignore the stinging of her fingers, but she felt even weaker in her good arm than her bad.

"H... help... me.." Madeline forced out, no higher than a whisper against the whipping wind. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:24 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman looked over to Madeline with dark, mischevious eyes. "Well, I can't help you if you're gonna stay out in the cold, can I?" She laughed- sharp and breathy, but not harshly. "Come over. Sit with me." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:29 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"Try.....ing..." Madeline mumbled, flinging both of her arms forward in a vain attempt to try to drag herself again. It was clear that her arms were too weak at the moment, so she forced her legs under herself and got herself standing again. She took slow, methodical steps toward the light, careful to not fall over again. She knew if she did, she most likely would not be able to get back up. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:31 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman laughed again, and stood up. She moved towards Madeline with a graceful, carefree ease, and when she came to the border between true winter and false summer, the border moved with her. As she neared Madeline, warmth would envelope her. The snow would melt beneath her feet, and lush plant life would grow in its place. The woman smiled.

"That's better, isn't it?" @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:34 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Once the warmth moved to her, Madeline fell back to the ground, trying to take deep breaths. She tried to flex her fingers and toes, but all she could feel were pins and needles.

"What.. is this.." Madeline said between breaths. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:37 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"I suppose you wouldn't recognize summer, being all holed up up here. I always hated this place." The woman crouched down beside Madeline. "I hated winter." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:43 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"I don't.. remember.. not winter.." Madeline mumbled. She reached her good arm out and touched one of the plants. That wasn't new to her- there was a garden that was meticulously maintained... but seeing it out in the elements, in a blizzard, was very odd. ".. you lived.. here..? Who are you..?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:45 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The plants swayed in a warm, gentle breeze. The woman sat down, cross-legged on the grass. "I'm everything. You know me, don't you?" @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:48 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline squinted. Her vision was blurry at the moment, not to mention her brain was frozen.

"Are you.." Madeline paused to think for a while. ".. my mom..?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:51 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

At that, the woman erupted into a fit of laughter. "Your mom-" She shook her head. "No. I am not your mother. I'm not anyone's mom. I am the body you walk upon. You know me." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:54 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline didn't have the strength to be embarrassed about that. But if she lived until later she probably would.

".. You don't.. I don't understand.. I don't know you.." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:55 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"You do. Your mind is just addled by stress and the cold." The woman said simply. "Everyone here knows me. They simply don't know it." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[10:57 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"You are.. the island..?" Madeline asked, trying to move her head to look at her better. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:04 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman was lithe, with a bony frame and tannish-brown skin. She had straight brown-black hair that was cut in a choppy bob, and a bright, angular smile. She looked living, and breathing, and healthy.

"I already told you. I'm everything." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:06 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

.. Upon getting a better look, yeah, she did look kind of familiar..

".. Are you.. the ghost.. with the guts..? You look.. better now.." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:08 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman lit up in a kind of recognition. "I told you that you knew me." She smiled. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:09 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"Why are you.. different..?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:10 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Even death is not stagnant. The only thing that stays the same is the fact that everything is always changing." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:13 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

".. I can't process... that right now.." Madeline let out a deep breath. "Am I going to.. die out here.. are you going to leave..?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:14 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"You will not die here," The woman said, "For now, I can stay." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:17 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

What did that mean?

"Why are you helping me..?" Madeline's good fingers twitched. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:17 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Would you rather I not?" @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:20 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

".. I-.." Madeline had a quick response, but paused. ".. I-i don't know.. I-i have nothing left.." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:22 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"You have your rage." The woman said simply, calmly. He smile didn't waver. "You will always have your rage. Even when you are dead and rotting you will hold onto it." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:24 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"I-i don't want to be like that. I'm supposed to be better." Madeline said, managing to shift over to lay on her back rather than her side. Her bad arm had thawed out, and began rotting away whatever greenery it touched. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:25 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The plant life persisted despite the rot- any flower that died would instantly be replaced by two more.

"Don't let them tell you to diminish yourself. Don't let them place you into a wooden box." The woman leaned close to Madeline. "Make them remember your name." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:28 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

".. my powers are dangerous- I just hurt Teya. Th-they're right to fear me to- to try to fix me. Because I'm not right. I want to be better." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:30 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"It's better to be feared than forgotten." The woman said. "Do not pursue betterment and cleanliness at the expense of yourself. Rot, because you were meant to rot. Feast, because you hunger." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:34 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"No-" Madeline weakly shook her head. "Th-they're my family. I don't want to hurt them. I can't. Even if it would be so easy to let my powers slip, I-i can't. Because I love them, even if I know most of them hate me. I don't want to give them more reasons." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:41 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Love and hunger are the same. You cannot enjoy one while denying the other." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:44 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

".. Th-then I guess I'll just have to starve. I don't know. I can't bare to hurt them anymore.." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:44 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman stood, and stepped away from Madeline. "Then starve you will." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:51 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

"D-dont leave-" Madeline's fingers weakly wrapped around the grass as she tried to pull herself forward toward her. "Wh-why do you want- why do you want me to hurt people?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:52 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Because, kid," The woman looked back to Madeline, "Hurting someone is the only way to truly love them." @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[11:56 AM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

".. that can't- that doesn't make any sense. No one has ever said that before. Th-that goes against everything I've worked for." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:57 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman took another step backwards. "Does it?" @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[12:06 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline never regained the feeling in her legs, but if she had, she would have felt the cold creeping back in. She pulled at the grass so hard she ripped a chunk of it out of the ground.

"Don't leave- b-but- yes, it doesn't make sense. E-everyone is mad when I hurt people, and they're.. They t-tolerate me the rest of the time. It's better than nothing." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:07 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Then you know nothing of love." The woman said. For now, she stood still. The grass Madeline tore out regrew instantly. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[12:08 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

".. Pl-please explain what you mean- I don't understand.. I want to understand." Madeline was quick to add on. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:15 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman smiled. "Pain is affection. It's adoration, devotion. Admiration in its truest form. It's care. Hatred and love are not that different. To hate and to love are simply to be present in one's mind, and you are never more present in one's mind when you hold their heart in your hand. It's being unable to live without them. It's knowing they'll never leave your side. It's enduring it all with them. To love is to feel pain. To love is to inflict pain. To love is to hunger."

@Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline (spoiled for toxic views on relationships)

[12:21 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline listened as she spoke, but it still didn't make any sense. What a twisted view on reality- to her, at least. She didn't feel love when she saw the terror in people's eyes when she was about to hurt them- she felt their fear, and their pain.

"I-i'm sorry. I can't agree with that. From everything I've experienced in my life I- I know that's not true.. Albanes hates me and I only hurt her feelings." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:23 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman simply took another step backwards. The warmth and light was leaving with her. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[1:29 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline didn't grab for the grass again, or even try to move with it.

"Wh-whatever.. just leave me here then- everyone w-would be happier that way anyway.." She made no attempt to preserve what warmth she had left. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:46 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Hold onto your rage." The woman instructed, then dissapeared fully into the bleak void of winter. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[1:49 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Once the warmth was gone, Madeline didn't react. She let the blizzard envelop her. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:51 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The storm was cold and unrelenting. It bit into her skin, into her bones. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[2:00 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

She laid there, for a while. The numbness had spread from her extremities all the way to her core by now. Even if she wanted to move, it seemed impossible now. She let her eye close.

At least her powers seemed to have been deactivated by the cold as well. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[2:02 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Above the howl of the storm, Madeline would begin to hear two voices faintly calling her name.

"Madeline! Madeline!"

"I think she's over there- is that her?" @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[2:09 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline didn't move, even though she heard the voices faintly. Realistically, she hadn't strayed too far from the exit gates, she wasn't running all that fast after she had to start trudging through the snow. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[2:13 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Two lantern-holding figures neared Madeline, though it was too dark and snowy for her to figure out who they were. "Yup, looks like her." One of them said, and handed her lantern to the other. With newly free hands, she hoisted Madeline up and began carrying her back towards the gate. @Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline

[3:13 PM]Mads|Roque🩸+Hannah🦈+Madeline:

Madeline was unresponsive as she was moved. The ice and snow that had formed on her clothing didn't seem very promising, not to mention the section of bare skin she had exposed on her right side. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)