Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 19, 2009 23:49:04 GMT -5
((Occuring after Chapters 7 and 8. Syl is carrying Daemon's scythe. ))
For all the urban decadence and for all the city's decaying splendor, it was the Park that snared Senge- drawing him close with its promise of withered greenery. And although it was really little more than a tired patch of weeds, it was still an island of familiarity in the heart of all this stone and glass. Senge trotted across the closest intersection (deserted as all the other streets had been) picked out in the ruddy gaze of the fading sun. He carried his great head low, nose to the ground and tongue lolling, more out of instinct than in the hopes of recognizing a particular scent. The muscles moved beneath his hide as his effortless lope carried him across the road and into the welcoming cover of the park. He paused for a moment by a rotting bench and turned his head into the wind. He smelled rain on the horizon- rain and darkness and the hint of a storm. Senge flicked his ears back in concern, and trotted on. He didn't know what he was looking for. He hadn't known when he had set out and he was no closer to finding it out now. His first impulse had been to seek and find fellow humans, but he was beginning to doubt they existed in this city. He had seen no one other than a few ratty birds and a stray dog, more bone than fur, that had whimpered and cowered as he loped by. He was already more than willing to believe that he was doomed to walk forever in this half-city of ghosts and nothingness. He headed for the center of the Park, determined to at least cross its length before heading back. He flushed a startled crow from the cover of a pitiful bush and stopped to watch it fly away, cawing indignantly. He had an insane urge to call out after it, and an equally insane fear that it might actually answer. Eventually, he came to what had to be the heart of the Park: a tiny, compressed lake with a fountain in its center. The water was so shallow and ill kept, that he could splash his way across it, unhindered except for the clinging growth of aquatic weeds that seemed to be thriving even while everything else died. At its deepest, the 'lake' came up to his knees. When he reached the fountain in the center, Senge sprang up on it and shook himself off, scattering little droplets with enthusiasm. Anything deeper than that, and he wouldn't have dared to cross. He was not sure he would ever be able to trust water again. The shake evolved into a more complex motion- a ripple of muscle that set his spikes to shaking and his body to undulating. Alexander emerged from his second skin as if taking off a coat- for a moment, Senge remained draped about his shoulders, but then it was re-absorbed and the human was left standing on the lip of a fountain, staring out at a city that was dead in a way not even he could understand.
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 20, 2009 0:12:57 GMT -5
Syl watched the man, unnoticed, from its perch, on a large branch of a nearby tree. It was a wonder that the man hadn't noticed it, as Syl's red clothing made it stand out amongst the branches. It eyed it with with an interested gaze, wondering at how he was able to take on the form of a beast-like creature and a man at the same time.
How perplexing, thought Syl.
It debated on whether to strike up a conversation with him, weighing the odds of being rejected or attacked versus being able to actually help him. Eventually, after a round of firing arguments back and forth in its mind, it decided to meet him. If he proved hostile, Syl could easily escape, and if he was friendly, it could provide him with some guidance.
It casually jumped down from the tree branch, landing neatly on its feet. It sat down on an old bench near the trees and facing the fountain, eyeing him with a curious look on its face. It set Daemon's scythe next to it, hoping that it wouldn't make it look too intimidating.
"Good evening," said Syl in a friendly tone, giving him a small smile, "I suppose you're new here?"
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 20, 2009 0:34:17 GMT -5
So great were his relief, surprise, and shock at hearing what for all purposes seemed to be a human voice, Alexander whirled around on the fountain's narrow lip and almost lost his footing. It was rare that his balance would abandon him so but with his heart pounding in his chest and the terrible fear that if he didn't answer right away the speaker would vanish back into this thrice-damned city, he was a far cry from his usual co-ordinated self. The only way to spare himself an awkward slip off the fountain was to abandon it and leap into the water. He knew a split second of hesitation, teetering and staring down into the scum-covered surface but then he remembered its depth and made the jump. He splashed down into brackish, foul smelling water. It was a bit deeper for a human body and came up to his thighs rather then Senge's knees, but he could manage. His eyes sought and found the figure on the bench, the speaker dressed in red and staring rather pensively at him as if he was some kind of gallery exhibit. Alexander found that he didn't care. "Where is here?" he called out to it, "Who are you?" And then aware that he couldn't carry on a conversation across the expanse of water, added, "Give me a moment! Please stay there!" He splashed and stumbled his way to shore. Without Senge's sure footedness, he found himself beset by weeds and in danger of toppling into the lake on more than one occasion. By the time he waded up onto the bank, he was coated in mud, sweating heavily, and aware that his side was bleeding once again. He could only hope that the muck covered most of the bruising on his face, and that the figure-he could see now it was a slender, human-shaped speaker with some kind of weapon resting next to it- wouldn't be scared off. "You're really here, aren't you?" he panted, sacrificing breathing for speech. "Thank the Gods: I was beginning to think it was just me and the birds."
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 20, 2009 9:34:39 GMT -5
Syl continued to smile at him gently as it stayed sitting on the bench, arms casually resting on its lap, Daemon's scythe shining a little bit in the evening sunlight. The sun was slowly setting, its rays getting dimmer by the minute.
"Yes," said Syl, "I am here."
It cocked its head to one side, observing the man's mannerisms and body language, analyzing them in detail. From the looks of it, he was lost, bewildered and quite obviously happy to see another human-like being out in these parts. Quite frankly, Syl couldn't blame him. For most part the city was empty except for the mindless and the residents who could actually think on their own. Syl estimated that number to be around twenty... not a lot, really. So it was understandable how he hadn't encountered anyone 'till now.
It made it remember of a time when it was in his position, lost and wandering aimlessly. The difference then was that Syl didn't mind solitude then as it did now... now, it more or less preferred the company of others, provided that their goal was not to skewer it eventually. Some occasional solitude in the presence of nature was appreciated too... that was why it came here and hid in the trees.
For this man, though, the park must have drawn him here. Perhaps he liked nature as well? Syl speculated on why he would come to the park at this time. Few humans tended to pass by the park in these hours unless there was a party going on, which there wasn't today. Syl remembered that it was usually for safety reasons why most humans usually tended to stay away from parks at night. How perplexing, thought Syl, at night, the park is home to animals more than humans. I wonder why he came here.
Based on his other form, Syl wasn't sure if this man was human or whether he was human but with some interesting powers. It would have to gather up the nerve to ask him someday... perhaps as a confirmation to its findings, or to see if they were wrong. From what Syl could sense, there was currently no one in the park but them, and that this man's aura was... human... ish... How perplexing.
Syl sat, still watching him.
"You're in Animus," said Syl, still smiling, "that's what this city is called. Nice place depending on where you go, but there are also some really creepy places here too. I've lived here long enough to know how to get around. I can show you around if you want."
It cocked its head to the other side, taking note of his injuries. From the looks of it, he had been in a fight. Syl decided not to ask him about it, as it didn't want to make it itself took too nosy.
"You seem injured. Would you like me to take you to a hospital or clinic?"
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 20, 2009 14:34:57 GMT -5
Alexander stood there, dripping muck and blood, listening to a complete and utter stranger tell him he was in a city he had never heard mention of before as if it was the most logical thing in the world. If he had ever entertained the notion of having 'seen it all' (and for a time he had convinced himself of it) it was ruthlessly crushed right now. As a rule, he was notoriously hard to startle- it was a selling point in his line of work to be callously adaptable with the hard earned ability to take everything in stride. Of course, everything was not complete and utter displacement. Everything was not and did not, involve being wrenched from the City Imperishable and dropped into this place- a dead urban sprawl that reminded him of nothing so much as a shallow grave, open and waiting. Everything, in other words, did not exist here and Alexander found himself on the border of what he disgustedly recognized as panic. Calm down, he told himself, and when that didn't work, he curled his fingers into his palms and scored the flesh with his nails. Calm down, calm down, calm down. There has to be a reasonable explanation for all of this. Think it through. "Animus?" the word felt strange rolling off his tongue. Until this moment, he was entirely sure he had never heard that name before. "How did I get here?" And then on the heel of that thought, came another. What if it brought me here? "It" was the only word he could think of describe the stranger, and "It" was the only one he had seen. Was it all just entirely coincidence, or was it a strange parallel to that day almost a decade ago when he had wandered through a plague storm, and stumbled upon the spirits in the sands? He had no way of knowing for sure. But he moderated his tone nonetheless. "I suppose, it doesn't really matter in the long run of things, does it?" he asked. "If you would be so gracious as to show me the way out of here, perhaps I can get my bearings well enough to head back to my city." He had already decided he wasn't going to ask for a name. The less he knew at this point, the better. If it was a Spirit, only entanglement could come from knowing too much. It was safer by far to get out while he could.
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 20, 2009 15:08:20 GMT -5
Syl cocked its head again to the opposite side as the man spoke. How perplexing. Confused. Frustrated. Perhaps even angry. Whatever the case, he was not happy with his situation. Syl could tell because he clenched his fists. Humans did not do that when they were happy, unless they were cheering something on, which he was obviously not doing.
"Animus is no ordinary city," said Syl calmly, "it's quite obvious in the way of how people arrive here. They usually wake up in a strange, old building, within a room called 'room #4.' Whatever the case, and for whatever reason, Animus drew you here, and unless you know how to cross dimensions or open portals, there isn't really a way to leave here, at least at the moment."
It smiled as it stood up and slung the scythe back over its shoulder. For all intents and purpose this man, at least, wasn't a rabid dog. Syl would be happy to help him... it just had to be careful with its words. As always.
It didn't want to upset this man, even though it knew that this news was not good. Syl feared that he might not take it well, and it mentally prepared itself to flee if he became violent. While this man seems unarmed, his beast form wasn't. Claws and teeths were natural weapons. That's why they were capable of ending one's life.
"Well..." said Syl slowly, "that's the reality, I suppose. I know this is overwhelming and all, but at least you're not alone here, hmm? It's not the end of the world."
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 20, 2009 15:30:56 GMT -5
Room 4. He wouldn't have called his arrival 'obvious' in any way, but comprehension was coming in bits and pieces. And his most immediate thought was he had left the Sinful Sister in that room: a room that he didn't even know if it existed when it didn't hold a newcomer. He had to go back right away.
"-how to cross dimensions or open portals, there isn't really a way to leave here, at least at the moment."
The words jerked his head up, disbelieving, to where the stranger was getting to its feet and slinging the weapon across its back. He gaped at it, the remark about "it not being the end of the world" unnoticed in his shock. "You can't be serious," he exclaimed. "There's got to be a simpler way out. Another way. What's to stop me from walking out?" No. He knew as he said it that that wasn't going to work. Room 4 was the key. He had arrived in it, if the stranger was to be believed others had arrived in it, and as such it was the best link back. "I need to find that room again. Can you take me there?" In truth, he was fairly certain he could backtrack his way to the strange building- if not as Alexander than as Senge who could follow his own spoor trail. But having stumbled across someone living and speaking, he wasn't yet ready to part company so soon.
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 20, 2009 16:12:01 GMT -5
"You can't be serious. There's got to be a simpler way out. Another way. What's to stop me from walking out?"
Syl shrugged, not even panicking or acting upset in the slightest, just giving him a small smile. Its life was crazy here, and it wasn't the type of person to freak out at such things, except perhaps the more powerful situations such as the death of a friend. All this drama, all this suffering... in fact, arriving in Animus wasn't that big of a shock to Syl. It knew that it traveled a lot, so expecting the unexpected was second nature to it. Just... as long as Kiel was there, Syl could put up with things that would garner shock from a man like this.
"Oh, I am," it said. "The simplest way out of here is either a miracle or someone just figuring out where your city is, before opening up a portal and letting you go in. And of course you can't just walk out of this place. This is no normal city. The last time it was attempted, we found a huge wall that was impenetrable by magic or any physical means."
"I need to find that room again. Can you take me there?"
Syl's smile grew wider.
"Sure, I can lead you there," said Syl.
It stepped towards him, still smiling, now realizing that it didn't have something to call this man. Syl figured that 'injured beast thing' was not an appropriate thing to call him without provoking his ire. Hence why Syl decided to play it safe and ask him for his name, as it knew that their relationship could go either way at this point. Syl honestly preferred it to be a good relationship... it disliked having enemies or witnesses any conflict, especially if it had no power to stop it.
"By the way, I don't think we've introduced ourselves yet," it said in a friendly tone, "my name is Sylredrae, or Syl. What's yours?"
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 21, 2009 17:25:14 GMT -5
Even its name was foreign. There was a heart beat's worth of hesitation as Alexander debated what he would be prefered to be called by this stranger. In the end, it really was no contest at all. "Senge," he told it- glad that it had not extended a hand. He would have had to find an inoffensive way to deny the contact; until he knew exactly what it was, it was insanity to touch it. This trading of names could also be potentially harmful but he didn't really have a choice in the matter. "And I'm very grateful for your aid." Inwardly, he was itching to return to this Room 4, to retrieve his Sinful Sisters and test how completely he was entrapped in this city, but outwardly he was the picture of calm. "This way, was it?" He turned in the general direction of the building he sought but feigned unsureness. No point in letting it know accute his senses of smell and direction were-not yet at least. A sudden thought brought him up short. How much had it seen? He knew it was there already, hidden, when he arrived in the park. But had the noise of his lake-crossing brought it to him? Or had it been there to witness the transformation from the true Senge to Alexander? His skin crawled at the thought, but he couldn't for the life of him think of how to broach the subject in any casual manner. With luck it won't make any difference. With luck, Room 4 will prove to be my way out of here, and I can put all this behind...Certaintly- and with luck you might just wake up as well and discover that all this was a dream...
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 21, 2009 20:47:30 GMT -5
"Mmm hmm," replied Syl, smiling, "it's this way. Follow me."
Syl smiled at Senge as as it walked forward in the direction that Senge hd indicated. He must be lost and confused, thought Syl sympathetically, it's good that he has me to show him the way! I've been here for a while now, so hopefully I can get there without getting lost or taking any unnecessary detours.
A few moments later, Syl looked back at the man, gesturing for him to follow.
"Come on, Senge," it said, "it's not too far away... Hopefully we can leave the park before the mosquitos start swarming. While they don't bite me, almost anyone else is fair game."
It paused and cocked its head again. They were not alone here. After a few moments, Syl heard the whining noise of nearby mosquitos. Great, it thought sarcastically, the only reason why they don't bite me is because I don't have what they want - blood, due to physiological differences from my species compared to humans. I'm an energy-based being, after all. Senge, on the other hand...
Syl glanced at the fountain, then back at Senge. They weren't very far from it, and it was sure that the mosquitos had picked up on his presence by now. They needed blood to reproduce, after all, and now was their time to feed. Hence, Senge was probably going to be bitten a lot even if they ran out of the park.
"Looks like I spoke too soon. They're already swarming," said Syl calmly, "They're rather fond of this park due to it being their favourite breeding groud, with the fountains not being particularly well maintained and the water stagnating. I've observed some dragonflies and fish prey on them and their eggs, though, which prevents their population from going completely out of control."
Syl sighed and looked at Senge with a concerned expression on its face.
"How are you holding up against these insects?"
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 28, 2009 21:13:57 GMT -5
Alexander hunched his shoulders against the horde of buzzing insects that rose, almost as one entity, from their wet refuge. It would have been the easiest thing to wriggle into the skin of Senge and thwart their eager proboscises with a hide that could turn knives. But of course he couldn't do that. Not with Syl around, looking back expectantly over a shoulder at him. Reminding himself that discomfort was a small price to pay for some control over a situation that was becoming increasingly foreign, Alexander swatted at the insects he had a chance of crushing and ignored those that he didn't. And then he noticed something. "Wait. Why aren't they swarming you?" He jogged to catch up to Syl. It didn't smell like the bitter sap of the certain mosquito-repelling plants. It didn't smell like incense. He let Senge's nose confirm those observations. It didn't smell much like anything, but it was striding along, unbothered by the biting masses. The buzzing of thousands of infuriating little wings filled his ears and he almost inhaled a more intrepid bug through his nose. Alexander snorted to clear his nostrils. His skin itched with the possibility of change-it was ludicrous to subject himself to this-but (and here he reined himself in hard) if he could survive drowning, he could tolerate this. Patience, Alexander. Now is not the time to give into frustrations. He lengthened his stride to put as much distance between himself and the pond while still making sure that he wasn't leaving Syl behind. He passed his guide, then turned around to walk backwards, re-confirming what he already knew. The insects were giving his newly met acquaintance plenty of room.
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 28, 2009 23:21:15 GMT -5
Syl watched as Senge passed it. It followed him, the mosquitos still trailing the poor man. Oh dear, thought Syl, I'll bet that they're thinking that they just hit the jackpot, blood-wise. It seems as though they're particularly ravenous right now. Well, why would they not be? It's not often a human comes along, baring their naked skin and expects them NOT to bite.
"Wait. Why aren't they swarming you?"
"Hmm?"
Syl blinked at Senge as he asked that question. Even watching as the horde of mosquitos relentlessly pursued him. They sucked blood at every opportunity, eager for more material with which to develop their eggs. Ah, reproduction - one of the most driving conceptions in both humans and animals alike...
It watched as the mosquitos continued to swarm around the man, eager for blood, when Syl itself was untouched. It was quite an interesting situation for Syl to contemplate - a human being ravaged by insects that were normally peaceful to it. (Asides from their incessant whining that is, but other than that, they were alright as insects.)
"Ah, why are they ignoring me?"
It paused, and blinked at him again. It looked at him with an almost blank expression on its face, save for a small smile, appearing as calm and collected as possible, as if everything it was saying made perfect sense. Which it did, to Syl at least.
"Isn't it obvious, Senge? I don't have any sort of mosquito repellant on me, so why aren't they biting me? The reason is simple - I don't have what they want. I'm no more useful to them as is a mouse to a water fountain. That's why they leave me alone."
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 28, 2009 23:43:00 GMT -5
I don't have what they want. Alexander couldn't help himself: he laughed. And in laughing, he almost ingested several dozen bugs. Waving a hand in front of his face to clear the air, he curbed his laughter but couldn't contain it all. His mirth bled out onto his face in the form of a wide, jackal-smile. "Come now," he chuckled, "Do you honestly expect me to believe that you don't have blood?" But then he checked himself. Just a few moments ago, he had been uneasy around this stranger, unsure of whether or not it was ethereal. When had his skepticism vanished? It had to have been the way Syl said it: the casual, unassuming way it told him it didn't bleed, that had thrown him off guard. It sounded like a bad joke. But the longer he waited for it to tell him "Of course I have blood!" the longer the moments stretched and the more rapidly his amusement disintegrated. It wasn't kidding. It was, as far as he could tell, unerringly serious. "You don't have blood," he repeated, grin wiped from his face. "If you don't have blood, what are you?" Easy answer. It was a spirit, just as he had thought it was. It was kin to the plauge walkers that he had stumbled upon all those many years ago. He stopped walking. Positioned as he was, in front of Syl, all he had to do was wait a half second before his guide came within distance, and then he grasped it by its shoulders and stared intently into its face, not caring how rash a move it was, not caring about much other than the truth. "I knew it: you're some kind of etheral being. Your kin did something to me almost a decade ago. If they were powerful enough to do what they did on a whim, you have to be strong enough to get me out of this city if you try. Please. I don't care what it takes. But I have to get back."
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on Aug 29, 2009 1:04:40 GMT -5
"If you don't have blood, what are you? I knew it: you're some kind of etheral being. Your kin did something to me almost a decade ago. If they were powerful enough to do what they did on a whim, you have to be strong enough to get me out of this city if you try. Please. I don't care what it takes. But I have to get back."
Syl stared at him straight in the eyes, unflinchingly, seriously. It showed no ill-will towards him, not even a trace. Only seriousness with a hint of concern and curiosity. Its gaze was unblinking, unerring, and Syl kept perfectly still save for its breathing and its talking.
"I don't like lying," said Syl, "so I'll say this truthfully. There are many types of bloodless beings out there, ethereal or not, and I am only one of them. Even then, I am not necessarily kin to the ones that did that to you a decade ago."
It gave him a small smile.
"Am I powerful enough to get you back home? Maybe. When Dimension-crossing safely the way I know of, you have to take into account many factors, such as cost, the location of the destination portal, location of starting portal, how the laws of magic might come into play, what species is it safe for and more. The way I know, it's very difficult and complicated. I don't quite remember the details that well."
It paused to take a breath.
"I do, however, know one person that can travel through dimensions, but at this time, he's probably in bed, and I don't think it'd be very polite to disturb him right now. And if if we did get his assistance, I only wonder how he would manage to get you to your world. As far as I know, crossing dimensions is not a simple business..."
Syl's smile grew wider, as it took on a cheery expression as opposed to a serious one. Honestly, it didn’t feel like resting and it didn’t feel like leaving Senge alone. These sentiments led to its resulting decision – to help this ‘Senge’ person return to his world, even though it knew that it may as well be a mission doomed to fail. Syl could already see the ending of it in its mind, a prediction to be more accurate, but it decided that they should try something first before giving up.
"Well, that said, I'm willing to assist you in finding a way back home, but I can't promise anything. This city is unpredictable, and things may not turn out the way you wish them too. I know that from experience. So what do you say, Senge? Would you like to start with room 4? Last I checked, it’s quite a special room. Perhaps we may find clues there."
|
|
Chains
Fleshling
Mistress Of Awesomeness
Posts: 133
|
Post by Chains on Aug 29, 2009 14:51:45 GMT -5
He released its shoulders, but still held its eyes transfixed with his own. "We can start there," Alexander agreed, "But if we discover nothing, or there is nothing to find, can you take me to this other you speak of?" There was something in his voice that implied although he was greatful for its aid thus far, if it proved unwilling to guide him to the individual it spoke of he would find a way to get there himself. Sleep be damned. Sleep? It was then that he realized that the city had given up its last tentative hold on the sun and that shadows were lengthening around them even as they stood there, at a standstill. It was rapidly becoming full night, and something told him that full night in this Animus, wasn't to be trusted. The sooner they got inside the safer they would be. He turned away from Syl for a moment, and let Senge's yellow eyes replace his own: saw through the darkness in all its many layers and confirmed that they were still alone. Somehow, even that knowledge did nothing to alleviate the sensation of being watched. His skin crawled. If he had been wearing Senge's skin, his hackles would have risen. The longer they stood around idle like this, the more intensely he would feel scrutinized. "Whether you agree or not," he added on the heels of his question, "I think we should get moving, yes?" There was certainly something about this street that he didn't like. He quickly scanned the rooftops but saw nothing. Which didn't mean anything concrete anyway. It was all he could do to resist the urge to grab Syl's hand and make a run for it. Years of working freelance had honed his instincts to cutting perception and right now, he was being sliced repeatedly by their intensity as they screamed warnings for him to go, to run, to get inside, to get out of the open, and out of sight.
|
|