𝖒𝖔𝖔𝖓𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖜𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖟

“She really is, kinda got a bit of a temper and cold at times. But I think that’s just her way of showing her own affections.” and she was right, he loved his soon to be wife dearly, she means a lot to him, he knew she means well for him. He may not be a Shaman king, doesn’t mean he wasn’t going to make her life as joyful as possible. “We met each other due to my grandmother… Anna.. Well, she was an orphan as a child before my grandmother brought her in. She wanted us together due to her power. You see, when she was a child, shd had this ability where he can draw spirits towards her; bad and good.” 

A groan would come from the answer that was given.  He was right to believe, and it would look like she was in the exact same situation he was in.  This small piece of information told him asking around was a waste of time.  It was either people not having an answer, or it was people keeping the truth.  He could spend all day intimidating and maybe even punching out some teeth.  That wouldn’t matter if they were telling the truth he was already aware of.  Leaning back on the bench, Sett’s arm would go on both sides of the bench as he tried to relax despite the stress forming.

“Greeeeat.  We get a lame pamphlet as if we’re a part of some magical tour into our own prison island and that’s it.  What the hell is this place?” he questioned as he didn’t expect an answer.  Still, he couldn’t let it get to him.  He had work to do, and he needed to figure it out as soon as he could.  Standing himself up, he would at least offer her a hand as a gesture of good will.  A handshake seemed reasonable considering she did at least try to help.  “Thanks, though.  Honestly didn’t expect to learn this much even if it ain’t much at all.”

He got the idea that asking around would be meaningless, and he would need to seek others that probably had more time in than the two of them.  Surely that would be a thing, right?  Not like they were the firsts, and they wouldn’t be the last either.  That thought there worried him more than anything.  Who was doing this?  What kind of power or magic would take to perform this sort of feat?  Maybe worrying about building his new Pit should come after he had learned more.  Being ‘The Boss’ here may be far more difficult than he wanted to admit.

“Name’s Sett, by the way.  Sorry if I came off as rude with gettin’ your attention. Not exactly the best at introduction,” he would speak his apology as he wasn’t too sure how he sounded especially with the mood he was in.

─ ✦❤;     His displeasure was obvious to her, evident in the way he groaned and how he spoke to her. Primrose couldn’t fault him, though; such frustration was understandable, given their circumstances. She was still somewhat baffled at how carefree and OK some people were with being, essentially, kidnapped out of their worlds - though she’d be lying if she said that the place didn’t have any charm, for there were certainly places she quickly became fond of. If nothing else, the man before her seemed to have a more appropiate response to this bizarre situation than most people.

He was far from being friendly, though, but Primrose was a big girl and it’d need more than a little rudeness to make her shrink in the spot, and it wasn’t as if she didn’t have experience with rough men. “There’s little to learn around here - yes, there’s fun things to do around her, exciting places. But it’s all so odd.” Her stare was piercing, looking down to him where he sat, until he stood up and it surprised her somewhat. “A strange sort of prison, if you ask me.” She took his hand and shook it, firmly, and her features softened somewhat.

“You gave me your name, so it’s only polite that I give you mine. I’m Primrose Azelhart.” Her family’s name carried little weight in this city, but there was always a hint of pride and grace whenever she spoke of it, even if nobody else but her own companions would know its history. “I haven’t been here for too long. I assume you haven’t either.”

❛  haha, already in-character, my lady ?  you haven’t even disclosed your name to me !   ❜   ━━━ he laughed merrily, twin sparkles glinting in his blue eyes.  but her point was taken; time had grown short and the grand moment was upon them now.  her name can be learned much later on.

staff lead them both towards backstage, where he picks up a false sword from the props box for no hero could go on without one.  though truly it fills in the weight at his hip from the missing cutlass.  but, it’s not until the curtains rise, the lights shine above and twenty pairs of eyes stared back, anticipating, that the thrill was felt in the pit of his stomach.  bartholomew gives his acting partner a knowing look, before falling into his role.

❛   ━━━ have you lost your mind !?  your eyes might be emeralds to treasure, but the jewel in your hands spells doom for us all.  return it to the altar and the temple may still remain intact. the power is not worth it … ❜

─ ✦;    Theatre, acting, the stage -- she refused to let the memory of Simeon taint the moment, no matter how brief he came and went by in her mind. His play was a sick twist on Primrose’s life story; she took the reins of her play, and only her, so shall nobody mock her again.

The backstage was filled with fake weapons and beautiful dresses. Her fingers grasped against a white, silky dress with golden decorations, which fit perfectly well with her sun-kissed skin and delicate figure when worn, even more so when she let her chocolate brown curls down. Any other lady might have felt nervous or anxious when they see the curtains rise. Primrose did not; she had performed various times before, and so she sank into her role perfectly.

He blinks and twists to look at the stall, then back at her.

“Yeah. It’s kinda the usual here– things go to crap and then we get to have fun for a little while. True stockholm syndrome at it’s finest. You ever seen a festival like this before?”

─ ✦;     The wind blows and her chocolate brown hair dances along the breezes; the sand got in between her toes, but she doesn’t dive in the sea. The place feels wrong still -- a woman could enjoy herself, yes, but not when everything was strange and unknown to her. It doesn’t feel right.

Therion manages a scowl at Primrose, despite the fact that her words make his chest go tight. You’re the only one. That’s fine. Neither of them have been here for long, so there’s a chance they could find the others. If Therion and Primrose were able to be snatched, why wouldn’t the culprits take the others, too? The city’s big enough, maybe they’ve just missed each other–

But, no, he won’t start up that nonsense. Primrose’s sudden appearance beams like a beacon of hope, but Therion has learned to turn away from anything of the sort. It’s enough, more than enough, that Prim is here. Let alone any others. He tugs his scarf up over his mouth– nervous habit– and shakes his head.

► “No. Woke up next to a cliff. Same as a bunch of people, far as I can tell. I don’t think we’ll learn what happened any time soon, either. This place is too… vague. And all this festival shit–” He waves a hand, gesturing to… everything, honestly. “It makes it harder to find any decent information. If I knew where to look for it.”

The way the pamphlet had read when he first found it, the people in charge don’t plan for him to go back to Orsterra. There was barely any mention of getting back, just details of adjustment to life in the city and other bullshit.

► “They gave you a place to stay, right? I’ve got three new people I try to avoid at all costs.” He scoffs. “It took me long enough to get used to sharing rooms with all of you.”

─ ✦;    It’s all so bizarre, isn’t it? Just when Primrose thought she could get some closure, a small taste of peace in her troubled life -- whoever was behind this must enjoy toying with people’s wellbeing, and whoever they were was hard to read. She certainly didn’t come here by her own will, but to be given a place to stay, on the top of that? The dancer is more than a little distrustful of it all.

And whoever were the masterminds behind this, they were probably far too powerful. Therion’s presence gives her a sense of calmness, though, as seeing a comrade of hers in this city is comforting; courageous as she were, Primrose had became attached to her fellow travelers through her journey. She wouldn’t have done it all without them.

“A cliff sounds rather unfortunate,” She says, sympathetic to her companion’s plight. “I believe I woke up in some kind of hole. Whatever that might mean. Yet everyone seems to carry on with the festivities like nothing were wrong.”

That’s far from the truth. Everything was wrong. Chances that they could go back to Osterra were little to none, and they’re expected to just roll with that? Despite it all, though, Primrose keeps a calm, stoic face. Panicking won’t help in the slightest, anyways.

He laughs. 

 It was a gentle sounding thing, well he does take after his mother in terms of temperament, and possibly have a obsession with healing people but thats another thing entirely. 

 “Well I am of the bear clan. Though I have siblings in the lion clan and a few humans as well.”

 “I believe when I left, my mother was pregnant with quadruplets from my lion father.”  he had two fathers and more siblings than you can count with a full hand. 

─ ✦;     Just in the first meeting, the dancer learned of a few interesting facts of his life -- still, she couldn’t help but think if it was a little dangerous. She, of course, has little use for those things, but she’s more than a little surprised at how much of an open book he appears to be.

This particular ward is a special purgatory. Therion sticks to the Surface for now, wandering shops and stands to avoid noticing yet another gigantic fucking cliff in the area. Why are there so many drops in this place? And why does he keep getting caught off guard? Therion has spent his entire life on guard, yet suddenly he’s in a new place– a new world, feels like– and finds himself tripping up over every little thing.

Exhibit A: He’s studying trinkets through the shop’s windows, trying to ascertain whether or not it’s worth stepping further inside, when–

► “Agh!” Therion does not yelp. He does not, he merely… jumps and spins, coming face to face with someone he actually recognizes. Someone he missed, though gods forbid he mention that any time soon.

► “Prim?!” He takes her in, from her token red to that iconic hair, those sharp eyes and familiar smile. Primrose, no doubt about it. But– “I could ask you the same thing. I only turned up a few days ago, when did you show up here? If they’ve got me and you,” he says, words running away from him, “what about the others? Have you seen anyone?”

Ah. He shouldn’t ask that. But the shock of finding Prim, or… Prim finding him, knocks down his filter for the briefest of moments.

► “… You know, just in case we have to keep them out of trouble.” Even though one could argue Therion’s one of the more trouble-prone in their group. Gods.

─ ✦;     Therion was always so vigilant, watching prizes like a hawk, quite fitting for a skilled thief like him, but his shocked reaction made it all more evident just how out of his depth he was, a fact that is met with a low, brief chuckle from the dancer. Still, his words suggest that he doesn’t know any more than she does about their current situation, and that makes her wary of her surroundings.

“I’m not up to anything, given that I only came here a few days ago,” She carefully looks at his face, hair, outfit - yes, it’s Therion, the one and only. Primrose’s mouth opens again, but now she isn’t smiling. “Out of our fellow companions, though, you’re the only one I’ve seen here. What a fortunate coincidence.”

Among the city-wide festivities, the music and the food, talking to an old comrade was like a breath of fresh air, but the situation was still off from her point of view -- Therion being here, too, set off a few alarms. If their companions were here, then they just hadn’t come across them yet. It’s as if someone had kidnapped them into this idyllic place, for whatever agenda they had.

 ‘Oh yes! I was indeed distracted. “ he’s not too proud to admit it. “You see, where I come from. Humans are almost a extinct species. But here, there are so many I’m afraid I might be the only one of my kind here. What a interesting position to be in!”

he’s all smiles about it, not too bothered by the whole ordeal to actually give a damm about it. 

 “My mother would love this place. Maybe.”

❛  oh ?  ❜  ━━━  a brow raises with new interest.  like a trained actress, she appeared unafraid to take on the limelight and deliver the best.  his eyes squint as he mimics the smile she wore. it seemed that his insight was correct, after all.  with the flick of a wrist, bartholomew offers the white card for her own viewing.   ❛  charming young lady, who should try covering her eyes with bangs, there is no script.  these short skits are to be performed on the fly … that is what make them fun. ❜

but, that should prove to be of no issue.  all they needed was to put on a unique show that lasted roughly ten minutes.  a tall tale of adventure was enough to satisfy even the most daft audience, he believed.  with a short bow, he continued,   ❛  ━━━ ah, allow me to introduce myself.  my name is bartholomew roberts, but tonight i will be your handsome foil, ‘ adventurer juan. ’  to whom i have the pleasure of pursuing ? ❜

─ ✦;    A quiet laugh escaped her lips, fingers touching her lower lip as he spoke. He’s lively and a flirt, enthusiastic and eager -- now, now, that certainly brought memories. Green eyes stared at the white card in his hand, before she picked up to further look at it. “How fortunate I am, that improvisation is far from an issue for me.”

─ ✦;  “I didn’t expect to see a familiar face around here.” How could she miss him? For anyone else it’d be hard to pick up the presence of the thief - not for Primrose, who had travelled by side long enough to pick up little pieces of his behaviour or his visage. 

It truly was unexpected, though; her red dress is stylish, but out of place among the steampunk structures around her. The Surface - as they called it - had much to offer, with its plethora of shops and sights, a fact that the dancer didn’t miss as she walked through, to accustomate herself to her new surroundings, strange as they were.