her ashes became steel

Leia stared absentmindedly at the ocean, watching the fireworks display through the distorted yet beautiful reflection in the water. She just couldn’t seem to enjoy it by herself. 

For some reason she didn’t feel like going back to watch the rest with Pia and Daryl surely wouldn’t want to watch. Did Raven not want to watch the fireworks with her…? Was she watching with someone else…Someone cuddled up under her arms…

A splash followed by a ripple distorting the image of lights further caused a ripple in Leia’s heart. Her head quickly turned to where the pebble was thrown from. 

Tall and slim, the figure was concealed by darkness yet exposed by the light of the fireworks. The lights reflected off her skin, highlighting her elegant features. To Leia, this was a much more beautiful reflection than on the water. Leia felt a different kind of ripple in her heart.

“Raven!” Leia snapped out of her trance-like state and called out with a mixture of surprise and joy.  “I wasn’t sure if you’d come…Not that you’re untrustworthy! And of course you didn’t have to come…but I’m happy you did.”

She froze in her place. Great, Leia had noticed her, and there was no turning back now. She had to finish what she started. The thought ran through her mind nonetheless: maybe I should have stayed home. I already feel like this is going to go wrong somehow.

When it came down to it, Raven was alone most of the time in everyday life. Whether it was mining, or a drink at the bar... she simply stuck to her own. How was she supposed to make conversation when she was so out of practice? The interactions she had were surface-level, such as a simple exchange with a customer, but this? This felt entirely different.

Like I’m expected to say something about how I feel good to see her, too. The expression on Leia’s face did seem to say that she was glad she came? Which was something she’d rarely ever witnessed from someone else.

“...” She paused, before stepping towards the shorter girl. Her mind made knots as she thought of the right thing to say. “Well... it’s been awhile. Thought we should ... catch up.”

Recording Doc One: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QeMCBCjihtooAs2xPn2l0PZz_Wkf4zVsrowJuceRqxU/edit?usp=sharing

Recording Doc Two: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1duVoE5RVVdfoqHoZBhPL6DUUczGQ2NGAGgn_XG7Q4Lo/edit?usp=sharing

Thank you everyone for participating in the Sweet Sixteen Switcheroo! Hope you guys enjoyed prom night and dealing with the wondrous world of teenage emotions! Please reblog this post to get your activity for participating!

Her head hung low, Leia stared at the floor without really looking. She furrowed her brow so tight, she thought she cry. Anxiety weighed heavily in her stomach and embarrassment heated her face. She couldn’t even respond to the redhead’s cold parting words.

For all she knew, this could be her only chance at making a friend in school. What if she just doomed herself to being alone? I might make friends in the future, but that’s just a “might.” But right now-right now I don’t want to be alone. It’s now or never!

“Wait-” What a dramatic scene it would have been with Leia as she ran, an arm slightly outstretched, to the girl with flaming locks who already seemed so far. If she hadn’t tripped over own, foot knocking the redheaded girl down with her, that is. It seems she hasn’t quite gotten the hang of walking yet…

Raven stalked forwards, determined not to look back and show Leia that she was offended. This was fine, she would just go do something cool on her own if the other girl didn’t think she was worth her time... (but really, she was just going to go back to the orphanage and complain in her diary about how lame today had been).

Her thoughts were cut off when a sudden weight on her back caused her to fall forwards. “Huh--!?” Of course, she was the first to impact the ground, so there was fresh scrapes on her elbows and knees, the blood coming up fresh.

[+1,500G] For working at Steel Edge Blacksmith’s.

[+1,000G] For working at the Leuda Mining Company

@phoeniixt

After watching fireworks with Pia for a while, Leia told her she had something to do for the rest of the show. She parted ways with her friend to meet up with her friend and neighbor, Raven. Leia was really excited to her, not that she wasn’t excited to see Pia. It’s just that Leia didn’t see her red-headed friend from school as often as she’d like.

Away from the crowds and away from any wandering eyes, Leia soared through the water to the discreet location she hand picked. Past the point the land people would go, a burst of green out of the water where the sand turned to stone.

Leia was afraid she was late, but there was no sight of Raven. Maybe she forgot…or she didn’t didn’t see the note I slipped under her door…or she did and she ignored it. Her head continued to fill with thoughts of worry as she waited, crossing her arms over a large rock and resting her head on them.

Raven hadn’t had many plans for the fireworks festival, and she was honestly expecting to spend it alone. But then, she had received an offer by way of her old friend Leia from high school (whom, in reality, could probably be considered one of her only real friends). She hadn’t expected it, and despite already being familiar with her, she was rather... unsure about the prospect. 

Fireworks and the boardwalk was a different setting from the places they would usually talk. She wasn’t sure what she would do or say. Especially since Leia in particular seemed to think of her as the “cool” one. 

She could only keep up that act for so long.

A knot was forming in Leia’s stomach. How would she get herself out of this one? She couldn’t just say no…Then she would lose the only chance she had at a friend.

“I’m…allergic to water! ..” Leia blurted out. Why did I say that? I already said “I lied earlier..about being the best swimmer…I just wanted to impress you..” That wasn’t any better. She probably thinks I’m an idiot. A desperate idiot. Maybe I am. Why can’t I just keep my mouth shut? Well, there goes another potential friend. And a really cool one too. I want to go back home.

Raven felt a prick of suspicion. Since when was she allergic to water? Did that even exist? It didn’t sound right, especially since her expression didn’t seem to match up with her words. The logical conclusion was obvious -- it just a cop out. 

And for some reason, that led to a strange feeling of... disappointment? ... It’s not like she’s the only one I can ask. But nonetheless, for whatever reason, it was there. She decided to ignore it and crossed her arms, already turning to walk away.

“Wow, you are just so soft! And so cute too!” The wooly’s fur was just as soft as she imagined it being, maybe even the softest of all the woolies she had pet beforehand! “I could pet you forever!” 

The brunette continued to pet the wooly, smiling fondly as she did. She had noticed the sound of footsteps approaching or noticed the person until the wooly turned its attention away from her. 

It wasn’t everyday someone came this deep into Fugue Forest, and she was quite excited to talk to them. However, they didn’t seem to excited to see her here.  The stranger’s tone made her wince a little.

“Oh! Hello,” she began pulling her hand away from the wooly as she straightened herself out. “I was just visiting my home! It’s been a while since I’ve been here." 

She hummed looked around before putting her attention back to the stranger. "What about you, Miss? What brings you here? I’m Ella, by the way. Nice to meet you.”

Raven watched for a brief moment as the female human doted on the small monster. It wasn’t everyday the redhead ran into someone in the middle of the woods... people generally had the common sense not to wander too far, unless they wanted to run the risk of running into some unsavory characters. 

“Your home’s in the woods?” She questioned cynically, the usual bluntness of her tone present. The petite woman before her didn’t seem to be very well-versed in self-defense, at least from purely physical impressions... it didn’t make sense for her to be here. A short silence befell her as she thought of a lie as response to her question -- it wasn’t like she could admit that she was a half-monster and often had to hide somewhere when she felt she could transform freely. 

[+0G] Check failed.

It was going to take sometime adjusting from returning from her trip. Her apartment was muggy from the lack of air conditioning, as well as dusty from the lack of cleaning. Something that could easily be fixed with little effort, but that effort wasn’t going to be put in just yet. The brunette had something else she’d rather do. 

After a bit of walking, Ella arrived at the entrance of Fugue Forest. While it had only been a few months since she last set foot in it, it felt like a century. If it were up to her, she would spend days running around the forest again like she did when she was a child. However, being an adult came with responsibilities and obligations she couldn’t push away. The brunette couldn’t say she hated the lack of free time because she at least enjoyed what she did for work. 

As she strolled through the forest, Ella looked around at her surroundings. Despite constantly being in the vicinity, there was always something new to discover. New plants, new places to explore, new monsters-

“Hm…” She muttered. The rustling of a bush pulled Ella from her thoughts. The brunette grabbed a few branches, pushing them aside before peering into it. Her eyes met with another pair, which belonged to a wooly. A large grin appeared on her face, and she slowly reached out to it. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before! Let me pet you!”

It was a rare moment of quiet for Raven. There weren’t many of those nowadays. Since moving to Leuda, a busy city, hardly a moment came by where the redhead wasn’t assaulted with noise or unwanted social interaction. There was always something going on, even if just the background noise of commotion and passerby.

Now, among the trees and shade of the Fugue Forest, she was hidden and alone with her thoughts. It wasn’t long ago when she’d hate to be left unoccupied too long (it’d lead to rumination and thoughts about her past), but the forest itself brought her peace. The quiet trickle of a river could be heard in the distance, as well as ... the scampering of an all-too-familiar animal. A favorite of hers. A wooly.

She followed the noise, hoping to track down the creature... and stepped into a clearing. But her heart quickly sank when she realized there wasn’t just a wooly... there was a human as well.

[+1,500G] For working at Steel Edge Blacksmith’s.

[+1,000G] For working at the Leuda Mining Company

Leia wandered the halls alone, completely on edge. Everyone was in class so the halls were vacant. She was trying to find her next class, but her sense of direction on land is quite awful. It was her last class so she had to hurry.

Then-that long shrill noise that Leia hated so much echoed out throughout the school followed by the sound of doors opening and the pounding of sneakers coming her way. Afraid to be trampled, Leia raced towards the exit before they caught up.

Finding a safe spot outside of the school, she leaned against the wall and caught her breath. How long had she been looking for the classroom? She slumped forward in a defeated state. Maybe this high school thing just wasn’t for her. If only she could just find her family and returned to what she knew.

At first, Leia didn’t think the redhead coming her way could possibly be approaching her, but she was staring right at Leia. She didn’t know the girl’s name, but she often saw her in the halls. There was something about her that’s just so cool. Just looking at her you could tell she didn’t care what anyone thought about her. If only Leia could be like that.

Caught up in her daydream of being a cool and collected person like the redhead, she forgot that the same redhead was going directly in Leia’s direction…and now right in front of her. Leia was somewhat stunned by the cool person in front of her. She was even stunned by her question, but blinked and quickly knocked out of it.

“Yup! I’m probably the best swimmer in this school!” she responded confidently, perking up at the attention. Could this be her first friend here?

A second later, as she realized what she had just said, a cold sweat ran down her back. She couldn’t just go back and say she couldn’t swim…could she? No, no..that wouldn’t work. Maybe she would just see where the girl was going with this.

As she had approached, she'd noticed the girl's defeated expression, although she made no comment on it. Despite her silence, Raven felt a sense of recognition of some sort. She seemed to be out of place within these school halls, which was an all-too-familiar feeling for herself as well. They stuck out for different reasons, probably -- but outcasts were outcasts, weren't they? The redhead wasn't the best at conversation, but at least the other girl made things relatively straightforward. She didn't seem to question her intentions, which was a good thing, if not somewhat naive. Then again, most people at school were too nosy for her liking. She wasn't one for idle conversation, prefering to cut to the chase. "So the rumors are true then," she said. That wasn't all she'd heard about the mint-haired student, though -- she seemed to be a popular source of gossip.