Solly's RP blog

Brine could see that squinting of Sol’s eyes, that familiar face of not being able to see. The little Demi-Deity saw he had a chance whilst the other herobrine was down. Brine could see the faces Sol made and the possible frustrations those brows gave way to despite his toothy grin. Those punches held a lot of weight in them, that much he could read. But if only Sol had realized where his legs were and not his hands.

With a devious chuckle and a wide smile, Brine decided to see what he could really do. The old Aetherian Warrior instincts were strong, and before Sol could fully gain his bearings, Brine reached down to grab one of his legs.

After smiling with all his sharper canines bared, and as hard as he could, Brine hoisted his opponent over his head. He could feel the rush of what he wanted to try next flooding through his mind, so he quickly turned on his heels and dropped into a crouch.

Brine sprung up from his spot after watching Sol fall for only a moment, then bringing his leg up into a powerful blow to the other brine’s back. As he fell back down, he could hardly wait to see what the other brine would try next. It had been such a long time since he had had a good fight, but he had a feeling that maybe Sol wasn’t as good at fighting as he made himself out to be.

- - -

[You know, I had a lot of ideas where I wanted to do with this next part, but I’m very genuinely happy how this came out!

Quite the distance too, just enough air time for Brine to launch after him and kick him mid-air. What kind of move even was that?!

As he tumbled face first to the ground, rolling in the grass and dirt till he stopped, he caught himself giving Brine an almost awestruck look once he collected himself. It didn't last long as short lived amazement gave way to fury

"Dude, what kind of brawls were you part of?! You didn't even let me hit once and then you pull that!"

This was supposed to be easy. Just a fun fight to beat the boredom, one where they could throw punches without fear of breaking bones or killing on accident.

If this went on any longer like this, Sol would feel like nothing more than a rowdy puppy in comparison to the hundreds of thousands year old herobrine that was his opponent.

Sol didn't like the look on Brines face as it seemed to grow increasingly twisted. It's like he's enjoying the display a little too much. They barely started and it's clear they ain't on the same level nor in the same mindset.

The hooded brine can't beat someone who's bent to win a war. With each caught up breath a thought of failed battles against other brines emerged in his headspace. Each time dying at the hands of enemies who seem to enjoy it a little too much to toy with him.

However, the deep scowl on Sol's face was... familiar. It struck a cord deep within Brine, and that was when he remembered something.

How long had it been now? Celina had fought Brine in hand-to-hand combat over a decade ago. And even though the odds were heavily against her, she came out on top and defeated the most powerful Demi-Deity in her server, and then show him mercy.

Brine's eyes seemed to flicker for a second as he shook his head. Sol's deep sneer reminded him of the last good fight he had had. Celina had fought Brine with her own hands to save her people, her friends, Cenlar, Steve, and didn't have a second thought of her own well being. She fought Brine and beat him because she had to.

He just knew Sol could do better than that. If Celina could defeat him in that moment, than Sol was more than capable. Maybe, he could... show him a few moves in the process of this brawl?

- - -

[Reblogging to here on my new RP side blog! Since this roleplay is probably going to be a little longer and I'd like to just post any pictures from this point on in one big post once this RP is done! :D

Sorry for taking so long to respond, Solly, I've been... so busy and seasonal depression is hitting me like a semi-truck.

Did he just hear right? If it were easy it wouldn't be fun? Of course it would be, he thought! He wanted a tussle not a challenge. A bit of roughhousing, not a confrontation. He wasn't that eager to just win a fight. Not out of necessity nor out of spite, although it would be nice to call victory over a fellow herobrine.

He has nothing to fight for except a bit of fun. He just wanted to rid himself of the spiraling thoughts in his head. Just a small distraction. He's done of the shallow repeating thoughts and endless ramblings in his mind. He does not think when he fights- for what purpose when most prior fights were always decided within seconds with only few exceptions.

Mortals were fragile after all. While Brine could easily be mistaken for one if it weren't for his eyes, he deemed more resilient and combat trained than Sol could've anticipated. Who thought someone with such a soft aura who has only shown kindness and patience could pack a punch quite like that.

It's not that Sol didn't want to win this fight and beat Brine. He simply didn't want the fight to end too soon- Sure, they exchanged some beats and kicks so far, but they just started after all.

[...]

With a low growl the younger brine brought himself to stand again. He's still unsure where the power scale settles, neither know what the other can do in full extend. Still, he knows he can't take too many hits- he can't afford being thrown around like that.

They may not be on equal footing, but this is just for fun. Right? Any fight is for fun in Sol's eyes, although he isn't too eager in fighting those superior to him and getting stomped. Still this fight is between friends not foes. Why not sprinkle in some of his own flaire?

"Well, that's easy for you to say!" Sol's voice blarred, more boisterous than before, and he pointed a confrontig claw at Brine. "Toying with me, aren't you? Throwing me around like a ragdoll? You seem to enjoy this plenty already! Grinning like a viscious animal-"

"You want this to be fun? Then how about you get your head on my level, your highness." Starring Brine down with a piercing sneer, Sol inclined down in one smooth movement, giving him a deep exaggerated bow that appears a little too practiced to be foreign to Sol.

@the-raptors-lore

The allay looked up to the Illager "Ah I'm sure you're not used to talking to spirits... but yes, I am... or rather was alive once." Jenny started to speak to Sirius."And this may surprise you, but I was a Villager when I was alive. In fact; Betty, Mathew, and the rest of us that follow Orchid were all villagers when we were alive..."

She floated to be close to eye level with the Illager. "As for how I died, well... childbirth is always a health risk." She looked sad for a moment."I never got to see my child after they were born... and if I had known that I wouldn't wake back up, I would have asked to see them." She then perked back up."But the next thing I knew, I was digging myself out of sand and found a baby laying close by. It wasn't hard to figure out that I dug myself of my own grave, but for someone to leave a newborn out in the sands like that was very neglectful..." She looks to Sirius."I never met an Illager in my living life, but I doubt that they would willingly just leave a newborn like that all alone..."

She sounded as if looking for hope that she was right, that Illagers wouldn't just leave a newborn out in the wilds like that...

He gave the question a moment of thought, letting his eyes wander across the vines and shelves along the walls stopping to look outside. The rain still falling in small waves, speckling the windows in raindrops.

"That... isn't a custom where I am from, if that eases your mind at all," Sirius started cautiously but honestly. He gave the allay a look just to move his attention away again. Staying positive isn't always his strong suit, even with Jenny's pleading eyes putting pressure on him. "But I can't deny that other communities might do such a thing- Cull the weak. Nurish the strong. I haven't heard of mothers just leaving their children wherever in the wilderness. Especially not newborn infants. Near a grave."

"Most usually fall in their teen years, on their first patrol or under harsher training. Then they still have chances to prove their skills or intuiton. Younger than that though? Even illagers spare the young, but I can imagine if times are dire, they just couldn't care for any more children and kept the ones that could fight. Something could've happened to the mother and the others couldn't care for it. Maybe it was just negligence."

"I don't know what to tell you." He finally looked back at her and simply gave her a halfhearted shrug. "I can't say it's impossible to happen. I don't know how much villagers and illagers differ in that regard."

Jenny then looked up to Sirius. "As for the baby, well... she was found by Father Syrus shortly after I dug myself out." She looked back over to Orchid... "In fact, it was Father Syrus who named the newborn Orchid." She sounded as if she had a smile in her voice.

It was then the vex, Mathew, flew in the room from the door... flying over to Orchid, who fidgeted in or sleep like she was having a nightmare...

"Syrus-", Sirus repeated. "'Father' Syrus- Orchid mentioned him before. The cleric?" He didn't exactly pay that much attention when he first met Orchid and she told of her upbringing in a village among villagers. Although it's likely he didn't remember Syrus' name for the story's sake, but from the moment the creation of god' apples slipped out. The cleric was the one to teach her how, if he didn't misremember.

Sirius didn't budge from his spot when the vex came flying back into the room. He just wondered briefly where the other allay was left, before moving his attention back to Jenny.

"No wonder she had it rough out there. She was never taught how to fight, was she?", he asked, watching Orchid's uneasy stirring. Who knows how long she struggled on her own out there.

|| Beep Boop

|| https://artfight.net/character/4021710.sirius

@the-raptors-lore

The allay looked up to the Illager "Ah I'm sure you're not used to talking to spirits... but yes, I am... or rather was alive once." Jenny started to speak to Sirius."And this may surprise you, but I was a Villager when I was alive. In fact; Betty, Mathew, and the rest of us that follow Orchid were all villagers when we were alive..."

She floated to be close to eye level with the Illager. "As for how I died, well... childbirth is always a health risk." She looked sad for a moment."I never got to see my child after they were born... and if I had known that I wouldn't wake back up, I would have asked to see them." She then perked back up."But the next thing I knew, I was digging myself out of sand and found a baby laying close by. It wasn't hard to figure out that I dug myself of my own grave, but for someone to leave a newborn out in the sands like that was very neglectful..." She looks to Sirius."I never met an Illager in my living life, but I doubt that they would willingly just leave a newborn like that all alone..."

She sounded as if looking for hope that she was right, that Illagers wouldn't just leave a newborn out in the wilds like that...

He gave the question a moment of thought, letting his eyes wander across the vines and shelves along the walls stopping to look outside. The rain still falling in small waves, speckling the windows in raindrops.

"That... isn't a custom where I am from, if that eases your mind at all," Sirius started cautiously but honestly. He gave the allay a look just to move his attention away again. Staying positive isn't always his strong suit, even with Jenny's pleading eyes putting pressure on him. "But I can't deny that other communities might do such a thing- Cull the weak. Nurish the strong. I haven't heard of mothers just leaving their children wherever in the wilderness. Especially not newborn infants. Near a grave."

"Most usually fall in their teen years, on their first patrol or under harsher training. Then they still have chances to prove their skills or intuiton. Younger than that though? Even illagers spare the young, but I can imagine if times are dire, they just couldn't care for any more children and kept the ones that could fight. Something could've happened to the mother and the others couldn't care for it. Maybe it was just negligence."

"I don't know what to tell you." He finally looked back at her and simply gave her a halfhearted shrug. "I can't say it's impossible to happen. I don't know how much villagers and illagers differ in that regard."

( My turn; @the-raptors-lore )

She nodded her head lightly. It will probably cost a fortune for what she as done for her... "Thank you." Orchid gave her a weak small smile. "I wish to give you something in return... and don't worry about the clothes, they are to worn beyond fixing..." she gave a slight laugh as she moved both hands to bring forth a satchual from her magical inventory. A trick her mentor showed her...

She opened the bag to show a few small pouches as well as what looked like folded lightly blue cloth with a little silver. She reached in without looking and pulled out a apple shaped object wrapped in dark cloth.

"I want you to have this... for saving my life." Orchid smiled.

It was an enchanted golden apple. The magic still strong as if it was made fresh...

The old Allay with the hat flew up and to the door, wanting to check up on Sirius...

Gwyndolin's demeanor didn't change a bit, but there was a mischevious twinkle in her eyes as she paused. While she brushed Orchid's offer aside, she wasn't oblivious to what power the item held. No one has reason to cover up just a regular apple let alone try to pay with it. She didn't quite catch the implications; How the illager got a, so labeled, 'god apple' in the first place, what the robes in her bag told of her profession, why Sirius was intent to safe her- He didn't talk in depth with her as seems, nor did he tell her of Orchid's background. Gwyn was left in the dark.

"I'll talk with the big guy about payment. He's the one who brought you in after all and he has a job that actually pays him. So, don't worry about it." she gave Orchid's hand a few encouraging pats before she withdrew her own.

"You weren't caught in a battle or torn apart by beasts- You still have all your limbs! Heh- Your case wasn't too complicated in comparision. A bit scratched up, roughed up, tumbled, hurt and hungry, restless- Got lost in the wilds I'd assume?"

"You might actually be good to go after you rested up and ate something," she mused on, her voice clear and inviting, mirroring familiar villager courtesy as she put her hands together in a familiar gesture. "I have some mushroom stew cooking up in my cauldron- if you don't mind some oddball ingredients in there." She let out a chuckle with a hint of mischief, before she'd finally give Orchid time to take everything in.

[---]

On the allays detour out of the room she'd find herself in a hallway connecting to various rooms. Their doors were ajar and tempting any prying eye to peek inside.

A room filled with dried plants, slivers of metal shavings, spider eyes and other curious ingrediences surrounding flasks and bubbling liquids cooking on glowings stands. The room's centerpiece was a big plain cauldron although it seemed empty and the fire below snuffed out. The brewing room.

Another door at the far end of the hall leading to an empty room, a bed with a cat plush lovingly spotted with soot set atop of it and orderly folded clothes laid aside- except one pile thrown astrew.

Moving on, then a storage for everything not a plant or useful for brewing, and next to it a tiny in-doors garden for festering netherwart. Still, no Sirius in sight.

The hut wasn't too big, rooms woven tight alongside another, but it had rooms for every need. A non-brewing kitchen, although equally adorned with plants and oddities not meant to conventional cooking, a considerably smaller cauldron holds the warm soup ready for hungry guests. Through the windows a stable elevated above the murky waters of the swamps can be seen.

The warm comfortable atmosphere followed each room although each and every of them were touroughly cluttered.

Then there was a sudden tap on the frame of the window. A light blue parrot was perched close by in the open window. It flew in and landed next to Sirius and gave a light squawk. It seemed to sit down a letter with his name on it as well as a strange trinket big enough to fit in his hand. It tapped it speak to the letter, then took a few steps back allowing him to pick it up so if he wishes.

He took both trinket and the letter...

As he opened the letter it was written in illager, though it seemed to be done by someone who was struggling to understand the words... It read;

Salutations Sirius,

You nor Orchid know me but I have been keeping an eye on her. You know she is special but not for the reasons you think. This may not concern you much but there is a threat out there far worse than any that this world has come across so far... And time is short. I wish to explain things further, but in a safe environment. Below or a set of coordinates to a safe bunker where I can at least explain the situation. If you wish to come alone then that is fine, but I will try not to take too much of your time if you do.

In turn, I wish to show you that I am of good faith and I bestowing my latest invention on to you. I call it the soul translator... It will allow you to hear what spirits are saying. It is simple to use; just place your finger on the gem to turn it on and place it on the gem again to turn it off. If left on it can run 7 days, and it automatically charges while in the off position. When drain completely it takes a full 24 hours to recharge. I Enchanted it with a few new enchantments that are best suited for Illagers; Illager Bane Protection 3 will prevent a hero's object enchanted with Illager Bane of any level from causing increasing damage. It also has loyalty 3 and mending... The second you touch it it will be linked to your energy and no one else will be able to use it.

Oh, there is a slight bug with it... Nothing much but at random you might be able to see the true form of the spirit in which you are talking to... But nothing to worry about it's not permanent.

Sincerely, Alexander

Upon reading the message, unbothered by misspelled words or misshapen letters, Sirius had to pause and consider for a good while.

Alexander- Well, that isn't a name he recognises and if the letter spoke true then Orchid wouldn't either. He didn't expect her to have a stalker following her. It almost seemed like a secret admirer of Orchid's if the mention of a bigger threat wasn't mentioned along the passages.

It indeed didn't concern the illager. He heard enough stories of impending doom and catastrophies to come- for some to turn out true and others not. If there were dragons, beasts and new monsters at the rise, he wouldn't go out of his way to stop it. Afterall, he isn't a hero who's concerned with saving strangers- let alone the world.

All the while, Sirius wouldn't brush away the generous gift left for him, especially if it was something unique as a new invention. Turning the pendant in his hands, he didn't really see any use in it except the added passive protection. He wasn't one to mingle with magic or lost souls. He could sell it, exchange it for supplies later-

Certainly, there is a good amount of scepticism lingering in the back of his mind. He himself never felt attuned to magic. An item not demanding certain skills or expertise in that field to work makes him doubt it'll do anything in the first place. An enchanters tome doesn't do much unless you know how to handle it. An artifact rendered useless unless you know how to fuel it.

For an item to have such a long effect duration yet only needs a fraction of the time to recharge on it's own sounds too good to be true. One won't know unless he tried it. It'll last a week according to the letter and he could freely spare a day to regenrate the energy, no big deal, according to the letter.

With a nonchalant press on the button, the artifact lit up, but remained rather unimpressive to the illager. With a deep exhale Sirius brought himself to stand up and stetch. There's no time to linger and watch a piece of jewlery to do something fancy. If Orchid recovered well enough, he'd much rather get back on the road. The sooner the better. With that thought he'd saunter along the doors to join the others, and check on his temporary companion. The faint glow of the translator, now haphazardly attached to his belt, following each of his steps as he left the bird behind.

'I'm a terrible guardian...' came a male voice

'It's not your fault... She just needs some rest...' followed a female voice... 'Oh, I'm sorry. Did we wake you?' the Allay asked Sirius.

'You know he cannot hear what we are saying...' the Allay wearing the straw hat stated and a voice reminiscent of an old grandmother 'And Mathew better get himself together soon...' she floated past Sirius to the two...

The new voices almost took Sirius by surprise. The gifted artifact wasn't a hoax after all and actually worked. He expected some drawback as magic items tend to have, but the voices were clear. Yet he could swear he still heard the chimes and whistles underneath.

He practically leered at each of them as they spoke. He'd much rather get going now that they got to rest for a moment rather than chat with Orchids' little familiars, but to his mild annoyance he found the other illager fast asleep. His first thought was to shake her awake but he reconsidered. He doubts Gwyn would be happy for messing with one of her patients, nor does he think Orchid's little "guardians" would let him near her.

He briefly glanced at the glowing pendant tied to his belt before turning his attention back to the spirits.

"I can hear you, actually. Now I do anyway," he started reluctantly. Communicating with spirits is a first for him, even if it's rather simple. "I couldn't understand your yapping before. Since you're eager to stick around may elaborate what's the deal with you guys?"

"Oh, do forgive me... I did not realize your new item could assist you in understanding us." The allay with the straw hat apologize "You can call me Granny, or Betty if you prefer names..." she then pointed to the pare behind her...

"The other allay like myself is Jenny..."

"Hello~" the other allay waived friendly...

"And the moping vex is Mathew..."

"Hey! I'm not mopy!" The vex hissed...

"I don't know why that boy has a chip on his shoulder, but don't let him get to you to much..." the older allay said, sounding like she was smiling as she said that...

"As to answer your question, well..." Jenny started to say "We... just feel a connection to her."

"Look. We will be here for a long time if we told you ALL our stories as to why we are here..." Mathew stated "Do you really want to be bored to tea-HAY!!!" the vex was pushed by Jenny...

"I'll start as I've been with her the longest~" the Allay seemed eager to tell her story... the vex only huffed as he then left through the wall...

They have names- For some reason that fact surprised Sirius. He thought them annoying before, but now they appeared quite lifely now that he understood them.

He couldn't put in words what exactly he expected allays and vexes to sound like other than undead. Void of personality and individuality, giggles and screeches, really. What even are souls other than leftovers from dead things? Echos, if anything. Floating around like noisy bugs or someones pet.

The moment he understood their words, his view was flipped sideways and back. Thinking for another moment while the allay and vex departed, the illager gave sleeping Orchid a brief glance.

"I suppose we aren't leaving too soon anyway." He spoke half-exasperated from impatience and the situation at hand. Picking up a stranger just to be sent on a side-quest by a third unknown party via letter wasn't exactly on his day plan.

"I guess I have time to listen to your backstory."

( My turn; @the-raptors-lore )

She nodded her head lightly. It will probably cost a fortune for what she as done for her... "Thank you." Orchid gave her a weak small smile. "I wish to give you something in return... and don't worry about the clothes, they are to worn beyond fixing..." she gave a slight laugh as she moved both hands to bring forth a satchual from her magical inventory. A trick her mentor showed her...

She opened the bag to show a few small pouches as well as what looked like folded lightly blue cloth with a little silver. She reached in without looking and pulled out a apple shaped object wrapped in dark cloth.

"I want you to have this... for saving my life." Orchid smiled.

It was an enchanted golden apple. The magic still strong as if it was made fresh...

The old Allay with the hat flew up and to the door, wanting to check up on Sirius...

Gwyndolin's demeanor didn't change a bit, but there was a mischevious twinkle in her eyes as she paused. While she brushed Orchid's offer aside, she wasn't oblivious to what power the item held. No one has reason to cover up just a regular apple let alone try to pay with it. She didn't quite catch the implications; How the illager got a, so labeled, 'god apple' in the first place, what the robes in her bag told of her profession, why Sirius was intent to safe her- He didn't talk in depth with her as seems, nor did he tell her of Orchid's background. Gwyn was left in the dark.

"I'll talk with the big guy about payment. He's the one who brought you in after all and he has a job that actually pays him. So, don't worry about it." she gave Orchid's hand a few encouraging pats before she withdrew her own.

"You weren't caught in a battle or torn apart by beasts- You still have all your limbs! Heh- Your case wasn't too complicated in comparision. A bit scratched up, roughed up, tumbled, hurt and hungry, restless- Got lost in the wilds I'd assume?"

"You might actually be good to go after you rested up and ate something," she mused on, her voice clear and inviting, mirroring familiar villager courtesy as she put her hands together in a familiar gesture. "I have some mushroom stew cooking up in my cauldron- if you don't mind some oddball ingredients in there." She let out a chuckle with a hint of mischief, before she'd finally give Orchid time to take everything in.

[---]

On the allays detour out of the room she'd find herself in a hallway connecting to various rooms. Their doors were ajar and tempting any prying eye to peek inside.

A room filled with dried plants, slivers of metal shavings, spider eyes and other curious ingrediences surrounding flasks and bubbling liquids cooking on glowings stands. The room's centerpiece was a big plain cauldron although it seemed empty and the fire below snuffed out. The brewing room.

Another door at the far end of the hall leading to an empty room, a bed with a cat plush lovingly spotted with soot set atop of it and orderly folded clothes laid aside- except one pile thrown astrew.

Moving on, then a storage for everything not a plant or useful for brewing, and next to it a tiny in-doors garden for festering netherwart. Still, no Sirius in sight.

The hut wasn't too big, rooms woven tight alongside another, but it had rooms for every need. A non-brewing kitchen, although equally adorned with plants and oddities not meant to conventional cooking, a considerably smaller cauldron holds the warm soup ready for hungry guests. Through the windows a stable elevated above the murky waters of the swamps can be seen.

The warm comfortable atmosphere followed each room although each and every of them were touroughly cluttered.

Then there was a sudden tap on the frame of the window. A light blue parrot was perched close by in the open window. It flew in and landed next to Sirius and gave a light squawk. It seemed to sit down a letter with his name on it as well as a strange trinket big enough to fit in his hand. It tapped it speak to the letter, then took a few steps back allowing him to pick it up so if he wishes.

He took both trinket and the letter...

As he opened the letter it was written in illager, though it seemed to be done by someone who was struggling to understand the words... It read;

Salutations Sirius,

You nor Orchid know me but I have been keeping an eye on her. You know she is special but not for the reasons you think. This may not concern you much but there is a threat out there far worse than any that this world has come across so far... And time is short. I wish to explain things further, but in a safe environment. Below or a set of coordinates to a safe bunker where I can at least explain the situation. If you wish to come alone then that is fine, but I will try not to take too much of your time if you do.

In turn, I wish to show you that I am of good faith and I bestowing my latest invention on to you. I call it the soul translator... It will allow you to hear what spirits are saying. It is simple to use; just place your finger on the gem to turn it on and place it on the gem again to turn it off. If left on it can run 7 days, and it automatically charges while in the off position. When drain completely it takes a full 24 hours to recharge. I Enchanted it with a few new enchantments that are best suited for Illagers; Illager Bane Protection 3 will prevent a hero's object enchanted with Illager Bane of any level from causing increasing damage. It also has loyalty 3 and mending... The second you touch it it will be linked to your energy and no one else will be able to use it.

Oh, there is a slight bug with it... Nothing much but at random you might be able to see the true form of the spirit in which you are talking to... But nothing to worry about it's not permanent.

Sincerely, Alexander

Upon reading the message, unbothered by misspelled words or misshapen letters, Sirius had to pause and consider for a good while.

Alexander- Well, that isn't a name he recognises and if the letter spoke true then Orchid wouldn't either. He didn't expect her to have a stalker following her. It almost seemed like a secret admirer of Orchid's if the mention of a bigger threat wasn't mentioned along the passages.

It indeed didn't concern the illager. He heard enough stories of impending doom and catastrophies to come- for some to turn out true and others not. If there were dragons, beasts and new monsters at the rise, he wouldn't go out of his way to stop it. Afterall, he isn't a hero who's concerned with saving strangers- let alone the world.

All the while, Sirius wouldn't brush away the generous gift left for him, especially if it was something unique as a new invention. Turning the pendant in his hands, he didn't really see any use in it except the added passive protection. He wasn't one to mingle with magic or lost souls. He could sell it, exchange it for supplies later-

Certainly, there is a good amount of scepticism lingering in the back of his mind. He himself never felt attuned to magic. An item not demanding certain skills or expertise in that field to work makes him doubt it'll do anything in the first place. An enchanters tome doesn't do much unless you know how to handle it. An artifact rendered useless unless you know how to fuel it.

For an item to have such a long effect duration yet only needs a fraction of the time to recharge on it's own sounds too good to be true. One won't know unless he tried it. It'll last a week according to the letter and he could freely spare a day to regenrate the energy, no big deal, according to the letter.

With a nonchalant press on the button, the artifact lit up, but remained rather unimpressive to the illager. With a deep exhale Sirius brought himself to stand up and stetch. There's no time to linger and watch a piece of jewlery to do something fancy. If Orchid recovered well enough, he'd much rather get back on the road. The sooner the better. With that thought he'd saunter along the doors to join the others, and check on his temporary companion. The faint glow of the translator, now haphazardly attached to his belt, following each of his steps as he left the bird behind.

'I'm a terrible guardian...' came a male voice

'It's not your fault... She just needs some rest...' followed a female voice... 'Oh, I'm sorry. Did we wake you?' the Allay asked Sirius.

'You know he cannot hear what we are saying...' the Allay wearing the straw hat stated and a voice reminiscent of an old grandmother 'And Mathew better get himself together soon...' she floated past Sirius to the two...

The new voices almost took Sirius by surprise. The gifted artifact wasn't a hoax after all and actually worked. He expected some drawback as magic items tend to have, but the voices were clear. Yet he could swear he still heard the chimes and whistles underneath.

He practically leered at each of them as they spoke. He'd much rather get going now that they got to rest for a moment rather than chat with Orchids' little familiars, but to his mild annoyance he found the other illager fast asleep. His first thought was to shake her awake but he reconsidered. He doubts Gwyn would be happy for messing with one of her patients, nor does he think Orchid's little "guardians" would let him near her.

He briefly glanced at the glowing pendant tied to his belt before turning his attention back to the spirits.

"I can hear you, actually. Now I do anyway," he started reluctantly. Communicating with spirits is a first for him, even if it's rather simple. "I couldn't understand your yapping before. Since you're eager to stick around may elaborate what's the deal with you guys?"

( My turn; @the-raptors-lore )

She nodded her head lightly. It will probably cost a fortune for what she as done for her... "Thank you." Orchid gave her a weak small smile. "I wish to give you something in return... and don't worry about the clothes, they are to worn beyond fixing..." she gave a slight laugh as she moved both hands to bring forth a satchual from her magical inventory. A trick her mentor showed her...

She opened the bag to show a few small pouches as well as what looked like folded lightly blue cloth with a little silver. She reached in without looking and pulled out a apple shaped object wrapped in dark cloth.

"I want you to have this... for saving my life." Orchid smiled.

It was an enchanted golden apple. The magic still strong as if it was made fresh...

The old Allay with the hat flew up and to the door, wanting to check up on Sirius...

Gwyndolin's demeanor didn't change a bit, but there was a mischevious twinkle in her eyes as she paused. While she brushed Orchid's offer aside, she wasn't oblivious to what power the item held. No one has reason to cover up just a regular apple let alone try to pay with it. She didn't quite catch the implications; How the illager got a, so labeled, 'god apple' in the first place, what the robes in her bag told of her profession, why Sirius was intent to safe her- He didn't talk in depth with her as seems, nor did he tell her of Orchid's background. Gwyn was left in the dark.

"I'll talk with the big guy about payment. He's the one who brought you in after all and he has a job that actually pays him. So, don't worry about it." she gave Orchid's hand a few encouraging pats before she withdrew her own.

"You weren't caught in a battle or torn apart by beasts- You still have all your limbs! Heh- Your case wasn't too complicated in comparision. A bit scratched up, roughed up, tumbled, hurt and hungry, restless- Got lost in the wilds I'd assume?"

"You might actually be good to go after you rested up and ate something," she mused on, her voice clear and inviting, mirroring familiar villager courtesy as she put her hands together in a familiar gesture. "I have some mushroom stew cooking up in my cauldron- if you don't mind some oddball ingredients in there." She let out a chuckle with a hint of mischief, before she'd finally give Orchid time to take everything in.

[---]

On the allays detour out of the room she'd find herself in a hallway connecting to various rooms. Their doors were ajar and tempting any prying eye to peek inside.

A room filled with dried plants, slivers of metal shavings, spider eyes and other curious ingrediences surrounding flasks and bubbling liquids cooking on glowings stands. The room's centerpiece was a big plain cauldron although it seemed empty and the fire below snuffed out. The brewing room.

Another door at the far end of the hall leading to an empty room, a bed with a cat plush lovingly spotted with soot set atop of it and orderly folded clothes laid aside- except one pile thrown astrew.

Moving on, then a storage for everything not a plant or useful for brewing, and next to it a tiny in-doors garden for festering netherwart. Still, no Sirius in sight.

The hut wasn't too big, rooms woven tight alongside another, but it had rooms for every need. A non-brewing kitchen, although equally adorned with plants and oddities not meant to conventional cooking, a considerably smaller cauldron holds the warm soup ready for hungry guests. Through the windows a stable elevated above the murky waters of the swamps can be seen.

The warm comfortable atmosphere followed each room although each and every of them were touroughly cluttered.

Then there was a sudden tap on the frame of the window. A light blue parrot was perched close by in the open window. It flew in and landed next to Sirius and gave a light squawk. It seemed to sit down a letter with his name on it as well as a strange trinket big enough to fit in his hand. It tapped it speak to the letter, then took a few steps back allowing him to pick it up so if he wishes.

He took both trinket and the letter...

As he opened the letter it was written in illager, though it seemed to be done by someone who was struggling to understand the words... It read;

Salutations Sirius,

You nor Orchid know me but I have been keeping an eye on her. You know she is special but not for the reasons you think. This may not concern you much but there is a threat out there far worse than any that this world has come across so far... And time is short. I wish to explain things further, but in a safe environment. Below or a set of coordinates to a safe bunker where I can at least explain the situation. If you wish to come alone then that is fine, but I will try not to take too much of your time if you do.

In turn, I wish to show you that I am of good faith and I bestowing my latest invention on to you. I call it the soul translator... It will allow you to hear what spirits are saying. It is simple to use; just place your finger on the gem to turn it on and place it on the gem again to turn it off. If left on it can run 7 days, and it automatically charges while in the off position. When drain completely it takes a full 24 hours to recharge. I Enchanted it with a few new enchantments that are best suited for Illagers; Illager Bane Protection 3 will prevent a hero's object enchanted with Illager Bane of any level from causing increasing damage. It also has loyalty 3 and mending... The second you touch it it will be linked to your energy and no one else will be able to use it.

Oh, there is a slight bug with it... Nothing much but at random you might be able to see the true form of the spirit in which you are talking to... But nothing to worry about it's not permanent.

Sincerely, Alexander

Upon reading the message, unbothered by misspelled words or misshapen letters, Sirius had to pause and consider for a good while.

Alexander- Well, that isn't a name he recognises and if the letter spoke true then Orchid wouldn't either. He didn't expect her to have a stalker following her. It almost seemed like a secret admirer of Orchid's if the mention of a bigger threat wasn't mentioned along the passages.

It indeed didn't concern the illager. He heard enough stories of impending doom and catastrophies to come- for some to turn out true and others not. If there were dragons, beasts and new monsters at the rise, he wouldn't go out of his way to stop it. Afterall, he isn't a hero who's concerned with saving strangers- let alone the world.

All the while, Sirius wouldn't brush away the generous gift left for him, especially if it was something unique as a new invention. Turning the pendant in his hands, he didn't really see any use in it except the added passive protection. He wasn't one to mingle with magic or lost souls. He could sell it, exchange it for supplies later-

Certainly, there is a good amount of scepticism lingering in the back of his mind. He himself never felt attuned to magic. An item not demanding certain skills or expertise in that field to work makes him doubt it'll do anything in the first place. An enchanters tome doesn't do much unless you know how to handle it. An artifact rendered useless unless you know how to fuel it.

For an item to have such a long effect duration yet only needs a fraction of the time to recharge on it's own sounds too good to be true. One won't know unless he tried it. It'll last a week according to the letter and he could freely spare a day to regenrate the energy, no big deal, according to the letter.

With a nonchalant press on the button, the artifact lit up, but remained rather unimpressive to the illager. With a deep exhale Sirius brought himself to stand up and stetch. There's no time to linger and watch a piece of jewlery to do something fancy. If Orchid recovered well enough, he'd much rather get back on the road. The sooner the better. With that thought he'd saunter along the doors to join the others, and check on his temporary companion. The faint glow of the translator, now haphazardly attached to his belt, following each of his steps as he left the bird behind.

( My turn; @the-raptors-lore )

She nodded her head lightly. It will probably cost a fortune for what she as done for her... "Thank you." Orchid gave her a weak small smile. "I wish to give you something in return... and don't worry about the clothes, they are to worn beyond fixing..." she gave a slight laugh as she moved both hands to bring forth a satchual from her magical inventory. A trick her mentor showed her...

She opened the bag to show a few small pouches as well as what looked like folded lightly blue cloth with a little silver. She reached in without looking and pulled out a apple shaped object wrapped in dark cloth.

"I want you to have this... for saving my life." Orchid smiled.

It was an enchanted golden apple. The magic still strong as if it was made fresh...

The old Allay with the hat flew up and to the door, wanting to check up on Sirius...

Gwyndolin's demeanor didn't change a bit, but there was a mischevious twinkle in her eyes as she paused. While she brushed Orchid's offer aside, she wasn't oblivious to what power the item held. No one has reason to cover up just a regular apple let alone try to pay with it. She didn't quite catch the implications; How the illager got a, so labeled, 'god apple' in the first place, what the robes in her bag told of her profession, why Sirius was intent to safe her- He didn't talk in depth with her as seems, nor did he tell her of Orchid's background. Gwyn was left in the dark.

"I'll talk with the big guy about payment. He's the one who brought you in after all and he has a job that actually pays him. So, don't worry about it." she gave Orchid's hand a few encouraging pats before she withdrew her own.

"You weren't caught in a battle or torn apart by beasts- You still have all your limbs! Heh- Your case wasn't too complicated in comparision. A bit scratched up, roughed up, tumbled, hurt and hungry, restless- Got lost in the wilds I'd assume?"

"You might actually be good to go after you rested up and ate something," she mused on, her voice clear and inviting, mirroring familiar villager courtesy as she put her hands together in a familiar gesture. "I have some mushroom stew cooking up in my cauldron- if you don't mind some oddball ingredients in there." She let out a chuckle with a hint of mischief, before she'd finally give Orchid time to take everything in.

[---]

On the allays detour out of the room she'd find herself in a hallway connecting to various rooms. Their doors were ajar and tempting any prying eye to peek inside.

A room filled with dried plants, slivers of metal shavings, spider eyes and other curious ingrediences surrounding flasks and bubbling liquids cooking on glowings stands. The room's centerpiece was a big plain cauldron although it seemed empty and the fire below snuffed out. The brewing room.

Another door at the far end of the hall leading to an empty room, a bed with a cat plush lovingly spotted with soot set atop of it and orderly folded clothes laid aside- except one pile thrown astrew.

Moving on, then a storage for everything not a plant or useful for brewing, and next to it a tiny in-doors garden for festering netherwart. Still, no Sirius in sight.

The hut wasn't too big, rooms woven tight alongside another, but it had rooms for every need. A non-brewing kitchen, although equally adorned with plants and oddities not meant to conventional cooking, a considerably smaller cauldron holds the warm soup ready for hungry guests. Through the windows a stable elevated above the murky waters of the swamps can be seen.

The warm comfortable atmosphere followed each room although each and every of them were touroughly cluttered.

@alphatimeline-orchid

‐---------------------------------------------

"No offense taken," Sirius reassured her unbothered and merely shrugged his shoulders. He's the one who worded it like that; from experience nonetheless.

A sound left him when Orchid mentioned her encounter with camping illagers. It could've been anything from an amused exhale to a scoff.

"No wonder. Most groups are based on- mh, let’s say respect. You gotta butt your heads with them, show 'em what you got, grow some horns. Otherwise none is going to accept you being around," he chimed in to lecture her. It was such a small natural rule he was familiar with from a young age, but Orchid simply didn't experience such.

"Being all…" He pauses again, looking Orchid over. "Soft and passive and all talk doesn't really speak to most." He wouldn't consider her particularly dangerous or physically strong by the looks; and the rowdy and the rough love to pick on those who feign innocence.

[...]

The Allay disrupting Orchid mid speech, the Vex jumping into position, but mostly the sudden wave of dread emitting from them had Sirius alarmed in an instant. Instinctively reaching for the crossbow at his side, stopping only pixels away from it, he registered this wasn't an attempt for a strike but a slip up in Orchid' muttered words.

He froze in place, peering at her. There was a heavy pause as he questioned himself if he even heard right. This couldn't be true, he must've misheard. Such apples can't be crafted if that's what she meant to say out loud.

Still, there is no doubt. Keeping his eyes on her, Orchids expression alongside her little guardians whizzing about like bees protecting their nest spoke for itself. A secret he wasn't meant to overhear.

He slowly dropped his guard again, straightening up ever so slowly. This wasn't the time to interrogate her. Not out here. They've lingered too long in one place for his liking anyway.

"... Speaking of healers. You might wanna see one," he changed the subject almost nonchalantly. Even if he assumed a neutral pose, leaving his hands in the open, away from the weapons at his side, the air felt heavy; too heavy to take a breath or relax just yet.

Without another word he turned and walked up to his ravager, leaving Orchid to herself for a moment. He'd nudge Silas in the sides with his knee to prompt her to pay attention, who in turn decided to ignore him. Chewing on the rest of the hay bale now enclosed in the beast's jaws, she only answered with varied growls and drawn out rumbles, complaining furiously.

Catching his foot in the stirrup, Sirius mounted the ravager in one smooth movement. An easy move while Silas was laying.

Even if he wasn't looking at her, his attention was on Orchid at all times, he listened for movement, her shuffling, the chimes of her companions, any step she'd take, until he turned to adress her.

“Come on. I know someone who can fix you up. I think you'll like them,” he spoke almost too calmly for comfort. Giving her an encouraging nod towards the free space behind him, he outstretched his hand just in case she'd need it. 

Sirius has been considerably nicer than others and had made an effort to help out a stranger, but there's no chance to read his intentions now. Orchid's slip up in words might have tipped the scales to warrant his suspicion, or he truly didn't hear or believe her.

One of the Allays was kind enough to pick the canteen that Orchid had dropped and carried it for her.

Feeling tired once more she stretched her hand out to his... "A real rest would be nice for once..." she gave him a small grin as she took his hand...

"I apologize for Mathew's behavior, he is a bit... overprotective at times. I don't know why..."

As she sat behind him, two of the Vex and a single Allay poofed away leaving Mathew, the Allay with the canteen, and the Allay that looked like a farmer...

The canteen holding Allay seemed to be scolding Mathew in high pitched whistles...

"Thank you... for everything. If there is anything I can do to repay you... please don't hesitate to tell me." She thanked him as she tried to not bother the Ravanger too much. Though tired, she decided to wait till they where in a safe place...

"You can barely hold your head up. We can discuss that- later." Orchid isn't helpful in her current state nor could he estimate the cost of fixing her up yet. Of course he's eager to hear more of those elusive enchanted apples she muttered about earlier. He'd love that to be an option to obtain, but the time alone in the wilds taught him patience. He'll confront her eventually- in due time.

"Oh, you mean the metal piece? It… is something like a mark of my tribe so we recognise each other if different patrols happen to run into each other." His shoulders slump before he could end the sentence, but recovered quickly as he perks up and turns to face Orchid for a moment.

"You want to hear the story of it? I can tell you some of it once we're moving." The last word had force behind it and was clearly directed at the lazy Ravager that did the exact opposite of it. Getting no meaningful response from Silas, Sirius decided to give her the route at least.

He took something from under his cape, leans forward- practically laying on top of Silas' head- and waved, what looked like, a rolled up parchment of paper in front of her face for her to get a quick whiff of the faint sulfuric smell that wafts from it.

With that, the beast rose to its feet, faster than one would expect for such a hefty creature, threatening to throw Orchid off of her, one way then the other. If it wasn't for Sirius- who has no issue staying in balance- and the collective effort of her spirits to take hold of her to keep her in place she would've surely dropped.

Fighting the urge to sneeze and shake like a wet dog, Silas started trudging forward. The rhythmic drums and metal chain chimes return with her steps as she falls into the same pattern as before. A loud howl-like wail left her. Curiously one could find a certain tune in it- like a distorted, low-rumbling version of a villager rejecting a trade. Utter disagreement.

"Sorry, about that. Should've at least warned you beforehand," Sirius apologized briefly, once he let Orchid go from his grasp. "Silas hates the smell." He waves the parchment in his hand which on closer inspection appears to be a map that has been scorched at a few places

[....]

As she listen to him she began to feel hot. Her breathing started to become shallow and her body shook. Mathew and Jenny started to show worry...

As she tried to focus, her hearing slowly became muffled. " pardon Sirius... but... can you... repeat that please..."

' ... I'm burning... I can't breathe... ' she thought as she tried to hold herself up.

Her strength finally gave out as she flopped forward onto Sirius's back. Mathew and Jenny rushed to her side as they panicked with high shrills of worry and concern...

The Vex hovered close to Orchid's head as it chirped and whistled with distress. She tried to open her eyes...

"Sor...ry S... ir... ius..." she tried to speak but she was fading fast... "... I... c... an... t..."

As her consciousness faded, she could have sworn she heard more voices other than Sirius's...

'WAKE UP BABYGIRL!! DON'T GO INTO THE LIGHT!!! '

'Please hold on little lamb! '

'Stay strong child! You are still needed...'

*******************+++++++++++++++*******************

"The tribe I came from is pretty small, but it is told that there once were hundreds of us," he starts slowly. "We didn't differ from other illagers. Trekking from one place to the other, patrolling, raiding, with a big mansion in the middle, the usual. We thrived."

It appears he's mostly reminiscing at first, switching topics at a whim, dropping a few names and moving on, telling of Illager shenanigans, before he actually gets to the meat of the tale.

"Filled with the vigor of battle, the most honoured warriors couldn't tell friend from foe. The fight turned red and the tribe was nearly massacred by its own people. In an attempt to every spellcaster and the ones attuned to magic called forth spirits that then blessed each of our people with a star in exchange for their magic." While Orchid couldn't see it while positioned behind him, he tapped his forehead as if to ephasise the clear analogy. "Not literally, but-" He meant to continue to the resolution, but that was when Orchid cut him off.

"I just mean to say that there aren't many of us anymore and-" He got interrupted again by Orchids muttering.

"Hah, don't tell me the mention of bloody battle was too scary for y-", he tried to shrug Orchids struggles off, but before he could finish the sentence or actually stop to ask if she felt alright, he already felt her fall into his back.

"Hey! Don't die on me!" He flinched, snapping his fingers over his shoulders trying for her to react- to no avail. The Allay and Vex making a fuzz stress even more that it's an emergency.

"Get out of my face-" Practically swatting at the frantically chittering Allay, Sirius shifted in his position to sit sideways to take a hold of Orchid. "I know, I know! I don't know what's wrong with her. Just stop the squeaking." All he did was to lay her down onto the ravagers back and keep her steady so she didn't fall. That's all he could do.

Sirius, accepting that he doesn't have the knowledge or supplies to help, could only to sit tight. Even Silas at some point noticed the tense situation and sped up to a trot, causing for a rougher ride; or maybe she thought the alarmed whistles of the Allays and the Vex were irritating and couldn't wait to drop them off. They moved faster all the same.

[...]

[...]

It starts out faint.

The gentle noise of campfire crackling occasionally interrupted by familiar whistles alongside a soft tune seemingly reassuring.

A new voice. One vastly different from the deep tone of the illager Orchid heard before blacking out or rumbling growling of the ravager that brought her the long way here.

Managing to bring her heavy eyes to a squint, she would finally see the shapes in front of her. But before Orchid could blink the weariness out of her eyes and clear the image before her, her view gets obscured by a certain worried vex.

"Oh, look at that!" The new voice chimes in at the noticing the stirred up Mathew, propting the Allays to turn around.

"Welcome back to the land of living!" The witch cheerfully adresses Orchid, barely waiting for her to regain her bearings. "No really! We thought we lost you when Sirius brought you in. Trudged right through my door uninvited, carrying you into my hut asking if I can do anything. Good thing he did!"

"And your little friends! Such curious creatures!"

The old Allay with the hat gave a sigh in relief and flew over to Orchid's side, sitting on the pillow beside her head. Orchid looked around "... where is Sirius?"

As Orchid took the scenery in, she could find empty beds placed against the wall across her. The walls were decorated with roots and flowering vines of varying colours, shelves filled with curious herbs, lightly singed books and, most prominently, plenty of flasks filled with curious swirling liquids inside. The light filtering through tiny windows reflected the murky greens of the marshes behind. It's drizzling outside. Despite the bleak scenery outdoors, the interior feels warm and oddly comforting.

"Oh, that brute?" She waves her hand dismissively, although in a playful manner. "I sent him outside while I did my witch-y duty to patch you back up. I even generously sacrificed a shirt of mine for you. I just couldn't let you rest and heal in those tattered clothes of yours." Speaking true, Orchid's old torn attire seemed to have been replaced with comfortable homewear for the time being, all tinted in a muted red. The bandages too were renewed and hold an outlandishly sweet smell to it. One of sour honey, a foreign herbal scent and something akin to soot. "Your old clothes are in the cabinet beside you. I... wasn't really sure if you wanted to keep them or not."

"It's good to see you alive- I mean so lively! Oh, your friends here were so worried sick! It was heartbreaking, you looked beyond battered, beaten, suffering, sick!" she exclaimed with played dread in her voice while she took hold of the brim of her hat. Immediately letting go of it, she continued without missing a beat, cheerful as before: "But be assured, if you feel your fever flare up, feel free to drink the potion to your side. It doesn't fix you immediately, but it relieves pressure on your head. Alleviates dizziness and nausea. You should be altogether stable again thanks to my relentless efforts."

@alphatimeline-orchid

‐---------------------------------------------

"No offense taken," Sirius reassured her unbothered and merely shrugged his shoulders. He's the one who worded it like that; from experience nonetheless.

A sound left him when Orchid mentioned her encounter with camping illagers. It could've been anything from an amused exhale to a scoff.

"No wonder. Most groups are based on- mh, let’s say respect. You gotta butt your heads with them, show 'em what you got, grow some horns. Otherwise none is going to accept you being around," he chimed in to lecture her. It was such a small natural rule he was familiar with from a young age, but Orchid simply didn't experience such.

"Being all…" He pauses again, looking Orchid over. "Soft and passive and all talk doesn't really speak to most." He wouldn't consider her particularly dangerous or physically strong by the looks; and the rowdy and the rough love to pick on those who feign innocence.

[...]

The Allay disrupting Orchid mid speech, the Vex jumping into position, but mostly the sudden wave of dread emitting from them had Sirius alarmed in an instant. Instinctively reaching for the crossbow at his side, stopping only pixels away from it, he registered this wasn't an attempt for a strike but a slip up in Orchid' muttered words.

He froze in place, peering at her. There was a heavy pause as he questioned himself if he even heard right. This couldn't be true, he must've misheard. Such apples can't be crafted if that's what she meant to say out loud.

Still, there is no doubt. Keeping his eyes on her, Orchids expression alongside her little guardians whizzing about like bees protecting their nest spoke for itself. A secret he wasn't meant to overhear.

He slowly dropped his guard again, straightening up ever so slowly. This wasn't the time to interrogate her. Not out here. They've lingered too long in one place for his liking anyway.

"... Speaking of healers. You might wanna see one," he changed the subject almost nonchalantly. Even if he assumed a neutral pose, leaving his hands in the open, away from the weapons at his side, the air felt heavy; too heavy to take a breath or relax just yet.

Without another word he turned and walked up to his ravager, leaving Orchid to herself for a moment. He'd nudge Silas in the sides with his knee to prompt her to pay attention, who in turn decided to ignore him. Chewing on the rest of the hay bale now enclosed in the beast's jaws, she only answered with varied growls and drawn out rumbles, complaining furiously.

Catching his foot in the stirrup, Sirius mounted the ravager in one smooth movement. An easy move while Silas was laying.

Even if he wasn't looking at her, his attention was on Orchid at all times, he listened for movement, her shuffling, the chimes of her companions, any step she'd take, until he turned to adress her.

“Come on. I know someone who can fix you up. I think you'll like them,” he spoke almost too calmly for comfort. Giving her an encouraging nod towards the free space behind him, he outstretched his hand just in case she'd need it. 

Sirius has been considerably nicer than others and had made an effort to help out a stranger, but there's no chance to read his intentions now. Orchid's slip up in words might have tipped the scales to warrant his suspicion, or he truly didn't hear or believe her.

One of the Allays was kind enough to pick the canteen that Orchid had dropped and carried it for her.

Feeling tired once more she stretched her hand out to his... "A real rest would be nice for once..." she gave him a small grin as she took his hand...

"I apologize for Mathew's behavior, he is a bit... overprotective at times. I don't know why..."

As she sat behind him, two of the Vex and a single Allay poofed away leaving Mathew, the Allay with the canteen, and the Allay that looked like a farmer...

The canteen holding Allay seemed to be scolding Mathew in high pitched whistles...

"Thank you... for everything. If there is anything I can do to repay you... please don't hesitate to tell me." She thanked him as she tried to not bother the Ravanger too much. Though tired, she decided to wait till they where in a safe place...

"You can barely hold your head up. We can discuss that- later." Orchid isn't helpful in her current state nor could he estimate the cost of fixing her up yet. Of course he's eager to hear more of those elusive enchanted apples she muttered about earlier. He'd love that to be an option to obtain, but the time alone in the wilds taught him patience. He'll confront her eventually- in due time.

"Oh, you mean the metal piece? It… is something like a mark of my tribe so we recognise each other if different patrols happen to run into each other." His shoulders slump before he could end the sentence, but recovered quickly as he perks up and turns to face Orchid for a moment.

"You want to hear the story of it? I can tell you some of it once we're moving." The last word had force behind it and was clearly directed at the lazy Ravager that did the exact opposite of it. Getting no meaningful response from Silas, Sirius decided to give her the route at least.

He took something from under his cape, leans forward- practically laying on top of Silas' head- and waved, what looked like, a rolled up parchment of paper in front of her face for her to get a quick whiff of the faint sulfuric smell that wafts from it.

With that, the beast rose to its feet, faster than one would expect for such a hefty creature, threatening to throw Orchid off of her, one way then the other. If it wasn't for Sirius- who has no issue staying in balance- and the collective effort of her spirits to take hold of her to keep her in place she would've surely dropped.

Fighting the urge to sneeze and shake like a wet dog, Silas started trudging forward. The rhythmic drums and metal chain chimes return with her steps as she falls into the same pattern as before. A loud howl-like wail left her. Curiously one could find a certain tune in it- like a distorted, low-rumbling version of a villager rejecting a trade. Utter disagreement.

"Sorry, about that. Should've at least warned you beforehand," Sirius apologized briefly, once he let Orchid go from his grasp. "Silas hates the smell." He waves the parchment in his hand which on closer inspection appears to be a map that has been scorched at a few places

[....]

As she listen to him she began to feel hot. Her breathing started to become shallow and her body shook. Mathew and Jenny started to show worry...

As she tried to focus, her hearing slowly became muffled. " pardon Sirius... but... can you... repeat that please..."

' ... I'm burning... I can't breathe... ' she thought as she tried to hold herself up.

Her strength finally gave out as she flopped forward onto Sirius's back. Mathew and Jenny rushed to her side as they panicked with high shrills of worry and concern...

The Vex hovered close to Orchid's head as it chirped and whistled with distress. She tried to open her eyes...

"Sor...ry S... ir... ius..." she tried to speak but she was fading fast... "... I... c... an... t..."

As her consciousness faded, she could have sworn she heard more voices other than Sirius's...

'WAKE UP BABYGIRL!! DON'T GO INTO THE LIGHT!!! '

'Please hold on little lamb! '

'Stay strong child! You are still needed...'

*******************+++++++++++++++*******************

"The tribe I came from is pretty small, but it is told that there once were hundreds of us," he starts slowly. "We didn't differ from other illagers. Trekking from one place to the other, patrolling, raiding, with a big mansion in the middle, the usual. We thrived."

It appears he's mostly reminiscing at first, switching topics at a whim, dropping a few names and moving on, telling of Illager shenanigans, before he actually gets to the meat of the tale.

"Filled with the vigor of battle, the most honoured warriors couldn't tell friend from foe. The fight turned red and the tribe was nearly massacred by its own people. In an attempt to every spellcaster and the ones attuned to magic called forth spirits that then blessed each of our people with a star in exchange for their magic." While Orchid couldn't see it while positioned behind him, he tapped his forehead as if to ephasise the clear analogy. "Not literally, but-" He meant to continue to the resolution, but that was when Orchid cut him off.

"I just mean to say that there aren't many of us anymore and-" He got interrupted again by Orchids muttering.

"Hah, don't tell me the mention of bloody battle was too scary for y-", he tried to shrug Orchids struggles off, but before he could finish the sentence or actually stop to ask if she felt alright, he already felt her fall into his back.

"Hey! Don't die on me!" He flinched, snapping his fingers over his shoulders trying for her to react- to no avail. The Allay and Vex making a fuzz stress even more that it's an emergency.

"Get out of my face-" Practically swatting at the frantically chittering Allay, Sirius shifted in his position to sit sideways to take a hold of Orchid. "I know, I know! I don't know what's wrong with her. Just stop the squeaking." All he did was to lay her down onto the ravagers back and keep her steady so she didn't fall. That's all he could do.

Sirius, accepting that he doesn't have the knowledge or supplies to help, could only to sit tight. Even Silas at some point noticed the tense situation and sped up to a trot, causing for a rougher ride; or maybe she thought the alarmed whistles of the Allays and the Vex were irritating and couldn't wait to drop them off. They moved faster all the same.

[...]

[...]

It starts out faint.

The gentle noise of campfire crackling occasionally interrupted by familiar whistles alongside a soft, reassuring tune.

A new voice. One vastly different from the deep tone of the illager Orchid heard before blacking out or rumbling growling of the ravager that brought her the long way here.

Managing to bring her heavy eyes to a squint, she would finally see the shapes in front of her. But before Orchid could blink the weariness out of her eyes and clear the image before her, her view gets obscured by a certain worried vex.

"Oh, look at that!" Noticing the stirred up Mathew the new voice chimes in, prompting the Allays to turn around.

"Welcome back to the land of living!" The witch cheerfully adresses Orchid, barely waiting for her to regain her bearings. "No really! We thought we lost you when Sirius brought you in. Trudged right through my door uninvited, carrying you into my hut asking if I can do anything. Good thing he did!"

"And your little friends! Such curious creatures!"

@alphatimeline-orchid

‐---------------------------------------------

"No offense taken," Sirius reassured her unbothered and merely shrugged his shoulders. He's the one who worded it like that; from experience nonetheless.

A sound left him when Orchid mentioned her encounter with camping illagers. It could've been anything from an amused exhale to a scoff.

"No wonder. Most groups are based on- mh, let’s say respect. You gotta butt your heads with them, show 'em what you got, grow some horns. Otherwise none is going to accept you being around," he chimed in to lecture her. It was such a small natural rule he was familiar with from a young age, but Orchid simply didn't experience such.

"Being all…" He pauses again, looking Orchid over. "Soft and passive and all talk doesn't really speak to most." He wouldn't consider her particularly dangerous or physically strong by the looks; and the rowdy and the rough love to pick on those who feign innocence.

[...]

The Allay disrupting Orchid mid speech, the Vex jumping into position, but mostly the sudden wave of dread emitting from them had Sirius alarmed in an instant. Instinctively reaching for the crossbow at his side, stopping only pixels away from it, he registered this wasn't an attempt for a strike but a slip up in Orchid' muttered words.

He froze in place, peering at her. There was a heavy pause as he questioned himself if he even heard right. This couldn't be true, he must've misheard. Such apples can't be crafted if that's what she meant to say out loud.

Still, there is no doubt. Keeping his eyes on her, Orchids expression alongside her little guardians whizzing about like bees protecting their nest spoke for itself. A secret he wasn't meant to overhear.

He slowly dropped his guard again, straightening up ever so slowly. This wasn't the time to interrogate her. Not out here. They've lingered too long in one place for his liking anyway.

"... Speaking of healers. You might wanna see one," he changed the subject almost nonchalantly. Even if he assumed a neutral pose, leaving his hands in the open, away from the weapons at his side, the air felt heavy; too heavy to take a breath or relax just yet.

Without another word he turned and walked up to his ravager, leaving Orchid to herself for a moment. He'd nudge Silas in the sides with his knee to prompt her to pay attention, who in turn decided to ignore him. Chewing on the rest of the hay bale now enclosed in the beast's jaws, she only answered with varied growls and drawn out rumbles, complaining furiously.

Catching his foot in the stirrup, Sirius mounted the ravager in one smooth movement. An easy move while Silas was laying.

Even if he wasn't looking at her, his attention was on Orchid at all times, he listened for movement, her shuffling, the chimes of her companions, any step she'd take, until he turned to adress her.

“Come on. I know someone who can fix you up. I think you'll like them,” he spoke almost too calmly for comfort. Giving her an encouraging nod towards the free space behind him, he outstretched his hand just in case she'd need it. 

Sirius has been considerably nicer than others and had made an effort to help out a stranger, but there's no chance to read his intentions now. Orchid's slip up in words might have tipped the scales to warrant his suspicion, or he truly didn't hear or believe her.

One of the Allays was kind enough to pick the canteen that Orchid had dropped and carried it for her.

Feeling tired once more she stretched her hand out to his... "A real rest would be nice for once..." she gave him a small grin as she took his hand...

"I apologize for Mathew's behavior, he is a bit... overprotective at times. I don't know why..."

As she sat behind him, two of the Vex and a single Allay poofed away leaving Mathew, the Allay with the canteen, and the Allay that looked like a farmer...

The canteen holding Allay seemed to be scolding Mathew in high pitched whistles...

"Thank you... for everything. If there is anything I can do to repay you... please don't hesitate to tell me." She thanked him as she tried to not bother the Ravanger too much. Though tired, she decided to wait till they where in a safe place...

"You can barely hold your head up. We can discuss that- later." Orchid isn't helpful in her current state nor could he estimate the cost of fixing her up yet. Of course he's eager to hear more of those elusive enchanted apples she muttered about earlier. He'd love that to be an option to obtain, but the time alone in the wilds taught him patience. He'll confront her eventually- in due time.

"Oh, you mean the metal piece? It… is something like a mark of my tribe so we recognise each other if different patrols happen to run into each other." His shoulders slump before he could end the sentence, but recovered quickly as he perks up and turns to face Orchid for a moment.

"You want to hear the story of it? I can tell you some of it once we're moving." The last word had force behind it and was clearly directed at the lazy Ravager that did the exact opposite of it. Getting no meaningful response from Silas, Sirius decided to give her the route at least.

He took something from under his cape, leans forward- practically laying on top of Silas' head- and waved, what looked like, a rolled up parchment of paper in front of her face for her to get a quick whiff of the faint sulfuric smell that wafts from it.

With that, the beast rose to its feet, faster than one would expect for such a hefty creature, threatening to throw Orchid off of her, one way then the other. If it wasn't for Sirius- who has no issue staying in balance- and the collective effort of her spirits to take hold of her to keep her in place she would've surely dropped.

Fighting the urge to sneeze and shake like a wet dog, Silas started trudging forward. The rhythmic drums and metal chain chimes return with her steps as she falls into the same pattern as before. A loud howl-like wail left her. Curiously one could find a certain tune in it- like a distorted, low-rumbling version of a villager rejecting a trade. Utter disagreement.

"Sorry, about that. Should've at least warned you beforehand," Sirius apologized briefly, once he let Orchid go from his grasp. "Silas hates the smell." He waves the parchment in his hand which on closer inspection appears to be a map that has been scorched at a few places

'Run...'

'You have to keep running...'

'Don't stop...'

Engulfed in a black void, she wouldn't know how much time passed. Could be seconds to minutes to hours to ages.

How long was she out? Maybe she was captured, or perhaps saved as she'd feel- steady swaying in her haze. Like a stowaway on a ship that gently floats on top of the sea accompanied by rhythmic drums.

As her mind cleared with every beat maybe she could make out a grassy path in her view- and sturdy hooves moving beneath her. Each thud of the hooves touching down on the earth being the source of the rhythmic noises that filled her body in waves.

She was being carried by- a horse? No. This beast was bigger an heavier. Broad enough to lay upon.

A wary look farther ahead and she'd make out the gray rider sitting cross-legged upon the beast ahead of her. Steering the beast through foliage and between trees. Has she been- captured? Rescued?

Either way she was at the mercy of this Illager and the ravager she was laid upon. It's hard to estimate whether this is lucky or worse of a fate than she would've met had the heroes gotten her.

'... try to speak...'

"... wa..." she tried to speak but her voice was weak as well... she tried to move but her muscles twitched with soreness from her previous panic.

'... what happened? Where am I?...'

On one side, there was relief that he didn't have to burn another body. On the other, he doubts he has enough supplies that will last with extra company. Not in the long run.

Looking over his shoulder, back at Orchid- He wouldn't abandon a fellow illager in such a position. Not one who seems so nimble and weak. He didn't pick up a warrior from the fields, he can tell that.

With firm pats to the ravagers side he prompted it to halt. The beast let out a low, deep rumbling noise before it came to a stop and settled down.

Sirius slid from his mount and walked around it to heave Orchid off of it as well. Moreso like a sack of potatoes rather than an injured person someone would be careful with, but not carelessly so.

Setting her down onto the grass with a tree supporting her back, Sirius merely took a canteen from his belt and placed it in Orchid's lap.

"Drink- and stay awake. This shouldn't be the end of you."

There was no indication of hostility nor hospitality in his voice. Merely a statement. Or an order.

After that she didn't register what he told her. Her thoughts we're on the canteen that was placed in her lap. She did her best not to take to much, she didn't realize how it tasted... it was wet. It quenched her thirst... for the moment.

She then put the canteen down... "... what's your name?" She asked in a quiet tone, as her throat hurt to speak.

Taking in the air- the feel- of the surroundings. They seemed to have found a safe spot for now. There's nothing but the tranquil forest around them.

For a moment he didn't answer Orchids faint question. Maybe he was still busy scoping the surrounding or perhaps he gave Orchid a little more time to gather herself from her haze.

"Sirius." He then answered and with two firm pats at one of his ravagers horns he added, "And, this good girl here is Silas."

Sirius isn't much of a medic, but mustering the weakened illager he knows he doesn't have the supplies to help much. "Look at you. You're nearly at death's door. Lucky for you that we picked you up."

" And... My name is Orchid." She crossed her arms as if hugging herself out of uncertainty...

As she spoke, three Vex and Three Allay showed themselves and landed on her like little birds... the Illager gave them slight attention, as if this was normal.

"Hu... you guys always seem to appear when I'm on edge... or when you want to..." she spoke to the Vex and Allays.

She then turned her attention back to Sirius "I might share my story if you have the time to listen. This may come as a shock but... your the first Illager I've spoken to in my life."

It's not like Sirius seemed any better off. Except his beastly companion, he too stands alone. No banner to raise or horn to blow. And plenty of scars to show the struggle of running solo.

The appearance of the Vexes didn't phase Sirius too much. He certainly isn't the kind to be interested in summons and magic, although he does recognise that it's an evokers talent to call spirits like these. The vexes' blue counterparts though- he merely tilted his head at. He could've sworn those rather strayed away from illager kind, otherwise they didn't have to cage them. Their use is unknown to him; neither is he particularly interested in how one would ally an allay without chains. How Orchid found the strength or will to call them to her eludes him.

However- The mere moment Orchid claimed to have never even spoken to another illager before Sirius frowned in both bewilderment and disbelief. It was indeed a shock and if not- then simply worrying. Did she hit her head? Is it exhaustion? Blood loss?

"Hold on- That's ridiculous," he called out. With his brows raised his demeanor changed to amusement.

"What could your story even be if it doesn't start at a mansion among our kind?- Hunkered down in a village? Cradled by passive cowards?" the illager let out a sharp bark of laughter. "HA!- Wouldn't even surprise me. No wonder you look so flimsy. Must've fed you nothing but vegetables."

To her it didn't matter if he believed or not, she knew her story. "I had asked Father Syrus how he found me and he always told me that I was found by a shallow grave after a three day storm. After hearing the same story over and over, I stopped asking..." She moved to stand, using the tree she was leaning on for support.

"I just accepted my fate that I was unwanted by whoever left me there. I learned what I could and become a Cleric, just like Father Syrus." She looked to Sirius "And until a couple of years ago I've never seen another Illager..."

The Allay in the straw hat had flown over to Silas and gave the Ravanger a hay bale to eat...

Mulling over what exactly he should think of the story, Sirius nodded his head in consideration. It all sounded a little too cliche. A baby abandoned at someone’s doorstep and raised up in a different environment than they were meant to. Like some sort of fairy tale or something. Maybe a lie.

Crossing his arms, he regarded the hurt illager. If she never learned the magic of an evoker, how could she summon her little helpers. If she was raised up by villagers, why didn't she find a new village to huddle up to. Most probably wouldn't bother her if she didn't cause any trouble. She doesn't seem particularily threatening or dangerous.

“I am more surprised they weren’t too scared of a baby illager. Let alone have the courage to raise one up,” he merely commented. Brushing her origin story off as nothing important, he rather wanted to know Orchid's own stance and if she was worth keeping around now that she was conscious.

“That's almost sad. What do you even know about illagers? Other than us being all blood-thirsty barbarians stealing and breaking things?" he asked with a rather drab tone in his voice. He knew villagers would never raise a weapon to hurt someone; still their words were just as viscious. Whatever picture they painted for Orchid to learn, he didn't expect it to be a pretty one.

Orchid’s “most rather plunder than talk”-comment from earlier didn’t fly over his head. It gave him a slight idea of how little she might know of her own kind. Yet again, it’s not like he was without his own biases towards Villagers. Mumbling a "What do clerics even do?" under his breath as he kept pondering on what Orchid would even learn from a village. No survival skills, surely, by how beaten she looks.

Being distracted by Orchid’s lackluster story, the illager didn’t notice his steed indulging in the gifted hay bale. A single person’s inventory wasn’t enough to feed such a beast in the long run- who knows what Silas had to eat lately, but small morsels compared to her sheer size. An occasional muffled grunt could be heard as she tried to stuff the whole block into her maw.