#grimmage

GrimmAge!Ruby, stepping out from her hiding place behind a tree, a bit surprised: How did you-?

GrimmAge!Cinder, patting the ground beside her: The very same way you knew how to find me, we are Soul Bonded, we will always know how to find the other. Come, sit.

GrimmAge!Ruby, sitting herself down a foot or two to the side of Cinder: What are you doing?

GrimmAge!Cinder, turning her attention back to the sky: Do you know why our moon is shattered? Why we have stars that shine upon us from the heavens?

GrimmAge!Cinder, after Ruby shakes her head, continuing on: Long ago, we had only two Gods, brothers. One of Light, and life, and one of Darkness, and death. These Gods were indifferent to us humans, granting blessings and boons rarely. Seemingly never having the time to bother with our struggles, leaving us to fend for ourselves against the Black Beasts.

GrimmAge!Cinder, noticing Ruby inching a bit closer, smiles slightly: Humans began to bother less and less with these Brothers. We found the Light within ourselves, granting our own blessings, we found the Dust, giving us that much needed advantage against the Black Beasts. The Mother of magic began teaching those with unruly Light how to harness it into raw power. We became Gods ourselves.

GrimmAge!Ruby, as Cinder takes a pause: What happened?

GrimmAge!Cinder, with a snarl: The Brothers grew angry with us. They despised the fact that we grew so strong, so they decided to leave us to our own completely. No more boons, no more blessings. Nothing. They abandoned us.

GrimmAge!Cinder, continuing on: Well three great heroes had had enough. The Mother of Magic, who would later become the true Maiden. The Father of Man, a warrior who could gather and lead an army in moments. And finally, the First Eyes of Silver, the greatest warrior of their time, personal protector of the Mother and Father.

GrimmAge!Cinder: They fought the God Brothers, and won. Not without losses though. The Mother was trapped within the moon, her Silver Eyed charge sacrificing herself to give the Mother enough power to break free, only to have her power cut into four pieces by the Brothers. The Father cursed to suffer eternal life, doomed to live through every failure of mankind.

GrimmAge!Cinder, her voice growing determined: Yet still, they were victorious. The Brothers driven out by three mere mortals. Soon, other Gods came, each one bringing with them a star, forming dozens, if not hundreds of Pantheons with them.

GrimmAge!Cinder: Gods created anew by strong enough belief, Mortals ascending to Godhood through power and legend, Gods from far off worlds coming to share their blessings with our own. If you look there, the stars forming the shape of a flame, that is my Pantheon.

Pepper, sitting in her room within the Council's barracks, a barren stone room with only a few animal skins as a sleeping spot, intently polishing a spear: ...Have they? Yes. I do not know where Thyme comes from, but they have strange delicacies from that place.

Pepper, snarling at a bit of blood that refuses to be removed, unfurls and flaps her wings in frustration, sending the animal skins rolling over from the gust of wind, cursing in a strange tongue: Henich, pothoc iejir.

Pepper, tossing the spear to the side, then sighs: But...yes, yes they have. Thyme has made us this...peesa...a strange dish, but very good. I wish to experience more otherworldly delicacies.

Pepper, sitting at a long table within the main hall, drunkenly slouched over the tabletop: E-eh? First mission...

Pepper, sitting up slowly, stretching out her scaled arms and yawns, razor sharp teeth lining her mouth: The same as all hybrids who swear loyalty to the Council. We aren't allowed to do more public appearances, so culling the Black Beasts and other dangerous creatures is often our task. I do not mind though, it allows me to often visit my mother and father, both of whom have been promised safety by my Lady.

Pepper, chuckling a little, rubbing the back of her head: It seems every time I visit, my father has acquired a new bride. I've nearly lost track of how many siblings I have. Thankfully it appears my mother is quite fine with the arrangement, and happily cares for all the children as though they were her own.

Pepper, frowning, looking down to the table, wobbling back and forth a bit: Sometimes I...wish I could be home, with them. But I know the only way to keep them safe from the Council is to swear myself to it.

GrimmAge!Ruby, sitting outside her home on the ground, dragging her thumb across the blade of a dagger in her hands, fixated on it: ...

GrimmAge!Cinder, watching her with interest, quietly speaking up: Ruby, did you hear that my Rose?

GrimmAge!Ruby, without breaking her focus on the blade: I am not...particularly special. I do not know why any would pay specific attention to me. I am a simple smithy. Nothing more.

GrimmAge!Cinder, dropping down beside her: But you are! You are! You're a blessing of silver eyes! We are two halves that have now made a whole.

GrimmAge!Ruby, her thumb stopping along the dagger: ...

GrimmAge!Cinder, slowly placing a gentle hand atop Ruby's: I shall do my greatest to keep the both of us safe, no harm shall come to me. Therefore you will not be harmed either. I give you my word.

GrimmAge!Ruby, looking up to Cinder's face, her eyes watering: ...I believe you, but I am still...scared.

GrimmAge!Cinder, nodding: I know. I can feel your fear in my own heart. But my vow as a Maiden, is that I will not lose my precious silver eyes.

Thyme, pulling their sword from the body of an Ursa, watching it dissolve: The Grimm in this timeline are strange. So...feral. Ferocious. Yet at the same time...

Thyme, sheathing the sword over their shoulder besides another, turning to Magnolia: More organized?

Magnolia, shrugging, her attention turning to an older man stepping out from a stone home: Yes, yes. We can speak more of that later. As for now, payment.

GrimmAge!Elder, hobbling to the pair with help of a walking stick, feebly nodding his head: I thank you, Hunters, for your quick arrival to save our village from the Black Beasts.

Magnolia, crossing her arms: You spoke of Two-Walkers, never mentioned a Bone Back. That surely adds to the bounty, old man.

GrimmAge!Elder, his grip tightening on his walking stick as his eyes nervously glance from Magnolia to Thyme: T-The truth is, Good Huntress, that the Black Beasts have crippled our village. They've soiled our fields and ruined our harvest, as well as attacked any who neared our mines. We've...

GrimmAge!Elder, his eyes drooping down, an exhausted look of shame and defeat on his face: We've little to no money to spare.

Thyme, stepping forward, only to be stopped by Magnolia: Hey? What's your-?

Magnolia, her stoic expression unfazed by the man's story: The Council does not accept thanks as payment. Should you not supply the proper tithe, your protection can no longer be assured.

Thyme, in shocked anger, snapping: Magnolia!

Magnolia, ignoring them, continuing on: Those are the laws of this land. Mind them, or suffer.

GrimmAge!Elder, a sad look in his eyes: We...we may not have the gold and silver, but we do have...is youth.

Magnolia: Explain.

GrimmAge!Elder, continuing, his voice wallowing in regret as he speaks more: Our...our local smithy, his boy. A proper eight years of age. Strong, as his father. Surely the Council could use a powerful young spirit such as himself?

Magnolia, narrowing her eyes: Do not doubt the might of the Council.

Thyme, grabbing Magnolia and spinning her around: THE COUNCIL ACCEPTS CHILDREN AS PAYMENT?!

Thyme, pointing angrily to the elder: AND YOU! YOU'RE PREPARED TO GIVE AWAY A CHILD THAT'S NOT EVEN YOURS!?!?

Magnolia, sternly: Thyme. Enough.

Magnolia, returning her attention to the elder: Give us what you can now as payment. With your Beasts destroyed, the Village shall surely regain its profits. We will return within a full moon to claim the rest. No youth is necessary.

GrimmAge!Elder, dropping to his knees in a bow, nearly in tears: Thank you, oh thank you, thank you Good Huntress. May the Gods bless your soul and blade.

~~~~~

Thyme, glaring at the back of Magnolia's head as the two silently walk through a forest path: ...

Magnolia, without turning around: You've been staring at me for hours. Speak your mind, Witch.

Thyme, scowling: I wasn't told the Council steals children from their homes.

Magnolia, shaking her head: The cost of safety in these lands is great. Both for the Villagers, and the Council. To remain powerful the Council needs strong Hunters within its ranks. Young children are easier to shape into perfect-

Thyme: That's what happened to you, isn't it?

Magnolia, stopping dead in her tracks, staring forward: ...No, I was neither shaped nor molded. I am my own person.

Thyme, scoffing, passing Magnolia as she remains still: Sure. That's what they want you to think. Let's just get back already. I'm tired.

GrimmAge!Cinder, snapping, kneeling beside the forge as Ruby works: Of course I do.

GrimmAge!Cinder, clearing her throat, returning to a normal tone: Simply because Ruby's life is intrinsically connected to my own, I do not view her as a tool...

GrimmAge!Cinder, side-eyeing the home: Unlike some Maidens...

GrimmAge!Cinder, shaking her head: No. Ruby has become my Soul Bonded many many years ago. Since then I have taken specific care as to not be harmed, so much so that I've strained my body, leaving me bedridden.

GrimmAge!Cinder, with a soft smile: She is much too kind to allow harm to come to her.

GrimmAge!Ruby, suddenly breaking from her trance like state of working the forge, glancing down to Cinder as she realizes the latter is staring at her: Is...is there something you need...

GrimmAge!Cinder: No no dear Rose. I have all I need.

GrimmAge!Cinder, standing up to her feet, stepping away from Ruby with her arms folded: As for the Council, all of them, not just Vale. Horrible.

GrimmAge!Cinder, with a snarl: Claiming to protect the people of Remnant, pathetic. If they would only allow the common folk to utilize the Light, rather than persecute and slaughter any who oppose them, the people would not need their protection.

GrimmAge!Cinder, staring down to the palm of a her hand, a ball of flame forming within: Lady Salem assures me there are those within the Councils who truly wish for the beat but...I am not sure I believe her. Their Hunters are savage, users of the Light who do not wear the Council's brand are captured and tortured until broken. Then recruited or killed...I do not know which is worse.

GrimmAge!Cinder, clenching her fist, extinguishing the ball of flame into harmless sparks: As for Witches...well, those who practice magic without the Council's oversight are more often killed before they even see the Council's halls. For the women, and rare man, who are gifted by the Light with the ability to control the elements and the world around them...

Magnolia, still laying in her bed, glancing over her shoulder into the dark room: ...

Thyme, scoffing as they're escorted through a hall: Pfft, as if. Besides, I don't even think chapstick has been invented yet.

Thyme, stopping as the figure in front of them stops, and then knocks on a door, watches the figure walk away: Sheesh, everyone in this timeline is just weird. I'm guessing this is my dorm. Or quarters. Whatever who cares.

Thyme, opening up the door and walks in: It's not like it matters anyway, just a place to sleep I gu-

Thyme: ...you're kidding.

Magnolia, sitting on one of the two beds, her arms crossed: Partners share quarters, I'm about as pleased as you are, Witch.

Thyme, stepping over to the free bed: Ahh, my swords. Never thought I'd appreciate seeing these again.

Thyme, glancing over their shoulder, noticing Magnolia glaring at them: ...yeah?

Magnolia, continuing to glare: As you surely know, Witch. Becoming a blood-bonded allows you to see the memories of your bond.

Thyme, turning round to face her: ...yeah? Saw your village burn and all that training of yours, you're pretty boring y'know.

Magnolia, narrowing her eyes, ignoring the insult: I do not understand yours. The worlds you have seen. The memories you have. There are lights with no flame, tablets that have moving texts, strange objects and unknown fashion, all so different from one another.

Thyme, yawns, shrugging as they get in bed, placing their swords on the floor: Yeah, don't worry about it.

Magnolia, with a snarl: I have seen myself die, through your eyes. How do you still live? Who are you? What are you?

Thyme, lazily raising a hand, their back to her: Eh. Don't worry about it. Night Magnolia, or should I say...partner~