AFTER finding nothing of note from that ruined castle, leaving the area was a given but— the venture only led the group into another strange place.
the remains of a dead forest surrounds them. the path ahead was dark, decorated with dried leaves & torn off tree bark. utterly perfect for alerting anyone nearby of their location with just one misstep.
ortho did his best to assist by shining a light ahead for the group to see. reflecting on the path like bright flashlights from the android's eyes— it made the trek just a bit easier.
❝ ah— i see something ! ❞
ortho had mostly been quiet during their walk, but when he spotted an old backpack among the ruins he brightened up.
reaching down for the bag, the miracle was proven to be TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE when ortho's light highlighted another.
the owner of the bag, very displeased.
@hyaina @vipetriol @threadedwheels @troisfleur
99lostsouls:
the moment ortho locked eyes with the ghost, he froze. like a prey gazing into the eyes of a predator, trying not to move to live.
unfortunately, this was no poor sighted dinosaur they were dealing with but— trey’s trick gave him an idea.
❝ I’m sorry sir…I don’t know what you mean. what bag? ❞ slowly reaching down, ortho picked up the “pile of leaves”, holding it close to his chest.
❝ my friends and I are new here… but when we were livin folk we’d use to play in the leaves! you understand the search for nostalgia, yes? ❞
the ghost seemed to be considering until-
❝ …oho you ain’t getting the best of me! I can see the color on you youngins! plus, that little scraggly one’s stealing right now! you’re after my bag– wherever you put it! ❞
a fixed smile. ❝ what color? ❞
@hyaina @troisfleur @threadedwheels @vipetriol
Trey and Ortho’s approach is straightforward, but it seems to be taking effect. Though the ghost might be brash, his conviction is beginning to waver. He’s confused, caught off balance. Just another push and they just might get away unscathed.
It takes very little effort for Jamil to look like any semblance of life — or, at the very least, the will to live it — has been drained out of him. He doesn’t need to look at himself in a mirror to know he’s seen better days. The surge of adrenaline brought upon the battle at the castle has subsided, and the lack of sleep over the course of the past couple of weeks is catching up to him, weighing on his eyelids and his lower back.
He smears the makeup around his eyes, accentuating his exhaustion. When he walks up to them, he allows his now-dishevelled fringe to cast a shadow over his features.
“ Never thought I’d see the day we’d be mistaken for the living,” he scoffs, tone flat and voice low. “ I sure as hell don’t feel alive. Why, do any of you? ”
@hyaina @troisfleur @threadedwheels @99lostsouls















