|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 22, 2016 22:29:09 GMT -5
Anya took a few deep breaths, trying her best to calm down, to regain her composure and push away the memories that threatened to overwhelm her. She couldn’t panic, not with someone here. If she was going to hurt somebody, it was going to be with her dagger in self-defense, not because she freaked out and lost control. Even if that somebody was just a thief. Anya grabbed the two book’s from Azar’s hand when he offered them, hugging them to her chest along with the first one.
Freak. Monster. Murderer, thin, slimy voices whispered in her ears, in her head. She did her best to push those away along with the memories.
After a few moments, Anya looked up at him. She was still struggling to keep her breathing steady, but she was getting there. Meanwhile, Azar was unnerving with how he seemed to react to things. While she kept finding herself going up and down, he seemed almost completely emotionless. She’d hardly seen it change throughout their entire interact. Or maybe it was just her imagination. Either way, it was unnerving.
She frowned, straightening. “Do you actually want something to read or were you hoping to sell them and get some money, since you’re obviously in need of some?” Anya asked. She was one to talk, in her threadbare and ragged dress. But it was a way to change the subject back to something Anya knew about.
|
|
|
Post by CrackedSkel on Aug 22, 2016 22:58:51 GMT -5
Hey sparky not to pressure you or anything but are you still interested in the plots hat we have going?
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 23, 2016 21:20:25 GMT -5
Yeah, I am! Sorry for going MIA, my muses for them have just been really lacking lately, especially with school taking so much time. I'll try to get back into it by this weekend.
|
|
|
Post by CrackedSkel on Aug 23, 2016 21:28:27 GMT -5
okay sparky no pressure. C:
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 23, 2016 21:47:15 GMT -5
{{- Hey sorry I haven't replied yet I was swarmed with homework today ;~;. -}}
Azar stared blankly as she recomposed herself. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and breathed slowly. He had learned long ago to control himself- only twice had he ever used his... abilities. One of them being the night 12 years ago that he couldn't even correctly remember. If what he thought was true about this girl, then he dearly hoped that she had the same level, if not more control over them than he did. She then again grabbed the books from his hand, and the question that he had dreaded hearing slipped from her mouth.
He didn't want to lie, but telling the truth didn't sound so good on his part either, "I..." he began, not knowing how to finish the sentence. He took a deep breath and prepared for the worst, "I was looking to steal them," he said finally, unable to look at her as he said this. "Just looking for some easy money." The last part came out as slightly a mumble. Great, another thing to be ashamed of in life, he thought, looking back at her apologetically. Why hadn't he ran? Gotten the money? He knew why, but preferred not to think about the unforgiving subject.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 23, 2016 22:12:21 GMT -5
Anya tilted her head slightly, studying him. She’d honestly been expecting him to keep up his story about wanting to read them, not for him to admit to his thievery. And certainly not for him to show some emotion, some shame of all things, after being so guarded prior to that. He was certainly strange. Or, at least, she thought he was strange. She didn’t really know what was and wasn’t strange, did she? He could be completely and utterly normal and average and she’d have no idea.
Her gaze kept going to his eyes, though it never lingered long, still a bit unnerved by the eye contact after mentioning, even vaguely, why she was there. But there was something about his eyes, though she couldn’t place her finger on it. She couldn’t think of anyone that she had ever seen with eyes like his, but green eyes in general had been a rarity in her former home.
Something about his response seemed to strike a cord with Anya. Maybe it was that she could relate to his shame. Perhaps she was just feeling nicer after getting back her books. She wasn’t quite sure, in all honesty. She took a deep breath. “If I gave you some books to sell,” she said slowly, thinking, “then would you swear to not tell anyone else about me and this castle?” There were so many books in this library, she had no reason to reread any. And if it kept her secret and safe here, then all the better.
(No problem, I completely understand)
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 23, 2016 23:12:17 GMT -5
Her words were kind, and a bit of them were expected. He had guessed that this place was unknown and intended to be kept secret. Why was she doing this? The last act of kindness that someone had bestowed upon him was a friend from an orphanage that he hadn't seen since he had ran away from it years ago. That was because of friendship, though, not actual kindness that he deserved- and he didn't deserve it. He had broken in and attempted to steal books and now she was just going to give him some?
"Um... thanks, but why are you doing this?" he asked, thoroughly confused. Maybe it had just been such a long time since someone had been kind to him that he was surprised when it finally came again. The feeling was... odd. "And also," he added, a little embarrassed at his horrible memory, "I don't really know how to get out of the castle, let alone the library."
{{- I'm sorry that has to be my last post because I have a school meeting in the morning :_( -}}
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 24, 2016 10:01:07 GMT -5
Anya rolled her eyes as she walked over to the table. Of course, he was stupid enough to not remember the way he had come in. She placed two of the books on the corner and replaced the one that she had been reading with a sigh. It was going to be a pain to figure out which page she had been on. Couldn’t he have had the decency to mark the page a book had been open to?
She turned around, placing a hand on her hip. The other hand still held the small dagger, but it was relaxed, the weapon almost completely forgotten. “It’s not to be nice if that’s what you’re thinking,” she replied with a slight sneer, her guard quickly coming up as she noted his confusion. “You want something from me and I want something from you. I’m simply giving you what you want so that you’ll do what I want you to and keep quiet. Don’t tell whoever you sell the books to or your family or band of thieves or whatever you have where you got them from.” Her eyes met his for a moment before she turned around and started walking away, expecting him to follow. “Are you really so dimwitted that you can’t wrap your mind around that?”
(No problem! I'd fallen asleep anyways :/)
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 24, 2016 16:58:11 GMT -5
Her sudden change in alertness towards him was a bit unexpected. Just when I think I got a serious gesture of kindness, he thought quietly. Family- he wish. Band of thieves- not likely. He'd probably sell them to a local market or something. Might keep one, just to touch up on my reading a bit. He let her decide what to pick in case he accidentally picked up another crazy favourite of hers. What would it be like to read all the books in this entire library? Better yet twice. He followed her through the maze of books. Left, right, right, left, right; there were too many to even count. Even if he had lived here most of his life he didn't know if would be able to remember the way.
"So, uhhhh. How long have you been here?" he asked, looking up at the books in a chill sort of way as he followed her. Many of the shelves were covered in dust, but the library was overall kept in good condition- making him forget the actual age of the ruined castle. Not that he knew in the first place, but just that it was old.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 24, 2016 20:35:49 GMT -5
(Sorry it took me so long to get on, I had a night class. I'll start working on my reply now.)
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 24, 2016 20:40:11 GMT -5
{{- Don't worry it's all cool- I've been doing homework this entire time anyway and am still not finished. -}}
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 24, 2016 20:48:04 GMT -5
Anya glanced back at him occasionally, both to make sure she hadn’t left him behind and to check if he was taking any books on the way. She made sure to go through aisles where she’d already read the books, just in case he did decide to take one.
His question caught her off guard. He seemed to be very curious about her, which was a bit off putting. Then again, she did live in a ruined castle all alone, so she supposed she could understand why. Maybe. “Does it really matter?” she asked, crossing her arms. She thought for a moment, the tension slowly vanishing. “Umm… almost a decade, I think?” It was more a question than a statement. Her arms fell back to her sides. “Nine years sounds about right?”
She knew it had been at least seven years, that much she was confident about. But she’d lost track a while ago, seeing no reason to keep track after struggling to with the monotony of her day to day life here. It wasn’t like it made any difference anyways. “Yeah, I’m going to go with nine years.”
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 24, 2016 20:48:44 GMT -5
(Yeah I have a ton of homework to do and I just got home :/)
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 24, 2016 21:17:44 GMT -5
Azar could see the entrance of the library here, and down a short (but very wide) hallway he could see the entrance of the castle. He remembered walking down that sunlit corridor, and definitely knew his way back from there. Nine years?! He had originally thought she'd only been taking refuge there for a few months. Nine years though? Where did she get the food (and although it was reasonable to think that the castle probably had a fairly large greenhouse, he didn't expect her to be capable of taking care of it unless she spent hours there every day. "That's a long time," he noted, wondering if what she had said was true.
He noticed a few boxes in his peripheral vision and glanced at them. Crates- all lined up - some stacked on top of each other - against the far wall of the entrance. Crates. The four knights that he had followed earlier had the exact same number of them, and although he lost them he had imagined that they were going in this general direction. He looked back at Anya, deciding to take a wildshot. Whether she knew or not- he would find out soon. "Soooo, what books do you want me to take. And also- what were those four men doing here earlier?" He asked this casually, as if he had known fully the whole time.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 24, 2016 22:14:14 GMT -5
Anya leaned against the end of the bookshelf, arms behind her back. She watched as Azar clearly noticed the crates, tensing up when he looked back at her. There was no reason for her to be worried, no reason for him to know where they’d come from, and yet his next words proved that he at least had an idea. No, more than an idea.
“Is that how you found me? By following them here?” she asked. Well, demanded. “I know they tend to send incompetent ones but none of them noticed that a pesky little peasant was trailing behind them?” She crossed her arms, bristling. “They were bringing me food. So I don’t starve to death in here. Now would you like to continue interrogating me when you broke in, or would you like to take some books and pretend that I never existed?”
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 24, 2016 22:34:19 GMT -5
Azar gritted his teeth, obviously annoyed. He was asking questions and getting answers but not the right ones- or at least not the ones he wanted to hear. It was all too confusing, and why she would be hiding in a ruined castle with armed men bringing her food every time she runs out? At the end of her statement he forced a fake smile and replied,l "I'd like to leave this place with a few books and pretend that you never existed." He didn't want to get angry, but too late- he already was.
His answer was not the case at all. It had been a complete lie and she probably knew it, because every other time he lied she'd known. Maybe there was a book in here that explained the history of the castle, some clues to give her a reason to be here. Even if she put it right in front of him, though, he wouldn't know. Curse my ability to not be able to read, he thought angrily. Maybe he could learn, but that would take time and patience that he didn't have. Well- the patience part.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 24, 2016 22:46:30 GMT -5
Anya smiled back, though the expression was far from pleasant. He’s act was definitely slipping, since she could tell very easily how frustrated he was getting, but she was frustrated too. How would he like it if she started asking him all about how he ended up a thief? Probably not very well. “Glad to hear, cos I’d like to forget about your existence as well.” She kicked the shelf. “I read all of these years ago and most of them were boring. Take what you want, I won’t be reading them again regardless.”
She just wanted to go back to being alone. She didn’t know why she always tried to get the knights to at least acknowledge her. People were stupid and annoying and confusing and fragile. She didn’t need anything like that in her life. She just needed her books to keep her company and occupy the time here.
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 26, 2016 23:31:27 GMT -5
Azar looked at the books she mentioned and breathed in to try to control his frustration. He randomly picked out a few books from the shelf in front of him and held them firmly. He would have to put them in a satchel that was on Magnus, if he didn't burn them because of his anger first. No; don't think like that, he mentally told himself, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. A slight warmth in his fingertips told him he had gone to far. He shouldn't have asked all of those personal questions anyway. "I'm sorry for intruding, and asking so many questions; I... guess I was just curious, that's all," he apologized, looking down at the cover of the book he held, which unknowingly (to him) read 'Dragons of the East'.
He could feel the warmth recede, but the book was still hot to the touch. The heat, however, was something he was very much used to by now, so he didn't show any pain. "I just didn't get why some random girl was living in an old, abandoned castle," he mused with a bit of a tone.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 27, 2016 9:14:49 GMT -5
Anya observed him silently as he picked out books, trying to figure out if there was any rhyme or reason to his choices. He had admitted to being here just to steal, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he could read. As far as she knew, most peasants couldn’t, but it was strange that someone would decide to steal books, rather than explore the castle for more valuable, abandoned belongings. Then again, what did she know? This was the only human interaction in the past few years where the other person was actually acknowledging her existence. She had little foundation to understand people.
Anya started to relax when he apologized, a bit surprised by him doing so. She opened her mouth to speak, but he wasn’t done yet. “Well, I told you and yet you’ve continued to press me on it,” she snapped in response to his tone. “I’m not going to tell you a third time. Didn’t anyone every teach you that curiosity killed the cat?” She was pretty sure that was the saying, but she wan’t sure.
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 27, 2016 17:03:48 GMT -5
It had been a long time since he had heard that saying. Anya suddenly looked much younger and with a different face- the face of his friend. He had always said that to him every time he was curious about something. Every time he wanted to go exploring or sneak around the orphanage past curfew he would say it, but they always ended up doing it. He responded with a phrase that he had said several times when confronted with the saying that his old friend had told him, "But satisfaction brought it back."
He grinned only very slightly at the memory of his old friend, but looked away from her quickly. It had been many years ago, but shame wasn't something that just got brushed away. He had only lost control twice, and his friend had been there the second time.
He wasn't satisfied, though. Yes, he was about to leave with a few books that he could sell, but the mystery that Anya had given him was left unsolved. "I guess I'll be going then," he muttered, looking down the hallway that lead to the entrance. Or in his case- the exit.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 27, 2016 18:47:13 GMT -5
Anya tilted her head when he responded, surprised at how clever his response was, at least to her. Her surprise and confusion only increased when he smiled then looked away. He was very odd. For as many questions as he seemed to have about her, she had just as many about him. Sure, maybe a large part of those questions had to do with how little she was used to other people, but there were other things as well. Brief glimpses of emotions she had trouble identifying, but wanted to press him on.
It was best that he left sooner than later, though. Best he left before he pushed her too far and something happened. The knights already loathed and feared her, if she lost control around someone again and they found out… Maybe they’d decide that keeping her alive wasn’t worth the danger. A shiver went down her spine at the thought.
“Yes, you will be. The front hall is at the end of that one, can’t miss it,” she replied, then softened somewhat. “And Azar, satisfaction might bring it back a few times, but cats still have a limited number of lives. One day, satisfaction won’t be enough to make up for the trouble your curiosity could get you into.”
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 27, 2016 22:44:48 GMT -5
The thought of his friend left him as she spoke again. Her warning was a bit unnerving, though. The thought that all of his stupid acts of curiosity would soon catch up to him was like a bad omen. It seemed so true though. One day he would do something so stupid out of his curiosity that he would get himself killed. He was lucky that that hadn't been today. Wandering into an abandoned castle- who knows what could've happened? Instead of being killed by some booby-trap or haunted by some ghost, he had met Anya. Who was definitely mysterious (and undoubtedly could be very dangerous), but had in the end helped him out. Sort of.
"Good to know," he said, turning around to walk down the corridor without thinking much to say goodbye. He looked to see if she was following him, and for now she didn't seem to be. He definitely wouldn't be checking any other part of the castle with her on guard. Instead, he walked quietly down the hallway, ready to turn left to go out the entrance when he got there.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 28, 2016 9:44:54 GMT -5
Anya knelt down when he left the library, quickly returning her dagger to its hiding place. She stuck her head out to watch him leave, her brow furrowing. As relieved as she was that he was leaving, there was a part of her that was sad to see him go. Admittedly, it was a very small part, but he was the first person in years to really acknowledge her presence. Anya didn’t even particularly like him, especially with how nosy he was, but still. She couldn’t think of the last time someone had treated her like a person rather than a monster.
“Only because he doesn’t know what you’ve done. Otherwise, he’d see you as the monster you are,” the slimy voice whispered. There was a blur of movement in the corner of her vision. Anya grabbed the doorframe, glancing over her shoulder at no one. “Shut up,” she mumbled, poking her head back out. It was right, though. If Azar knew the full story of her being here, he’d have left in a heartbeat. She took a deep breath, trying to push the thoughts away. She just needed to return to her book.
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 29, 2016 21:53:53 GMT -5
{{- Sorry I haven't been very active lately I was flooded with homework over the weekend and just toda ;~; -}}
Azar didn't look back another time. He paced towards the entrance of the castle, looking at the tall, complex ceiling above him. He was surprised that it hadn't caved in given the age. The amount of erosion and weather that this castle had probably been through.
He was sad to have left the only person that he had ever talked to in such a long time so soon. In another lifetime, under better circumstances- they might have even had the chance to be friends. But you know why you can't have friends.People are vulnerable and fragile. If he were emotionally tied to someone else it would only mean trouble for them given his... abilities. He opened the door to the castle and closed it behind him as gently as possible (which was very hard given the enormity of it). The curious boy looked back at the doors of the castle, wondering what would happen if he ever tried to visit her again.
He sighed, turning back around to go back to his horse. Around a side of the castle and to the fountain that he had tied him by. No- he wasn't there. Maybe it had been another fountain? Another tree? It looked too similar, though. He had tied him up to a tree by a fountain and gave him an apple. Where could he have gone? He rushed to the tree, looking for any sign of a clue that would lead him to his horse's whereabouts. He found it almost immediately, still tied to the tree. The rope had been cut.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 30, 2016 19:41:45 GMT -5
(No problem, I figured it was something like that!)
Anya stayed peaking out at the hall even after Azar had vanished from sight, only pulling away when she heard the front door close. She took a deep breath, smoothing her worn out dress. She made her way through the maze of shelves until she got back to her reading table. She rolled her eyes as she got to work trying to find the page she had been on.
She struggled to keep focused on what she was doing. Her mind kept wandering to Azar instead of the book she was quickly flipping through. He had so many questions, but it was strange that he had neglected to ask about one of her more obvious strange qualities. Her eyes, bright and unnatural, seemed to intimidate even the best trained knight when one of them dared to actually look her in the eyes. They marked her for what she was: an outsider, a freak, and a monster. And yet he hadn’t seemed to even notice. Given, he had seemed more focused on other things, but still. It was strange.
She shook her head, trying to clear it. It didn’t matter, he was gone now. If he knew what was good for him, he wouldn’t come back. And if he did, she’d just warn the knights about him. It would cause a few problems if word got out about her. Maybe she should have tried attacking him to keep him quiet.
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 30, 2016 22:09:34 GMT -5
The knights appeared behind Azar from out of nowhere. He turned around, startled by the sound of clacking hooves. There were only two of them though, so the other two must be... Oh geez, he thought, looking behind to where he was facing just before to see the remainder of them. The books he held dropped to the small patch of grass beneath the tree, but he didn't reach for the blade tucked in his coat. An arrow would've pierced through him by the time he could bring it out.
The voice of the knight that spoke (which was behind him) was harsh and low, "I suggest you choose your actions wisely if you wish to live." He growled. Azar heard a sword unsheathe from its scabbard, not liking the sound of it at all. He had never been in a situation like this before. He was always running away from angry unarmed shopkeepers or had done it sneaky enough that they weren't even a problem at the moment. This, though, was much worse - and much more - than he had bargained for.
"Where's my horse?" He asked, afraid of what they did or could do to Magnus. The pulling back of a bow told him those weren't the right words to have been said.
"We are well aware that he is not yours, don't play games with us," the (he was guessing) leader spoke again. How did they know that he had stolen Magnus? It had been three weeks- he had rarely kept one that short. They usually lasted about a couple months or so. He heard soft murmuring from one of the knights, but could only hear the words 'reconciling' and 'prisoner'.
"Alright, I stole him, what more do you want from me?" He asked, knowing full well that these had to be the knights that kept Anya alive. They know what I did in the castle, I know that she is supposed to be a secret, and it's their job to keep it one. The thought didn't comfort him at all.
"Not here," the leader spoke to another, "In the woods, away from the castle."
Those words comforted him even less so.
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 31, 2016 17:26:30 GMT -5
(Hey, sorry I haven't replied yet, things have been crazy, especially with the tropical storm. I'm going to start working on my reply, but I was wondering if you wanted me to do a few of the knights? Because if not, then I have very little idea what to do right now)
|
|
|
Post by Vultis on Aug 31, 2016 17:46:03 GMT -5
{{- Oh no it's okay. I have heard very little about the tropical storm- only that there is one xD. Anyway yeah that'd be cool if you did one of 'em. -}}
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 31, 2016 22:47:36 GMT -5
(We've heard a ton about it here, since it's coming towards us >.< On the upside, school was cancelled for tomorrow and possibly Friday, so yay)
(Okay, going to actually work on the reply now)
|
|
|
Post by SparkyFlames on Aug 31, 2016 23:06:47 GMT -5
Anya let out a sound of exasperation, grabbing the book and making her way out of the library. She just couldn’t focus. Azar’s visit had left her with too many thoughts and questions for her to read. She stopped in the hall to grab a piece of dried meat, then made her way up to her room. A change of scenery might help clear her mind.
She sat at her window, arms folded on the windowsill. The sun was fairly high in the sky at this point. I could have sworn that he was here for longer than that… Anya shook her head, turning her gaze down to the canopy of the forest that surrounded the castle. So many things could be hidden from her sight down there.
Movement outside of the forest caught her attention. She blinked a few times, then rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t imagining it. No, they definitely seemed to be there. What are the knights still doing here? Were they waiting to ambush Azar? She should have figured this would have happened. She shouldn’t have even bothered helping the thief out.
Despite her earlier thoughts, something about the idea of the knights killing Azar made her cringe.
——
The knight with the bow nodded to the leader. He kicked the back of Azar’s legs, keeping the arrow trained on him. “Move it, boy, if you know what’s good for you,” he growled.
The knights formed a square around the thief, one in front, one to each side, and the one with the boy behind. ‘“What exactly did you see in there?” he demanded when they stopped. “Don’t leave something out because you think it will protect you.”
(Crap knight is crap)
|
|