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#Post#: 406166--------------------------------------------------
Black and Grey
By: guest1383 Date: March 1, 2016, 5:35 pm
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The sound of rain on the old tin roof was defeaning. It made
sleeping impossible. She missed the city. There were no tin
roofs there to keep their victims up late at night.
Sighing, she sat up in the straw, giving up any chance of
sleeping anytime soon. Instead, she stared out the window,
watching the downpour. She needed to sleep. Only a few more
hours until sunup and by then, the owners of the place would
probably be awake.
A nearby horse gave a snort, startling her. She sighed, willing
her heartbeat to settle back into an even pulse. She was much
too paranoid. It was not as if they would chase her this far.
The rain soon lightened up, but sleep still shied away from her.
She tugged at the lightweight jacket she wore, pulling it
against her icy cheeks, seeking warmth. The was not cold by any
means, but the rain had put a cool edge in the air.
She missed her home, but there was no going back now.
#Post#: 406188--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: Lost Date: March 1, 2016, 7:16 pm
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“How long has it been since I left? Do any of the universes I
once knew even exist outside of my memory? What would happen to
me if I attempt this and reality that I was a part of no longer
is there?” His glowing eyes shifted from side to side as he
mused aloud to himself. He had no knowledge of how long he had
stood in this place weighing out the possible ramifications of
returning to the set of universes he had been forced to leave.
Despite the internal debate that had started ages ago was fully
aware the entire time that he would end up making the attempt.
He was not one to buckle to destiny, and he certainly had no
intention to start doing so.
Without missing a beat he changed subjects, his gaze focused
upon a seemingly random point in the inky blackness that
surrounded him. “What should I focus on? I can’t risk using a
specific person, I severed any connection strong enough to reel
in long before I left. A location wouldn’t work either as there
is no guarantee it still stands. No it has to be an idea, a
word with the power to yank me back.” His voice faded for a
time, before a slight smile crept across his face. “That word
should suffice.”
He took a deep breathe as energy began to build within his mind.
It would take a massive surge of power to fling him through the
wall that separated the different realities, he was fortunate in
that regard has he had more than enough to spare. As his mental
energy continued to mount waves of illuminated purple started
pulsating out of him. He placed a hand upon his temple once he
had focused as much as he could, the mass of it caused his head
to throb in pain yet his smile grew just before he spoke. “Home”
Even with all of the build up that had accumulated while leading
up to this moment, the actual event occurred with no fanfare.
One moment he was surrounded by darkness, the next he was in a
small house with a roof made of tin. He noticed the other
presence in the room immediately, but he decided to put an
introduction on hold for the time. Instead he focused on the
massive influx of information that bombarded his mind as soon as
he appeared. He had disconnected from both his powers of mind
reading and future sight so long ago that he was caught off
balance for a moment when they hit him again. He regained his
composure within seconds however, as he remembered how to subdue
both abilities to the point that they didn’t bother him.
With his mind under control he turned his attention to the woman
who had been in the room prior to his arrival. He flashed her a
slight smile before bowing theatrically, a habit from before he
had left the first time. “I apologize for the intrusion Rahela,
I didn’t have much control of where I ended up sadly. I believe
an introduction on my side is in order. I am known as Lost, it
is a pleasure to meet you.”
#Post#: 406194--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: guest1383 Date: March 1, 2016, 7:43 pm
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Less than a few hours after it had began, the rain slowly
subsided into soft 'pitter patters'. Her mind was reeling still,
unyielding to her pleas. Heavy lids drooped sleepily, as she
yawned and sat with her back against the wall in an upright
position. It was not the most comfortable, but it was a lot
better than dealing with itchy piles of straw poking at her
skin.
There was very little illumination given the immense cloud
cover, but the moon was gradually starting to appear for small
intervals of time as the storm passed. Yet, the rain still
plummeted to earth relentlessly. Idly, she thought of the mud
the rain would bring about. She would need to take caution when
leaving tomorrow to avoid leaving a trail for any hunters still
on the prowl. Though it was doubtful they would meander this far
out from the safety of the city limits just for her.
As if the gods had heard her very thoughts, another being
appeared in the room. If the gods were spiteful enough to grant
her, her fears, they were truly for the dogs.
Amethyst eyes as wide as golden coins stared up at him as he
bent at the waist and his words sliced through the silence. She
knew better than to trust any stranger, especially those wearing
smiles and bowing to intruders. Another thing, how did he know
her name if he was not been from the kingdom? Slowly, she stood
onto her feet. The floor was hard on her sore feet. They had not
yet recovered from the week long journey she had taken to get
here.
Instinctively, her left hand went to her belt, but it halted
before it could reach the glint of silver there. It would be
much too obvious to retract the weapon now. Also, there was no
telling if this man truly meant her harm and she was a woman of
honor.
"Aye," she responded in a low, cool tone. "It is a pleasure to
meet you as well, Lost. You'll have to forgive me, but I do not
recall having met you and you seem to know my name?"
#Post#: 406197--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: Lost Date: March 1, 2016, 8:35 pm
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After he finished speaking he allowed his future sight to
consume his vision for a moment. Unlike many clairvoyants he had
met in his life he did not see a single future, there simply was
no such thing. Instead he saw every path that could be created
by every decision that could be made. Many years ago when he had
first developed this particular ability he had been rendered
completely blind by it and driven insane, he simply could not
process the amount of data that swam within the current of time.
He eventually learned how to focus it, narrowing it down to
focus on the future of specific objects or people. He did just
that, though his focus was not directed toward him or the woman
before him. Instead he wanted to see what his protegee had
manage to get himself into, by working backwards from the
potential futures to the point in time they all converged. He
resisted the urge to smile as he saw his creation interacting
with a princess.
With his curiosity satisfied for the moment he allowed the sight
to fade into the background, his attention once more on Rahela.
Her consciousness washed over him with his shifted focus, and he
couldn’t help but chuckle softly as he heard her reach for her
weapon through her thoughts. He had not meant to set her on
edge, obviously given the fact that until he appeared within the
building he had never set eyes on the woman. Because of this he
found it rather amusing when she halted her action, quickly
enough that he doubted most people would have been able to pick
up on the motion in the first place.
“I have always admired those who clung to the ideal of honor. It
is a noble and worthy virtue, but sadly it is also the one most
likely to lead to harm.” His voice wasn’t deep nor high pitched,
rather it fell comfortably in between the two. The smile that
had been on his lips grew wider as he raised his right hand to
display the small dagger she had been reaching for. “I assure
you I have no ill intentions, you have no need for this.” After
the words left his lips the blade disappeared from his hand,
returning to its place at her hip.
When she finally spoke he gave her plenty of time to finish,
despite having already heard every word as they formed within
her mind, before shaking his head. “You are correct you have
never met me, nor I you. You could say I have a talent for
knowing names.” He chuckled softly at his joke, though he cut it
short as he resumed speaking. “I also am not aligned to any
kingdom. I know you are unlikely to take my word for it but you
clearly are on the run. If I had been sent after you don’t you
think I would have captured or attacked you by this point?”
#Post#: 406201--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: guest1383 Date: March 1, 2016, 9:11 pm
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The oddity of the man's nature raised more suspicions than his
knowledge of her name. Pursing her lips curiously, she
contemplated running though she dreaded having to deal with the
rain. Aside from the weather, somehow she doubted she could
escape him so easily if he meant her harm. No, she would not
attempt to escape when there was no guarantee of danger; yet.
Long auburn tendrils cast shadows over her features as she
tilted her head away from the window. Her eyes seized him up,
obviously trying to detect any weak spots if she needed to
defend herself. His mere presence put her teeth on edge. No
being needed as much power that seemingly coursed through his
veins. Sensing that the man's strength greatly outweighed any
physical deficiencies, she relaxed in her stance. Clearly, she
had met her end if he so decided it.
The woman's gaze narrowed as he spoke to life what her mind had
been meditating on just moments ago. An icy shiver slid down the
vertebrae of her spine as the moonlight revealed her dagger
within the palm of his hand. The weapon then vanished from his
grasp, but instead of reaching for it in the place she expected
it had been returned to, her gaze lifted to his own. Many
emotions shifted through her gaze, but none related to fear. The
most prominent was agitation at the instinctive feeling that he
was invading her secret musings.
"Better death with honour than life spent in deceit," she
murmured. A lone brow lifted pointedly.
Rahela lifted her chin upon hearing his claim of being an
independent; an outsider. There was much humor in his claim
given that there was not a single living being on this planet
that was exempt from being under the kingdoms' ruling. The humor
was quickly absorbed when he went on to ask his question.
Would he have? Surely he would have been successful in his
attempt if tried, but she knew of plenty who would enjoy playing
with their food first. Especially since they would obtain
boasting rights for having outdone a diplomat of sorts.
Her hips swayed as she maneuvered her weight on the opposite
foot. There were many questions still left unanswered, but she
was wise enough to know that many answers were best left untold.
"I owe you no answers just as you needn't account for your
nature," she spoke, breaking eye contact momentarily to
investigate a noise from outside the window. A large black bird
flew upward towards the roof before vanishing from sight once
again.
Her eyes found his again. "If it is not too rude to ask, what
business do you have here? Surely, nothing here is of interest
to someone like you. Most men would hone the powers you appear
to have and use them to rule, not waste breath speaking to a
runaway."
#Post#: 406207--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: Lost Date: March 1, 2016, 10:37 pm
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His smile flickered away briefly, though through no fault of the
woman he was simply bored of
standing. He knew it would be unwise to move toward one of the
few objects in the sparse building, his companion was already on
edge and getting closer to her had the potential to make her do
something rash. Instead he simply sat in the air, his feet
kicked up as if resting on something that was invisible. He
hovered roughly a foot off of the ground after he adjusted his
position a few times, which consisted of floating higher and
lower.
Finally comfortable he returned his focus to the woman though in
truth it had never left given that her thoughts continued to
flow through his mind. Due to their close proximity, and the
fact that she was interesting, her inner voice was a roar
compared to the countless other thoughts that rolled through his
mind.
He couldn’t help but allow a slight smirk to appear upon his
lips as he heard her searching for any weaknesses. That was not
what brought the smirk, rather it was when she reached the
conclusion that his power exceeded any physical limitation that
he may have. However the smirk died when she decided that if he
had the desire he could snatch away her life without any
trouble. He knew that it was quite likely that he could do just
that, but the fact that she believed it so completely was
upsetting.
“Come now Rahela, defeat is only a certainty once you have
accepted it as one. Until that point there is always a chance
that you can be victorious. Even against me you could very well
manage to land a blow that would disable me long enough for you
to make your escape.”
A light smile returned to his lips as she spoke, with him
nodding along. “I can agree with that sentiment. Though I would
like to say I do not practice deceit, I have no need to.
Everyone is an open book to me, it is only fair that I return
the favor.”
The next thoughts that her mind projected only broadened his
smile, not only at the fact that she believed him to be part of
this world but also the extra information it provided him of the
place he had landed. He decided not to respond to that at the
moment though, instead waiting for a better time knowing that
she had more to say both verbally and mentally.
It didn’t take long for her to reach her ending question, one
that he could have anticipated even if he did not have access to
the thoughts that lead to it. He remained silent for a few
seconds, trying to decide how to properly address what she had
asked.
“I have never had the desire to rule, it simply isn’t for me. I
typically don’t stay on the same world let alone the same
location long enough to be an effective ruler. More importantly
though is the fact that runaways tend to be some of the most
interesting people I have ever met. They always have a story.”
He paused for a moment, remembering other conversations he has
had over the years. “As for one of your earlier thoughts, it
would be very difficult for me to be part of the kingdom given
that I have spent a total of only a few minutes on this planet.”
#Post#: 406211--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: guest1383 Date: March 2, 2016, 9:52 am
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It was not everyday someone witnessed a man sit in mid-air. She
came to the only reasonable conclusion: she was dreaming.
Everything could be explained if it was a dream. Including his
uncanny ability to ramble off her thoughts as if she were
nothing but a novel he had decided to read.
The woman elevated her chin as he spoke aloud her thoughts
again. There was really no point of replying with words if he
was merely going to filter through her thoughts. As this
realization crossed her mind, she looked at him pointedly,
expecting him to give a response to her thoughts once again.
Trying to speak through her thoughts was harder said than done.
Even as she tried to rein in her thoughts to form a coherent
sentence, she found the attempt exhausting.
Given that it seemed he could only hear the surface of her
thoughts and not venture into her memories, Rahela made a mental
note not to allow herself to think too much of herself. Despite
the private conversation going on with herself in her mind, she
was fully aware that it was not so private. It felt like
gossiping about someone who was in earshot of all that was being
said. The smile on the man's lips told her it was amusing to
him.
She could see why it would be humorous, but to her it felt
violating. Here she was on the run, talking with an unknown,
powerful being who found it entertaining to watch her struggle
to grasp the oddity of it all.
"Perhaps," she replied, taking his words into consideration.
"Though we both know the only weapon I have would not suffice."
The blade itself was a mere three inches; not long enough to
penetrate deep enough to cause any serious injury. The best she
could hope for was getting near enough to catch his neck on the
edge. Still, she did not much care for killing, but then, she
was not desperate yet.
She did not make a reply in regards to his words pertaining to
deceit. Time was always telling, words held little weight
without the action behind them. For now, however, she knew that
he was telling the truth, or at least it seemed to be that way.
He could very well be lying.
"I see," she murmured, but the burrowing of her brows disagreed
with her words. "So you just visit worlds for fun?"
It took a moment for her mind to stop reeling from the
information. None of this should have been possible. She was
dreaming! Well, if she was dreaming she would not be here, but
in the northern kingdom safely out of the king's grasp. She
closed her eyes, but when she reopened them she was still in the
same tin-roof shack speaking with Lost. A sigh emitted from her
lips. It was worth a shot.
"Considering you've visited other worlds, it is doubtful my
story would interest you much," Rahela said, sitting down on the
floor once again.
She yawned and rubbed her forehead. In the midst of their
conversation and the annoying echoes of rain on the roof, a
headache had developed.
A laugh deprived of humor filled the space between them as she
shook her head at his next comment about the kingdoms.
"You may not know it, but you are apart of the kingdoms just by
being here," she replied. "If I were you, I would seek another
vacation spot on different planet."
#Post#: 407755--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: Lost Date: November 15, 2016, 12:01 am
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His smile, which had softened for a moment, grew slightly once
more as her thoughts continued to flow through his mind, If he
closed his eyes he would be able to see the stream of
consciousness and follow it to it's point of origin, the very
center of her mind. However he had no interest in such an act.
She had made it very clear that she was far from pleased knowing
that he could hear her thoughts, invading her privacy further
would add insult to injury.
For once he is caught off guard momentarily, as she forms the
very conclusion he had just reached as if she was the one who
could read minds. He considered giving her some form of peace,
by creating a barrier to protect her memories from him. However
after a brief deliberation he realized it would be pointless.
Not only would he be pushing her boundaries further, the act
itself would serve no purpose but to appease her. He knew she
was intelligent, and if he was capable of placing it she would
know he could remove it just as easily.
Soon enough he found his smile diminish to a slight frown, it
had not been his intention to violate her in any manner. The
people he had once known had become so accustomed to the fact
that thoughts drifted through his mind constantly that they
eventually adapted to it. He had never considered how it would
appear to someone experiencing it for the first time.
To distract himself from that line of thought he shifted his
focus to her words, unable to stop his brief chuckle. Instead of
taking her weapon again he forms a new one, same length and
style but the same reach purple as his eyes rather than the
silver of hers.
"You underestimate your weapon. You are correct in the matter of
being unable to fatally wound me, however a blow to my eye,
heart, throat, any major artery, etc would certainly hinder me."
He had pointed the blade at each spot as he spoke, making it
vanish when he was finished.
"Not that I advise you to make the attempt."
He fell silent for a time, allowing her to speak uninterrupted
once more. His lips rose and fell throughout. Upon hearing her
distress caused by the forming headache he released a small
pulse of energy, covering the tin house in a thin layer of
psychic energy to prevent the rain from meeting the surface.
With her last piece finished for the moment, he spoke once more.
"I do not only visit worlds for my amusement, I also do it to
further my knowledge and improve my power further. Every living
being has a tale to tell, and while it would be simple enough to
dive in and extract it I have long since lost the desire to do
so. I enjoy interacting with others, and when able even
helping." His voice came to a halt, a wistful smile forming on
his lips as he thought back onto the various entities he had
encountered throughout his adventures. With a small tinge of
regret he pulled himself out of his memories, focused entirely
once more upon Rahela.
"All stories interest me, the only question is to what degree. I
firmly believe that yours is a most fascinating tale and will
only continue to develop in a similar fashion. After all you
have met me. How many others do you know who could claim such a
thing?" His eyebrow rose slightly at the end, falling as he
continued.
"Kingdoms cannot contain me, but that is not of any importance.
As I mentioned earlier I like to help people when I can, so if
you would like I could bring you to somewhere you would feel
safer. It would only take a moment, and we could continue our
conversation in a more pleasant atmosphere."
#Post#: 409003--------------------------------------------------
Re: Black and Grey
By: guest1383 Date: June 18, 2017, 9:19 am
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Her eyes widened and her eyebrows furrowed as the man yielded a
weapon that he created just moments ago. He had seemingly given
it little to no forethought or effort- simply willed it and it
was. The dagger resembled her's in height and stature, but the
color was different. Where her's was plated silver, his gleamed
violet- the color worn on the day of a king's coronation in her
land.
Really, she should have not been shocked. The man was not a
slave to the same rules as she was. Even gravity and mental
barriers surrendered to his power, though she wondered if any of
it was an illusion.
"If in fact I could get so close to touch you," she murmured,
her voice leaving her in a single expel of breath that nearly
choked her. She swallowed. "Your advisement is well noted."
With the weapon gone, she relaxed, albeit stiffly. Tendrils of
hair splayed across her shoulders as she brushed her thumb over
her lower lip, recalling the earlier conversation with Niya.
"Y-you're-...." Niya stammered, her bright blue gaze soaking in
the scene.
Rahela followed her line of sight and for the first time, she
understood the screams. Everything was a blur, a single grainy
picture of earth and red.
"Amazing? Talented? I'll accept heroine, but it seems kind of
a step down from goddess." Rahela forced her trembling knees to
keep her upright as she watched the color drain from Niya's
face. It hurt worse than the cuts on her back.
"Dangerous."
Weapons were a necessity of life, a measure of war. Niya had
forced her to discover the real weapons could not be created,
they were born.
Rahela lifted her head, drowning in the sudden silence, and
suddenly noticed that she could no longer hear the rain against
the house. It was a relief for her head, but she found herself
needing an anchor, something to distract her from the hell
waging in her thoughts.
Fortunately, he spoke. As he did, she stared down at her hands,
tracing the lines on her palms with her gaze. Listening to him
talk about visiting worlds like traveling through towns was
perplexing, but intriguing. Curiosity ignited within her like a
forbidden word which she quickly stifled before it could grow
further. She glanced back up when he had paused and watched
something haunt his expression before a smile softened its
intensity. Again she felt curiosity's pang but this time she
did not feel so inclined to smother it.
"None," she admitted in a whisper that felt suitable in the
quiet.
His offer startled her. She did not know Lost well enough to
feel comfortable surrendering her safety into his hands. When
the thought crossed her mind, she lifted her gaze to his hands
as if trying to decipher their capability. Knowing her thoughts
were his, she lifted her gaze and slanted a brow pointedly.
Why should she trust him? She knew there would be no answer to
sate her fear. He was what he was and for some reason he was
here willing to assist her. Niya would have cursed her, but
Rahela had tasted the effects of trusting someone she loved and
nothing could be as bitter as that had been. Lost appeared
trustworthy, but her judgement lately was considerably off.
"Okay," Rahela answered, not knowing if she had just agreed to
her death or not.
She sluggishly stood erect and took a step forward before
hesitating. Humidity in the air had plastered her clothes to her
skin and caused her hair to cling her cheeks. She appeared worn.
His presence had set her nerves on fire, but nothing could
diminish the exhaustion she felt in her bones.
"You'll return me?"
As much as she dreaded the thought of having to return to the
danger and ultimately her assured death, leaving her problems
behind would be a coward's way out- and she a lot of things, but
a coward was not one of them. Also, she had to return and
finish what she had begun lest others pay for her actions.
"Also," she began, her lips quirking into a lop-sided smile that
produced a lone dimple in her left cheek, "can we agree on no
flying or levitating? I have a terrible fear of heights."
Swordplay, no. Vicious kings with a primitive desire to hunt
down all who threatened their rule, no. Heights, surprisingly,
yes.
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