sonnestark | aefenglom sample post

( prompts drawn from the fourth wall event )

i. boaltinn

a. bonfires

[Bonfires have often evoked pleasant memories for her, and these are no different. For as strange and chaotic an experience as coming into this world has been, there is something universally comforting about a bonfire, and so she gravitates towards them shortly after arriving to investigate the Boaltinn festivities.

People of all sorts are gathered around them, witches and monsters alike, and it helps her to feel just a little less self-conscious about the stray feathers she's found mingled in with her hair and in small patches along her shoulder blades. It's said that monster transformations are meant to take some time, but the rules seem to mean little this time around— along with arrivals being out of the ordinary in and of themselves, newcomers seem to be experiencing changes at a rapid rate. It's worrisome, but for tonight, she's inclined to let herself enjoy the festivities— for awhile, at least.

She pauses near the East Bonfire, just in time to see someone else leap through the flames, and a curious smile pulls at one side of her mouth as she looks to whoever might be standing nearest to her.]

It's supposed to be cleansing, isn't it? Do you think you might try?

[Flames with the power to burn away poor relationship experiences... well, she has plenty of those. It's tempting.]

b. rose baths

[This isn't her first shared bathing experience: she had warmed up to such things during her time in Japan, and the soft scent of roses reminds her of Lucia's talent for aromatherapy, something she hadn't realized she would miss until suddenly it wasn't available to her any longer. All of this has been a great deal to process, and so the chance to unwind is a welcome one. She exhales softly as she sinks down so that the water is up to her chin, leaning back so that her head is gently resting against the edge of the bath, the heat pleasant against the sore spots where feathers have begun to grow.]

This is awfully considerate of them... do they always do this for new arrivals, or are these strictly a part of the Boaltinn festivities?

[She sort of hopes it's the former. She could get used to this.]

ii. wilde hunt

[The moons' effect on her is much stronger than she'd expected, even having been warned. When the opportunity is offered, she heads out to the area of the Wilde that has been barricaded to allow new arrivals to test their new abilities and forms without the risk of harming passers-by. There's no guarantee that they won't hurt one another in the process, but given they're all going through a difficult adjustment period, she wants to trust that they will all do their best to look out for one another.

The talk of Shades out among the trees has piqued her interest— she has yet to see one for herself, but she would like to see evidence of the Cwyld up close if she can, be able to recognize it for what it is and see its effects in person. She's left behind the games of cat-and-mouse to venture deeper into the woods themselves, sword drawn as she advances, wings now fully-developed and folded against her back. Balancing on what she thinks are shaping up to be talons isn't so different from walking in heels, and actually makes picking her way through the forest a bit easier. All things considered, though it is difficult, she's doing her best to take these changes in stride.

A low growl from within the trees ahead draws her attention, causing her gaze to narrow and the grip on her sword to tighten, but her attention is quickly drawn elsewhere— the rustling of brush somewhere to her right, the space between the trees too dark to make out if it's a Shade or another Mirrorbound approaching. Either way, her wings flare as she raises her blade, prepared to defend herself if necessary, taking up a ready battle stance.]

Show yourself.

[It may not mean much to a Shade, but another Mirrorbound would respond, she assumes.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I graduated a long time ago, and now I've got more homework to do.

[She even worked her way up through the ranks in the Guardian Corps to sergeant. Never in a million years did she think she'd have to hit the books again, especially for something as silly as magic. She'd even mastered her world's version of it, only to have that taken away from her, too.]

Not that the magic I know is any better.

[Her hand reaches for her chest, where she still bears her l'Cie tattoo, fully developed with its eye opened.]

Where I'm from, people are afraid of it.

It's not too common where I'm from, either. Rare enough that people don't trust it, or if they do, they put far too much faith in it for their own good.

[Considering all the times she's seen magic used for ill, she can't really blame those who are afraid, but it's all down to the user. She frowns a bit, thoughtful.]

Maybe this place will be better, in that regard. You might have to start all over again, but magic is a part of everyday life. People won't be afraid, but—

[She smiles faintly, half-hearted as she shakes her head.]

I know that's not really enough. It doesn't make up for all the rest of it.

[The rest of it...

Lightning makes a face at that. Which part, she wants to ask, but then they'd be here all night until their skin is wrinkled like raisins and all the bubbles and rose petals have turned to more water. There are a lot of complicated things about this world, but the one thing that she will never, ever be able to wrap her head around are...]

You mean the bonds, right?

[Yep, still salty.]

[There are those.]

All of it, I suppose. Being so far from home, having no say in the matter, but... yes, I'll admit, the subject of bonds has been weighing on my mind.

[It's the sort of concern she would normally keep to herself, think over silently, but she finds herself compelled to share as she shifts beneath the surface of the water.]

It's a lot to ask of someone— of anyone. To share our lives with another person, when most people here are strangers to begin with... how are you supposed to find a bondmate that you know you can trust?

[Trust isn't something that should be given freely, in her opinion. She's learned that the hard way.]

Hope you've got someone you already know here?

[And even then, that wasn't enough for Lightning the last time. Fang had tried to talk to her about it, but she only shunned the discussion every time, and even got angry about it. Maybe now, it would be different, but that's still a lot to ask of Lightning, and of anyone who'd end up becoming the other person.]

Dunno. I couldn't last time, and it made sure I was punished for it.

[Her hands stretch under the water.]

Feels too personal.

[She deflates just a bit at that suggestion. Yes, that would certainly make it easier, but it's not an option for everyone— certainly not for her.

She frowns, her gaze touched with concern, brow furrowed slightly.]

Punished. How so?

[She's still not exactly sure of what happens, but...]

Not as though I could blame you. I agree. It feels so intensely personal.

[What is with this bath that continues to urge her to talk more about her experiences? If she had anywhere else to go to get cleaned up, she might have already left, but it's oddly comforting. The situation is a bit embarrassing, but it could just be better for others to know so they don't end up the same as she did...]

Didn't have a bond and didn't use my magic enough. In my experience, that's a pretty bad combo... especially when you finally try to use it.

[...]

That plan backfired on me.

[Literally.]

[Karin herself probably would have stepped out and dried off by now in the interest of practicality, but the comfort offered by the warm water and the good company encourages her to stay, to talk and to ask questions. Even for someone used to shared baths, this is a little more than she would normally feel inclined to interact with another bather, but...

Well, the situation as a whole is unprecedented, isn't it? For her, at least— not so much for Lightning, and she can certainly understand the frustration at the edge of the other woman's words.]

I see... they really do want us to embrace our newfound powers here, don't they? I had been warned that it could be harmful not to master them, but I'm sorry to hear that you actually had to experience it.

[It sounds intensely unpleasant, to say the least.]

It's admirable that you don't take the commitment of a bond lightly, though. I know I wouldn't.

I don't think it should be.

[That level of commitment to someone is something she isn't ready for, even with taking the repercussions into consideration. She would have rather taken the hit than devote herself to someone in such an odd way in the name of practicality, or magic. Fang had given her an earful about it more than once...]

It's a lot more than just a friendship, or some relationship. [Though, it certainly feels like the latter.] They say the other can feel things you do.

[She nods in agreement—they absolutely have that in common. What's being asked of them is far too important to enter into casually.]

You're right, it shouldn't be.

[Maybe there are others who might not be quite so cautious about such a thing, but Karin has her reasons, and she's sure Lightning does, as well.]

I didn't realize the connection was that strong. Would that be like telepathy?

Something like that... Maybe worse.

[The idea of telepathy itself seems bad enough – people being able to speak through their minds? No thanks. She doesn't want other voices intruding into her own when she already has enough to think about without them.

But this... this is far worse. This is Emotions. They're still only kind of dumb.]

Being able to feel someone's sadness or anger... pain. Tch, makes me sick to my stomach.

[And with that, Lightning shifts in the water, creating waves as she reaches for a towel. Maybe the effects of the water are wearing off, or maybe she's just had enough of talking about this, but either way, she's wrapping herself as she straightens, making certain she covers the l'Cie tattoo she bears on her chest. But before she climbs out, she casts a sideways glance to Karin over her shoulder, not quite looking at her but making sure she feels acknowledged.]

Good talking to you.

aefenglom sample post | monster (harpy)

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