sonnestark | aefenglom sample post

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game: aefenglom

aefenglom sample post | monster (harpy)

( 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.]

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[Sora has seen the bonfires a few times now. On his arrival he had fun watching everyone try it out but he hadn't gotten a chance to take a turn at it. Back then he'd been a full human boy but now he's a less that and more rabbit. His legs are stronger now and his skin is patchy with soft brunette fur. So he could probably make the jump without much effort at all.]

Cleansing? I thought people were just trying to be cool.

[He lets out a laugh, his long rabbit ears bouncing with the motion.]

I was thinking about giving it a shot. What about you? Do you have something you've gotta cleanse?

[Oh. She hadn't thought of that.]

Well— maybe some of them are.

[There's a faintly impish note in her voice, because she can certainly think of a few people she knows who might do something like this just to show off.]

You know, I think I might.

[She still looks mostly human, so she'll gladly be taking one of those amulets just to be safe, but she's never been afraid of a little fire. It's usually on her side.]

Mark of a new beginning, maybe? For however long this lasts.

Some of them definitely are.

[He gives a lopsided grin. Sora isn't one of those people but there's a few rowdy others that he can tell are doing this just for that. Monsters can get pretty showboat-y.]

But, that's a better idea to want to try! Maybe it'll give you some good luck for your time here. You're new, right?

[Well, this is one way to get cleaned and warmed up after being soaked to the bone. Why couldn't she show up in one of these baths instead!? Well, that doesn't matter – she can't go back now, and she's here, so might as well take advantage of what's being offered.

It took her a while to even get into the bath. She'd been offered a brand-new bathing suit – for the more self-conscious – and even then, it had taken her longer than normal to remove the bathrobe she had wrapped so tight around herself. Submerged in water, she still can't fully relax as she sits with her back straight and her shoulders squared around her ears, and she hardly turns her head to look at Karin when she suddenly speaks.]

I wish. Didn't get more than a hello last time.

Suppose I can't blame them. It is impressive, at least the first few times.

[She's seen a couple of people go back for second and third leaps, and she's not sure that's how all of this is supposed to work.

At his question, she nods. She knows it must show— she's started to sprout feathers, but compared to the other monsters here, it doesn't look like much.]

I am. It's... a lot to take in, honestly, but I've learned to take things in stride.

[The last couple years of her life have been, succinctly put, 'a lot.']

You seem comfortable here. You've been here awhile, I'm guessing?

Shh.

[ The hushed warning doesn't come where she'd heard the sound, but instead from a branch above and behind her. Another harpy perches there, feathers black under the shadow of the forest. His eyes glint darkly as his head remains pointed towards where she'd been calling to.

He holds up a clawed finger in warning and then points to where she'd heard the rustling, meeting her gaze and hoping she understood tactics enough to know about flanking. ]

Edited 2020-06-19 18:10 (UTC)

[Oh... that seems like a shame, really.]

Not very hospitable of them, in that case.

[Not that a bath is necessary, but something a little more than a "hello" and sending people on their way would be nice. Though baths are meant to be relaxing and public baths don't necessarily need to include conversation, she can't help but feel talkative— a bit more inquisitive than normal, whereas otherwise she might find herself feeling just a bit shy about speaking to someone in a situation like this.]

So you've been here before. It sounds like this is a vast improvement. If we had to come here, at least we had good timing.

[Silver lining, right?]

[She understands battle tactics quite well, in fact, and once he draws her attention, she gives a silent nod in response. Curious though she may be, the situation isn't ideal for introductions, and so she quietly begins to move so that they're both in a position to catch whatever it is that's moving closer in a pincer attack. She uses a tree to help keep herself hidden, the trunk wide enough to hide her slim frame from anyone or anything coming from the opposite direction, wings and all.

The rustling grows louder, now followed by footsteps. Heavy, followed by the snapping of a large branch underfoot, then a low rumble that rolls through the chill air of the evening.

She looks to him for confirmation, meeting his gaze and offering a second nod. She's ready to move the moment the source of those footsteps appears.]

[Sora laughs and agrees with her with a quick nod. This world is full of all sorts of people so seeing everyone so engaged in what the festival has to offer is nice in on itself as well. And that's also why Sora tries to be as kind a she can to newcomers. He knows it can be quite a lot to take in.]

Just take it one day at a time. And don't be afraid to ask questions. That's how I got through my first few months.

[Thus why he seems so comfortable in his fur and cotton tail.]

I think it's been about half a year for me. Sometimes it feels like way less than that.

[Although hot springs aren't unheard of in Spira, communal bathing is not really an Al Bhed thing. Even so, Rikku isn't able to resist the allure of of soaking in hot, nicely-scented water after all of the craziness of her recent arrival. It offers her an opportunity to relax and try not to think about how she's going to get home to Yunie and the rest of her family for at least a couple of hours. Too much stress isn't going to get her anywhere, after all.

By the time the woman sitting closest to her speaks, Rikku is stretched out and submerged with only her face peeking up out of the water. The words prompt her to sit up and re-address her focus from the ceiling.]

I sure hope this is for new arrivals and not just for the festival. It's the least they could do after yanking us from our homes, you know?

I'll be sure to do that— I've already had plenty. For the most part, people have been helpful.

[She's grateful for that. It wouldn't always be the case.]

You must have been kept busy if it went by so quickly. And— the changes you've gone through, they've progressed through all that time?

[ From his vantage, Yata can see the dark shape of the monster lumbering closer to her hiding spot. She's got a sword on her so he's assuming she knows what she's doing with it.

Waiting until just the right moment, he stays perched and tense, ready to pounce until the creature is almost directly under him. Then he drops with a loud caw! determined to draw the beast's attention to him to give the other harpy a chance to attack from the rear.

His own clawed hands grip a metal pole, shiny black like his feathers, something forged in intense fire and hard as diamond. It whirls around him, whistling through the air as he whips one air towards the massive creature's face. ]

[Karin smiles a bit, even as her eyelids slide closed while she lets the heat begin to sink in. This really is a nice way to unwind, and after everything the last few days have brought— and, if she's being honest, the good stretch of weeks before that— it's a much needed moment of peace and relaxation.]

It would be thoughtful of them, if that's the case. Our arrivals seem to be stressful for the locals, too. This batch was said to be 'out of the ordinary.'

[Actually, she's curious as to what counts for 'ordindary' here.]

[Rikku pauses for a bit, frowning slightly as she thinks.]

I've heard them say that, too. Although I can't imagine being so used to people randomly showing up that there are rules about how it's supposed to happen.

[She taps her chin as she considers the situation further. So much for relaxing and turning her brain off.]

Where I'm from, people showing up like this only happened twice as far as I know. And it was a big deal, not 'ordinary' at all.

Neither can I, but it seems to be a regular event here.

[It's difficult to wrap her head around, but all things considered, it's not the most difficult part to believe. She's making every effort to take as much of this on the chin as she can. Rikku's remark has her curious, however, and she opens one eye to peer in the young woman's direction.]

You've seen this happen before? People just appearing from— elsewhere?

[She can't quite bring herself to say 'other worlds,' which feels a bit silly considering all she's witnessed.]

[She's quick to spring into action as soon as the time is right— the creature looks like it might have been a bear at some point in time, now too plagued by the Cwyld for its face to be recognizable, though the shape of its body gives it away, even having given itself over to rot. Repulsive though it may be, she doesn't falter as she, too, closes in for the attack— the other harpy has its attention now, giving her the perfect opportunity to dart forward and slice through the tendons of one of its back legs, crippling it and causing it to let out a pained noise, bellowing as it swipes at Yata with one of its front claws.]

Well, I've only seen it the one time. The first time it happened, I was really little and never met him.

[Rikku turns her body to face the other woman, realizing that she has a lot to explain.]

We--my brother and I and our crew--found a guy named Tidus in some ruins. He said he was from Zanarkand, but it was a different Zanarkand than the one we knew. We thought there was something wrong with him, but it turns out that he was right and that he wasn't from Spira at all.

[Beat.]

I... don't really know the details beyond that, though. Most of that was between him and Yunie.

[Another beat, and sudden realization crosses her face.]

But you don't even know who they are or where Spira is. Or who I am. I'm Rikku.

What's your name?

[ The metal rod blocks the claws, even though sparks fly off it at the impact, the scrape screeching in the otherwise quiet night. Well, somewhat quiet, because Yata's planted one end of his stave in the ground and used it to launch himself in an attack using... well, himself, honestly.

His taloned foot comes around to slam into the side of the creature's head - carefully aimed to avoid any outright infection seeping off it. It bellows, knocked off balance and its back leg giving out at the same time, taking it down in a pile on the ground.

He gestures at the girl - and the sword she holds. ]

Care to finish it?

Guess you could say that. Beats the alternative.

[The bath does just enough to balance Lightning out so that she'll even speak to anyone in here, so at least it's closer to normal than without whatever is compelling them to make conversation. It's a strange feeling, but she rolls with it.

There's a long pause while she waits for someone to wade by them, with the only sound being the swishing of the water echoing off the walls of the bath, and her sniffle when the scent of roses fills her nose.]

This your first time here?

[ Mordred has left a trail of bad relationships in her past life, but she's not sure if participating in any of this will be particularly cleansing. Just the mere thought of the past is already pissing her off, enough to start ten more fires.

But... what if it did work? The person next to her seems to be wondering about the same thing, after all. ]

Why, you don't seriously believe that crap, do you?

Mmmhmm.

[She nods as she confirms, shifting so that the tops of her knees are visible above the surface of the water, allowing her to recline fully against the side of the tub.]

There's a lot to take in, but I'd like to think I'm managing. It's strange, but— not the strangest situation I've ever been in.

[For a bit of context, she supposes.]

I'll admit to being a little nervous about the transformation process. It's... I've seen something like it before, but never experienced it for myself.

[It had always been painful for Yuri, and difficult for her to watch as a result.]

'Believe' might be a strong word.

[She smiles faintly, offering a fluid shrug in response. She can't say she's about to pin any serious hopes on it working, but even just as a symbolic gesture, it's... nice. Fitting, for what amounts to being a fresh start, even if she'd never intended it.]

If it does work, I'll be pleasantly surprised, but I appreciate the idea of it. What it stands for. If it doesn't, then there's no harm done.

[It may be a lot, but Karin listens with interest. Nothing about Rikku offering information so freely strikes her as odd in the least, and she finds herself curious to hear whatever it is she has to offer— perhaps an effect of the bath, that they've found themselves relaxed enough to talk openly? The tale, either way, is an interesting one, even if she doesn't recognize the names, and she smiles as she shakes her head slightly in response.]

I may not recognize the names of people or places, but I think I follow.

[It sounds complicated, but she's used to complicated.]

I'm Karin. It's nice to meet you, Rikku. It's nice to know someone has experience with this kind of thing, even if it's secondhand.

It would be my pleasure!

[It's as good a time as any to put some of her new features to use, as well. She pushes off with one taloned foot and spreads her wings just enough to give herself some lift, bringing her sword down in a smooth arc that neatly slices though the creature's neck, silencing it and thus putting it out of its misery.

She retracts her sword cleanly when she lands, lips pressed together into a tight line as she takes a step back and kneels to wipe her blade against some of the growth beneath the nearest tree.]

You didn't get any of it on you, did you?

You're... huh...

[There doesn't really need to be much else said on that, and she rests her head back with a sigh.

She's seen a transformation in the process, and it isn't pretty – it looks like it's everything except pleasant – and the worst part of it is that they don't have a choice in the matter. Not like Witches do with their magic.

Not to mention, calling them "Monsters" never left her feeling good about it after.]

They tell you what'll happen?

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aefenglom sample post | monster (harpy)

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