Closed Frozen Blood and Brittle Heart (Alex)

[Allassanachassanya]

22nd Winter, 516
Roughly Midday
"Speech"

Cold. Cold. Cold, cold, cold, cold, cold, bloody petching cold. Ssanya stood, shivering, rubbing her hands up and down over her arms, her face, and her thighs as she stood stationary in the middle of a snow-swept street, trying desperately to keep warm. She knew where this had to be, and her contempt for the goddess Morwen was only increasing now that she stood here. What kind of a monster made this kind of weather, this kind of place?

She had only been there a few ticks. Her attention had been drawn to the place because of the notices posted around the city, and the rumours of the priests and priestesses of the Seasons that permeated through society. Morwen was a new goddess for her, or at least, someone she hadn't heard about before, not properly. Everything she had heard stunk to Hai and back. However, despite the cold, despite the weather that no snake should ever have to endure, she was glad in a vicious kind of way to be here. Because she wanted to chance her hand at a Vantha.

They were a strange race, so it seemed. An unfortunate one, that was no mistake, to have to endure this weather on a day to day basis. She frowned, and started walking, hoping to find some street were the wind wouldn't bite her and the snow seem to seep up through her boots, illusioned though they were with the softest rabbit fur. They were doubly unfortunate to be the children of a goddess.

Her eyes widened for a brief fragment of time as she realised she herself was a child of a goddess. The fierce, cunning Siku wouldn't abandon her duties though. Plus, she was altogther more sensible than Morwen. She at least didn't make her subjects endure this. She blinked down, to shut out the freeze. Petch it.

The nearest wall provided a scrappy kind of shelter, and so she leant against it as she looked around furtively. The street she was on was quiet, with only buildings looming through the beginnings of a blizzard. Somewhere she knew there was a palace made of ice, but she didn't fancy her chances of finding it. So instead, she started to follow the wall, hoping that she would chance upon someone who looked like they might be in the same boat as her. Someone with a weapon.

Despite the cold, she felt a warm excitement in the pit of her stomach at the thought of having the chance to make something from the bones of a goddess-blessed person, even if they were cursed by the rest of the pantheon. She grinned, sharp-toothed behind the mass of furs that covered half her face. Now all she needed was a bit of luck, and an unfortunate Vantha.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


Alex rammed his hands into his pockets. As much as he loved the cold there was something of a stark disparity between the cold he liked and this bleeding blizzard. The stinging wings were something that bit against the heat his clothing offered. Nothing furred as it should have been however the length of the leather coupled with the thick cloth coat he wore beneath that was enough for him to fully step into the wind spray. At his sides the blades clinked together beneath his coat, even the eager hidden behind his back was enough to let him know fully that he was well prepared. He’d left the bow and quiver at the inn however he’d thought ahead and brought his shield with him today which lie slung across his back where his bow would normally rest.

The hood of his armour up offering some respite from the snow as it fell from above.
This damned city…It’s playing games with me I know it… Alex thought to himself grumbling in the winter weather. The first he’d seen of snow or even chill all of the season. The thick leather of his boots sank into the crunching snow as he pressed onwards. He had somewhere to be and he’d be damned if this was going to stop him. As much as he noticed that other people had their clothing shifted to thicker furs and the like Alex could easily feel that his will was known. Singled out despite the fact that he clearly wasn’t any different except for his stance.

He didn’t justify Morwen’s lack of duty however he did simply stand beholden to an ideal. And that ideal was that people who don’t commit the crime are innocent. As far as he knew these people’s only crime was simply the fact that they chose the wrong god. To a man like himself who worshipped many or at least understood their necessity it was a biting blow. His breath streaked out of him in clouds of thick white as it whipped past his head and flew off into the distance. However out of the corner of his eye Alex spotted someone in a similar predicament as him despite the simple fact that they were swaddled with furs and thick cloaks.

Even in the cold of the city or at least this fragment Alex felt a strong chill run down his spine. Almost as if the city itself was trying to target him for having a stance against the injustice that was being delivered upon the people. He made his way closer to the figure, feet stomping deeply into the snow both for traction and for stability. His words almost blew away in the fierce winds with how light they were.
“Any idea how to get out of this area?” He called out as loud as strongly as he could with his restrained voice not wanting to roar out the words and frighten the prospective help off.

[Allassanachassanya]

"Speech"

Despite the man's gentleness, Ssanya started with alarm, having not noticed the figure. He was a bit mad, she thought, to be so thinly dressed. He looked to be dressed in leather, not known to be the warmest of materials. Well, at least she assumed it was a he. The person's face was partially obscured by a hood, and so the woman stepped closer, shivering visibly as she craned her eyes to see what she could spot. Ordinarily, she might have been more startled than she was, but Alvadas was a place of unusualities, so she quickly recovered from her initial scare.

"Taken a wrong turn? You look like you are prepared for a fight." She nodded to his armour, and then hopped on her feet to keep warm. Her accent was thick with layers of Eyktol, hung all over with the sibilance of snake-tongue. If it wasn't obvious by her speech that she was more suited to hot sands and burning sunshine, then her agitated standing would at least show she was far from comfortable. Despite the furs. "Godsss but it'ss cold! Asss for a way away from here..." She shrugged, the movement barely registering after the layers of fluff that coated her shoulders. "I don't know. I sssearchh for Vantha. Why here?"

The question was directed at the man through chattering teeth, but she had one more thing to say. "Mind if I walk thiss way? Too cold to sstand sstill." With that, she started to walk, right side hugging the wall as she scanned the environs for another figure. Hopefully of the Vantha persuasion.

It seemed like it was only growing colder too. The winds, already fierce, were starting to grow snow that landed like ash on the surroundings. Ssanya's clothing soon had a coating of grey snow that melted and made her not only frozen but wet too. The walls, being colder than her warm body, were already picking up the thick, white flakes. The wind whistled through the winding street, that grew wider, leading the stranger and Ssanya out into the open. Not that you would be able to tell- the visibility was dropping rapidly, causing Ssanya to squint as she looked about. Her hopes of finding a Vantha were dropping as fast as the visibility, and she was beginning to think that the stranger's idea of getting out of here was a good one.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


“Something like that.” Alex spoke through chattering teeth and a small thin smile. More a pleasant courtesy than anything major. “As for if I’m ready for a fight. That’s kind of my job.” He could see the figure before him despite the many more layers than him they were apparently wearing and much thicker clothing. They were visibly colder than he was. He was generally alright with colder environs and biomes however this was taking the piss ever so slightly.

Her words though struck a dark chord with Alex as the figure mentioned searching for vantha. However when he managed to get his words out through the steadily increasing snow. “I’m here because I heard there were vantha here as well.” He wasn’t going to finish his full statement figuring that holding it at that point would be enough for him to gift a small piece of thought to the figure. The figure then mentioned walking and talking.

They began to move however the talking was at a premium. They said little but did much. However with the sheer pace of the wind picking up he could feel chunks of snow slamming into his shoulders and the breath almost being sucked from him as he trudged through the snow. And it seemed as if they were leading both themselves and Alex into the open. A bad idea in an ice storm. He reached out a hand and grabbed the figure by the wrist.

“We need to get out of the open. I’ve been in weather like this before, and we need to get somewhere solid and warm soon.” Alex glanced around keeping his hood down as best he could before spotting a small house only a few feet away from the pair of them. Abandoned, quite possibly one of the vantha’s who was living a peaceful life before this edict. “There!” He called out loud enough to be heard but nowhere near his full volume, he gave the figure a small tug and brought them towards the dwelling. There was no sense in being out in a blizzard like this when visibility was dropping faster than the temperature. Alex put his shoulder firmly into the door and nearly fell through as he found it wasn’t locked.
“Quick, In. unless you want to freeze.” Now it was all on the figure’s actions.

[Allassanachassanya]

"Speech"

She was almost glad as the stranger grabbed her sleeve and pulled her to the side. Almost glad. She didn't appreciate being man-handled, especially by well, a man. But her frown was extinguished by the sense of warmth as they stumbled into the admittedly abandoned building. A shudder of warmth ran down her spine and she pulled her hood down to shake out the snow caught in it. Her hair, warm-brown in colour, shook out and lay flat against her cheeks. She regarded the man through dark eyes, wary but curious. "Ssso... Who are you?"

The question was no sooner out than she started tramping up and down on the spot, rubbing her hands back together as the stubborn warmth spread through her body. She was a Dhani from the South- this kind of weather was not appreciated, not at all. Nevertheless, she took the time to properly regard the man. He seemed ordinary, except for the weapons. But then, carrying weapons wasn't all that unusual. Her time in Endrykas and Riverfall told her that many cultures were fond of displaying their weaponry. Maybe this stranger was part of that.

She was gradually regaining feeling in her fingers. Outside, the blizzard raged through the dirty window that shed weak light on the floor. She walked over to it, rubbing away as much of the filth as she could, to look out upon the swirling snowstorm. The timbers of the house seemed to be creaking in protest. It was a worrying sound, and she looked about anxiously.

The house was interesting, now that she properly regarded it. It was completely unfurnished, full of dust and cobwebs and the musty smell of old things. In one corner lay a pile of off-white coloured sheets, presumably piled there after all the furniture had been removed. Her thoughts sprung back to an encounter in a similarly abandoned house. Was Alvadas less populated than it looked? She frowned, and went to explore the perimeter of the walls. It was a singular room, this house. More a bungalow than anything grand.

Having explored fully, she turned back to face the man. "I will introduce myssself. I am Ssssanya." She nodded, curtly. "We cannot ssstay here forever, you know. Ssssoon we will have to go outssside, again." She regarded the man, cautiously. "I would give you fursss. But, they are illusssions, I think." She felt the fluff, wet from the melting snow that puddled around her feet, but warm still. Alvadas was somewhat of a miracle. Despite the blistering cold, she felt she would stay here for many seasons yet. Although, perhaps not here. She looked around, suddenly feeling apprehensive of being in a dark house, alone with a heavily armed complete stranger.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


Barrelling into the building was the sassiest part. Getting the door closed whilst pushing it into the wind was another kettle of fish entirely. He rammed his shoulder into the door and pushed and pushed before. Click. The door pressed in and he slammed the bolt across. Taking a moment to catch his breath. Her question prised him from his doubled over position. He now observed the figure was female at least from the face and the way her hair fell. Then again he never was one to take full stock on appearances.

“You can call me Alex.” Alex spoke finally rising to his full height. Despite the chill around him he was still alright. Cold and starting to get a little damp but mostly alright. Despite Leather not being the warmest of materials it was pretty damned water proof. “And you are?” his tone inquisitive, yet still light and polite. Still as she paced up and down clearly trying to warm herself up, he couldn’t help but feel her eyes scanning him. Examining him but mostly pausing on the blades he had on display.

Despite the house being either a derelict or abandoned house it still had that feel of being old and unused. Like her he caught glance of the white sheets at the other end of the house and started to head towards it. The house was both dark and cold and Alex wanted to rectify that in some way shape or form. A simple dwelling that possibly held simple people. Shame really.

He stepped up to the piles of cloth and found a small table. Only two feet high like a sort of end table. For what he wanted to do it’d be perfect. Though he heard the woman speak again.
“Nice to meet you Sanya, and you’re right we can’t stay here forever but we can at least warm up a little in the meantime.” He smirked as she spoke about the furs and waved it off lightly. At the same time he thrust his foot down. A loud snap and a heavy creak followed as he broke off one of the end table legs and began to wrap one end of it in the cloth. Now he needed some tind- there. A small much thinner sheet almost like pale lace stuck out to him. He draped it over the edge of the bundled stick he’d made and pulled out the flint and steel he kept in his pocket.

“So Sanya, what brings someone out to this area of town in a blizzard like this?” She could have a purpose being there or she could have just been massively unlucky like himself and wound up in the chaos that was the city. As he spoke he began striking the flint and steel together hoping for a spark to catch.

[Allassanachassanya]

"Speech"

So, Alex huh. Alex appeared to have managed to find some furniture she must've missed, and was attempting to make a fire with it. She watched, wondering what the point was. Outside, the blizzard whirled, and she shuddered. Ugh, cold. Perhaps a fire would be beneficial. She moved closer, and gently started to blow the baby flames as Alex's spark struck. It would take a while for the heat to permeate, but she would encourage it along anyway.

She spoke, off-hand. "Oh, to find Vantha. Yourssself? You sssseem, aah," she gestured, with a quirked smile towards his attire, "Prepared. For ssssomething, at leasst." She didn't say any more, merely watched the man as they tended to the small but growing fire. The shadows flickered on his face, casting him in mystery. A soft-spoken man with something to hide, perhaps? Or merely another wanderer, like herself. She stopped herself guessing as she once again reminded herself of where she was. Alvadas is unpredictable, she reminded herself.

It was bright in the dark of the house. She hoped the owners didn't return, but in all honesty the place was abandoned, as so she wasn't too worried about the fire, even if it was damaging the dusty floorboards. She idly traced a circle in the dust, thinking of sigils, and then sneezed abruptly as the disrupted dust tickled her nose. She muttered a small, "Sssorry," and pulled her hood back up again, relishing in the fur that framed her dark face. Small talk wasn't something she had much interest in, so to her the silence was appreciated. There wasn't much to say, on her part- she just listened to whatever Alex had to offer.

With a gentle push she stood again, and wandered over to the window. It was noticeably colder over here, the cool seeping through the window like fingers of ice grasping at the air. She scrubbed away a little of the grime and condensation, and looked out. The wind seemed to have faded a little during the time they had spent in the house, and although it was still snowing, there was a little more visibility than previously. The stark white wasn't appealing, but then staying still wasn't too appealing either.

"It'ss good to be out again, sssoon, Alex." She remarked as she turned her head to look at the stranger. There was something of a challenge in her glance, although the reason for that challenge was less than clear, both to Ssanya and to Alex. She smiled, a twist of the lips that didn't quite reach her eyes. There was something about it all that made her uneasy, but she didn't know why. Her thoughts meandered back to their meeting.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"


To find vantha. Those were the words he latched onto. He stabilised himself around those words as the fire flickered against his gaze. He held a look away from her steadily feeding the small fire to ready himself something to turn into a torch of sorts. Her continued comment was met with a small pause before he answered.
“I’m a merc. So the gear is something I’m relatively used to having on me. It’s also a hard habit to break.” He offered a small smile that hollow practiced façade enough to dissuade most people and make them think he was alright.

“Don’t worry about it.” Alex just nodded lightly when she apologizes instead turning his attentions to the opposite end of the room and the small pile of broken and cracked wood that lie there. Once a nice set of tables, chairs and other bits now just cracked and smashed ruins. He gave as soft sigh noting this wasn’t the first time he’d seen something like this but now as he lifted the torch from fire and stepped closer lowering the torch against the ground. A familiar dark stain against the wood.
“Well seems like the previous occupants didn’t leave here voluntarily.” He remarked looking towards the ground and running a finger lightly against the darkened stain, the hardened almost frozen brown red against his finger.

“Yeah we should get going soon.” There was an undercurrent in his voice of curiosity and strange uncertainty. He was pondering a simple question in his head. Why were all the broken pieces of furniture against a single end of the room? Normally if the people he’d though were here, were who he’d though they’d have used it all to bar the door and simply hunker down with a lot of supplies. He glanced back towards her and caught that look. A glance of something there like she was pushing a challenge of sorts onto him.

Why though? That was the question he hadn’t really done anything particularly suspicious…Oh crap-baskets. He recalled something he overheard briefly, the city wouldn’t assist those who sympathized with the vantha when entering the avanthalan area. He only held onto a hope and a prayer that she hadn’t cottoned onto the same piece of information. Trying his best to keep a level headed appearance he stepped a little closer still carrying the now lit torch.
“How’s it looking out there? Died down some?” He spoke with the same tone he’d had prior as best he could though there was an edge to it now that subtle underlying tone of both curiosity and caution.

He motioned over to the window next to her keeping the torch back but close enough to feel the heat and glanced out. The blizzard was beginning to die and had dropped substantially but how long would that last? Another couple of chimes couldn’t hurt besides that pile of broken wood was causing him a stir mentally. “Ssanya, could you hold this and follow me for a tick?” he spoke offering her the torch and then stepping back towards the pile of wood. He drew his blade and began to attempt to sweep the jagged shards away with the tip of his blade. And then there was that unmistakable sound of steel against steel. So that’s what’d been bugging him. A trapdoor.

[Madeira Dusk]

Grades Awarded!

Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request!

Allasasomething

Skills

• Endurance: 2XP
• Observation: 4XP
• Socialization: 3XP
• Wilderness Survival- Tundra: 1XP
• Intimidation: 1XP

Lores

• The cold is no place for a snek!
• Siku: fierce, cunning, and more sensible that Morwen
• Alexander Faircroft: first impression
• Wilderness Survival: building a fire
• Alvadas: predictably unpredictable
• Intimidation to hide uncertainty

Awards & Retribution


Notes
Is it bad that I was rooting for them to discover their differing ideologies and beat the tar out of each other? Oh well, guess we'll never know what happened in that creepy house!