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 Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:22 pm
"If it bothers you that much, it's far from stupid."
Evan sighed. It would do no good to argue, not here. He placed a hand on her head and said, "Fine, let's go. We'll talk about it later, but I want to hear everything. It's best not to have any doubts while we're out here."
With that, he rose and led the way out. The day had begun, but it was still cold out here.
Hn. She could be anywhere...
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:26 am
*Karasu looked at Melissa knowingly... it was all about trust, and they didn't know eachother well enought for even the margin of trust that Karasu had with Evan. She stood and pulled her pack from under the table, and headed out the door without looking at Evan or Melissa, her blunt attempt to give them a moment to talk things over....*
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:02 am
They didn't need a moment; she would tell him when she was ready. In any event, they headed west from the foothills towards the mountain trails, the wind biting at their faces, hands, anything that wasn't properly covered. Those that were used to it continued forward smoothly. Evan stalled for a bit, reaching his hand out towards Melissa.
It wasn't that he underestimated her- just that he needed her close by, in case something happened. He had a feeling that a lot of things would happen on this jaunt through the mountains, and she'd need to stick to him for a bit.
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 5:45 pm
He didn't need to worry about her thinking that, she was more than glad to take his hand. She felt safe, that and she had her cherished feather in her pocket. She trusted him; it wasn't about what he did for her, or bought her, or where he took her, or how he helped her. She simply trusted him because she had seen enough to know he was good, and that he helped people in need without any ulterior motives. She didn't care that she had to be a kid for a long time, because he was quickly becoming her second father.
And if you think your little bird is going to take care of you forever, think again, one of you will grow bored....
She squinted as she took Evans hand, it would look like she was squinting against the cold win, which she was, but she was also forcing that dream out of her mind.
"Thanks Evan"
She didn't want to be a burden, but she was scared, being so small and the mountains so big, for the first time since the change she really felt like a little girl.
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:04 pm
To his credit, he didn't want her to think of him as just someone who helped her. He might not have said anything in response, but his hand tightened slightly on Melissa's as they began heading into the mountains. Perhaps it was a bad idea to take her, but what choice did he have? She was his first, and as of right now his only clue to the whereabouts of Idunn.
Besides, if he left her at home, she just might have undergone the very same thing that her dream had foretold- she would have gotten bored. Nothing to interest her meant no reason to stay.
For some reason that he couldn't explain, he wanted her to stay.
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:29 am
*Karasu kept up with them, the wind barley touched her lightly pulling at her long black hair. The cold did affect her a bit more, but she just ignored it for the most part. Her mind was on the things the wind was telling her as it swept by, a small black bear crossing their path a safe distance ahead, and a thrush that suddenly stopped a few feet ahead to hide in a small thicket, no sign of trouble from upwind. She kept an eye on Melissa and Evan but mostly she let them alone, Karasu was not much of a social butterfly*
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:30 pm
Regardless, Melissa was ready to go anywhere the two of them led. If Evan was searching for something, it was important, and if she was along, she knew she was important in some way as well. She felt good about that, and was ready for anything.
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Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:09 pm
(Been a long day, guys. Read my journal if you don't believe me.)
As they began their ascent up the mountain path, it was quiet. No snow today, but that didn't mean that there wasn't a blanket of perpetual powder on the ground. Just cold, and quiet. Evan didn't know whether that was a bad thing or not, but he did know that Dwarves lived in these mountains.
To some extent, they were a helpful lot, if they weren't disturbed in their work. Perhaps they would give shelter if needed, and a word or two about what they were looking for. If the travellers were lucky enough, that was.
The morning was clear and crisp, but there was always that quiet. Sure, the wind was there, but it was calm. It seeemed that their first day off would be a somewhat easy walk. That said, one could never be too careful... so Evan kept his senses sharp, as if he were expecting an attack from any angle, at any time.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:32 pm
It had been hours since their departure from the fishing village.
Evan had since gone from holding Melissa's hand to carrying her, while Lady Raven walked slightly ahead of them. A light snow had begun to fall as they headed out on the first leg of the mountain path. It was easy now, but would become quite unforgiving later. She'd have to take a crash course in climbing as the terrain got closer.
He had mapped his course already- found that there were several dwarven colonies here, and by now knew where the closest one was, albeit small. They would have to find it before the weather worsened, and ask if there had been any sightings of strange things lately. If not, then they had to ask around somewhere else after they left.
In any event, he had begun to wonder if there were anything to what he started to feel from Melissa. Not for her- she was like a daughter as far as he was concerned. Rather, he picked up something from her- he could often see it on her face whenever she wore a blank smile.
Something whispered to him- nagged at him. Something was wrong with her. If she didn't tell him, that was all right; he'd find out sooner or later. Thus, he patiently waited.
She didn't have to voluntarily speak to him- he would be able to coax it out of her somehow. But one thing remained on his mind: he had sucessfully sealed Ymir within her immortal body. Just because he was sealed and his powers stripped to within an inch of his life, didn't mean that he wasn't there, waiting. He may even be able to speak to the girl through her subconscious.
Was that it? Could he aggravate her through her dreams?
It wasn't all that far-fetched of an idea. It was all the more reason that she needed to talk to him about what she saw... it could be vital. But he wouldn't rush her- she would speak when she was ready.
All they would worry about was reaching Idunn. Hopefully, she would have answers as to how to get rid of the frost giant once and for all, and that meant killing him. Slaying his still-living spirit.
Would it be safe? Yes.
Why? Because both Evan and Hugin knew that there was someone else; someone more powerful that held this planet together. She might not have the best bodyguards, but as long as she remained intact, this world could do without Ymir.
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:34 am
*there was something a little too quiet about these woods, Karasu was having trouble finding all the animals that should still be out and about and the wind itself had a funny feel to it, perhaps it was just that she was not used to this place and mountains had never been her natural teritory, but then again knowing that they were looking for one of Hugin's old souls the meticulous part of her was not willing to put any sign aside as just natural for this place* "Man made structure another mile ahead Evan... a little to the left of our current path, I'm not sure what it is..."
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:15 pm
Evan nodded without responding. If nothing else, they could rest there for a little while. It'd be moderately warm, and they would have time to stop and plan out what they would do for the rest of their journey. It wouldn't be good however if whoever owned that house was unfriendly. The rule was to knock first before entering, but it could be skipped in an emergency.
It wasn't an emergency- yet.
If this was what they were looking for, then they had found their target early. He looked towards Melissa, his eyes peering at her golden aura for any signs of getting 'warmer', so to speak. If they were, that was all right. They only had just a bit to go before they reached what they sought.
If not, they'd stop, rest (or knock, ask to come in, then rest), and plan where to go from here.
And then, there was always the option of using his sword, but that would be for the worst-case scenario.
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:47 pm
Evan White Evan had since gone from holding Melissa's hand to carrying her, Her legs were shorter than theirs, she reasoned, she couldn't help really help it, to keep up with them she had to move a little faster. Even with all her youthful energy it was tough, and she had been getting tired fast. "I'm sorry if I'm slowing you down," she said, as she was taken up, "I'm not good at anything as a kid."There was a light snow, she could see the shapes of the crystals as landed on the back of her glove. They melted with gentle puff off her breath. One thing she had seen before was snow, it still snowed once in a while in the Durem regions, and she used to play in the snow alot the first time she was a child. Fond memories, but..... "Its exactly like the smoke from the old man's cigar, like snow smoke." she whispered to herself, then she looked up at Evan, sort of tiredly, as her sleep the nigh before had not been good rest for her. "There was this old guy in my dream who smoked a cigar. Snow came out of it instead of smoke. I know, it's stupid. He told me to tell you he hopes you find what you're looking for, and he wanted me to wish you luck."Karusu *there was something a little too quiet about these woods, Karasu was having trouble finding all the animals that should still be out and about and the wind itself had a funny feel to it, perhaps it was just that she was not used to this place and mountains had never been her natural teritory, but then again knowing that they were looking for one of Hugin's old souls the meticulous part of her was not willing to put any sign aside as just natural for this place* "Man made structure another mile ahead Evan... a little to the left of our current path, I'm not sure what it is..." Melissa's childish side, and her Lord of the Rings fan girl side suddenly merged. "I hope there are no orcs!" Melissa squealed, "I hate orcs, like the nasty ugly things that ran around in the mines of Moria. They have sharp pointed fangs and all dirty. Then the ears are shaped pointed, not pretty pointed like elves, but all twisted like bad stromboli. They killed all the dwarves in the mines, it was terrible, skeletons everywhere."
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Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:27 pm
MelissaFaulkner Her legs were shorter than theirs, she reasoned. She couldn't really help it; to keep up with them, she had to move a little faster. Even with all her youthful energy it was tough, and she had been getting tired fast. "I'm sorry if I'm slowing you down," she said, as she was taken up, "I'm not good at anything as a kid.""You're not slowing us down," Evan said with a brief smile. "You'll never slow me down, you got that? Just let me carry you, all right? You just let me know when you're ready to walk." MelissaFaulkner There was a light snow, she could see the shapes of the crystals as landed on the back of her glove. They melted with gentle puff off her breath. One thing she had seen before was snow, it still snowed once in a while in the Durem regions, and she used to play in the snow alot the first time she was a child. Fond memories, but..... "Its exactly like the smoke from the old man's cigar, like snow smoke." she whispered to herself, then she looked up at Evan, sort of tiredly, as her sleep the night before had not been good rest for her. "There was this old guy in my dream who smoked a cigar. Snow came out of it instead of smoke. I know, it's stupid. He told me to tell you he hopes you find what you're looking for, and he wanted me to wish you luck."Evan nodded. Now she spoke. And she had confirmed what he was thinking- the hrimthurs was speaking to her subconsciously, through her dreams. He wished him luck, eh? The one who would need it was Ymir when he was done. If he couldn't find a way to excorsize him on this leg of the journey, he would find a way to do so on the next one.
After a bit, he spoke. "If he has been speaking to you, then it can't be good. His intentions are never what they seem, and you can bet that he wasn't just... having a friendly chat." He thought for a moment, then shook his head, as if disregarding the idea that had just popped up in his head. That would not do. He would just have to go with his other idea.
"He feeds off of your fear, your anger, your hate and sadness. The Passions, they used to be called, for they made you suffer if kept unchecked for too long. So don't let fear control you, don't let sadness weigh you down, and don't let anger and hate get the best of you.
"A good technique for swordsmen," he said almost wistfully, "Is to empty their minds of these things- focus their Passions into one point, like a flame or a light. At some point, their minds would be unclouded of these things, and they could read the emotions of the opponent, thus reading their moves. You're going to have to clear your mind of all those emotions once they happen. I'll teach you someday..." MelissaFaulkner Melissa's childish side, and her Lord of the Rings fan girl side suddenly merged. "I hope there are no orcs!" Melissa squealed, "I hate orcs, like the nasty ugly things that ran around in the mines of Moria. They have sharp pointed fangs and all dirty. Then the ears are shaped pointed, not pretty pointed like elves, but all twisted like bad stromboli. They killed all the dwarves in the mines, it was terrible, skeletons everywhere."Well, that was true. And while there were no orcs reported here, there were indeed things that could cause trouble if they knew there were people on the trail. Hell, there might even be orcs- reports were never 100% accurate.
"Doesn't matter. We go through whatever's barring our path if need be. There are dwarves, though- and they're quite hospitable. We'll have to find one of their burrows and have a chat. How about that?"
And that was all he said on that. Yes, going around would be better, but through was the only option up here in the mountains. Besides, he preferred through, though he could avoid a fight at any time he wanted. Why? Because the direct approach was far more exciting, and despite his stone-faced attitude towards most things, he enjoyed fighting.
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:42 am
Orcs?! sweatdrop *It was not that she was really worried about any enemy... but there was a little part of her that did not like Melissa's description of the monsters. That was also the part of her that always got angry when she got blood splattered all over her clothes in a battle. Perhaps her appearance was enough to make some realize that Karasu was a being who always liked to look pristine, even out in the woods she still looked like she was dressed for appearance sake more than with much thought towards the weather* rolleyes the never ending joy
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 10:24 am
Evan sighed and said, "Hush. I'll get you a new wardrobe if you be good, all right?" She really could whine quite a bit when she wanted something, and it was one of the things he disliked. They were nearing whatever it was that Lady Raven had sensed earlier, and whatever was inside would have to get ready for company.
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