middaeg | Iuneril Catch all

Entry tags:

Iuneril Catch all

Who: Keith and YOU
When: Up through mid-June
Where: Aefenglom, the Wilde
What: Quest time: Berry Picking, Silent Forest, Outpost Progress
Warnings: Will add as necessary. some fighting, some inebriation

A. Berry Picking

[So Iuneril is off to a great start. All the chaos from people unexpectedly bursting out of mirrors and reflective surfaces may have disappeared overnight ... and really, that's for the best. No more middle school rivals showing up in the bathroom, no more so-called allies stealing his cat. Except that it also means that Shiro's disappeared on him for the second time Keith has been here. Of course, it's not anyone's fault in particular, but it still puts Keith in a bit of a stormy mood. Hard not to feel like the universe is out to mess with him in particular.

...which is probably why it ought to be strange that iunerberry picking is actually cheering him up. Keith hadn't exactly signed up for this expecting to have a good time, just that cunes are cunes. As he straightens up to move onto the next cluster of bushes, he wobbles.]

Woah... [Grabbing onto the nearest person, he starts laughing.] Sorry, just lost my balance there for a second. You doing okay?

B. Outpost Progress

[And after that bit of embarrassing overshare, it's time to never show his face around the house again. At least for the next couple of days anyway. Keith is well packed for the excursion to the outpost, with a large bag of camping supplies and two swords strapped to his back. He hasn't been near the settlement in a while, and it has developed a good deal more than he remembers it last.

It's around dusk that he makes his way to one of the camp's fires that have been set up for the evening. Now that the sun is starting to make him a litttle letharigc, it's easier on him to do the night shift. Technically being a vampire, he doesn't need to eat normal food either, but he plops himself down by the fire where a cut of meat is being roasted over a spit. He turns to ask the person next to him a question.]

Anything interesting happen yet?

C. Silent Forest

[And since he's now fully committed himself to staying busy instead of dwelling on all of his problems, Keith has agreed to show up for body guard duty for the witches who are casting purifying magic.

Maybe a particularly touchy witch told him they don't need protection, or maybe he just got distracted by something seeming to move in the shadows between the twisted trunks and branches of the Cwyld infected trees -- one way or another, he's wandered off on his own. Keith squints, drawing his sword to push aside some rotting foliage that's frosted over. Breath visible as he exhales, he turns sharply at the sound of someone approaching.]

Oh. [He doesn't lower the sword yet, but he nods in greeting.] Hey.

[But maybe there's a time and place for proper introductions later because something is definitely out there and whatever it is is getting closer.]

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[ sylvia is also here on bodyguard duty. she felt that it was the most suitable role for her, given her combat experience. though, it'll also be her first time in the wilde, so she's not sure what, exactly, they might be dealing with.

she has a pair of gauntlets on her and she's wearing her leather armor. she hears footsteps nearby and swallows, because she's unsure of what sort of foe she'll be up against -- but stepping closer reveals a familiar face. she blinks when he nods at her. ]

Hey --

[ he's not the only one who hears the sound of something approaching, though. she stands next to him and holds her fists up, taking a defensive stance. she manages to turn her head towards keith for a brief second before looking ahead of her again.

whatever this is, is dangerously close. ]

Alright, Keith, let's see what you've got.

Found some armor this time around, huh.

[ Firing back with some banter immediately, though it's only meant to be a casual observation rather than backhanded commentary about the last time they met. Despite the pinch of levity though, his eyes are trained ahead where something heavy is trundling up through the forest path. ]

Sounds big. You sure you want to stay for this?

[ Again, not meant to be a challenge, but a genuine question. As much as Keith likes fist fighting himself, there's not a lot that lives out in the Wilde that he wants to be punching with just his bare hands. As for what the mystery creature out there is, it wastes no time emerging into the clearing. It shows up on all fours, a large beast so badly infected by the Cwyild that its hard to even recognize as having once been a bear. Rotting, gangrenous flesh is visible through its heavy winter pelt, its eyes cold and dead as it stares them both down. Slowly, the bear rises up onto its hind legs and roars.]

[ at his question, she lets out a quiet laguh. but she's focused on whatever's coming their way. she's not running. selfishly, she feels the need to prove to herself that she's still got it. she needs to tell herself that she's not going to run when faced with danger.

doesn't help that her knees are already starting to lock when she hears something large coming their way. ]

Heh, are you kidding me? Wouldn't miss this for the world.

[ she doesn't sound entirely sure when she says it, but neither of them will have time to think on it, because the beast arrives and roars loudly. sylvia swallows, hard. it's time.

she looks over at keith. ]

Let's go!

[ she starts to charge towards it, keeping a sharp eye on the beast's movements. ]

[ Ah yes. Just what Keith wanted to see. A rotting bear shade, just as badly infected with the Cywild as the trees that make up its home. It's a bleak reminder of the plague that's out there that could comre sweep through the city and turn them all into zombie like creatures.

Not that Keith himself needed any help turning into a reanimated corpse one day.

But really whatever stray thought he had about hisown fate is thrown to the wayside when the bear rears up, then crashes back down on all fours to charge straight towards Sylvia.].

Don't let it touch you!

[ Insofar as that's even possible. The bear lunges, swinging a massive paw with hooked claws at her while Keith runs up behind Sylvia, not quite matching her puka speed.]

Is that even--

[ possible is what's supposed to come out next, but then the paw comes down, and sylvia lets out an audible gasp. she turns towards keith and grabs him, using her puca legs to lunge backwards, away from the bear.

she rolls a little, but at least they did, indeed, avoid getting hit by that thing. she scoots off of him and groans a little. yeah, she's a little bruised up now. ]

I only have gauntlets!! How am I not supposed to touch that thing?!

Look, I --

[ And that's as far as he gets before Sylvia grabs him and they both go tumbling backwards onto the forest floor. Keith shakes his head as if that might help clear it while getting back up on his feet. It'd be nice if there were more than a few seconds to think out a proper course of action, but angry shades offer little reprieve. The rotting bear starts ambling towards them again and Keith shouts over to Sylvia.]

Do you know how to use a sword?

[ Well. He asks the question, but he's already pressing a black and red sword into her hands. With his other hand, he grabs the other half of the dual sword pair off his back. ]

I don't want you to catch the Cwyld from this thing.

I don't, but you know what? Time to learn!

[ she takes the sword and grips it. she'd been sparring with felix recently, so she tries to remember how he handles his weapon. she grips the handle, one hand in front of the other, and takes some kind of odd defensive stance.

when the bear raises its paw again, sylvia uses her increased speed (thanks to being a puca) and runs out of the paw's path. then, she takes her sword and raises it, cutting into its hind leg. ]

[ At some point when there isn't something trying to kill them, Keith will probably volunteer to help her with sword tips, but as it stands there's a bit of a crisis. ]

Just don't stab yourself with it!

[ Surely his advice will be better when things are calm. Surely. But as speed racer darts off with the initiative and slices into the bear, Keith's deals with the front oend of it, using his own sword to try and block the downward swipe of its massive paw. ]

Rrrgh -- [He pivots as the bear swivels to face Sylvia after she slices its hind leg, now bleeding and enraged. ]

Sylvia, get out of there!

[Keith slashes the side of the shade as it turns, trying to keep its attention on him, but the bear still manages to swing a paw at Sylvia to try and bat her out of the way. ]

Shit-!

[ she takes a full second to pry her sword out of the bear's side, and once it's out the bear paw almost connects. it's a very close call, but her feet manage to launch her off to the side again.

right into a tree. she crashes into the tree trunk and there's an audible groan that escapes her lips. ]

Ugh... Dammit... [ she lifts her head and looks at keith. the bear's directing its full attention on him again. ]

Keith, look out!

Sylvia!

[ Fuck.

Keith winces as she crashes into the tree. He's gonna pray she didn't come in direct contact with any infected bark or sap, though his attention doesn't linger on her for long. The shade rears up, dragging its injured hind leg. The stab wound Sylvia gave it is enough to slow the shade down so that Keith's able to react, despite his split focus.

But not quite as fast as he needed to. He jabs the sword up, aiming for the bear's throat. The blade connects, but while the injury might be a fatal one, it doesn't kill instantly like he needed it to. The shade takes a heavy swipe at Keith, knocking him clean off his feet before teetering unsteadily with a sword impaled through its neck.

There's an audible snap, followed by a pained shout as Keith bashes his arm agaimst a tree branch before hitting the ground. ]

Keith!

[ oh, god. this is bad. she's got a broken arm herself, too, but it's not going to stop her. they're in trouble, and if they don't stop this bear now it's going to infect and kill innocent people. not to mention that keith's life may or may not be in her hands right now, and she's been there before. she's lost someone because of her inability to act.

it's not happening a second time. she picks herself up onto her feet. her ribs hurt, her arm hurts -- but she has to see this through. she holds her sword with her good arm and dashes towards the bear while it's fumbling over itself.

she stabs it in its side and runs towards its backside, dragging her sword with her, creating a giant gash in its side. it lets out a dying roar before it finally topples over onto its side and draws its last breath. ]

...Holy shit.

[ Keith hits the ground, teeth clenched.There isn't a square inch of his body that doesn't ache and merely attempting to move his left arm is like getting doused in kerosene and set ablaze. But there isn't any time to be dwelling on any of this because Sylvia is also injured and the shade isn't dead on the floor.

He sits up a little too quickly making his head spin for the effort and not in the fun way. Damn it, he can't leave someone who isn't even used to fighting with a sword to fend for herself. Forcing himself up, he staggers, then leans heavily against a tree trunk, right arm clamped around his broken one. ]

I'm coming --

[ He manages between grit teeth, then starts heading over to help. But to his surprise, Sylvia's got this and it's with some mixture of amazement and relief that he watches the damn shade finally drop. Breathing hard, his approach is cautious. ]

Is it dead?

[ Meither of them need a stupid surprise right now so that's still gotta be the priority before anything else. Then he can grab his sword and they can both get the hell out of here. ]

I...think so?

[ she gives the bear a light nudge with her foot. then another. and another. ]

...Yeah. It's dead.

[ it sure is. the beast is lifeless on the floor. sylvia doesn't keep her eyes off of it, but she still clenches her teeth as her good hand grips onto her bad arm. ]

Geez...pretty sure I broke my arm or something -- ugh. You okay?

[ Once he's confirmed the shade isn't moving, Keith lets out a relieved sigh. They still need to get the hell out of this forest, but with the immediate threat out of the way, he'll relax like three hairs. ]

Not really. Pretty sure my arm's busted, too.

[ But he gingerly walks over towards the bear's head, then tugs on the handle of his sword to pull it loose. It's covered in cwyld infected blood by now, so he gives the blade a careful wipe on some leaves while speaking. ]

Let's get back to the main group before something else shows up. They should have some potions and healers there. Can you walk back okay?

Great.

[ two busted arms. it could've been a lot worse, though. the infection could've gotten them too, and who knows how they would've turned out --

sylvia grabs onto the other blade with her good arm and pulls it out of the bear, holding it out towards keith. the movement, though makes her flinch and hunch over a little. ]

Uh -- Pretty sure some of my ribs are busted too...ugh.

[ she grits her teeth. ] Whatever, I can manage. Let's just get out of here.

[He sheathes the sword in his hand, then takes the other one back from Sylvia. All things considered this could have gone much worse indeed, and if there's a next time Keith wants to be better prepared. After wiping down the second blade, he grimaces and gives Sylvia a nod. ]

If you need me to, I can carry you on my back.

[ Broken ribs are reaaaaaly fun to walk around with, after all. ]

You don't have to tough it out to look cool or whatever.

[ That could have probably been phrased better, but the point is that he already thinks you're plenty tough, okay? He turns to leave the clearing and heads back towards the main camp. ]

Let's get going.

Hah... You saw right through me, huh. Alrighty, fair enough.

[ getting on his back is going to hurt, but better than making the journey back to camp on foot. ]

Piggyback time?

[ she doesn't sound too excited about it, but hey, she's got broken bones. she also doesn't really like it when other people have to take care of her, but eh. he's offering. why not. ]

[ That makes him stop dead in his tracks as he shoots Sylvia a look over his shoulder. Despite having made the offer sincerely, it's not actually one he was expecting her to take. ]

Seriously?

[ But the question is at least accompanied by Keith crouching down a little for her to climb on. ]

[ she actually laughs, just once, at that -- and then immediately holds her rib cage, because ow. ]

Hah...come on, don't make me laugh like that!

[ she's smiling, though. it's a pained smile, but still! ]

All I'm doing is taking you up on your offer. [ that being said, she is, indeed, going to climb on his back slowly. she grunts a little in pain and is...going to do her best to hang on to him with her one good arm. she looks down at her arm again and notices a cut on her forearm. it's bleeding, and she grimaces a little. ]

Uh...so, just a head's up -- sorry if I get blood on your shirt. Looks like I have a gash on my arm. Figures, huh?

Edited 2020-06-22 04:48 (UTC)

[ Keith smells the blood on her arm before he's pinpointed a source and somehow finds a way to be even more tense than he was before. He grits his teeth, like that might have any effect in keeping his fangs from growing longer in his mouth. To the best of his ability, he tries to make sure he's adquately fed before going on any kind of quest so that this specific situation doesn't arise, but it's hard to ignore blood when it's all but dribbling in front of his face. ]

It's... it's fine. Don't worry about the armor.

[ He turns slightly -- enough for Sylvia to notice his bite's definitely gotten some more teeth to it. ]

Not gonna bite you but full disclosure, the bleeding's distracting me a little. Hold on tight.

[ Keith shifts good arm to try and keep Sylvia supported, then carefully gets up and starts heading back towards the camp. ]

[ he turns his head towards her, and sylvia's eyes widen slightly. she catches on to the little bit of teeth showing. her eyes widen a little. she'd had a small hunch since seeing the color of his skin, but she didn't want to assume nor did she want to ask. but the teeth and the mention of the bleeding being distracting confirms it. she's got another vampire in her life.

she doesn't mind the fact that he's a vampire, but she does think back to when jongdae fed off of her. she was pretty horrified and froze up during the initial bite. this realization won't activate her freeze or flee instinct, because he isn't planning on biting her. she can live with that. ]

Oh, geez. I'm sorry. ... Are you gonna be okay when we get back?

[ Is he going to be okay? Hell if he knows. The scent of blood is difficult to tune out on the best of days, smeling to him like a delicious gourmet meal, but luckily there's a broken arm he's contending with and the pain coming off of that is pretty solidly grounding.

For the time being, he'll breathe through his mouth to try and curtail smelling puca blood as much as possible. ]

Don't worry about me for now, let's just focus on getting us both back to camp in one piece.

[ Grimacing, he'll try to be as careful as possible not to jostle Sylvia too much, but that's probably unavoidable to some degree given the forest floor is extremely uneven and frosted over with ice. It's a little bit of a trek that probably feels like it lasts longer than it does in reality thanks to their injuries and predicaments, but eventually they reach the main camp.

A flurry of witches come towards them, some looking concerned, others looking like they want to scold the pair of them for wandering off on their own, but they get the two settled into a medical tent for some healing.]

[ she tries not to get too worried about keith. she wants to believe that they'll make it back okay and he won't go in for a bite without asking her first. she's seen first-hand how hard it is to fight that temptation, however, so her worries linger and she's quiet up until they finally make it to a medical tent.

she's put on a bed and a witch gets to work on healing her injuries. she looks over at keith to see how he's doing. their beds aren't too far apart, and if her ribs weren't aching, she'd laugh a little about how ridiculous all of this was. ]

Thanks for the lift, Keith. I owe you one next time, yeah?

[ Unsurprisingly, he does feel significantly better when they get back to the tents and the smell of Syvia's blood isn't so thought consuming. ]

You don't owe me anything.

[ Maybe that's easier to say and mean now that the healers have patched up his arm and someone's even gotten him a bag of blood to drink, but it's a genuine sentiment. ]

.... but you owe yourself a long range weapon if you're gonna be dealing with Cwyld quests.

Edited 2020-07-10 09:44 (UTC)

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Iuneril Catch all

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