Washed Up Witch

Deallocate-10/14/2016

Shanoa gasped in pain as the sword slashed across her lower torso, the pain burning away at her as if she had been branded. She took a step back from the Sword Knight, and dropped her hands to her side. The young woman felt a warm wetness seep through her dress and drip past her fingers. She let out a morbid chuckle. Here we are again, huh? I’m so fragile. Well, if this worked once, it’ll work again… She concentrated on the massive gash in her side, willing her fire magic to scorch the wound shut. But all that came was a massive wave of dizziness. Through her weariness, she saw the Sword Knight raise its sword and charge once again. Suddenly, the world tilted sharply to the side, and the cool waters of the ocean rushed up to meet her as she lost her balance and toppled over the edge of the dock. Her vision faded to black.

=========================

A rough coarseness dug into her side. Shanoa winced in discomfort as she was pulled across a sandpapery plain. “Ugh!” came a feminine grunt from directly above her. “You’re so heavy. And I thought you were watching your weight!” Shanoa opened her eyes, and winced as the bright light of the sun blinded her momentarily. A young girl was standing over her on the beach, looking quite pleased with herself. Her bright blonde hair was wet from the ocean waves, and a wide-brimmed black hat was perched up her head. But most familiar of all was the smirk that covered her face. It was shockingly similar to the one Shanoa wore, and the only other person it could belong to was her younger sister-. “Chiaki?” Shanoa croaked, inwardly wincing as she heard the sound of her own voice. “What are you doing here?” The blonde girl, apparently named Chiaki, pouted. “What kind of greeting is that? I haven’t seen you in months! And that’s how you greet me?” She whipped out a staff, and jabbed Shanoa in the side with it. The older witch yelped in pain and then sighed contentedly as Chiaki began healing her wound.

Shanoa mind blanked as she tried to take in everything that had happened. “You can wield staves? And why are you not in the forest? Did something happen?” A small frown crossed Chiaki’s face. “We’re not all as limited as you are in the magical arts, sis.” She looked away. “And… a lot of stuff has happened since you left the forest. Artelinde has… changed. I decided I should give her a bit of room, so I cleared out for a while. And here I am.” Shanoa sat up, feeling the residual dizziness fade away. “Aww, so sweet of you to join your older sister on her journey. It’s been quite fun, actually. I can’t wait for you to meet-.“ Chiaki crossed her arms. “I’m not here to join you. I was just… stopping by. This had better not happen again. Next time, I won’t be around to save you.” Shanoa opened her mouth to speak, but Chiaki interrupted her again. “And anyway, sis, you really should be resting. You won’t be able to heal if you’re all riled up from the joy of seeing me again.” The younger witch placed a hand on Shanoa’s forehead. “Sleep tight, sis. One of your teammates will find you here on the beach. Probably.” For the second time that day, Shanoa’s world plunged into darkness as she lost consciousness.

LadyDeme-10/14/2016

Delphine'd seen her fall -- no, Delphine had been right behind her, the hail of bolts and swords causing the young woman to flinch. Wounds she'd just patched up had been dragged open, or fresher -- and then she'd tumbled down into the reddened sea, away from Delphine's outstretched hand. There was so much to focus on: Clarke, tumbling white-faced from his pegasus, the remainder of the soldier capitulating or fleeing: she turned her head for just a moment at the sound, and Shanoa's body was out of sight, alive or dead. She felt like such a failure. So the relief when her eyes alit on Shanoa, prone on the beach, was incredible -- relief and dread, the possibilities collapsing together as she ran, kicking up hot sand -- trailing hot tears. The staff in her hand was raised up preemptively, and the light washed over Shanoa -- and found less there than Delphine was prepared for. Shanoa was breathing still. A strangled, sobbing laugh pulled up her throat, as the slender girl knelt beside her friend, kneeling beside her and checking her pulse. "Everyone!" She called out, to whomever could be passing by. Shanoa was well beyond her ability to lift cleanly. "Shanoa's alive! I need a hand, here!"

chuklfug-10/14/2016

"Delphine!" From off in the distance, Albion's form can be seen, pacing about the field with a purpose- Delphine returns his cry, and he kicks his heels into the sand, lunging into a sprint as he makes his way to her side. Albion sees her clutching at Shanoa's back, and his face drops- turning his head to Delphine, his voice is cold. "What... happened?" The demand cuts like steel- a reminder to Delphine. This was her responsibility. "I was told... you were given charge of the docks." Albion kneels to the ground, lifting Shanoa by the shoulder. Hee locks eyes as if willing her awake, but her head tilts away- limp, and dazed. His tone lightens. "Come now... wake up. ...Shanoa?"(edited)

Deallocate-10/14/2016

Shanoa's eyes flutter open. "Chiaki?" she asked questioningly, her eyes unfocused. "Oh... hey there... Delphine... Albion." A small smile came to her face as she attempted to sit up. "Beautiful day... isn't it? Makes me-" The rest of her words were cut off as she coughed up a bit of seawater.

LadyDeme-10/14/2016

"...Enemies cut through our lines. It happened just after I healed her -- faster than lightning... I -- I couldn't... I'm sorry, Shanoa." Delphine accepted the blame wholeheartedly -- if that was her burden, then she was going to carry it. She deserved it. She hadn't been able to protect anyone, and the most vulnerable had paid; wasn't that always the way it was? She didn't bother looking at him, instead focusing tearful eyes on Shanoa. "Take it easy. Get it all out. Deep breaths when you can -- you probably swallowed a lot of water." Delphine had seen the wounds; now there was almost nothing. She spoke very gently, in a voice that was at least somewhat false cheer. "We can get you back to the infirmary, OK?"(edited)

chuklfug-10/14/2016

Albion meets Delphine's gaze as she explains the situation- unable to accept the answer, he instead lets it sit, his attention caught by Shanoa as she wakes up. With one free hand, he holds wrist- her pulse was steady. She seemed dazed, but as far as he could tell, she wasn't wounded. "...Did she fall from the docks? There's scarcely a scratch on her." He turns to Shanoa. "Breathe... don't rush yourself." The lack of urgency was not entirely honest- Lady Persephone and the barbarian both, remained in the care of Alexandra. Their condition was uncertain- and he had left them behind, as soon as he was given the call.(edited)

Deallocate-10/14/2016

Shanoa nodded. "Don't worry, I'm fine. It's thanks to-" She broke off, and looked around the beach. The form of her sister was nowhere to be seen. The sun seemed higher in the sky than it did when Chiaki healed her, as well. Great. Just great. Where did she get that from? The herbalist carefully stood up, with the help of the others, before looking down at herself. The wound had been healed almost completely, but was definitely going to leave a scar. "Oh. Joy. Now I've got a matching one on the other side." She carefully poked it, before looking up at Albion. "Guys are so lucky. You look cooler with scars across your body. Us girls... not so much." Her thoughts were jumbled, and manifested themselves in random statements. "I'll have to stick to more conservative swimsuits now..." Her eyes snapped to Delphine, and she stumbled half a step in her direction. "And you. You had better not beat yourself up over this, got it? Or else I'll beat you up." A crazed grin covered her face momentarily before being replaced by a frown. "I think I was... hit by a ballista." she said randomly.

October 15, 2016

chuklfug-10/15/2016

Albion chuckles nervously at the cryptic and jumbled explanation- thanks to who? Her supposed mystery saviour was... long gone. "...In the head, perhaps? Don't try to stand, if you're about to fall over..." A fair concern- he wasn't certain if he could catch her, if need be. Her back may well burn through his sleeves if he tried. Hearing her tangent about battle scars, Albion winces, shaking his head. "And I would like to avoid that unpleasantness, if possible. ...The same for you, as well." A momentary concerned glance at Delphine with the last remark, and he looks back to Shanoa. "There's scant that I can do, if you're leagues away."(edited)

LadyDeme-10/15/2016

Thanks to -- Delphine recalled the first thing Shanoa had said. So -- there had been a person, maybe from the town. Or... It had been someone she knows, this Chiaki. Delphine felt a strange sort of unease, but pressed on. "A conservative anything may not work well for you." She said, that joking tone forced into her voice slightly choked. She remembered the glow, the trickle of ash. Yeah, there was something there to worry about. "He's right; you're dizzy, so you shouldn't try and move so much. Follow my finger with your eyes, plea --" She waved her finger across Shanoa's field of vision -- her other hand had found Shanoa's arm, and put a little pressure on it, trying to hold her there. The thing about scars was -- frankly, a relief. If she had room to joke, then things could be, health-wise. Mostly OK. "Don't worry about it," Delphine said to both of them, smiling through tears that felt scratchy at the edges of her eyes. It seemed like the better option -- after all, Shanoa was still not totally steady, there was work still be done in the infirmary. And anyway, Shanoa didn't want her to -- and that fact didn't make anything better... But she had to let it. It was truer if she said it. It wasn't as if she was going to get herself killed if she could help it, so there was that for Albion. He had been so young, and she'd felt that cold silence of his wrist, beyond and healing. The skin had gone so pale, so fast. Too fast. If she'd been better - been stronger -- she hadn't been able to help Shanoa, or anyone else. And that was that. "I'm just being soppy; don't sweat it."(edited)

Deallocate-10/15/2016

"I'm sure you did your best in the battle, and that's what matters." Shanoa said kindly. She then looked between the two of them. "Wait, everybody's okay, right?" Their expressions were enough of an answer for her. "Oh. Uhm. I... I should be helping heal people!" She twisted out of Delphine's grip and took a few steps towards the boardwalk. "I can heal people with my poultices!" She continued to walk away, her bare feet sinking slightly into the soft sand. I feel fine. Yep. No reason I couldn't help people in my current state. And to an extent, that was true. Her dizziness had mostly faded, and she was sure she had regained some semblance of her usual mental state. She had her hat, her wits, and her admittedly worn-down good looks. What else did a witch need? Sure she may not have that floaty, fiery feeling in her chest that always- Wait. Her forced smile slipped off her face. She held out a hand, and tried to conjure a few flames. No rushing sensation of magic filled her. No fire appeared. Oh, no. Oh no no no no... She turned back to look at Delphine and Albion, trying to hold back the panic that was rising in her chest. Shanoa offered them a smile. "Thanks for the help, you two. But I'm fine now." She was anything but fine.

chuklfug-10/15/2016

Albion swallows as Shanoa asks of the condition of their comrades- unable to tell a convicing lie, he instead finds himself embellishing the truth. "Lady Persephone and... the Gallibian both, receieved injuries during the battle..." A polite way of phrasing the truth. The barbarian had seen fit to charge the enemy ranks- and for it, she had nearly been torn to pieces in short order. "At the moment, they remain with Lady Alexandra." Without hesitation, Shanoa shakes free from their hands- Albion quickly follows after her, as she takes a few stumbling steps down the beach. "...They're in capable hands, Shanoa! It would be wise, to be concerned with yourself." He spares a glance toward Delphine, implicitly asking for some measure of reassurance- and finds none, in her watery eyes. "...Delphine?" Perhaps the news had shaken her- or perhaps she was somewhat overcome. "Don't lose your head now... our work isn't finished."(edited)

LadyDeme-10/15/2016

"I have my head; it's just coming down from an adrenaline rush and trying to find her is all. I told you not to sweat it," she insisted, her expression growing more relaxed -- a little less frail. She'd tell him about it later; the news hadn't overcome her, it hadn't even been news. She'd seen them when she was done with Clarke. She'd tell him about that. She would. One step at a time. She wiped the last of the tears from her eyes, and they stayed dry. She gave him a wry look, like she was scolding him a little. She went off chasing after Shanoa rather than lingering there with her feet sinking into the hot sand. "No, but seriously. You look pretty shaken, and we've got this. Sit down, take a few deep breaths. You cut it pretty close there." She grabbed Shanoa's hand, emptier and a little colder than she might have been used to. "If you're going to the infirmary, you're going there to relax, OK? Then you can help with the clean-up with everyone else, because the town's a bit of a mess."

Deallocate-10/15/2016

Shanoa looked back down at the hand Delphine was holding, and then back to Delphine. A inkling of an idea of what had happened was running through her head. She gave a half-hearted smile. "I cut it pretty close, huh?" The herbalist pointed to the newly healed slash in her side, and then nudged her friend in the ribs, trying to get her to lighten up. "But sure, I'll sit tight at the infirmary. It'll be fun enough if you're doting on me, anyway." Shanoa looked down at the bedraggled remains of her dress. "Maybe a change of clothes would be nice. Just not one of the infirmary gowns, please." she said, shooting Albion a look before directing her gaze back at Delphine. "They, uh, don't match my hair that well." While blabbering on, she slowly tested filtering magic into different parts of her body. No response. It wasn't so much that she couldn't focus it, as that the source of her powers was missing. That in itself was of grave concern, but if it was a product of a something else... She tugged along Delphine as she made her way to Albion, before whispering furtively to him. "Hey, Alby, would you do a girl a favor? Check out my back, and tell me if it's any different." Before he could say anything about the inherent dangers of such a task, she turned away from him and began to address Delphine again. As Shanoa spoke, she casually swept aside the majority of her messy hair, exposing her back momentarily.

chuklfug-10/15/2016

Albion backs down as Delphine retorts. "...Very well. My apologies." The three pace along for a while- Albion remains quiet, as Delphine steps into her orderly procedure. The witch shakes him out of his complacence with a quiet whisper, immediately followed by a careless flip of her hair. Instantly, Albion's eyes's widen in shock- and just as quickly, they squint reflexively. "Wait, what? Careful!-" A few moments pass- and his eyelids slowly lift. The strange sensation from before was... gone. There was nothing left but ink- the intricate set of shapes and symbols appears before his eyes, holding steady and clear. Through the outer rim, a jagged line cuts through, breaking the circle. "...Oh..." He gingerly extends the back of his hand- holding it up to the surface of the runes, he feels nothing. A second moment of hesitation, and he places it into the surface of the runes. Soothing, and warm to the touch. "The scar, it cut through the edge... Shanoa, I can read everything. Clear as day." The hand lingers for a moment- regaining his senses, Albion sheepishly withdraws it to his side. He lifts his head to Shanoa with a grin, but the expression drops instantly as he catches onto her movements. The flick of her hand, the odd poses, the concentrated stance... it reminded him of the very first time he tried to pick up a tome. And utterly failed. "...What is it, Shanoa?" The answer was becoming clear- but he didn't truly want to accept it.(edited)

LadyDeme-10/15/2016

"Right, right; white's not your color, but I'll see what I can --" She paused mid-banter, noticing that however stealthy Shanoa was trying to be, Albion was feeling up her back now. Delphine leaned a little to one side, as if Shanoa were a wall or door. "...What's this about? Did you find further injuries?... Does it involve that glow?" She'd been a little too preoocupied to reallly comment on it at the time, but it wasn't possible for it to escape her notice; and so she had to ask.

Deallocate-10/15/2016

Shanoa looked back at the young man, a small frown on her face. "Well, looks like my curse has been cut." she said in hushed tones. "Though, that's not all. The runes keep haunting me, even after they're gone." She grimaced. "I can't use magic anymore." The magic-less witch turned back to Delphine and gave a small smile. "The glow? Well, I can't say I'm surprised. You've always been observant. I'm surprised you didn't find out, actually." She took a deep breath. "Delphine, I've had a curse for as long as I can remember. A mark, which many refer to as demonic, has been inscribed on my back. It's incredibly disturbing to all who gaze upon it. Not to mention anything that touches it tends to combust." She gestured to Albion. "A select few members of our company know about it, and have been keeping it a secret at my request. And today... I've discovered its purpose. The runes upon my back appear to have been the source of my incredible magical potential." She turned and showed the other woman the now stagnant markings. "The runes which have now been cut through, negating both their hazardous side effects and any magical powers I possessed." Shanoa shuddered. "The curse that I've despised since birth is the source of my greatest power. I should be happy... but I only feel hollow..."(edited)

LadyDeme-10/15/2016

Delphine listened to this thoughtfully, sorting it out -- the nature of Shanoa's magic, the nature of the runes... When she thought of them being seen as 'demonic,' she could begin to understand the sort of deathwish Shanoa had: and had almost had fulfilled, in spite of all Delphine's promises. Well, it was what she should have expected -- and you, too. Just all talk, eh, Delphine? She asked herself. "I see... Sorry, I got distracted by the demon horse. You know, it happens." She stroked her chin and tilted her head, considering not just the news, but the actual problem. Her expression grew a little graver, seriously considering her friend's circumstance, a sort of familiar feeling running through her. "Something that was always with you is gone, suddenly. Some of it was good, and some of it was bad -- and you never saw that, until it was taken. Honestly, even if it's better in the long run, how can you not feel it as a loss?" Delphine wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulder, consolingly. She felt so helpless, and there were so many things she wished she could do. "I...Wish I --" And then she shook her head and smiled confidently. She did know what to do -- she couldn't let herself be down. She understood what to do, when you didn't understand. "So it's time to stop and assess. That hollow feeling will pass when you've had the time to reflect. It's time to examine the world, and you; it's time to hit the books; it's time to take your time. Until you understand what you really want: not just what's familiar, or what you thought of as your role in the world, but what you really want. Until you find something amazing -- or until you know what to do. And we're with you, right, Albion?"(edited)

chuklfug-10/15/2016

Albion stares at the sand of the beach- after a moment, he lets out a short chuckle. "...You have quite the way with words, Delphine, but... this is war. I'm not sure quite it's so simple." The hollow smile remains- after a pause, he continues on. "Forgive me, but... we may not have the time. We may not have the soldiers, without her, we... may not even know, if it's a choice at all. The mark may well resurface all on its own- would it vanish so easily, after years? It's all very... uncertain, and this all sounds of..." Albion lifts his head, meeting Shanoa's eyes- the words rang true, in his mind, but they felt like the wrong ones nonetheless. "...I'm here. Of course. And I suppose that there's nothing wrong with a little positivity, so..." Albion starts to piece his speech back together- the cheerful tone, the exaggerated words, each falls into line as he continues on. "...Certainly, there's no need for that, now. My apologies." He bites his lip, swallowing his apprehension. "Perhaps it would be wise to try to understand just what it is... while we still have the opportunity."(edited)

Deallocate-10/15/2016

Shanoa nodded. "Sure thing. Feel free to study me as much as you want. I don't mind. I'm as interested as you are as to what my runes say." She looked thoughtful. "They might contain a clue as to who put them on me and my sisters. Or for what reason." A thought seemed to strike her. "But now that I think about this, it's rather fishy. All my mark needs is to have a part of it scratched out for it to lose its effect? And between my sisters and I, it took up 21 years to find out? Something isn't adding up." Her arms were perched on her hips. "But I know my sisters wouldn't lie to me... So what am I missing?"(edited)

LadyDeme-10/15/2016

To Albion, she had to point out. "All excellent points that no amount of acknowledging them will allow us to do anything about. We don't know what's possible, so we have to keep going. We can't go on just yet, we'll be on the move after that, and have some time -- and you know what? She doesn't have to fight. She doesn't have to be in this war, if it turns out she can't; I don't blame her. She owes us nothing -- it'll be hard, but there may be nothing we can do." Delphine pointed out. She shrugged, as if none of what he said had any weight; it was at least a little quibbling for the sake of it; it wasn't necessarily inventing problems, because those were true... But nor were they relevant, and it made his performance somewhere between sweet... And soul-burning. "There's nothing simple about what I just said, not even slightly -- and the understanding will be valuable if anything changes or not." To Shanoa, all she could do was shrug.. This was all well outside her area of expertise, without even a place to start. Her effort to help was meaningless, even if it was well-meaning or true. Shanoa hadn't even responded, so who cared? She shook it off internally, without it playing on her face. "That sounds like a pretty good place to start. Maybe with a diagram? Have you ever gotten a good look?"(edited)

Deallocate-10/15/2016

Shanoa tried to look at her own back, with limited success. "I mean, I sometimes looked at my reflection to try and read what it said. But when it's active, it isn't exactly easy to read. Not to mention it gives me a headache." She craned her head. "It looks like... Interposed circles. Surrounded by runes. So, a classic enchantment. Makes sense." She wiped away some of the sand that had accumulated on her back from getting dragged across the beach earlier. "Perhaps it's best we wait until after I get cleaned up to study it. I also don't enjoy looking like something a whale threw up." she said. "Hey... You know... People can hug me now. Without getting burned." Her eyes lit up. "And I can kiss people without scorching their lungs to a crisp! This is a perfect opportunity! I've gotta get as much use of this state as I can." She gave both of them meaningful looks. "That means if either of you wants to make a move, now is your chance. There's no telling how long it is until my runes activate again."

chuklfug-10/15/2016

Albion seems a little embrassed at her final remark. "...well..." He mulls over his words- although drained, it did seem Shanoa would live. He felt compelled to say more- but everything that needed to be known was already understood, and all his words would do was dampen their spirits. Albion scratches the back of his neck. "...I'll leave this in your hands for now, Delphine. Lady Alexandra will need the help... and I'm certain you can handle her for the time being." With that, he turns to leave, reluctantly returning to his actual duties.(edited)

Deallocate-10/15/2016

Shanoa pouted, but she didn't seem overly serious or upset. "Come on, Delphy. We don't need him anyway!" She grabbed Delphine by the hand and began tugging her towards the barracks.
A single thought was reverberating through her mind. I can wear real clothes now! A black cat with shocking yellow eyes stood up from where it had been resting on the nearby boardwalk, and walked off without a trace.(edited)

LadyDeme-10/15/2016

"Was I too harsh?" Delphine asked, nothing in particular, watching after him. Of course, this situation was a little much to deal with, and she coudn't blame him for going back to simpler matters of life and death. She let the shaking of being pulled along jolt her out of herself, putting herself away and smiling. "Alright, alright! But when we get there... I'm giving you a big hug." After all, someone could live; wasn't that something? Whoever it was, she had to be grateful.

=== RP End ===