A New Night's Snow, Silver and Dark

[Birdwhisperer 1174]

 

A storm lashed the coast of Vailor, whipping the ocean into a frenzy and filling the dark night sky with blinding sheets of ice. On a particular strand of coast a tall pillar of natural stone rose from the sea, and atop it rested a strange fire beating its dim light against the cold. A young woman, no older than fifteen years, huddled beside the fire with her back to the storm. Much weighed on the young noblewoman’s heart. Her parents had separated, her father had been killed, and she would soon be forced to marry… and the girl was growing up, not sure how to cope with tumultuous changes in herself that she did not understand.

 

Lightning turned the sky bright for an instance, followed by a deafening boom. The girl jumped fearfully, and retreated from the fire toward a shaking wooden bridge that lead back to the main keep, her home. She struggled to keep her balance on the swaying bridge. As she reached the center she slowed her pace and peered down into the roiling black sea below her. Ice stung at her face, and for a long moment she contemplated letting herself fall. A sudden burst of wind bucked the bridge.

 

The girl tumbled down into the sea.

 

~~~

 

Far away on the elven isle, a small red fox scurried into a burrow under a tree in Laurelin to hide from the storm.

 

~~~

 

Near the center of the mainland a man and women lay in sleep, sheltered from the elements. But the wind rattling their window pane soon woke the woman. Her one good eye slowly opened, its unnatural glow casting faint shadows across the bed. She breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of her husband from his closeness. It made her head spin and her stomach churn. Her cold heart began to race as a feral hunger threatened to overtake her. It urged her to lean over to the sleeping body beside her, so vulnerable and unaware… just take a bite…

 

Quietly she groped around in the dark for the emerald pendant that hung from her neck and gripped the stone between her fingers. As she focused upon it her mind fogged and her senses dulled, but the growing violent urges were pushed deep into her subconscious and out of the forefront of her mind. The woman sat up with her head in her hands, too ashamed to look at the man beside her. She loved him, and yet this curse kept her always on the brink of destroying what they had together.

 

 

As silently as possible the witch rose from the bed and padded across the room, gathering clothes to bundle herself up with. She needed some fresh air, and though the howling snow storm outside would have bothered her no more than a mild breeze she could not risk drawing any attention to herself. So, she donned a warm dress and thick, red cloak. Over her gray hands she pulled dark leather gloves. All that was left visible was her face, with its ugly empty socket, scarred cheeks, and garishly glowing eye.

 

The face shimmered for a moment, then a new face replaced it. The witch barely had to think about disguising anymore, the act came so naturally. She almost did not realize which face she had unconsciously chosen – a warm brown one, with dark eyes and black hair. It had been some time since she had used this disguise, but it had always been her favorite. It was not far off from her original likeness. The witch sighed and stepped toward the door, pausing a moment to look back at her slumbering husband. Cold wind rushed into the room for a moment as the door opened, and then she was gone.

 

~~~

 

 

 

The sun began to rise behind the clouds and the violence of the storm passed, replaced by a thick flurry of snow that fell in silence over the sea and shore. The frosted waves pushed a limp body onto a craggy beach beneath the cliff-top fort. The still figure’s dark hair swirled around in the water, and it was not long before she was spotted by a guard patrolling the walls above. Flakes of snow settled on the girl’s damp clothes as a group from the fort made their way down to her. She made no sound nor movement while ice began to stick to her skin.

 

~~~

 

 

The brown-skinned, red-cloaked woman drifted quietly through the city streets. An eerie stillness had settled over the Orenian city as freshly-fallen snow piled up in front of the shops and homes, still undisturbed by footprints. The woman wended her way toward the chapel, guided by its steeple that soared above the rooftops. From the outside, its stained glass windows shone in the pale gray light of early dawn, but as the woman stepped inside she found it dim and cold. She stepped toward the altar and slipped into the second pew, her head bowed low.

 

‘Why did you let me become this?’

 

The woman clasped her hands in her lap, beneath the gloves her fingers paled from the tightness of her grip. ‘Why did you allow this to happen to me?’

 

She slowly lowered her head, forehead resting against the pew in front of her, feeling only numb. ‘Forgive me…’

 

When she lifted her head to gaze up at the altar she knew what she needed to do. The cloaked woman retreated quickly from the church, heading back out into the snow.

 

~~~

 

 

 

A red-haired wood elf curled up in an alcove in a cozy tree-home, watching through a window as the snow drifted by outside. She sat surrounded by books as well as a variety of creatures that had taken shelter in her home from the cold. On the woman’s shoulder perched a phoenix, the heat radiating from its body warming her cheek. She reached a hand up to pat the bird’s head, saying, “You’ll like Dwyn. And we’ll still see each other, I’m sure.”

 

The phoenix gave a soft, melodic coo, and the elf sighed in response. She hunched over her books again, penning a few more lines in the letter she was writing. “We’ll meet in the forest, now and then…” she murmured, quill scratching. Some quiet minutes later she set her quill aside and blew lightly on the ink to help it dry. “That’s done…” she said, in part to herself and in part to the creatures dozing off around her. Her hand stretched out to one of the books beside her, and she lightly touched its cover. This one was old, a little over one hundred years, but the woman remembered the day she penned its first sentence as though it had been last spring.  

 

“You can take this to Dwyn when the weather clears,” she said to the phoenix as she rolled the letter up into a tube and tied it off with green string. She rose from she sat, the phoenix maintaining its balance on her shoulder, and moved her way toward the bird’s favorite perch in the tree. She lowered her shoulder toward the smoothed branch, allowing the phoenix to hop down, and placed the letter nearby. “I’ll miss you, my dear,” she said quietly, her voice mixed with tones of sorrow, but also conveying more peace and contentment than she had felt in many years.

 

The firebird stretched out its bright, red wings, and gave a quiet call in response. The elf let out a long breath, her shoulders relaxing in resolution.

 

“Goodbye.”

 

~~~

 

As the sun set the witch’s husband would find a hand-written letter placed beside their bed. Far away in an icey cavern, a similar letter appeared for the witch’s coven.

 

~~~

 

The sky did not clear until the moon had risen high. It shone down in silver light, illuminating the fresh snow that had fallen around the elf’s tree. The pure white blanket was unbroken where it settled around the tree, save for a single pair of animal tracks leading away from the home. At the edge of the wild forest a red fox padded through the snow then paused, turning to look back upon the elven city. Its bright green eyes reflected the moonlight for a moment and the next it was gone, melting into the shadow of the trees.

 

~~~

 

 

TL;DR:

Ayana Vimmark would be found on the beach beneath Saltstone. If the Vimmarks decide to find a new player for her, then she survived. If not, Ayana was found dead.

Gabrielle has been absent for a long time, and now she’s officially departed. Her daughters would not feel her presence.

Elorna has disappeared and left her home, possessions, and animal friends with Dwyn.

 

 

OOC:

I took a break last month to focus on school, and now I find myself not really wanting to come back. LotC has a lot of problems and the good things aren’t enough to keep me coming back anymore. It’s been fun, for the most part, so thanks for the memories. I might be back, but probably not.

 

Edit: Message me if you're interested in hanging out on Guild Wars 2.

 

 

[DISCOLIQUID 2702]

"It seems that Mother has left us. I hope that Father will stay in her absence."

 

"She was my Mother, not yours."

 

"Everything that you have is mine now, darling," The voice screamed.

 

The spindly woman sinks lower into the wooden chair, shaking her head. 

 

-- 

 

Bye, Bird! I enjoyed talking to you while you were here. You were one of my closest friends. : )

[Dougstalicious 721]

bye bye birdie

[ImCookiie 1950]

Thank you for all the wonderful RP, you were the best Druid role model ever.

I will miss you but I hope all goes well for you.

[WuHanXianShi14 0]

Elves bustled about Laurelin's dimly lit streets, prayed before the shrines and threw their offerings to the Aspects into the roaring brazier in the town square. Artimec should have been happy, seeing his vision come to life. Instead, he drew his winter cloak closer to his face and huddled by fireplace, feeling oddly more alone in this world.

[meg 1994]

A figure sits in silence upon an icy mountain, completely still as the snowstorm rages around it. It shifts, slightly, shoulders rolling for a moment. A faint blue glow surrounds its dull, empty eyes as it mumbles, "She must be gone, now. Perhaps we should do the same. She was too good for this life..."

 

~~~

You are lovely and wonderful Bird and I wish you all the best.

[Salamandra 1136]

Goodbye Boid.

 

Even though you were a Druid, I still enjoyed your presence.

[Rig 17587]

Silence be falls a lone man as he reminisces the time he gave a Druid to one of his masters in the Necrotic coven. 

[Wolf Druid Ouity 1461]

Never have two creatures been so dissimilar as a wolf and a dove.

 

The wolf lashes out. He hounds, chases, kills. The wolf knows little fear, for what dares stand up to his pack?

The Dove is a seed eater. A gentle, fragile creature of the light. Flighty, cheerful, bright.

 

Tooth to feather

Claw to wing

Blood to peace

 

And yet, Ouity had always been fond of his sister Druid, considering her one of his few friends, and a wise voice in the midst of what could often be a senseless rabble. She had been one of the first to approach him upon his return to the world of Anthos, the second in hundreds of years to show him true kindness.

 

Without needing ask, he sensed her absence from the realm. The trees whispered of a departure, and Ouity had long since learned to heed their song.  Part of him mourned the Dove Druid's leave- for though he knew better than most that all eras and ages reach an end, he had been especially fond of hers, and with the beginning of her journey also marked an end.

 

As the old Druid stared out over the forests of the elves, he sighed, silently wishing Elorna a safe journey.

[Truthseeker83 119]

Crystal for years now has noticed how her mother was not there like she promised to be.  She slowly hardened her heart because of loosing the only person she loved in this world.  Her trust in others fading each day as the pain inside grew.  Her childish love for things was squashed and hopes of a happy family eradicated.  Reality began to set in about the situation her mother put her in.  Her curse , yes its curse she thinks over in her mind.  The once happy life is now nothing but pain and death.  Constantly death of not just the men she must eat to survive but of her heart, her mind, and soul.  What else was there to do but live on in hopes of finding someone that will love her like her mother once did oh so long ago and fill this gaping hole her mother left in her heart. 

 

~~~~~~

 

You will always be missed and have a place in my heart forever.

[OhDeerLord 673]

Dwyn reads over the letter for a second time, idly stroking his fingers along the Phoenix's warm feathers before reaching down to rub his thumb across the key that came with. He lets out a breath, setting aside the letter to be filed away for later, "Well Miral, I'll get you a proper perch around here somewhere" he says patting the bird lightly as he stands.

 

The elf is saddened by her departure, but something in him felt this coming, he could feel the whispers of nature around her, pulling her away during her last visit, and after being gone for so long it makes sense that she'd want to return to the city. His sadness is more of a selfish feeling, knowing he won't see her for a long time, but above that is a pride and happiness of having known her for so long, knowing she's following a calling that will more than likely bring her great joy.

 

He's got his own task now, organizing Elorna's things, figuring out what's of importance, and setting up a meeting with Ouity. He's got a lot of work ahead of himself, as well as meditation and prayer for Elorna's safe travels.

 

-:-:-:-:-:-

 

I don't think I need to spend much time saying how much you've affected me on the server and outside. We've been friends for a few years now, it's odd saying that and realizing how much time has passed with our little circle. I still remember the early days of it being You, Me, and Leo working together in the little hamlet of Leanniel (The correct spelling, no matter what Leo says ;) ) And it'll be sad to see you go.

You've been, and will continue to be a great friend.

[Drak3 442]

 A lone figure wrapped in layered robes sat out on a frozen hunk of elevated earth. Both azure colored eyes giving off a faint glow as they scanned the desolate landscape below. The Witch had said nothing the whole time. Her mouth curved into an uneven frown as the wind from the remaining storm threatened to shove her from the ledge. Now though, it was mostly silent as the worst  of  its violent effects had passed. Particles of drifting snow now pattered and swirled up at random to hinder her vision. Nothing but the freezing breeze would answer for the Frost Witch and her lack of words spoken.

 

-----------------------------

 

((You're awesome Birdie. I've really enjoyed all the conversations we've had and lots of us will miss you on LotC. Take care on all the joyousness life has to offer.))

[Esterlen 4499]

Hmu on Tarnished Coast if you ever wanna play GW2 with me Birdwhisperer

[Mithradites 1168]

You were always my favourite Wood Elf, Druid, and message-deliverer! Good luck in your everything, Boid! And if you ever get the RP itch again, shoot me a PM and we can go on some non-affiliated adventures!

[Elvrohir Aureon 210]

"A vision of what a true druid should be..."

 

Elvrohir would be heard saying to a young Avern, a few weeks after the disappearance of Elorna became common news. 

He would then send the young guard back to his patrol, he himself stepping onto the very edge of the Laureh'lin wall and gazing at the unusually dark sunset. 

 

 

Laureh'lin, The Eternal City, would not soon forget the Dove Druid.