Nimbus_Strike

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” --- (The First Lesson) --- "Are you sure you were waiting for me? I'm afraid that I'm but a wandering traveler. You must have mistook me for someone else." The young elfess hums, she'd settle down onto the cushion, patting herself down before resting her palms upon her knees. "Oh, dearie, yes. After all, it does get awfully lonely here. I am without any granddaughter - or daughter, unlike most folk who've lived as long as I." The hag responds, the warm smile - perhaps, one overwhelmingly so - still remaining at her lips. "Why don't you stay for a little? I sense weariness, dearie." Ariane's eyes would slowly skirting around the room, taking a moment to observe the room with a careful silence, before returning to the the Hag, her eyes closing with little resistance, and the Hag's smile would be returned in kind, though not without a foxy curl of her lips upwards. "Forgive me, Auntie, your kindness has been most gracious, but... I'm used to traveling in the night~" She'd say with a melodic hum, her body lightly rocking left and right in the seat. "Still... I don't think I'd mind sparing just a moment. Where shall I begin, Auntie?" "Why not start with your name, dearie?" The hag began, her hands obscured from Ariane by the table covers. Suddenly, the young woman would feel her lips begin to open, almost involuntarily. Almost as quickly, however, her lips would close forcibly, and she'd stoop silent for a moment before looking up, mouthing a short answer: "Ariel Aktinovolos." She answers. A lie and a truth. Whatever just happened... It seems like she was being drawn to the hag, almost unwillingly - to tell everything about herself. And staying in these lands would certainly do her no good. As her mind wanders, Ariane would remember a quote from her mother before her departure: ---- "When you leave the forest, and into the rest of the world... You need to be weary of the darkness in these land, little comet. That of people... Or creatures, who would seduce your mind with sweet words, and take what they want from you, until nothing is left. Perhaps money, perhaps parts of your body, or... Worse." The blue-haired elfess gently chided. "Mother... I'll be fine. Remember, I'm the one helping you set the prices for the herbs we collect and the pastries we bake when we go to sell them in town. And was it that necessary to pack this much... Strudel?" Ariane responds, still in disbelief at the sheer amount of strudel her mother had prepared for her. "... You might as well add some apples and wine, and tie a little red hood to my head, at this rate. I'm no child anymore." "No child? You'll always be my child, my little comet! And besides, I've eaten more salt than you've had bread!" The blue-haired elf would retort with a huff, before stepping back with a pout. Though, as quickly as she huffed, her expression would soften into a gentle smile. "... And if your travels were to go awry, you'll always have me at home, little comet." "... I'm 23 already, mother. And I want to see more of the world that f..." She'd stop herself, remembering how sensitive the topic was. "... I mean, I'll be fine, mother. And I'll remember." --- "I've lived in woods similar to those since my childhood, raised by only my mother." Ariane begins. "And where? I'm afraid I'm not comfortable saying that yet. However, we sold mushrooms and pastries to the neighboring cities since I was young. I'm on a journey to a city to the north, where more of my kind reside. ((OOC Note: Celia'nor.))" Continuing, she'd find a light, simple smile coming to the side of her lips. "To some extent, I also wish to find companions and friends in my travels. And I also wish to learn forging and metallurgy." "That said..." She'd take a long sip of her metallic flask, before abruptly standing up and fixing her coat. "I must go on my way. I've rested for long enough, and I'd hate to overstay my hospitality." A quick shake of her head, and she'd begin to head for the doorway. "... Oh, dearie. You're not overstaying, why, wouldn't you like to stay for the entire night?" The hag's demeanor darkens, her smile widening in an uncanny manner. "You'll want to, a pretty little petal like you won't stand a chance against the beasties in the forest." "I've surveyed the woods, and I've enough materials in my bag to light a touch for the night. I-It's not raining." Ariane continues, a sense of urgency beginning to overtake the young elf's previously confident demeanor, abruptly moving to run off as quickly as her feet could carry her. There was no resistance as she makes her escape. Only, however - a horrendous, ear-piercing laugh would come the dingy town, followed by shadows moving behind her. Right... This'll be a long night yet for me.