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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 10, 2015 20:05:17 GMT -5
An encounter between Mordant and Evelyn?
Vacant eyes were glued to the deer trail that stretched out before her, the sound of her light footsteps was almost inaudible in the tall, damp grass. Evelyn thought that a walk through the vast, expansive forests would do her some good. Afterall, she'd been in this town for almost two years, and she still hadn't taken the time to go exploring in its truest definition. The candle demon wore her cloak; the hood was up, and the two candles stuck out from the holes cut in the cowl, their bluish-green glow softly illuminating the dark, twisted woods. Her expression was upturned- mildly happy, yet curiousity was the main emotion painted on her face. A bag was slung over her shoulder beneath the cloak, and it was filled with trinkets, her journal, and her trusty pen. Easily jumping over a fallen tree (to which she noted it had been laying there for a while due to the moss and fungi growing from the decaying wood), Evelyn continued to saunter through the forest, admiring the fireflies, crickets, and many other critters and sights to be seen. Over all, it could best be described as tranquil, but not to mention spooky. She was used to the feeling of always being watched ever since she joined the cult, though out here about a mile from town, it didn't feel as safe. She'd only met three other members in an entirely new context, and other than that, she had no idea what the other's were like. Dangerous? Savage? All ideas were feasible, though Evelyn would rather believe them to be good spirited!
The 5'3" girl stopped by an abnormally large pine tree, a small stream flowing nearby. She decided now would be the perfect time to stop and sketch out the scenery! Taking a seat on a rather large rock, she pulled out her large, leather-bound journal and pen. She proceeded to sketch in what she saw, drowning out any sounds that could possibly startle her or give away someone's location. Oblivious. At least it was peaceful, however. With Ralphie being utterly silent, she could focus only on her drawings. |
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Post by Mordant on Aug 10, 2015 22:44:00 GMT -5
The subtle distortion cleared as Mordant walked through the portal. It quickly closed behind him as he dug his toes into the forest loam. Refreshing. Most of his time was spent in the catacombs beneath the city. Now, with the leader's permission, he was allowed to wander the forest on the outskirts of town and he reveled at the crisp air. Although he was hunger crazed growing up in the forest, he still considered every forest his home.
The wendigo crept between the trees, his withered frame surprisingly noiseless as he brushed past branches. He took in the environment in its entirety, not letting a single detail escape him as he touched each tree and stone. That was when he stopped. He sensed something else. A person? His maw unconsciously cracked open. A MEAL? The single eye within his stomach whirred about rapidly as it sought its prey. A small girl was huddled by a stream, but Mordant immediately stopped himself. The telltale glow of a blue flame illuminated her crown and his maw sealed itself shut. Another member?
He was all at once nervous. Did she see? He pat his stomach to make sure his maw was closed and touched his shroud to check it was still covering his face. He peeked at her from behind a tree and observed. She was small and unassuming, unlike the stern members he met before. What was she doing?
He leaned out further when a bird noisily crowed and flew by him, drawing attention to his position.
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 10, 2015 23:12:18 GMT -5
Evelyn continued to recreate the scene before her, the subtle strokes of the black ink fabricating the currents of the stream. Pausing for a moment, the candle demon leaned back, comparing her own drawing and the 'real deal'. Grinning brightly, she began to hum an innocent tune as she went back to sketching.
She was oblivious to the wendigo's presence, completely and utterly engrossed in her drawing. The gentle breeze ruffled her short, wintry hair as well as her cloak. There was an odd smell which hit her nose, though she ignored it. Yes, she needed to include the low hanging branch and the mushrooms by the bank. Of course, she couldn't forget the log which was lain across the stream allowing for easy traversing to get to the other side!
Sighing contentedly, the female took a moment to admire her completed work, tracing a finger along all of the intricate details- that was until a loud bird disturbed her silence.
Immediately, Evelyn squeaked in surprise, standing up and turning around to where the noise came from. There stood a figure she'd never seen before. As if she became stone, the candle demon didn't move, her eyes wide and mouth agape. Who was that? Why were they standing there? Were they watching her? The cloak gave her the notion that they were a member of the cult, but still she was worried in their presence.
"H-hello? Why're you here?" She asked loudly, tripping over her own tongue, "Can I... Help you?"
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Post by Mordant on Aug 10, 2015 23:52:15 GMT -5
Mordant was mortified.
He was never allowed near other members without supervision, he was too new and still unsure if his hunger would return. He fiddled his fingers and glanced nervously at the girl.
"Ahh! Doon't bee scared!" He said as he pointed at the flame above his head. "I am like yoou."
He struggled to find words as he stepped out from behind the tree.
"I am friend! Visit foorest."
He watched her as her eyes widened in a mixture of curiosity and fear. He shirked behind the tree again and tugged at his shroud.
"I heelp you?" He offered.
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 11, 2015 0:21:49 GMT -5
With clammy hands and gritted teeth, she was currently trying to keep herself under control. However, the idea of running away screaming and crying was tempting. A thought from the depths of her mind arose- what if they had intentially sought her out to eat her or something of that gorey sort? No! That was only the paranoia talking, right? Right. She couldn't let such things get the best of her, not now. Ignoring those morbid ideas, Evelyn took a few steps toward the large creature.
What they said next caught her off guard. Not only did their voice surprise her, but what they had stated. So they didn't want her to be scared? Her gaze flickered up momentarily to catch sight of the blue flame, reaffirming her beliefs that they were a cult member just like her.
Friend?
Evelyn watch quietly as he seemed to shield himself from her, and a particular saying came to mind; they are more afraid of you, than you are of it.
"F-friend?" She echoed, clutching the pen and journal to her chest, "You... help me?" The candle demon paused, tilting her head to the side as to get a better few of him, "Don't... Don't hide! You can come out, it's alright." She spoke in a more gentle tone, attempting to coax them out of their hiding.
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Post by Mordant on Aug 11, 2015 13:25:44 GMT -5
"Woon't hide." Mordant said as he stepped out of his cover. "It'ss alright."
She didn't seem as afraid as before and he thought he was doing well. Help was always a good word to throw around, he learned. Well... as long as it's not shouted. His thoughts raced as he thought of what to say. What did the leader always tell him to do with new members?
"Moordant." He said with his hand over his chest. "I introduuce myself. I am Moordant."
The new name still felt funny on his tongue, but the name was his and he was proud of it. Galvanized by his successful interaction, he began to try more that he had learned.
"How aree you? Very pretty. Have a nice daay! Good luck! yoou too." He rambled. Everyone who used these words usually received good feedback, so using them all at once would give him REALLY good feedback, right? The eye on his shroud arched up in an unseen smile. This is good, right? This is how it works? He looked back at her over the bank expectantly.
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 11, 2015 18:01:49 GMT -5
Evelyn watched closesly as they fully revealed themselves, and she sighed in relief. Listening closely to his introductions, she tilted her head to the side. Mordant? She'd never heard that name before, but nonetheless, Evelyn took note of it.
Before she could return the sentiment of giving her name as well, they went off on a tangent, spewing multiple tidbits one would here in everyday small talk. Feeling awkward, the wintry-haired girl put up a hand, the universal sign for stop. Giggling in a rather high pitch, she began to speak, "Y-yeah. Well I'm Evelyn. Evelyn Leigh."
Pausing for a moment, she remembered that Mordant seemed to have minor difficulties pronouncing certain things, so she quickly added on to her previous statement, "But you can call me Evie if you'd like!"
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Post by Mordant on Aug 11, 2015 19:27:31 GMT -5
Mordant was startled by the girl's laugh and was terrified for a second that he had scared her again until she introduced herself. He crept forward towards the stream and pointed at her.
"Eviee Layy?" He said slowly. "Eviee."
He tested out the name and decided that he liked it. This small creature was strange, but she wasn't mean or screaming. Careful not to scare her he approached in careful strides, checking her expression as he crossed the mossy log on the stream. When he was a little over a meter away he crouched to make himself smaller.
"What dooing in foorest, Eviee?" He asked. He gestured to the notebook she clutched at her chest and tilted his head slightly, the fabric of his face fluttering in a small breeze.
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 11, 2015 19:59:59 GMT -5
A wary smile was painted onto her lips, and she nodded, "Yeah, Evie!" She confirmed, almost backing away as the other got closer. Her eyes were locked onto the tall, slender figure as he crossed the babbling stream, unable to look away. It was rather dizzying to see someone so large in stature, being quite the opposite, but the thought was soon cast out of her mind as the other knelt down before her.
It was then a more pleasant and amiable grin took place of the cautious one. Cocking her head to the side, her flames flickered curiously. Evelyn then held out the journal, "I've been here in this town for a few years now and I've never been able to get a good look around the forest, y'see?" She began, flipping to the page with the sketch of the stream and surrounding trees, "So I was out here sketching some pictures. You can take a look if you want." She offered, holding the notebook out a bit further for Mordant.
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Post by Mordant on Aug 11, 2015 20:12:53 GMT -5
The pictures delighted Mordant immediately. He graciously took the notebook and held it up gingerly. The tome was dwarfed in his hands and he cradled it as he stared. He had seen the likeness of each page in the real life forest and he was fascinated.
"Ooooh! Thiss!" He pointed at the recent page and then back at the stream. He gave a dry, raspy laugh and he turned to another page. When he turned to a page of a bakery he pointed at it and looked back at Evelyn. "What iss thiss? Iss not foorest?"
Mordant turned to more pages with buildings and he was greatly confused. He turned it on its side and right side up again. He knew of forests and he saw the catacombs of the candle cult, but these strange constructs were things he had never seen before. At another page of the bakery he held it out to Evelyn.
"Iss candle shop?" He asked.
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 11, 2015 20:31:46 GMT -5
Evelyn leaned forward ever so slightly, observing his looks of joy and radiance, bathing in her own merriment! Quietly, she tapped her index fingers together, biting her lip to keep her grin from becoming impossibly large.
As Mordant turned the page, she stared at the drawing of the Bakery. Taking a step closer, the girl began to explain, "That's a sketch I did of the bakery I work at. I live here as well. See?" Evelyn the pointed a finger to the second story window, a triangle adorning the glass, "That's my window."
She continued to watch him flip through her notebook, pausing to answer another one of his questions. She looked over the sketch for a moment- it was an older one of the candle shop? "Yes, that is the candle shop! My bakery is a few blocks away from there." She responded.
Evelyn took a moment to assess the fact that she didn't know anything about Mordant aside from his name and place in the cult, "Before you continue looking at my drawings, can I ask you something as well? I've never seen you around before, and I was wondering if stay down below?" She inquired, referring to the catacombs.
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Post by Mordant on Aug 11, 2015 21:04:07 GMT -5
Mordant reluctantly stopped looking at the book and stared at Evelyn as she asked her question. Mordant contemplated her question and pointed at the ground, confirming her suspicions with a nod.
"Yess, I live in cave below." Mordant's eye attempted to look stern as he mimicked the cult leader's voice. "You are to stay here. You stand out too much to work the surface shops. I'll find you when I need you for... disposal."
Mordant stopped using the leader's voice and handed back the notebook.
"Iss better life thaan only eaating alone in foorest." Mordant said as plucked at the grass beneath him. "Iss moore fun and I meet soo many people. I can make friendss."
At the sudden realization he sat straighter and nervously held his face in his hands.
"Leader say I not allowed to meet people withoout su-per-vision," he said, pronouncing the word slowly. His single eyes flicked about the landscape in concern that the telltale warp of a portal will bring his superiors to him and get them both in trouble.
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 11, 2015 21:16:12 GMT -5
Evelyn nodded in understanding, "I see." Came her simple reply. She watched him copy what seemed to be... the cult leader? Yes, there was no mistaking such words. It painted the picture for her rather well so now she grasped the events with a firm hand. She laughed for a moment, "You imitate our leader quite well. You should perhaps consider acting!"
Taking a moment to look around at the forest, she then let her gaze drift back to Mordant, "I don't like being alone either. But I'm never alone." Evelyn said, putting a hand on her stomach, "But I can understand why you would like it. I love meeting people since I rarely get the chance!"
Evelyn took the notebook back, tucking it away in her bag along with her pen, "Speaking of friends, you can count me as one!" She added, absentmindedly fiddling with the dark fabric of her cloak.
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Post by Mordant on Aug 11, 2015 21:51:29 GMT -5
Mordant's frantic search was halted at the prospect of making a friend. He glanced at Evelyn and tilted his head again.
"Friend?" His single eye smiled. "Eviee friend?"
The idea that this small girl wouldn't be scared of him and would be his friend was an emotional rush. His eye closed in an upward arch of joy.
"I have a nice daay! Good luck! Yoou too! Very pretty!"
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Post by gilbscipher on Aug 11, 2015 22:05:27 GMT -5
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, friend." Evelyn confirmed for him. It gave her a warm feeling to see the other react in such an enraptured manner. Or was that warm feeling the burning envy radiating from Ralphie? Either way, she now felt rather elated.
Not to mention, he seemed to miss the comment she made about never being alone. It would be for the best if Ralphie never was shown to him. He might scare her new comrade away which would not be good.
Blinking, Evelyn Leigh took into account how they had been acting the moment before, and her smile faltered, "Hey, just a bit ago, you were acting pretty nervous. Are you gonna get in trouble if they find you out here talking to me?"
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