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Post by tyr on Jan 17, 2010 1:12:23 GMT -5
"If you drink this, the transformation will begin, Vayn. Do you understand?" Asked the blind priest.
Vayn touched one of the daggers at his hip. "What if I don't drink?" He asked.
"You will be put to death." The priest replied calmly.
"And if I drink?"
"If you survive, your soul will be split, making you both more and less than human. If you die, you will be dead. Nothing more and nothing less." The priest's tone never wavered., as if he had answered these questions many times before. Actually, he probably had.
"Well, I guess that makes it about 75% chance that I'll die. It's 50-50, to drink or not to drink, then 50-50 again for dying if I actually do drink. That being said, I'm not too keen on the dying thing, so I suppose that it's down the hatch!" He pricked up the goblet from the table in front of him.
He raised the goblet in silent salute. Hallow, he thought, may we meet again. He suppressed a flutter of fear. What would happen if he didn't live? Knowing that if he didn't act now, fear would stay his hand, he threw back the goblet, drinking the foul liquid within. Darkness rushed up to meet him.
______
He could feel himself dying. The poison was moving through his body and he was wracked with pain. Hallow... He thought, his mind growing fainter. Then, I don't want to die... Help! Someone help me! Before he was enveloped by the darkness again, he felt a burning pain on his chest and somewhere, a soothing voice said, 'Altruism.'
Altruism. He heard the voice again as he slowly came awake. It felt like he as floating. What happened? Did I... Die? He thought fuzzily.
Yes, silly. Maybe not the way you mean though. You're in for an odd time of it, I'm afraid. But now, you need to wake up.
He opened his eyes and sat up with a groan. The voice came again. Don't strain yourself, now. Dying tends to take a lot out of a person. He wasn't listening. The poison! He lifted a hand to the sore spot on his chest, but stopped when he saw how pale his skin was. What did that stuff do to me? He wondered.
Oh, there's more. You'll see. Said the voice. He put his hand to his chest, wincing at the pain. It hurt to touch, and his shirt was crusted with blood. Carefully peeling his shirt from the wound, he saw that it was no normal cut. It was in the shape of a rune used in the monasteries. Yes, your soul ripped there. Said the voice.
"All right, who are you? Where are you?" He demanded of the voice.
I'm Tobor, Altruism. I'm what you would call a summon. Suddenly, a dove flew from a tree to land at his feet.
"Altruism? you called me that before, but my name is..." He drifted off. He couldn't remember.
You don't remember, do you? The dove tilted her head. It seemed like the voice was coming from the dove, but that couldn't be right. No, I am the dove. You are right. Now, it's just as well that you don't remember your human name, because you won't be needing it. You're Altruism now.
"What? What does that even mean? How can you tell what I'm thinking? Where did the monasteries go? I need to get back to Hallow now that I've completed my training..."
You won't be going back to Hallow, Altruism. You can't. You can't ever go back. Even if you did, nobody would recognize you. Just look! Tobor fluttered to his shoulder and picked up a bit of his hair in her beak. It was still in its braid, but it was now a pure white.
Altruism struggled to find his voice. "What did that stuff do to me?" He asked again hoarsely. The reality of what Tobor had said began to sink in. "I can't ever go back?" He whispered. He closed his eyes to block out the world. Hallow...
No, you can't. I feel for you, but you have to move on. Most everyone else here is dead too, unless you meet some humans. You won't be the only one who died with things unfinished.
Shaking his head as if to rid himself of his thoughts, he said "You never answered me about the Altruism thing. Or how you know what I'm thinking."
If you'd quit asking so many questions, I'd have time to answer them all. She said, not unkindly. I can hear your thoughts because I'm your summon. That's all. Everyone has a summon, and that's what all summons can do. Now, as to 'the Altruism thing,' as you put it, get used to it. It's your name now. Everyone around here has a name like that. And since you don't remember your human name, isn't Altruism as good a name as any? We have to call you something.
"Yes, I suppose so..." He felt confused and empty. Hallow... "I still have a lot to learn, don't I, Tobor?" He asked.
Yes, you do. Replied the dove solemnly. But you won't be alone. I promise, I'll be with you. I won't let you be alone again.
The warmth of Tobor's sentiment touched him. He was still confused, but less afraid. He knew now that he didn't have to say how much gratitude he felt for Tobor to know. Bringing his knees to his chest, he resolved to sit there for a while and think things through.
_______
OOC: Anyone can feel free to interrupt Altruism's thinking time. Poor lonely thing, he needs to meet some new people.
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Tetris
Junior Member
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Post by Tetris on Jan 17, 2010 17:53:55 GMT -5
Mercy peered through the bushes at a pale man with white hair. He looked confused and in a bit of pain.
"Well at least he and i have something in common- we're both confused." Mercy whispered to Ethedus, a slight smile playing on he lips. "should we go see if we can perhaps help him, and trade information too?"
Go for it Ethedus replied, with a rabbit's version of a smile.
Mercy took a deep breath, stepped out of the bushes and walked towards the man. As she got closer she could see a dove perched on his soulder.
That's his summon. said Ethedus before Mercy could even ask.
"Hello." Mercy said to the man, looking into his shockingly green eyes. "I don't want to seem intrusive, but you appear to be injured an confused. I am too, well the confused part, not injured..." She wasn't making any sense, but thankfully Ethedus stepped in to help her out.
I'm Ethedus and this is Mercy, would you mind if we bothered your thinking for a while to have a chat?
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Post by tyr on Jan 17, 2010 21:36:26 GMT -5
Altruism heard soft footsteps approaching, but paid them no heed. No assassin survived training in the monasteries if people could sneak up on him easily. He had judged the footsteps, noting their rhythm. This was probably not an attack.
Whoever it was stood watching him for a moment. He heard a soft whisper and then a rustling of bushes.
He looked up slowly. I don't like other people. I think that I will leave for the time being. Said Tobor. She flew away. What was that? he thought looking in the direction she'd flown, but he got no response.
He looked at the tall pale girl. We could be siblings, he thought.
She spoke to him. Her unsteady, but kindly meant words put him at ease. Her summon - a rabbit, he noticed - introduced her and itself.
"Mercy..." He breathed. "Absolutely... I fear that I greatly need help. Do you know..." He trailed off. "No, you said that you're confused too. I'll tell you what I can, but it is admittedly not much. I'm Altruism... My summon... Tobor. She flew away. I think she might be anti-social." He realized that he was rambling.
He shook himself. "What, uh, do you want to know?" He asked. "I'll tell you if I can." He said with a smile that he hoped was encouraging.
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Tetris
Junior Member
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Post by Tetris on Jan 17, 2010 21:56:34 GMT -5
Mercy smiled, she was beginning to like this Altruism, who ever he was. She watched as Ethedus jumped around Altrusum, sniffing and examining him.
"Well first of all, I'd like to know where I happen to be. See, I don't really know anything about... well I don't know anything actually. Last thing I remember, Everything was black, and I was in excruciating pain. Then it was all gone, and when I opened my eyes I was sitting up against a tree with a spotted rabbit staring at me." She let out a small giggle as Ethedus, jumped up onto Altruism's lap.
"He told me that he's known me all my life, and that that my name was Mercy. I decided to try to find a town or a village, and we've been walking since."
I also wouldn't mind getting some food, now that we've found you Ethedus twitched his nose and ears playfully.
"I hope you don't mind, my new found rabbit friend seems to be rather blunt" Mercy said, giving Ethedus a don't-be-rude kind of look.
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Post by tyr on Jan 17, 2010 22:19:24 GMT -5
Altruism laughed as Ethedus jumped into his lap. "You just described my past hour, unfortunately. Substitute Tobor for Ethedus and you've got the same story." He frowned. "I'm afraid I don't know where we are... And I have no food." He looked around. "I think there's water vaguely that way..." He pointed off to his right.
You're right. There is water there. He felt the connection of mind on mind as Tobor spoke to him. I thought you left, he thought reproachfully.I wouldn't leave you entirely, said the dove.
"Tobor says there's water... Maybe we should follow it?" He asked.
He itched his chest through his shirt, forgetting about his wound. He winced at the pain.
"At the very least, if I go down to the stream I can wash this cut." He turned his head sideways, waiting for a reply.
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Tetris
Junior Member
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Post by Tetris on Jan 17, 2010 22:44:09 GMT -5
Mercy watched Altruism scratch his chest, then wince in pain.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. There's always life near water, right?" She nodded toward his chest, "I suppose you don't know how you got that injury either? I know some first aid, if you'd like I could take a look at it once we get to the stream.... in fact, I remember Eth saying something about his tears being a pain killer?"
Yes, that is correct, my tears do happen to be a mild anesthetic, but you'd have to get me to cry... Ethedus jumped off of Altruism and playfully ran away in fear. Laughing, Mercy ran after him, picked him up and proceeded to tickle Ethedus until he was crying of laughter.
"Problem solved!" Mercy called to Altruism from a bit away. She produced a vial from some unknown pocket and collected his tears. Both were still laughing. She put the vial back into her pocket and ran back to Altruism, Ethedus following behind.
"Alright, shall we go find this stream?" Mercy asked, still smiling. She took hold of Altruism's hand and began walking in the direction that he had pointed to earlier.
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Post by tyr on Jan 18, 2010 18:01:24 GMT -5
Altruism watched in amusement as Mercy tickled Ethedus. She said they only just met... They're so close already. I wish I had someone like that, he thought warmly. She only just met me too, and she's offering to dress my wounds... I don't know if I've ever met someone so nice besides Hallow.
Altruism smiled as she took his hand. It seemed like someone so pale should have cold hands, but she was surprisingly warm, like her personality. "Thank you," he muttered. He cleared his throat. "I do actually know how I got the wound. My spirit is... ripped there. It's hard to explain. It's a shallow cut, but it bled a lot. I guess wounds to your spirit are pretty tough, huh?" He blushed, realizing that he was rambling a little again. Before she could reply, he added, "I drank some poison that tore it. I guess that's how I died..." He paused. "Um... delicate subject, but you do know we're dead right?"
It must be the shock, he thought, I'm not usually this much of an idiot... Almost, but not quite.They walked in the direction of the stream. He wasn't sure what she would say.
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Tetris
Junior Member
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Post by Tetris on Jan 18, 2010 19:37:39 GMT -5
Mercy giggled at Altruism's chatter. Y'know Eth, he's kinda cute don't you think?
Ethedus rolled his little eyes I can't agree with you, as i happen to like female rabbits, but I do seem to like his personality, and he smells good![/i]
Then Altruism said something that made her heart drop to her knees.
"We're dead?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. They were at the edge of the stream now, and Mercy sat down, her blue eyes growing darker in confusion. "but..."
She trailed off, and stared at the palm of her hand. She traced the wrinkles and creases with her pinky, as if to see if it was actually real. Her eyes were almost navy blue now.
Well , technically yes. Ethedus jumped on to Mercy's lap and nodded to Altruism, signaling that he should explain to her. Ethedus hated to see Mercy upset, but knew that she had to find out sometime, he just wasn't going to be the one to say anything.
Mercy looked into her summon's deep black eyes. She could sense that he was uneasy and perhaps...afraid? Not wanting to distress him, she turned her gaze onto Altruism hoping that he would...could help her understand.
[/color]
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Post by tyr on Jan 18, 2010 20:09:45 GMT -5
Altruism saw the change come over Mercy's face immediately. No, no! I did this! I made her so sad!
They sat at the edge of the stream and Ethedus nodded to him from Mercy's lap. He knew what this meant. "I... I'm so sorry. That was extremely insensitive, wasn't it? I'll tell you about what happened to me, and what Tobor told me." He breathed deeply, unsure how to start.
"I suppose it starts with the monasteries. I trained as an assassin there. I have no idea where we are, where the monasteries are, nothing. At the end, the final test, I was supposed to drink a poison that split my soul. I still don't really know much about that. I don't know if it worked, or if I just plain died. Either way, I remember a lot of pain, and then I woke up here. Tobor told me that I was dead and that she was my summon. I wore another name as a human, but try as I might, I can't remember it. I guess that all I am is Altruism now." He smiled sadly. He grabbed one of her hands again, hoping to give her comfort. He didn't know how she'd react, it felt like a clumsy gesture coming from him.
"I had a lot of things unfinished back when I was alive. Tobor says that's the way of things here. I don't really know what's going on, but she said that if we run into anyone else, they'll be dead too."
"I'm really sorry," he whispered. "I know that it's hard to believe, and if I were you, I certainly wouldn't want to be hearing it from me."
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Tetris
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by Tetris on Jan 19, 2010 17:18:10 GMT -5
Altruism gently lifted Mercy's hand into his own. Mercy looked up, here eyes still wide, and gave a small smile. She looked into his eyes. The green was still amazingly bright, and she could tell that he was honest and was trying to help. Mercy still felt over whelmed at the news, but decided to try to pull her self together, for his sake.
"n-no, thank you. I think it's better that I know about... about it anyways" She gave him a gracious smile and moved towards him to give him a gentle hug, being careful not to touch his chest.
"Well, uhmm, would you like me to take care of that for you now? It'll help me take my mind off of things." Mercy said, lifting Ethedus off of her lap and leaning in closer to examine it. He dark blue eyes were beginning to lighten a bit at the distraction.
"I hope you don't mind, but....you'll have to take your shirt off" She took a small bag out of another unseen pocket and searched for gauze and cream.
Thank you. Ethedus quietly said to Altruism. Let her treat you, she can be quite persistent about health matters Ethedus tugged at Altruism's shirt with his teeth.
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Post by tyr on Jan 19, 2010 19:16:31 GMT -5
Mercy was taking the news remarkably well. She wasn't even mad at his complete lack of ability to talk to people. She was still a little shaken, he could see, but as she said, it was probably better that it was out in the open.
When she smiled, he let out a breath that he hadn't known he was holding. He had been afraid that she would be upset and leave. He definitely didn't want to be alone here. She gave him a hug, made a little awkward by the fact that she was trying not to hit his chest. He blushed a little, not sure what exactly to do. In his last years of life, he had been secluded. There were no girls in the monasteries, and he'd spent seven years there. Mercy was the first girl he'd seen since he was 14.
He watched her eyes as they changed colour. It seemed like they were different every time he saw them. They get darker when she's upset, he realized.
His eyebrows rose when he realized what she had said. Before he could protest, Ethedus was already pulling on his shirt. "I-I uh... You don't..." He knew that it was hopeless from the look on her face. If she has something to do, maybe it'll take her mind off of the fact that she died and had to hear about it from an idiot like me, he thought.
"Uh, yes ma'am," he said, beginning to take off his shirt. It was a bit stuck to his cut, but he pulled it off anyway. When it was off, he sat uncomfortably. It was kind of cold, and he knew that he was painfully skinny. Why couldn't that have changed when I died? He was sure that his shoulder blades stuck out and you could see his ribs a bit. Not dangerously so, but enough. It was from being malnourished for his early years.
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Tetris
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by Tetris on Jan 19, 2010 23:00:38 GMT -5
Mercy gazed at Altruism's chest. It was pale, very pale. He was slim, not overly bolt, but fit. She wondered what they fed him at the monasteries. Sighing, Mercy's eyes shifted to the wound. It was strange looking but didn't look infected.
However, just in case, Mercy took a piece of cloth and dipped it into the stream. The water was cool and smelled good, like something familiar that she couldn't quite put her finger on. probably before i died she thought, slightly shaking her head, her eyes once again turning slightly darker.
Mercy took the wet cloth over to Altruism and wrung the water out over his bare chest. He appeared to shiver a bit, but for the most part didn't complain. Satisfied that the wound was clean enough to dress, mercy took the vial containing Ethedus' tears and let a few clear drops fall onto the wound.
"That should make it feel a little better for a couple of days, I'm not sure how long it takes for wounds from soul splitting to heal," Mercy smiled at her own joke "but you may have a scar, it's hard to tell." She then rubbed an ointment smelling of mint and lemon onto the wound, and placed a piece of gauze over it.
"There we go, all finished." She looked up into the sky, realizing it was late in the afternoon, and the shadows were beginning to lengthen.
Would you and your summon like to stay with us for a while? We could use the company until she finds what she's looking for said Ethedus, appearing from nowhere. He hopped to Mercy, sniffing the air,which smelled strongly of the ointment she's put on Altruism.
Mercy looked at Altruism hopefully. "If you do want to stay with us, maybe we should find something to eat and a place to sleep, it's almost night, and I don't want to be stuck here in the dark."
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Post by tyr on Jan 20, 2010 18:55:55 GMT -5
Altruism shrugged his shirt back on, being careful not to disturb the wound dressing. The cut wasn't nearly so painful as it had been earlier, so he supposed that Ethedus's tears must have worked. He smiled at Mercy. "It feels good. Hopefully soon I'll be back to my normal idiotic self. You know, as opposed to my half dead idiotic self that we're experiencing now." He stopped. "Well, I suppose that I'm more than half dead, come to think of it. That'll take some getting used to..." He gave a weak chuckle.
He didn't have to consider Mercy and Ethedus's offer for very long. He knew that he didn't want to be here alone. It was always better to have company, just in case. Besides, he liked Mercy. She was nice, and friendly, and generous. He felt at ease with her.
Usually, the idea of being alone wouldn't have bothered him so much. During his training, he'd had to be alone for specific parts of it, and often in areas with which he was unfamiliar. That being said, nothing he'd ever done had prepared him for being dead. The object was always to survive.
"I'd love to accompany you," he said. "But somehow I doubt Tobor will stick around long." He smiled, slightly annoyed.
I am still here. I just keep my distance. I'm not fond of people. If a dove could be said to have her nose in the air, Tobor would. Altruism chose to ignore her.
"I think that we should travel along down the river. Lots of edible plants grow by water," he said. "In the morning, we could just keep going. I'll bet we meet people on the way. Maybe they can tell us... Well, everything. We certainly need more information." He finished on a hopeful note.
OOC: My friend is playing Happiness and she'd like to meet up with us. Do you mind? If you do, that's fine, we don't have to, but I have a suspicion that when we go to sleep, she'll visit our dreams. That's her power.
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Tetris
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by Tetris on Jan 20, 2010 22:24:22 GMT -5
OOC: yeah, tell her to come alonggg  -------------------------------------------- Mercy laughed at Altruism's joke about himself, but it was once again a reminder of the fact that she was dead. Trying not to think about it and trying not to let Altruism see, Mercy stood up and began to walk along side the river, looking for anything that seemed the least bit edible.
"So what exact ally are we looking for here? I have no idea if any of these plants can be eaten." Mercy lifted up a bunch of different plants for Altruism to see. She hoped he didn't think she was helpless. Nevertheless, with help from Ethedus too, the group managed to find a sufficient meal.
Mercy watched Ethedus inhale his portion then promptly jump to a soft-looking pile of moss and close his eyes.
Goodnight Mercy, Altruism and even you Tobor
Mercy assumed Tobor was Altruism's summon, but wondered how Eth knew it's name. However, she was too tired to ponder this for long, and soon found her self dozing off. She gave Altruism a gentle hug goodnight and lay down on the ground.
"Good night everyone"Mercy mumbled, closing her eyes. Sleep came easily and soon she was in the realm of dreams. |
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Post by tyr on Jan 20, 2010 23:07:59 GMT -5
Altruism ate the plants they found. They weren't all that good, but they got the job done. I suppose that it's extremely lucky that we have a rabbit around, telling us what we can eat and whatnot, he thought.
He was feeling pretty tired, and so, it seemed, was everyone else. When Ethedus and Mercy bade him good night, he replied and walked a short distance away to find himself a soft patch of ground. Yawning, he ended up sitting with his back to a large tree whose roots did not produce too much discomfort below him. The instincts of an assassin had not died with him. He liked to be in a position that he could easily stand and fight from, with his back covered.
Good night, Tobor, he thought. He felt an answering contact on his mind, faint, but it was there. Good night Altruism. The entire feeling of the thought perfectly expressed tiredness, and Altruism found himself yawning again. He looked over and saw that Mercy and Ethedus were already asleep. He closed his eyes, and the darkness folded him in its calm embrace as well.
OOC: Happi is a bit waylaid in her thread. Unity is supposed to post next, but she hasn't yet. She's going to try to get to our dreams, but we'll see how it works out. If we don't have a visitor by around this time tomorrow night, feel free to wake up and move on. She's just down river from us anyway, so we can meet while awake if we can't get the dream.
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