forum "Loud Thieves, Clumsy Princesses, Kleptomaniac Witches and Pyromaniacal Knights"

Started April 25, 2023 by @lord-of-the-carnival group

tune

Juni risks looking back at her dagger. So close… but it’s too far to get to in time. She’s unarmed. She drops her hand and looks back at Naveil. “Please don’t hurt me…” Her tone is desperate.

Resh stalks nearby, staring at Naveil. The tip of his sword drags on the ground, leaving thin cuts in the ground. He’s close enough to run over and decapitate Naveil if he tried to hurt Juni, but not close enough to be noticed by Naveil.

(Sorry for the short responses 💀)

Harper had been watching the commotion for… a while now. It was getting out of hand. She didn’t know any of the people involved, but the shorter one was becoming aggravating. She grips her spear, and starts to walk towards Naveil. She would only hurt him if it became necessary. She barely makes a sound, and accompanied by the ruckus of the wind, less so.

Juni risks looking back at her dagger. So close… but it’s too far to get to in time. She’s unarmed. She drops her hand and looks back at Naveil. “Please don’t hurt me…” Her tone is desperate.

Resh stalks nearby, staring at Naveil. The tip of his sword drags on the ground, leaving thin cuts in the ground. He’s close enough to run over and decapitate Naveil if he tried to hurt Juni, but not close enough to be noticed by Naveil.

This was an… interesting decision. One that Naveil wasn't exactly too sure how to deal with.
If this stranger had had the audacity to do this in the Everchill? He'd send them back to their clan-camp.
In a few more pieces than usual, though.
But this wasn't the Everchill, and with every plant-dander-infested breath, Naveil was becoming more anxious to return. Besides, the stranger's kinsfolk here probably wouldn't be too happy about that, either.
He settled back down on the rock, sitting cross-legged.
"Alright then. Keep talking. Here."

(Casually changes my writing tense bc it’s hard to stay in the present tense when no one else is)

Juni blinked a few times. She didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t say any of the things she wanted to say, not with Naveil here. “I… I’ll just leave you alone.” She stood up quickly and reached for her daggers again.

Resh stared at Naveil, practically staring into his soul by this point. If he even had a soul. His grip on his sword tightened as he watched Juni stand up. If he tries to stop her, I’ll just slit his throat. I’m close enough to do it.

It felt like there was a hole in Salmook's chest as he watched Juni get up and leave. He turned to Naveil, and, in his more fluent Native-tongue, tried to plead with him.
"Naveil, couldn't we–"
"No."
He shuddered. He's angry, don't push him. That's not what he'd want.
Salmook cast another glance Juni's way. She was crouching, now, picking up her daggers. A look crossed Naveil's face, like he had just fit two pieces of a particularly annoying puzzle together. Salmook caught the muscles in Naveil's arm tense. Bad sign.
"Naveil, please. It's–"
"Quiet."
Yikes. That was his "I'm-actively-threatening-you-now-so-you'd-better-listen" voice. Salmook had never been on the receiving end of it before. For a heartbeat, it felt like his soul had left his body.

Juni picked up her daggers and put them away, pausing for a moment as she listened to Salmook and Naveil. She wanted to say something, she really did, but it might be dangerous. For both me and the child. She looked back towards Salmook. “I’m sorry, little one.” Her apology seemed to not have any meaning, but she knew what it meant. I’m sorry you have a Cedar of your own to deal with.

Naveil kept his eyes on Juni until he was comfortable with their distance. He let out a deep breath he hadn't even known he was holding.
He was still pissed, obviously, but this was a step in the right direction. He leaned forward on the rock to get a better view of Salmook in all of his terrified glory. He didn't sheathe his weapon. He kept it in plain sight, the threat of its very presence enough for right now.
"Tell me, Salmo. What did you two talk about, hhmm?"
Naveil knew he'd hit something when Salmook hesitated, panicked, and shook his head.

Juni sprinted towards Resh, all the panic and worry she was trying to hide showing on her face now. She clung to his arm like her life depended on it. “I- I’m scared for the child…” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “His caretaker… he’s like Cedar. I don’t think he’s safe around him…” She looked down, trying to hide her tears. “I… I wanted to help… but it was dangerous…”

Resh lightly shushed Juni, sheathing his sword and kneeling down next to her. He cupped her face and wiped the tears from her face. “It’s okay, Junebug… look, I’ll watch them for you, okay? You go calm down.” He smiled gently at her. “I’ll keep the kid safe.”

"Tell me. What you talked about."
It felt like Naveil's gaze was pinning Salmook to the ground. Everything inside of him was a mess. He didn't want to tell the truth. What would Naveil do to the strangers if he knew? What would Naveil do to him?
But Salmook couldn't lie either. He couldn't think of a good lie. Not this fast. And even if he could, he had a gut feeling that Naveil would see through him like wet parchment. Naveil's voice was low, and it echoed in Salmook's skull for entirely too long.
"Don't lie to me. I'll know."

Harper had stopped approaching the group when Juni ran back to Resh. She’s still watching Naveil and Salmook, waiting for Naveil to make the wrong move. He doesn’t deserve to care for a child if he’s going to cause them harm. She glares at Naveil’s back from her spot among the forest, her usual calm demeanor replaced by anger—and concern for Salmook.

Resh stood up and stalked closer to Naveil, drawing his sword again. He watched Naveil and Salmook’s exchange, catching Salmook’s eye for a moment. He felt a pang of guilt as he remembered Salmook’s horrified face when he approached him at first. He looked a little pained, but only for a moment. He looked back at Naveil. I can see why Juni’s so worried…

Naveil had seen enough. He knew everything he needed to.
"Get up. We're leaving."
Salmook hesitated on the grass, an oddly thoughtful look in his eye. Like he was… considering something?
"That's an order. Or I'll drag you by the spine."
That did the trick. Salmook was on his feet in half a heartbeat.
Naveil stood up from the rock and led the way, keeping his eyes on the kid.
And he almost walked directly into the stranger he'd shoved aside earlier. Great.

Resh stared down at Naveil, tilting his head a little. He spoke in a low, threatening voice. “And where exactly are you going with this child?” His tone and demeanor were terrifyingly calm. He stabbed the tip of his sword into the ground and leaned against it, raising an eyebrow. “Well? Speak up.”

That’s it. Harper stalks towards Naveil, spear pointed towards him. Regardless of the tall stranger, Naveil had to be dealt with, even if it meant violence.