usually i put a gifset from a sitcom or something in the first part of this post but i'm at work and can't find one. consider this a placeholder until i get home
["Lost," at best, begins to describe the current state of the Mae.
She's already spent what's felt like hours yelling for Celica and Boey, only being met with silence or sometimes distant, echoing cackling—the noise startled her the first time, but every time since she's just scoffed or imitated the cackling in a whinier pitch. Through the thick fog blanketing the area, she can't see its source, or much of anything else. How far from their original base has she gotten?
For now... Well, she's been on longer marches, but making this one alone exacerbates every annoyance with it; her feet hurt and she's hungry and the ball of fire magic floating along beside her to kind of light her way through the fog makes her face too warm. She's dying out here.
Every now and again she gives another shout—] Celicaaa! [—and nothing ever comes of it, except, this time, another bout of distant witch's laughter. With a huff, Mae rolls her eyes.]
Ooh, cackling, that's new! Exciting. [She's just sort of...shouting vaguely at the empty fog...] Seriously, got any fresh material? Anything at all?
[Berkut wished he hadn't had to come all the way on the eastern side of Rigel. It was populated by poisonous swamps, sickly terror monsters, and the majority of its human inhabitants comprised of the Duma Faithful fanatics and remote villages. It was a place he would rather avoid and leave that fanatic Jedah to his own devices.
Still he had orders direct from his uncle, and he couldn't refuse. Not after that Alm, that damn peasent had chased him off the battlefield with his tail inbetween his legs. Utter humiliation it was that he had to turn to dreadful black magic and was still defeated. Now he had a chance to make things right. This time they had received intelligence that intruders had entered Rigel from the eastern side and he was tasked with disposing of them with his army.
So he took several men from his own group into the outskirts to search for them at their last known location. And while things had been going fairly smoothly for a while, they reached an unexpected weather conditions when nearing the location. A blanket of fog, thick as sheep's wool had covered the area around them. So dense in fact that it was impossible to see more than two feet in front of you after merely a minute inside. Berkut cursed to himself and choose to rally his men for an alternate route. But as he called out to them there was no reply. None. Not a single soul. He was left alone. Berkut had tried calling out again, this time listening for any sounds into the distance.
There was only one sound, the faint laughter of a witch.
Berkut’s teeth clenched, his mood going from sour to utter disgust, and he called out, nay shouted towards the voices that teased him from afar.]
How DARE you make a fool out of me! Damned witches!
[With his emotions flared, he gave an order to his horse to charge out in front of him. He had no care towards who or what he may run into while his horse galloped with no clear path in sight. He was done having to feel the shame of humiliation once more.
But as he rode his horse on by he drives right on by a figure standing in the fog. In the current condition he could barely make it out, only knowing it was a girl. He brought his steed to a complete halt, the horse neighing loudly as it had to brake. Then he galloped at a lighter pace towards the girl, coming to a stop once she came into view.]
You.
[He took out his lance, pointing it directly at this young girl with a fierce gaze.]
[Charging hoofbeats! Not a great sign. No wings, Mae could tell even through the fog, so not one of the pegasus sisters; the fireball hovering beside her shifted to better light his approach so Mae could figure out just how far she had to back the fuck up to keep from getting trampled—this on top of everything! Great! Awesome! She only stopped backing up in big steps when the horse came to a stop, but even before the rider drew his lance, she was yelling.]
Whoa, hey, hey, hey! [Already, she readied a spell; warmth and crackling in her palm without the light just yet, her arm held back in preparation to cast. The position was defensive, more than anything.] Having a picnic, you know, nothing special. Would you watch where you're pointing that thing, pal?!
[You would think there would be an inkling of fear or even hesitation in her? No sir. It had been way too long an afternoon (was it even afternoon anymore? not like she could tell through all the fog bullshit) for her to deal with this goddamn nonsense.]
Picnic? Humph, I don’t have the time or patience to listen to such tall tales. Not even the most foolish man would travel this far out!
[Truthfully however there was one exception. The Duma Faithful, the mindless servants of the dragon that Berkut loathed, would gather here and there because it made for prime locations to resurrect and conjure up their undead allies. But this young girl looked absolutely nothing like them and shared none of their traits.
Now that he’s gotten closer and can see her more clearly, he can get a better picture. The patterns of her dress and the colors of her circlet, it was clearly of Zofian origin. There was no mistake. This had to be one of them that he was instructed to take care of.]
Give me one compelling reason why I shouldn’t skewer you here for trespassing on our lands.
[Berkut kept the lance pointed directly at her, though to his credit he seemed to at least give her a moment to properly explain herself. It was almost too generous in his mind, especially since she had clearly lied and his orders. He wasn’t even fearful of her magic, even if he wasn’t the most magically resistant of fellows.]
Sorry, was that your first time hearing a joke? I'll be more careful next time. [She'd been scowling at the lance like it was annoying her rather than actively threatening her life but her expression deepened; she could only be so stupid. Lightning crackled in her palm now, just enough of a spark to show off; any mage who wanted to cast would have done so by now but she didn't want to start too severe an incident while she was all on her own out here: armor and a horse and the certainty with which he said trespassing; this man has to be of some status.]
Pal, you wouldn't be the first horse-shaped scorch mark I left in the ground but you don't have to be the next. Back it up.
[...apparently she didn't want to avoid an incident that badly though]
[He didn’t falter from her threat. Magic didn’t frighten him that easily. Only the heinous dark arts that the religious fantastics did. As he was about to make his rebuttal, a jolt crackled in front of them, narrowly missing Berkut’s stallion. The horse bucked, and Berkut nearly fell off his own horse as he was too concreted on his target in the moment before the magic struck. He jerked the reins, attempting to calm the spooked horse.]
How dare you fire your-
[Before he could finish his sentence and accuse the mage however, there was something odd that happened in the space inbetween them. Matter briefly distorted and a being appeared to phase in before them. The figure was a slim woman, wearing a mask with glowing eyes, and complexion that could only belong to the undead. She wore a smirk on her face, floating just above the ground, and started to form her hands into an all familiar pose. The undead sorceress giggled in the same laughter both of them should be very well acquainted with.]
Get back!
[He shouted the order towards the girl. It was only instinct, after being caught before in a Witch’s playground with his army. Berkut quickly galloped on his horse away from the foe, avoiding the onslaught. Nothing could go his way today, could they? He gritted his teeth, making a sharp turn with the horse so he go back and stab the witch from behind with his lance.]
[There would be a comment about how if that had been her, it wouldn't have missed, but it ended up lost to the chaos. A scoff, and a,] Seriously?! [and Mae drew her sword, backing up as told.]
Are you killing me? Are you keeping me safe? Getting some mixed signals here!
[mae now is NOT THE TIME
but there was never just one witch, and she wasn't about to get in this one's way with some angry stranger charging at the witch on horseback; two big steps back with her sword raised and the fireball hovering by her grew larger, giving her just enough peripheral vision to notice a bonewalker's sword before it came down on her.]
Oh, good, you brought friends! [not good—but she could sidestep the strike easy enough, lower her sword in one hand to let light gather in the other and become a shining burst to launch at the terror, not in a bolt of lightning but a seraphim spell. The creature crumbled, but Mae didn't falter for a moment.]
That's probably not the last of them!
[can't get enough of those spooky fog monsters!!!!!]
[Unfortunately for Mae, Berkut did not care to respond. All he cared for was eliminating the threat. And if it required scuffing her up in the process, than so be it. He couldn’t give a damn over a trespasser commoner.]
He could handle a Witch or two on his own. Luckily, because their lack of protective clothing, or much clothing in general beyond the dress, they went down fast with Berkut’s spear. With the element of surprise over with, it was much easier to take out these annoying pests.]
This is the end of you! [Berkut calls out, stabbing another Witch right through the heart before it could conjure up a spell to stomp him dead in his tracks. He had to be quick and fast, as again, he wasn’t the most hardiest of soldiers when it came to magical attacks.
A stabbing or two later from his end and all seemed to quiet down. Most of the fog had lifted too and he could clearly make out the mage girl from several feet away now. He galloped towards Mae, but kept their distance.]
You there! Is there any of those vile beings left?
[Boey or Saber would have sassed her back mid-battle? This was the worst. How is she supposed to survive without bickering.
But okay, having those witches dispatched made things easier; they'd fall against her sword well enough but she so preferred her magic: a seraphim spell here, another there, and she had to be especially mindful looking over her shoulder because this dude could not be trusted to keep her out of the crossfire, but what were a few terrors to her?
Without Genny or the others, though—she tutted as she ran her sword through a revenant and made an annoyed huff when it kept moving anyway. She couldn't afford to waste so much energy on magic while she was alone, but she couldn't afford to take a wound, either. A bonewalker came too close; another blast of light burnt it away.
At the very least she could be thankful for the clearing fog; she cut down one last revenant and heaved out one long sigh, looking over the area to make sure she didn't see anything else approaching.]
Looks like we're in the clear. [The new guy keeping his distance was appreciated, anyway... She sheathed her sword, took a moment to stretch her arms over her head.] Whew! That was a workout. Fun li'l distraction from the would-be murder and all, wouldn't you say?
[Berkut meanwhile was busy scouting for his men while checking back on the mage to make sure she doesn’t attempt to flee with the fog lifting. Bad luck again for Rigelian prince however, as none of the members of his army where anywhere to be found. It seems he had been separated further than he thought from the pack. But he couldn’t leave this girl behind while she is still in her grasp so he had to have faith in Fernand that he would guide them in his absence.]
What an utter nuisance that was...
[He mumbled under his breath, too unclear for anyone to make out what that was. His horse breaks into a trot, stopping about a foot in front of Mae. With the monsters out of the way and the dust settled it was time to turn his attention back to the mystery girl.]
Now. You. State your name and why you have chosen to trespass our lands, Zofian mage. Failure to comply will result in consequences.
[At least he wasn’t holding his weapon right in her face. Yet.]
Consequences, ooooh, scary. [She had definitely said smarter things to people wielding weapons before?? But okay, she took a few big steps back as he approached again, eyeing the lance. If he raised it at her again, she couldn't afford to hesitate. One good spell would be enough to keep her from being sliced apart like those witches, she was sure, could buy just enough time.]
All right, well done! You caught me. I'm not on a picnic, I'm lost. I was hoping to keep some of my dignity intact over that, but it looks like that ship has sailed.
[mae you only followed like a quarter of the instructions given to you, please]
Look, I dunno what makes you the authority on who comes and goes around here, but I'm just trying to keep things moving. It's just that sometimes, y'know, [she gestured vaguely at the area around them] witches happen instead. Guess that's just life.
That’s because I AM the authority here. Crown Prince Berkut, standing before your eyes now, you peasant.
[His glare was like daggers ready to strike now. Why was he stuck arguing with this woman? Had he gotten soft and cautious since losing to that farmer boy twice over now?]
And that’s not the answer I’m looking for. What business do you have entering Rigel? No one from Zofia is allowed through our walls now barring exceptional circumstances.
[Except for the fact that the walls that held the Sluice Gates closed have recently been opened back up. That was a problem and definitely what allowed this girl to slip through.]
Now, speak the truth or be met with bladed edge of my lance.
[Except suddenly the fog was starting to creep up on them. Again.]
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no subject
She's already spent what's felt like hours yelling for Celica and Boey, only being met with silence or sometimes distant, echoing cackling—the noise startled her the first time, but every time since she's just scoffed or imitated the cackling in a whinier pitch. Through the thick fog blanketing the area, she can't see its source, or much of anything else. How far from their original base has she gotten?
For now... Well, she's been on longer marches, but making this one alone exacerbates every annoyance with it; her feet hurt and she's hungry and the ball of fire magic floating along beside her to kind of light her way through the fog makes her face too warm. She's dying out here.
Every now and again she gives another shout—] Celicaaa! [—and nothing ever comes of it, except, this time, another bout of distant witch's laughter. With a huff, Mae rolls her eyes.]
Ooh, cackling, that's new! Exciting. [She's just sort of...shouting vaguely at the empty fog...] Seriously, got any fresh material? Anything at all?
no subject
Still he had orders direct from his uncle, and he couldn't refuse. Not after that Alm, that damn peasent had chased him off the battlefield with his tail inbetween his legs. Utter humiliation it was that he had to turn to dreadful black magic and was still defeated. Now he had a chance to make things right. This time they had received intelligence that intruders had entered Rigel from the eastern side and he was tasked with disposing of them with his army.
So he took several men from his own group into the outskirts to search for them at their last known location. And while things had been going fairly smoothly for a while, they reached an unexpected weather conditions when nearing the location. A blanket of fog, thick as sheep's wool had covered the area around them. So dense in fact that it was impossible to see more than two feet in front of you after merely a minute inside. Berkut cursed to himself and choose to rally his men for an alternate route. But as he called out to them there was no reply. None. Not a single soul. He was left alone. Berkut had tried calling out again, this time listening for any sounds into the distance.
There was only one sound, the faint laughter of a witch.
Berkut’s teeth clenched, his mood going from sour to utter disgust, and he called out, nay shouted towards the voices that teased him from afar.]
How DARE you make a fool out of me! Damned witches!
[With his emotions flared, he gave an order to his horse to charge out in front of him. He had no care towards who or what he may run into while his horse galloped with no clear path in sight. He was done having to feel the shame of humiliation once more.
But as he rode his horse on by he drives right on by a figure standing in the fog. In the current condition he could barely make it out, only knowing it was a girl. He brought his steed to a complete halt, the horse neighing loudly as it had to brake. Then he galloped at a lighter pace towards the girl, coming to a stop once she came into view.]
You.
[He took out his lance, pointing it directly at this young girl with a fierce gaze.]
Tell me, what are you doing in this place?
no subject
Whoa, hey, hey, hey! [Already, she readied a spell; warmth and crackling in her palm without the light just yet, her arm held back in preparation to cast. The position was defensive, more than anything.] Having a picnic, you know, nothing special. Would you watch where you're pointing that thing, pal?!
[You would think there would be an inkling of fear or even hesitation in her? No sir. It had been way too long an afternoon (was it even afternoon anymore? not like she could tell through all the fog bullshit) for her to deal with this goddamn nonsense.]
no subject
[Truthfully however there was one exception. The Duma Faithful, the mindless servants of the dragon that Berkut loathed, would gather here and there because it made for prime locations to resurrect and conjure up their undead allies. But this young girl looked absolutely nothing like them and shared none of their traits.
Now that he’s gotten closer and can see her more clearly, he can get a better picture. The patterns of her dress and the colors of her circlet, it was clearly of Zofian origin. There was no mistake. This had to be one of them that he was instructed to take care of.]
Give me one compelling reason why I shouldn’t skewer you here for trespassing on our lands.
[Berkut kept the lance pointed directly at her, though to his credit he seemed to at least give her a moment to properly explain herself. It was almost too generous in his mind, especially since she had clearly lied and his orders. He wasn’t even fearful of her magic, even if he wasn’t the most magically resistant of fellows.]
no subject
Pal, you wouldn't be the first horse-shaped scorch mark I left in the ground but you don't have to be the next. Back it up.
[...apparently she didn't want to avoid an incident that badly though]
no subject
How dare you fire your-
[Before he could finish his sentence and accuse the mage however, there was something odd that happened in the space inbetween them. Matter briefly distorted and a being appeared to phase in before them. The figure was a slim woman, wearing a mask with glowing eyes, and complexion that could only belong to the undead. She wore a smirk on her face, floating just above the ground, and started to form her hands into an all familiar pose. The undead sorceress giggled in the same laughter both of them should be very well acquainted with.]
Get back!
[He shouted the order towards the girl. It was only instinct, after being caught before in a Witch’s playground with his army. Berkut quickly galloped on his horse away from the foe, avoiding the onslaught. Nothing could go his way today, could they? He gritted his teeth, making a sharp turn with the horse so he go back and stab the witch from behind with his lance.]
no subject
Are you killing me? Are you keeping me safe? Getting some mixed signals here!
[mae now is NOT THE TIME
but there was never just one witch, and she wasn't about to get in this one's way with some angry stranger charging at the witch on horseback; two big steps back with her sword raised and the fireball hovering by her grew larger, giving her just enough peripheral vision to notice a bonewalker's sword before it came down on her.]
Oh, good, you brought friends! [not good—but she could sidestep the strike easy enough, lower her sword in one hand to let light gather in the other and become a shining burst to launch at the terror, not in a bolt of lightning but a seraphim spell. The creature crumbled, but Mae didn't falter for a moment.]
That's probably not the last of them!
[can't get enough of those spooky fog monsters!!!!!]
no subject
He could handle a Witch or two on his own. Luckily, because their lack of protective clothing, or much clothing in general beyond the dress, they went down fast with Berkut’s spear. With the element of surprise over with, it was much easier to take out these annoying pests.]
This is the end of you! [Berkut calls out, stabbing another Witch right through the heart before it could conjure up a spell to stomp him dead in his tracks. He had to be quick and fast, as again, he wasn’t the most hardiest of soldiers when it came to magical attacks.
A stabbing or two later from his end and all seemed to quiet down. Most of the fog had lifted too and he could clearly make out the mage girl from several feet away now. He galloped towards Mae, but kept their distance.]
You there! Is there any of those vile beings left?
no subject
But okay, having those witches dispatched made things easier; they'd fall against her sword well enough but she so preferred her magic: a seraphim spell here, another there, and she had to be especially mindful looking over her shoulder because this dude could not be trusted to keep her out of the crossfire, but what were a few terrors to her?
Without Genny or the others, though—she tutted as she ran her sword through a revenant and made an annoyed huff when it kept moving anyway. She couldn't afford to waste so much energy on magic while she was alone, but she couldn't afford to take a wound, either. A bonewalker came too close; another blast of light burnt it away.
At the very least she could be thankful for the clearing fog; she cut down one last revenant and heaved out one long sigh, looking over the area to make sure she didn't see anything else approaching.]
Looks like we're in the clear. [The new guy keeping his distance was appreciated, anyway... She sheathed her sword, took a moment to stretch her arms over her head.] Whew! That was a workout. Fun li'l distraction from the would-be murder and all, wouldn't you say?
no subject
What an utter nuisance that was...
[He mumbled under his breath, too unclear for anyone to make out what that was. His horse breaks into a trot, stopping about a foot in front of Mae. With the monsters out of the way and the dust settled it was time to turn his attention back to the mystery girl.]
Now. You. State your name and why you have chosen to trespass our lands, Zofian mage. Failure to comply will result in consequences.
[At least he wasn’t holding his weapon right in her face. Yet.]
no subject
All right, well done! You caught me. I'm not on a picnic, I'm lost. I was hoping to keep some of my dignity intact over that, but it looks like that ship has sailed.
[mae you only followed like a quarter of the instructions given to you, please]
Look, I dunno what makes you the authority on who comes and goes around here, but I'm just trying to keep things moving. It's just that sometimes, y'know, [she gestured vaguely at the area around them] witches happen instead. Guess that's just life.
[mae]
no subject
[His glare was like daggers ready to strike now. Why was he stuck arguing with this woman? Had he gotten soft and cautious since losing to that farmer boy twice over now?]
And that’s not the answer I’m looking for. What business do you have entering Rigel? No one from Zofia is allowed through our walls now barring exceptional circumstances.
[Except for the fact that the walls that held the Sluice Gates closed have recently been opened back up. That was a problem and definitely what allowed this girl to slip through.]
Now, speak the truth or be met with bladed edge of my lance.
[Except suddenly the fog was starting to creep up on them. Again.]