Breath of the Forest (M)

visualspice · August 28, 2013, 05:23:30 PM

Aelith was nearly done sewing him up when she noticed him poking at her metal fingers. She paused, staring at him quietly but said nothing, for it was then she recalled she no longer had a 'hand'; but it was replaced by a mechanical imitation of one. Though she felt a pang of.. jealousy was it? To see a human this close,a dn so... close to perfection, beast or not, had her curious. How did one live without metal? Then again, it seemed a needle and thread were just enough to mend such a wound. But a metal replacement, for when wounds got bad, would last longer.

Lion · August 28, 2013, 05:30:31 PM

Jerec peered at her with wavering eyes. "What are you doing here in the forest?" he asked, hoping she'd answer at least this question and perhaps the next. "Where did you come from?"

visualspice · August 28, 2013, 05:42:50 PM

She still had yet to finish stitching him up as her eyes raised to meet his. After a moment, she simply answered him, "I left my home." Then answered the latter. "The Mists."

Lion · August 28, 2013, 05:54:03 PM

"Where is the Mists?" he prodded, grunting here and there as she worked.

visualspice · August 28, 2013, 05:55:12 PM

Aelith continued to stare at the man before dropping her gaze back to his wound. Right, she needed to finish stitching that up.
"It's far away from here. In the ocean," she said simply, and pulled in a few more strokes through his flesh to seal his wound shut.

Lion · August 28, 2013, 06:09:23 PM

Jerec grunted when the last few stitches were pulled through. He prodded at his side. But his mind was pondering more on what she said. "I do't think I've ever seen the ocean," he admitted thoughtfully. "What are you?" he tried again.

visualspice · August 28, 2013, 06:12:43 PM

For a while, Aelith was staring at his room, then slowly her pale eyes lifted to his.
"I'm a human." Though after she spoke it, she looked down at her metal hand. Was it because of her parts, the 'additions' Cinta had worked into her body, sculpting flesh against armor, fixing what was broken, testing the limits, finding new strengths....
Was it these parts that really set her apart from others? Then again, she did not fully understand human logic either, so to have admitted that's what she was even puzzled herself as she looked away, staring down carefully at each metal piece of her body.

Lion · August 28, 2013, 06:19:52 PM

Jerec stood up and backed away from her, narrowing his eyes at her in sheer disbelief. "You're no human that I've ever seen," he breathed.

visualspice · August 28, 2013, 06:21:45 PM

Aelith stared over at him curiously, tilting her head.
"Do humans not wear metal armor to protect themselves?" she asked simply, not moving from where she sat.

Lion · August 28, 2013, 06:27:19 PM

"Only men that do not know how to fend for themselves. So they hide behind tin and steel because they fear the sight of their own blood! But that is not armor you wear, it is your own 'flesh' if you can call it that! You are different. That much is apparent!" he said with a frown.

visualspice · August 29, 2013, 02:22:26 AM

Aelith continued to stare at him before slowly standing up. She looked down at her hand again, then over at him.
"My parts are not flesh. Flesh is soft, and easily mend-able, but more vulnerable to the elements." She stared down at where the stitches jutted out from the rippling line of his flesh she had sewn back together on his skin, to the blood there and wondered why he thought someone protecting such a weak element was weak themselves. She found it wise. But then again, she had grown up only to the words of her creator.
She looked at him again before asking, "Why would someone be considered weak when they've found away to become more strong? Would it not be seen as adapting, like any other animal or part of nature?"

Lion · August 29, 2013, 02:33:03 AM

"If a man must hide who he is because of his fear of retribution, then he is a coward. Is he weak? Perhaps, but any animal uses their resources to their advantage. In this, I agree... But I wouldn't now much about that aspect which you inquire most. A man is born weak, naturally vulnerable to the power of Nature and he cowers against her might. But a man is also born with great pride, a pride that instills in him the belief that he may use mother nature against herself, in the sense that that which once hurt and maimed him, could give him sustenance and strength. But when a man believes he doesn't need nature anymore, then he is a fool, creating for himself a kingdom of stone and steel. But without nature, none of those things could be provided to him. Man is most weak when he spurns the abundance already given to him. Or when he abuses and destroys it."

visualspice · August 29, 2013, 02:37:22 AM

Jerec spoke of many things, and at first, Aelith had a hard time taking all of his words in. Then again, they seemed to hold some truths to it, at least from what she could see. And his description did seem to ring true against her 'creator'. Remaining quiet, she looked back down towards her metal hand, slowly curling it closed, though not all the way.

Yes, it seemed men were always seeking for ways to conquer mother nature; even her aspect of vulnerability... and death.

"So you do not care for kingdoms or conquering the earth?" she asked simply, her eyes still upon her metal hand then to where the flesh beside it was slightly grey.

Lion · August 29, 2013, 02:42:11 AM

Jerec furrowed his brow, unsure of her meaning or implication. He straightened as best he could and watched her watch her own hand as a result of it. "I do not," he answered in a softer voice. "The earth provides me everything that I need. Why would I need to ask for more? I am satisfied. I am content." He stumbled forward a little more and took the opportunity to inspect her hand himself, skittish at first from the coldness of metal, but growing gradually bolder as he turned it over and inspected it.

visualspice · August 29, 2013, 02:46:18 AM

At first it didn't register Jerec was touching her, for she could not feel what he did through the metal. But her mind had glazed over her vision as she began to think over what he said, but then when she noticed what he was doing, she yanked her hand away.

Lion · August 29, 2013, 02:54:57 AM

The yanking of her hand away, brought Jerec back to reality and he leapt back a few paces, far enough to keep a safe distance and kept his wounded side away from her. He eyed her for a moment and said nothing - for no words came.

visualspice · August 29, 2013, 03:14:05 AM

For a while, Aelith just stared at him, then glanced down but once to her hand before looking up into his eyes.
"Is what I am that strange?"
Did this world not tamper with such things Cinta had been conducting? It was peculiar, but she was curious to know and learn, for a part of her hungered to realize what actually went on with the rest of the world...
and she craved for understanding of the emotions she did not know, and felt muted, but were crying on the inside to come out and be found.

Lion · August 29, 2013, 03:47:01 AM

Jerec still said nothing and just crouched low like an animal, backing away for his own security. He cast his eyes up to her, at her metallic hues that played against the dulled light of the fog. "Strange is only a word," he replied. "You are unique. But I can't trust you, or what you are. What words remain for that? You are an anomaly to this place. But who am I to judge you." He paused and strained his ears for a moment.

"Hunters..." he breathed, then looked back to her. He grew suddenly alarmed and without warning bolted off into the trees as the sound of men grew louder nearby.

visualspice · August 31, 2013, 04:01:41 PM

Aelith blinked. She hadn't heard or smelt the warnings like the wolf did, but the second he was gone, she cautiously lifted her eyes towards the fog. Rising, she put her items away very carefully before drawing out a blade. If someone wicked was heading her way, she'd be careful. She understood far too well the darker hungers of men, and let her eyes grope into the whiteness, ears straining to hear what she could not see.

Lion · September 10, 2013, 02:02:56 PM

Jerec's wounds were the least of his worries as he thought only of the intruding men coming his way. He had heard the sound of their approach, men who often wandered these woods looking for easy prey...or sometimes looking for him. He didn't know which it was this time and didn't know if he wanted to find out. But he supposed he would have no choice.

The voices stopped as they entered deeper into the forest, hushing down keep from alerting their intended prey. The gloom proved to be perfect cover for the hunting party as they spread out at least five yards amongst each other, to still be visible between each other and to quickly disperse if necessary. Their quiet had unusual tacticalness. They were no ordinary hunters. They were here for wolf's blood.