OOC: Tags to
@Mephistel !
She was in a world of cold and wet when she awoke, confining her, pinning her down. She found it impossible to breath, as if she were suffocating but when she twisted in the murky waters, she felt the heavy restricting vines looped around her limbs, keeping her down, keeping her within the choking black waters. Struggling, she realized it was not water, but a slick ooze that reeked of decay, and the froth and itchiness of something else.
The more she struggled in this muck she found that the vines grew tighter, angrier and she could feel them, hear them; as if they were laughing at her, or scolding her, or perhaps, both? It was hard to say what they wanted, or why the world felt so heavy upon her. When she tried to open her eyes, the murky, foamed sludge of the bog stung, making it even harder to see. And when she called out for help, the swampy waters flooded into her mouth.
To her insides, to her out, her body writhed sharply. It was only at her second cry did the vines begin to yield, something else coming into play, something
there, but not quite. Something other worldly. Something insane. And then it beat again, whatever sensation that was before, sending out a signal that spooked off the crows hanging around in the skeletal trees that jutted out from the bog like thorns, and made the weeping willow branches shudder. Even a nearby coyote's tail drooped as he rushed off into the brush.
The world that once sought to bind her was loosening it's grip, but only doing so with one strong beat of this unseen power at a time until finally, she felt one of the pieces snap and her limb was free, and her small hand was groping through the swampy waters, pawing at whatever she could. And then finding herself desperately pulling and yanking at the other threads that held her back, until one leg's confines broke away, and she was twisting. And then the other broke free and she was kicking to the surface, just as her finger nails tore into the vines about her other wrist, and in one final calling plea from within, the vines finally conceded and the young girl broke away, resurfacing to the world with red hair suctioned to her body in a rippling mess of muddy curls. ANd the rest of her was slicked brown as well, the mud from the bog coating her well as she broke out from the swampy lands and gasped for air, and found herself surprised when a series of insects choked out from her throat.
There was an eerieness to those black bugs she didn't like that sent a chill through her as she shivered and watched them escape into the yellow skies of the setting sun. And she shivered again, sitting there amongst the bog, cold, frightened, naked and only the cold mud to clothe her.
The sun was about to set in the distance, trough the branches of the forest, deep in the marsh, Grey was walking in his goat legs, making his way trough the place without much trouble. These land weren't scaring him despite their eerie look. He was fitting right in, he himself, looking like those dead trees.
The cold of the night was quickly catching up, he could feel the frisk of the night against his skin, but his fur would keep him warm enough. He had wanted to join the next village before night fall but something had slowed him down. A man in need of help at the entrance of the forest, it took a long time to manage to settle the problem. After that, he had rushed trough the forest, to no avail, he would probably need to spend the night in the woods. Nothing unusual for him but still, there was always things lurking in the dark.
As he kept running, he could hear the crows whispering while gawking at him from their high perch. Black shadows in the trees, only waiting for the opportunity to eat any flesh that would happen to be dead. Grey had no intentions to become their prey. As he moved on, his hearing catch up to something, something that wasn't part of the forest natural sound. Stopping right in his tracks, he listened more closely. Something was moving, the sound of agitated waters.
Following the noise, he soon found himself near a small pond, filled with murky waters and a young girl, covered in dirt and probably in what seems to be a shock. The faun made his way to her, his hoof making little to no sound as he walked toward her, a worried look on his face.
-Are you ok? Do you need help?-
He asked, now only a few steps away from her.
Shivering, the girl had not heard the approach of the goat legged young man. She was still recovering from the ordeal she had awoken to. He blended in too well with his surroundings, and the darkening skies hindered her vision further.
It wasn't until he was close and spoke to her did she realize there was another, and with a gasp she reared away from him, splashing into the swamps and shielding herself out of fear.
Obviously the reaction he should have expected. To find a creature like him in such a dark and eerie place, of course she would be scared. As he helplessly looked at her, he extended his hand toward her, hushing.
-No please, don't be effraid, I am not an enemy...I will not harm you...-
He said, trying to make his voice as reassuring as possible. Of course he looked eerie, but there was something in his voice that was calming, warm, despite his appearance. His hand still open for her to take it, he waited for her to calm down.
-Let me help you...-
He said, once more.
The girl grit her teeth, still remaining frightened. And though he extended a hand and spoke calmly, she couldn't help but jerk away from him. She was breathing heavily, green eyes watering with tears. Where was she? What was he? And why was she so cold and all alone?
It seemed to be no use, of course, he wouldn't expect anyone to just trust him like this, she looked cold and scared, he didn't know what happened to her. Was she simply lost? Had she been attacked? He had no idea.
He sighed, backing away from her as he was probably more a source of fear then anything else at the moment and walked toward a small line of rock, about a dozen feet away from her and sat there, crossing his legs and taking out a sketch book from his bag. Over the years, he had realized that the drawings could be re-used over and over, wich was very practical in case of emergency, like this one.
Turning the pages, he looked for something in particular and eventually found it. It was the drawing of a large purple flower. He touch the drawing with his fingers as it seems to follow them into the air and eventually materialized on the ground. The flower was the size of a small dog and glowing, he made a few appear like that until there was around five of them. With that light, they could more easily make their surrounding and the flowers were giving out a great warm, like a fire camp would usually do.
At least with these she could warm up. He had noticed her nakeness but to him, this was nothing as he didn't wear any clothes himself, he didn't need too. Turning the pages once more, he came across a towel and a bucket of water, and materialized them into the world for the girl to use, just next to her. Then, he took his pen and started drawing on a blank page. A set of clothes, warm ones of a green and white color. They were simple of course as they had to be made quickly. Once more, he materialized the item over the towel. He closed the book and put it back in his bag, and waited.
-These are for you, you should wash up and warm up...or you'll catch a cold...My name is Grey, and I'm a faun...-
He said, still with a calm and reassuring voice. If it had been his brother, Blond, he was sure she would have trusted the small one way more easily, as he looked so innocent.
Trembling as she was, she could not help but become fascinated by the sudden materialization of the flowers. The warmth too, also made her calm down, if but a little, as she stared from the glowing flowers up towards the strange being who called itself a Faun.
A fitting name, she thought, A Grey Faun..... but did not approach him, nor speak a word. But as she watched him perform magic, she was captivated, like a small child might to a magician, and stared at what he had materialized before looking inquisitively at him.
They were for her? Her eyes wavered as she shuffled uncomfortably, before drawing back and finding herself choking on a few tears. She was lost. She was alone. She was naked and afraid, yet even with this substance of hope before her, she felt too overwhelmed, and tears began to stream down her mud stained cheeks.
If he could, or would have dare, at the sight of her crying like that, he would have hugged her to comfort her, but surely that would make thing worst? What could he do if not waiting for her to truly calm down.
-Are you lost? I was heading for the next town but...it's night already...-
He said. Maybe talking would calm her, perhaps she would eventually tell him what happened. He didn't move from the rock on wich he was sitting. She needed space, he understood, but she needed to warm herself up quickly or she would be sick.
-This is a gift from Nature...so I can help others, please, feel free to use them and warm yourself up...I do not know what happened to you, but I am here to help you...-
He said, once again as the flowers kept glowing in the night. The stars up above showing slowly as the moon was rising. In the dark, small fireflies were gathering around the faun's horns, giving the young man even more of a magical and strange look. Like some creature out of a fairy tale. Even in these marsh, there was light.
Though still terrified, the site of the fireflies dancing around his horns was enchanting, and their dance would dance within her shimmering, tear sparkled eyes. And the more she observed, the more uniquely strange features she found upon him, and noted just how much more animal he was than man. But the strange horns he possessed was certainly the thing that held her interest the most, as she still remained where she was in the mud, although it seemed her tears were now fading while the flowers pulsating glow illuminated her form, making the young woman appear quite enchanting and magical, herself.
A little sigh came from him, trough his lips as the young girl seemed to calm down a little. He gaze upon her for a moment, there was something about her, what, he could not tell, but something he couldn't put a word on. The fireflies kept sitting on his horns, as if resting, later, the small trace of their passage would leave a luminescent fluid on the branches like horn, wich would then slightly glow in the dark for a while.
A bit like his yellow eyes, wich were eerie and bright despite the night. His ears twitched a little, while listening to the forest sound, he stayed alert as the forest was home to many creatures, but so far, nothing dangerous was in the premises.
From his bag, he took out berries and other small fruits he had found on his way down in the forest. He brought one to his lips and ate it. It was delicious and fresh, he then extended his hand toward the girl, perhaps she was hungry. A grape of small red fruits layed in his hand, waiting to be taken.
Though curious, she was still too frightened to take the berry from this stranger. But even as she withdrew from the offer, she peered up at him, her eyes a little wider, curious; though she still said nothing. Then she glanced down to the enchanted flowers, and tilted her head curiously.
She thought she heard something... a whispering of some kind. But when she looked to the faun, she noted it wasn't him. And then her green eyes were guided back down to the lighted flowers, and curiously, she moved to kneel before them.
Grey was a bit taken aback by the young girl attitude. She seemed very lost but she seemed to grow more curious about him, at least she wasn't crying anymore, but she said no words, perhaps words weren't necessary for her. He knew sometimes, there was other way to talk with other, without words.
The flowers were still giving a welcoming warm. He looked at her kneel before them. These flowers used to grow in his homeland, deep within the forest and faun were rarely seen outside of their home. He was an exception but probably not the only one.
He did not say anything else, he had done his part, he left the berries for her to take next to him on the rock and looked up at the sky. The stars were bright, they were beautiful. He looked back at her, observing her for a moment, wondering who she was and what she was doing in such a place.
The flowers seemed to be doing more than warming the girl up physically, as she moved a hand out to gently caress their petals. At her touch, her eyes danced while watching the flowers glow even brighter and release just a bit more of their breathy warmth. Little did she know, her very presence stimulated the flowers, and after a few moments of the girl fawning over them, they suddenly began to release soft glowing pollen orbs into the air. And the girl simply watched in awe.
Grey watched the girl doing, it was a first for him. He had never seen the flowers do something like that, he was impressed and also looked at the golden pollen with admiration and wonder in his eyes. Could the girl be also gifted by Nature? It was a possibility as the flowers responded to her presence.
He smiled kindly. The pollen flew slowly around to eventually fall on the ground and stay there, flowing, and eventually making new flowers to grow, but much more slowly as a small golden bulb could be seen growing out of the ground.
-This is beautiful...-
He said, smiling softly as he looked at the small stars like show that was happening.
She hadn't realized Grey had been watching, and blushed at his words and withdrew a bit, appearing to flinch even as if she were about to be struck. Some of the flowers seemed to do the same.
Grey tend to blend in his surroundings, even at night and his quiet nature made him even more hard to see or hear. He smiled kindly at the surprised girl.
-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you...but it seems like you are gifted by Nature as well, care to tell me your name?-
He asked. The bucket of water, the towel and the clothes were still there, waiting for her as well as the berries, still left on the rock.
Still guarded, she lifted her green eyes and studied him before softly saying, "Eve."
Finally getting a word out of her, he looked relieved somehow.
-Eve...-
He repeated.
-That's a nice name...-
The flower were still glowing softly and he crossed his legs, tilting his head toward her, his horns soon bending backward on his back, as if they had suddenly gone soft, they now looked like long hair. He would do that when he was more relaxed, tough his ears were still flicking from time to time, alert to every sounds.
-Can you tell me where you come from?-
Eve visibly winced at her inquiry and lowered her gaze, red hair hiding her eyes. Unable to think of an answer, she simply shook her head and anxiously curled her toes into the mud.
Grey tought he might have touch a sensitive subject so he told himself to not ask anymore.
-That's fine, you don't have to tell me...-
He said, smiling kindly at the young girl. It didn't matter what origins you were, as long as people were willing to be nice and help each other, everything would be fine right? And hardship could only make you stronger.
-I've traveled a lot so I'm curious that's all. So I'm sorry if I asked something bad.-
He said, apolizing to her. He took another bite of his bread, it felt good to eat, and even best with good company. It was late already so going to bed soon would be a good thing if he wanted to get early to town tomorrow.
-I'll be looking forward to work with you tomorrow!-
Eve bit into her lower lip, chewing on it worriedly before finally lifting her gaze. But seeing as the goat man was still there, and still looking at her, she cast her gaze shamefully down at the mud. It was the she recalled just how cold she really was- all mud slicked and only the heat of the flowers to keep her warm.
But she barely had anything to keep her modest, the mud only contouring her young and youthful body. Although her curled ringlets of red hair did hide some of her body, Grey, and if anyone else were even watching, were getting as much of an eyeful as they'd like.
She suddenly felt self conscious and wrapped her arms around her front, and still was wilting forward and pouting over her situation. After a moment, some tears formed in her eyes. She was lost. Lost and alone. And the worst part was...
She couldn't remember why.
And soon a few salty tears slid down her mud-smudged cheeks.
Grey eventually put his stuff in his bag and let himself slip down the rock to lay against it. He just how uncomfortable the girl was and couldn't much then he had already did. Water, towel and clothes were still waiting for her. He eventually took out a cover from his bag, it was small but warm, made of soft wool. He got back up and walked up to Eve.
-Look...I don't know your story...but I'm not gonna hurt you...please use this at least...and the water and towel...and clothes are all there for you...-
He repeated as he put the cover up on her shoulders so she could cover herself a bit and warm herself some more. After that, he went back to the rock, with the soft light of the flower glowing the dark of the night. His gaze fell on them, on their violet petals and his smiled softly before closing his eyes. He was getting tired and the flowers were ever so relaxing. Still his ears were alert. His horns were surrounding his small body like some sort of cocoon, protecting him from harms.
Eve froze as Grey approached, and tensed as the blanket was placed on her. But once the man with drew, she held onto the blanket so it wouldn't drop into the mud. And kept her gaze down cast and frowned.
But after a moment or two of silence, she softly told him, "Thank you."
He heard her, even if it was a little after and smiled softly.
-No problem...-
His eyes were still close and he was about to fall asleep, even if he had wanted to stay awake, sleep and tiredness was getting the best of him, he had run quite a bit during the day and he needed to rest. Hopefully, the young girl would manage to do the same. Perhaps tomorrow she would be more talkative, unless she decided to go away.
She watched this creature curiously for a long moment. It appeared as if he were asleep, as was most of the swamp lands, it seemed. Even still, she shivered beneath the blanket as her green eyes surveyed the area.
Skeletal trees, tall, gray and limbless stuck outwards like quills from the grounds. Craggy bushes and rocks were scattered across the murky lands, and thin streams of fog rolled over tops of the marshy sections of cattails. She looked down towards the waters and other things offered to her.
But she made no move towards them. Instead, she moved out of the swampy muds and closer to Grey, so that she nestled beside the rock he lay on and looked out into the swamp lands.
She was too afraid to sleep, but simply lay there, not knowing what else she could do.
Grey had left for the world of dreams. He wasn't moving much in his sleep, he seemed very peaceful despite everything. He looked warm with his fur and while asleep, his appearance didn't look as scary.
Night was all around, and despite the omnious look of the marsh, there was still the stars, up in the sky, to show some light and hope to those below. There wasn't much movement around the area, it was very calm and silent. only sometimes, the wind blew a lightly cold breeze over the two of them.
The flower were still lit up and producing there warmth and light around. But eventually, the night would come to pass, as the sun rose in the distance, showering it's light into the wood. The flower fade out as the light touch them. A small mist was covering the ground but in the day light, the place sure didn't look the same.
Grey's horn returned to there original position before he finally woke up, slowly and stretching his arms, humidity had taken a nest on him, wetting his fur, wich he quickly shook to get rid of the small drops and sat back to look around him.
It was nearly morning by the time the young woman had fallen asleep. She was curled up and nearly buried in the blanket, and the mud. Her breathing was light, and on occasion she would shiver, bare feet exposed to the morning wind.
Noticing the young girl all curled up in the blanket and shivering, he shook his head slightly, she had finally fallen asleep, but for how long? He looked at the flower, which weren't glowing anymore.
Taking out his notebook, he drew a second blanket and covered the girl some more so she could be warm completely despite everything else. It would probably take time for her to open up. He was patient. From that, he started a small fire in a small pit and started baking some berries to make a jelly, the sweet scent of the berries soon filled the air as he was taking out some apple bread and cheese from his back.
Only waiting for the berries to be ready. During the day, the forest and the marsh didn't seems as horrible as during the night. Only Grey appearance was still a little frightening, but much less with the sun outside and shining bright.
The sweet smell of the baking berries roused her and slowly, she sat up. Her eyes went to the fire, silently regarding it before turning in surprise to see the strange creature was still there. In the day light, however, he seemed a lot different, but then again, so did the entire swamp.
It was still cast over in grey, but some parts of it were thriving with life. Most of them, however, were insects, which she flinched away from one particularly large mosquito as it buzzed over her head. Instinctively, she shrunk back into the blankets secured around her, and only then did her fingers trace over a second blanket that she found herself blinking and looking over before curiously looking Grey's way.
Noticing the girl had woke up, he turned his yellow eyes in her direction and smiled kindly.
-Ah...your awake, did you sleep well?-
He asked softly. His voice was very calm and warm, he was finishing melting the berries and put them on a slice of bread along with the cheese. He took a bite, the cheese was melting over the hot berries and it just all tasted very good. He smiled.
-Hmm, this is really good! You must be hungry...do you want some?-
He asked, looking at her. He was wondering what could have happen to her for her to be so frightened. But he couldn't force her to talk and wouldn't. If she wanted to talk, then it would be of her own free will. All he could do is offer her some support.
Eve looked to the bread and felt her stomach rumble. Blushing, she dropped her gaze.
And with that, she nodded meekly.
-No need to be ashame...here...-
He said, smiling as he cut another slice of bread, putting berries and cheese on it, then handing it over to the girl.
-Careful, it's still a bit hot..-
He warn her, so she wouldn't burn her tongue. Everything was warm so it was even more enjoyable. Even more in the cold weather of the marsh.
Curiously, and still bashful, she looked at the offered berries, cheese and toast before carefully accepting it. She held it out, green eyes wide at the smell, and it seemed whatever emotion was growing withing her reflected without, as the grasses rose where she sat and small, tiny white flowers budded up and bloomed just as she sunk her teeth delicately into the flavorful bread.
Grey had barely finish his bite when he notice all the small flowers blooming around the girl. He was amazed and wondering who this girl could actually be. A soft smile rise upon his face, she was linked to nature and she certainly did possess a gift.
That made him want to help her even more. He finished his breakfast, taking his time to enjoy the food and making sure Eve had enough for herself. Clothes and towel were still availlable, but the water was probably cold by now.
-Is it good?-
He asked, tilting his head on the side.
She had only taken a few bites when he had asked his question. She paused, looking at him briefly before dropping her gaze and giving a timid nod.
He smiled.
-Don't hesitate...there are more if you want...-
On that, he left her to eat in peace while he got up and took a look around. With the sun up in the sky, it was easier to make out his surroundings and the way back to town. The only thing left was to find a road. He stretched a bit and went on to have a look. Leaving the fire up and his bag back at the small camp. He wouldn't be going very far.
She peered at him curiously but said and did nothing. Her gaze returned to her bread as she nodded meekly. But when she caught his movement, she peered out through a curtain of her red hair and watched him. She thought he was going to leave. To leave her alone. And when she noticed he wasn't going far and looking around...
She abandoned the food and moved quietly, timidly to his side. Where he'd suddenly find her small arms clinging around one of his.
He felt the hands of the young girl around his own. Turning his yellow eyes toward her curiously.
-Don't worry, I'm just trying to find a path back to town...-
He said. He didn't mind if she wanted to walk alongside him. He started moving again, while looking for a small path or something similar, it was only a 50 meters or so away that he found something that seemed to be leading to a main road. He smiled and nodded. Then headed back to camp with Eve.
-Alright then, we'll be able to go to town...-
He said. He wasn't in any hurry so he waited for Eve to done with her food. And probably, with washing herself up a little. He put the water near the fire, in order to warm it up.
She was silent as he spoke, keeping close to him now as she saw him as the only speck of solace in this world. She was beginning to feel a sense of peace about him, and whent hey returned, she found herself not that hungry and left the rest of the toast to rest.
She did want to clean up, and she cleaned up well. After a lot of the muck from the swamp was wiped off of her, there was a pretty, youthful young woman beneath it all. Her hair still needed a good cleaning, but her green eyes were now more pronounced without all the dirt smudges covering her face.
She almost seemed to glow now against the muddied colors of the swamp. And she took this moment to carefully clothe herself as she peered back over at Grey.
The faun would leave her to wash and clothe herself, while he was putting out the fire and making sure nothing would cause it to lit again. He wouldn't want this place to burn after all. Putting his stuff back into the bag, he waited for Eve to be ready, looking over at the road.
They would travel south from here and reach a town soon after. He was glad that Eve wasn't effraid of him anymore, he made him happy. He smiled kindly to her.
-Are you ready to go?-
What she had to clothe her hung loose off her frame. She was a small thing, slender as they came. At his words, she looked up at him then lowered her gaze again and nodded.
Looking at the clothes, he might have wanted to make them smaller, but they would have to do for now, he could always get her new ones in town and let her choose them. He smiled, offering her his arm if she wanted to, then started to walk, his bag on his back, filled with his various arts, and brushes.
They left on the small path to eventually join the main road, which was a lot easier to walk on. They were on their way to the city. It would most likely take a few hours. They were met on their way by other travelers, some merchant heading to town and other folk like that.
Although she hadn't known the man for more than a day, the second other people came into the picture, she found herself clinging to his arm a little tighter, and walking jut a bit closer to him and nearly tripping over his feet (or hooves) as she did so. But she averted her gaze shamefully at this, and he might even find her trembling a little as the winds began to pick up.
People had a tendency to look at the faun with curious or worried eyes. Yes, Grey looked like some sort of demon out of a fairy tale, but he was all but a bad person. He had a kind personality and anyone who had grown to know him could tell them so. He simply ignored them and kept walking, even tough Eve was sometime tripping over his hooves, he eventually stopped and looked at her.
-Are you ok? Are you cold? -
He asked her. He was warm because of his fur, but the girl didn't had any.
She didn't look up when he paused, only when he addressed her. Then those green eyes looked up at him briefly before she cast them back to the ground with a nod.
-Alright, give me a second ok...-
He put his bag on the ground and took out a small book, taking a pen, he started drawing something. After a minute or so, he lift the pen and from it, the ink that he had drawn with seemed to come out of the book as he soon found himself holding a cape, black with some green leaf design on it's edge. It was made of wool and looked warm. He handed the cape to her.
-Here...this should keep you warm...-
He said as he put everything back in his pack.
Eve stared at the cape curiously and did not put it on right away. In fact, she held onto it still, her gaze cast ground-ward as she whispered a meek and barely audible, "Thank you."
-Don't worry about it...-
He said kindly. He offered her his arm then started walking again. This road would lead them back to town. He still didn't knew where she came from, but he wouldn't just give up on her, so, he told himself that he would help her until she could take care of herself. It took a while, but they eventually reached said town and entered trough it's gates.
The town was a curious thing for her, causing her big, bright green eyes to grow even larger as she peeked around from beneath the shadow of Grey's form. The buildings, though not entirely grand, had her realizing and feeling smaller and more vulnerable than she already was, and the strange looks people gave the pair (although primarily to her hairy companion) made her sink against the fawn more closely and cling to him, still afraid.
Wasn't this girl from a town? Had he been wrong? He was curious now, more then before, as to know where this little one came from. For now, there was no need to ask, she didn't seems to remember much. Trying to make himself reassuring, they moved in and walked until they reach the market, where he stopped.
Grey would usually sell his arts for a modest sum, he didn't need much, but he still needed to make a profit to pay for lodging from time to time.
-Would you mind giving me a hand please?-
He said softly as he took out a blanket from his bag, extending it to the ground, in a corner of the market. It was sunny so there would be a lot of people at the market. He started laying his arts on the ground, giving some to Eve so she could do the same.
Though the task was simple enough, once she agreed to it she found something comforting in his task. Perhaps it was because it took her mind off of the unknown, and the unsettling fear that gripped. But also, the art work Grey had created worked well as a sense of distraction, too. One particular piece she found herself staring at for quite a long time. She didn't know what to make of it, or if she had to make anything of it at all. But there was a strange sensation brewing in her belly as she looked at it, and soon she appeared all but consumed in it.