Kyngdom Survival Guide
*TALE: TWO KYNGDOMS
Chatterbox: KYNGDOM™ Power of Hoof
*TALE: TWO KYNGDOMS
*TALE: TWO KYNGDOMS
A Tale of Two Kyngdoms, Part One
By Zephyra
It was the worst of times. That much was obvious. Chaos everywhere. Claaws was dead. Jaaws roamed our land, jaws dripping with Brazen Goo. Catastrophe was always lurking, ready to fight anyone at the slightest provocation. I heard whispers of a “Mutant Army.” And B.I.G. crept ever closer to finding and activating all four of the Powers, which would lead to--what? Utter global destruction? To be honest, I was finding it harder and harder to go to sleep. Dark thoughts swirled through my brain at all hours of the night.
On one particularly hopeless mornings, as I was drooping over a mug of oak root coffee at the Bog & Burrow, I received word from my faithful network of spies that Dr. Cornelia Hornshaw was heading north, toward the Decoy Forest. My go-to tech wiz, Techibeetle, quickly tapped her phone and, after listening to a very disgruntled conversation she was having with one of her chief scientists, we learned that she believed the fourth Power--the Power of Hoof--was located there. In the forest.
Now, this was a little too close for comfort for me, my fellow spies, and the other Guardians. Because we knew that while the fourth Power wasn’t actually in the forest, it was nearby--very nearby, on the hoof of Regina the Silver Reindeer herself. I sent a message to Regina begging her to retreat to her mansion, and then I began planning my trip to the north.
(Another complication: I was supposed to be planning my nephew Little Crow’s Naming Ceremony. It was time. He was of age. But the party would just have to wait--and I felt terrible about it.)
After another mug of oak root coffee, I hit upon a plan that was simple, but so daring that it made me nauseous. I was going to do the unthinkable. I would try to intercept Cornelia before she went into the Decoy Forest, and I would…talk with her.
Yes, talk. A dialogue. I figured that I could use B.I.G.’s technology to make Cornelia understand what I was saying, and then I could explain how dangerous her behavior was. How it would put us all at risk--animals and humans. Naïve? Maybe. But sometimes the best route is the most direct, no? There’s a reason for the phrase “as the crow flies.”
Of course it was a terrible shock when, while flying over the Labyrinth, I heard something rustling about in the suitcase that was strapped to my back--and out popped Little Crow, squawking that he couldn’t let me go alone and he was practically an adult and why did I get to do all the fun stuff? I was furious that he’d snuck along, but it was too late to turn back. Cornelia’s train was literally zooming below us as we flew. Besides, I’ll admit it: sometimes it’s nice to have a sidekick.
When we arrived at Jökull, the mansion of the Silver Reindeer, Regina greeted us joyfully and gave us each a huge, steaming mug of Black Winter Cherry cider. Little Crow was shivering. I was exhausted.
“She’s coming,” said Regina, giving me a meaningful look.
“I loathe Cornelia Hornshaw,” spat Little Crow.
“Little! She’s done some terrible things, but she is a very lost, very confused woman,” I said.
“She thinks we’re stupid. She doesn’t respect the world we’ve built. Why do I have to like her?” said Little Crow.
I was flustered, jet-lagged, but Regina jumped in with grace. “You don’t have to like her, Little Crow,” she said, her mother-of-pearl horseshoes twinkling. “But what Cornelia Hornshaw lacks is empathy. She can’t put herself in our horseshoes, so to speak. So she’ll never truly understand us--or anything about the world, really. Zephyra is saying that if you try to empathize a little with her, no matter how much it angers you, then you will have already won part of the battle.
“And for the other parts--if empathy and reason fail, at least you have an entire network of spies and warriors on your side,” I added.
Little Crow’s eyes were drooping.
“Let’s go to bed,” I said. “Cornelia is probably staying at that human eyesore, the Wayward Villa, tonight, and won’t be striking off toward the Decoy Forest until morning.”
After Little Crow went to sleep, I turned to Regina.
“I’m worried,” I said. “The Decoy Forest never shows travelers the truth. But who knows what she’ll see there? Sometimes half-truths and white lies can lead to the real thing.”
Regina looked down at her fourth horseshoe--the one that was old, rusty, nondescript.
“I am prepared to fight,” she said, simply.
submitted by Zephyra, Decoy Forest
(January 4, 2017 - 1:39 pm)
(January 4, 2017 - 1:39 pm)
Tsuki~~
"Thank you again for coming, Mayor Starr. Many lives have been saved today."
"Of course, General Caligo. I would be a fool to not come," Victor replies. They rise from their seats. Gamgi and I share a look. I don't think it would have mattered whether or not we came. Caligo's going to be dead either way.
We leave the tent, our hands on our concealed weapons. Despite the fact we've just signed a truce, none of us trust each other. At all.
And nor should we.
We head back to Sanukaville on the same helicopter we came here on.
"Now we just have to wait for Ashzan to strike, when nobody's expecting it," Gamgi says.
"And then we swoop in, pretending to capture Ashzan and punish her."
"And then we take Jokull, once we've made them think we're allies," I finish. "It's perfect. And entirely horrible."
~~~
(February 7, 2020 - 11:05 am)
The helicopter touched down with the strange gentleness most helicopters have. The hangars were as busy as ever. A truce would not stop the Sanukans from being prepared.
The passengers of the helicopter were getting out, and were almost instantly swarmed by Sanukans. They crowded around the mechanical bird, and the din of a thousand questions rose into the air.
Tsuki slipped quietly through the crowd, letting Gamgi and Victor deal with the curious people. She needed some quiet, and where better to find that than in the hospital? Besides, she was desperate to see how Vida was doing.
Thankfully, no one stopped her as she headed towards the hospital. Inside it was near silent, as usual. A few Nanulian nurses moved about, but their foot steps were silent, thanks to how fluffy their paws were.
One nurse, whose name badge read 'Sky at Early Morning ', stopped Tsuki. "You're looking for the Felis, I assume?"
"Um, yes. Where is she?" The Nanulian beckoned for Tsuki to follow, who obliged.
"Right in this room. Quiet, she's sleeping," Sky at Early Morning said in the soft, kind voice almost all Nanulians have.
Tsuki opened the door to the room. There was someone in there with Vida, and it wasn't a nurse. Rather, it was a Sanukan. The Sanukan appeared to be in her late forties, maybe early fifties, and had a few wrinkles on her medium dark skin. She had loosely braided hair that was about shoulder length. It was dark with a few streaks of silver and grey. She had three scars through her one eye, which made it blind. Her right eye, the one that wasn't blind, was a dark brown. Tsuki couldn't help but notice her face, other than the scars, was remarkably similar to Davina's. Actually, the Sanukan looked a lot like Davina, just slightly shorter hair and slightly lighter skin.
"Hello, Leviathan," The Sanukan said, standing. She wore a coat lined with white fur. The fur didn't look fake.
"Hello," Tsuki replied, somewhat cautiously.
"I was planning on taking this little one with me to my hunting lodge. It gets lonely out there, with my only company being my hunting dogs. And besides, she looks like a sweet girl. I would be delighted to take care of her," The woman said . She noticed Tsuki's wary expression. "Ah, apologies, I never even introduced myself. The name's Rubiana Starr. Davina's mother, and General of the Sanukan Army."
~ ~~
(February 12, 2020 - 8:30 pm)
Caligo~
Caligo clutched the plastic scroll case so tightly his knuckles turned white beneath his gloves. He could not let it out of his sight so soon--the document inside was his legacy.
He stared broodingly out a window for the duration of the flight, and to those around him, it seemed as though he was processing the details of the meeting. He did not say a word; he barely even blinked. But Caligo was not thinking about the truce. He was remembering first time he'd met Catastrophe.
His office at Jokull was sensibly decorated. Treasures and antiques were displayed on the walls and shelves, meaningless baubles meant to distract from his real quarters elsewhere in the building. I remember how vast the room was--and how dark, lit by two lamps on either side of his elaborate desk.
Shadows danced on the armor and weapons in the dimmest corners, slightly out of sync with my entry into the room. They gave off an inexplicable rippling--and I felt the shape of an enormous creature dwelling, unseen, in the shadows between two tapestries.
Immediately I felt a wave of--of nausea pass through my gut. I felt lots of things at once--shame at being taller than my leader, fear of his power, and a longing to become as powerful as him. Something about his presence drew me in.
"Cendaren Caligo, son of Galleren Caligo," the boy-king said. I bowed. "You know why you're here. Are you prepared to give your life to my army?"
"I am, Sire. I already have. This would be my honor."
"You're young, Caligo. But in this army, age doesn't matter. Come here." His voice was indifferent, as though he did not care about this occasion. I certainly did, though. I would bring prosperity and honor back to my family.
I stepped up to his desk. Catastrophe regarded me as one inspects a new garment. After a moment, he said, "Shake my hand."
I reached out, startled, and he snatched my hand in a firm grasp. I was shocked for a moment by the iciness of his fingers. It made me gasp.
The handshake felt like it lasted minutes rather than seconds. When at last Catastrophe released my hand, I felt a new weight upon my shoulders--a sober anticipation of what was to come.
"You are now a general of Jokull. Serve me well, Caligo," Catastrophe concluded. "I will meet with you again soon before I leave here. You are dismissed."
I bowed again and turned to leave.
My shadow moved in sync this time.
The ghostly ripples in the room had ended--but at what point in time?
Somehow I had not noticed, but the hulking form in the corner was gone.
The helicopter touched down, jerking Caligo out of his reverie. Back at Jokull, back to business. The first thing he did was deliver the scroll to a safe in his quarters; then, he hurried to the medical wing to see if Ashzan was doing better.
(February 17, 2020 - 9:44 am)
Ashzan~
A figure moves in the frosted window. That window is stuck in the door that lead to the rest of the medical bay. I stare at it, wondering why the knob was turning instead of keeping still. Usually, the figures move swiftly past my door, not bothering to come in as long as I'm in stable condition. The infection had been a bit more serious than I had thought, and I have been holed up in this room for quite a while. The door swings open and in walks Caligo and a docter. Instinctively, I stand up and salute, only to be robbed of breath as fiery pain shoots up my entire leg. The doctor jolts forward to set me back down.
"Moskovinan, report." Caligo demanded, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. He knows my type of injury well.
"General, sir! I pursued the Sanukans but lost them after recieving a gash in my leg. On the way back it got infected, and the doctors had to clean the wound carefully and sanitize with alchohol." I remember letting out a sharp screech when the cleansing liquid hit my bare nerves and muscle. "It wasn't a pretty sight."
"I can imagine. Doctor, how long will it take to heal?" The doctor shook his head.
"She's a forest elf, sir. Agent Moskovinan should be just fine in the morning." For the first time, Caligo smiled. Truly. His smile was as gentle as the moon, and just as beautiful. I wanted to go to him, but my leg said no.
"Good. Moskovinan, report to my office as soon as possible. We have much to discuss."
~
So I was thinking she would sedate him in that one-on-one conferance?
(February 25, 2020 - 3:07 am)
Long post! Trying to get some charrie development in.
We have to wait for Sanders to get here before Ashzan can try to sedate Caligo.
Caligo~
Ashzan is doing much better, and I find my concerns slipping away as I hear the doctor's prediction of a quick recovery. She's one of the few people who appears genuinely glad to see me, and my mood lightens considerably. She's my last loyal recruit.
"Report to my office as soon as possible...We have much to discuss," I inform her with a nod. "The Sanukans signed a six-month truce today. If everything works out, we won't be facing another battle until we are much stronger. I'm looking forward to hearing any intel you attained on the Sanukans while you were away."
I nod at her again and take my leave, feeling strange. It takes me a moment to identify why. A bit of probing reveals that I don't want a loyal recruit...
I can't command anyone who trusts me.
Caligo removed his uniform hat and dusted it off as he sped away from the medical wing. He cast about for something to distract himself with, wanting anything but to fall into the mental chasm he had just discovered. His eyes were met with nothing but bare walls.
Operating according to my own will for the sake of my own life has been my only means of survival in the upper ranks of this army. I believe Catastrophe designed it this way: Almost every fellow commander is an enemy whose barbaric ambition lurks beneath a thin cloak of diplomacy. If you don't watch out for yourself, you die, so all of your actions are justified in their own way, even if it means doing horrible things. When everyone's watching their own backs, you need only worry about yours.
He kept his eyes averted from the guards he passed in the hall. He returned his hat to his head and set course for the kitchen. He wanted a cup of juniper cider.
Blind loyalty is one thing, but Ashzan had a choice to defect, and she came back. To follow me. Which means suddenly, I'm not in an eat-or-be-eaten situation. I cannot justify cowardice or selfishness anymore--because discovering genuine loyalty shatters that system. I should be relieved to have a loyal ally, but it threatens my delicate armor of excuses. I live on excuses. I don't trust myself. So neither should anyone. Again, a resistance to truth reveals my selfishness.
All at once, Caligo lost his appetite. He had been avoiding these thoughts for almost a month. There was no halting them now. He turned around and sped for his office.
When I really hit the bottom of this strange feeling, I find that I simply do not want to revisit my past. I want to live in the present and not worry about the shadows in Catastrophe's office or why I no longer enjoy the company of my oldest friend. But that is what I will have to do should someone follow in my footsteps and become what I have become. And should someone do that, I would be forced to concede to my deepest-buried convictions: That all of this is wrong, and I have done evil things.
The storm ended, leaving him ill at ease. Caligo was prepared to throw out the entire mental conversation when he opened the door to his office and jolted in surprise.
Sam Coryli stands in the middle of my office, clutching a steaming wooden mug of milky white liquid, looking quite at home. He hears me enter and greets me with a wary smile. "I heard the truce was a success!"
"You can't just waltz into my office like that, Coryli."
"Sorry. I was looking for you and they said you were bound to turn up here at some point. You should really lock it if you don't want people coming inside." His expression settles into an appraising, thoughtful frown. "Something wrong, General?"
I stand there, feeling vulnerable. "It's been a long day."
Sam nods and shrugs agreeably. "Saving lives is hard work." He continues quickly, "I thought you might want some juniper cider?" He holds up the mug as though it's a peace offering.
"You can leave it on my desk. Thank you."
He nods and sets it down.
"If you're looking to make yourself useful, I can arrange for you to work in the kitchen," I suggest. "Then you can actually enjoy your visit."
He arches an eyebrow. "That would be a nice break from soldier work. Thanks." Sam leaves with a new job, and I'm left alone to regard the mug of cider. Its steam curls innocently to the ceiling. Should I trust it, or should I toss it out the window?
I have an inexplicable compulsion to do the latter. I wrap my hands around the mug's warm handle and approach the window. Before I lift the glass, I glance absentmindedly into the cider, and there I spy my own reflection.
A tiny murmur in the back of my head awakens as I inhale the sweet-scented steam.
Maybe I shouldn't throw it out.
So I tilt back my head and down the whole cup.
(February 25, 2020 - 3:25 pm)
He's coming back to himself! *Happy squee*
Also I have this mental battle planned out for Ashzan. She knows she has to kill him, but she can't.
(February 25, 2020 - 8:10 pm)
Lieutenant Ekron Sanders, Sanukan Prisons ~~
A harsh glow from the light above stung my eyes. I could hear the muffled noises of wind whipping around outside. The Sanukans Prisons were at the base of the massive mountains, where the wind was not blocked by their peaks.
Victor Starr--the poisonous fool--stood in front of me. "I have been speaking with my Generals and Heads of Units. Since our treaty with Jokull, we have found it unnecessary to have you as a prisoner here. So we have decided to release you."
Interesting. He seems to think that I couldn't have easily escaped, and that I wasn't staying here to gather information. But no matter. This works well to my advantage, especially if I want to kill Caligo before he gains support.
"Guards. Blindfold this prisoner and take him to the helicopter waiting outside. We'll drop him off a quarter mile from Jokull."
The guards obey. While I cannot see through the thick cloth of the blindfold, I can hear the helicopter blades whirring and I can feel it lift off the ground.
My journey ends soon, and the guards roughly push me off the helicopter. It flies off, and I can hear it fade away.
I tear off the blindfold, and begin my journey to Jokull. I will kill Caligo soon, but not right away. I need to make sure I still have followers and supporters first.
But finally, finally, my plan is in action.
~~~
(February 25, 2020 - 9:55 pm)
I have nearly an hour of time, so have this.
Tsuki Natsu of the Sanukans, Sanukaville~~
"That was a horrible decision, Victor! Why in Claaws' name did you neglect to consult us?!?" Gamgi shouts.
"I know, I know. I regret it now, it just seemed like a good way to get them to trust us--" Victor stammers an excuse.
Gamgi groans. "I know you're Chief and I really should be respecting you and all that, but seriously. Releasing Sander's was one of the gukaumsven things you could have done." With my extraordinarily limited vocabulary of the Sanukan native language, I'm able to figure out that meant 'worst'.
Upon learning about Victor's not-so-brilliant tactic to get Jokull to like us, Gamgi set up an emergency meeting in the Town Hall. Victor, Gamgi, Rubiana, a few Sanukans I don't know, and I are all here. We're also supposed to discuss the Graspland and Decoy Forest situations, but Gamgi is focusing on berating Victor, it seems.
Rubiana clears her throat. "Gamgi, we understand that you dislike Victor's idea, but there's nothing we can do about it now. So let's discuss something slightly more väskenua, alright?" I don't recognize the word she's said in Sanukan. ((It means vital/important, by the way, readers/admin.))
Gamgi plops down at one of the reindeer-fur lined chairs. She sighs. "Alright."
"Good," Rubiana begins. "Now, let's discuss this Decoy Forest issue."
Victor straightens in his seat, more confident now that he isn't being yelled at. "Of course. Tsuki, you've been busy at Hvall, so you wouldn't know. But it seems that Caligo's little expedition and clear-cutting has made the Forest even more active."
"How?" I ask.
"We imagine that when all those trees were burnt or cut, it released some of the sap and pollen into the air, or something like that. Meaning the Forest is even more dangerous, but we've also discovered that we'll need to go into the Forest."
Rubiana and Gamgi looked surprised at that last bit.
"Go into the Decoy Forest?" Rubiana asks "Victor, dear, I think you've finally gone mad."
"Yeah, why would ever go in there? I was raised being told to never ever go into the Forest. That's like... The stupidest and most dangerous thing you could do," Gamgi adds.
"Even I'm reluctant to go in there," I begin , "And I helped Saoirse conduct her studies on it."
Victor sighs. "Well, we haven't much of a choice."
"And why would that be?" One of the other Sanukans says.
"Several reasons. One, we got Sväu's tracker online, and it turns out he's in there. Looks like some of Catastrophe's men chased him in there. Second, one of our Nanulian scientists by the name of Glow of Dying Embers discovered that it appears a human is living in the Forest."
"Why would we care about some human living in the Decoy Forest? They're probably crazy," A Sanukan says.
"Because," Victor explains, "It's not just any human. It's Cornelia Hornshaw."
~~~
Is this okay? I thought it would be a good idea to bring Hornshaw back into the plot. She might have discovered something important while in the Forest. While deadly, the Forest is very old, and it is definitely home to some old ruins. Answers about the Powers and Jaaws and Catastrophe could be found there.
(March 4, 2020 - 5:42 pm)
Funny that you should do that, remember how Death Hound was originally sent into the Forest to track down Hornshaw? Maybe we could bring her and Star into this!
(March 11, 2020 - 3:42 am)
Oh yes, that would be a great idea!
(March 11, 2020 - 3:48 pm)
The forest can sense you. The forest can feel you. The forest has eyes and ears. And the forest has a heart. But it may be empty; you see what you choose to see. Come to us, lost one...trust the lies we whisper...find the truth.
(March 25, 2020 - 6:46 pm)
They say you never really leave the Forest.
They say the Forest has a mind of its own.
A heart of its own.
Some even say the Forest isn't lying. It's telling the truth. The truth of your soul.
But one thing everyone agrees on?
The Forest is dangerous, and it'll kill you.
---
It's cold, like it usually is. The helicopter is sitting just outside of the Forest. You can smell the Forest all the way from here.
It smells nice.
I remember it was the first time I'd ever seen snow. We lived in Saphire Cove, a small fishing town just south of Mer. Snow wasn't a thing that happened here, but that year, it had. I remember it was the eve of All Power's Day, and she was cooking. I can't remember what. Something wondeful, I think.
"Are you ready?" Rubiana asks. She was the only one brave enough to come with me. She piloted the copter here herself.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
I remember a different voice, a different soul, saying those same words to me. Who was she? I don't remember. I didn't want to remember. Because she vanished and that scared me. That hurt me. I didn't like it. So I forgot her.
"Good luck, Tsuki. If you need me, I'm right here."
"Aren't you supposed to call me Leviathan?"
"I don't think it matters. Catastrophe knows who you are, no matter what we call you."
"Rubiana?"
"Yes?"
"Before I go... Tell me about yourself."
"...Like what?" She gives me a confused look.
"How did you meet Victor?"
She smiles. "Ahh, that's quite the story. Much to long to tell you all of it, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you a little about our past...
"Did you know that he had a crush on someone before me?" Rubiana said with a smile. "Her name was Kaida. She wasn't a Sanukan, actually, but she lived here. Worked as an assassin. Just...like you, I suppose."
"...Wait, what?" I stare at Rubiana.
"There's a great deal of things you don't know about me. But, tell me about you, Tsuki."
"Well," I begin. "I remember...a girl. She was my neighbor, and older than me by a few years. She used to babysit me. We...went throuh the experiments together. She was the one who organized the escape. But...during the escape, we got seperated. I couldn't find her, or the others. I remember being scared. I never saw her again. I didn't know what happened. But then... I heard about her. But they were refering to her as 'Queen' now."
"What was her name?"
"Kosomi. Kosomi Ramabasa."
"Ah, yes, she's fine. Queen of the Homo Aquarians."
"I remember someone else. I met them during the experiments, when we were at the lab. I don't...remember much about them. I think they were another experiment, but that's it. I remember what they told me, though. They said, 'We'll meet again.' But we haven't met again."
---Tsuki Natsu
~~~
Hehe
(March 26, 2020 - 2:52 pm)
Tsuki Natsu~~
I can almost...feel the Forest. Like it's a living thing. A sentient being. For a moment, I wonder something-- When the trees were cut, did the Forest become more active because the sap was open to the air, or because the Forest was in pain?
"I went into the Forest once, when I was a little girl," Rubiana says.
"Really?" I ask. "And you...came out alive? Despite being very young?"
She nods. "Yes. It makes you wonder how dangerous it really is."
"What did you think? Of the Forest, I mean."
"It may sound strange, but... The Forest, it was...beautiful, really. I don't remember feeling scared or lonely. It felt like...You might not believe me, but I felt that the Forest and I--we were one. I wonder if perhaps the Forest was where I belonged," She explains. "They say that some people belong in the woods. That the Forest is their friend, not their enemy. I would go back in there, with you...But I fear I would never be able to leave."
~~~
(March 27, 2020 - 2:19 pm)
WOOWww i've been gone for a long time....
Saoirse
--
I knelt down to the base of the tree, my mask secured around my face to filter out the particles of gas that the decoy sap emitted when exposed to the air. I had convinced Raven to let me and Granite return to the forest for more experiments while she remained with the traders, creating her metal contraptions, but she insisted that I at least be cautious about wandering back here. Boring. At least the mask was pretty, designed like a mask one would fine at a masquarade. I carefully pried some tree bark beck so I could see the armber sap that slowly dripped down the tree, placing a glass vial at the bottom of a dripping line to take some sap for myself. Behind me, Granite shifted, uneasy. Even if he and Cuckoo could not be affected by the forest by the nature of them not really having the means to inhale the gas, the atmosphere still made them restless.
"I'll be done in a moment, just relax guys," I said, voice slightly distored by my mask. they didn't, and only continued to become more and more agitated as the sun inched its way across the sky. I had collected several new vials of sap, enough to keep me supplied and experimenting for months. And enough illusionary power to confuse an army with the drying sap that I would be able to grind into a fine dust, but no one needed to know that but me.
Suddenly, Granite stood up and bolted into the dense trees, Cuckoo fluttering its metal wings to land in the tree I knelt by. I did some quick thinking. The forest could not affect the two, so it had to be something else. We were awfully close to the old encampment, but the likelyhood of people willingly entering the Decoy Forest? Slim. But not impossible. Granite wasn't scared of many things, so he must have head into denser woods as to conceal his hulking stone body. So I stood up, quickly stashed the vials into a pouch at my hip, and returned the peeled bark to the tree, sealing the cracks with a mending formula. I scaled up the tree to the branch Cuckoo had landed on, glad it had picked one out that was suitable enough to hold my weight. I dug my umbrella into the side of the tree to steady myself and to allow more decoy gas particals to fill the surrounding air. When the shadows of figures began to approach I pulled out my gun, and crouched on the branch, ready to leap into action.
---
so: I'm alive!! and I'm back! and Saoirse got a redesign becuase I can't control myself, so she isn't the most recognizable on sight. Do what you will with that information.
(March 29, 2020 - 7:10 pm)
Raven!! It's great to hear from you again! (And Saoirse's new design looks wonderful, by the way.)
On the NaNoWriMo YWP Classroom, we were discussing some Decoy Forest lore and stuff. I'll write it down here, partially for my own convience, partially for everyone who isn't on the classroom.
--The Decoy Forest is sort-of sentient. Through the sap in the trees, it can form 'connections', a little bit like a human brain. If you were to stay in the Forest for a very long time (like Hornshaw) you would be able to connect with the Forest and essentially become a 'tree'.
---If you connect with the Forest, you are able to create Decoys, and do some soul and memory-related stuff. Hornshaw has figured out how to replicate this in the form of a serum, which temporarily connects you to the Forest.
Feel free to add on any new ideas or correct me if I wrote something down wrong.
Tsuki~~
I slip on a pair of night vision goggles. It's not nighttime yet, but it's evening, and besides, it might be dark in the Forest. There's a lot of trees, which probably means a lot of shadows. I tie my tentacles into a bun, keeping them out of my face.
Once I have the goggles on and gotten them working, I put on a mask. It covers my nose, mouth, and basically all of my face below my eyes. It's sort of dark and grim-looking, but oh well. If it will keep the Decoys away, I'm happy.
I turn around. Rubiana waves at me from the copter. I lift my hand in response, then turn back to the Forest.
As I expected, it's fairly dark in the woods. The night vision goggles help with that. Normally I would have summoned a light orb, but that would reveal my location, and I don't want to do that. It's possible some of Catastrophe's soldiers will be here, and despite the truce, I know they'll attack me on sight.
I wish I had a map or some sort of way of knowing where Cornelia is. I guess I'll just have to deal with it.
I can almost feel the Forest trying to get in my mind, but fortunately, it's unsuccessful.
Up ahead, I hear rustling. My hand instantly goes to my pistol. I keep it there as I carefully move forwards. Maybe it's Hornshaw. Maybe it's one of Catastrophe's soldiers. Maybe it's a crazy person, driven mad by the Decoys.
Now that I'm almost on top of where I heard the rustling, I pull out my pistol. I wish these goggles had a thermal option. That would make this a lot easier.
I look upwards, surveying the trees--There. Movement. Just a slight rustle, but it's enough to give them away.
"You. In the trees. Show yourself." I keep my voice neutral. It might be Hornshaw, and I don't want to be cruel to her.
A figure leaps from the branches with surprising grace. The first thing I notice is their mask--it's designed with care and thought, and the end result is beautiful.
Next I notice the yellow raincoat and umbrella. ...Saoirse? No, it can't be--this girl's hair is much too short. But...its the same color, and it's possible she could have cut it. Normally, Saoirse would have been able to recognize me, but my mask and goggles would make it difficult. And the fact that it's basically night.
"Are you Saoirse?" I ask. My gun is still trained on her, but I lower it slightly.
"The one and only." Her voice sounds just like Saoirse's, except slightly muffled by the mask. "And you're Tsuki, correct?"
"Well, the Sanukans have been calling me Leviathan, but yes."
"So, you did defect, then?"
"Yes. And...you've been researching the Forest?"
She nods. "Why'd you come here?"
I pause. It's definitely Saoirse, so I decide it can't hurt to tell her. She's technically our ally, right? "One of the Sanukan scientists found Cornelia Hornshaw in the Forest. We want to contact her. Any idea where she might be?" I holster my gun.
~~~
(March 30, 2020 - 2:11 pm)