Post by Allison Kazim on Jun 14, 2018 17:17:05 GMT -8
With the battle to defend their home passed and the dead returned to their loved ones, Allison found herself still in 260. Technically a soldier of Cabal, she had returned to the floating island that she had known and loved her entire life. The familiar sights and sounds, the smell of the sea below and the greenery that surrounded them, not to mention the life of the city and its people. Though subdued, it was undeniably there, from the people passing by to those preparing for the festival. Floating orbs of light were just starting to shine, their lights still a little dim to accommodate the fact that the sun was still setting. They illuminated the streets of markets and merchant shops, dancing in the distance towards the center of town where the nobles lived in the security of their city and power.
But Allison’s path took her a different way, her shoes thudding quietly against the cobblestone road as she turned towards the outskirts of the city. The lights continued to shine, illuminating her path as the ornate decorations and signs fell away, along with the bright music. The world became almost grayer, more subdued, and those that were out and about were still hard at work save for a few women chatting with their neighbors, some folding clothing fres from the clothes line and others corralling children and herding them inside. Shadows deepened and grew as the buildings turned more residential, standing closer together as she went until they were nearly all the same building. Faded, peeling paint and broken objects could be seen near the homes now, different families able to be seen through open windows at different levels of the uniform layout.
This was what she had fought to protect. Not the nobles and their lofty homes, their comfort and luxury. The pride of her people, and this. The ones who she had grown up with, whose names she knew as easily as her own. The ones who were proud of her and what she had done so far, who had cheered her on and encouraged her. The ones visitors didn't come to see, whose homes didn’t come to mind when people thought of the glory of Territory 260. The unmentioned ones.
Her people.
“ALI!!” Looking up at the sound of her name, Allison smiled at the bundle of sunshine and energy that almost exploded through the doorway, bouncing up and down on her toes for a moment as she waved. She hadn’t seen her family since leaving for Cabal. Now then entire building would know she was home, but the thought merely made her chuckle.
“Hello, Maeve.” She grinned as her little sister ran up to her, catching her in a hug as she felt the thin arms wrap around her. Her pale skin stood out in stark contrast to the dark amber of her sister’s as she gave her a quick squeeze before stepping back to look at her. She was about the same as Allison remembered, and though it wasn’t long ago, it was enough for put some of her worries to rest. A large stuffed fox as brightly colored as her sister’s garb was walking about, heading towards them. Its eyes seemed to light up with their own energy in the dusk. Her smile widened at the sight of her sister’s handmade creation, pride swelling in her chest at the progress that had been made. Sliding an arm across Maeve’s shoulders, She lead her sister back inside as she chattered away about her latest adventure.
“...and so Alek said that he was going to look into it, which meant Jade had to go with him, and they both ran out of there so fast! They didn't even last five minutes!”
“I hope you doubled that at least,” she challenged, ruffling the girl’s light-colored hair. Maeve nodded vigorously, waving her new puppet over so they could all head back inside.
“I see you’re making progress. Does he know how to speak yet?” Even if it didn’t, the fox was able to move about with stable animation, and was much larger than the objects her sister usually charged with her qi energy. Perhaps it was because she had made it herself.
“Not yet, but he’s trying!” Maeve frowned for a brief moment before her smile returned, proud nonetheless of her own progress. The fox started to dance around in excitement, clapping its claw-like paws together. She chuckled as Maeve darted out of reach and darted up a couple flights of stairs, her companion not far behind.
“Mom! Mom!! Ali’s back!” The singsong announcement filled the apartment building, informing everyone of her arrival. Some people stuck their heads out and waved, but most were used to Maeve’s enthusiasm about almost everything at this point.
“Oh?” More reserved, an older woman came to the doorway, looking at Ali with a warmth to her smile that didn’t quite reach her amber eyes. The battle mage’s heart quickened as she took the steps two at a time, returning the hug her mother offered with a warning in the back of her mind.
“It’s good to see you, dear. I didn’t know if you’d stay or not.” She looked over to the sofa, and Ali nodded as a bit of guilt knocked on her heart, ready to break in. Her gaze went to the faded paint, the brick that could be seen and the well-worn but cared for furniture. The wood was polished smooth with use on on the chairs and table, the cushions faded but stitched together well with a colorful throw thrown over on the back to brighten up the place. She could see the slightest bit of a wicker basket that she knew had scraps of cloth in it for Maeve, as well as her mother working extra hours for a merchant family.
Home sweet home, except something was missing.
“Where’s Dad? Is he still at the shop?” The sudden stillness that came from both of them made the hairs on Ali’s neck rise. She looked from one to another, expecting a simple question to have a simple answer.
“Mom?”
“Your father was injured in the battle, dear. He’s alright,” she added as the blood drained from Ali’s face. “The healers have seen to him, and they advised he will be able to recover without any complications. He’ll need to rest for a while, is all.” Another smile, reassuring this time like the words were meant to be.
Which meant that they would owe whoever helped them and took care of him overnight. Less food on the table and stability for home. Possibly a smaller place, and if her father tried to work anyway when he should be resting, the potential for complications. If anything went wrong, would they be able to afford taking care of it? How much more would her mother have to work to make up the difference? What about Maeve? Would she even be able to stay at the Academy? At least food and supplies were provided there, but Allison was fully aware what it had cost her, nevermind what she’d done to get to Cabal. What kind of chance would her little sister have?
Swallowing the knot in her throat, she nodded. “I can give you some from what I make at Cabal.”
“Thank you, but what if you--”
“--It’s fine, Mom. Really. Please.” ’Please, just accept it for once. Let me take care of you.’
Several seconds of silence passed before the other woman nodded, the tension visibly easing from her shoulders. Maeve was focusing intently on her fox now, not looking at anyone but her fox as she listened in. Only the sound of her stifled coughing broke the silence, causing Allison and her mother both to jump and turn towards her, but it stopped soon after it started.
“I have some saved up already from my time there. I’ll make sure to leave it before I go. Just promise to let me know if his recovery takes a while. Please?”
This time, Allison embraced her mother, nodding as they both looked elsewhere for a moment.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Hopefully, it would be enough. For now.
Name: Your Event
Requirements: Approved Character
Job: An event has happened to your character alone. What happened? Write a story about some big event that just happened to your character. This event can be done once a month.
Bonus: Receive an injury that lasts 3 threads.
Payout: +3 exp, +$250
(Please do not give the $ payout to Allison to cover in character payment for her family.)
But Allison’s path took her a different way, her shoes thudding quietly against the cobblestone road as she turned towards the outskirts of the city. The lights continued to shine, illuminating her path as the ornate decorations and signs fell away, along with the bright music. The world became almost grayer, more subdued, and those that were out and about were still hard at work save for a few women chatting with their neighbors, some folding clothing fres from the clothes line and others corralling children and herding them inside. Shadows deepened and grew as the buildings turned more residential, standing closer together as she went until they were nearly all the same building. Faded, peeling paint and broken objects could be seen near the homes now, different families able to be seen through open windows at different levels of the uniform layout.
This was what she had fought to protect. Not the nobles and their lofty homes, their comfort and luxury. The pride of her people, and this. The ones who she had grown up with, whose names she knew as easily as her own. The ones who were proud of her and what she had done so far, who had cheered her on and encouraged her. The ones visitors didn't come to see, whose homes didn’t come to mind when people thought of the glory of Territory 260. The unmentioned ones.
Her people.
“ALI!!” Looking up at the sound of her name, Allison smiled at the bundle of sunshine and energy that almost exploded through the doorway, bouncing up and down on her toes for a moment as she waved. She hadn’t seen her family since leaving for Cabal. Now then entire building would know she was home, but the thought merely made her chuckle.
“Hello, Maeve.” She grinned as her little sister ran up to her, catching her in a hug as she felt the thin arms wrap around her. Her pale skin stood out in stark contrast to the dark amber of her sister’s as she gave her a quick squeeze before stepping back to look at her. She was about the same as Allison remembered, and though it wasn’t long ago, it was enough for put some of her worries to rest. A large stuffed fox as brightly colored as her sister’s garb was walking about, heading towards them. Its eyes seemed to light up with their own energy in the dusk. Her smile widened at the sight of her sister’s handmade creation, pride swelling in her chest at the progress that had been made. Sliding an arm across Maeve’s shoulders, She lead her sister back inside as she chattered away about her latest adventure.
“...and so Alek said that he was going to look into it, which meant Jade had to go with him, and they both ran out of there so fast! They didn't even last five minutes!”
“I hope you doubled that at least,” she challenged, ruffling the girl’s light-colored hair. Maeve nodded vigorously, waving her new puppet over so they could all head back inside.
“I see you’re making progress. Does he know how to speak yet?” Even if it didn’t, the fox was able to move about with stable animation, and was much larger than the objects her sister usually charged with her qi energy. Perhaps it was because she had made it herself.
“Not yet, but he’s trying!” Maeve frowned for a brief moment before her smile returned, proud nonetheless of her own progress. The fox started to dance around in excitement, clapping its claw-like paws together. She chuckled as Maeve darted out of reach and darted up a couple flights of stairs, her companion not far behind.
“Mom! Mom!! Ali’s back!” The singsong announcement filled the apartment building, informing everyone of her arrival. Some people stuck their heads out and waved, but most were used to Maeve’s enthusiasm about almost everything at this point.
“Oh?” More reserved, an older woman came to the doorway, looking at Ali with a warmth to her smile that didn’t quite reach her amber eyes. The battle mage’s heart quickened as she took the steps two at a time, returning the hug her mother offered with a warning in the back of her mind.
“It’s good to see you, dear. I didn’t know if you’d stay or not.” She looked over to the sofa, and Ali nodded as a bit of guilt knocked on her heart, ready to break in. Her gaze went to the faded paint, the brick that could be seen and the well-worn but cared for furniture. The wood was polished smooth with use on on the chairs and table, the cushions faded but stitched together well with a colorful throw thrown over on the back to brighten up the place. She could see the slightest bit of a wicker basket that she knew had scraps of cloth in it for Maeve, as well as her mother working extra hours for a merchant family.
Home sweet home, except something was missing.
“Where’s Dad? Is he still at the shop?” The sudden stillness that came from both of them made the hairs on Ali’s neck rise. She looked from one to another, expecting a simple question to have a simple answer.
“Mom?”
“Your father was injured in the battle, dear. He’s alright,” she added as the blood drained from Ali’s face. “The healers have seen to him, and they advised he will be able to recover without any complications. He’ll need to rest for a while, is all.” Another smile, reassuring this time like the words were meant to be.
Which meant that they would owe whoever helped them and took care of him overnight. Less food on the table and stability for home. Possibly a smaller place, and if her father tried to work anyway when he should be resting, the potential for complications. If anything went wrong, would they be able to afford taking care of it? How much more would her mother have to work to make up the difference? What about Maeve? Would she even be able to stay at the Academy? At least food and supplies were provided there, but Allison was fully aware what it had cost her, nevermind what she’d done to get to Cabal. What kind of chance would her little sister have?
Swallowing the knot in her throat, she nodded. “I can give you some from what I make at Cabal.”
“Thank you, but what if you--”
“--It’s fine, Mom. Really. Please.” ’Please, just accept it for once. Let me take care of you.’
Several seconds of silence passed before the other woman nodded, the tension visibly easing from her shoulders. Maeve was focusing intently on her fox now, not looking at anyone but her fox as she listened in. Only the sound of her stifled coughing broke the silence, causing Allison and her mother both to jump and turn towards her, but it stopped soon after it started.
“I have some saved up already from my time there. I’ll make sure to leave it before I go. Just promise to let me know if his recovery takes a while. Please?”
This time, Allison embraced her mother, nodding as they both looked elsewhere for a moment.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Hopefully, it would be enough. For now.
Name: Your Event
Requirements: Approved Character
Job: An event has happened to your character alone. What happened? Write a story about some big event that just happened to your character. This event can be done once a month.
Bonus: Receive an injury that lasts 3 threads.
Payout: +3 exp, +$250
(Please do not give the $ payout to Allison to cover in character payment for her family.)
