In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
Post by Jagen Lavender♛ on Nov 30, 2020 18:28:19 GMT -5
[nospaces]
[attr="class","gentext"]
[attr="class","header"]The Lighting of the Tallest Tree
[break]
Babel, the newest addition to the Clover Kingdom and home to the most academically gifted people in the world are no less cheerful than anyone else during the Yule month. Using the latest in their scientific theory and magical manipulation they have made the tallest tree to ever be decorated in the kingdom...EVER! Of course, everyone is invited to see this spectacle.
[break][break]
[attr="class","header2"]Don't forget the Mistletoe
[break]
While in Babel it is important that you partake in the food and drink that the people give you... even if it looks like it may be served as a part of an experiment... The decorations will be supplied as will brooms to get around with ease during the event, if one wishes to take part they must bring at least ONE of their own decorations to adorn the tree just as a tradition.
[break][break]
Of course, there are guards and mages on staff to ensure that nothing bad happens during this time, but things do happen and even in a Magic Knight controlled city... there are often mistakes that happen. Just be sure to keep your wits about you and report any crime to the authorities.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Zaven Blake was sitting at his desk in his office located in the west wing of the Golden Dawn Headquarters. The cold winter had arrived and he gave a soft smile as he looked outside at the leaves that had fallen from the trees already. The brown and red hues looked beautiful with the lighting, but he had something more on his mind...beauty that he could not quite fathom the understanding for. If he could count the way he felt right now he could barely fit the number using a single hand. He gave a light chuckle before he turned back to his reports, the daydream was over and he had work to do when there was a knock at his door. His subordinate, Drake had come by to deliver three invitations to him; one was the royal family’s Yule Ball, another was to Kiten where they would be hosting a hunt and feast, and finally the tree decorating ceremony. All three were annual things that the citizens of Clover have come to look forward to, but he felt bad for places like Raque and Kikka where the daemon armies have ravaged the area. He gave a sigh as he thought about what he should do this year, especially since he did not go to the spirit ball… [break][break] ”I could always go to the hunt, but what fun would it be if I went and did all the work, even if I held back it would just be a hassle, but the ball would be a headache because I would have to undoubtedly see people I do not wish to or otherwise gladhand with people I have no inclination to do so.” He sighed as he looked at the flyer/invitation for the event in Babel and put the rest of the papers down. Noticing that Drake was still there he gave a smile and handed the flyer back to Drake before looking up to him. ”Take this to Hinota, I am sure you know where she is, if you don’t mind passing along a message for me as well. Tell her that if she is not busy that I would be delighted to have her join me to Babel for this little event. I will be having Elanor provide transport so that way there are no brooms being used Oh! Before i forget, let her know I will probably be leaving around 5:00 p.m. today .” He finished as Drake nodded and turned to leave, shutting the door behind him as he went to deliver the message and invitation. [break][break] Drake arrived fairly quickly to Hinota’s door and would knock on it firmly, he was a man of action and while he did not like being an errand boy, his loyalty to Zaven was unquestionable so he did this favor for him, especially since he saw the spark in his eye when he gave the message earlier...Zaven had not given that kind of spark before to many people. The fire mage would wait until Hinota answered, and if asked who was there he would answer with his name and why he was there. Once she opened the door he would bow with a smile and hold out the invitation. ”Captain Zaven has told me to pass along this flyer and a message. The Captain has said that if you are not busy this evening he would like to have the pleasure of your accompaniment to Babel for the decorating of the tree. He said he will not be taking brooms, and that Elanor will be providing the lift there with her magic, somewhere around 5:00 p.m. today. Also...thank you for spending time with the captain...it means a lot to me as someone whom he saved...I consider him a dear friend.” Drake would leave if there was nothing more to be said and he would be happy to do this. He would then go back to training because he knew he still needed to become the sword that the captain could use in any situation. [break][break] It was around 4:30 p.m. and Zaven had gathered in the courtyard along with a few others that got the flyer as well, Eanor was really earning her money in this instance. Zaven met every greeting with a smile and wave, eagerly awaiting for Hinota to arrive, a small box in his hand...an ornament he made for the tree.
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Dec 1, 2020 18:36:08 GMT -5
[nospaces]
[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
SEN
STA
CON
007
34
10
032
030
[break]
MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 110/110
[break]
[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
In the past, she wouldn't have even had this luxury of choice. She would have been present at the Yule Ball, without exception. It was the same with the Spirit Ball. She would have been there. And it was important that she would have been in both instances, due to her family's position. It was vital that she mingle with others and try to bolster the damaged image of the Reinsbergs. But that wasn't the case anymore. Now that she had broken free as a result of her abusive father and negligent mother, she had choice.[break][break]
Yet, why was it a difficult choice? The only thing keeping her from going was Kikka was still fresh in mind. The truth of the matter was despite going there with the intent to save others, it was also to obtain the accomplishment of just going. Something as dangerous as Kikka would no doubt bolster her image, even if she wasn't capable of doing much. She would need accomplishments to her name to force her family to acknowledge her; after all, the heiress had run away. It would take a lot more than simply "saying" she was the family head; they wouldn't listen to her.[break][break]
She needed accomplishments. She needed money. Verena needed support and backers, and without any of that, she could never force her family to acknowledge her. So attending the Yule Ball would have gone a long way in accomplishing that now that she had made up her mind and deciding in leading her family in the right direction.[break][break]
But she couldn't.[break][break]
A heavy burden weighed on her after everything that had happened in Kikka, and having to mingle with the very type of people she detested when she was already at a tipping point in her life was a terrible idea. It would be best to just stick with what little she enjoyed to begin with--such as academic curiosity. That was precisely why she had chosen this festivity--she was always curious what the people of Babel were up to, after all.[break][break]
Of course, she had brought some of her own ornaments as well. They weren't expensive, of course--she had no real income of her own after all. And thus, the crimson-eyed beauty had brought with her a rather cheap but nonetheless pretty ornament depicting an angel.[break][break]
Now that she stood at the foot of the tree, she was mesmerized by its size and scope. It was nothing short of extraordinary, she realized. It was such a fresh color of green, and by the time she'd gotten there, there were already many ornaments put up. Of course, when she arrived she'd also been given a broom to place the ornament.[break][break]
For now, however, she was off to the side, observing the tree and trying to figure out what had gone into making a tree of this size. She'd partake in the food and drink later.
[break]
COMBAT SUMMARY
[break]
[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR verena is admiring the tree but is choosing not to mingle. she also seems kinda' lost in thought.[break][break]
Post by Siobhan Zippel on Dec 1, 2020 18:38:22 GMT -5
Winter had fallen upon the Clover Kingdom like an owl on the hunt and it was only a matter of time before snow would begin to fall. Or so one girl in particular thought; she wasn't a native to the country proper, so her knowledge of where to expect heavy or light snow across the map was entirely conjecture sprinkled with what little she gleaned from locals. Babel was fascinating and lovely from what little time she'd spent inside of it thus far; having already lost an entire day to just studying the shapes of the massive tower in the center and it's surrounding architecture, one of her sketchbooks was now filled with small studies she'd ferreted away. She'd even acquired some winter gear: a pair of wool stockings to go over her normal cotton pair, a heavy shirt to match hidden beneath her usual green frock and frills, and a matching set of scarf and mittens.
The breathtaking view of the tower piercing the sky aside, Siobhan was more intrigued by what the world's tallest Yule tree promised to be. She'd made her mind up to study the scene as best as she could, one of her battered but much loved half-filled folios beneath her arm when departing the room she'd rented that morning but a custom threw her day's plans out of the window. The witch needed an ornament to hang on the tree. An offering of goodwill or an older belief to appease some wintry spirit perhaps? Either way, she was in a small bind that happened to be cutting into her people and crowd watching time.
On the other hand though, it was actually kind of fun to make something without the pressure of practice or money in mind. Siobhan couldn't remember the last time she painted or drew something purely for others to enjoy. She made things for her own enjoyment and challenge first and foremost. Everyone else was just an afterthought in the face of her artistic passion and pride. The locals had been nothing but welcoming to her so far; the least Siobhan could do was entertain their requests for ornaments.
The real trick was finding the supplies to make one pleasing to the eye. She could already see spheres of spun glass dangling from chords and wire in some people's hands as they passed on the street. The parade of these little worlds of riotous color, light glinting in sporadic prisms if some waning light caught it just right, mesmerized her briefly. Out of all of Zippel's senses, her sight was her most trained. Years of studying art alongside magic may have slowed her progress down as a mage, but it made her appreciate the overwhelming beauty of the world around her. It also didn't hurt that so many things were new experiences to the girl, given how only a short while ago she was still living in the Forest of Witches.
Yule was a time of celebration as the days grew short and the nights long; how many of the picture books she devoured in her youth had different stories as to the why? Siobhan couldn't honestly remember. Thinking about the coming celebrations, of things given freely between friends and family, brought the memories back to a froth and with them a pang of homesickness. She'd left the forest to see the rest of the world with her own two eyes but something about the time of year made her want to go back. This entire brew of thoughts and feelings bubbling in her mind, Siobhan settled on making her ornament a little testament to her birthplace.
It took the better part of an hour to hunt down a little shop where she could buy a pot of glue with a brush, a small blade, and a slat of wood with some rope secured to the top two corners, a small blank sign prime for some decoration. Securing a spot on a nearby bench, brooms flying overhead and people scurrying on the street nearby, the blonde in the steepled-hat rifled through her hip bag for one of her oldest sketchbooks and began to tear select pages out as she hummed along to the beat of the streets.
WC: 706 Note: Siobhan's just making her ornament on a nearby bench as an intro. Let's get this cheddar.
Last Edit: Dec 1, 2020 18:41:38 GMT -5 by Siobhan Zippel
What a marvel.... Shizuyoru had been intrigued to find such rumors that a tree had been produced with science and magic that was so.....impressive? Not only that, but that the area was absolutely rife with all sorts of experiments and such that she couldn't help but feel drawn to the occasion! From afar, it looked.... well just like any old tree. But as she made her way closer, looking through the festive individuals that seemed to populate the place, it was.... pleasing to see that the tree was honestly even more impressive than she'd initially imagined. She walked up to the tree itself and couldn't help but sigh softly in gentle admiration of it's majesty. Already a few decorations littered it's branches and she could already note some more personal touches to some of the baubles. How interesting indeed... All the more, as she looked over her shoulder she couldn't help but smile just a bit as she made note of the various acedemics that littered the area, talking about what was involved in the endeavor and how it had been produced. She couldn't help but.... envy them. To so easily mingle and talk about their work and their discoveries. She looked back up to the tree for a moment and she sighed softly. Thinking.... of home.
That smile of admiration ....gently drained just a little as she thought of her home, wondering what sort of things were happening in the Witch's Forest. The women she used to talk to about her own research. She fell silent for a moment and then looked down to the ground. But....it was something she had to endeavor toward alone. At least for now. Putting the smile back on, she looked to some of the other guests attending the decoration. She looked back to the tree. Well.... no time like the present to get her ornament out of the way. She took a step back, and then opened her palm humming softly to herself as her magic gently spilled up into her palm. The slow twisting growth of wood slithering into existence from a focal point, the material itself glassy and see-through, but still very much woody in it's tecture and how it grew. That glassy wood slowly twisted outward in a three pronged spiral around itself, balling itself up in an intricat little bundle of interwoven branches that spread out and broke into smaller little paths that all continued to weave into itself, until there was a dazzling, diamond-like sphere of glassy wood in her palm, a little catch growing on the top so that it could be connected properly to the tree. She smiled a bit proudly at her work and gently turned it over in her hand.
Hmmm, was this really enough? She turned it over in her hands, and then gently worked on it just a bit more. Slowly growing out long, hollow branches from the very bottom of the ornament, as well as a small bundle of twisted glass-like woods along the bottom all coied up on itself. A sort of more springy wood to make a crank, and with her sound magic, she managed to finish the little thing. She gently turned the little crank, and then settled herself onto her broom, flying up toward the middle of the tree itself. She applied just a bit of mana to it, and then placed it on a branch, letting the broom float away for a moment as she relaxed. With the mana helping reapply the crank, the little ornament would begin to play a song(link) with a mechanism somewhat similar to an automatic organ. She smiled softly as she listened to the tune, relaxing a little on the broom and sighing softly as she let her attention shift to her surroundings and the others that were putting their ornaments up. Well.... all the same, she floated back down to the ground and hopped off to make her way to the food that was prepared, silent as she became a bit lost in her thoughts, though... as she was on her way...
thump.
She wasn't really paying attention to where she was going, and accidentally bumped into a brown-haired girl with glasses, startling herself out of her little trance and then smiling sheepishly. "Oh! I'm very sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." she prompted, immediately feeling silly for being so clumsy, her attention shifting to the item in the woman's hand before smiling perkily. "Oh, is that your ornament?" She asked with a gentle smile. She at the very least remembered her manners and that she aught to be sociable while in the clover kingdom. The ....interesting little angel certainly was intriguing. "Did you make it yourself?" She ventured. Somewhat assuming that most mages would be making their ornaments from their element. Well....assuming that they weren't too volatile.
Post by Hinota Yuiee✾ on Dec 1, 2020 20:36:42 GMT -5
It had been a while since the attacks had happened but they had still taken a heavy toll on the young doll-like mage and because of this, she had kept herself locked away within her room refusing it to open it for anyone. She had been through Raque and little over two months later she had been inside Kikka helping to bring it back under Clover ruling but they had both taken a toll on her mentally for completely different reasons. She was afraid that the cracks in her delicate mask would be seen more so after what had happened not long after she officially became a member of the highly respected squad she found herself in. Not only had her family taken it badly that she had decided her own path was different from what they wanted from which ended badly for her making her avoid her family's estate as if it was a plague but that was because of a fear she now had that she may disappoint and disgrace them more than she believed she already had. Then there was the training that had gone very, very wrong with the captain of the squad that had her lose her temper not once but twice and on both occasions she had almost killed the man she was there to train with. She couldn't remember this but she had no reason to doubt her captain but she knew that her grimoire had absolutely no offensive magic but she was told though rare that when in distress there is a chance a mage can touch their full potential almost like it was an adrenaline rush to save another life. Which she guessed made sense but she wanted nothing to do with anything that could harm life.
She had been studying books on tactics and languages to try and keep herself together while flower arranging, doing tapestry and painting to keep herself with some semblance of balance and harmony but even she knew it wasn't working the way it should and normally did work. It was on this day however her quiet was broken by a strong knocking on her door, of course, she was going to ignore it like she had every knock and word that came to her door she was in no way interested in dealing with the chaos that was beyond her current bubble as even though she was currently less than orderly herself she was still less chaotic than what the world was. She wasn't prepared to deal with one daemon but she had come into contact with four since joining her squad and now she was having somewhat of a crisis of faith in a major way. The knocking, however, had persisted to the point she realised the one on the other side wasn't going to go away until they got an answer so got up and headed to the door opening it just a crack to see one of her seniors standing there holding a flyer. She doubted it was ordered to go do a job and to her expectations, it wasn't although what it was had left her somewhat perplexed, it was an invitation to go and decorate a Christmas tree. She knew this was an annual thing but she had never been to the three annual festivities it wasn't until she was able to get her grimoire she had left her family estate but even then after she had been given it she was rushed home not being allowed out again until she argued to be given some more freedoms and so they agreed so longs she had a magic knight guardian she agreed so longs she could choose the squad and so she met Elenor Delothosin of the Golden Dawn for the first time.
"Sir?" she could only say the confusion shown on her face as she listened to him her hands going out as she took the flyer offered to her in both hands. She bit her bottom lip lightly as she heard him thank her for spending some time with their captain as someone who was once saved by him. She felt somewhat like she had been guilt tripped even though she knows that wasn't the case, how could it be? "Thank you sir." she said after a few seconds of silence "I... I'll think on it." her voice was hesitant but she soon closed her door and looked over the flyer again, she knew she wasn't ready to go back into the chaos of the world it was messy and every time she had nothing good had happened but knew she couldn't keep hiding forever. She was a servant to others whims and needs such was the life of a magic knight, they took on tasks and protected the innocent but what if that defence faltered? What if the cracks were seen? Would it be like Kikka all over again? She shook her head trying to get such thoughts out of her mind, there was no way that could be the case but still, she found herself shaking in fear because of that thought alone. "I best get ready, it won't look good if I stand him up." she whispered herself before going to bathe, dressing before do her makeup and hair before going to meet him.
She was dressed in a black hanfu with gold and red hems, there was a golden pattern on the arms with matching belt with a red silk cord on it, from her waist was a red cord with a golden cord amulet at the top. her hair was simply done tied a few inches from the bottom with a golden silk ribbon, the ornaments on her hair however almost looked like an elegant and delicate crown of sorts and wore golden earrings which were unusual for the doll-like mage. In her hand was a lantern as she moved to the courtyard it almost looked as if she was gliding across the floor by this point she was used to the looks that came her way, she looked like someone who they should be protecting and not at all what you would expect from a magic knight. Bowing a little she looked to the group. "I'm sorry for making you wait." she said only to be hugged by the spatial mage "Nonsense, you've made me worried though stop it." she said like a huffy older sister only making her nod and Elenor smile before she opened three portals that seemed to have a darkened mist coming from them "Those that are decorating the grand tree through the left portal, those intending to hunt through the right and those intending to dance the night away right through the middle." she said happily "Portals will open again at midnight, you miss it and you're making your own way home." it was simple as that as far as she was concerned she wasn't a travel service even if she had been birthed with such a magic though she saw it as a curse in her own way.
With that everyone started moving their way through the portals they had been designated. Hinota for a moment looked at Zaven before moving her way through the left portal not wanting to have Elenor waste more mana than really needed. On the other side, she looked around watching as everyone was happy and talking, there were even people that were singing and dancing while children were playing and bragging about how good they had been and so what they were getting from Santa that year. She could only help but smile at their innocence and hoped they could hold it for as long as possible.
"Come on! It’s going to be fun!" A cheery voice rang out. "I heard that the tree they’re lighting is going to be the tallest one in Clover history!" The owner of the voice was attempting to drag a poor soul behind her, much like what she had done before through the streets of Raque for a certain fishing competition. The hustle and bustle of the crowds were the same, though the weather was completely the opposite.
It was yule season, the time of winter solstice. The weather had dropped down to a frosty temperature, but that did not affect any of the warmth in the peoples’ hearts. It was a season of joy and celebration, to usher in the new year. It had been a rough year for everyone in Clover, and with all the bad things behind them, now the kingdom could finally rejoice and celebrate. Suna had caught on to the bright and cheerful atmosphere, and she was nearly skipping down the streets of Babel with presumably Hans in tow.
"I can’t wait to see it! I wonder if it’s taller than the Ancient One back in the Forest." The blue-haired elf continued on, wondering aloud. "They said to bring your own little ornament to hang on the tree, because it was some type of Cloverian tradition. I made mine yesterday. See?" Here she drew out a little present-shaped ornament from her pocket. It was a little box wrapped with old music sheet paper, tied up with a simple red ribbon and a few colorful bells by the bow. She jingled the ornament in her hand, listening to the silvery tinklings of those tiny bells.
"What ornament did you bring, Hans?" Suna leaned over in front of him and looked down at his hands. "Or are you going to make one when we get there?" She was just about to say something else when she suddenly felt someone bump into her. "Oh! I’m sor—" Her eyes grew wide when the ruffian who bumped into her scampered off, with her ornament and the tell-tale bells tinkling merrily behind him!
"Hey!" She took off after the little thief. The little boy could not have been more than seven or eight years old, but he was fast. He seemed to know the streets well, weaving and dodging through people like he did this every day of his life. She lost sight of the brown-haired scamp a few times, and had to pause to listen for the bells on the ornament. Then she would take off again. It was such a sight, a young woman dashing through the streets after a little ruffain.
"Come back here!" Her scarf flew up, momentarily blocking her sight. When she pulled it back down, the boy was nowhere in sight. She did not hear the little bells anymore, either. Did he finally catch on and muffled the bells with his hand? She did a quick sweep around her. Nothing. Where had he gone?
Crash! Right up ahead, a stall had tipped over, and sweet rolls tumbled down everywhere on the ground to the streets. Then she caught sight of a head of brown hair. There he was. Immediately she ran over...but she was not the only one. A bunch of children swarmed around the stall, grabbing the fallen rolls from the ground and dashing back into the alleys like a swarm of ants. During this time, she lost track of the ornament thief, but found him again. Or so she thought.
She followed him and some other street ruffians into a nearby alley. But once the little scamp turned around, she realized it was the wrong brown-haired boy. "Oh, sorry!" She apologized. "You’re not the one who stole my ornament." She was just about to leave the alley when a pair of hands tugged at her skirt. She looked down to see another little boy, with a thumb stuck in his mouth.
"Or’ment? Wha’s ‘at?"
"An ornament? You don’t know what that is? It’s..." Glancing up, Suna realized she was not alone. There were half a dozen children who were looking at her like she was some strange specimen who stepped off from another plant. "...it’s something you hang up on the tree." She finished.
The boy by her side tugged at her skirt again. "Those shiny tings on the tree? Thoser ou’ pwesents."
Seeing the confusion on the elf’s face, one of the other children spoke up. An older girl, this time. "When they pull down the tree, that’s when we take ‘em. Those are our presents. We fight over the shiny ones." She nodded shortly, inciting nods from all the rest of the group who were listening. "I’ve a good idea of who took yours, lady, but he belongs to the other gang, so we can’t help you." By the way she spoke, it seemed like she was in charge of this group. Or gang, as she mentioned.
"I-I see..." Suna murmured. She was quickly grasping on to what the situation was here, and her heart went out to them. "That’s fine. I can always make another one." Murmurs all around. She seemed to have perked their interests. The more she thought about it, the better the idea seemed. "Do you want me to teach you?" Cries of dubious "how"s and wide eyes. She has definitely caught their attention. "We can find plenty of sticks and stones, right? Do you have any string? Then all we need is to add a little magic and poof! We’ll be done. Want to try?"
Depending on whether a certain mercenary had been tracking her or not, he would probably find her kneeling in the middle of a random alley, showing a group of street ruffians how to tie a bow...
NOTES & STUFF
Suna was just dragging Hans through the streets towards the tree, her ornament got stolen and now the chase is on~
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Dec 2, 2020 0:45:53 GMT -5
[nospaces]
[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
SEN
STA
CON
007
34
10
032
030
[break]
MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 110/110
[break]
[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
For one such as Verena, observation was her everything. It was survival. It allowed her to discern if one could be trusted or not. Friend from foe. And thus, people watching was without question one of her favorite past times. It wasn't that she was only watching the tree; she was watching the people who were to decorate the tree. The people who had already decorated the tree. The people who were eating, drinking, and having an all around merry time.[break][break]
The Reinsberg had found a spot near the tree that was far enough from others that she thought she could be left in peace to people watch. She was content just standing around, her crimson orbs set upon the people. Upon the tree. She watched as they communicated with one another, eavesdropping when and where she could. This was how she spent the Yule Festival every year now. Alone, and content to watch others from a safe distance. Perhaps more than ever, she simply wished to watch, as if expecting to find something she lost from a time not too long ago in these gatherings.[break][break]
Verena watched as a blonde merrily constructed her own ornament via hand made skills. She watched as the Golden Dawn Captain mingled with one of his subordinates, though the young woman couldn't tell what they were doing. Suna had Hans with her.[break][break]
...Ah. She really messed up. She should have told her where she was going. Verena hoped she wasn't mad at her. It wasn't like she wanted to worry her. But at her speed, she couldn't have afforded to dawdle. She had to leave if she was to make it on time. And she didn't want her friend to worry about her. Not for reasons as selfish as she had for going to Kikka to begin with.[break][break]
Verena smiled softly though. At least Suna was still cheerful. Or perhaps it was just because of Hans. Either way, she was content with her role as nothing more than an observer right now.[break][break]
And yet... she heard a lovely sound. It was delicate and fragile, as if anything could cause this melody to simply shatter and be nothing more than a mirror.[break][break]
And then, much like her encounter with the blue-haired elf, she felt someone bump into her, causing Verena to stumble back a bit, caught off guard by the distant melody. Ah, what a fragile, sad sound...[break][break]
Verena's stupor was ended she confronted the source of the thump--a girl with jet black hair.[break][break]
Verena offered a gentle smile. "It's alright," she said, before switching to the ornament--which was thankfully still securely in her hands--though, not for long as she put it in one of her coat pockets.[break][break]
"Unfortunately, no. I bought it from a store coming here. There's a blonde woman who is hand-making one herself not too far away though, if that strikes your curiosity."[break][break]
Verena's words were soft much like the melody Shizuyoru had playing on her ornament. So came an end to her people watching. Assuming Shizu's own ornament was visible, Verena curiously eyed it.[break][break]
"...And you? Did you make this?"
[break]
COMBAT SUMMARY
[break]
[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR espresso depresso is just people watching. gets depresso when she sees suna but isn't sure how to apologize. gets bumped into and is talking with shizu. suggests she speak to sio if she wants something interesting to talk to someone about, but also asks a question.[break][break]
"When you spend so long trapped in darkness, you find that the darkness begins to stare back."
"H-hey, hang on a sec!"At this point, Hans should've been used to getting dragged around like this...but unfortunately he hasn't. The merc who's almost always perfect on his feet found himself almost tripping over his own feet and snow a few times while being pulled, but Suna didn't seem to have any intentions of stopping. This was like Raque all over again, except this time things were a lot more festive...and chilly.
This was all in celebration of the Yule season, that time of the year where folks come together to celebrate and exchange gifts. Spending most of his childhood in Aries Garse, Hans' experience with this season was a lot more...different....and depressing. His mother still tried to make the best with what they had during those times, to keep the holiday spirit going despite their hardships. But now Hans is able to experience this season in a new light, and with the person, he has grown to care for the most. But now he just needed to try and focus on not ending up face-first onto the ground because of his woman's eagerness...
She was now speaking of the giant tree planning to be lit up, and the merc couldn't help but smile a little at her enthusiasm. The elf then held up the ornament she planned to hang up on the tree and Hans' eyes focused on it. "You made this?" The merc poked it gently before looking closer, a hint of curiosity on his face. He took quick note of the musical notes on it and smirked lightly. "It fits you alright." The man said with a slight nod. Suddenly, the woman leaned forward and enthusiastically asked about Hans' own. Quickly, the merc stuffed his black-gloved hands into his coat pockets and looked away. "It's...a secret, Suna." the man claimed. Unlike her, Hans didn't make anything, but the ornament he has was just as special. "You'll see."
So far, things were going smooth....a little too smooth.
Without warning, a little kid bumped into Suna! The merc looked to her than to the running boy, and just before she could finish her apology, the elf yelled out to the kid instead, causing Hans to look back at her with an eyebrow raised. "Are you oka-" Just like that, the woman bolted off in the direction of the child. The merc did not take off as she did at first, and instead just stood there trying to process what just happened. He then sighed to himself, his breath visible in the cold air before he started to walk in that direction, rubbing the back of his neck in the process.
Suna wasn't within view anymore at this point, but Hans was still able to follow her mana, and the mana of the child as well. Looking at the ground, he could also see both their footprints but didn't really need to focus long on those. As he continued down this path, Hans overheard some people talking among each other. "Oi, did you see that girl zoom on by!?" one asked "Yeah, looked like she was after that little troublemaker." another replied while scratching the top of his head. "Geez those delinquents have been nothing but trouble! Especially around this year...""Mhmm. Doubt she's ever getting back whatever was stolen." one of them chuckled. Hans didn't seem too surprised about this knowledge. Thieves weren't exactly that rare where he lived, and "accidentally" bumping into folks was one of the most common actions they used for stealing.
The merc continued to follow the elf's trail until it brought him to the aftermath of a knocked over stall, and the owner on his knees sulking over his stolen rolls. The merc blinked a few times and rubbed his hand through his hair, silently hoping that Suna didn't have anything to do with this. Speaking of, the merc still sensed her mana, and the boy's as well but they didn't seem to be in the middle of a chase. Suna's was coming from an alley up ahead, but the boy she was pursuing...his mana was coming from an alley closer to him. Curious, Hans decided to head to that alley first, and as he got closer, he heard the jingling of bells.
"Aye, look at the present I nabbed!" As Hans stepped in, he took notice of not just one but multiple children gathered together around the boy showing off his stolen item. They all looked pretty dirty and their clothing wasn't exactly in the best shape. "Ooooo, it's so shiny!" one girl placed her hands on her cheeks in awe. "What are dos' black squiggly lines on it?" Another boy pointed out in confusion. All of the children were mumbling, and talking over each other about the ornament at this point, and still didn't notice the dark mage watching them, looking a little puzzled. "Hey." the guy finally spoke up and crossed his arms. The children immediately went silent and all looked over to the man. "Eh? You're the guy that was with that lady earlier." The thief spoke up before quickly tucking the ornament in his pocket. "Yeah, and you have something that belongs to he-" Hans took one step forward, and immediately, most of the kids picked up various things to defend themselves with from sticks, metal pipes, and even wooden swords.
Hans lightly shook his head and raised his hands up. "I'm not here to hurt you. I just need that ornament bac-" "Attack!!" The thief yelled while pointing his wooden sword forward and the rest of the children attempted to rush Hans. Another sigh escaped the man's lips, and with a rather indifferent look on his face, the man effortlessly took a wooden stick from one of the approaching children and dropped it to the ground. Another kid attempted to strike Hans, but the man slid a bit to the side, causing the kid to fall over while another tripped over them. Now with his arms crossed, Hans dodged every little attack coming his way, causing the remaining children to fall on their butts when their attacks failed to make contact. The thief himself hesitated a little but then yelled and charged at the merc with his wooden sword. He attempted to "impale" the merc, but Hans just grabbed onto the wooden weapon and lifted it up a little, bringing the boy off his feet as he clung onto it.
Taking the ornament out of the kid's pocket, Hans gently placed him back down and inspected the item for injuries. It seemed to be intact and with that Hans was about to take his leave...until he felt a tug on his coat. "Hmm?" He then looked down to see a little girl, looking up at him curiously. "H-how did you do all of that, mister?" she asked just as another boy ran up to him. "Yeah, we didn't stand a chance!" the boy said rather cheerfully. "So cool!!" another spoke up, and soon Hans was surrounded by the mumbling children. "Can you teach us!?""Please, please, please, mister!""No, me first!""How did you kick our butts without touching us!?" "U-uh...." Hans wasn't sure how to react to this....and just focused on the last question asked.
"For starters, you were all lacking in...proper form." the merc answered, causing the kids to fall silent and look upon each other for a second. "What's a proper form?" the thief, who appeared to be the leader of this little "gang" spoke up. "It's..." Hans rubbed the back of his head as he looked at all of the children's innocent and curious expressions. Was he really about to explain combat to a bunch of kids? No, he needed to get this ornament back to Suna! "Er, excuse me." The man managed to walk away from the children....
"Hey!""Wait!"
...but they were still hot on his trail.
Though, Hans wasn't really putting in any effort to lose them. With ornament in hand, Hans approached the alley that he sensed Suna was at and raised the item up a little. "Hey Suna. Here's your...." He then finally noticed....the children that were around her, and she appeared to be trying to....teach them how to tie a bow? "S-Suna?" The children that were following Hans finally caught up to him still babbling on about wanting to learn how to fight, but then their attention turned to the other kids...and they didn't seem all too pleased to see them.
N O T E S
Hans' Coat (Is also wearing a pair of black gloves.)
Shizuyoru couldn't help but smile a bit sheepishly at the woman as they seemed alright, thankful she hadn't broken anything. She sighed, shaking her head just a little before pausing and raising a brow in response to that. "Oh? Bought it at a store? Huh, interesting....." She murmured quietly, inspecting it for that brief moment before it was put away. She wondered vaguely what sort of proficiencies were normal for the clover kingdom. Probably not as robust she supposed... at least compared to the witches. Her attention drifted to where the other woman had pointed out and she froze on the spot, her brows raising for just a moment as she .... took a moment to take in the sight of the other woman. The other witch. Was that.... Sio? She didn't remember a lot, but she did remember some of the other younger children from the Witch's forest when she was growing up. Sio hadn't even been that much younger than her now that she thought about it.
For just one moment she was brought back to those bygone days when she would be ushered by her mother to play outside, insisted that it was much better for her spacial development to go out and play with other children. Of course, the woman was much larger now, but she couldn't mistake another Witch. Interesting.... However, she snapped out of it in just a couple seconds, blinking for a moment before offering Verena a sheepish smile. "Oh! Well I'll definitely have to go check that out." She noted with a sheepish chuckle, those lingering memories still clinging to her mind. She decided to refocus, her attention shifting to her ornament which was still playing and she gave a bit of a rueful smile. "Ah yes.... That would be mine. Apologies if it's a bit morose. I suppose my mood can sometimes effect my sound magic. But uhmmm, yes! I made it myself." She noted and raised her hand. Another slow twist of magical glassy wood in her palm, and a bit of sound magic to shape a nice, simple little glassy-wooden bell in her hand. "I'm.... not as great when it comes to tools and such. So I tend to just use my magic when doing little things like this. It's how we do things honestly where I grew up. I suppose it probably takes a lot more effort to make hem by hand." She admitted, folding her arms and sighing just a bit.
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Dec 2, 2020 4:35:44 GMT -5
[nospaces]
[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
SEN
STA
CON
007
34
10
032
030
[break]
MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 110/110
[break]
[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
Interesting? Was that what it was? Verena didn't think so. To her, it was a little pathetic; worse than even being mundane. She wasn't even proficient enough in her usage of carbon at best. She couldn't even make a golem with the element as it was. Even if she could make something like an ornament with it, it was hardly worth acknowledging, nor did it deserve to be put on something as grand as a tree such as this.[break][break]
Verena took notice that the girl before her seemed lost in thought after mentioning the blonde, as if she had found herself in a slightly different world for a brief moment. The brunette was quite familiar with that sensation. It was far too easy for her to end up lost in thought; namely, of things in the past. It was an expression she was familiar with, brief as it was.[break][break]
Verena tried piecing together the possible reason for it, and though the possibility did enter her head that the two knew another, she dismissed it. After all, if they did know one another, what reason did this girl have to continue to speak to Verena? She'd technically given her a window to go and speak to her--not that she minded the company. Perhaps her question might have triggered a response in which she felt obliged to stick around? But even still...[break][break]
...There was no point being stuck in her own head. Though she made sure to remain a neutral, almost doll-like expression--almost guarded in its nature--a stark contrast to her sweet voice. "No, no. It's lovely," she said. "It reminds me of something a close friend might make."[break][break]
It'd been a while since Verena had last seen Suna. After Kikka, it felt like years but it was probably closer no more than a few months. The passage of time was a cruel one. Those stuck in the past would be forever doomed to miss the future. And thus time advanced much slower for them. At least, that was how she felt. Time ... there was never enough time. It was always slowing. Always trapping her and binding her down.[break][break]
Verena nodded her head. "...I understand that feeling," she admitted. "It was more or less the same for me. I think something such as making anything by handis a rarity no matter where you go, so it offers its own set of uniqueness."[break][break]
Verena glanced at the blonde woman. Though her expression was stoic, it did so to hide her curiosity. Talent. That was the word she was looking for. It was a talent that separated her from a myriad of mages and magic, and for the Reinsberg, that was a truly wonderful thing.
[break]
COMBAT SUMMARY
[break]
[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR verena just chatting (sort of) with shizu. verena seems a bit guarded, but nonetheless pleasant. she's not coming off as disinterested, but more as though she's unwilling to share her own opinions on things and to talk about herself in any capacity.[break][break]
"Here, you make two bunny ears like this...then one goes around and under...and tie it like this..." Deft fingers wrapped the string around itself, in motion with her instructions. "...and there you go! Now, you try." She sat back on her heels and watched as the children around her attempted to duplicate her actions. She had not really gotten a chance to study these street kids, but now she could see that their faces were slightly dirty, and that their clothes were not the warmest or well-maintained. For the latter, how she wished she was a cloth mage, so she could repair their clothes. At the very least though, she could teach them something to help pass the time.
"Hey Suna. Here's your...S-Suna?"
She whipped her head around, a beaming smile on her face, which grew when she saw what he was holding in his hand. "Oh! You found it! Where—" Her eyes landed on the brown-haired ornament thief. "You!" She got up from her kneeling position and started walking over, but felt herself being held back by a few pairs of hands.
"No no no, watcha doin’ lady?!"
"Don’ get close to dem, they’s the rival gang!"
"Yer ours!"
Similarly, the members of the rival gang were reaching and attempting to hold Hans back, claiming him to be theirs. Both gangs cast fierce and unfriendly looks at each other, and at their age, it looked almost comical. Suna tilted her head, a small smile slowly growing on her face as she understood. "Rival gangs, hmm?" She glanced down at one of the little boys holding her back. "Tell me, who’s stronger?"
At this stimulating question, the alley was suddenly filled with loud clamors Both sides, of course, claimed that their group was stronger. From her perspective, Suna could see that the other group were older, and their members were taller and bigger than her group. However, she had been observing the female leader of ‘her’ gang, and saw that her group were quick and smart, and not just street smart. Which gang would win if it came down to a fight, she wondered?
When the intense din died down a little, the blue-haired elf put her hands on her hips. "How about this?" Her clear eyes danced merrily as she looked over at the mercenary. "Why don’t we have a little fight? A snowball fight?" She added that emphasis for a reason. There was no harm in letting the two gangs go at each other in a healthy fight, as long as they did not actually hurt each other—that much.
Worse comes to worst, she could always heal them, and she knew Hans could do so as well on his side. Besides, it would do them good to burn off a little energy, especially when they had nothing to do. Hopefully, it would also help shave off some of that extreme dislike for the other group, if only for the day. There was no telling what they would do afterwards, but it was not a season to be fighting...not unless it was a snowball fight. Hopefully that would also keep their mind off of stealing other peoples’ ornaments.
"Let’s go to the outside of town, so we don’t hit any innocent bystanders." She suggested, glancing over at Hans and hoping this was not a bad idea. Truth be told, she was looking forward to this little snowy exchange, because she never really had a childhood which gave her that opportunity for an actual snowball fight.
"Firs’ one there’s a rottin’ egg!"
Did everything have to be a competition? It seemed like it, as that challenge spurred the two groups into action. She had been dragging her man around earlier, and now she was being dragged along by ‘her’ gang.
What has she gotten herself into?
NOTES & STUFF
"Friendly" snowball fight with rival gangs let's gooo
"When you spend so long trapped in darkness, you find that the darkness begins to stare back."
It looks like Hans wasn't the only one having...a kid problem. Except, it looked like Suna was enjoying herself, and even teaching them a few things. The man spoke up and the elf turned around, cheerful to see her ornament safe and sound...but wasn't all too happy to see the thief that took it. He simply stuck his tongue out at the elf in return before returning his attention back to the enemy 'gang'.
"Er..." Hans watched as a few of the kids on Suna's end stopped her from coming forward, and as Hans tried to walk towards them, the same thing happened. "Don't get any further to em, mister!""Yeah, that's the enemy gang!" Hans looked down at the children with an eyebrow raised. "Gang?" he repeated, looking a little confused. Weren't these children a little too young to be...running around as a gang? "They may be smaller, but they always get the jump on us!!" the leader of Hans' 'gang' claimed. The rivaling groups were now glaring each other down...neither side looking as threatening as they wanted to. Hans scratched the side of his cheek with a finger before looking up at Suna. He took quick notice of that smile on her face and knew that she had something cooking up in that brain of hers.
She asked which side was stronger, and both "gangs" went into an uproar, one side saying they were while the other did the same! Hans just stood there in silence, baffled about how rowdy a group of kids could be. If Suna's idea was to rile these delinquents up, it was very much effective.
But she didn't stop there...
With the elf speaking up again, all of the children including Hans quieted down and looked over to her.
"Why don’t we have a little fight? A snowball fight?"
"...What?" The children then started to cheer, and Hans looked around them while rubbing the back of his head. "Oi, with you on our side, we's gonna mop the floor with em, mister!" The children on Hans' side were all looking up at him with fire and determination in their eyes. It was both inspiring...and oddly precious. Hans looked at each and every one of them before smiling a little with a nod. "Y-yeah...sure." Even Hans couldn't say no to faces like these. With that, the children cheered around the merc again...and were now attempting to scoop up some snow from off of the ground. This wasn't really the ideal place to do this, and Hans was just about to stop them but Suna had beaten him to the punch.
The children wasted no time running out of the alley, trying to beat their opposing side to the "finish line". Some of the kids on Hans' side were even attempting to push the merc to follow them which would've been impossible for them...if he hadn't decided to humor them a little. Unfortunately, this didn't give Hans enough time to give Suna her ornament back, but he placed it into his coat pocket for safekeeping.
Now a small mob of children was running down the same path that Hans and Suna were once at which might catch the attention of some people who were still in the area. Civilians jumped out of the way of the tiny footed stampede, while the unlucky ones fell on their asses, some dropping their valuables! Continuing to be "pushed" Hans tried his best not to look around at the chaos being created with a cold sweat running down his face. Soon they would make it to the outside of town, and the kids stopped running, some comically falling on their faces from the momentum. With a light sigh, Hans went over to help some of them up, and they grinned happily at the man. The children took their side with Hans following behind and prepared themselves. Unlike in town, there was a lot more snow to work with including some nice little snow piles that could be used for cover.
"Alright, twoops! Let's show the enemy what we're made of!" the brown-haired leader yelled before blowing a raspberry at the other gang's leader.
Hyped up with energy...and probably sugar, the children on Hans' side started to make snowballs, which they were impressively good at actually....But the moment they started throwing, nearly all of their projectiles missed! Hans looked in a bit of disbelief. He knew that these children lacked form...but this was a kind of crazy. Instead of picking up, a snowball of his own, Hans walked over to the leading child who was just about to throw one, and knelt down. "Huh?" Hans started to fix the kid's stance a little. before looking up at his throwing arm. "Like this." He adjusted his arm a bit before standing back up.
"Now throw." As Hans said this, he made a throwing gesture with his hand. The child nodded and did the same, his throw being a lot more precise, and then BAM! If the opposing child being targeted wasn't fast enough, they'd surely get hit by that snowball, or at least barely dodge it! Either way, the boy Hans just helped would be surprised, and would have a glow in his eyes before looking up at the merc. The others took notice of this as well and started to mumble among each other. "Woah, didja see that!?""That throw was insaneeeeee!!" The children were all now trying to mimic the brown-haired boy's stance and their snowball throwing had started to improve!
"Th-thanks!" the "gang" leader on Hans' side said, making the merc nod in response. Hans was now walking around a bit, observing 'his' children as they continued to throw, making minor adjustments when needed. "Keep your stances firm, don't get distracted....and try to read your opponent's next movement." The merc's tone was soft, but still held some form of authority. As he said this, Hans finally crouched down and started to make a snowball of his own. He stood back up and set his eyes on his target....which was the blue-haired elf. "Like this..." With a playful little smile, Hans threw the snowball, attempting to strike Suna with it!
N O T E S
Hans' Coat (Is also wearing a pair of black gloves.)
Ozma Sighed as he looked around at the group that had gathered for the decorating of this massive tree, the mute mage had decided to attend as he was sure his paint magic could be of some use and many mages from the Crimson Lions had decided to attend as well. he was garbed in more traditional clothing as he was wearing a black hakama and a black kimono that had gold leaves along the edges of the sleeves and back of the kimono as well. he had his paint brush stashed in his sleeve as well as his grimoire. The paint mage also had a small box with him as well that held an ornament that he had painstakingly worked on and hoped that it would be enjoyed by those here enjoying the festival.
The Lion was surprised yet glad to see that the kingdom was having such a festival considering the recent events that had been happening. Ozma had heard about Kikka and Raque but he had not participated since he had been on guard duty in the capital but he did know that his captain Ardere had gone. Stretching a bit he started to move thru the crowd towards where the tree was being decorated. As he moved past a few people he saw a familiar face and he gently smiled before his face became impassive again and he approached his sister and who he guessed was the captain of Golden Dawn. He stopped a few feet away from Hinota before he bowed kindly and started to sign. “Sister your looking well and very beautiful for this event and it seems our outfits match slightly” he signed with a small smile on his face as he gestured to the fact both of them had black and gold on their outfits.
Ozmas eyes would flicker over to Zaven for only a fraction of a second before he focused back on his sister, he was still annoyed at the captain for the headache that had been caused at home but he couldn’t stay mad at his sister for very long. She was young and he may fight with her but he care for her and was very protective of her. “so Sister did you bring something to put on the tree?” he signed in wonder
Post by Siobhan Zippel on Dec 2, 2020 18:58:16 GMT -5
Lost in her own world briefly, Siobhan was mostly immune to the goings on around her for the twenty minutes or so it took her to finish the ornament. It wasn't small like many, given that it started life as a little wooden sign for someone's kitchen, but it was a pretty little thing. Perhaps a little odd too, given the way that other ornaments sparkled and glimmered in the light and the blonde's was a flat plank of grey, white, and black. Yet spending more than a passing glance at it, one would see the shapes emerge. Trees crowding a hazy forest, the occasional house nestled in their canopy or root depending on the preference of the owner.
Siobhan hadn't gone for something glitzy. She'd made something with a piece of her heart in it.
The ornament was a collage of several sketches and drawings from one of her older sketchbooks. On that little plaque of wood for the briefest moment, she saw home. Sure, that cottage didn't actually go there and the mushroom garden that some of the older witches kept was on the outskirts of the city entirely, but accuracy wasn't the goal. It was an impression of the Forest of Witches, the moody charcoal drawings cut and layered in a way to evoke the sense of it. To outsiders it might look a little...off, but Siobhan didn't care.
As the paste behind the paper dried, the girl dashed her charcoal stick in one of the corners. She'd placed a blank section of paper in the foreground there for a reason. A doorway into a tree appeared, with the distinct silhouette of a witch with her hat on standing in it. The witch in question was undeniably short, given how much space was left between the tip of her hat and the arch of the doorway, but Siobhan wasn't one to exaggerate herself much. She grinned briefly as she placed the finishing touches on it before standing.
Casting a glance about, the girl noted just how finely dressed some people who were coming to the tree seemed to be. What she'd give for the chance to see some of those patterns up close! Still, she had other business to attend to first. She situated her side bag, wrapped the scarf about her neck and lower portion of her face, and fetched the conical hat from her side, sweeping a flurry of snow that had gathered on it before thrusting it back a top her head. The hat was a multipurpose garment for anyone, and the wide brim was perfect for keeping rain, snow, or even sun out of her face really.
As her boots picked there way down the street, heading towards one of the people passing complimentary brooms out to ornament-slinging guests, Siobhan's eyes slipped to a spot nearby and she froze. A pair of taller girls (though really, who wasn't taller than her in her age group?) were chatting by the tree while the faintest melody carried on the wind and one of them...
"Shizu?" Siobhan called, detouring from her intended route as she wove her way through a small cluster of people. There was always the chance that it wasn't the other witch she used to play with from time to time as a child, but Siobhan had a good memory and a better eye. "Shizuyoru?" Her voice as louder this time as she broke through the other people, one mitten covered hand flying up to secure her hat in the bustle of limbs.
The girl next to her was nearly as tall as the slender, tan witch; she was doll-like. It was the first thought that Siobhan could muster, which was saying something. Her facial proportions were classic and even, and Siobhan's fingers ached for a piece of paper or expanse of cloth momentarily. It wasn't common when you ran into someone with such clear facial symmetry. The waterfall of hair framing her was the icing on the proverbial cake; she could be a model in an allegorical painting for any number of the princesses in Siobhan's childhood picture books.
Stopping before the pair, the short blonde adjusted her hat briefly while juggling the collaged ornament she had just finished. It was funny, running into another witch just as her homesickness struck; realistically though, she supposed it made sense that such a large gathering would draw all sorts of people here. Siobhan was slightly out of breath from her jaunt through the gathering crowd, but as the blue scarf fell below her chin line it showed a genuine smile.
"Hello there," the paint-witch greeted the pretty stranger with a smile, "Sorry to barge in on your conversation."