escordvi | O P E N || So What Are You Gonna Do

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O P E N || So What Are You Gonna Do

Who: Arlecchino & Others
Status: Open
Where: Eltrut, Nogard; forested areas and shorelines. Bonus First Tide special quest.
What: ~~Walkies~~Seaside strolls and bug watching, The Knave's favorite hobbies. Some errands
Warnings: Possible animal/insect life-death cycle mentions, anything else TBA as needed.

Forests 🌳🦋🕷️🌲
[More often than one might imagine, even if they had happened to meet the Knave before, she could be found wandering the forests; those sharp stiletto heels and all. Over even the steepest terrain as she traveled silently in her steps. Better to observe when one could disturb the atmosphere as little as possible- and perhaps better when hunting, but that was not her purpose here.

Oh no.

Often she would simply stand amongst trees or even in thick underbrush, watching life mill about with wild creatures as they did their every day. Eyes following a bird as it flitted about, chasing off something bigger from near its nest. Something brightly colored darting in its own flight—

Flashing light and sound as bright color was suddenly entangled in a well placed spider's web, the long legged arachnid moving to quickly spin it tight. All the better to wait as it's insides would eventually liquify to be a meal.

Insects truly fascinated her.

Head tilting as a hand lifted, a strange red and black butterfly landing on black fingers adorned with golden lines-]

No nectar or blood here for you.

[Even things that looked pretty could have surprising diets, after all.]

Peaceful Shores 🌊🐚
[Honestly? There were some days that Arlecchino could stand by the water for hours, especially when there was a bit of wind and slight overcast. Sunny days were fine, but like anyone else she had her preferences.

The evenings were especially peaceful, the sounds of crashing waves and stars suitable company as she either stood or walked along sand; strangely light-footed as ever, as if she had to intentionally remember to allow her steps to make sound otherwise. Even then. Her pace slow when walking, arms loosely folded as her gaze would seem elsewhere— yet she did tend to know when she was no longer alone.]

The breeze is calmer now.

First Tide 🐢
[Given that habit of nightly walks by the beach- well.

Arlecchino stood tall closer to the water than usual, hair catching the moonlight as... little sea turtles made their way into the waves while waddling their way around those heels of hers. As some of the water caught them, taking them into the water, it seemed to avoid the space at her feet and kept her shoes from getting wet.

... Eerily silent and still even as she watched them enter the waves, the bit of push and pull some had as they pushed onwards.]

Wildcard 🃏
[Bring your own starter, or some mix of the above- or hit me up in the game's Discord/PM if you want to plot a lil something.]

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(...They should have cloaked.

They haven't seen this woman in a while, and that was honestly good with them, because they really don't want to talk to her after what happened in the Abyss.)

...Yeah.

(After what happened in the Abyss, they also really don't want to piss her off either, so they respond.)

The eye of a storm, given something left unfinished.

[Restless people, a brewing sort of anger and restlessness due to what was forced upon native and riftfarer alike. A brand that was... actually rather difficult to see given the color 'naturally' staining the skin of her hands.

Her gaze didn't leave the water.]

A moment to breathe that some need.

Need more than a moment to breathe to fix this, I think.

(Their fists clench.

This entire thing is such fucking bullshit. The sort of thing they made Puppetmaster to correct.)

Breathing room makes for time to think and plan accordingly. Rushing in while full of anger makes it more likely mistakes will be made.

[Anger made one sloppy; emotions had no place when it came to work, merely got in the way. Other times it didn't matter, what was there once a job was done, or free time to simply be.

Arms folded loosely.]

Political plays can be some most dangerous to make a mistake in dealing with, and at the moment that is what this has become. More so after the island soaked in blood and bone was found.

Yeah like I haven't learned that already.

(They sigh. It used to be something they'd exploit in villains. Now they're stuck reining themself in.

Since when did they start going so out of control?)

The people in charge don't want to admit their own were the problem, on either side. Or that the other armada had to help. Some of them probably don't like that the rabble were able to organize and take down their peers either: it upsets their sense of control over the populace and some of them probably have their own secrets they're worried might get dragged out into the open. (This can't be the only horribly corrupt business venture going on behind the scenes.)

It's a lesson easily forgotten when one... cannot easily control their own emotions, for one reason or another. When something hits... close.

[She had lost a few Children to that after all, despite them wanting to be stronger and survive so that they could go out again. Stubbornly determined for better or worse.

Her head tipped, taking in the breeze for a moment, letting the sound of the waves fill in the space of her silence. Listening was something she did well. Perhaps too well for some tastes—]

Those lured in by a promise of riches and a place amongst those who thought they were royalty. The fact the Captains took a few in while the people and whales killed those who weren't. [She had been there, going unseen as was her preference when working.] Finger pointing will start, given I highly doubt either side wants to shoulder any blame; toss it to try and be blameless.

Not to mention those who helped with smuggling people and animals to that place steeped in death.

...You sure you're not the telepath?

(They say, then smirk.)

Kind of hard to do that when there's recorded evidence of what happened.

Positive- but I do know how to read people in a different way.

[That same tone- but with the faintest ghost of amusement so briefly there.

The backdrop was peaceful, serene even to a point some would find it ideal. How different the topic of conversation was in comparison.]

Even with such evidence they will twist- those with money believe they can fix everything with it after all. How many escaped the whales that came, I wonder. Prepared for anything- save the anger of something old and powerful, and two sides standing together despite attempts to separate-

Those not dead... will they be put on trail, or is it better to simply kill them.

Killing might be better ...but I don't think I want the authorities here to get into the business of killing without trial, considering how many of my friends got arrested and taken.

(Their face goes dark, and they stare out over the water with clenched fists.

Darin, or st least they tried to. Turo. Red. Hawks, though they're not sure the authorities were involved in that one. They'd have to ask.)

Edited 2025-04-26 21:28 (UTC)

I expect any trial to be something of a circus, along with perhaps mobs outside- though the Corsair tend to deal in either public humiliations, taking fingers or limbs, or simply execution depending.

[She firmly kept it that those individuals of both sides were responsible for all of the blood spilled and people lost. Some could perhaps be saved from the crystals while others were... Well.]

At least the Captains of the Stormbringer and Royal Fortune have mad their stance very clear in all of this.

Edited (html why) 2025-04-26 22:09 (UTC)

Still better than wanton killing.

(What if the paladins had been so sure Turo was the right guy that instead of arresting him they'd just killed him?

They clench their fist even tighter. If they get any more tense, they're probably going to injure themself.)

Yeah, I'm glad they're on our side.

Something is going to happen, either way. Still, to think those who live on a whale Leviathan would stoop so low as to pay anyone to go whaling and construct such a monument to their debauchery with others they felt were 'elite'...

[A reason she never felt much for those who had their lives ended either by her own hand or under her order. Their riches went to better used after, of course.

Arms remained folded, fingers lightly drumming against fabric.]

Of course I did kill a good number of those who abducted one of my Children in this entire thing. The few questioned couldn't tell me much.

Wealth is power, and power corrupts.

(And that corruption reaches out to taint everything around it.

How many--they start and look up at her, blinking.)

You have kids?

Absolute power corrupts absolutely, as some say.

[As was nature at times- but she did her best to keep things well in view; her power was gained, gifted, through overthrowing such a force that treated children as tools to be tossed aside. She was not good, but she tried to do better by the children.

Had hope for who would take over once she was gone, for their family-]

I do, two of which are here. They arrived before I did, and there are others back home; run the same orphanage I was raised in, and take in those who have no where else to go. I take care of them as if they were my own, even if I take the role of their Father.

[The title of Mother was ruined in her mind, completely so. Tainted.]

...Yeah.

(They look her up and down, head tilting slightly. Titles need not necessarily match what is expected, but...)

Got a reason you chose to be a father instead of a mother?

[There was a pause- more clear she was thinking of how to word it, to be understood by someone not of the world she was from and be clear given the concepts existed elsewhere.

Hm.]

The title of "Mother" was tainted by my predecessor, what she did to my siblings. The lies she told them, using love and affection to brainwash them into obeying her every word to make their "Mother" happy. She saw us as mere tools to be cast away once broken.

[Her head tipped-]

You saw I have no inch to give with those types of people yourself.

[What she had never brought up anywhere else, that moment in the Abyss; even if it were conjured.]

So I took up the title of "Father" instead, that I would not lie to them through affection.

You really hate her, huh?

(Can't blame her for that: they hate Regina just as much.

They look away, out over the sea.)

Thanks. For not telling anyone.

(The most grudging of tones)

[If he's going to end up on his own nightly walks anyway, he might as well be doing some good. Or at least, that's the thought process that seems to have landed him out here, trying to steer a baby turtle in the right direction.]

No, that's--that's the wrong way. That's away from the water. You don't want that, do you?

[He sighs, before finally just picking up the little turtle as he heads closer to the shore. Which is about about when he spots the figure standing there already.]

Oh, uh. Evenin'.

Good evening.

[Tone polite, head turning with a slight tilt simply to look at the one she was speaking to. An odd little glow to those red X-shaped pupils; a bit of a trick of the moonlight. Something to her gaze carried a little weight, but it seemed to lighten up after a brief moment.

Glancing down at a baby turtle that had tried to climb over one of her shoes, moving down to carefully flip it back over and pointed more towards the water washing up over the sand.]

A nice night for a walk, isn't it.

[The pupils are a little unsettling, but a lot of things here are unsettling by the standards of what he's used to. He's pretty certain he keeps any reaction off his face.]

Suppose it is.

[A little pause, before the turtle wiggles, and he remembers to head close enough to the water to set it down.]

Figured if I'm up anyway I might as well keep an eye on these little fellas.

[Her head tilted, ever so slightly, as she was quietly taking him in; if she noticed how unsettled he was- Arlecchino wasn't going to say, simply noting things away as she tended to do with all those she came across.

Or who came across her as it was.]

It happens to be one of my favorite conditions and time for being near the shore.

[Idly- before glancing down towards the few hatchling turtles making their way past her and to the welcoming water.]

Giving them that much more of a chance to grow and return. Save a little strength for what might await them where we cannot see.

[He considers sharing the fact that he was no stranger to spending a lot of time by the water, at night, back home. But that's not necessarily a good memory at this point.]

Bet they'll need it. There's a lot of hungry things down there... but everything deserves a chance, right? A start in life.

[It's not like he hasn't eaten plenty of living things of course, but there's something sad about the idea of something not even getting that far.]

Everything deserves a chance, and those that waste it find their time cut short.

[Not wholly talking about turtles, but there was nothing very pointed in her tone despite the words; this was a simple fact of life as far as Arlecchino was concerned.

The breeze was calm even at this time, and the sound of waves was familiar.]

There is something to be said for young that fight from the moment they are born simply by moving forwards.

[It doesn't feel wholly about the turtles, but that might just be where his mind happens to go.]

Seems to me it's move forward or get eaten by somethin'. Might be nice not to have to know that quite so young.

[But, of course, he certainly did. All the same, his tone is fairly light, anyway.]

[She hummed, the sound carrying on the wind-]

Nature is not so kind, unfortunately. Lessons can be learned from that, of course- especially that in nature it is not always the strongest and largest that survives.

[Her attention was caught briefly by some movement in the moonlit darkness; easy to be unseen, further along the shore.

No animal there.]

Yes, there are plenty of other ways, too.

[You know, like leaning into being small and naive so people can either enjoy pushing you around or feel good about helping you but either way you're in a niche that is relatively safe—except, of course, they're definitely talking about nature.

Either way: he's observant enough that he can't help following her gaze, though he doesn't comment when he can't make anything out.]

Those unconcerned with survival surprised when their ability fails them.

[Those who become egocentric with their collection of power tended to fall the hardest, given they stopped thinking of how they would continue to survive.

There was that fallen silence, a stillness there until there was another flash of something; not quite reflective of moonlight how metal would be, but that of something of a light color holding it. Brief.

Almost looked like tossing of a net.]

[Faulkner was starting to say something, or maybe suppress a little snort at how easy it sometimes had been, in his experience, to get the upper hand on people who thought they were too powerful to worry.

But this time he's too distracted.]

Hey... did you see that?

[He mostly brought it up because they should both be keeping an eye out, out here at night. But a part of him wondered if there was a chance there was something this person didn't want him to notice. Back home it paid to be careful around strangers, after all.]

It is the time of night poachers would try their luck.

[Her eyes remained focused for a moment, still enough she could be mistaken for a statue- deciding something.

Arlecchino was careful of the hatchlings still at her feet so none would come close to the sharp heels of her shoes.]

You may stay and keep an eye on these little travelers if you wish, I'm going to investigate if you wish to join me.

I uh, I guess I'll join you.

[He does his best not to show that he's on edge, at least not that he's on edge in the sense of not trusting her. This could be some kind of trap, but he shouldn't assume. If it's not, it's probably best not to let someone go off on their own. Nor does he love the idea of staying here, suddenly.]

[Enterprise, in the meantime, had been taking her time at the shore, as per usual. It's a habit and draw for her, the sound of the waves, the feeling of the wind, the smells. It all signaled home for her, a natural feeling for Enty.

Even better were the skies and what they hinted the weather for the following day might be like. She breathed in deep, then out, relaxing as the sand shifted underneath her steps. But it also appeared as if she wasn't alone on her nightly beachside strolls.]

Mm, and with a red sunset we're likely to see clear weather tomorrow as well.

[She'd comment back, head tilting to give the other woman a calm smile in return.]

Even when possibly finding ourselves in the eye of a different oncoming storm- but the peace should be taken for what it is, while still capable of it.

[Spoke just loud enough to be heard, head tipped in a wordless greeting.

Something monumental had happened with that false island, that she was sure of. What followed could be anything, come with any danger, or even be a step in the direction this world was meant to take amongst those formed.

For now? There was that calm that felt like one could be floating, respite needed after it all.]

You're not wrong, it is important to enjoy peace when it comes to you. After all, there will always be another storm to weather.

[Came the agreement, Enty herself would rather avoid the storms when they appear (there have been so, so many), but knows that's not something that's possible. And that it's important to prepare yourself for the next one. Even so, she does still hope that things remain calm and fair for a while longer.

She breathed in the salt air deeper, enjoying the scent and level of calm that it helped bring her.]

But how were you planning on enjoying it? The peace?

And you may never know when the next peaceful moment may come.

[A reason she took walks like these, be it along the shore or within some wooded area where there were likely not to be too many people. She preferred her time uninterrupted- but in a world like this it didn't matter as much. Far less annoyances she was forced to deal with.

Didn't take all of her worries away, of course.

Different waters, subtle scents carried along with the salt of the sea- it was familiar enough for her.]

This. Calm waters can help settle a soul, and I was raised by the sea; difficult for it not to be a soothing presence.

[And hope her two Children were doing well with the nonsense going on; not that her own Armarda brand was visible due to the simple fact the skin of her hands were black.]

Or if there's going to be another peaceful moment.

[As that might be the case for many people who brave the waves. In any case, Enty's just glad for the current, fair winds.]

I can understand that. The sound of the waves, the smell of the salt, the cooling presence of the spray, and simply being near the sea, is all very comforting.

[It's very much a natural home, but that also came with the territory of what Enty is, and having lived nearly her whole life either on, or around the sea. She goes quiet for a bit, following her words; letting the sound of the ocean take over instead.]

CRACK-

The first sound was almost a sonic boom. The next?

WHUNKWHUNKWHUNK

Those sure were some trees being snapped in two from the force of something hurtling through them.

That sure was some sort of...creature slamming into the tree next to Arle, slumping for a moment before regaining its senses. It didn't even seem to notice her, wings buzzing angrily as it snarled-

-and only so far away, a man could be seen confidently striding through the path of tree carnage it (he? they?) had created.

Edited 2025-05-31 03:07 (UTC)

Well, so much for the quiet.

Enough time for her to figure if she needed to move or not, and it was a no; certainly felt the win of the creature slamming into the tree as she stood up after. Glancing the way it had come given it was preoccupied with-

Someone else. Hm.

"I see you're having an eventful time, Monsieur." Her tone was perhaps eerily calm despite the circumstances which were unfolding.

Sorry, Arle. Seems like your restful time is over.

The redhaired man glances only briefly at her before his attention returns to the more probably threat. "A curious one," he allows, looking as if he's about to say more, perhaps even have a friendly chat-

-only the creature is already lunging for him once more, all but roaring!

"As most creatures appear to be," even if some would likely be at home where she was from- well, some of them.

Like this creature, something vaguely similar in shape at the very least. This was not her problem, but it wasn't as if she were about to walk away as her eyes drifted between the creature and the man.

May as well see what happened, given she could gather he was likely what had sent the beast flying once already.

He certainly doesn't seem bothered in the least. But what may be curious is the fact that he simply holds out his arm, and- in an instant- some sort of black fire manifests before flaring into a weapon. A greatclub, which is then swung.

Hard.

Whether it be because his aim is off or ~~because he's an asshole~~ some other reason, the creature is promptly struck and sent flying away.

This time?

At Arlecchino.

There wasn't any expression of surprise given, even when the creature was sent in her direction. If anything there was more just- not quite irritation, but the lack of it probably could say far more.

Especially when she hardly seemed to move; standing there one moment, and the next she was level with the beast, catching it by the scruff and literally throwing it right back towards Ganondorf with a flicking motion of her wrist.

Just as easily back on her feet soon after.

Well, let it never be said that Ganondorf cannot adapt to the unexpected.

The slightest tug at his lips suggests amusement at Arle's surprising strength as well as quick reactions, suggesting amusement; if his aim was intentional, it seems he's not disappointed by the results. Nonetheless, the greatclub is swung again-

-and this time, the hornetwolf is sent flying into the atmosphere. He watches, briefly, to ensure it is (for the moment) gone before turning his attention back to the other.

"Excellent reflexes."

He sounds approving.

(No, he isn't apologizing.)

Her head tipped, a small sort of wordless acknowledgement- his own aim intentional or not, her own most certainly had been.

"They come in handy, even here." Meaning that she was very, very used to surprise attacks for whatever reason. Likely far more intentional there, but it also came with her line of work.

All the same, arms folded just loosely as her posture straightened back to what it usually was.

"You handle yourself well."

A slight nod. Is it of gratitude? Mere acknowledgement? Who knows.

"Then I am not the only one who encounters such vermin in this place." His voice is dry. "Though I am surprised to find them this close to civilization. Usually they are stricter with what pests they allow nearby."

"Not so different from home like that," when one traveled the roads. Just a matter of fact- "Likely looking for food, or something disturbed it from where it usually roams if you only encountered one.

"Then again, if it was alone that is likely why it is closer than others."

Desperation, looking for an easy meal- or something else.

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O P E N || So What Are You Gonna Do

Peaceful Shores

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First Tide!

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Peaceful Shores

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Forests 🌳🦋🕷️🌲 // 🦅 👊

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