Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Edel? Did that mean Edelweiss was involved with this free school? Wern would have to look into it, but right then, as the lights continued to dim and Polinya pawed at him— he had to make a decision. “A-ah. Thank you. I-I’ll have to look into it. But right now, P-Polinya wants to go home. G-goodbye.” And with that, Wern gave a wave before he skirted out of the room, holding tightly to the wheeping Polinya as he walked.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 8, 2017 3:24:36 GMT
Timeskip till June 4th Lately it felt like they were all mad there.
Some more than others and in different manners, but that was the conclusion Edelweiss had reached while waiting for the golden paint to dry - just a few dainty accents on a bone china tea set. That was supposed to be a gratitude gift... what a twisted joke, that she hadn't even intended to be a joke in the first place. A better destiny for remains, to be useful to someone worthy - but she realized the receiver probably dreaded death much more than herself did. It just was too late to think of something else now.
She sighed and started packing the tea set into a padded cardboard box.
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - John Dalberg-Acton
"WERNI DO I GET TO EAT CUPCAKES IN SCHOOL." The younger ander screamed, clinging onto the larger man as they walked. "M-maybe?" He sheepishly replied, though maybe that wouldn't be the best after all. "Um- just eat what your mother tells you to eat." Wern had made the mistake of taking Polinya through the cafeteria on their way to Edelweis' office (or what she was partially using as one for their meeting). It had not been his intention as the mechanic had gotten, well, lost. The last thing he needed was for the girl to be hyper when they both needed to be proper- at least for Edelweiss' sake. Approaching the door, the man moved to knock on the wooden surface only to be beaten by Polinya who drummed on the door calling for "Aunty Fiddlsticks". Wern cringed at the name, pulling Polinya away from the door to prevent any more damage from being done.
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 8, 2017 3:47:40 GMT
Edelweiss stood up to open the door as apparently she was being called (despite that... 'Fiddlesticks'... word-thing not being her name at all) and couldn't help but let out a weak chuckle while crouching down to look at the little girl without towering over her too much.
"If 'Fjaril' is hard to say, you can call me Aunty Edel." Then stood up again and stepped back once so that Polinya and her father figure could enter the room. "Hello Wern, I was actually about to go looking for you. Glad you could find your way here on your own, the building is pretty big."
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - John Dalberg-Acton
When red lady opened the door Polinya jumped up and down, squealing as Aunt Fiddles bent down to her height. "I'll try Aunty Fjils... fidjewelry.... Person!" Jumping up, she hugged the red lady and laughed as Wern tried to pull her away. "I-I'm sorry Edel. She's just very excited. Since you know. About the school thing- which thank you again for that. I-I'm really grateful about it." Looking around some, Wern winced. "0-0h yes. Um, big indeed." Too big in fact. He had planned to come earlier but well Getting lost didn't help anything. "How are you doing miss Edelweiss? Alright I hope?" Wern fumbled shuffling Polinya and him inside
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 8, 2017 4:45:12 GMT
"It's alright. She's smaller than most other children around here though, so we'll have to discuss which classes she can actually attend." She reclosed the door and gestured to the couple archairs and couch available, also opting to take one of those chairs in front of the low little coffee table rather than sitting back behind her desk. The cardboard box was on the table, next to what looked like two sets of folded fabric.
"Her uniform might need adjustments too. Hm, Polinya, do you like red or black more?" At the question of how she was doing, the redhead's smile gained a more resigned tone. 'I haven't slept for 3 days by now' was not a very cheering response. So... "...As well as possible, I guess. And you?"
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - John Dalberg-Acton
Taking a seat on the couch, Wern hoped the girl would join him but the headscarfed child instead zoomed about the room looking all around it as if the fabled cupcakes could be hiding in this room as well. Wern watched her, a weary smile on his face as he spoke. "Anything would be fine. I just want her to be able to be able to learn at least anything in a safe environment. Alisa and I don't work as much as we did but well, we still want her to get out on the days we both have to." The older man stated, patting the girl on the head as she plopped down next to him. "RED. LIKE YOU. I want to be pretty like you!" Polinya rang, jumping up and down in her seat as Wern chuckled. Though his face did darken some at the Nymphs weary response. "Well, I'm, I wish you more rest then, because possible is um, still not always the best." The larger man muttered fumbling with his hands. "But um. Better. But um. Also not. It's um. Hard to explain."
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 11, 2017 18:29:53 GMT
As Polinya so excitedly claimed she wanted her uniform to be red, Edelweiss chuckled again. "Alright then, red it'll be." She nodded and, picking the red clothes set from the table, left for a minute to find one of the closest informants to there. "This is Almandine, she will help you find a changing room and try it on." She informed to the little headscarfed girl after returning, introducing a pale blond teen girl wearing a - yes - red dress. "And once you do, come back here for us to see it too, ok? Don't worry if it looks too big, we can adjust it later."
Then she turned her attention back to wern. "You can at least mark which classes she'll be attending, so that it'll be easier to adjust." The redhead fetched a single sheet of paper and reached it out for the tinker to take. "This is the average schedule of the kids' school days in here. Classes start at 8am, and end at 3pm. Each class lasts 45 minutes and there's a lunch break from 11 to 12pm, so you can choose to bring her home for it or she can eat here (and snacks can be eaten before the first class and after the last one). If you have any questions about the classes, this is a good time to ask them too."
The sheet read as follows, each day starting with 4 classes, then lunch, and more 4 classes - with the exception of Saturdays, that ended one lesson earlier:
And about him wishing her more rest and not being all that well himself, Edelweiss sighed. "I guess I understand. But being impossibly well is... well, impossible."
Squealing, Polinya rolled around in her seat, ecstatic that she would be given a red dress. Or shirt. Or anything. Red was such a pretty color. She had seen eyes red, hair red, and now, clothes red! Life was a dream. Nodding a thank you, Wern tried to hold the happy girl at bay some, after all, slipping about like soap on a draining tub was a horrible way for a lady to act, r-right? Taking the girl by the arms, Wern tried to hold her still but, the girl succeeded in slipping through once more as she almost melted when she saw another girl around her age, something, well, was common, yes, but, well, the red dress must have sent her off because— “Oh my goodness you look like an angel! Are you an angel? Do you believe in angels? Well, I guess you have to cause you are one but oh my goodness, Aunt Fiddles, am I going to get a red dress? Oh my goodness, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Polinya laughed, hugging “Aunt Fiddles” before running off into the hall, dragging Almandine behind her, and leaving the door, slightly ajar to continue to hear her giggles all down the hall.
Wern laughed, but it merely came out as a sigh, the weariness, at last taking its toll. “Edelweiss, I do not know how you take care of so many kids. I can barely handle Polinya. But, um. Alright. Um, I hmmm.” Taking the sheet, he looked over it some, blinking in a confused fashion as he tried to comprehend such a concept. Yes, he went to school, but, from 8 am to 3? That was a little bit new. “I, um, think that’s fine.” Though, frankly, he wasn’t sure what proper schooling was. He just, well, trusted Edelweiss knew best. It seemed like the rest of her kids had come out just fine, even better then most, Wern would say, and, well, he trusted her to pick something best for Polinya. After all, what she was giving Polinya was more than what Wern, or anyone else, could offer. “Well. Um, this looks perfect.” Wern admitted, reading over the lists again. Philosophy? She actually had a course like that? Now the larger man was somewhat jealous. The most philosophy he had ever received was his father’s idlings, which, even now, came as a nice refrain from day to day life. Oh lord. His parents. One of these days he was going to have to go visit them— and bring Polinya and Alisa as well. Swallowing, the mechanic nodded at Edelweiss' comment. “That, um, makes sense.” Though, there was nothing to be done about that subject. Um, find another one to talk about Wern. It can’t be that hard. What else was there to talk about? Um, weather, um, machines? No, no, not the later one. Or maybe the later one? Oh jeez. “How are things with Amon?”
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 11, 2017 19:36:13 GMT
Almandine passed a second eyeing the smaller girl who barely reached her ribs in size. How old was this little one? Five, six at most? And she had a family - a nice family - who brought her there. It seemed to explain that hyperactive behavior of hers. "Depends on the kind of angel, but I'm not one." She replied simply, reaching out to take Polinya's little hand and show her the way to a changing room as Edel had asked, using the full capacity of her larger height and weight to hold that springy child from running as she walked - first because Polinya had no clue where she's going and therefore should be tagging along to not get lost instead of darting ahead, and second because, physically speaking, Almandine couldn't run. Her brace was firm, but the most support it could safely offer was a light jog pace; and just that was already a push too far for her tastes, her skirt fluttering at every rushed step and showing the set of dainty china pieces that clasped her leg in place and gave it the aspect of a ball-jointed doll limb.
"Be as it may, most children in here have no families, or are emancipated from theirs for some reason. They saw a lot of sad things before arriving here, so tend to act older than they are. Polinya's energy is rather refreshing, actually. Means she's a healthy, normal little girl." Edelweiss responded with a small bittersweet smile to Wern's comment that he didn't know how she managed so many kids. The answer was rather simple in that the children she managed were in general much quieter, or at least knew how to be quiet when it was more convenient. The redhead was also aware that, compared to an usual school out in the city, what was offered in her guild was much more strict and included a lot more learning topics. It needed to be, because it was a system developped to help 'unwanted' people to survive and excell in a society that often didn't see them as people. Which is why when Wern mentioned it was 'perfect', considering Polinya's young age and the fact she was not alone in the world, Edelweiss couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Well, if you say as a guardian that she should learn everything here, then I'll see to it. But I'm still concerned about her watching the Saturday classes. Not counting first aid and artcrafts, they're mostly too advanced for a child that small." Mainly the self-defense. Sure, it was important, and she reinforced that her guild members (mainly the young girls) should learn it, but Polinya was so... tiny still, even compared to the other kids. 5 years old of age was a larger stretch to learning that than the redhead was comfortable making. It was hard to not worry, even if the others are instructed to go easy on her. Sigh.
Then the topic was shifted to Amon, and the redhead found herself vacantly looking at the window while musing a reply: "...It feels like I don't know him anymore..." And the cardboard box was still on the table. "But I still owe you thanks for helping me find him nonetheless... That's for you, by the way. A minor token of gratitude."
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - John Dalberg-Acton
Wincing, the larger man nodded at the no families comment. “Ah, I um, see. T-that’s a shame.” He confessed, fumbling with a loose strand on his clothes. O-oh dear. What was he supposed to say to that? Though at the mention of Polinya being refreshing, he loosened somewhat. “I-indeed. She is, um, quite, um, special. In that she’s so, um, energetic.” However, his relief faltered once more at Edelweiss’ raised brow. H-had he said something wrong? O-oh dear. “I-I mean, unless you don’t think she should learn everything. I-I support whatever you believe. I-if you don’t think certain topics a-are good for her, I-I trust your judgment. S-she doesn’t have to go to the Saturday c-courses, or any others that you deem unfit.” Meaning, please, do whatever is best, and if it isn’t, please, don’t. The older man almost stated this, but, retracted the words as he looked at the ground, still, fumbling with his hands. “I-I don’t know what is best for her. I-I’m not capable of raising a child. I-I know that, b-but, after Castamere, and h-her move, I-I— she just needs a father figure.” Wern sputtered, shrinking somewhat into his seat, which, given his size, was fairly hard to do.
Glancing at the box, Wern tried to straighten some, b-but, to accept anything right then, especially in regards to Amon felt wrong. “Y-you didn’t have to get me anything— t-there is no need for thanks. I—I didn’t do anything.” Lowering his eyes, the larger man sighed, digging himself into the couch even more so then he had previously. “I-I feel the same, to be honest. I-I’m worried about him, e-extremely worried.” Turning some, sweat crossed his brow as uneasiness plagued him. “I-I was afraid of him before, I-I will admit, but now, m-my fear is different. H-he killed people, Edelweiss. He says it was out of self defense but, w-why didn’t he reach out for help? W-why did he take it upon himself t-o do that? And- in such a way? E-especialy since he apparently has ties with EIRAL. I-it doesn’t make sense. A-and at the shop…. He was terrifying. All the toys, t-they turned, a-and they were terrifying. A-and he said that he uses them as weapons as well? W-why? D-does he always feel like he’s going to be attacked?” Sinking more, Wern grabbed a pillow, hugging it tightly to his chest. “B-before, I…. I felt Amon could keep the Guild Safe— could keep his guild members safe. A-and, I- I still believe that. B-but…” Biting his lip, the larger man shook, looking to Edelweiss almost on the brink of tears. “I…. I worry that he himself isn’t safe. And— that makes me worried about those around him, including, me…. and my family… and most of all, you Edelweiss. B-because, I-I know you two are very close, a-and, with me, I-I can run some. I know I’m good at t-that, and…I know you can fend after yourself, b-but, I….” Glancing upward, the larger man shook, burying his chin into the pillow as he stared at the nymph. “I don’t want him to hurt you.”
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 11, 2017 19:57:56 GMT
"For a first time parent, I think you're doing well. No one is born knowing what to do in every situation. And from what I've seen, your daughter is healthy and happy, and loves you. As long as it can stay that way you shouldn't have to worry too much." Edelweiss said offering him a small smile and calming hand gesture. "As for the classes, bringing her from monday to friday should be fine. You don't have any questions about them?" Since most did, like what was the difference between Languages and Idioms, or what did the classes marked in only initials meant. But if Wern didn't feel like asking anything, that should be fine as well.
"You believed in me, and it did help, even if results weren't what we expected. Please don't downplay yourself." She let out a resigned sigh, that then became a sad smile. Edelweiss had been the one to take and return the warehouse keys beforehand, by logic she should be the first one to know of Amon's whereabouts and return - and also been present at it. It seemed like Wern still hadn't added the two and two in his math, but if it was a matter of time, then better that he hears it from her own mouth than someone or somewhere else... and also so that he'd know better than to break the alibi due to sheer surprise if questioned. "...You mean the '6 people' he keeps mentioning, right. That is a lie. He only took 3, the blame is on me for the remaining ones. The difference is I don't feel any proud of what I've done." Besides, unfortunately or not, Wern had already seen a small sample of what she could do in Castamere, that she remembered well. Sveden forces were neither protected by Lodan's law, nor were strictly written in her secret lists. "Does that mean I also terrify you?"
Though at the mention of him not wanting Amon to hurt her, the redhead almost laughed. Almost. What sound escaped instead was a sad and empty breath. "That's too late to wish for. But I still think there's no guild leader who doesn't wish to protect their guild. You and Alisa should be fine... and as long as Polinya is here, she'll also be under my own protection."
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - John Dalberg-Acton
The compliment sent Wern’s heart fluttering, a blush, appearing on his face. “T-thank you. I-I just am trying to do my best.” Wern squirmed, burying himself behind his hands. Was that really true? W-was he being a good parent? Alisa told him so, but the woman was far too kind. A-and Polinya was so energetic. H-he was never like that as a child, b-but he didn’t know how to be stern, o-or what was too stern. But, apparently everything he was doing was alright. Enough to win praise from the guild leader it seemed. “I-I don’t have any questions, b-because like I said— I, um, trust your judgment, a-and the other kids, a-are far smarter then I ever was at that a-age.” And perhaps even now, but to admit that fact was a bit, well, embarrassing. E-especially with his change in command. Though, tense shoulders settled some as Wern listened ever so slowly to Edelweiss words. A-amon had only killed… three? A-and the rest, Edelweiss? The news…. It didn’t unsettle him as much as she perhaps meant it to, if she even did. Instead, the larger man watched her, the flickering of her eyes, the slight reserve behind them. He swallowed, and, reaching a hand forward, he took hers, a thumb, cresting over the top. “T-then he wasn’t alone. T-hat’s good.” But was that truly all that he wanted to say? No, no it wasn’t. “I-I mean. He wasn’t alone to do that. Killing is wrong, but well, it was self defense, and, well…I-I wont’ say I’m not surprised that, um, you helped, or well, I-I am surprised, b-but it helps k-knowing he wasn’t alone. Besides. I remember Castamere, and how you fought. You took lives then, w-which was surprising, b-but A-amon hasn’t, before. Not that I know of. A-and if he has, it’s like you were saying.” Looking down at his feet, Wern bit his lip. “He was gloating it. Had no guilt, which, makes sense, they were assassins but, well, h-he was so calm about it. A-and that bothers me. B-but you don’t terrify me. Y-you don’t mention it.” At the hallowed breath from the woman, Wern shook, eyes, flickering between their joined hands and her ruby eyes. “And, I-I think it bothers you some. You… you look sad a lot. Is… is that because of it? Or well, part of it?” The mechanic questioned though, again, that wasn’t all he wanted to say. Bending his head some, he continued. “T-thank you, by the way. For protecting her, a-and reassuring me. But. I’m still not convinced about Amon. I-I trust him, I do. But at the same time, p-part of me says I can’t. And I don’t know why.” The larger man confessed, backing away some to grab onto the pillow to hug it once more. “I want to, but… I can’t. C-can you?”
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
Post by Edelweiss Fjäril on Jan 11, 2017 20:09:48 GMT
Edelweiss blinked. Was she sad a lot because she killed people? No, it's not that. If she ever killed an innocent, there would be some guilt coming in toll - or at least she hoped she wasn't so far gone that she'd not feel guilty should it ever happen. But up to that day, she never took a life who didn't deserve it, and so no, there was no remorse in that - just as much as there was no pride or joy in it either; just something that at the moment had felt necessary. However, it'd be a lie to say that the events of that night weren't part of what troubled her mind, in other ways. "It adds up, I guess. On top of overall stress." She sighed.
"I guess it's natural." She replied with a sigh to Wern's comment that he trusted Amon but part of him said he couldn't. It was instinctive for people to be wary of what is capable of bringing them harm, a sense of self-preservation they never lost. "I'm not surprised you or anyone would feel wary in presence of someone who's sounding willing to take lives, even if you don't wish to be wary and your own life isn't in danger." Although the redhead wasn't fully certain of why Wern wasn't scared of her after becoming aware of what she did and could do, it might also be a matter of presentation: Edelweiss, as an actual assassin, saw no advantage in gloating about her kills. It was better for her (even on personal comfort levels) to keep others at a respectful distance, but still instill in them a sense of security, that she's either inoffensive or they'll be safe while in her presence - which in a way was actually true as long as they're not a threat to her guild or to society as a whole. But for Amon, as an average (and rather paranoid) civilian who had been attacked multiple times in the past, it might be that being thought of as intimidating or even frightening was more convienient in his eyes than not being, even if it might push those who hold him dear away from him. It was a concept the redhead's mind could understand, but her heart was having trouble to accept. And that being considered... Did she trust Amon? Could she honestly and inconditionally trust him, like she did before that whole mess happened? "I'm trying." A bitter smile grew on her lips as she replied. "But you'll be fine, Wern. The things I'm struggling to trust him with are not guild-related, and I still think he'll be able to take care of Mingos well enough. Yourself and your wife included."
"All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - John Dalberg-Acton
The larger man followed Edelweiss’s words, nodding some, frowning overall, hoping to comfort her. An apology and further questions lingered on his tongue, yet, all were snapped shut at the last comment. “Your wife included.” “Ah! A-Alisa isn’t my w-wife,” Wern stuttered, red overflowing his cheeks. “W-we’re just good friends, and I-I we both love Polinya, b-but she doesn’t see me that way— I don’t see her that way. Oh goodness. I-it isn’t like that!” Squirming some, the larger man buried his face into the pillow, the red continuing to flood his cheeks making him dizzy somewhat. Goodness? Him and Alisa? I mean, people normally said that, but for some reason, it coming from Edelweiss— someone he considered a close friend— made him so flustered. Did they really look like that? Like a husband and wife? Alisa would laugh it off, but him— he, he just couldn’t stop blushing. “W-we’re just friends, and she needed a place to stay.” Biting his lip, he tried to find the words he wanted to say before. Scrambling, he sought them out, fragments pooling form his mouth. “B-but if you can’t trust him, then you’re relationship, it’s um, will hurt you, and I don’t want you to be hurt, because — um—“ Sweating nervously, Wern looked up from over the pillow. “You’re my friend too and— you shouldn’t have to hurt either.”
What is important to me is the experience of making. I leave all my work outside and often return to watch it decay.- Andy Goldsworthy
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