|
People who need to post today (9/2):
No One! |
| The Cabin; It's a safe little cabin ... or IS it? | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 13 2009, 04:12 PM (1,655 Views) | |
| Silverlineing | Dec 13 2009, 04:12 PM Post #1 |
|
Advanced Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The wind blew against the walls and windows, begging to be let in. It wailed at the two people inside and even knocked on the door for attention. the snow and dry air mixed together in little fits of swirls, making it look deceivingly nice outside. it glittered and sparkled as the frozen flakes caught light from the windows. Each crystal of winter took their turn peeking inside as the childish wind blew them against glass in frustration. beyond the door was a small, quiet room with a fire doing it's best to warm the area. It flickered and tossed, almost on the verge of going out but every time it seemed the wind outside had won, it light up again, stronger from the oxygen forced upon it. In front of that persistent flame was a bed. At first glance it looked like just a bed with piles of blankets on top but if you were quiet enough, you'd hear her. Under the thick sheets was a girl, sweaty and in constant pain. at first it was bearable and almost non-existent but over time it demanded acknowledgment. First , her hands started freezing up without warning, then her legs. Pretty soon, it became a difficulty just to speak. By day five, the little freedoms she'd been aloud were taken away in fear she'd cause herself harm. From then on Jumper remained in bed, gripping the covers every now and again when the pain seemed to build up and release. At the moment, things where as calm as to be expected. The group had left the cabin in a final search for Jumpers antidote. All except Karl, who had been charged with the duty of looking after the little brunette. so there they both waited with a silent understanding of that the end of the day might bring. She rested there, breathing deep, long, and with difficulty. Every so often she'd shine through, opening her eyes and talking for a little bit but right now, on what could be her last day, she rested. |
![]() |
|
| Digitaldreamer | Dec 14 2009, 12:33 PM Post #2 |
|
Going slightly mad, but only on Tuesdays.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Waiting had never been something Karl was used to. He was capable of being patient, but even when it came to that he was always doing something to push toward whatever goal he had. This applied to whatever he did, whether it was something for his usual job or a murder for his own amusement. He was never simply sitting around, there was always something he could do. But that wasn't the case this time. The blond traced his fingers absently across the newly patched spot on his shoulder. When he'd run into Arco and been told of the whole situation, he hadn't been that frustrated. Certainly it made things more difficult, but he supposed he had demanded the Priest up the ante and this did make things interesting. A looming battle at the base of the mountain, a swirling irregular rift at the top, and his nine companions to spread between it all and fight Arco's seven. Truly an elaborate game, to see who was the better one once and for all. But of course, these things were always interesting when you weren't directly involved, and the statue was finding himself more involved than he'd care to be. The past week had largely been a case of this, really. He'd been trying so hard to get back to how things were... and he supposed in the end he had at least partially done that. He had their trust back for the most part, that was a good thing. He had Jake following his every move, he had gotten Ruel to open up, he even had Hyoji trusting him if the current situation was any indication. They all trusted him for the most part and once again he had them wrapped around his fingers... but the twinge of worry he'd felt as he considered this entire situation said a bit more. Karl cared about them now... or at the very least, he was painfully, irritatingly attached. There was no more denying it, really. He'd tried all week... hell, he'd done everything he could to try to tear them apart. He'd torn apart Jake's conscience, he'd used Ruel's trust and opening up against her, he'd tried so hard to take advantage of Jumper's sickness. Really, doing all that had been fun... but he couldn't keep it up. He'd tried, and it hadn't worked. In the end he just came right back and mended whatever bridge he'd broken, let the mask drop more and more and opened up more than he'd expected. It was all so painfully frustrating. He was attached to them, meaning he was already breaking a rule. And then of course there was the situation... it was a dangerous game as it was, but to make things worse, there was no way Karl could go to either battle front and help. Over the past week he'd grown weaker and weaker, his energy levels dropping as he got into fights with the contracted and simply fought for survival. This had come to a head when after his meeting with Arco he'd run into a certain child who'd been sent to act as "insurance" and make sure Karl didn't cheat. , From there... well, he'd definitely needed a patch-up, and to top it all off his limbs kept shaking in spite of his attempts to stop it. It was painfully clear he was nearly out of energy and there was no way he could fight. So he had to depend on them for once. He'd returned after the fight and the plans had been made, each companion given their vital place and sent where they were needed. He'd known who was needed where, it was simply a matter of saying what was necessary. What really surprised the blond was when he'd been telling everyone where they needed to go, he had been genuinely concerned. He knew it was going to be far worse than what they'd faced last time, far more dangerous. It was entirely possible someone would die, and irritatingly enough, Karl wasn't terribly pleased by that thought. This game wasn't about just him anymore. It wasn't about just him anymore, and somehow that made things worse. It was about all of them now, and Karl had no choice but to let it be that way because he couldn't keep it all together on his own. He wasn't entirely in control anymore... he'd done what he could do. At this point he was relatively helpless, save for the last bit of energy that was reserved to keep Jumper safe if necessary. He'd known the situation, he'd played his hand... now all he could do was wait and trust his companions. He'd never been terribly good at trusting, but what choice did he have? The statue sighed loudly as he paced around the cabin, hands shaking as he clasped them behind his back. Every now and then he'd glance back at the girl under the sheets, feeling something within him twist. After several minutes of this Arma nudged him, causing Karl to smile. "Hm? Ah, sorry Arma, I'm just restless. This is quite irritating... but I suppose there's nothing more we can do, right?" He reached up to stroke the cement bird, his gray eyes going to the outside. "All we can do is hope our little band of idiots lives up to their expectations... and that Doggy will get back in time." Stone hands clenched into fists as he looked to Jumper again. "That asshole had better fulfill his end of the deal here." |
| Signature, yeah. | |
![]() |
|
| Silverlineing | Dec 14 2009, 06:05 PM Post #3 |
|
Advanced Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Jumpers eyes squinted as she groaned, her pail face rolling to the other side of the pillow. From there, her eyes slowly opened to the room. She waited as her vision cleared and eventually, it focused on the statue she'd come to know and love. "...Karl." Her voice was week but still managed to sound glad. The brunette shifted a little under her blankets to get a better look at him but eventually, due to the effort it was taking, she gave up and settled for staring at the window. "I'm so happy, “.She took a deep breath before continuing. “... I'm so happy your still here." The pony tailed girl focused on the snow outside, watching it scoop and spin as it drifted. "I don't want to be alone if it happens." Jumpers eyes closed again as the snow danced for her. She did not sleep though. or rather, she was someplace in the middle at the moment. The brunette was still mildly aware of where she was but was losing that awareness slowly. "... You remind me of him." Jumper breathed. Her words were slurred a little by her lucidness but still held together. “Sometimes I think ... he'd be just like you...” the brunette grinned a little, letting it fade as it will. Her eyes opened yet again to stare at the snow, not fully opening but still closed enough to question if she was awake. Her chest filled then emptied under the blankets, possibly the only sign she was still alive. |
![]() |
|
| Kirokokori | Dec 15 2009, 08:32 PM Post #4 |
|
Junior Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Aisha walked through the snow, stumbled, picked herself up, and walked some more. Her coats swirled around her and the icy wind seemed to be making a game of disheveling her hair. Her hand clasped around her baton felt cold and stiff, and the girl wasn't sure whether or not she could have let go of it if she wanted to. It was just as well, really. She'd wanted to use the spirits to block out some of the wind and snow, but the Maestro forced her not to. She'd need to use her powers to fight, not for comfort. 'It's a short walk, you can deal with it, dear. Can't you?' He'd said. Aisha didn't know if it was possible to hate him much more than she did. He was right, though. Even with the poor visibility, the blond could see the cabin up ahead. She huffed, continuing towards it and not wanting to. Her last encounter with these people had been less than pleasant. She couldn't imagine this one being much better. And so far, her attempts to break away from Arco might as well have not happened for all they got her. After another couple of minutes trudging through the cold, Aisha reached the door of the cabin. She surveyed the wooden surface apprehensively. There were sounds coming from inside, muffled footsteps and tired voices. What was she supposed to do now, knock? |
![]() |
|
| Digitaldreamer | Dec 16 2009, 04:16 PM Post #5 |
|
Going slightly mad, but only on Tuesdays.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
At Jumper's words, Karl blinked in surprise and made his way over to the brunette. It seemed like she was trying to get a good look at him, but didn't have the energy, so her unfocused eyes remained stuck on the window. Karl listened to her speak as he sat down in the wooden chair that had been placed by the girl's bedside, inwardly grateful that the piece of furniture didn't splinter beneath him. After this he focused on the girl, though he almost wished he still had a distraction. It wasn't right to hear Jumper sounding so weak, so accepting of something that just shouldn't have been possible. As she lapsed into silence the blond seemed unsure for a moment, then reached out to touch Jumper's head. He was hoping the cold stone would help a bit, at least. Even without nerves, he could sense the heat radiating from her body. "Hey, hey, don't say stuff like 'if it happens'," The statue chided, smiling gently as he brushed a few strands of sweat-soaked hair from the girl's brow. "Nothing is going to happen to you. Balto is going to get you your medicine, our little band of idiot heroes is going to save the day, and you're going to be just fine. So don't go saying stuff like that, got it?" "And what do you mean by 'him', anyway?" Karl inquired, looking somewhat confused. "l---" His next sentence was cut off as the statue suddenly sat up straight, his eyes narrowing. Though there was no outward sound save for the usual whipping winds outside, the change in energy levels said otherwise. "...Someone's here," He said as he got to his feet, Arma transforming into a sword almost instantly. |
| Signature, yeah. | |
![]() |
|
| Silverlineing | Dec 17 2009, 04:14 PM Post #6 |
|
Advanced Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Jumper had almost fallen back into the lull of sleep and dreams when something cold and wonderful touched her skin. She took in a deep breath through her nose and raised her chin in a effort to get closer to the chilled stone. Her head rolled over to look at Karl, who had gotten closer to her by his own accord. She grinned a little at the sound of his optimism, silently saying 'okay' in her mind. "Thanks what I like to hear." she thought, glazed eyes staring at his. Then the mention of who "he" was. Jumper closed her eyes, the image of what 'he' would look like in her mind. "My brother... He's out there... I gotta find him," The pale brunette opened her eyes again, looking Karl in the face. Karl, however, was not looking at her. His attention was at the door, Arma in hand, ready for attack. "who could it be?" she pondered, staring at the door herself. With her mind not working at full capacity, Jumper's hopes got the better of her. "It's Hyoji!" she yelled with joy, as scratchy as it might have been. "It has to be him!" With the thought of her cure in reach, the pony tailed girl mustered most of her strength and scooted herself to a sitting position. Her limbs shook and her breath quickened with every exertion of force and only got worse when she tried getting out of bed. She flipped a corner of her blankets over it's self to make room for her feet but this was just the act her illness was looking for. "A-Ah!" Jumper suddenly hugged her chest, tucking her chin in as a wave of pain shot her insides. Her own body protested her actions and by the looks of it, her body was winning. Jumper curled in her spot on the bed, only half covered now. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes as she became a tight ball on her pillow. "It's not fair," she forced out, her words coming straight from thought. "I want to great him... It's not fair." |
![]() |
|
| Digitaldreamer | Dec 17 2009, 06:26 PM Post #7 |
|
Going slightly mad, but only on Tuesdays.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Karl barely heard Jumper's words at first since he was focused on the door, but her movement got his attention. The blond's eyes widened as he turned to her. "Hey, hey, you shouldn't be getting up!" He exclaimed, reaching toward the girl. There was nothing for him to do, however, as within seconds the sickness overtook her and she was forced to curl into a tight ball on the bed. The statue felt that familiar something within him do far more than twist this time, almost feeling as if something were breaking inside as he heard the tears in Jumper's weak voice. 'Stop... just stop. You're human, you're weak, you're fragile, I already know. You shouldn't be hurting, this shouldn't be hurting me, stop...' "I don't think it's your Knight in Shining Leather out there," Karl muttered as he looked to the door again, then back to Jumper. He wanted to focus on the door, he knew he needed to focus on the potential threat, but he couldn't with Jumper in so much pain right there. The blond shook his head as he grabbed the blankets and pulled them over the girl again. "Come on Kiddo, pull yourself together, it's going to be alright," Karl insisted, gritting his teeth as he placed his heavy hand on her shoulder. "Please... come on, Hyoji will be here soon and then you'll be able to greet him and annoy him as much as you want, it's going to be great. Just rest for now and don't worry about it, he's going to be here soon, I promise..." Of course there was no guaranteeing this, but what else could he say? Lies were all he had. |
| Signature, yeah. | |
![]() |
|
| Kirokokori | Dec 20 2009, 03:39 AM Post #8 |
|
Junior Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Aisha had been standing awkwardly outside of the door for at least a minute, and the Maestro was beginning to chide at her for it. She ignored him though, staring at the wooden door frame instead, thinking of a hundred different ways to get out of the situation. Each one of them was happily shot down. The blond winced at the commotion from inside, going so far as to wonder if everything inside the cabin was all right. That was probably what prompted the Maestro into action. 'Really, is it so difficult?' He sighed. 'Here, watch.' And Aisha did watch, a small noise of protest escaping her lips as the numb hand holding her baton raised itself up involuntarily. "Stop it." She breathed, staring at her arm as if it might obey her again if she glared hard enough. 'Sorry, no.' Aisha saw her wrist flick, then came a flash of color and a splintering crash. She didn't have a door frame to stare at anymore. Her arm came back into her control and she let it drop to her side, peering into the cabin through what had been the doorway. Her eyesight followed the shadow she cast until it fell on the two residents of the cabin. One, a girl Aisha recognized from back in Ba Sing Se, Jumper. The girl that Arco had poisoned. The other, another person she recognized. She wished she didn't. "...Hello...again." She squeaked, not moving from where she stood. |
![]() |
|
| Digitaldreamer | Dec 20 2009, 09:24 AM Post #9 |
|
Going slightly mad, but only on Tuesdays.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The instant Karl heard the splintering of wood he threw himself in front of Jumper, protecting her from debris as they bounced off of his solid back. When everything had finally settled the blond turned to face their intruder, his coat already billowing as the frigid wind poured into what had been their sanctuary. Gray eyes glanced around the room, taking in the gaping hole that had once been the front wall. "Well, that'll take a chunk out of the real estate," He muttered as his gaze settling about the small, shivering girl in the entryway. He then forced a grin and gave a rather cheery wave. "Oh! Why hello again, Amaryllis! I certainly hope your head doesn't hurt too badly after our last meeting, haha." As he spoke he made a point of edging between the ball of blankets that was Jumper and the figure at the door, both in an attempt to protect her from the enemy and the cold that was pouring in. |
| Signature, yeah. | |
![]() |
|
| Silverlineing | Dec 20 2009, 09:11 PM Post #10 |
|
Advanced Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Her arms and legs gradually relaxed as the warmth from the blankets returned. She remained in a ball as the statue talked, moving her head to look at Karl better. His sweet nothings worked wonders as Jumpers breathing calmed to her regular pace. Like a child listening to their parent tell a fair tail, Jumper looked up at his statue friend, soaking in every word. the brunette wiped her tears on the closest blanket, only moving her head to do so. "-Just rest for now and don't worry about it, he's going to be here soon, I promise..." She nodded. The brunettes eyes closed as she snuggled her head under the blankets, making good on her promise. Jumper would rest now and wait, just like Karl wanted. At least she tried. There was a loud crash as the cabin door was destroyed, sending splinters of wood everywhere. Jumpers eyes shot open from under her covers in shock. already the cold bitter air from outside was stealing warmth from withing the cabin. Even Jumpers blankets were not safe. The edge of the blankets began to gather in the sick girls hands as she slowly gained some sight. Beyond her bed, the brunette saw the orange of Karls back as he stood in front of her protectively. Even further past him, she heard the most familiar voice. Jumper strained her neck a little to see around Karl but it was a wasted effort. She bunched the edge of the blankets around her neck to keep in the heat, all the wile wondering who was at the door ans why they didn't just knock. |
![]() |
|
| Kirokokori | Dec 24 2009, 02:15 AM Post #11 |
|
Junior Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Aisha glared at Karl reproachfully. She did not need him to remind her about their last encounter, the lingering bruise on her head did that just fine. She noticed him step in front of Jumper though, and her gaze shifted to the sickly girl. Jumper was wrapped tightly in a flimsy blanket, shivering against the cold Aisha had brought into the cabin. "Oh no..." The blond mumbled. 'Now, now, remember what you're supposed to be doing dear, this is good.' "I suggest that you leave the cabin." Aisha spoke up, pointing her baton at the statue. "I...I have to attack you, if I do not, the Maestro will. I do not want to hurt her." She nodded towards Jumper, and backed up a few steps and out of the way of the opening to let Karl pass. 'You can't keep your 'nice girl' act up forever.' "I do not need your opinion." Aisha snapped, her hand tightening on the handle of her baton. She was not going to let the Maestro take control again during the battle if she could help it. She was beginning to think it would be for the best if she were to lose. |
![]() |
|
| Digitaldreamer | Dec 24 2009, 09:58 AM Post #12 |
|
Going slightly mad, but only on Tuesdays.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Karl blinked at Aisha. Then he smirked. "My my, gotten a bit more pushy since our last encounter, haven't you?" He drawled, cocking his head to the side. "What happened to your whole tragic act that you had going on earlier? 'Baaaww, I don't want to do this, I don't want to listen to the crazy voice in my head, my life is sad and pathetic!' You--" He paused as he felt the sword in his hand shift, as if to remind him where he was and stop the harsh words coming from his mouth. The statue glanced back at Jumper, gritting his teeth, then looked back to Aisha. He was aware that the words she spoke were not an empty threat. Even if the girl really didn't want to attack, there was no doubt that the thing in her head most definitely did. Karl's initial reaction to this sort of thing was always to incite things, but in this case it was definitely not the best option. He wanted to fight, he had to defend Jumper somehow, but leaving her side right now wasn't safe either. "Come on, Miley Cyrus," Karl muttered, his hands clenching into fists as he lowered them to his sides. He couldn't believe he was saying this, but he had to try. He wanted so badly to fight, but he knew better. "I'd take you and your Imaginary Friend on any other day, but today..." He shook his head. "You made the claim that you don't really want to do this. If you really don't want to and if you're in control right now, surely you can at least 'try' to give us a raincheck, can't you?" There was a moment of silence, then the statue sighed. "...Please. It's not for me, it's for the kid," He said, hating himself as he spoke. He couldn't believe he was actually pleading like this... but what could he do? He couldn't risk Jumper. As much as he hated pleading and as much as he hated this whole caring business, he hated the idea of her being hurt a lot more. |
| Signature, yeah. | |
![]() |
|
| Silverlineing | Dec 26 2009, 11:46 AM Post #13 |
|
Advanced Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Jumper still couldn't see through the wall that was Karl. He made a very good wall but despite not being able to see, the sick brunette gathered for herself who had come to the door. After the conversation between the statue and the person at he door, there was no doubt in her mind just who had came to visit. Melody shook beneath her blankets, the comforting warmth that had sustained her thus far, gone and continuously fleeting. This showed in her voice as she called out to the familiar stranger. "Well, of course sh-she doesn't want to h-hurt us." Said Jumper assuredly. " We're friends, aren't we A-Aisha?" Instead of sitting up on her own accord, The feverish girl scooted against the bed frame for extra support. Sure enough, there was her old friend from the desert world, standing where the door once was. It could have been her illness that kept her from grasping the situation, or maybe Jumper was just being Jumper but despite the bitter cold that had taken the cabin, she smiled at her long lost friend. "I thought that guy -cough- ... that guy got you for sure. You w-wana sit down?" The brunette began to loop again as her eyes started to droop. Her head slowly fell as she fought to stay in the waking word. The cold prevented her from resting completely. Each gust of wind seemed to make her shiver like a leaf on a tree, no matter how tight she held her blankets. |
![]() |
|
| Kirokokori | Dec 31 2009, 01:33 AM Post #14 |
|
Junior Novelist
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Aisha gazed at Karl suspiciously. From what she'd seen of him so far, this seemed out of character for him. Still, she lowered her baton a fraction. "Of course I do not want to do this. I do not know what else-" She stopped abruptly when Jumper's sickly voice cut in. Her chest tightened and her hand dropped to her side. "We are...friends?" Her voice was shaking. "Of course, I...I am sorry." She faultered, taking a couple steps back. "What am I supposed to do?" She mumbled, turning away. Before she even realized what was happening, her arm was raised and once again pointed at Karl. "Stop! Stop it!" She yelped, tugging at it with her free arm before her control of that was wrenched away as well. 'Hush. You want to know what you're supposed to do? I'm showing you.' "Get Jumper out of the way!" Aisha cried as the inside of the cabin lit up with color and the floor splintered as the spirits surged forward towards the statue and the sickbed. |
![]() |
|
| Digitaldreamer | Dec 31 2009, 09:35 AM Post #15 |
|
Going slightly mad, but only on Tuesdays.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Karl grit his teeth as he watched Aisha's arm raise once more, watched the girl's eyes widen in horror. It was clear there was no getting around this. Well, he had tried. In a blur of glowing colors and splintering wood Aisha's attack went rushing for the girl on the sickbed. Fortunately, the statue was faster. He scooped up Jumper in an instant, blankets and all, and dove out of the way. All the jostling was undoubtedly unhealthy for the girl, but Karl would take it over the pile of debris that the bed was quickly shredded into. "Wow," Karl gave a low whistle as he surveyed the damage, adjusting his hold on the shivering girl in his arms. "Deary me Staff Chick, I had no idea you were capable of that! I'd better be careful, hm?" His tone was cheery enough, but his eyes were narrowed when he looked to Jumper. "You alright, Kiddo?" |
| Signature, yeah. | |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · The Three Paths · Next Topic » |




![]](http://z2.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)


9:24 AM Jul 11