PM to join [Squire Dormitories] The fraying mind

[Fallon]

51st Summer 513AV
21 chimes past midnight - Directly continued from here

Fallon stumbled - rather loudly - into the suite only a few chimes ago. The strong face that she had fixed upon her had crumbled mere ticks after she had closed the door and plunged her and the room into a deep darkness. Staggering to the wall, she felt her head rest against the cool stone. Her bruised head creased in pain, her shoulder throbbing intently as she slumped against it. She wanted to deny what happened, she wanted to forget what happened. But she could not, it burned so brightly and intensely that not even the deep darkness could quell it. She ached, her mind ached, and her looks matched it. She was a mess, she knew it and anyone else who would look at her would know it.

It was difficult to hold back a whimper. Was she crying? Gods even she did not know any more. She slumped against the wall, face creased in pain, her hands gripping onto her arms. Petch it hurt, it hurt more than she could truly comprehend. He had said something to her, a murmur of words, something about becoming stronger, better. To become a knight. She was not sure anymore, time had become little more than a blur to her.

The girl slid down the wall, lips trembling as the scene flickered back and forth in her mind. No, it did not happen. It could not have happened. No. Could it? Her hand pressed itself against her eyes. It was wrong, it was all wrong. Something like this was never meant to happen. Never ever. Weak, pitiful, she deserved not even be called a squire, let along acknowledged as one. Yet here she was, grovelling in the only place that she could deem as safe, that dark space of nothingness. How long could she stay though? How long could she stay put and shoulder that burden?

Not long. She had to run. She had to run away again. It was the only answer. She could not face herself anymore. She despised and hated the very essence of her existence. Dirt that was what she was. Common shyke to be tossed aside and simply forgotten. Her voice cracked as she held back a whimper, her fingers clenching onto the makeshift bandaging. She no longer knew what to do, short of curl up and cry. But even that piece of peace was not on offer to her. It would make noise, it would attract in others. And with their attraction would come the questions. Choking she stared out across the room. Gods, when would it stop? This nagging, hollow state, this dead weight of despair? Would they notice? Would they care?

Gods, make it stop. Please. Just end this… just for a chime… please.
x

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig was uneasy, there was no other way to put it as he lay there in his bed. Looking at the ceiling of the boy’s room. For once it wasn’t the nightmares though…no, this feeling you get from something, something that’s about to happen but you don’t know when or how. Will it happen to him? Will it happen to someone he knew; to his patron or to his friends? Gods he could that nagging sensation…..for once he really wished it was the nightmares, he knew that! It was a memory of something that already happened and so far only affected him.

He sat up from his bed, his legs touching the cold floor. A shiver ran down his back as he grabbed his shirt from above the chest before the bed and threw it over his head, sliding his arms through the sleeves. He didn’t look at his roommates, his mind too focused on the sensation that was like an incessant itch. He paced about the small room, mind trying to change the thoughts into something more pleasant but couldn’t…..That’s when he heard a door slamming from the break room.

He jumped slightly, his heart startled at the sudden and loud sound ‘Who could it be at this hour?’ Kreig thought for less than a tick ‘Fallon?’ Had she finished early from her training? Or was she back for a small break? He certainly hoped it wasn’t tied to the gut feeling in his stomach that said something was wrong. He made his way to the door, spinning the knob before opening the knob…. And saw something he never wanted to see.

A figure, appearance ravaged and whimpering against a wall, a familiar figure, wounded….WOUNDED! Kreig felt a mix emotions, there she was….Fallon, in pain… her head bandaged. Her clothing a mess like she’d been in a brawl, but Kreig knew it wasn’t…. that feeling in his stomach told him it was something, he just didn’t know what it was and couldn’t understand it


He stood there silent, looking at her, within him rage boiled, wondering who hurt her!! But there was also guilt and pain, he wasn’t there to protect her. A look of concern overtook his eyes as he approached the form , a lump forming in his throat “Fallon….?” He didn’t know want to ask her as he knelt down, what could he ask her? What could he tell her that would elevate the look of despair she had?….what could he do but simply look at her face as he sat on his knees and simply looked at her with that concerned face.


That pain looked so familiar... that look he had when he feared her asking him about the nightmare....For Fallon, no question could be asked now, the pain too recent. The paniced look in her eyes, too big. There was nothing to ask.... So he just before her, that was all he knew to do.
x

[Fallon]

Her eyes clenched shut as she felt the pain stir and deepen. Her teeth gritted as she rested against the wall, her mind blinded by her aches. Lips trembling she held back a whimper, her fingers creasing tightly around her shoulder. The world was beyond her at the moment, dark blurs and shadows passing over her eyes. Boards creaked in the gloom, the low breathing of another. She gave a flinch to the words, her eyes growing wide as the presence of the person reached her senses. Eyes turned, her once still body becoming animated as he towered over her.

Panic became apparent as she scrambled away, her good hand pressing against the floor whilst her other – though still able of feeling and movement – pressed against the wall. She gave frightened look to him as he crouched, feet pushing against the floor. A yelp escaped as she slipped, her side crashing against the floor whilst the rest of her writhed to try and make distance between him and her. He could be a threat, he could hurt her. Was he like them? He could not be an ally could he? He could not be a friend?

She had to get away.

Back hitting the wall once more she curled up in the corner, jaw tensing as she trembled. Eyes winced, moisture accumulating there as she tried to make herself as small as possible. She had been seen when she wanted to hide. Regressing back into herself, Fallon peered out at him from between her fingers, frightened eyes looking into the gloom at his shadow. With her throat closing up, the uttered a whimper, a final mark of a fear that had risen up and taken over.

A growl was forced out, her fingers curling into shaking fists as she tried to find the strength and courage to fight. She gave a blink at the outline, the features slowly falling into place. She raced her fists in a feeble attempt to make herself look ready to fight back and defend herself. A cornered rat could still bite after all. If she did not break first that was.
x

[Kreig Messer]

What could he do? As Kreig reached out to her, a comforting hand stretched to place on her should... she simply moved away in fear, her back against wall. He could a whimper, than a growl as she perceived, could she not see him in this darkness? Was that the reason she was hostile at this moments? DId she think he would hurt her? Seeing her battered form formed a lump in his throat 'Who had done this to you?! Who would dare hurt you?!' He wanted to ask these questions so much.... He wanted to hug her and tell her it was alright. But he couldn't, he couldn't and couldn't get close.

He stepped away with his hands raised in open palms, trying to show he meant no harm. Would she believe that? He wished....he truly wished, but it was apparent even to him that he would be of no use. He made his way to the door, looking back at her with each two step before he finally reached. Slowly he opened it, the creaking sound ringing in his ears as the lit torches in hallway illuminated his appearance. He looked back at her.... and with a heavy heart closed the door behind him and made a mad dash to the only chaperone he could think of, shouting her name as soon he reached her quarter.

"LADY PERNIS, LADY PERNIS!!" Kreig gasped as he stopped at her door and gave heavy knocks before it finally opened.

"By the gods, I'm up I'm up!!" She announced as her door opened and Kreig was surprised she was still in her day clothing. Then again she was a chaperone and she expected that not many squires would appreciate having nightmares of an old lady in her nightgown "[i] Kreig, whats the matter young man? What has gotten you so worked up like this?'[/b]"

"N-no time, my lady...I-its Fallon...sh-she's been hurt" He said as he each word was spoken with a heavy drip of desperation as he grabbed the old woman by the hand and urged her to follow him quickly 'She'd know what to do...certainly she would know' Kreig hoped as he made the long walk back to the dorm room, hoping that Fallon hadn't disappeared on him.

OOCDo whatever you want with the old lady
x

[Fallon]

The shadow moved, hands open as he backed away. But the squire still kept her guard up, teary eyes staring into the gloom. The door creaked, the hinges grinding as the man backed away to it, and disappeared into the corridor. It was the heavy foot fall that marked his route away. A held breathe was released, her shoulders slumping and her head lulling against the cool wall. There was shouting beyond, the calling of names in exclamation. Short of that however it was lost beyond her ears. She gave a tremble, fingers pressing against her eyes as she held herself back from sobbing.

Pathetic. Completely and utterly. Weak and useless. She should have just tried to disappear. Never to be seen again. Voices that existed beyond the door and out in the corridor echoed out, but they did not reach her. She was too wrapped up in her own world and solitude. Her eyes slid shut for a moment, the sharp pain in her shoulder having turned numb, her head light and dizzy. It could not have been that bad, could it?

Stomach twisting, the squire did not react as he returned with the other. Her once stable mind was swept away, even as heavy foot falls from the chaperone as she came in with the glow of a lantern in her hand.
“Get light in here! Now!” came the shout from her as she bent down before the squire, “By the Gods… what happened?” Flinching away as she came close to being touched by Lady Pernis, Fallon gave her a hollow, frightened stare. She felt the hairs on her neck rise with a sickening stab rising up as a firm hand pinned itself to her shoulder. Eyes looked around her bruised face and her grazes, drifting down to the other tell tale signs of what could have possibly happened. The woman’s head turned only briefly back to Kreig, “And whilst you are at it get something to drink that will take off the edge. She looks like she needs it.”

Make it stop, Gods, just make it stop. Wake me up from this nightmare.
x

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig couldn't believe what he saw under the light of the Chaperone's lantern 'Is...is that a stab wound?' He looked at her shoulder wraaped in than stared at her face and saw the bruises and tears 'by Dira...' He could feel rage and guilt building even quicker within him, Fallon's clothing was also tattered and torn. He was almost lost in thought before Lady Parnis snapped him out of it "Y-yes mam"

He exited the room and rested his arms against the wall " Damn it..." He muttered as he clenched his, allowing tears of his own to run down his face and drop to ground as he bent his 'Who? Who in this blasted city hurt her? I thought this place was supposed to be safe!' But in the end, in Kreig's mind that was all just words... there was no true safety here and a friend of his was hurt because of it, worse she was a squire like him! can''t they protect one of their own charges within the confines of this castle?

He grabbed a torch before reentering the quarters, wiping away his tears so the two could not see. That didn't prevent him from feeling that choking sensation in his throat as he went about and lit the candles in the room. Then checked the pitcher on the table and checked if it had any water, confirming that it did before pouring into a cup. He made his way back to Fallon and the lady, extending the cup to them. He would stay awake this whole night if he had to ' I won't be leaving you alone any time soon, count on that'
x

[Fallon]

Fallon trembled, and released what could only be described as a low whine. Her hairs rose, a brief flare of panic rising up as her stare was fixated upon the woman. The light was bright in her eyes the hand locking firmly upon her to prevent further squirming, as Lady Pernis poked and prodded. Not that she could bring herself to object, she was too stiffened with fear to do anything.
“Squire Kreig,” the woman spoke sternly as she took the cup from him, “Go get a shirt for her, the one she has is ruined. Quickly.” Her attention turned to that to Fallon, and the cup was forced into her hands, “Drink it. Slowly. It is water.”

Kreig? Kreig is here?

Hands locked around it, trembling her eyes growing vacant. The rim was forced to her lips, a cough and splutter escaping. Her throat had sealed up, words unable to form into anything remotely legible. As the once pained face fell and crumbled. There was nothing left to feel, an empty husk. Even as the shoulder was tended to with rough hands mixed with a string of mutters and curses, did Fallon simply stare. The events dawned on her as she simply sunk down into her own state of despair. Unthinking and unfeeling. A suffocating void that had all but silenced everything. Glazed eyes stared upon Kreig as a hand was pulled up underneath her arm.

“Get you cleaned up and then some rest, this will be discussed in the morning with your patron,” said Lady Pernis as the squire was pulled onto her feet, “You boy will report anything that happens. And you better keep an eye on her.” She was still holding onto the cup, her hands shaking as she did.
What’s going on? Where am I? I’m scared. Gods I’m scared. I want to wake up. I… I…
x

[Kreig Messer]

"I...yes my Lady" Kreig said, his heat was sinking everytime he looked at her broken form, but every second of reprieve from it made it more dificult as he enetered the boys roo and quickly fetched his extra black shirt. He stood in the room for a moment to take a deep breath, but the lump in his throat made it difficult. He wanted to unleash every ounce of anger he had, he wanted ask so badly... but now was not the tine for such things, he needed to be calm for her, to be there for her. He took another moment before returning, handing lady Parnis the shirt, it was a size too large for Fllon but it would have to do.



Then Fallon looked at him with those glazing eyes, he dared not to let his own emotions overrun him, he needed to simply show concern. Hide his anger, Sorrow and confusion behind a brick wall before he breaks down himself. It gradually became harder as she looked like she was dying 'Gods.... what happened? What has happened to the Fallon I know and who is the one who replaced her with a broken husk?' But the one who held the answers was before him, and she could not speak.

"Yes Lady" Kreig said with a hoarse voice, he didn't know how he could protect her, but he would saxrifice his sleep if it meant doing so, he'll become her gaurd dog from the world outside. He just knew now that he had a new slew of nightmare, and gods they wont be pretty.
x

[Fallon]

Fallon was pulled into the shirt, the buttons quickly done up to cover her frame. Glazed eyes winced, the damp resting there. The cup was peeled from her hands, a gentle pull dragging her up to her feet. There was a held back whimper, a small push of a hand against her back guiding her towards the door of her room, before Lady Parnis spoke once more, “Get you into bed. Just relax. Nothing is here to cause harm.”

She flinched at the hand, her form staggering away. She did not want to be touched; she did not want hands upon her once more. There was a long frightened stare, hands raising to get away and create space. Not that it worked, for the quivering form was shepherded into the sleeping room with ease. There was a low noise from Orvin, the sound of a growl as his attention was take to that of his panicked master. He forced himself between them, fur rising as he took on a more defensive role. Something had happened, he could smell it. And he was not about to let anything else happen.

“Damn that dog!” exclaimed the woman, as Fallon scuffled away to her bed. Orvin followed after her, pressing her to the bed and away. He gave a yap, eyes burning at them both as the flickering candle light. She eased herself down upon it, her eyes staring down at her hands. She could not fight back, she could not use her powers, she could not scream, she could not talk. She was weak, and she had failed not only herself but the order that she strived so badly to work with. And all she could do now was sit, wrapped up within her own failures in the flickering darkness.

Gods. Why? Why dammit!?
x

oocLast post from me.

[Perplexity]

Riddled With Rewards Fallon Experience Skill XP Earned Philosophy + 2 EXP Lores • Lore Earned • The Ache of Emptiness • Hysteria and Horror • Self Loathing, Self Hatred Kreig Messer Experience Skill XP Earned Running + 1 EXP Observation + 1 EXP Lores • Lore Earned • The Ring of Empathy, Understanding Another’s Pain • Glass Menagerie: The Illusion of Safety • Oaths of Revenge: For Fallon Notes : Emotional and well conveyed. I am impressed that you’re both willing to place both of your characters in such a situation. For Kreig… • | Unspoken Vow- Kreig’s guilt over not being able to protect someone for whom he cares a great deal will weigh heavily upon his conscience. His protective instinct around Fallon will flare to twice their normal levels from here on out until he perceives that she is truly safe from harm. Whenever that may be… If you’ve any questions regarding your grades feel free to PM me.