Flashback Adventures in Underland (Zarovin)

[Sosicly Magnolia]

32nd of Summer, 504AV Many would consider the dark to be many things, frightening, gloomy, deathly and some consider it to be filled with evil. Many would even consider the Symenestra evil, what with them being so suited to their darkness and with their odd ways and disappearing woman. But evil can come in many forms and the current form was that of boredom. Sosicly was bored, utterly and entirely, though this was not entirely true. In actuality the girl was jealous, jealous to the point where she entertained shameful thoughts about her fellow playmates, many of those including them being dropped on their collective heads. The other children were able to frolic about with their voices and their eagerness and go so quickly. Her face contorted for a moment, a rage at herself and the others taking place. But she schooled it carefully, with practice, no point in being jealous. Of course, this did not stop the girls nails from curling into her flesh as she followed the other children. And what a sight one would see, one oversized arm gripping her book, quill trapped inside with an ink vial in her pocket while her arms and legs held on to her woven passage with ease. The children in front of her were no different, moving, swinging, and crawling about the seemingly bottomless caverns. Likely they would all be headed to the Blue Grotto before going home for practicing skills and showing them off to their webs. But today, Sosicly had an entirely different notion, or really she was equally frightened and distracted by a small creature of some sort. Harmless and small, one of the few things that scurried along the cities walls like its people. And so, switching her route the child began to follow it, it’s not like she could swim for long anyhow, she was horrid at holding her breath. For many chimes one could see the girl who had been following, now with a heaving chest, winding her way amongst the rope passages. Her grip tightening rather than slackening and obviously slowing until she reached one of the many abandoned houses in the other half of the city. Even to a non Symenestra this area had the ability to make one feel the gloom of the dark. Sosicly found herself sitting in a nook and watching the houses silently, chest heaving and eyes blinking rapidly. How sad it was to think they might never know what it was to see these places filled. The sadness was short lived it seemed though, noises echoing throughout, red eyes searching frantically as she tried not to flinch. The houses couldn’t have anything strange in them…would they? Couldn’t be she wasn’t far down, seated just below the houses but her mother was always telling her about the things that lurked below. The girl paused and stared in surprise as the silk slipped from her lax grip, leaving her stranded on the side of the rocks. Her head thumped back against the rocks, this was going to be a long wait. Well, if nothing else at least she could sit.

[Zarovin]

Sitting on a ledge, Zarovin watched a large centipede on the other side of cavern descend into the cavern below. The young boy figured the insect must have been five feet long luckily he was nowhere near the beast when it made it's trek into the bottom of the cave. He looked over at his little sister Ariana and smiled at her with a toothy grin, “You saw the centipede right?” Ariana looked up at her brother and nodded with a smile on her face. Zarovin smirked at her and said impishly, “You know Ari if we were on the other side of the cave right now. We would be lunch for the beast. You would be the appetizer and I would be the main course.” The little girl shook her head and said softly, “You would have protected me big brother wouldn't you?” Zarovin reached over and messed up her hair, “Maybe...” Ariana gave him a pout, smacked him on the arm, and said loudly, “Your such a liar brother!” Zarovin wrapped a arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He looked at his little sister and said softly, “It is really a bad habit of mine isn't it, Ari.” The little girl smiled up at him and leaned up against him watching the activity in the cavern below. As Zarovin watched the cavern, he heard a small rock hit the ledge, and he looked up to see his other sister Evonnia climbing down the wall towards them. Zarovin looked at Ariana and called up to his sister, “Did mother send you to find us sister?” Evonnia realizing she was a safe distants from the ledge dropped down behind him and looked at him said softly, “Yes, it is time for Ariana's sewing classes, so mother sent me to fetch her from you.” Ariana started to pout, looked up at her brother, and said in protest, “Do I have to leave...sewing is sooo borring, and I am not any good at it either..” He looked at his sister and raised a eyebrow at her. He knew from seeing Ariana work that she will be a master tailor someday if she could sit still for ten minutes. He looked at his baby sister and said with a laugh, “You better go with Evonnia. You shouldn't miss your lessons, Ari.” The little girl stamped her foot in protest and Evonnia took her hand and smiled at her older brother. Evonnia lead Ariana to the wall and said without looking around, “Enjoy the rest of your day, brother.” Evonnia took the sandals off her sister feet, put them in her satchel, and they started to climb back up the cliff face. Zarovin decided he wanted to explore the empty part of the city. He would have never did it with his sisters around since it could be a dangerous place if someone was not careful, and it was no place for a five year old. Zarovin took off his sandals and placed them in his belt, and he put his hands on the wall. When his hands were secured to the wall, he pulled himself up till his feet were on the side of the wall too. He slowly made his accent to the woven walk way above him. The climb was slow since he was never the greatest climber, but eventually he made it to the walkway and pulled himself onto the thick ropes. He looked left and he could see the bright lights of occupied city, so he went right to the city with no lights. He quickly moved across the woven bridge till he made it to the lonely city. Once he made it to the rocky ledge, he jumped off the bridge and crouched in the shadows behind some rocks. Zarovin took a deep breath and thought to himself, “Well I am definitely not alone here..” Before he took cover, he saw something large crawl up the side of the houses. He couldn't make out what it was because it dropped into one of the houses before he could get a good look at it. Zarovin made sure the coast was clear before continuing farther into the city. He enjoyed coming here because it was a good place to practice his stealth. Father suggested this place to practice his skills out in the really world. Ducking behind a stalagmite, he noticed movement up on one of the rocks. He slowly tip toed to another stalagmite to get a better look at the creature in the nook. He peeked out from the rock formation, and he saw the creature was a young symenestra girl about the age of Evonnia. He decided he wanted a closer look, so he waited till the girl turned her head, and he quickly made it behind another stalagmite closer to the girl. Zarovin peered up over the rock and realized her recognized the pretty girl. When he picked up Evonnia from class weaving class, Evonnia mentioned the girl couldn't talk because of something to do with a birth defect. Zarovin waited till she looked away from his position and he moved the the wall under her nook, and he pressed his back to the wall. He looked up and saw her foot dangling over the edge. He turned around, put his hands on the wall, and slowly climbed to left side of the nook. When he got closer, he could her heavy breath like she was trying to catch her breath. He wondered if she was being chased by something in the empty city. Hanging on the wall next to the nook, he decided not to scare her and he announced his presence to her before appearing, “Hello, I don't mean to scare you, but I recognized you from my sister Evonnia weaving class..” He moves over to the side of the nook, poked his head around the edge, and smiled warmly at the girl, “My name is Zarovin Clementia. I am brother of Evonnia. Can I come into your ledge, or would you just want me to hang here?” He hoped she would find his last comment funny, and he waited for the girl's response.

[Sosicly Magnolia]

Sosicly flinched, she had heard the other coming but surpise at a gliding shape where there should be none startled her. An arm raised both to defend and flee until the voice made an sense. Childish envy welled at the sound but she motioned with her arm and patted the spot beside her with a slap. The boy was a bit older than her and the name from her class sounded familiar but she couldn't put a face to the name. Picking up her book from beside her, Sosicly carefully opened her ink vial and spread the book on her lap with a readied quill. Dipping into the vial with florish that ended in a tired cough and spiraling out her name. I am Sosicly. I am also stuck. Taking the book out of her lap she held it out to Zarovin. If she wanted to get home at all today she would need help. As she held it she stared without shame, he had long hair and bright purple eyes not uncommon but a bit surprising since she was used to her families red eyes. The child didn't otherwise move staying perfectly still and watching the other. After a chime she yanked back the book and wrote again swiftly. You can help me explore, I was looking for pretty stones. Her writing was enforced with a wheeze and over zealous flailing of limbs. If she had an escourt, an older one she wouldn't get in trouble! Her eyes roved the empty housing with morbid curiosity and excitment and she then shoved the book towards Zarovin again.

[i]

[Zarovin]

Zarovin smirked at the girl as she offered him a spot next to her. She seemed like a kind girl, and he couldn't help himself from laughing slightly as she eagerly patted the ground next to her. Zarovin crawled a long the side of the rock to sit next to girl. He was surprised she never said anything to him, but he realized she couldn't talk when she pulled out her book and started to write her greeting. Zarovin looked up and smiled at her when she introduced herself as Sosicly. He read a little bit more to her message, and he wrote that she was stuck in the crevice. Zarovin nodded to see if she was injured, but she didn't appear to be injured either. Zarovin said with a smile, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Socicly.” Zarovin smiled once more when he saw the girl vigorously start to write again in her book, but he started to understand why she was stuck. The girl could barely do anything physical without quickly getting winded. Zarovin said with a warm smile, “I would love to help you explore, Socicly, and it should be too hard to find you some pretty stones.” Zarovin started think of a way to help the girl, and he smiled when the obvious came to mind and said softly, “I am going to have to carry you on my back Socily. I don't think you are too heavy for me to carry you.” Zarovin adjust his quiver and his bow, and he crouched down for her to get on his back. He looked back her with another smile and said softly, “Ok, I guess I will be your personal steed for today, so if you need me to head in a direction tap my shoulder. In the direction you want me to turn, and if you want me to stop or get my attention. I want you to tap me on the top of my head.” Zarovin remembered the large centipede, and he frowned at the thought of engaging it with her on his back. He looked at her not wanting to scare the girl, but he had to warn her, “Socily, if we have a run in with the local wildlife, I want you to run and hide until I find you again, OK.” He patted his back making a horse sound, and he said to her without looking back at her, “Ok why don't we start our adventure now?”

[Sosicly Magnolia]

Of all the times to be grateful for an illness the young symenestra was never more amused and grateful than when people coddled her for he illness. Though she had to admit for all the help she had been offered none had every thought to be her steed. She couldn't help the smile that light up her face or the way she stood swiftly, more than ready to begin and deciding that Zarovin would be a person she could keep in acquaintance and forgive him his original entrances fright. Listening to his directions with a cursory nod but no real worry she swiftly wrote once more in the book but did not bother to show it to the boy just yet. First she tucked away her ink once more and slid her quill into place, hesitating for only a moment before wrapping her arms around his neck gently. Sosicly was highly aware that this could end horribly considering their delicate frames but she was not going to mention this or think on it too much. Only once she was curled around Zarovins back did she slip the book in front of his face to show him the words. If you want to stop anywhere we can but we should go farther in. She thought it was generous of her and after waiting only a brief chime she tucked the book to her once more and waited for the other to go her chest already heaving a bit uncomfortably in her excitement. Her eyes were already scouring the area looking for any gleam of light to catch her eye though she had no idea how to get the stones out should they find any. If they were lucky maybe they would see one of those local wildlife Zarovin had warned her of, her arms tightened in anticipation.

[Sosicly Magnolia]

When Sosicly said that Zarovin could stop anywhere he liked she did not think he meant that he would disappear to check a noise and not return. He had effectively stranded her at least a third of the way within the empty city. While the girl wished to be angry, assuming a joke at her expense, she couldn’t help but wonder if the noise had been something. For a few chimes she stayed hovering in the entrance of the empty house, it was the least decaying looking one they had found. Looking around Sosicly was able to find one of the old roads she had seen him disappear off of. Holding tight to it, she left her bag, and shoes at the entrance to mark it so she did not go in circles. She took a minute to try and crawl a ways up, tightening her legs around and digging her toes into the cord. Only a second later she was tugging herself up a few inches, repeating the movements with her led and inching her hands up. Strange that she found herself nervous about something that was second nature, and for a moment she let herself dangle, stranded more perilously. Then she swung her body, heaving with what little strength she had, her gaze locked on the wall crevices. Really, why couldn’t he have left her somewhere she could at least move to easier? It took several swings for her to get a large enough swing and reach the wall. Releasing the road with practiced swiftness, she clung to the wall, and allowed herself a moment to breathe. Sosicly’s rest did not last long, when something much too long with far too many legs crept across her hand she found herself hurrying along the wall. Carefully shuffling like a sideways crawling spider. It was just one foot beside the other, then her hands followed suit, yet she never seemed to get anywhere, and the faint glow of the opalgloams was not enough to give her a piece of mind. Not for the first time she wished she could make some sort of noise in hopes her vanished companion would echo the sentiment. Instead she found herself fruitlessly searching for a stone to bang against the wall in hopes of finding someone before she ran into something.

[Sosicly Magnolia]

Sosicly went on for no more than ten chimes before she was rattling out each breath with a sharp cut of pain. Her legs and arms were uncomfortably warm, and she found that if she stayed in one stop too long then went frightening limp. But she needed to rest, maneuvering carefully, the girl managed to cross her legs, and panicking silently swung herself around. She was now latched onto the cavern wall in a manner that left her facing the empty city. But it allowed her some reprieve, and she leaned back against the wall, loosening her death grip on the stone. Looking around she noted the eerie glow of farther off lights that seemed to fade away into nothing. That was where should would have found something interesting but a quick intake of herself and her lack of guide told her it was not an option. And where was her guide? Her momentary distraction with getting away from the house had made her forget about Zarovin, but now any pity she had was gone. He had left her there! If he was so worried he should have taken her back or let her on her own. She ignored the fact that that would have left her in the same predicament, and sighed. Her mother would not be pleased if the Ochya patrol was forced to escort her home again. Gritting her teeth at her own foolishness, Soscily wondered how far she could make it back the way she came. It seemed the same endless crawl in either direction.

[Sosicly Magnolia]

Nearly a bell later Sosicly was back where she started. Although now tired, and quite irritable. Letting out a silent cry of frustration the girl stormed into the house, self-preservation nearly kicking in too late as she stepped tentatively here and there. She didn’t trust the house to hold properly but she was tired, and waiting above the cavern didn’t seem like nearly as much fun. And though she new it was the same as her own house it lacked the people things cluttering it. It was hers. Grinning, she dropped her knapsack to the side and quietly wandered over to one of the beds and curled herself in. It was not nearly as comfortable as her own. What with it missing all the silken comforts. Closing her eyes she promised herself a few moments rest, nothing more. When she woke Sosicly was surprised to not hear any sounds. It was odd to not hear the din of her family, the only sounds she could here was her own breathing and the sound of her footsteps. The mild fear gave way to the excitement of being somewhere on her own, though she worried at not taking her medicine it soon fled away as her mined perused more childish delights. Like imagining she was her mother or that she was demanding her eldest brother sit in a corner while the younger made her tea. Sitting primly on one of the chairs she was pleased that no one was there to witness it break underneath her, sending her sprawling. Getting up quickly, her face red she pushed aside what was left and continued her inspection. But there was nothing more to the house, and soon the novelty of a house all to her own wore out. By the second bell since she had woken Sosicly was decidedly homesick, and growing nervous. What if she had missed the patrol? What if they did not go out this far? What if, what if, what if?! Her own thoughts annoyed her but prompted her out of the house and back to waiting at the entrance, now more nervous because Zarovin had not reappeared. For a few chimes she entertained herself by drawing. For the next few she managed to get to another more stable house to wait. She drew some more. She was worried she was in the wrong direction. A bell later she was dozing off, the sound of voices nothing but a faint dream until she was being shaken awake. Sosicly stared up into the blurry face before her, thinking herself to be home and promptly falling back asleep. The next time she awoke she was both fortunately and not, home.

[Ensnare]

Sosicly

Skill	XP Gained
Acrobatics	2
Persuasion	1
Observation	2
Climbing	3
Drawing	1

Lore Gained

Boredom is Jealousy's Cover Up

Zarovin: The Adventurous Deserter

Feeling Exhaustion while Climbing

Items/Consequences: Nada!

Zarovin

Since Zarovin has retired, I am unable to give a grade, if you should unretire in the future send me a PM and I will post the grade here.

If you feel I have graded you unfairly, or if you have any questions, please send me a PM and we'll work the problem out.

Notes :

Shame Zarovin retired, I thought the thread itself had potential. I, however, like what you, Sosicly, did with it at the end. Little Sosicly is so adorable! Hopefully she doesn't fall off any walls any time soon, was worried she was going to croak while climbing.

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