Distract me from my fear. (Alexander Faircroft)

[Zailey]

5th of Fall, 516AV. Time: After sundown. The sun had set not too long ago, and Zailey was finally on her way home from a day of shopping at her leisure. She would have preferred to spend that time in the swamp, foraging for fresh, free, ingredients, but the weather that day would not permit it. A heavy rain had begun to fall around midday, but before long a pleasant shower had turned into something more dramatic. Thunder roared and lightening spread in flashes across the sky, dark gray clouds making the day much darker than it normally would have been at that time. Thankfully, she was almost home where she could hide away for the rest of the night. Even if cover from the elements was little comfort, at least she could dry off. Walking up to her door, she carried a basket full of a carefully sorted variety of herbs. While the basket rested in the crook of her elbow, larger packages were held tightly in her arms and kept in place by resting her chin atop. Carefully shifting the things to one arm, once a hand was free she quickly turned the door nob then returned it to the packages that threatened to fall. Shifting her weight, Zailey pushed the door open with a swing of her hips. It creaked on it’s hinges, opening to a dark and quiet room. Stepping inside, she swung her hips again to close the door, then pushed her shoulder against it for good measure. Satisfied that it was secure, she let herself rest against the door, arms still full, and let out a long breath. Alone in that place, she listened to the rain against her roof and windows. It was loud and unending. There at the door a small puddle of rain water formed at her feet from what she brought in on her clothes and hair. Quietly standing in her empty home, it was nights like this, when thunder clamored and lightening danced, that she missed her home in Riverfall. Normally she enjoyed a good downpour, but when it turned violent and loud like that night, she wished to be near her family. When flashes of light cast strange shadows on the walls, and howling wind whistled at the door and windows, it frightened her. The unnerving sound of trees and bushes against walls and glass sent chills through her. Even after all the time she had spent away from Riverfall. Walking across the room, she set everything down on the table nearest the hearth. Then thunder boomed loudly, shaking her windows and making Zailey jump. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she stepped over to the cabinet that stood against the wall to the left of the hearth and opened a drawer, searching blindly for the small tin of matches. When she felt the cool metal against her fingers, she retrieved it and took a few long steps over to her nightstand, striking a match and lighting the tall candle that sat there. With the candles warm glow flickering against the walls, pushing back the darkness and shadows, she peeled off her soaked clothes and draped them over the back of a chair that sat between one end of the table and the hearth. The hearth was dark and cold, but a few logs of scorched wood sat poking out from a thick layer of ash. Kneeling down she scooped some of the ashes out with a small spade before striking a second match and bringing the fire back to life. Standing nude in front of it, the flame licked away the sheen of rainwater that remained and warmed her chilled flesh in the process. After a few moments standing with eyes closed and hands held out to the fire, she turned around and walked over to a chest near the door, crouching down. Just then lightening flashed, thunder crashed, and a gust of wind pelted her window with heavy raindrops, drowning out the crackle of burning wood. Fear of it sent Zailey back on her bottom, where she twisted her body to look at the window and wondered how long the storm would last. Closing her eyes and trying to get over her ridiculous fear, Zailey shook her head and turned her attention back to the chest to pull out a long shirt, undergarments, and a pair of shorts. On a normal night she would have slipped into bed right then, but she wouldn’t be getting much sleep while the storms tantrum continued. So instead she returned to the table and began emptying her basket, setting its contents out on the table. There was a recipe she had been meaning to practice, and in that moment it seemed the perfect distraction. After making sure everything was accounted for, she walked over to her nightstand again and picked up the book that sat next to the candle. Turning it’s pages as she returned to the table, she quickly found the needed page. She couldn’t read most of the words, and only recognized a couple letters, but the pictures provided were enough to give a general idea of the steps and ingredients needed for that specific recipe. She had watched her grandmother make the bread before and at one point she had made it herself with her mothers help, so she remembered most of it without much difficulty. Going over her ingredients again, she had basil, parsley, oregano, honey, flour, water, salt, yeast, and oil. She was about to start preparations for the recipe when she heard the sound of tapping at her window. Her eyes grew wide with fear and she instinctively grabbed the nearest weapon, her skillet, from above the hearth and held it tightly enough with both hands to turn her knuckles white. Looking over at the window, even though she didn't see anything she was still afraid Then she let out a loud yelp,the door shaking on its hinges. It sounded like somebody was trying to break the door down and made her heart pound.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

At this point Alex had been in Kenash for five days. He still wasn’t used to the particularly nasty humidity in the air from the marsh. His feet stank into the ground under the weight of his armour and his weapons. To top it all off the heavens opened and unleashed a torrential downpour. The rattling clink of the beads of rain against the steel of his helm and armour. To top everything off with a fine point he’d gotten lost within the residential area of the city. Stepping through the muddy streets now completely soaked through he sighed.
Dad… Where the heck are you? The thought parsed through his head as a fork of lighting stabbed into the ground not too far away, and the clamour of thunder rung out flinging him back into the reality of the situation. He was out in steel, in a thunderstorm. This likely wasn’t going to end well.

He hurried around thinking of the potential downsides of being caught out, and then the idea of being hit by lightning wasn’t exactly a pleasant one. Coming across a house where he could see the lights on he thought he might try his luck at seeing shelter at least for the rest of that night. As he peeked through the window briefly to see if anyone was there the lighting stabbed into the ground behind him about a quarter mile away, illuminating the sky and space behind him. His silhouette the only thing really visible if one was to look outside. Tapping on the window with his fingers tips from the sock of the impact and roar of thunder he darted away. Tapping his hand against the door or at least what he thought was a tap, given the deafening pour of rain he couldn’t quite hear too well. So instead of a light tap like he thought he was giving to knock instead he hammered the door with his hand several times.

His voice called out.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for shelter from the rain. May I enter, I’ll be gone as soon as the lightning subsides.” His words drowned out by another roar of thunder and lightning. As of right now though a small awning covered the place he stood. So for a little while he was safe from the calamitous wrath of the skies.


OOCI'm sorry this is so short by comparison. Just trying to get the ball rolling

[Zailey]

With Zaielys heart beating wildly, her breath ragged and uneven, her eyes darted around the room quickly, never looking at one thing for very long. If she had focused, just a little, the shadows wouldn’t have been able to dance as they did. They kept her on edge with every flash of lightening and the accompaniment of the whistling wind scratched at her eardrums. The sound of the wind had changed, though, when a strong gust caught in her smoking chimney. It moaned and whined, like a ghostly apparition, all the way down to the warm fire, pushing its flames out to quickly lick at the soot-free brick and wood that was normally just out of reach. Some sparks flew further though, burning the back of Zaileys legs in a fine speckled pattern. She ignored the sting of hot ashes though, adrenaline blocking the feeling and fear sending her bolting towards the door. Ripping the door open, the pitch of raindrops against metal was louder than the rest. A figure, cloaked in shadows and water, stood outside her door. Barely any of the persons details were discernible in nights darkness, so Zaileys mind filled them in. That was trouble, for while the person was a complete stranger, she saw the familiar features of a person she had left back in Riverfall... who happened to share the same name as the stranger... What else would a person, struck by fear, do when they needed comforting or protection? “Alex,” she whimpered in desperation. In that instant of self inflicted illusion, she dropped her skillet with a clang and slid slender arms around his cold, wet, metal waist and pressed a red tinted cheek against his chest. “What kept you away for so long,” she asked with a sniff, her voice quiet in the rain. “You know I scare easily when the weather gets like this.” Made up as it was, holding a loved one in her arms chased her fear away. But as she calmed, she noticed she was starting to get wet again. She wanted to avoid drenching a second set of clothes so, tilting her head back and rested her chin against the persons metal chest, she spoke again. “Come on, lets go inside. I--” She had made a dire mistake and had no idea who it was she clung to. Searching the mans features, mouth agape, and breath caught in her throat, Zailey blinked a few times. Trying to process what had just happened. Letting go of the stranger and taking a step back, she bent down to retrieve her skillet. Holding it with both hands, she wrung its handle until her knuckles were white. Embarrassed with herself, she stood still as a statue while her cheeks turned a deeper red. She needed to something, so without a word she lifted he skillet over her head and kept it there a few ticks before swinging it towards the mans head. Only to drop it a second time and have a hand move up to cover her mouth. She didn’t know if she had actually hit him, but with eyes wide and a sharp breath, a quick apology could be heard from behind closed fingers. “Are you alright?! Did I hurt you??” She was no skilled fighter and so had no idea how to identify somebody who was.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Stood out in the rain Alex tried with failed effort to wipe some of the water from his armour. The steel simply smearing the water into smaller droplets across the plate. As he stood there musing over whether or not the person had heard him he considered leaving. Marching off into the thunderstorm again, however the thought of being struck by lightning was ever present. After all he was essentially a walking lightning rod. Despite the thundering sound of raindrops against the helm he worse he heard the hammer of hurried feet towards the door. With a sharp tug the whole thing flew open. Before him stood a bedraggled, somewhat short redhead. Who in a singular sharp motion threw her arms around his waist.

What caught him off guard more than anything out was the calling of his name. He’d never so much as seen her before and she knew his name. With an instinctual recoil he took a half step back, leaning out into the water again as the rain thrummed against his helm. The rest of the words were like someone looking for reassurance from someone. Perhaps an elder brother or such. Either way something inside him made him want to place his hand atop her head and tell her everything was going to be alright. But he didn’t he couldn’t at least not as soaked as he was. Then again she was already drenched from holding onto his armour for as long as she had. So what could be the harm? He lifted his hand slowly, but before he could even get halfway there she pulled away from him.

Half inviting him in and then suddenly she cut off her words and the only thing he caught flashing across her eyes was fear. He stepped into the house, with his left hand he closed the door, taking a moment to parse what was happening he heard a loud clang against his breast plate. With a small cough and a step backwards, it had taken him off-guard but still stung, even though the armour. With a small cough Alex answered her question, the flushed red face telling him she was embarrassed about what had occurred.
“I’m alright. Though you may wanna be careful with that. Someone could get hurt.” He groaned finishing his sentence and kneeling lightly to lift up the pan and hand it to her. “Though it would seem you have me at a disadvantage, you know my name but I don’t know yours. And again I apologize for the intrusion, but it’s not exactly safe to be wandering the streets in full steel plate during a lightning storm, that’s a recipe for disaster in my opinion. Also miss. May I recommend that you perhaps dry out a little? Hugging a soaked through tinman isn’t going to help anyone.” His last words more joking than much else but his voice held a smooth softness to it, an almost gentle nature despite the imposing sight of a man coated in steel and laden with weapons.

[Zailey]

A complete stranger stood in her small home, drenching the floor around him. She had struck him with her skillet out of fear and confusion, but what surprised her was that he still remained. Did he really think he was welcome, even after her assault? He was either as scared as she was of this weather and seeking shelter, or had some other sinister plan for her. Maybe it was both, but either way she wanted him to leave. But how could she after inviting him in? Even if it was just a mistake, she was too nervous of the mountainous iron clad man to run him out of her house. What if he became violent? When he handed Zauley the skillet she had dropped, she hesitated at first. Was he really going to just hand it over to her after what she had done? Turning and walking to her table, she set the tool down, her eyes set on the table before her, she wasn’t sure what to do. Maybe she should talk to him? When he mentioned her clothes, she looked down and took the hem with both hands, pulling the soaked transparent fabric away from her skin with a groan. Before moving her arms to strategically cover herself, her hand went to a blade that was on the table, wrapping a tight fist around it, then turning back to face the tin man that stood just inside the doorway. Making no effort to hide it. She had accidentally invited in somebody she knew nothing about, so of course she would be cautious. Even if her tiny cooking knife was no match for the weapons he carried. Her gaze went to the stranger before drifting to the ground at her own bare feet and her cheeks kept their red hue. Unlike his foreboding exterior, she never expected him to sound so kind. “Sorry about earlier. I mistook you for somebody who’s far from here. I should have known better, but fear has a way of making you see things,” she paused, a grimace changing the curve of her lips and her gaze lifting off the floor, eyes a bit wider, “Your name is really Alex? I can’t say I approve,” she chuckled. A tinge of pain twisting her expression. “I’m Zailey, though that’s of little importance. The important question is, what the hell are you doing out in this weather? Your answer will decide if I let you stay here.” Sure, she was trying to sound brave but she wouldn’t admit to herself, let alone him, that she was glad somebody else was with her while the storm raged on.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The atmosphere in the room was tense top say the least. A heavy pall had been cast on the fact he was there. Still as much as he regretted intruding and imposing himself on someone else, most of all a young woman. He’d still rather face a slightly uncomfortable situation than a bolt of lightning. Still watching her walk over to the table Alex just shook his hands out firing water at the ground in large splashes. Being caught out in that rather disgusting weather and then the sudden physical contact had soaked her through. Meaning he got more of a sight than he bargained for, at least briefly. Though what really drew his attention was how hard her grip had formed around the knife atop the table. Quite possibly a defence mechanism against the sheer amount of steel he was laced with.

Though as he gaze drifted to the floor Alex’s eyes snapped up to her face studying it, taking in all the little expressions. Her words though confirmed what he’d suspected.
“It’s alright. Fear can get the better of most people. As for who you mistook me for, I’m either going to assume he’s a lucky guy or he’s family.” A soft smile now hid beneath his helm, the soft jade green of his eyes peeking through the visor. She couldn’t approve of his name? Well that was a strange sentiments. Though when he was the twist of pain or possibly anguish in her face it became somewhat clear why it was a problem. Then came the crux of the matter. Her name, and her wanting a reason as for why he was out in that…And if she would let him stay. He had no reason to lie. So the trough or at least half of it would possibly suffice.

“In all honesty. I’ve been out in this…Gods forsaken weather, looking for someone. Family. And to make matters worse I’m not sure where he is nor why he’s here. I was out in this weather because I often find at night a lot more of the…Less than respectable people emerge from their holes. And if you want to find someone who better to ask than those who’d sell out their own parents for the right price?” His voice was still soft but carried a much firmer edge, not of anger but of some sort of resolve. Finishing his first sentence he lifted up his hands and removed his helmet. Blonde soaked locks spilling forth, a similar beard drenched and almost dripping. Sweeping his hair back out of his eyes he now looked across the room fully at Zailey.
“I suppose I should fully introduce myself. My name is Alexander Faircroft, Squire of the syliran knights. And I’m sorry for imposing myself and my situation upon a young lady such as yourself. If you wish it I shall leave however and cease to inconvenience you further.” Alex spoke with a voice of not quite authority but with a near militant precision.

[Zailey]

A child forced to go out into the cruel world, to find a parent. That’s the story she was told. Thinking about her own father, Zailey could only imagine the way he felt. Had it been her, the questions and unknowns would have stopped her before even leaving Riverfall. To her and her brothers, their father was the epitome of bravery, compassion, and what one was supposed to strive to become. To have him disappear and wonder if he had left by choice or if somebody had taken him forcefully and possibly left him for dead in some hidden place would have crushed her entire family. Refusing to even entertain the idea, she shooed it from her mind and returned her attention to her unexpected guest. She wanted to say something comforting, but often the words left her. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope your journey hasn’t been too difficult.” Her inability to relate to the things that happened to the people around her was something she hated and something she hoped to outgrow eventually. In the back of her mind, she knew that until she had some of her own experiences , good or bad, she wouldn’t be able to comprehend just what people were going through. While her thoughts ran unsupervised, Zaileys hold on the small blade slacked, but nimble fingers wouldn’t completely release it. The clank and creak of shifting metal drew Zaileys gaze back to the person near her door just in time to see him remove his helmet and watch blond hair fall, but what was most captivating were his bewitching eyes. Their gaze made her skin burn, she couldn’t bring herself to meet them. She continued to listen to him speak, but turned away and strode over to a chest that sat on the other side of the door the stranger had come in through. Knowing that he watched her, she was careful to not to reveal any more skin when she knelt, smoothing the damp shirt over her legs before opening the chest. Other than a flutter of her eyelids, she gave no impression of her surprise when Alexander introduced himself as a squire of the Syliras knights. She had heard tales of the legendary knights told in bedtime stories to inspire children and even heard them being discussed in gossip when travelers from Syiras came to Riverfall. How much of it was true, she couldn’t say, but it did put her at ease a little. Surely if Alexander was a squire of Syliras he wouldn’t cause her trouble or harm. “I’m not going to make you go out in this weather dressed like that. Besides, maybe you’re just what I need to get through the night,” she chuckled. Setting her knife down on the nightstand that stood to the left of the chest to free her hands, she started sifting through various pieces of clothing. Then, as if it had been waiting out of sight for Zailey to relax just a little bit, a flash of lightening overpowered the warm glow of candlelight, filling the small home and casting frightening shadows across the floor and up the walls. It was quickly followed by a deep and loud rumble that made Zailey whimper and chased her into bed to hide under her covers. Looking like a child, she had the blanket wrapped over her head, around her face, and held closed under her chin with balled fists and wide eyes. “Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day!”

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex just cast his eyes to the floor as she spoke. The soft jade green settling from the sharp wariness to a more blunted sadness. It wasn’t the easiest thing to have to pick up the pieces of a broken family and make your own way alone in the world but, when one parent was hardly there anyway and beat you ant time he saw you. And the other was taken suddenly without any warning. It was fairly easy to push into the unknown with your head held high.
“Every journey is difficult, it’s just a matter of whether or not your experiences have prepped you for it.” He could tell his unwillingness to look away from her was making her a little uncomfortable so when his eyes lifted back up he didn’t look towards her but rather towards his hands. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you so much. I’m pretty certain that the reason your over there is that you have a change of clothing. After all saying in something soaked isn’t good for one’s health.” He finished his words with a small smile, practiced and prepared. Used so often it almost looked entirely real. With a small twist of himself though he could feel just how damp he himself was. Especially with the drips falling from his eyebrows. Without any forewarning he started to slowly remove the steel which coated him. Gauntlets then upper arms, then the chest. It was only when he removed his torso armour that he could see how much his now sodden shirt was clinging to him.

At least the weather wasn’t cold. He had that going for him at a bare minimum. Much to his thinks her words about not making him go out in this weather offered him some small reprieve, however her follow on sentence was not what he expected to hear. He was what she’d need to help her through the night? His head cocked to the side lightly. As he did the brightest flash of light burst through the windows, a deep roaring growl of some ungodly beast seemed to follow it. Seeing her dart off like some scampering small animal and hide beneath her blankets, tugged at something. He stepped towards her cautiously. His footsteps much lighter now he wasn’t adorned with blades and the upper portion of his steel.

He reached out and placed his hand lightly atop her head. Despite the fact he was soaked and all the heat wanted to rush to his torso, his hands were still warm. And surprisingly soft despite his training. His words came out in a soft and gentle manner. His light voice carrying them in a soothing airy manner. “I guess you’re scared of the lightning?” He asked the question knowing it didn’t need an answer as he crouched down onto a knee in front of her. “It’s alright. If anyone is going to get struck, odds are is the guy whose taller and wearing metal.” He spoke almost trying to reassure her with a joking tone, as he crouched his head now level with her own he tried to look her in the eye. A comforting smile plied across his lips as he held a soft gaze towards her his now softened green orbs meeting her own terrified amber ones. Trying to calm her down and placate her, he just sat in front of her, unmoving and trying to show her that there was nothing to be afraid of as long as he was there.

[Zailey]

When Zailey felt the gentle pressure of his hand come down on her head, for just a moment, she was back home with her dad. He was always very protective of his family and wondered if Alex had learned such a gesture from his own. To her, it only made sense that a father would treat his family with love and care, even if that logic came from a naivete of the despicable people that existed in the world. Alex had managed to calm her and even turned her quivering lip into a coy smile with his lighthearted banter and reassuring words. If he stuck around, maybe she would be able to finish what she had been planning since earlier that day. But first she needed to get into some more appropriate clothes. For a moment she hesitated, devising a plan that would let her change without peering eyes and came to a solution that she hoped he would comply with. “Stay still,” was all she said before shifting the blanket to the back of her head. With one motion she flung her arms forward with the blanket held tightly in her fists. Releasing it as her arms extended fully, the fluffy fabric flew a little ways until if draped over the damp knight completely. Still under the blanket herself, Zailey scooted to the edge of the bed until her forehead was nearly touching his, her eyes wide as they searched for his emerald ones. “Don’t look, okay?” Her words came mingled with a quiet chuckle before slipping past him and out from under the blanket. Thankfully it was relatively quiet at the moment, aside from the patter of rain drops and the crackling hearth. The clothes she had been in the process of retrieving, before being chased under her covers, still hung over the side of the open chest. Scooping them up, she glanced over at the knight and moved to stand behind him. Pealing the soaked clothes off, nightgown and undergarments, glistening flesh was revealed in the hearths warm glow. Dropping each piece on the nearby floor, they landed with a slapping sound. Her gaze never left the knights back, watching to see if he would try to look or if the sound of wet clothes would draw his attention. She was quick to change into the fresh clothes, though, even if he did try to look. Finally dressed again, Zailey could relax a tad easier. Scooping up the wet clothes from the floor, the went over to the hearth and draped this second set of wet clothes over the back of a chair that sat near the fire. Her hands rested on the chairs back as well while she pondered just how she was going to be a gracious host. Even if the circumstances were a bit awkward, she knew there was at least one way she would help alleviate whatever tension grew between them. Food. At least, that was her thought since it usually worked when she was nervous. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything for you to change into. Since I live alone I only have ladies clothes.” Then an idea came to mind that turned her cheeks a deep red, so she turned away and went to grab a bowl from the cabinet. “I have some towels you could wrap yourself in if you wanted to dry your clothes. Or you could sit near the fire.” She did have two seats near the table. One held her damp clothes, the other was empty. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Sometimes all it took to settle someone’s nerves was a single gesture and a calm word. Perhaps living by herself had set her nerves so on edge that she just jumped at the smallest thing? Perhaps the lightning was that terrifying for her. Whatever the case was, she’d settled down somewhat. Two words broke the silence with a brief fling of a sheet he was suddenly bathed in darkness. He got the gist of what she was planning the moment the blankets fell over his head. Though as he felt a warm point press against his forehead he spoke.
“Alright.” He stayed stock still letting his arm fall and allowing the darkness to take a surrounding stance.

The sound which broke the now all-encompassing silence was the wet smack of cloth hitting the floor. And the occasional crackle of the fire burning lightly and forcefully denying the small beads of moisture that made it down. Several moments passed before he heard the drops of water splashing against each other. Her peeled the blankets from overhead and turned to see a now changed Zailey standing letting her clothes now dry in close proximity to the fire.

“It’s not a problem. I’m imposing enough anyway. I’d feel awful if I intruded any more than I already have. Though drying off wouldn’t be the worst idea.” He smirked finally dropping the armour from his legs on the pile near the door and then removing his boots which he opened the door briefly to pour the small puddle in each of the outside. Peeling off the shirt which clung to him he dropped it on the back of the chair near the fire. He would have done the same with other garments however he wanted to retain at least some modesty.

“I could help with the chopping if you’d like… I’m not the best cook but I know my way around a knife.” His offer was both one so that he didn’t feel like a spare part and so that he could be useful to Zailey for imposing himself upon her hospitality. He spoke all the while with the softest of tones like light whispers almost. His words almost sometimes over clouded by the sound of the crackling fire. Another bolt of lightning pierced the sky and hammered into the ground, the roiling rumble which followed was deep and heavy, and like a fist to the chest it felt powerful.

Trying to mitigate the worry, or at least stem the fear from Zailey he stepped over just to be in close proximity should she need any more stability and courage to stand against the roiling thunder.