#and he’s so offended by THAT that he turns heel and goes native and talks about searching for flint | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jiejie-eonni-onee-sama · 3 years

Text

Speaking her language

For the charming @empress-writes 💙💛🧡💖

Hope you’ll like the story!

The South of France is a safer place for the Basterds, as they took a break after their last mission.

They were currently hidden in a remote cottage near the small village of Gassin. Its inhabitants were kind and helpful, which was a blessing for Aldo Raine and his men.

"No news from the superiors, Lieutenant?"

"Na yet, Donny. But ya can be sure that we're gonna heard about them, one way or another!"

"So, let's enjoy our free time!" happily exclaimed Hirschberg as he ate a piece of cake.

"Can you sometimes stop eating, you glutton?" admonished Andy.

"But Mrs. Dupin's pies are so delicious!"

As the others were gently chatting, Wicki was gazing at (Y/N) (L/N), the only woman in the group. He could not help but smile while looking at her as she read a book.

If you ask him, he would probably answer that everything she did was perfection. To sum up, he fell heels over head in love with the woman.

Of course, the other Basterds were aware of it and never missed an opportunity to tease him about his crush. Even Hugo loved taunting him!

Wilhelm's daydreaming was interrupted by Utivitch, who shyly asked:

"Hey, (Y/N)?"

"Yes, Smithson?" answered the woman with a gentle smile.

"What are you reading?"

"Oh, I was reading Les lettres de mon moulin by Alphonse Daudet. It is a French collection of short stories about Provence!"

"Okay... Wait, you understand French?"

She laughed.

"Uti, can you remind us what is my job here?"

"She is the translator, you dummy!" growled Hugo.

"Don't be so harsh, Stiglitz!" scolded Hicox.

"Indeed, I am the translator of the group."

"Of course!"

"By the way, how many languages do you speak?" inquired Omar.

A sly grin appeared on her face.

"What if we played a little game?"

"YES! A GAME!" happily screamed Andy, Michael, and Simon.

"Ouch! My ears!" grumbled Wicki.

"Okay, let's play! What are the rules, doll?" asked Donny.

"It's simple: I'll talk in a language to each of you in turn, and you have to guess how many languages I can speak!"

"Sounds good to me! Start whenever ya want, pretty!"

Suddenly, all the Basterds were quiet and waited for (Y/N).

While she was mentally choosing the first player, the other Basterds noticed the enamored gaze of Wicki towards the blonde woman. Time to play some trick on the suitor...

"I'm going to start with... Mr. Hicox!"

"I'm always ready, my dear!"

"Eres muy guapo. ¡Un verdadero caballero!" (You're very handsome. A real gentleman!)"

"Mmmmh... I would say that you speak Spanish!"

"Exactly!"

"And what did you say?"

"I told you that you were handsome, and you look like a real gentleman!"

The Basterds laughed and whistled.

"Well, milady, you're absolutely astonishing! Hearing you speaking Spanish is like listening to a nightingale!" answered the British spy with a seductive wink.

The young woman chuckled before asking:

"You sweet-talker! Alright! Who's next?"

"Why won't you ask Omar?" snickered Michael.

"Go to hell!" grunted the latter.

"Don't worry, Omar: it's only for fun. Are you ready?"

A charming smile came across Omar's face:

"Please, go ahead!"

"Okay... Nǐ hěn yǒnggǎn, wǒ hěn gāoxìng chéngwéi nǐ de péngyǒu!" (You're brave, and I'm happy to be your friend!)

Omar was puzzled.

"It does not sound like a European language..."

"You're right, it's not from Europe..."

"Mh, that's tricky... I don't know!"

"Give it a try!" she gently encouraged him.

The soldier scratched the back of his head:

"Er... Is it Japanese?"

"Sorry, but no. It was Chinese!"

"CHINESE? REALLY?" yelled Omar under the laughs of his comrades.

"Yes, indeed. I learned it when I was younger, thanks to my nanny who came from Shangai! And if you want a translation, it means that you're brave and I am happy to be your friend!"

"Alright... Well, thank you! It was beautiful! Especially when it comes from you!"

"You charmer!"

Wicki raised an eyebrow: he started to guess what his friends were doing, and he was not pleased...

"Fine, let's go back to the game, would you? The next one will be... Donny!"

"At your orders, baby doll!"

"Then, I start... Sei forte e affascinante! E amo il tuo sorriso!" (You're strong and charming! And I love your smile!)

"Ah, so easy! Italian!"

"Bravo! You're right!"

"And what did you mean?"

"I said Donny is strong and charming... and I love his smile!"

Donny put his large hands on his chest, faking to be enthralled.

"And she speaks Italian! Gosh, this woman is perfect!"

He blew her a kiss.

"Please, receive this proof of love from a Bostonian guy!"

Laughing at his antics, (Y/N) mimicked catching the kiss and holding it against her heart.

"Thank you, Donny!"

As for Wilhelm, he gets annoyed. He did not know if they were trying to woo her for real or if they were just pissing him off. In both cases, he hated them at the moment.

"Okay. For the next turn, I'll ask for... Lieutenant Raine!"

"Here I am, pretty woman!"

"Fine, let's go... 'ant qayid rayie qawiun washajae wajadhab jadana!" (You are an astounding leader. Sturdy, brave, and so attractive!)

"Uh, that's a tricky one! Sounds like the Cree language..."

"Unfortunately, Lieutenant, I don't speak Native American languages."

"Okay... So, is it Danish?"

"No."

"Hm... Perhaps Portuguese?"

"Wrong answer. It was Arabic!"

"WOAH!" exclaimed all the Basterds, impressed.

"God, you awe me! And what did you mean?"

"I was saying that you are an astounding leader and that you are sturdy, brave, and attractive!"

Aldo smirked and gave her his best seductive face.

"Girl, give me back my heart, would ya? You stole it since the first day!"

(Y/N) heartily laughed.

"Please, Lieutenant: you're a charmer!"

"Only for you, sweetheart!"

"Verräter!" (Betrayer!) gritted Wicki.

"Fine, let's go! I choose... Andy!"

"At your service, milady!"

"Okay, I start... Du är söt när du ler." (You're cute when you smile)

"Uh... Does this language exist?"

"Of course!"

"Okay, Kagan: use your brains... Ah, I know: Danish!"

"Almost..."

"Swedish?"

"Good answer!"

"Well done, Kagan!" laughed Archie.

"Thanks, sir... But I'm sure that if (Y/N) goes to Sweden, they would hate her!"

"Why?"

"Look at her smile: it's like the sun, the snow would melt in a blink!"

"Oh My God, Kagan! That was the corniest thing I've ever heard!" roared Michael as he clutched his sides.

"Well, I find it cute. Thank you, Andy!"

"You're welcome... By the way, what did you mean?"

"Oh, I said that you're cute when you smile!"

Kagan fiercely blushed.

"Thank you, Miss..."

"Pleasure is mine... Hey, Michael, do you want to try?"

"I never say no to a challenge, especially from a beautiful lady!"

"Let's see... Vy geniy i prekrasnyy chelovek." (You are a genius and a lovely man).

"Woah, Woah, Woah! What the hell is that language?"

"I assure you, this is a real language!"

"Uh... German?"

"NO!" answered Wicki and Stiglitz, offended.

"Calm down, guys! Okay, so if it's not German... It's Russian!"

"Bravo!" (Y/N) clapped happily.

"Wait a minute... If I did not miss the track, we know that you speak 6 languages! And I don't know why, but I think you know more!" said Utivitch.

"That's right! Okay, now, who wants to try?"

"I volunteer!" exclaimed Smithson.

"With pleasure! Let's see which language I use with you..." she wondered.

She got an idea and started to speak in a foreign language:

"Anata wa watashi ga imamade deatta naka de mottomo omoshirokute shinsetsuna hitodesu!" (You're the funniest and kindest man I ever met!)

"Ah, I got it! If it's not Chinese... It's Japanese!"

"Splendid!"

"Well done, chap!" laughed Simon as he applauded.

"Thanks, pal. And may I know the meaning of your sentence?"

"Of course! I said that you are the funniest and kindest man I ever met!"

"And they dare to say perfection does not exist! Obviously, they did not meet our lovely (Y/N)!" shouted Utivitch.

"Please, don't exaggerate!" blushed the young woman.

Wicki clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles went white. He swore to God that they would pay for their antics.

"Okay, the next player would be... Simon!"

"Yes, ma'am! Always yours!"

"You trickster! Fine, try to guess this one... אני מאוד מעריך את החברה שלך." (I really appreciate your company)

"No... You speak Hebrew? The language of our people?"

"Indeed."

"But it sounds beautiful when it comes from you! Okay, you know what? After the war, I'll marry you!"

"Oh, Simon! Don't be so crazy!" she laughed.

"I'm already crazy in love with you!"

"And you say I am corny, Michael..." sneered Andy.

"Forget what I said!"

After she stopped laughing, (Y/N) declared:

"So, I think we had three players last. Well, let's the game begin with Hirschberg."

"Hooray! Here I am!"

"Alright! So, try to find this one... Jesteś uroczym żarłokiem." (You're an adorable glutton)

"Well, that's unusual! Er... I don't remember hearing this language before!"

"Give me suggestions!"

"It is a Slavic language?"

"Not at all."

Gerold sighed.

"Damn it, girl! It's a freakin' riddle!"

"Watch your language in front of a lady!" scolded Hicox.

"Don't worry, Archie: I've heard worse before!" said (Y/N) with a smug grin.

"Mh, I don't know... Is it Turkish?"

"Not at all, but I am currently studying this language!"

"Er... Nope, I don't know!"

"It's Polish!"

"My my, she is impressive!" chuckled Aldo as he took a bite of his bread.

"And what did you say?"

"I said that you are an adorable glutton!"

Hearing that, the other Basterds roared with laughter.

"AH AH AH AH! Well done, (Y/N)!" shrieked Utivitch.

"Hey, that's not fair!" yelped Hirschberg.

Upset that she would offend her friend, the woman apologized.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you, Gerold. I did not mean to..."

"It's alright, (Y/N). Likewise, I'll always forgive you!"

"Oh, why?"

"Because you are beautiful!" answered the soldier with a huge smile.

Relieved, she happily laughed while Wicki contained himself to punch someone's face.

"Okay, now, let's go on with Hugo!"

"I'm listening..."

"I'm sure you'll recognize this language... Du erinnerst mich an einen Wolf: einsam, mysteriös und faszinierend." (You remind me of a wolf: solitary, mysterious, and fascinating.)

"German, without hesitation!" smirked Stiglitz.

"Indeed!"

"And what did she say?" asked Donny.

Hugo stood up and walked towards her.

"She compared me to wolf. She said that I am solitary, mysterious, and fascinating..."

"(Y/N) got the point!" smiled Michael.

Stiglitz arrived near the woman and kneeled with deference.

"You won... I surrender to your beautiful voice! I could not resist you speaking my mother tongue with such delicacy!"

"Nice touch, Stiglitz!" exclaimed Archie.

"Oh, Hugo! You must be exaggerating: I'm pretty sure my accent was a disaster!"

"The only thing pretty is you, (Y/N)" grinned Hugo as he gently kissed the woman's hand... while he looked out of the corner of his eyes at Wilhelm with a roguish glance.

"Trottel!" (You jerk)!" gritted the latter through his teeth.

At the same moment, (Y/N) was amused by her friends' antics: they always treated her like a queen and were very respectful towards her. But this time, she felt that there was something else, like if they were playing a prank on someone...

"You guys are all amazing! But let's finish this game with the last player: Wilhelm!"

Hearing his name, Wicki snapped out of his anger and said:

"Yes, I'm ready!"

"Okay so, let's see if you will be able to find this one... Mon cher Wilhelm, tu es un homme courageux, loyal, et séduisant." (My dear Wilhelm, you are a courageous, loyal, and attractive man.)

The Austrian Jewish man smirked:

"Without any doubt, I would say... French!"

"Precisely! You had a good ear!"

"And what did you say to Wilhelm? I'm curious..." asked Hirschberg with a playful tone.

(Y/N) slightly flushed before answering:

"I told him that he was a brave, loyal, and attractive man!"

"How cute!" laughed Aldo.

As for Wilhelm, he was struck: definitely, he was in love! With a smug smile, he said:

"Merci beaucoup pour le compliment, jolie mademoiselle!" (Thank you very much for the compliment, lovely miss!)

(Y/N) was impressed by his hidden talent.

"Oh, what a surprise! I did not know you speak French!"

"I know a few... but I'm sure I would not reach your level!"

"Don't underestimate yourself!"

"Heck, she could give some “private” lessons, if you want!" smirked Andy while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Keep your dirty thoughts for you!" snarled Wicki.

"Okay guys, calm down! Now that everyone answered (Y/N), did anyone count how many languages she can speak?" asked Archie.

"I did sir! And she speaks in 11 languages!" replied Utivitch.

"11 LANGUAGES?" shouted the others.

"Indeed, you counted well, Smithson. But I also speak Portuguese, Dutch, and Slavic languages. And I'm currently learning Turkish, Hindi, Danish, Korean, and Finnish!"

"Girl, are ya planning to learn all the goddamn languages around the world?" asked Aldo, flabbergasted.

"Maybe... Seriously, I've always been interested in languages since I was a little girl and I never stopped my passion! Luckily for me, I was gifted with a good memory..."

"We noticed it." shrugged Hugo.

"Man, we're lucky to have her with us!" stated Hirschberg.

"Well spotted, private!"

They enjoyed the afternoon, when (Y/N) had to go to the village for some groceries.

Once she left, Wicki turned his angered glare towards his comrades.

"May I know WHAT THE FUCK were you all doing earlier? Wooing her as if you did not know what I felt?"

"Don't be mad, Wicki: we just wanted to make a joke!" said Utivitch who tried to calm his friend.

"I did not find it very funny!" growled the Austrian.

"Don't be so ill-humored! We'll never steal her from you. Of course, we all love her, but she is like a sister or a best friend to many of us!" retorted Kagan.

"Damn right, Kagan. But Wil, ya better tell (Y/N) what ya feel for her! Stop tripping and man up!" ordered Aldo.

"And how I'm supposed to do that?"

"Use your brains, Wicki, and take a guess: why don't you use something she likes to declare your love?" muttered Hugo as he smoked his cigarette.

"Something she likes..." mumbled Wilhelm as he lost himself in his thoughts.

Suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind, and he slightly grinned: maybe he can try something interesting.

He got up and searched in his bag a book his mother gave him before his departure. Wilhelm felt that the answer to his issue was between the pages of this poetry collection...

Later in the evening...

The cool summer night was calm and appeasing for the Basterds as they were finishing the meals brought by their French accomplices.

At the same time, (Y/N) went for a small walk through the forest. She enjoyed the peaceful surrounding of the woods and sat on a tree stump to gaze at the shining stars who enlightened the dark blue sky.

The young woman slightly shivered as she felt the gentle breeze caress her bare arms.

"Can I join you?" asked a familiar masculine voice.

Startled, she turned and was relieved to see Wilhelm.

"Oh, it's you! You scare me!"

"I'm sorry!"

"It's fine... You can sit with me!"

Thanking her, the soldier sat close to the young woman.

He felt a knot in his stomach as he was nervous: God, this girl would be the death of him!

He straightened up himself and declared:

"It's a nice night!"

"Indeed: I've always appreciated summer nights. I don't why, but it always soothes me... And it reminds me of this beautiful painting entitled Starry Night."

"Made by Van Gogh in 1888, if I'm right?"

"Exactly. It was a representation of a starry sky in Provence... where we are!"

"Interesting, I did not know this part of the story..." smiled Wicki.

He leaned closer and said:

"You know, this landscape reminds me of a poem..."

"Really?"

"Would you like to listen?"

"I would enjoy it!" (Y/N) smiled.

Wilhelm cleared his throat and declaimed:

Es liegt der heiße Sommer (There lies the heat of summer)

Auf deinen Wängelein; (On your cheek’s lovely art:)

Es liegt der Winter, der kalte, (There lies the cold of winter)

In deinem Herzchen klein. (Within your little heart.)

Das wird sich bei dir ändern, (That will change, beloved,)

Du Vielgeliebte mein! (The end not as the start!)

Der Winter wird auf den Wangen, (Winter on your cheek then,)

Der Sommer im Herzen sein. (Summer in your heart.)

When he finished reciting the poem, he saw a beautiful smile across (Y/N)'s face.

"Wilhelm, it was amazing!"

"Danke. Maybe you know the author..."

"I think it's Heinrich Heine!"

"Exactly! It’s the poem titled There lies the heat of summer."

"He wrote such beautiful masterpieces about love."

She shrugged with a sly smile.

"I'm a helpless romantic!"

"Don't apologize: it's one of your qualities!"

He added with a slight blush on his face.

"Besides, this poem has a special meaning for me..."

"Honestly? Why?"

"Yes. Well, when I was younger, I told my mother that I would say this poem to the girl I want to spend my life with..."

"Oh, that's so charming..."

(Y/N) interrupted herself when she realized what happened.

"Wait a minute... Did you mean that..."

Wicki nodded.

"You've guessed right: I love you, (Y/N). Since the first day in our team, I knew you were meant to me. But I was a coward for a long time and I did not know how to tell you the truth... until tonight!"

There was a silence until the young woman let out a relieved sigh:

"Thank God, what a relief!"

"What do you mean?"

She fidgeted with her fingers, slightly embarrassed.

"You know, Wilhelm... You were not the only one who was shy about their feelings!"

"You mean... that it's reciprocated?"

She agreed with a slight nod and a timid smile.

Assuaged by this revelation, Wicki leaned closer to her face, letting a few inches between their lips.

"Ich liebe dich, (Y/N)..."

"I love you too, Wilhelm..."

And they gently kissed, their lips sealed in a tender moment...

Meantime, the other Basterds were spying on them, delighted smiles on their faces.

"Finally! He said it!" smirked Aldo.

"Look how cute they are!" grinned Utivitch.

"Indeed, they are. But remember guys: if you want to stay alive, don't cha flirt with her!" stated Donny.

"We took note, Don'. Should we celebrate this new couple?" asked Hirschberg.

"We'll do it when they'll come back to the camp. For now, let's them enjoy this moment alone!" tenderly smiled Andy.

"Gentlemen, we shall come back before they notice our presence. Moreover, we have a celebration to prepare!" simpered Hicox.

"The British's damn right! Let's go, boys!" discreetly cheered Michael.

"I'm so excited! It's like another Valentine's Day!" laughed Simon.

As they went back, Hugo looked back at the lovers with a small grin on his face.

"Well played, Wicki. You managed to speak her language, after all..."

Well, he was right: Wilhelm and (Y/N) found the perfect language between each other: the language of love...

Thank you for the reading!

I hope you’ll like it and I’m looking for your requests!

Take care and see you soon! 😘🥰😍🤩😷

#requests #inglourious basterds #wilhelm wicki #gedeon burkhard #rosamund pike

53 notes · View notes

fearofaherobrine · 6 years

Text

Roleplay Server Log #358

"Slender Switch Out, Devils Deal”

[Yaunfen] Perks up at the chat- Hey! Mada's home!

[Deer] - Oh good, I was hoping they'd be back soon

[Doc] In chat- I got the amulets. I'm going visiting if you don't need me right away.

[Deer] - Go ahead love

[Doc] Brushes some of the sand off hir clothes and heads down the hill toward Splender's house.

[Offender] Is heading away from the house, going to look for a snack-

[Doc] Waves to him- Hey Offender.

[Offender] - Visiting Splendy?

{Doc] Yep and you and Mirabella, I actually have something for your other brothers. Well, beyond the obvious surprise.

[Offender] - Anything I could help with?

[Doc] No they'll just need them before you guys switch out guarding Splender. I got emp damping pouches for both of them from Dawn.

[Offender] - Huh, alright

[Doc] I don't want to miss either of them reuinitng with Mirabella. Not ashamed to say I'm a bit giddy at the sweetness of it all.

[Offender] Snorts in amusement- Yeah, Trender will probably have a fit over mom's clothes, and Slender? I'm not sure how he'll respond...

[Doc] No idea either. Hopefully he'll just be glad she's safe. And I'm perfectly happy to bury Trender in a pile of fabric and gems if he wants to make her something new. It's an amusing thought anyway.

[Offender] - All Trender will need is a door

[Doc] Yeah, I know, but it's the thought that counts right?

[Offender] - Eh

[Doc] Has she gotten out at all? At least taken a walk? I heard TLOT did a little fishing with her.

[Offender] - She's at least spent a little time on the shore, but she prefers to remain inside

[Doc] Somehow I wonder if that's because she was kept inside, back there... I heard there were some rather scary guard animals.

[Offender] - Probably. I don't remember much from back then, but I do remember I didn't like it

[Doc] It seemed like a pretty sad existence. Do you think I could get her anything beforehand?

[Offender] Shrugs- I honestly don't know, so far she's just been content and happy to hear everything we've been doing

[Doc] I'm glad you guys are getting some quality time. What about you? Are you okay?

[Offender] - I'm fine, feeling like I should go bother Arc, but I'll survive

[Doc] Griefer. Ha-ha doesn't she have classes or something?

[Offender] - That's actually how I found her. She got dragged along to party, and I liked the way she drew. So instead of continuing to erase her memory every day, I just made her my proxy

[Doc] Is she your only proxy? I mean, I know you guys have waves or something that makes it hard to keep them alive for too long right?

[Offender] - Yeah, she's my only proxy, but I'm not around her that often

[Splender] Calls from inside- Offender! I can't remember how to do this!

[Offender] Sighs and turns back towards the house-

[Doc] Follows him- Is it the tie thing again?

[Offender] - I have no idea

[Doc] Calls out as they get close- Splender?

[Splender] Sticks his head out- Oh! Hello!- He waves enthusiastically

[Doc] Pulls the lever and walks over. - You look cheerful. Did you say you needed help with something?

[Splender] Has a cats-cradle thoroughly tangled around his fingers- I got stuck

[Offender] - Hang on- He starts undoing the mess before perking- Oh, guess it's time

[Doc] Time?

[Offender] - To switch baby sitters

[Doc] Then I did arrive just in time. - Xe takes out three small stitched bags on braided cords. All are a made of soft brown leather.

[Offender] - Go ahead little bro, make the opening

[Splender] Twirls his tendrils and creates the opening-

[Solace] -Hesitates on the other side before stepping through and looking around, taking in the difference in complexity decently well-

[Luna] Follows after him-

[Offender] - Hey bro

[Solace] Hey! Stayed out of trouble? -There's just a hint of teasing-

[Offender] - Who, me?

[Doc] Oh! Hey Solace! And Luna! Haven't seen you in a while, here, this is for you. Just in case. -Holds out one of the pendants-

[Solace] Both of you-- but mostly you. Oh? What'sit? -They take the pendant anyway and hold it carefully.-

[Doc] It's a medicine bag, Dawn made it to tamp down your emps so you don't damage the server. I've got one for Trender and Slender as well so they can visit.

[Splender] Is near vibrating with excitement-

[Solace] Oh, alright! Nifty. -They put it on before offering a hug to Splender, the resident vibrating happy tall person-

[Doc] Also visibly excited. - We have a suprise for you, but you gotta keep it secret from Slender and Trender for now, okay?

[Splender] Happily hugs back, hands still tangled in the string-

[Solace] -Pat pats Splendor- If the surprise isn't harmful, definitely! -Pat, pat-

[Offender] Goes around the wall partition to get Mirabella-

[Mirabella] Comes out with Offender- Offender what is it? Is something wrong?

[Doc] Bouncing on heels- click click click

[Solace] .... Mom? -They struggled a bit to even come to that word-

[Mirabella] Straighten ups a little- Solace...

[Splender] Happy noises-

[Solace] This is.... W-Wow

[Doc] So proud-

[Offender] - Well, I'd better be going, don't want to keep brother waiting

[Solace] Be... safe, alright? -They look like they want to hug Mirabella, probably a LOT-

[Doc] And don't tattle, okay?

[Offender] - Don't worry, it takes a lot to take me out, and I wont

[Mirabella] - Be safe

[Splender] - Solace! Aren't you excited?

[Solace] Of course I am!

[Mirabella] - Oh Solace, you were so little when I last saw you

[Doc] is obviously giddy and focuses on Luna for a moment- and now you get to see my home. I presume solace has been treating you decently?

[Solace] I'm still kind of little mom... -They scoot a little closer to Mirabella- Can I hug you?

[Luna] - Oh yes, I'm still adjusting, but I've almost got the hang of being a proxy down

[Mirabella] - Of course

[Solace] -Hugs Mirabella tight-

[Mirabella] - You always were hanging onto some part of me when you were little... And I see Splender has picked up some of the same habits

[Doc] Dawwwww, I'm assuming the job is similar to being a personal assistant?

[Luna] - For the most part, yes

[Doc] Well then if Solace is going to spend some quality time with his mom, and he's okay with it: I'll show you around a bit. I mean I'm assuming you haven't played before of course.

[Luna] - No, I haven't

[Solace] Ah... Yeah I guess he did get that from me. I never... thought about it. -To Luna and Doc- Stay safe if you go, yes?

[Doc] Absolutlely! The local difficulty is a bit high but if you get into trouble you'll just respawn here or down the hill a bit. Depending if you've slept or not.

[Luna] - I could die?- Her breathing picks up a little, remembering her time under EJ's care

[Mirabella] - I'm glad he did. Your father would have never approved of it

[Doc] Not easily. I mean stay inside at night unless you have a native or one of the Slenders with you. But apart from that, watch your bubbles when you swim and you know, don't fall off any high places.

[Luna] - I see...

[Doc] I can't turn the monsters off because quite a few of them are our friends. And it's kind of an all or nothing thing settings wise.

[Solace] -Head perks a bit and they look at Luna with concern- You don't have to worry here, Luna. -Before back to Mirabella- And I bet so.

[Splender] - Luna, if you want to stay with Ring Leader, I think she's in the village playing with the kids

[Luna] - Ring Leader?

[Doc] She's Splender's proxy. Just a young lady like yourself, though recruited under a bit happier circumstances I think.

[Luna] - Oh, I haven't met her yet... Only Slender's proxies

[Doc] She's as friendly as her ward. You'll probably like her.

[Mirabella] Rubs Solace's head a little- My you've grown so tall. Last I saw you, you were barely taller than my knee

[Solace] I'm pretty average now! -That's a proud voice alright-

[Mirabella] - An that's good, you will have to tell me what you've done since you left

[Luna] - If you want some alone time...

[Doc] I can make myself scarce as well if you want. I imagine you two have a lot to catch up on.

[Splender] - I'll get the tea!

[Doc] Reaches for Luna's hand with a calming smile- Come on, it's a nice day. We'll go for a little walk at least.

[Luna] - O... Okay

[Solace] Enjoy yourself, Luna

[Mirabella] - Come Solace, let's go talk

- Sammn is standing outside a small hole, surrounded with torches. Since night was coming, the zombie pigman was stomping around, holding an iron sword cautiously. -

- She is holding her head and muttering, waving a hand around. After a few, she drops both arms with an annoyed grunt. After a few seconds, she stands straight, this time using a single finger to poke the air in front of her –

[in chat] <Sammn> hello

[Doc] Looks up from the cookie xe's eating in the kitchen. It's late and xe's restless. -in chat- Sammn? You okay?

[Karla] Is watching Cp's mobs do their nightly patrol as Chester slips inside to escape a bit of dreary drizzle from the cloudy sky above. She sees the chat as well and awkwardly types back- I take it you can't sleep either Sammn?

[Sammn] - what no

[Doc] Do you need help? Or is it a psychological, 'I've been looking at crap on Ebay for four hours kind of not okay?"

[Karla] Snickers reading the text-

[Sammn] no circle ready almost night too far to travel

[Karla] typing- You're doing some kind of ritual?

[Doc] chat- I'll come to you if you need me. Where are you?

[Sammn] - by the hole past long bridge and villages

[Karla] Looks at Chester. - Do you know where that is?

[Chester] I know where the long bridge is.

[Doc] On my way.

- Sammn growls and sits down on the top step, rubbing their temple. Helm comes over and stands closer, very nervous now that its almost dark -

[Chester] Is running full tilt with Karla on his back.

-There's a bit of a roar from above and the bright yellow dragon decends and steps down danitly a little bit away- Sammn?

[Sammn] - That didn't take long.

[Doc] Puffs hir chest out a bit proudly - Well I can literally chase and catch lightning bolts in this shape.

[Phoenix] Is preening itself a little-

[Doc] loafs like a big cat - How's the birb?

[Sammn] - Happy, seems well adjusted.

[Helm] - eyes Doc and scoots back behind Sammn more.

[Doc] And your new friend there?

[Helm] - signs, then waves.

[Sammn] - This is Helm, they followed us back from the Nether and hung around. Likes it more in the Overworld. All except for Chickens.

[Doc] Ah, well at least Benny is human again. He was the most aggressive chicken on the seed. Nice to meet you Helm, I'm Doc.

[Helm] - waves as they slowly come out from behind Sammn.

[Sammn] - Sadly, they can't speak well. They know a form of sign language.... but don't ask how I know.

[Doc] Oh! Is it like the signing that Steve's brothers do? I know some of that. - They stand up again and shrink down to their human shape with a bit of a flourish before making some simple greeting gestures.

[Helm] - blinks in surprise then signs: You can speak with hands?

[Doc] Waving around- Little bit. One of my roommates has a knack for befriending skeletons.

[Helm] - signs and frowns - Ah, the Burnt skeletons taught me. So I could pass orders.

[Doc] What? Here? I didn't think there was really much organization in our Nether. I've tried hard to keep it mostly wild since that's the way the strongest native Herobrine here likes it. And they're just the normal skeletons. Not withers.

[Helm] Some are, but they do the orders of their Leader. No one disobeys them twice. I followed her - waves at Sammn then knocks on the black skull they are wearing - when they helped get rid of one of the problem ones.

[Chester] Comes racing up with Karla still riding him-

[Karla] Dismounts with a click of boots and the Wunderwaffe strapped to her back makes a happy electrical sound-

[Chester] Flops over and pants-

[Karla] Smirks- Sorry, I tend to have that effect on men.

[Doc] Um... Karla...?

[Karla] Hello Doctor.

[Phoenix] Ruffles feathers and gives Karla a critical eye-

[Helm] - peers around Sammn, who just sighes.

[Karla] Did I miss the excitment?

[Doc] No, I don't think so, who's your friend?

[Karla] That's Chester. Cp worked on him.

[Chester] From the grass-I got thumbs!

[Doc] Does some more hand waving as xe talks- I'm not sure who's aquainted... But this is Dr. Karla Emmerich and Chester. Does the phoenix have a name yet Sammn?

[Sammn] Ah, not that I've figured out. I've tried asking a couple different names, but they ignored it all so far.

[Karla] You said something about a ritual?

[Sammn] - nods and heading into the hole. Helm falls in behind. - Got a bit to get down to the area, but yes. It took me a bit, but I've gotten a set of glyph circles crafted so I can talk to it.

[Phoenix] Flies along behind them-

[Chester] Manages to get up and scoots nervously down a wall backwards-

[Karla] Is weirdly silhouetted from thelight of the massive gun she's so effortlessly carrying.

[Doc] Do you have to take that everywhere?

[Karla] It gets lonely...

- They head down for a few minutes on a simple staircase cut into the rock. Finally it levels out, down a narrow hallway and opens into a large room. One wall is covered in furnaces, brewing stands and several anvils. The other is lined with chests. On the table in the center, there are random potions, some redstone torches and 3 bowls of liquid. -

[Phoenix] Settles down on top of an anvil-

[Karla] Interesting setup. No idols?

[Chester] ooh. Nice and warm in here.

[Sammn] - heads over to the table, grabbing the torches and her knife. - Not needed. The glyphs hopefully should do the trick.

[Helm] - starts packing up the 3 bowls, laying a piece of leather on top to act as a lid. Once they have all three, they head out a doorway in the opposite wall.

[Doc] I hope you didn't need me to bring anything special...

[Chester] Whispers to Helm- You doing okay buddy? Humans are odd aren't they?

[Helm] - nods, unable to shift the bowls to free a hand.

[Sammn] No. The chalk worked far better than my bonemeal version. It held together more than a few minutes.

[Karla] Ah, so you are summoning. Didn't you get enough of that working with me?

[Doc] Well it was from a wizard's school....

[Sammn] Not summoning, just containment for an annoying whispering little demon in a spot I want. It knows why my memories are still messed up and I plan on finding out.

[Karla] Gets an evil look- will we be doing an interrogation?

[Doc] I don't like your tone when you say that Karla.

[Chester] We're not doing something bad, are we?

[Sammn] - shrugs - Depends on how it wants to respond. Karla's presence alone may influence it some.

[Karla] Gives a very unsettling grin- Happy to be of assistance.

[Chester] Decides to hide under a table as best as his new form will allow.

[Phoenix] Settles down and tucks it's head away-

[Sammn] - heads into the other doorway, which leads into a much larger room. The whole place is of stone brick, with just enough torches lining the place to prevent most mobs from spawning. In the dead center of the room sits an enderchest, around it are three complexe circles of glowing symbols and redstone. The inner most is black, but glows white. The middle is bright yellow, pulsing softly like glowstone, The outside circle, throbs a deep red in time to a heartbeat. -

[Karla] Interesting arrangement. It looks like you've been doing your homework.

[Doc] Is just staring, a bit used to Dawn's more homebrew approach.

[Chester] Sneaks over to peek into the doorway.

[Helm] - is standing out of the way, worriedly fidgeting -

[Chester] Also fidgeting. He's aquired a small leather vest since Cp's alterations and is pulling on it a bit nervously-

[Sammn] It's not ideal, but should do. Now, simply put: DO NOT CROSS any of the glyphs. It can't do anything but fuss, as long as you stay outside. - points to the outside ring.

[Doc] Loud and clear. I understand a complex mechanisim when I see one.

[Karla] This should be amusing.

[Sammn] — gives everything one last look over before putting down a single Redstone torch, which starts a chain reaction. As the Redstone grid lights, each glyph circle flares brighter. When it reaches the center, the ender chest shakes hard, followed by the lid slamming open. Slowly, a black tendril reaches out. -

[Chester] Very squeaky little scream-

[Doc] Shushes him-

[Karla] Leans forward slightly, her eyes glistening with unwholesome anticipation.

[?] - three more tendrils snake out, each bracing themselves. Giving a heave, a black mass flops out of the chest. Shuddering violently, it's form fills out into a rough black cube, the tendrils attached to each upper corner. A large red eye snaps open to glare at everyone. -

[Karla] Hello again-

[Doc] Little hiss- That looks... not good.

[?] - growls and hunkers down - Damnare potest humanum est, perseverare autem cur vexas nobis

[Sammn] - comes up to the edge of the outer circle - You where told to not use that language last time.

[Doc] Humans? Are present? Vexas means angry right?

[Karla] Rolls her eyes a little at Doc-

[Doc] What?!?

[Sammn] - sighs - Considering how talkitive you have been as of late, you hold your collective tounges now?

[Karla] Have we any more information on the one that helped you escape as a result of that talkativeness?

[?] - glares and rumble/growls - Our words were meant to annoy, not inform.

[Doc] Well that's not very helpful.

[Chester] Are you a new mob?

[?] - shifts gaze over - You speak, little bug? How odd?

[Chester] I'm uh... employed by a Herobrine. It has it's perks.

[Helm] - shuffles back into the doorway, snorting softly.

[Chester] At Helm- Don't get close, it's a mean tentacle monster.

[Karla] That's putting it mildly.

[Sammn] Enough. You will answer some of my questions.

[Wunderwaffe] Weird electrical chattering-

[Karla] Yeeeessss, lets have some questions....

[Doc] We could negotiate, maybe?

[?] - shakes and makes a gurgling slurp sound - What ever does the child think they are? Why would we even consider offering anything of value to any of you?

[Karla] Because we have all the time in the world to pick you apart if you won't cooperate.

[Doc] Easy! Geeze... Look we can get all kinds of things to trade with. We just need information.

[Sammn] - holds out hand, slowly making a fist. As her hand closes, the inner ring shrinks, forcing the demon-thing back into the center. - You can freely offer some answers, or I can put you back in that chest and then put you in the End for a while. You will be alone. Utterly alone.

[Karla] I can think of worse things if my advice is sought as well...

[?] - the red eye closes. On its left side, a blue eye opens. It almost looks normal. The voice is calmer, both several male and female ones, overlapping - For now... we will... atleast hear your questions.

[Doc] Sammn came here running for her life. We need to know if anyone else is out there that needs rescuing.

[Karla] I'd like to know exactly what you are and where you came from.

[Chester] Is anyone else as terrified as I am right now?

[Helm] — squeel-snorts a definite agreement to Chester.

[Chester] Little fist bump for Helm- I think I'm having a hearts attack.

[Doc] Good grief, do you want a potion Chester???

[Chester] No-no! Sorry!

[?] - the eye squints, blinking several times before speaking - Many beings need help, but in relation to her - points a tentacle at Sammn - there is the one she is bound to... Our ill-fated would-be prey. The white eyed man the betrayer promised us.

[Doc] White eyes! Now that sounds promising!

[Karla] Collecting those seems to be a local hobby....

[Chester] Bound? Like a mate?

[?] - shakes and hops around, so the rear eye faces them. A large orange eye with a vertical pupil opens. Lights seems for flicker inside the orange space, and when it meets every one's gaze, they get the feeling that it was seeing through them. - Bound as in, she bares the his sigil. That mark... was why we couldn't keep her.

[Doc] A mark? Do you have a tattoo someplace Sammn?

[Karla] Like what you see demon?

[Chester] I think I'm going to throw up...

[Sammn] - frowns and puts a hand on her stomach - Not a tattoo, a scar, several of them.

[Doc] Scars are easy to remove.

[Karla] At Doc- Then why do you have two of them on your face?

[Doc] Just... decoration...

[?] - watches all of them, it's mouth curling in a smile - Of course, remove it.

[Doc] Wait, what? I'm just talking cosmetics here! I'm a doctor!

[Karla] Don't, that's what it wants.

[Sammn] No. I'm not sure, but I think it's telling something of the truth. But that's only one of the answers I want. Why, if I am no longer possessed, are my memories not whole.

[Karla] Trauma? If it was something terrible you may have blocked it out.

[Wunderwaffe] Bzzrp.

[?] - hunkers down, slitting it's eye lids so only a sliver of orange is seen - You are not the one we were promised. - it's voice drops an octave, picking up more of them as it talks - You were nothing but a pathetic child, weak and mortal. The White Eyed one... did something that interfered with your death. Death frees the soul, we feast and gain form. But your death wasn't, we were trapped as you were. Only weakened could we control. - it turns to glare directly at Karla.

[Karla] lets out a low mean laugh. - I'll take that look as a compliment.

[Doc] Control? Why? Did you just need a physical form?

[?] Souls... for our... army. Form allows a chance to gather more. - it turns its glare on Sammn - Generals are the best for both.

[Doc] Is chilled- Why do you need an army?

[?] - whispers - We are what we are.

[Doc] Am I talking to myself here????

[Karla] I think you're not trained for this kind of thing.

[Chester] Hugs himself- I think you're evil....

[Sammn] Enough. - squeezes fist, making the ring of glowing glyphs narrow more. The demon-thing hisses, then levers itself up on top of the chest, a writhing ball of hate. - You are trying to distract us and only answered part of our questions.

[Doc] I've gotta have something in here!? - starts turning out things from hir inventory.

[Karla] Nods in approval at Sammn- Maybe you should squeeze them just a bit more....

[?] - hisses and curls itself up tighter - illegitimus filius hominis vermis

[Sammn] Perhaps you need better motivation... - pulls knife and goes over to one of the bowls and flips the leather off, allowing the contents to glow brightly. Dipping the tip of the blade in, she holds it up so the demon-thing can see the white fluid as it drips off. The thing shudders, closing all eyes for a second before the blue one reopens.

[Karla] What do you have there my friend?

[Doc] Whoops! - a small honesty flitter makes a break for it from Doc's inventory and hovers just out of reach.

[Sammn] The closest thing to a Holy Blessing one can acquire, without asking a deity for assistance. - leers at demon-thing.

[?] - it matches her gaze, but doesn't move otherwise - You are as vile as the Betrayer, deceitful child.

-The flitter lazily flaps nearer the circle-

[Doc] Sammn?! Does it matter if it's something above it, or just on the floor?!?!

[Sammn] The glyphs themselves, specifically. Touching them, can alter them. - doesn't break gaze with demon-thing.

-Flitter flaps nearer the demon thing-

[?] - slowly smiles - Ask your question.

[Karla] Tell us why you need an army.

[Doc] Is her Herobrine in danger?

[Chester] Very quietly- was the betrayer a NOTCH?

[?] - looks at Karla - Even we have those who command us, thus we gather for them.

[Karla] Who is your master evil creature?

[?] - looks at Doc - He has been since the Betrayer failed to fulfill his end of our deal.

[?] - shifts gaze to Chester - Define this Notch?

[Doc] Swears- Does he have a title? I might be able to get sysop assistance if he has a special name.

[Chester] Scary black eyes like a doll, ragged brown shirt and usually a bald head... Ours was a monster.... So large and strong...

[?] - squints at him, then looks over at Sammn - She has a name, although it's locked in her head.

[Doc] Maybe a dream session with Cp or some meditation with TLOT could help unlock that..

[Chester] .... Shrinks, intimidated

[Karla] You were in her head. How can you not know it?

[Sammn] - is watching intently -

[?] We do, but why would we?

-the flitter bats it's wings and makes. Slow circle over the blok-

[Sammn] - walks as close as possible to the outer edge - Cause I can offer you a deal?

[Doc] Careful Sammn...

[?] - smiles - And what would you offer that I would need?

[Sammn] Revenge.

[Karla] Ah my favorite thing...

[?] - it's smile fades and all the eyes open - NOW, that would be something we 'd like...

[Sammn] You call him betrayer, but he trapped you. Used you and then broke his part of your deal. I bet, this one is the same as the other one. The enemy of my enemy.... I will promise that I will try to get you a chance at extracting your revenge on him.

[Doc] I guess we've had worse just hanging around... But no possessing or killing people! I won't stand for it. There are kids here and people with mental issues that don't need the stress

[Karla] I don't think our friend here will find disengaging from the bag nearly as easy as they might think either.

[Chester] Wait ... You're going to let it lose?!?!

[?] - flops off the chest, still staring at Sammn - Only because you were our recent host, do we believe you.

[Sammn] Then you agree, to all of it? Helping me regain my memories, as well as uphold Doc's rules? In return, you shall get a chance of revenge. Yes?

[Karla] Seems almost Disappointed they couldn't torment it some more

[?] - grumbles - Yes, we have a deal.

[Doc] Do you have a name?

[Karla] if they do not: I propose Legion.

[Chester] Would anyone mind if I ran the fuck away at a somewhat undignified speed?

[Helm] - waves from the shadows of the doorway.

[Chester] Looks at the zombie- you mind?!? You're kidding right?!??!

[Legion] - glares at Karla - Lucky guess mortal.

[Helm] - rolls eyes and grabs Chester, pushing them ahead into the outer room.

[Karla] grinning unnervingly- I just had a feeling.

[Doc] I think I'm missing something... A legion is a bunch of soldiers right?

[Karla] in this case it's a conglomeration of demons.

[Doc] OH...

[Chester] at Helm- What is it?

[Helm] - signing - If you want out, it's this way. Just... Stop screaming, please.

[Chester] Oh! Thank you! - there's the littlest scuff of loose pixels as he scrabbles all his feet and he is GONE. Rushing out frantically into the night and back toward Lies house.

[Sammn] - walks to the first glyph circle. A quick shuffle of her foot and the glyph explodes into a shower sparks. The whole circle flares and disappears. She does the same to the next circle. At the last one, she looks down at the blessed knife then repeats the process, dispelling the last circle.

[Doc] Soooo... Hi.

[Helm] - stands there shaking their head at the other mob's behavior.

[Legion] - hops forward, very similar to a slime cube. The green eye is open, scanning everything.

[Karla] At Helm- it's fine. I can get back on my own.

[Doc] is trying to catch the honesty flitter, it's proving a bit elusive.

[Karla] Graciously offers a gloved hand to shake one of the tendrils. - Charmed. And you'll find that I may not actually be mortal anymore.

[Wunderwaffe] happy electrical chirp

[Legion] - glowers as all the tendrils coil back toward its - Be that as it may, you would not wish to touch us. Not yet, atleast.

[Karla] Ah, just being formal. I will refrain then.

[Doc] Is your form unstable?

[Legion] - Stable enough, for now. We have been well fed during our time within... - whips a tendril at Sammn.

[Sammn] Fed? From of me?

[Doc] What is it with tentacle things and strange appetites?

[Karla] emotions and blood I'd presume

[Legion] Typically, we are formless. Our shape is not our choice. Emotions are usefull, but we told you what we feed off... The child kept us well fed. - hops a little closer to Sammn -

[Sammn] That makes little sense. You said you were unable to take my soul, - eyes it suspiciously - so how did I feed you?

[Doc] Finally catches the flitter and holds the frantically flapping bug near Legion- what did you feed on?

[Legion] Souls.

[Doc] Yeah.. please don't do that here.

9 notes · View notes

dememarquette · 7 years

Text

Vitalis Ex Maria

1311, France

The Rhône river had a way of dragging stragglers upstream.

It’s newest arrivals came in a pair that washed in with the tide every year. After a three month tour cruising the Mediterranean, it was a feat to have frittered away all their earnings in a matter of 48 hours. A personal record, actually. They just didn’t see it that way.

“Don’t start- you’re the one who blew it all.”

“Me?!” Osalm drew back, offended. “You can’t even cook. Why’d you let that merchant scalp you for spices?”

“They are the biggest thing on the market right now. It’ll pay off.”

“You’re a moron.”

“And you love me.”

“If I have to.”

She snorted.

It was completely normal to resort to begging between voyages. In the nicer towns, it’d work until people began recognizing their faces. At that point they became too disheveled for the populace to make eye contact with, anyways. This early on, they still had a chance.

A shadow turned the corner. Somebody was coming. Though she wasn’t talking, Osalm hissed a terse ‘Shut up’ before shoving her into the veranda of a tailor’s shop. If she hadn’t seen a vegetable in two weeks, the injustice would have resulted in a beatdown. But since she hadn’t, and they were running on empty, she remained quiet and radiated attitude around the corner.

Osalm shook his cup. It jangled, despite nothing of worth inside. A pebble, just enough to make one feel bad that other people paid a due to society’s less fortunate before passing them by. Proving the rule, the approaching figure paused.

Maria palmed the blade in her skirt, preparing for the worst. The stranger was not looking the friendliest. Of all people, he picked a hooded figure to panhandle. Nonchalant, her brother reached for his, too. And the stranger: his coin purse. As he did, the metal of his crucifix caught the light. Suddenly, the equation changed.

While Osalm wiggled excitedly at the sheen of silver from his bag, Maria stepped into plain view. “Stop- don’t.” “What are you doing?!”

“You know the buzzard is just going to spend it on booze, right?”

“What?!” Osalm punched her calf. “She’s lying! She wants me to starve to death.”

“C’mon Os. Don’t steal from a priest!”

She never considered herself a lamb of God, but other people out there were. And those other people had grander schemes in life than to swindle the system probably deserved it more. Guilt was apparently a recessive gene, because her brother seemed to disagree.

“It’s not stealing!” Osalm tucked the charity under his bottom. “It’s called ask and ye shall receive, it’s in their playbook, read up. They love doing this.”

“You’re awful!”

The priest smiled at that. While could always indulge in a good debate on morality, he was finished with their squabble. Osalm counted his score while his sister berated him. It wasn’t until she had a handful of the bronze (and his hair) that she noticed the priest missing, already halfway down the alley.

“Wait, wait, wait! Hold up!” She pried herself from her brother’s grip. His hold on her ankles relinquished with a well-placed kick to the ribs. Throw in a little twisting, and she broke to cover the distance.

“Maria!”

She ignored him to catch up, barefoot padding the ground until her abrupt stop at his heels. “Look- look, that’s way too much.” She panted. “If you’re going to give us that, you have to enjoy it with us.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” The priest kept walking, diligent. “But if you’d need more assistance, I’d be happy to help in the morning.”

“Are you sure? Leaving now would be enabling.” She sounded sarcastic, but accentuated her seriousness in a pause. “Isn’t that a sin?”

“No...Not really.” He glanced at her waist. The cloth hung loosely, advertising a more fortuitous time. “I am trusting you to spend it on more worthwhile things. You should take care of yourself.”

“I see...”

The woman was seemingly on the same page up until she whirled to her brother. “Osalm! He says you can spend it all on booze and hookers!”

“Great!” He propped two thumbs up.

The priest was mortified.

“What- no, no no-” His hands lifted in protest but it was too late. She caught them.

He’d remember that wildfire grin all night.

- - -

It should be stated that the Descoteaux siblings had a laundry list of petty crime under their belts. Trespassing, vandalism, coincidental piracy- it goes on. Never anything absolutely malicious in nature- albeit, kidnapping was new.

Osalm watched her drag the priest back in a headlock. Oh, he blinked. She meant it. “Maria, you’re scaring him.”

“I am not!”

“I can undress myself?!” The priest cried. He didn’t know why she felt the need to claw off his clothes but they were entirely hers if she asked!

“It’s for her rituals.” Osalm elaborated, gravely.

“That’s not even funny!” She pulled the robes from over his head. Couldn’t they see it was for his own good?

The priest scrambled back, bare in his tunic and shifts. Having agreed to none of this, he was ready to bolt the second the two inevitably got into another tiff. He’d been dragged down the street, and only on the patio did it occur to him exactly what he was in for. The tavern reeked of old alcohol and bad choices. “I can’t go in there,” He gasped.

“Sure you can!”

“Underwear is not a disguise, Maria.”

“Hey, he was running around in a hood before!” She pointed out. “No one will know.”

A shame too, she thought. She kind of liked the blonde, blue-eyed angel look if only for the stark contrast it provided when he turned beat-red. Much like the present.

“What’s it going to be? I’m not giving your robe back until you join.”

“Charity is a no-go, but extortion is fine, noted.”

She rolled her eyes. Opting for better company, she pulled him to the bar. Osalm’s smartass remark also happened to result in the loss of choice on the priest’s part. Before he knew it, he was parked in a bar stool with a drought of ale put in front of him. It went without saying she wouldn’t let him leave without sampling it, nor was she satisfied there.

The ransom for these things began with one sip. It graduated to half the mug, and then into more personal things, like his name and where he was from. Obviously he couldn’t introduce himself as Father Marquette here, so Vitalis it was.

She learned he was a native of the town, but unlike most of the clergy, he didn’t seek the power that comes with rooting oneself in a solitary community. He liked to travel. And through this discussion, he learned she was from the coast. A pilgrim in her own right, preferring sails to horseback, and had a freckle for every city she’s terrorized. She lived with only enough foresight to survive the next day and that’s how she liked it, too.

She picked his brain until he stopped keeping track of how much he was draining, only seeking to wet his tongue for more. At the end of the night, she paid with a flourish. Every coin she’d earned (well, he earned) was slapped on the table, paying for them both.

The bartender wasn’t amused. “That pays for the first five.”

“That’s all we’ve had!”

“And?” He nodded his head. Across the bar, her brother was being- quite literally- swept out of the building.

“But that makes it nine...”

“My point.”

That was a problem. She scavenged her bags despite knowing the answer. She had nothing, and no amount of digging was going to change that. The woman blushed, suddenly meek. Demure wasn’t a color she wore well. “...You don’t happen to accept payment in spices, do you?”

He scowled. The look said it all.

The vagrant groaned. If she had to, she supposed she could let Osalm spend another night in lock-up. Only until she had the funds-!

The priest picked his head up from the bar. “I’ll...work for the remainder,” He offered.

Maria paused. Accepting the proposal without another beat, the bartender handed him a mop.

The mission that night: clean up after everyone else. This included his new acquaintance drooling vomit all over the welcome mat. The labor was quite the steal for what remained on their tab, and it was almost as if it was his business model to wait for someone to offer.

Maria shrugged. Well, that worked out. She patted her new friend heartily on the shoulder. “I guesss I’ll leave you to your work!”

He never quite understood ‘No good deed goes unpunished’ before that night.

- - -

‘Community service’ lasted well into the evening. He was drunk off his ass but better off than some of his neighbors. With difficulty, he managed to help several sloshed patrons upstairs. Fluffing their pillows, and covering them up was overkill, but no one was complaining about five star hospitality at a one star price.

When finished, he muttered his thanks to the owner, and swayed onto the streets.

Maria was waiting patiently outside. His robes, and her brother’s unconscious head rested in her lap. The two had ample time to make their way back to the inn, but guilt had dangerously wound itself up in her stomach. Not enough to help, per-say, but enough to feel bad about how things turned out.

“Where are you going?” She asked.

The priest was lumbering somewhere but not anywhere she could discern. The chapel was the other way.

“I can’t go back…inebriated.” He dragged. With no money, and no home, the cleaner of the darkest alleys were starting to look awfully friendly. He had no problem taking that vow of poverty at face value, only if the neighborhood felines wouldn’t mind. “I’ll be fine…” He waved her off.

“Wait!”

Osalm’s head hit the wood paneling with a dull ‘thunk.’ She caught up to the priest quicker this time like she’d prepared for the sprint. Her brother’s spare key was already stolen. Pre-gaming was involved, and she didn’t want to be bothered...

“I just wanted to say that I…” She held her hand out for his. An offer instead of full-on abduction. “...Know where you can stay.”

His heart raced. The priest found himself powerless being lead away.

- - -

Living at sea made her a deep sleeper.

Nothing like the jerk of the water, and the raucous energy of idiots to orient one to sleep like the dead. Alcohol helped. When it didn’t, wearing herself down until rest was no longer a conscious volition did.

But by some miracle, a whisper that rused her. An unoffending noise, completely out of its element where glass broke habitually and feral cats had a perpetual turf war. She rolled over on her side- noting that she was sharing the bed with no one. Usually she was the culprit for bailing first, but go figure a clergyman to be gone before the sun except-

The rhythm continued. Down below, like a private song. It baited her to the edge on her elbows. There he was. Her secret rendezvous, unknowing conspirator in her ‘Wouldn’t-it-be-funny-if’ midnight tryst. He knelt on the cold stone, head bowed.

Smirking, she watched him, bemused before understanding hit her like a brick. Her own sense of virtues could be outré, but wow. “Are you really repenting after sex?!”

He peeked an eye.

“Good morning.” He said. “And sorry...”

“For what?”

The priest cringed. Well, if he could admit it to God, why not own up? “I shouldn’t...have done that.”

“Done what? Me?”

He chuckled, as if he hadn’t followed her to her bedroom like death row. Apologizing twice would just be repetitive.

Not that there was a market for it. She could handle being a regret, but being in audience of a priest tattling on himself was a bit much. “What makes you think God has any place in here? Do you think he cares?”

“It’s not about Him. It’s about myself.”

“Yourself?” She rejected that just as haughtily. “Don’t lie, you had fun.”

A delicate pink seeped into his cheeks, no booze to blame it on now. “It was a lack of self control. If I can be that easily...distracted, I have no business here.”

Maria’s eyes rolled, threatening to disappear into her skull. ‘Distraction.’ What a sad euphemism. “That sounds like a load of horse shit.”

“You think?”

He stood from his altar at her bed while she gathered her things. The vagrant was comfortable to leave it on that. Never to see him again, like a black smudge rubbed away from his good name. She figured it’s what he wanted, and living life on the road meant you could oblige the people you use in little ways. But as she shoved what little possessions she had into her arms, it got her thinking. A morbid curiosity that stopped her at the door.

“Did that...thing of yours mean you prayed for me too?”

Her question was posed like a set-up for ridicule, but his years as a career empath could decipher sardonicism from sincerity.

“Would you like me to?”

- - -

Osalm lost it.

She never explicitly explained, but her brother had been hungover across the street. He was in perfect view of the lovers’ walk of shame, and found it hilarious. Maria left like a champ but the priest lacked in such a practiced subtlety.

“Look at you, dragging holy men to hell” He cackled, regardless if Vitalis was still in earshot. He was. “Did you see his face?”

“Shut up, Os.” She said, pitching a breakfast roll with little care in terms of aim.

It didn’t hit bullseye, evident by a flawless catch. “Áve María ♪~” He sang.

Her eyes narrowed. “At least I didn’t have to pay him!”

That ended that.

He was right about one thing, though. Vitalis was a new breed.

The priest’s business usually kept to the upper state area. The Avignon papacy was the newest and best thing to hit the city, currently in full swing. It acted like a beacon to the clerical staff looking to broaden their horizons. Furthering education was one thing, prestige another, but learning of the nation’s biggest priorities was what he was there for. People there liked to talk about what needed done. Vitalis preferred to act.

He was a bleeding heart. A day without changing someone’s life was a waste. He didn’t see himself fit spreading the Lord’s name if he had nothing concrete to show for it like a time card. The most selfish thing about the man was his steadfast belief he was put on this planet for a higher purpose. He’d never admit it, but it was implied when he’d reject officiating your wedding to go get projectile vomited on by a possessed toddler out in Montpellier.

Vitalis was all about lasting impact. Dealing with the upper echelon’s of Avignon was his daytime job, and a means to an end. By night he’d be back in the backwater to get the outskirts of the city with the program. Children on the streets were his weakness. Also adults. Really, anyone down on their luck but that didn’t encompass it. This is a man who’d chew your food if you had a toothache.

He never shied away from Maria’s company, though. Rather- surprising the two of them, even himself- he embraced it. He was a victim of his own vices, while leading her away from hers. An odd cultural change where both found worth in benefiting the other, without seeing the trade at all.

Their relationship was secret, naturally, but calling it star-crossed would be painting it melodramatic. She respected him as a priest and a human, and he learned to accept he was capable of wanting more out of life than a pat on the back when it came to a sharp-tongued brunette, kissed by the sun.

It didn’t stop the repenting, though. After the third time, she threw a shoe at him, and he finished the prayer before saying ‘Ow.’

- - -

With Summer came good news..

A captain had made berth at Saintes Maries desperately seeking abled bodies. Osalm left early in the morning to seal the deal, leaving his sister behind to take care of the last minute details. One of which was a certain priest.

She caught him by the chapel.

“I’m leaving soon.”

“Oh?” He perked. “Where to?”

“Italy, I hear. Ossy found us solid work for a couple months.”

“That’s great news. I adore Italy. I’m sure you will too.”

“What about you? Where are you heading?

“Bourges. They are constructing a cathedral out there, and could use the extra hand. Consulting, planning and all.”

He left out the part where he had already delayed the trip two weeks. Their fling was never meant to last forever, but he always seemed to find little things he could do around Avignon before making the trek across the country.

“It sounds boring.”

“Not when you see what it does to the community. It blossoms when it all comes together. People help people...”

“You sound like a fortune cookie.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

- - -

She finished packing. A little later in the afternoon than she would have liked considering the circumstances, but hardly an issue. Her brother would be waiting at the port with their newest job description.

“Here you go.” She tossed him a bag.

His body rocked with the weight, but he regained his balance quickly when it came time to block her passage. His arm flew up, stopping her on the gangway. “Ah-ah-ah! Where do you think you’re going?”

She attempted to sidestep to no avail. “What?”

“Not this time, little miss.”

“You’re kidding, right? You couldn’t make it anywhere without me.”

She tried to pass once more, and the two spun around like a swinging door only to end up in the exact same spots.

“And that-” He prodded her stomach. “Won’t either.”

Her eyes widened. Face hot, she wrapped another layer over her stomach, defiant. She’d been so careful. The priest had been her crutch the past couple weeks more often than she’d seen him, and she easily explained away the morning sickness as hangovers. Unfortunately, Osalm wasn’t a complete idiot. The signs had been there.

“So what? You’re abandoning me?!”

“Well yeah. Can’t have you popping on the ship. That’d be gross.”

“Grow up!”

Osalm’s ever-present smirked dimmed. He had wanted to be jovial, but the decision had been weighing on him, too. “It’s no life for a kid, Maria.”

“No life for me either.” She gritted. He held her shoulders.

“...I’m sorry.”

- - -

That night, his caravel was seized before leaving harbour.

A routine check from the coast’s navy turned violent. A concerned citizen reported suspicious behavior an hour before the ship was set to sail. The vessel’s storage of untaxed contraband was uncovered disguised as caskets of the dead, wishing to be buried overseas. Osalm knew better than to scuffle with the authorities, but that didn’t change his fate.

For first time offenders, the charge was steep. You’d be marked, fined, and ousted from the city as a public disgrace..

Anything past that, the law was less lenient. Upon hearing news at the church, Vitalis borrowed a horse and bolted to the border. Hours later, he was able to garner access to the cells under the improvised title of a prison chaplain.

Osalm recognized him instantly. “Look who it is.”

Vitalis glanced around. The elder Descoteaux wasn’t alone, but his sister wasn’t to be found.

“Where is she?”

“She wasn’t onboard. She’s safe, somewhere in the city.”

The priest’s chest fell. The breath he’d been holding escaped him but the next would be productive. “I’ll try to talk to the officials. Perhaps I could negotiate a pardon.”

“No point.”

Osalm rolled up his sleeve. He exposed the scar that damned him. It was a brand- raised, slick and pink. A perfect twin of the one the priest would trace on Maria’s forearm. “They already know I’m no-good~”

“You could pay your debt.” He insisted. “Surely they’d be willing to negotiate.”

“With what money? It was bound to happen. I was just hoping it’d be cooler.” He sighed. “Tell Maria it was cooler. That I fell overboard- a monolithic beast dragged me to the depths before they caught me.”

Vitalis found no humor in that. “She’ll be devastated.”

“Of course she will. I’m sure she already knows. But she’ll move on. I’d say take care of her for me but I haven’t been doing too good of a job at that on my own.” He leaned against the bars. “How about this: do a better job.”

Vitalis frowned, suspicious. “She is her own woman.”

“I know, I know. But what I mean is don’t let her name the kid after me, okay? I know she’ll want to but don’t.”

Understanding fell into place like a deadbolt.

“...I promise.”

- - -

He found her on the edge of the brook.

She hadn’t attended the hanging. Without living protest, the body was cut down from the noose and cast into an unmarked grave, nameless in a sea of the others. Vitalis had committed its spot into memory should she change her mind, though her brother had seemed less than convinced that’d happen.

“She lives in the present.” He said, sometime after mocking the priest’s stuffy final rites. “Hell will freeze over before she cares.”

Maria sat on the edge of the water, skipping stones. There was no change in her eyes when the rock leapt across the surface, or sank. She’d just throw another, tepid and controlled like repetitive motion was her purpose in life. The footsteps coming up from behind were background noise, ignored as much as the crickets. He could have stood there all night and the results wouldn’t have changed, but he didn’t.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” He said.

“Thanks.” She replied simply, throwing another.

“I ensured the burial was proper. I-...I did all I could.”

“You’re too kind.” Her voice clipped before the hitch in her breath threatened her controlled monotone.

He sat down beside her.

It became...uncomfortable. Tensions were as thick as the lump in his throat, but they needed to aired. Their futures both depended on it.

“What did he mean by kid?” He asked.

“Does it matter? You’re leaving tonight.”

“I don’t have to. I can stay.”

“Don’t. I can do without your pity.”

“It can wait.” He said, softly. “It’s not pity, it’s responsibility, and it’s mine.”

For the first time, she dared look at him. He was a man brimming with sincerity, but he didn’t mean this. She saw it in his posture, the dip of his eyes. His word was honest to God, but not what he was cut out for. It was a waste of his energy. Why save two, when he could save hundreds? Thousands?

It’s something she’d been wrestling with all day. Being alone would be hard, but she’d be damned before she’d be an obligation. That was even worse.

He continued. In that calming hum of his, he spun a tale about their future life together. How he’d leave the clergy, how he’d find work in town, how they’d make it work…

She stopped listening minutes prior, eying the dagger poised by her side.

“-We could start anew...married, if you’d like...”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious. I don’t need-”

He flinched.

Her blade slid through his coin purse. Modest bronze pieces spilled to the ground- a week’s worth of meals at best that he’d collected for his journey. Vitalis watched the coins fall, sympathy plaguing him. “Maria…”

“I will be there.”

The edge of her knife pointed. His focus followed to a property overlooking the sea. It plunged upward from the woods- too distant from town for convenience, and too high from the water to merit the trouble.

His brows creased, “Maria. That isn’t enough to-”

“I. will. be. there.” She reaffirmed, words bleeding with contempt. “I’ll leave you to your work. Return when you are done.”

- - -

An honest living was the goddamn hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

It didn’t seem possible at first. Her brother and herself had managed on their own on the road. There, it was easy. Mooch here, be a menace there, side job across town, and leave on a boat after they’d stirred up too much trouble. They were adventure exemplar, not built for stagnancy.

Land came first. Cheap, due to its inconvenience. With it, self-sufficiency. The farm came after. She beat the ground until it yielded. Her son turned up somewhere in the middle. Balance was never easy and naturally there were rumors. On a good day, she’d claim to be a soldier’s widow. And on a bad, she’d chase you off the property with the same pitchfork she deterred pests. The same passion, too.

After some time, she didn’t visit town anymore, but her son was Rognac cliff’s personal ambassador. A precocious sprite, who treasured the company of absolutely anyone outside of his mom and the hens. Isolation gifted him with an endless fascination with people. When he expressed enough competence to handle grocery trips on his own at age seven, she let him. It was that loose-leash parenting that earned her a fair share of criticism. It takes a village to raise a child, but the village seemed to think it was doing all the work.

The two of them knew differently.

He grew up as an equal. A roommate, earning his keep as soon as he was walking. Motherly instincts were never a ‘thing’ that came to her, but she knew how to survive. In turn, he learned too.

But apart from his platinum head, the boy was nothing like his father until he came home with the Old Testament in hand. Vitalis’ occupation had only been nuanced to spare his image (her son, she learned, tended to be a huge fucking blabbermouth), but for the boy it was like a final clue, a riddle he’d cracked. This mystical job where he could travel abroad for a living, anywhere his heart desired, and people just went with it. He couldn’t get enough. Although Maria could care less about where God’s plan mingled with the mess she called life, she encouraged him. If only to see a glimpse of Vitalis.

Her son would read to her at night after the chickens were tucked away. She’d listen until he put himself to sleep with his own bedtime story.

Afterwards, she’d quiet her mind outside, dreaming of the sea.

- - -

1320

“MOM, there’s a weird man...”

Her head shot up.

In one smooth stroke, she abandoned dinner she was preparing to unsheath an iron rod from the fireplace. Nothing good came of people that hiked this far. Maria stalked to the front door; armed but not ready for who was there.

On the porch, a man crouched in front of her son. Their golden heads identical, only separated by years.

“And who was eaten by the whale?” He asked.

“Jonah.”

The grip on her weapon tightened, turning her knuckles bone white, before it dropped.

“Very good! You’re so smart.”

The boy pouted, rejecting the praise with a scrunched face. “That’s not even hard.”

He laughed. “Want another?”

“How about I ask you some?”

“Go right ahead!”

She opened the door. Years had hardened her up, but he’d recognize that fierce spirit anywhere. There was no trace of animosity, only a toothy grin inviting him in.

Their son could play outside for a bit.

#vitalis #maria #osalm #story #NOW I CAN GO BACK TO BEING PRODUCTIVE ON OTHER THINGS #backstory #parents #someone help me with titles for these things

5 notes · View notes