Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 9:27:12 GMT -8
Off a grand lake, a river runs off into a dense and damp forest - forming an expansive marshlands around the snaking water. Trees tower high and gnarled, the earth is muddy and seeming to constantly shift from day to day, the grass is damp and patchy, and the air usually smells with a combination of compost and mud. All kinds of odd vegetation and fungi are abundant here. A number of animals live in this swampland and along the bayou's river, from small critters and insects to awaiting reptiles large and ferocious in nature. The place is always humming with the sounds of the wildlife and trickling water, coupled with the darkened area that blotches out much of the daylight with the dense canopy - it's enough to give travelers through the area a sense of paranoia and certainly a chill down the spine. At night, the place settles usually with a fog and a new array of chirps and chatters from the inhabitants - making the place extremely unnerving to traverse and certainly dangerous.
Near the bayou, where the waters start to turn shallow like a small off-set pool on the edge of the river, sits a crudely built cabin atop the water like a dock - a rope bridge connecting the porch to the inland. The place is old and doesn't look very well built, but it seems to hold very well regardless. ( Despite how the picture might portray it) The waters around the house are just as murky as the rest of the water found in the marshes, but considering how wide the small lake by the river is - one might just wonder what is in those waters, especially after seeing the bait traps floating on the surface and odd objects seen bobbing around. At least, it was there - the only thing remaining is a rickety foundation and weathered structures, scorched and crumbling.
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 10, 2016 21:00:39 GMT -8
Roxanne wandered the marsh, wiping moisture off her sword. She didn't much like marshes or swamps. They were always too damp and full of bugs, two things she wasn't particularly fond of. She ran her fingers through her hair, sighing. The humidity was always rough on her hair, and made her wish she was back home at the estate. Better yet, she wished she was back in Asgeir, in the snowy tundras and fjords where she'd spent her childhood. Sighing, she kept trudging through the muddy forest. This was the kind of place that she warned her little cousin Roy to stay away from. If he were here, he'd probably get eaten by alligators or kidnapped by witches or something. It wasn't safe out here, and Roxanne wished that she hadn't tried to take a shortcut. A moment later, she stepped past a particularly thick stand of trees and spotted the house. That was odd. What sort of person lived out in the marsh like this?
"Hello? Is anybody home?"
Perhaps they'd be able to help her. Roxanne didn't like to admit it, but she was completely lost.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 21:06:54 GMT -8
There was no stir from the house - the place stood empty and quiet and still. Almost creepily. But something stirred from the waters around the post supports beneath the house, and it was moving to the water's edge. It would be just a few moments later that a Caiman reptile lumbered onto shore, head turning about to reveal the profile and a wide, unblinking yellow eye that seemed to look about - showing particular interest in Roxanne. But the animal didn't move beyond that. The swamps grew unnervingly quiet.
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 10, 2016 21:12:06 GMT -8
Roxanne spotted the reptile coming out of the water and took a hasty step back. What was that thing? Some kind of alligator? Roxanne didn't know, she wasn't a naturalist. However, she knew enough to spot the rows of pointed teeth. It was definitely trouble.
"Hey, don't you try and bite me..."
She pulled her sword from its scabbard, backing up a couple more steps and watching the creature. It didn't seem to be attacking her yet. Still, she didn't know. Maybe it would try to stare her down and attack when she looked away.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 21:20:05 GMT -8
The creature continued to stare... unblinking. The only movement was the body rising and falling with even breaths. It was difficult to tell if it would respond or move, or if it was even alive if it wasn't breathing.
From somewhere above, a massive anaconda lowered it's head in a curious manner to the top of Roxanne's head - the tongue flicking out repeatedly to taste the air, sniffing at the woman.
From several paces off, there was a heavy thump from behind a split trunk tree - the beady eyes of a massive black bear watching her from where it flopped down to sit. Even when resting on it's behind, it was huge - a mass of black fur and fat with large, heavy paws and a huge head.
Where had the poor woman stumbled upon?
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 10, 2016 21:29:07 GMT -8
"Whoa!"
Roxanne jumped away from the giant snake, startled. Where had it come from? She'd heard stories of giant snakes, and wasn't going to take any chances. She'd been told that they could swallow you in moments, and could paralyze you with a look. Roxanne wasn't planning on getting swallowed by a snake, and averted her eyes only to spot the bear. What was going on? Why were there so many giant animals in this swamp? She looked at the bear, then at the snake (making sure not to make eye contact just in case), then at funny-looking alligator thing. What sort of place was this? She looked back at the cabin, hoping that somebody was in.
"Hello! Is there anyone in there? I need some help!"
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 21:47:25 GMT -8
The Caiman let out a sigh that sounded well too much like a hiss and a snarl, and it slowly dragged itself further onto land - nose pointed to Roxanne.
Presumably her attention was stolen by the creature, and from the very air a figure seemed to phase right into existence behind the lost woman - the only sound announcing her arrival was the soft jingle of loose bits and bobbles rattling and a soft, sultry chuckle on the air. The witch appeared literally standing just outside Roxanne's personal bubble, staff in hand with the gaping skull maw open and empty eye hollows staring to the canopy above.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance~"
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 10, 2016 21:56:21 GMT -8
"Oh!"
Roxanne spun around at the sound of the voice, spotting the witch. Where had she come from? She glanced over the shoulder at the alligator thing and turned back to the newcomer. Who was she? Some sort of shaman or something?
"Um...do you know where we are? I'm a bit lost, and there's a lot of very large animals around here..."
She gestured to the bear, snake, and caiman worriedly.
"Do you live here? What's going on? I've never seen a bear, a giant snake, and...whatever that is in one spot before."
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 22:07:31 GMT -8
A thin smile stretched across her lips as she watched the woman intently, noting more of how uncertain and uneasy she was in this place. So frightened of the animals - how amusing! The witch lifted her free hand to the air, letting the anaconda lick at her fingers and her fingertips brush his cool, smooth scales in an affectionate gesture - his gaze never faltering on Roxanne.
"Indeed I do, my sweet. I live here in the bayou. And these dear critters are common here," she adds with a giggle, letting the snake return to the branches above. "They are just curious - we don't get many visitors out here~"
She would look to step even closer, likely to easily invade upon Roxanne's personal space, for just a few moments - sniffing at her skin and her hair in a subtle manner before easing herself around and away, her bare feet taking her towards the bridge and right near the reptile on the dirt. "Come on in, darling - it's not nice to linger at doors. Very rude, you know."
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 10, 2016 22:25:34 GMT -8
"Heh?"
Roxanne leaned back, startled, as the woman stepped in close to sniff her hair. What sort of person did that? Living in a swamp did strange things to a person, she supposed. Perhaps she simply wasn't used to people. Regardless, she followed the woman down the bridge, stepping gingerly by the caiman. What was that thing, anyway? She'd never seen an alligator with such a short face.
"Well...thank you for your help, ma'am. I'm Roxy. Uh...where are we?"
She glanced back at the creatures. The woman clearly didn't see them as threats. Perhaps they were trained.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 22:37:45 GMT -8
"We're here at my home, dear," she replies with a shake of her head, as if the answer was obvious. "Please forgive the state of things - as I said, I don't receive many visitors. I'm not prepared to entertain, of course," she laughs as her hips sway, feet padding quietly on each plank of the rope bridge.
Inside the door, the witch held the barrier open to allow Roxanne to enter into the quaint little place, decorated with a number of odd items all over the place. Worn, woven mats and rugs, little monuments wrought of the same materials that adorn her attire. There were jars of strange things from pieces to parts to whole animals and insects - some alive, some deceased. Hanging from the ceiling were bottles and more bones. Across the living area was a wide, empty fireplace with no life - a heavy, cast iron cauldron sitting in the center. Above the fireplace was a display - possibly a deer skull, but with massive tusks and spiral horns.
And if there weren't enough critters outside, there were plenty inside. With the rough build of the place, there were egret birds nesting in the rafters, and a number of snakes all over the place. Sitting in the center of the room was a round table, laden with a number of items and then with a heavy glass orb sitting on a small frame as the centerpiece. On the far side of the room was a doorway leading elsewhere.
"Come, come. Don't be shy~"
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 10, 2016 23:03:28 GMT -8
Roxanne walked into the cabin, looking around curiously. Her host definitely had an odd sense of decor. There were so many little bits and pieces of animals lying around. Was the woman a taxidermist? She stepped over a snake, trying not to trip over it. So many animals! At least the egrets were pretty, although she wasn't super fond of the snakes.
"Your home is...very cozy. I never thought I'd find anyone living out here in the middle of the marsh. Uh...I don't think I got your name."
She shuffled around, trying to skirt around a particularly colorful snake. It looked venomous.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2016 23:17:58 GMT -8
The female moved to tug out a chair from the table, picking up the small, black serpent curled up in the seat and setting it elsewhere before gesturing for Roxanne to sit.
"You didn't - you may call me Serafine," she replies sweetly, moving to take another seat herself - settling her staff against a nearby wall for now. "What brings you out here to my little corner of heaven, Roxy?" she snickers, easing forward in the chair with elbows propped on the table and hands gingerly folded together - watching as another colorful snake would begin to descend from one of the hanging objects to the chair.
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 11, 2016 10:06:00 GMT -8
Roxanne sat down gingerly, making sure that she wasn't going to sit on anything pointy or poisonous. Why were there so many snakes about? It didn't seem safe at all.
"Well, nice to meet you Serafine. I...I tried to take a shortcut through the forest, but I got lost. I didn't think I'd find anyone out here. Um...what is it that you do, exactly?"
She leaned away from the snake as it stretched down from above. What did it want with her? She didn't want to be bitten, but she also didn't want to be rude and swat away what could very well be her host's pet.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2016 10:15:02 GMT -8
The witch clicked her tongue in a tsking manner, shaking her head slowly from side to side with a wry smile on her lips. "You know what they say about shortcuts, darling - you never know where you'll end up~"
One hand would extend just in time to catch the serpent as it attempted to wholly drop on Roxanne's shoulder, carefully bringing it to settle upon her own shoulder instead - where the snake began to wind about her neck for warmth.
"Do? I do many things, like you do. I can't say I'm a master of any task, of course," she giggles, bringing her cheek to rest in the remaining upright palm and watching Roxanne intently. "I simply live by my own being, really - dabble in little things and magics when I feel like it. I work with my hands a bit, too," she adds, her free right hand now moving to pluck up an object on the table and stand it upright - a simple, plain doll with sewn X eyes and a frown, with tufts of straight straw atop the head for hair.
"These are usually for... for fun, if you will."
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 11, 2016 10:27:57 GMT -8
Roxanne shuddered as Serafine picked up the snake. How could she possibly stand having it on her like that? Roxy could practically feel the cold scales as she watched the snake curl around the woman's neck. She looked down at the little doll to distract herself from the serpent. What sort of person made unhappy dolls?
"That sounds nice, I suppose. Just being able to do whatever you please out here, with nobody to answer to. You can just try out whatever you like without having to worry about what the neighbors will say. That's a...cute doll. Is it just arts and crafts?"
She smiled nervously at Serafine, trying to ignore the fact that she was wearing a snake.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2016 10:42:26 GMT -8
The leer of the woman fell down to the doll that she was holding upright by just a single finger atop the soft head. A shift of the pointing appendage made the doll sway over onto one foot, and then the other - making the little object dance a little.
"I dabble in arts, indeed. Some look at it as strange or... you know, bad," she drawls on the final word in an exasperated manner, seeming to laugh at the notion. "But I don't think so. It's intriguing. You just have to understand it."
When the doll finally flopped back on the table without a sound, Serafine drew her eyes up and ran them intently across Roxanne's features - from head to toe, noting everything. Pretty eyes, a nice frame, clean clothes, lovely lips, gorgeous hair. She was SO out of place here in the bayou - a diamond in the rough. That, in itself, was intriguing - and an enticement in and of itself that she hadn't had in a while. Not while being out and alone on the river.
The witch was grinning deviously, tongue prodding out past her lips just enough to moisten them. "I do enjoy making dolls. This one is just a simple design... but I can make some very, very well. I could make one of you, if you'd like~"
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 11, 2016 10:53:08 GMT -8
"Bad? Why would making dolls be bad? Every girl I know back home made little dolls once, out of corn husks or rags. Lots of people make dolls."
Roxanne watched as the woman dropped the doll on the table. Serafine seemed a little odd, but anyone would be a little odd if they lived out in the woods all alone. She seemed harmless. Roxanne noticed the woman looking her up and down, and leaned back self-consciously. Perhaps it had been a while since Serafine had seen anybody at all.
"You could make a doll...of me? You mean one that looked just like me? That would be kind of neat, I suppose..."
She figured that it would be best to humor her host. After all, the woman had invited Roxy into her house, and there were bears and other dangerous things outside.
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Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: May 20, 2024 7:09:38 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2016 11:27:44 GMT -8
Serafine's hand clapped palm down to the table in a finality manner, pushing herself up into standing.
"Then I shall, but allow me to get you a drink. Something to eat. I'm good at my work, but we can't have you sitting there with nothing while I work. I'd be a terrible host!" she laughs, turning on her heel to move through the doorway behind her.
In the next few minutes of quiet, Roxanne would find the critters around the house still slowly moving and slithering about. Another snake, a slightly smaller anaconda, lowered its head from the beam supports overhead and stared intently at her, flicking his tongue out to get a smell of the woman. It's bright, brilliant white-and-yellow color was a stark contrast to the place.
The witch would return with a worn platter that she set on the table near her guest - there was a plate with thin slivers of crocodile meat already cooked and seasoned; a spicy treat. In addition were a few cuts of wild onion stalks and several dark berries that proved to be sweet but a bit tart. The plain cup held a heavy tea that had an odd scent - bitter. Warm. A bit strong. But upon ingestion it hit those unprepared like a swig of hard liquor, and tingled sweetly afterwards. It made one wonder what was in it...
"Help yourself - I can certainly get some more if you're still hungry." With that, Serafine moved to stand by a low table off against the wall - turning to get a clear view of where Roxanne sat. The table actually opened from two folds on the top to a small work station inside, and a front drawer rolled out to a number of items for her work. There were patches of material and needles and thread and buttons and pins - it was apparent she was diligent at her craft.
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Roxanne Fletcher
Main Character
Roleplay posts: 816
Age: 22
Physical Description: Roxanne is tall with white hair and a narrow, athletic build. She has a pleasant face and only a couple of scars.
Clothes and Equipment: Heavy armor, Elven bow (stolen), and a longsword.
Player's online availability : Early mornings and late evenings
Registered: Aug 2, 2015 8:58:10 GMT -8
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Post by Roxanne Fletcher on Dec 11, 2016 11:37:42 GMT -8
"Oh, there's no need for-"
Roxanne protested, but Serafine had already left to fetch refreshments, and she was left alone. She watched the snake as it descended from the ceiling, leaning away from it as it approached. So many snakes! Why didn't Serafine have something normal, like a bunch of cats or something? At least snakes were quiet, but they were so...scaly. Roxanne watched the various creatures and critters, trying to avoid getting slithered over. When Serafine returned, she smiled and accepted the food and tea.
"Well...thank you, Serafine. This smells really good! Er...what sort of meat is this?"
She took a sip of the tea, coughing when she noticed how strong it was, and took a bite of the meat. It was tasty, but certainly didn't taste like beef. What was she eating?
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