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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 24, 2017 23:15:30 GMT -8
By that time, the trio had arrived at the shore. Evelyn put the little halfling down, allowing her to wander in circles to her heart's content. Meanwhile, she stood at the very edge of the water, ankle-deep. The Boneman stepped out of his boat, which drifted off and sank back down to the bottom of the lake. He listened closely to Wyssal as she spoke, hesitating for a moment before responding.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I've heard all those things and more about halflings, people really don't have a very good opinion about you. You're the first one I've met, though, and you seem nice enough."
All of a sudden, a young man in adventurer's clothing burst out of the woods, sword in hand.
"There you are, Boneman! I've come to rid the world of your evil existence! Leave the woman and the child alone!"
Evelyn rolled her eyes, and the Boneman sighed.
"See what I have to put up with? Alright alright, just a minute..."
He rolled up his sleeves slowly, buttoning them to make sure they wouldn't fall back down.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 7:55:02 GMT -8
Suddenly he felt an incredibly strong hand grab his shin, almost as if his entire leg was encased in thick cement.
"Hang on there, boyo, let me handle the scrub."
Drawing her sword and spinning it in one hand, she let the blade slump onto one shoulder as she meandered over to the adventurer.
"Hey, kid, two things you've done wrong in a span of fifteen seconds- called me a child, and bothered us while we're having a nice conversation. Make one more mistake and you're not going to live long enough to regret it."
She looked up at him with confidence despite the massive size distance. The Bone Man could see the etchings on Wyssal's sword begin to glow consistently, as if it was charging a spell....
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 25, 2017 10:39:25 GMT -8
The Boneman looked down, surprised, when the little halfling gripped his leg. He opened his mouth as though he were about to say something, but Evelyn shook her head and he stopped. Taking a deep breath, he stepped back. The newcomer looked shocked.
"Why...he's not trying to tear your skeleton from your body? You're his accomplices, then! You'll meet the same fate he deserves! I won't hold back, even you're...uh...really small."
He raised his sword and swung it rather clumsily at Wyssal's head, not noticing the glowing blade. Evelyn gasped.
"Wyssal, look out!"
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 11:50:06 GMT -8
Within a fraction of a second the man's sword was swung downward towards the halfling's head and in the next pieces of the sword scattered in all directions as Wyssal's free hand was held up above her head. The rest of the shattered blade in her clutched fist inches from her skull. She gave the man a side glance, a cocky grin slowly taking hold of her face.
"That feels like a third mistake. What do you guys think? Third mistake? You know, if I was this dork right about now I'd be booking it. It'd be reaaaaaaaal humiliating when they have to etch onto his tombstone 'here lies Dork: He died to a halfling.'"
She pulled the sword out of his hands with unfathomable amount of strength- even for a human it was unheard of- and tossed the sword to the water's edge. Her own greatsword glowed brightly with magic energy as she continued to charge spells.
"Your choice how you want to do die, big guy- now, or later."
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 25, 2017 12:17:00 GMT -8
The adventurer stared at Wyssal, slack-jawed with disbelief. How had she caught the blade? How had it shattered on her hand? He looked down at Wyssal, then up at the Boneman, then at Evelyn, who was currently holding the Boneman back with a hand on his shoulder.
"Say...aren't you the lady that gives out swords?"
Evelyn groaned and threw a rock at him, and he turned and ran into the woods.
"You've gotten lucky this time, Boneman! I'll be back to enact justice upon you, just you wait! You won't escape, you evil monster!"
His hurried footsteps grew softer and softer until he was out of hearing distance, leaving the trio with nothing but a broken sword as a souvenir.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 12:28:48 GMT -8
The glowing of her sword returned to its normal low, pulsing wave as she spun the blade around in one hand and sheathed it once more.
"Piece of cake." She said while smugly shrugging. "So anyway, what were we talking about? Oh! Right, my species sucks! Let's, uh, let's change topics from that. So! Evelyn! Naiad, right? That's cool..."
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 25, 2017 13:08:30 GMT -8
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes, that's right. I used to live in the river, but I moved out here. I didn't like the current always pushing my things downriver, and I kept getting tangled in people's fishing lines. Have you ever gotten a fishhook stuck in your skin? It hurts, and I kept getting stuck with them. Eventually I got sick of it, so I packed up my things and moved to the center of the lake. It's awfully nice there, no current or anything. It gets kinda cold sometimes, though...and there's a bunch of swords lying there. I wonder where they could have come from."
Meanwhile, the Boneman began poking around in the woods, apparently examining some of the plants.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 13:10:50 GMT -8
"And you're not able to leave the waters at all? I've known a couple naiads who gave up their lonely life and became travelers. They told me they usually keep vials of their lakewater on them so they don't get homesick."
Wyssal leaned on her hips, looking back once in a while to see what the Boneman was doing.
"I imagine you could spend more time with Stephen over there if you bailed on the swamp."
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 25, 2017 15:58:51 GMT -8
Evelyn blushed, glancing up at the Boneman as he puttered about in the woods looking at plants.
"I-Is it that obvious? I never tried leaving the water before. It's nicer, and the the land is so hard and dry...but maybe the vial of water thing would help. It would be nice to go places that aren't right by the water, I suppose...I don't know though, it would be a pretty big change. I've got a nice place at the bottom of the lake, you know."
Meanwhile, the Boneman appeared to be plucking seed pods from some of the bushes and pocketing them.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 16:20:14 GMT -8
She nodded as she listened.
"I don't doubt that. Why not give it a try and leave the lake? Your boyfriend over there would enjoy your company, I bet." She said in a whisper, winking as she did so.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 25, 2017 17:27:15 GMT -8
Evelyn bit her lip worriedly, looking from the water to the shore. She tiptoed hesitantly towards the edge of the water, but stopped.
"I...I dunno about this, Wyssal. I've never left the water before. We're not really supposed to leave the water, you know. I don't know anyone who has, and we're meant to stay in our little streams and pools. That's the way Naiads work."
Meanwhile, the Boneman seemed to finish collecting his seeds and started back towards the water's edge.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2017 17:43:43 GMT -8
"C'mon, give it a try!" She coaxed.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 26, 2017 11:47:15 GMT -8
Evelyn took a deep breath, but stopped and stepped back from the water's edge. It seemed that Wyssal's meager encouragement hadn't been enough to coax her out of her lake.
"No, I can't. I'm just not ready for that. I love the water, it's my home. The land is too hard, too dry, too scary."
Meanwhile, the Boneman returned to the trio, his pockets bulging with seeds that he'd gathered.
"What's up now? What are you two up to?"
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2017 13:34:46 GMT -8
Wyssal sighed and looked to The Boneman.
"I'm helping your friend here get past her watery home! I used to know a couple naiads like Evelyn here who traveled just like I do and you probably did. She thinks she's bound to the waters but I know otherwise."
She turned back to Evelyn and began her dramatic voice.
"Now listen here, young lady. By not seeking out new lands to explore you only hurt yourself in the end. Here you are alone, cold, tired of those that dare approach your waters seeking weaponry and fearful your human (I think? Let me know if you aren't, big guy) compatriot will murder any that oppose you. But I say no!"
She stamped the ground and crossed her arms, sticking her chest out confidently as her voice rose from its sweet and light tone to one of a godlike quality. She wasn't asking anymore, she was commanding
"You shall not waste away your precious life in only one lake! There are hundreds, thousands, millions of lakes to see! Beautiful blue waters that reflect a perfect yellow sun, crisp clean shores that you can see below for half a mile, gentle breezes that blow cool mists into those bathing by their sides. Lakes with waterfalls, lakes leading to the oceans on the horizons, lakes in the deepest caves and highest peaks! Rivers, as many as there are numbers, winding back and forth into beautiful patterns that could have only been placed there by a higher being that truly loves this world."
Dramatically Wyssal pointed her index finger to Evelyn, standing with her side and giving her a half-way glance. Her unwavering confidence continued.
"I request- no, I implore you! Cast off this fear of the dry so that you may seek out the wet! Take one step onto the soil I now stand on and follow in my shoes, for it is but one step towards a lifetime of adventure! Become more than you believe yourself to be! Become the you I know you will become!"
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 27, 2017 9:15:57 GMT -8
Evelyn stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened at Wyssal's rousing speech as she considered the little halfling's words. She looked back at her lake, then out into the wilderness. Nervously, she nodded.
"You're right...there's many more lakes out there. So many things to see...I've always wanted to visit the ocean. It's always been an idle daydream, though...I never thought I'd actually be able to do it. I've already gone further than most naiads I know, most of them never left the streams they were born in. Still, going on land is a big step."
She took a deep breath and stepped to the very edge of the water, looking to Wyssal and the Boneman for encouragement. The Boneman smiled at her, holding out his hand.
"Come on, Evelyn. You can do it. Step out of the water, I believe in you."
Blushing bright red, she took his hand. He gave her a soft tug, and and she stepped out of the water onto the damp sand. As her feet left the shallow water, she shut her eyes tight and moved into the Boneman's arms. He pulled her in close and held her tightly, stroking her hair and whispering softly to her.
"There you go, I knew you could do it, it'll be alright, I've got you now..."
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2017 10:01:22 GMT -8
Wyssal cheered.
"Yeah! See? I told you! Now you two can go on adventures together!"
She walked towards the water's edge and looked into the lake, as if searching for something.
"I wonder where you'll go first....the ocean is about 140 miles from here but you can easily get a caravan or wagon to take you there. With Stephen by your side you don't need to worry about people bothering you."
She looked back to The Boneman, giving him a wink.
"Though might I suggest a less hostile method of dealing with goons? Ripping out ribcages is best left to orcs."
Wyssal turned back to the pool and knelt down. She pulled out a potion bottle and drank its contents. With the bottle empty she scooped up lake water and walked over to Evelyn.
"Here! A keepsake for you. To remember your lake by when you're off becoming a famous explorer."
She sighed and stood up again, putting her hands behind her head.
"Man, what I'd give to be young like you again. You know, I'd ask you to join me but I'm bettin' you two want to go at it alone. That's cool, I'm not getting in the way of anything. But hey- when you're rich and famous, remember who it was that helped you get started, ya dig?"
She winked at the two, snapping her fingers and making a clicking sound with her tongue.
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Post by Strangers and Travelers on May 28, 2017 12:28:41 GMT -8
The Boneman chuckled, still clutching Evelyn close.
"I don't know, where else would I get fertilizer for my plants? Crushed bones helps them grow, you know. It helps give nice healthy strawberries. Although...I suppose if we're on the road, I won't be needing to garden a lot. I sure would like to see the ocean, and there's no time like the present."
He let go of Evelyn, who stepped back and accepted the bottle of lake water gratefully. She stared at it for a moment, then pocketed it.
"Thanks...it'll be easier with this. I'll always have the lake with me, without the people asking for swords all the time. Thank you so much, Wyssal! I don't know that I could have ever left the lake without your encouragement. Wait...what do you mean 'what I'd give to be young again'? You look younger than me. And I'm not just saying that because you're small."
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