14

[asea]

Who: Walter and you
Where: Forest
When: 16th, noon
Style: Either
Status: Open

[A window on the second floor of Phasma Apartment throws open, and there's a blur of black as something leaps off the sill. Whether it's noticed, the winged creature speeds startlingly toward the forest quadrant (by sheer coincidence in a blind charge), only slowing once several meters in.

The blackness disperses with a sparkle and 14-year-old Walter stumbles forward, twigs crunching under roomy boots. A length of torn cloth is wrapped around his waist to secure long pants, the hems of which he can feel under the soles of his feet. The shirts hang loosely off his frame, but they're not so oversized that he needs to do more. The cape clings to his arms, so he shrugs, tossing it up to rest on his shoulders.

The familiar whites and blues had been the only comforting thing in an unfamiliar room, even if they're a bit big.

He treads carefully deeper in the forest, until he comes across the sizable lake in the center. Crouching, he stares into the expanse of water and frowns. Landlocked.

Should one make the slightest sound of approaching, be it the rustling of the thicket or the snap of a twig, Walter will act before thinking: that would be plunging himself into the water, away from view and safe from dangers of the land. And he'll be down there for minutes, hours even, unless provoked to emerge.

Or he may come out on his own to attack. It's up to how one presents oneself.]

Comments

[shirleyhopeful]

[Hi mini Wally, meet 22 year old Shirley!

Usually Shirley wasn't up to talk a walk around the forest but today, she felt the odd urge to go. Perhaps it reminded her of her time living in the Ferines village. Now that Shirley knew what she was going to look like, she couldn't help but feel nostalgic.

Those carefree days of when she was with her sister...and Senel too...

But when she heard sounds in the forest, she quickly snapped out of her thoughts. Better stand her ground!]

[asea]

[The sounds Shirley herself made were enough to send Walter into the water, alert. But he doesn't stay in there for long when, peering near the surface of the lake, he notices the blonde hair. That's enough to make him pause.

He's never seen an Orerines with blonde hair before. So it can't be.

Abruptly, he crawls out, the water splashing about him, but remains at a crouch. There's the distinct raspy quality to his voice that should remind her of his older self.]

Hey.

[shirleyhopeful]

[As Shirley takes a step back from the sudden sounds of the water, she stares at what was in front of her. Was that Walter?

Her eyes widen a bit before relaxing her muscles a bit. Thank goodness, at least it was someone she knows.]

Hello there, are you lost too?

[Better thread this lightly]

[asea]

[A long, long pause.

His eyes flash with recognition, but that spark dims quickly. He considers her appearance—then shakes his head, and:]

You're a Ferines. That disguise . . .

[ . . . is inadequate.]

[shirleyhopeful]

[Annndddd so much for threading lightly]

S-So you notice huh? I'm afraid that there isn't a lot of Ferines clothes here but I think it is more than enough!

[Wally blowing up in 5...4...3...2...1...]

[asea]

[ . . . hm.]

. . . Why would there be? [What Orerines keeps Ferines clothes when they're so culturally ignorant?] You can change back when we escape.

[If she's doing it to be safe, Walter can hardly fault her for it. Anyway, he has more important matters to be attending to than sticking around this . . . place.

He glances at the lake.]

But this place is landlocked . . .

[shirleyhopeful]

I'm afraid there isn't an escape from this place just yet! I've...been here for quite sometime and I haven't found an exit yet.

[Pause]

But I think that's okay. I'm sure that there will be one soon if we find it!

[And she was going to go into the many details of how they lack one but that's for another time]

So it seems but...

[Man, she can't continue on about how the people here are nice can she? Shutting her mouth about this]

[asea]

. . . Crusand? But there must be an exit.

[Who else could be behind this? But this is such an expansive prison, if it is one, and entirely too accommodating. Perhaps it's a way of lowering their guard. It all stinks of ill-content, either way.

And for them to let the Ferines roam so easily, as well as this woman's striking resemblance to that girl . . . She's been here how long?

Awful. Terrible. Orerines bastards.]

My name is Walter. [A pause.] Delques.

[shirleyhopeful]

Not yet but I'm sure there will be one soon. There are a lot of people here too so it would be best that we do.

[If Walter notices, he can see that Shirley was shifting awkwardly around the small space. Even when he was so little like this, he still has enough of a presence to make her feel like this...]

I see, it's nice to meet you Walter. I'm [Shirley Fennes? UH....] Stella Telmes!

[WHY]

[asea]

[As soon as the name leaves her lips, Walter's brows furrow. Not in anger, rather in scrutiny. It's not hard to notice her squirming; it leaves him feeling restless, too. He shouldn't have to suspect kin like this.

It's disturbing.]

Stella Telmes was lost to us when Crusand attacked the village. . . . Even if you do look alike, she's much younger than you.

[The unspoken question hangs: Who are you, really?]

[shirleyhopeful]

[That went well. Shirley didn't know what else to do. If he knew who Stella was, th-...

Wait a minute...]

Um...can I ask how do you know who Stella is?

[It can't be...right?]

[asea]

[This doesn't make sense.

If she knows Stella's name, that means she would have come from the same village. That doesn't make sense, because Walter has never seen this woman before and he can confidently say that everyone from there is familiar to him. Yet instead of him to her, she asks him such a question?]

. . . She's the Merines' sister. We were from the same village before it was razed. [He's being fairly liberal with what he shares. He'd much rather be straightforward with a Ferines.] How do you know?

[shirleyhopeful]

[Oh...

OOOHHHHHHH.

...DA FUQ?!

He's been stalking living with me...all this...time.

This...

She wasn't sure what to think of it but that doesn't matter right now. The issue now is to figure out how to continue this conversation.]

It's... [Does she lie now? She doubt that she can but even if she told him the truth, he doubts that she'll believe her either. What now?]

I was raised in the same village myself, that's how I know...

[BEING VAGUE AS POSSIBLE HERE]

[asea]

[STOP SKIRTING AROUND THE TOPIC, LADY.

Walter doesn't feel entirely safe debating all of this here, not when they might be being hunted or pursued or watched—no, he doesn't sense a looming presence, so it can't be the last. Still, this is a matter that begs answers.]

I've never seen you before. [Gently, but still firmly:] What is your name?

[shirleyhopeful]

[NOPE, I DO WHAT I WANT.

Of course, the moment that she asked for her name, Shirley wasn't sure. Should she lie or should she tell the truth?]

Fenimore...Xelhes.

[She was sure that Fenimore and Thyra didn't grow up in the same village with her. However, she could be wrong. She didn't feel comfortable lying to Walter but at the same time... she doesn't feel too comfortable with telling him who she is.

It could lead to some interesting consequences.]

[asea]

["Blessing."

There's no one who lives in the village by that name. Fine, if she doesn't want to say, then that's her secret to keep. They're on a tight schedule and he won't make her any more uncomfortable, since it's not like this is going to hurt the either of them.

Folding his arms, his hand feels something rough beneath the fabric of his shirts. Searching, he pulls out a necklace, decorated with a shell of Ferines colors, and extends it toward the woman.]

. . . I found this in that place. Is it yours?

[Or does it belong to another Ferines who was removed from the unit?

That possibility as a thought alone is upsetting.]

[shirleyhopeful]

[Oh Walter, just whyyyy....

As she stared at the necklace, she was shifting awkwardly once more. She was never the type of person who was able to hide her emotions that easily so it was starting to become more obvious that something was up. She really wanted to say she made it for him but at the same time, any information she gives out might be...

She could say it was hers but if she did, he'll think something is up. If she didn't, he'll think that this place was as dangerous as he thought

Hm...]

Um yes, it is. Where did you find it, I was trying to find out where it went but...it seems that I misplaced it! I was worried someone might have stolen it too!

...It wasn't you right?

[Yes, she's willing to take the blame instead of Vatheon in general]

[asea]

. . . on the nightstand, next to the bed.

[No, he didn't steal it. If he did, he magically "forgot."

Shaking his head, Walter takes long, methodical strides over to the woman and holds out the necklace for her to take back. It hasn't been long since his regular self received it. Still, it's been well-kept and in top shape.]

Be careful. Next time it can be more than a trinket.

[Though, he can't help thinking bitterly, a trinket is more a Ferines can claim in the way of property compared to the majority driven empty-handed from the village by Orerines.]

[shirleyhopeful]

[Shirley notices. It seems like Walter didn't do all that much with it but in a way, it made her happy. He really did care a lot over it and it meant a lot to her.

Still, she was going to give it back to him after this curse was over. It was his after all, she had no right to keep it.]

But it's better than nothing wrong? It could also be a necklace too!

[mumble mumble mumble]

[kagayakashi]

[ Gracia aged up isn't really that different from Gracia at 21 years old. Not when she was still the same Gracia mentally. So she goes around town remembering who she is, where she is, and what she's been doing. She smiles and is basically how she would be on an everyday basis; all 'hellos' and 'how are you today?'.

She happens by the forest, searching for her Father and Motochika. She hasn't seen them around since the curse began, and she's just a tad bit worried for them. Gracia knows they're capable of taking care of themselves regardless of age, but still. A daughter's duty never just stops there! Not for her, at least.

Surprisingly, she finds not her Father, and not Motochika, but a little boy with clothes far too big for his tiny frame. She sees him from behind, a head of bright blond hair and a blue cape swallowing his hunched form. Was he lost? Did she know him?

So Gracia walks over to him, not making much effort to conceal her presence. She's smiling gently as she treads (skips?) her way towards him. ]

Oh, are you alright? Do you need any help?

[asea]

[ Walter is already halfway in the water when Gracia starts talking, and he's got half a mind to keep on going and hiding under. Something about that voice stops him, though, and he whirls around, waist deep in the lake, the beginnings of a minor scowl spreading on his face.

No answer. Just a scrutinizing stare, his hands twitching to clench in the lake. ]

[kagayakashi]

[ For a minute, just after she recovers from her surprise at having the little boy make a mad dash into the water, Gracia stops mid-step and squints at the blonde, crouching slowly as to avoid alarming him even more. And while her biggest concern was what in the world are you doing hiding underwater, you will drown you silly boy, she can't help but feel as if she knows him...

...That scowl was so familiar.

It takes about a minute or two for Gracia to realize that the little boy was Mister Shy and Sad Man, the same person who opened her boxes and accompanied her during the curse where she could fly. She slowly releases a gentle laughter, no malice or ridicule whatsoever. She can't help herself. What a situation to end up in! Honestly.

Gracia speaks to the boy in the same manner; with gentle reproach and a certain warmth in the undertone. ]

You know, this is the problem when you don't tell me your name! Now, I don't know what else to call you, Mister Shy and Sad Man!

[ A pause. Then, she smiles again. ]

Or maybe this time, it's Mister Shy and Sad Boy?

[asea]

[ Walter never stops staring for as long as she has her sights on him, expecting to lunge the moment she snaps up to attack or exact some dirty tactic—there they go. So she makes the first move.

What the hell is the laughter for? It's unnerving.

Wary still, Walter straightens in the water, still refusing to leave its cold embrace. As rudely as she would remember him, he accuses: ] What are you going on about?

[kagayakashi]

[ Yup. That's definitely him.

Gracia holds back her laughter and inches just a bit closer to him, or at least, closer to the shoreline. Her smile is as warm as can be, finding his aging younger to be rather cute! (Lest she scare him away even more, though, she's not gonna tell him that.) ]

You don't remember me right now, but we know each other!

[ Comes closer again, just a little bit. Not to fast, nothing to surprise him. She's still wondering at the back of her head why he's in the water in the first place... ]

My name is Gracia. [ A pause. She tilts her head slightly. ] Does it sound familiar?

[asea]

[ Growing ever watchful, Walter considers taking a step back. He decides against it, the thought distasteful. Whatever she does, he's prepared. He doesn't have to run.

For Gracia, he's not nearly as intense in his suppressed rage in Walter's new-found youth, though the suspicion still dominates how he perceives the woman. Even now, he wouldn't trust so much as a stick with her. ]

No. I won't believe your lies.