When They Die: A Roleplay RP (IC, Open)

[Pax Nerdvana]

James "Shrapnel" Dawson
James said,"You might be right Happy. Should we try to communicate with them?" James didn't know how they would respond, considering he didn't know anything about these spirit ghost things. He didn't particularly care if they were friendly or not. As long as they didn't cause any trouble for them.

[Talchyon]

South
Haverd Haenggson

A little surprised at the crash from his left, Haverd looked up, only to see a person! A man-midget, by the looks of him. And he had flown through the air! Either that, or someone had thrown him really really hard. Haverd would have to think about that.

But before he had a chance to speak to the strange man, Abigail piped in.

South

Vrabriya had gone off to sleep at her house. She got a few hours' rest, which was all she needed before she could continue. She noticed the giant walking down the area from a distance and walked out to meet him. She was tired, to be sure, but not tired enough to cease functioning. The giant's words were understandable, but their conveyance lacked any strong sense of urgency. There were a number of words that she didn't know, most notably "midget spirits." Regardless, these were the same orders that Haapsalu had given her prior. Perhaps he was impatient. Haapsalu tended to get exaggerated or braggadocious from time to time.

She nodded at the giant, waving her arm at him in case he didn't get the message. "I go to have axes!" She shouted upwards.

She turned around just as the ground was impacted by... something, she didn't see well enough to notice. Dust blew through the air, and she waved her hands in an attempt to clear her vision and nostrils. "Hello! Welcome! I am Abigail! You are in new world!" She made a quick bow and, unsure of what to say next, both in concept and in English, awkwardly headed towards her house.

She was stopped again by another impact, this time coming from the makings of a city to her south. Smoke, chaos. The ground itself seemed to move, as large blocks of stone began lifting from the streets, forming walls and spheres.

Abigail paused. "This... this is not... new. I not see this before." She paused. Not just the happenings in the city to the south; the entire city was a phenomenon. She looked down at her feet, her eyes contemplating thought. She wasn't necessarily specialized in axes, but she knew how to use them. Haapsalu didn't seem like he'd need her or his axes for a while; he could wait a tad longer. This... this looked like a crisis. "Hello! Big human! Small human! Two humans! Come if want!" She returned to her home, fetched the tomahawks and great axe she'd stowed for safekeeping, and hurried out the door. "I don't know this!" she shouted as she pointed to the commotion. She began a jog. Whatever it was, she may already be too late. This, however, would not stop her from doing her best to see what this paradox was: a metropolis in a world without life.

Looking up from his knees, and then rising to his full height, Haverd also saw the sky beginning to turn black and grey with the smoke coming from a city further on. Abigail had already started out towards the burning compound. The others went with her. What was he to do? Happy said to bring back his axes, and she had them. He also said to bring Abigail back along with anyone else. But they were all heading in a different direction!

If he returned back to the cave right now, Haverd wouldn't have what Happy asked for or anyone else with him. That made his choice simple - go with Abigail. Maybe try to get her to turn around, and send Happy's axes with Haverd. Of course, something told him that she wouldn't be changing her mind any time soon.

"Somethin' tells me Abigail won't be changin' her mind any time soon." With a sigh, Haverd bounded off after Abigail, catching up in a short time.

"Er. Abigail. Fur-Babe-Ya. Since we're headin' that way, want a ride? I have room up here, maybe fer three er four." He patted his shoulders while he slowed down to stay with their pace.

[Zjaum]

East

James "Shrapnel" Dawson
James said,"You might be right Happy. Should we try to communicate with them?" James didn't know how they would respond, considering he didn't know anything about these spirit ghost things. He didn't particularly care if they were friendly or not. As long as they didn't cause any trouble for them.

Haapsalu shrugged. "I've never seen these things before, at least not to memory. Considering that they attacked us for no reason, I wouldn't want to do anything that further provokes them. But, I guess, speaking out that them shouldn't be considered a provocation in most parts..."

He walked up to them and waved his hand, remembering which salutations were faux pas and which were not. "Halloo!" He announced.
There was no answer.
He continued regardless. "Who are you, sirs?"
There was no sound, but the dwarf, the survivor, and all the adventurers of the east felt in their hearts a unison voice coming from each shape in the crowd: "We are the army of General Cho."
"Why did you attack us?"
Silence.
"Can we pass?"
Silence.

The dwarf paused. It really seemed like they could only answer a few key questions. Regardless, he was eager to get on the road. These whatever-they-weres were giving him the creeps, and he didn't appreciate the morale damage they'd done to his crew. He marched up to them, and the ghosts parted, two by two, forming a pathway out. The dwarf obliged and called back to Dawson. "I suppose you can ask them questions, if you'd like. I think we're rested enough to go mining for gold now."

Haapsalu had a second thought and returned to the cave. "Hello, everyone! We are going to leave now! Uh... oh..."

Most of the adventurers had turned to ash. Small lumps of dust lay where their bodies had once slept. Haapsalu felt a sense of dread. Was... was this all an illusion? Regardless, he knew when he wasn't welcome anymore. "Don't look down there," he muttered as he took what little he had or wanted and left the encirclement.


South

Vrabriya trusted her own feet more than any other mode of transportation, and the thought of riding a giant seemed... daunting. Still, the other duo- where had they gone?- could ride the giant, and the newcomer clearly had its own way to move around, which seemed considerably more perilous. She hesitantly nodded. "I... sit on your... uh..."

The city soon came into vision, and it soon proved itself to be very real. Within it were shadows and shapes like Haverd saw to the northeast, but the great wonders of stone and concrete were apparent. Clear also became the situation. The movement of the city's ground morphed into a small sphere of concrete, lodged into the street. There were shadows all around the ball, puzzled about the ball, trying to figure out a way to open it. Behind the sphere was a humble tavern, and two shadows in particular stood in front of it, making particular progress into cracking it.

Yet, to the side of the city, was another thing of note: The sea had curved in from the north towards the city. On the great sandy beaches, wandering the shores, was... was that a giant? It looked about Haverd's height, maybe taller, maybe shorter. They were too far away to really gauge anything. Still...

[Pax Nerdvana]

East

James "Shrapnel" Dawson
James said,"You might be right Happy. Should we try to communicate with them?" James didn't know how they would respond, considering he didn't know anything about these spirit ghost things. He didn't particularly care if they were friendly or not. As long as they didn't cause any trouble for them.

Haapsalu shrugged. "I've never seen these things before, at least not to memory. Considering that they attacked us for no reason, I wouldn't want to do anything that further provokes them. But, I guess, speaking out that them shouldn't be considered a provocation in most parts..."

He walked up to them and waved his hand, remembering which salutations were faux pas and which were not. "Halloo!" He announced.
There was no answer.
He continued regardless. "Who are you, sirs?"
There was no sound, but the dwarf, the survivor, and all the adventurers of the east felt in their hearts a unison voice coming from each shape in the crowd: "We are the army of General Cho."
"Why did you attack us?"
Silence.
"Can we pass?"
Silence.

The dwarf paused. It really seemed like they could only answer a few key questions. Regardless, he was eager to get on the road. These whatever-they-weres were giving him the creeps, and he didn't appreciate the morale damage they'd done to his crew. He marched up to them, and the ghosts parted, two by two, forming a pathway out. The dwarf obliged and called back to Dawson. "I suppose you can ask them questions, if you'd like. I think we're rested enough to go mining for gold now."

Haapsalu had a second thought and returned to the cave. "Hello, everyone! We are going to leave now! Uh... oh..."

Most of the adventurers had turned to ash. Small lumps of dust lay where their bodies had once slept. Haapsalu felt a sense of dread. Was... was this all an illusion? Regardless, he knew when he wasn't welcome anymore. "Don't look down there," he muttered as he took what little he had or wanted and left the encirclement.


South

Vrabriya trusted her own feet more than any other mode of transportation, and the thought of riding a giant seemed... daunting. Still, the other duo- where had they gone?- could ride the giant, and the newcomer clearly had its own way to move around, which seemed considerably more perilous. She hesitantly nodded. "I... sit on your... uh..."

The city soon came into vision, and it soon proved itself to be very real. Within it were shadows and shapes like Haverd saw to the northeast, but the great wonders of stone and concrete were apparent. Clear also became the situation. The movement of the city's ground morphed into a small sphere of concrete, lodged into the street. There were shadows all around the ball, puzzled about the ball, trying to figure out a way to open it. Behind the sphere was a humble tavern, and two shadows in particular stood in front of it, making particular progress into cracking it.

Yet, to the side of the city, was another thing of note: The sea had curved in from the north towards the city. On the great sandy beaches, wandering the shores, was... was that a giant? It looked about Haverd's height, maybe taller, maybe shorter. They were too far away to really gauge anything. Still...

James "Shrapnel" Dawson
As he looked at the piles of ashes, James said,"Uh-oh. This doesn't look good. I hope this isn't the start of something bad." He looked at the ghosts, or whatever they were. He wondered aloud,"Who is this General Cho? I feel like I've heard that name before, somewhere." He looked around, scanning for any other possible threats. The area appeared to be clear for the time being.

[Goustavia]

Salvador picks up his bag gently and slings it over his shoulder. Dolmar pokes his head out an looks up at his master with beady reptilian eyes. The familiar can feel somethings is off with the magical field around them but what? Salvador opens up the door to leave his dorm as is met will a flat grassy meadow. He looks around to find his dorm gone but instead he stands in an crumbled shack of a farm house. Roofless, walls stone brick toppled over, and the door in his hand, rotten and willing to fall off the hinges at any moment.

Somewhere...

Salvador and Dolmar are alone. At least for now. Dolmar looks around attempting to grasp at any sort of sense of magic. The two of them are a blip in a vast sea of nothing, or at least in this meadow. It's warm though. Salvador takes the carpet off his back and lays it on the grass. He points to it with his whole hand, palm up. "Ascendere." As if a great wind were thrust under the carpet, it rises up. Salvador sits down on the middle of carpet and then grabs on its front edge. The carpet accelerates off into the field with the wizard and his snake. Surely they'll come across a city somewhere.

[Zjaum]

East
The situation was unnerving. The company had been significantly reduced, and what friends Happy had gathered in this strange world were now gone. He could only hope that Vrabriya had not met the same fate. Regardless, he still had some remnant of company left. He had gone on for this long with few friends and, while there would be more gold than he himself could carry regardless, perhaps he could chock up the loss as a greater portion for those who remained.

"Well, I should not believe that we must stay here for long," he noted. "We should carry forward. We can have enough rest there, I think." He nudged his way through the army, not that they provided any resistance. In fact, he hardly felt a thing as he passed them by. "Please come, there is..."

His line was cut short by a great whooping and yelling. It came from the south, then from above them, and then towards the east... practically where the gold was. There was a crash, accompanied by the shaking of trees. Haapsalu took pause. He recognized the American Southern dialect all too well. "Tuckton." He turned back to his compatriots. "She is a very big... not the word... annoying person. I would prepare for her."

The trip eastward was relatively short and uneventful. The trees swayed in the breeze, and the shadowed army did not pursue them. The conclusion of the journey was a large clearing, cut in twain by a river, in which were gold nuggets of all shapes and sizes. In the middle of the river was a woman. She was just about to unzip to relieve herself into the current, but, upon the sight of the newcomers, she quickly stopped and tromped through the water to make an introduction. "Happy! How're ya doin'?! Haven't seen ya in ages!"

Haapsalu tried to make as little eye contact as was courteous. "New friends, I am introduce you to Dinah."

The woman stuck out her hand for a handshake, and she saluted with the other hand. "Dinah Tuckton. As in, someone's-in-the-kitchin'-with. Someone's in the kitchin with Dinah Beth'ny Tuckton."


Somewhere... (Up)
The breeze was dry, perhaps a bit nippier than one would expect. It moved from the sea in the west, over a lower set of mountains, eastward to a higher range, and a mountainous terrain still further. To the north lay a village in ashes.

To the south lay a far larger city in chaos. Inside, strange beings fought against each other, and the ground itself moved. Heading towards the city was a giant, perhaps ten meters or so, along with a small band of adventurers. To the side of the city was an additional giant, collecting sand and watching it sift through its fingers. The eastward lands were blocked by a forest, but ash rose from amongst its trees to the sky, never to be seen again. Otherwise, there were no birds, just a clear, motionless sky. Wait... Was that a... uh...

Off to the east, a figure, veiled by ash, rode a large metal behemoth. It looked like a jet, but it seemed too small. Regardless, it made an arcing pattern, and the resulting crash pattern shook the general area.


South

Upon the movement of the ground, and the two shadows attempting to destroy it, a horde of shadows appeared and began to flood the area surrounding the shell. The horde gave off an aura of order, but order in its infancy. A shadowy being descended from the sky towards the shell, resisting the horde of order yet also in sync with them.

The giant on the city's periphery laughed as it flung sand into the air. It was a woman's laugh, a young adult's. The tide rose, and waves crashed beside her. Water and sand enveloped her, and she began to grow, ever so slightly.

[Talchyon]

South
Haverd Haengsson

There were strange things ahead. The city, with its ruins, the little turtle-ball or whatzit, oh, and there were spirit-midgets there too. Kind of. It was a little hard for Haverd to make out, even at his height. Two people inside the city were tryin' to break the turtle-ball whatzit. They was standin' outside of a tavern, which probably explained the condition of their minds. Haverd had seen even the strongest of Vikings in his clan dropped to the ground after too much drinkin'. Yuh go to the inn, and yuh may not come out thinkin' straight. Or walkin' straight fer that matter.

What was really interesting, at least to Haverd, was the woman. Someone his size. He couldn't make out 'zactly what she looked like. But the sound of her laughter carried, and his heart was touched. After being an outsider for so long, here was a woman his size. Someone who wouldn't pick on him or make him feel stupid for being around her. Haverd strained his eyes, but didn't see her as clearly as he would like. But it didn't matter. His mind was made up. He started off to bypass the city, and come up to the woman his size, and make a new friend. Maybe more.

Haverd remembered that he wasn't alone, but about several steps after he had gone to bypass the city. He had Fur-Babe-Yuh with him, and others. Riding on his shoulder, and the sight of the giant lady made him forget them for a moment. To them, he spoke a simple, "Er. Sorry. I... kinda fergot. I'm going to see that woman on the far side of the city. Yer welcome to come with me if yuh want. Or, I can setcha down here..." But regardless, whatever they said, he was going to see the woman. Something about her was calling to him. The end of loneliness, perhaps.

[Goustavia]

Somewhere... (Up)

Salvador adjusts the hood of his robes from the chilly breeze. He sees off in the distance the chaos in the city to the south. Dolmar senses an aura of conflict from the city. Salvador says out loud, "Best not to go there alone, right?" The wizard spots the small party of adventurers. He looks to Dolmar for a moment. "Safety in numbers I guess? Maybe they won't mind me being there." He puts an arm out and the snake slithers up his arm and around his shoulders. Salvador adjusts his course to head towards the eastern group.

[Pax Nerdvana]

East
The situation was unnerving. The company had been significantly reduced, and what friends Happy had gathered in this strange world were now gone. He could only hope that Vrabriya had not met the same fate. Regardless, he still had some remnant of company left. He had gone on for this long with few friends and, while there would be more gold than he himself could carry regardless, perhaps he could chock up the loss as a greater portion for those who remained.

"Well, I should not believe that we must stay here for long," he noted. "We should carry forward. We can have enough rest there, I think." He nudged his way through the army, not that they provided any resistance. In fact, he hardly felt a thing as he passed them by. "Please come, there is..."

His line was cut short by a great whooping and yelling. It came from the south, then from above them, and then towards the east... practically where the gold was. There was a crash, accompanied by the shaking of trees. Haapsalu took pause. He recognized the American Southern dialect all too well. "Tuckton." He turned back to his compatriots. "She is a very big... not the word... annoying person. I would prepare for her."

The trip eastward was relatively short and uneventful. The trees swayed in the breeze, and the shadowed army did not pursue them. The conclusion of the journey was a large clearing, cut in twain by a river, in which were gold nuggets of all shapes and sizes. In the middle of the river was a woman. She was just about to unzip to relieve herself into the current, but, upon the sight of the newcomers, she quickly stopped and tromped through the water to make an introduction. "Happy! How're ya doin'?! Haven't seen ya in ages!"

Haapsalu tried to make as little eye contact as was courteous. "New friends, I am introduce you to Dinah."

The woman stuck out her hand for a handshake, and she saluted with the other hand. "Dinah Tuckton. As in, someone's-in-the-kitchin'-with. Someone's in the kitchin with Dinah Beth'ny Tuckton."


Somewhere... (Up)
The breeze was dry, perhaps a bit nippier than one would expect. It moved from the sea in the west, over a lower set of mountains, eastward to a higher range, and a mountainous terrain still further. To the north lay a village in ashes.

To the south lay a far larger city in chaos. Inside, strange beings fought against each other, and the ground itself moved. Heading towards the city was a giant, perhaps ten meters or so, along with a small band of adventurers. To the side of the city was an additional giant, collecting sand and watching it sift through its fingers. The eastward lands were blocked by a forest, but ash rose from amongst its trees to the sky, never to be seen again. Otherwise, there were no birds, just a clear, motionless sky. Wait... Was that a... uh...

Off to the east, a figure, veiled by ash, rode a large metal behemoth. It looked like a jet, but it seemed too small. Regardless, it made an arcing pattern, and the resulting crash pattern shook the general area.


South

Upon the movement of the ground, and the two shadows attempting to destroy it, a horde of shadows appeared and began to flood the area surrounding the shell. The horde gave off an aura of order, but order in its infancy. A shadowy being descended from the sky towards the shell, resisting the horde of order yet also in sync with them.

The giant on the city's periphery laughed as it flung sand into the air. It was a woman's laugh, a young adult's. The tide rose, and waves crashed beside her. Water and sand enveloped her, and she began to grow, ever so slightly.

James "Shrapnel" Dawson
James looked at the lady who had introduced herself as Dinah Tuckton, and said in his usual monotone,"Hello. My name is James Dawson. Based on your accent, I'm guessing you're from Terra, unless I am mistaken. I'm a spaceborne mercenary." It had been a long time since he had met someone from Terra. She did appear to be from a different time period though, which wasn't beyond this bizaare place.

[Zjaum]

East
"Spayce? Well, Gaw-lee! Butter me up an' call me a biss-cut! Never met a buddy from spayce! Wuzzit lahk up thare?" Dinah announces to her newfound compatriot.

Haapsalu was stone-faced. "Why be you here, Dinah?"

Dinah snapped back to attention. "Oh, yah, Fergot about that. See, I bin tryin' to fahnd a place where Ah could sittle dahn and make a new lahfe fer mesself. Ah come across a shadow of a buildin', which Ah swore came frum when Ah first met Russkie. It wuzz... it wuzz floatin' in the air. Pieces uv it were takin' themselves apart, risin' like a lil' bit uh smoke and then poof!" Dinah made a snapping motion to accentuate the event. "Gone!"

Haapsalu's interest was mildly piqued, but he'd seen several more interesting things this very day than that. "Are there anything else?"

"Well, it dinnit stop thair, though! It just kipt on spreadin'. Lil' slower thin walking pace, but all th' grown' jest up in th' air, too! I figured ah wud wanna tell ya."

As she finished the most recent line, small rocks, barely visible even from a close distance, began lifting themselves off the ground. Haapsalu, eager to avoid talking with trash like Dinah but curious in the contents of her dialogue, moved past her to try and collect the rock for further analysis. A second before he could catch it, the rock blinked out of existence. The dwarf waved his hand where the rock was once suspended, but there was nothing there.

"Yah, kinda lahk that, but more smokey, ah thank," explained the bumpkin.

Haapsalu paused, turning around to see yet another newcomer, this one most certainly more welcome, arrive from the distance. He breathed out a large puff of air. "We may sort this out another time. We can dig for gold now." Gold was therapeutic. Gold was safe. Perhaps after a little while, he would be in a better mindset to deal with the situation.


South
Vrabriya shrugged. This was a new phenomenon; she had no preference which of the major issues she tackled first. Hopefully Happy could stand another detour without his axe. "I am go with you." She held on tight, to convince herself that she wasn't already getting tired so early in her day.

The giantess leaned close to the ground, passing her hands through the white sand. She cupped some and stood up in the ocean. It vanished into her skin, and she rose an additional foot. "Home," she stated softly. She paid no heed to her height increases, but wept at the sight that lay before her.

When the tears left her, she noticed a giant, like her, who approached her shore. Was he part of them? Had they come for her? She backed away into the ocean, shaking her head. "My... My name is not... My name is... not... Get away from me! Leave me alone!"

[Talchyon]

South
Haverd Haenggson

Approaching the giant girl, Haverd missed his dad for about the umpteenth time. Haverd didn't always know how to speak around girls. His dad had a better way about him, and always seemed to be confident. Dad could have told him what to say now. Haverd did not have the best of histories in being confident around girls he kind of liked. All the girls from his clan had ignored him at best. Sometimes some were kind, but still hesitant at being seen with him too often. Other times, some of the clan girls could be mean. Once, Haverd had been called such mean-spirited names that his cheeks got all red, and he didn't want to show his face for several days. It didn't help his confidence at a time like this.

But those were with normal, midget-sized girls. This girl, on the other hand, was almost Haverd's height. And... and growing.

South
Vrabriya shrugged. This was a new phenomenon; she had no preference which of the major issues she tackled first. Hopefully Happy could stand another detour without his axe. "I am go with you." She held on tight, to convince herself that she wasn't already getting tired so early in her day.

The giantess leaned close to the ground, passing her hands through the white sand. She cupped some and stood up in the ocean. It vanished into her skin, and she rose an additional foot. "Home," she stated softly. She paid no heed to her height increases, but wept at the sight that lay before her.

When the tears left her, she noticed a giant, like her, who approached her shore. Was he part of them? Had they come for her? She backed away into the ocean, shaking her head. "My... My name is not... My name is... not... Get away from me! Leave me alone!"

Haverd tilted his head and stammered out what he was wanting to say. "Er... right, that is... Um..." Great. He didn't sound confident in his own ears, and that meant she had to be even more closed off.

Haverd tried again. "Look, what I was meaning to say was, er... I've... I've never seen a person my size before. Everyone in my clan was a buncha midgets." Then putting his hand on his forehead and muttering to himself, "Great, yuh dumb oaf. Where'r yer manners?" Then looking up again, he shyly said, "I'm Haverd. Haverd Haenggson. And... that is... er... I mean, pleased ta meetcha."

Why wouldn't his mouth work? This girl was attractive! Young-ish, and 'parently still growing. And dressed like some of the others who he had met in the clearing when he had first come to this odd world, and not like people from his clan. But still. Haverd could sooner tell the girl that he thought she was pretty, than he could turn into a bird and fly...

[Pax Nerdvana]

James "Shrapnel" Dawson
James Dawson heard the lady's question. He spoke in his usual monotone,"Space is a cold, dark place. There are a hundred ways you can die. I've had many close calls, including the one that made me this way." He flexed his cybernetic hand. "But, you can make money if you work hard." He wondered what time period this lady was from.

[Sperio]

Connor Hadron, AKA Iron Defense

The hero jolted up in a cold sweat.

“Where am I”. He looked around. Last he knew he was in San Francisco fighting some minion lady. Now he’s an unknown location, without a clue. He notices the figures in the distance.

“They must have kidnapped me. That’s it.”

He rush towards the figures, looking for a fight

[Zjaum]

South
The giantess cocked her head. That's not how her captors talked. He clearly was some sort of mutant, yet he came to her humbly. He couldn't be trusted, could he? Well... perhaps she needed to lower her standards, and enlarge her circle of trust. Just herself was possible, but quite lonely.

She moved back from the ocean, onto the grass. At this point, she was a head above her newfound friend. She peered into his meek eyes. "My, um, my name is twenty-... My name is Monica." She laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, I've never quite met someone my... well, my height in this form. It's... good to meet you, Haverd? Yes. Wait, who's that on your shoulder?"

Monica tried to focus her eyes on the new attraction, much like one would see a fly on their nose. Vrabriya stood up, as stably as she could, to try and introduce herself. "I am Vrabriya, welcome to Earth. I am please to meet you."

Monica stood back as pieces started falling into place. She'd thought there would have been more people on this beach, and piers. This girl here wasn't dressed like anyone from her time. With a forceful movement, she slapped herself. She felt that. She wasn't dreaming. But that was the city back there; of that, she was certain. "I... I thought I knew where I was, but I don't think I know anymore. I know that city behind us is Los Angeles. Could you explain where I am?"


East
James's description of space gave Dinah shivers, and certainly not the good kind at that. "Uh, whale, Ah uppriciate your, uh, space talk. Um, Ah no longer wanna go tuh space now."

As she commented, Haapsalu was busy investigating the rocks. Strange; they looked good and solid. He couldn't feel any magic coming from them. Why did they disappear like this, then? If there was some magical entity behind this, perhaps he could communicate. He could certainly use the company for the company he lost at the cave.

Stones around him behind to rise at an even faster rate, from the original point of ascension outwards, to the sky and then to oblivion. As the dirt rose up, small pebbles of gold found in the silt began falling from the ascended rocks onto the ground. The dwarf picked up the valuable bits instinctively, but mining was no longer his first priority. "Dinah, how fast should this... this thing is?"

Dinah scratched her head. "It shudn't be doin' this at oll. It duzz go about walkin' pace, I think. Sometimes runnin' pace."

Haapsalu pocketed the trinkets. "We must go, then."

[Talchyon]

South, on the beach, past the city
Haverd Haengsson

The girl was a sight, that was for sure. Pretty, that was obvious. An' even though she was still growing, and was taller than him now, Haverd was shyly smiling.

South
The giantess cocked her head. That's not how her captors talked. He clearly was some sort of mutant, yet he came to her humbly. He couldn't be trusted, could he? Well... perhaps she needed to lower her standards, and enlarge her circle of trust. Just herself was possible, but quite lonely.

She moved back from the ocean, onto the grass. At this point, she was a head above her newfound friend. She peered into his meek eyes. "My, um, my name is twenty-... My name is Monica." She laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, I've never quite met someone my... well, my height in this form. It's... good to meet you, Haverd? Yes. Wait, who's that on your shoulder?"

Monica tried to focus her eyes on the new attraction, much like one would see a fly on their nose. Vrabriya stood up, as stably as she could, to try and introduce herself. "I am Vrabriya, welcome to Earth. I am please to meet you."

Monica stood back as pieces started falling into place. She'd thought there would have been more people on this beach, and piers. This girl here wasn't dressed like anyone from her time. With a forceful movement, she slapped herself. She felt that. She wasn't dreaming. But that was the city back there; of that, she was certain. "I... I thought I knew where I was, but I don't think I know anymore. I know that city behind us is Los Angeles. Could you explain where I am?"

What a curious name. "Mon-ica," he said, saying her name as if tasting it. It was unusual. Exotic, even. Just like the name of the city they skipped. Lost Anjes? And now they had found it. Did that mean something? Haverd didn't know.

Taking the courage to speak up, Haverd tripped over his tongue again as he said, "And... er... that is... I don't 'xactly know where we err. We came up from that a'way," Haverd pointed to the north, "past the city, that is. Er. Don't know why's it's called Lost Anjes, but I guess we found it now and it isn't Lost anymore. Um. That is... We were all in a clearing. Fur-babe-ya here was already here. With a really small midget. Happy, his name 'as. And bunches of others came with me. We jus' kinda woke up. And Happy an' I an' some of the rest of us went to look fer gold, but then... Er... That is... It was kind of jumbled up, and that was before we saw the spirit midgets. Um... Maybe you could... Er... Maybe..." Haverd was sweating. Why couldn't he speak to a cute girl? "Maybe, er..., you'd join us?" Mentally kicking himself, Haverd hoped his nervousness wasn't making himself look completely foolish to Monica. But it was pretty obvious that the viking giant was blushing heavily in her presence.

Haverd was too focused on trying to talk to Monica, that he missed out on another strange name that Vrabriya had said. If he had been paying more attention, Haverd would have asked more about the strange place name she had said: Earth...

[5pb]

Rin
Portal

It was cold, her senses began to return to her and she fell to the ground. While she fell the sword that rest on her back began to escape its wrapping and fell to the ground. It hit with a loud "Ting" sound, she hit the ground shortly after, landing in a puddle of cold water. After she landed in the water she pushed herself up to her feet. "What? Where is this? Where is Wendy? I guess it doesn't matter, it's clear that this is the work of magic." Rin picked her sword up and slid it back into the wrappings on her back, "Was I frozen in time? Taken to a new place, or a pocket dimension? So many questions, and no one here to answer them," she let out a sigh as she began to leave the platform.

As she stepped down from the platform she dragged her hand along some of the stones causing the point of contact to basically melt. She confirmed that she could still use her magic, this made traveling large distances easy. She stepped onto the ground and the chunk of land she stood on ripped out of the ground, it began to float. She began to move with the floating rock towards the south, there was no particular reason for this, it was just her first though.

She flew for a while before she saw a city off in the distance, "I knew I'd find something!" she began to speed up towards the city. As she flew over he city she saw a beach with some abnormally large people on it. Curious she flew over towards them and hopped of of her floating rock causing it to crash down with a thud. She walked over to the giants and asked them, "Excuse me? Do you know where we are?"

[Zjaum]

South

"Maybe, er..., you'd join us?"

Monica took a final look across the sea. It was everything she'd imagined and more, but she hadn't quite factored in her need for friends in her hopes and dreams. She paused as a sense of loneliness overtook her, one that she never realized she held. Company would be good right about now. "Yes. Yes, Haverd, I'd appreciate that."

At this point a floating mass of northern ground approaching them. A rider jumped off the mass, letting it crash. Monica's attention was turned towards the dark dirt and stone smeared across the bright yellow sand, but she was drawn back to the young warrior girl as she exclaimed, "Excuse me? Do you know where we are?"

The giant woman looked at Vrabriya, who shrugged and pointed back with an open hand. The giantess clearly had a better grasp of English than either of them and knew just about as much; it might be better off to leave the duty of welcoming committee to her. Monica nodded in understanding. "Well, none of us really know, at this point. I think we're on Earth, and that city over there looks like Los... a place from my past called Los Angeles. Apparently, I've been invited to join these two and meet up with someone called 'Happy' to go gold mining. On that note," she announced as she turned to the others, "Who is Happy, and where is he?"

Vrabriya figured that she'd take over from here. "Haapsalu is... friend of I... He is..." she made a motion, denoting a measurement of her waist height. "Yes, and who are you?" she pointed at the ground-rider.

The city background portrayed a chase. A number of policemen and common-folk were hunting down a trio of villains. The trio was holed up in a large, one-story building, and the force had begun to besiege the hideout and plan a breach. "Will any help come?" came an announcement from inside the building. "No, I don't believe so," came a second answer, also from within.

[Talchyon]

South
Haverd Haengsson

Seeing the purplish small lady fly on a piece of rock (!), Haverd's eyes grew large and the nervous smile on his large face dropped into a look of utter terror. He could only say one word, softly: "Sor-ser!"

The legends were true, then. Back at his clan, at the high festivals, one of the highlights for Haverd was when the Clan Elder told his tales. Haverd used to be amazed at them when he was young. The Elder would tell many each night of the festival. From the history of their clan, to the tales of explorers, even to funny stories. But there were sometimes dark tales. Tales of Sor-sers, powerful demons who made themselves look like men, but conjured up unnatural powers of darkness. The Sor-sers could set a village ablaze with fire from the sky, or turn the weather bitter cold, or gain tremendous strength, or turn you powder. And some could fly. But they always had one goal in mind - to capture the souls of men and punish them. They could be resisted, however. The tales spoke of various brave Vikings who resisted the charms and attacks of the Sor-sers and drove them off!

His father had always shaken his head at those, calling them "legends." But they frightened Haverd at a young age. When he had grown, those kinds of tales never set well with him, but so far, he had never seen reason to doubt his father.

Until now. The Sor-sers were real! And this demonic foe had now revealed its frightening visage as a woman in purple with purple hair!

Haverd gulped, and took a step forward, oblivious to what Rin had asked. Now, he yelled out loudly, "Sor-ser! Get ye gone from this land, from my friends Ab'gail an' Mon-ica. We will not be captured to do the devil's will!"

[5pb]

RIn,
Southern Beach

"So this IS, Earth? I was unsure, because the last thing I remember was being in Chicago," Rin let out a sigh of relief when this information was given to her. That meant that it was still possible to get back to her friends, as the relief passed through her one of the Giants began to speak and asked who she was. "My name? My name is--" it was then that Rin was cut off by the other Giant. He said a strange word that RIn didn't quite understand but the way he said it filled her with a sense of dread, "Sor-ser?" RIn tilted her head in confusion as if she was some sort of anime character. That's when the word clicked, "You mean Sorcerer? I'm not a sorcerer, no where close. I apologize if I confused you with my appearance but I only have one power. I can't cast one's soul away or manipulate mana, those are acts of fiction."

She didn't know how people acted to Magicals around here but it was clear that these people weren't Operators and that she could discuss her abilities freely. She decided to reach for the wrappings that were on her back and pulled the blade from it, "My name is RIn, and I am a magical with the power to manipulate matter, nothing more," she stabbed the blade into the ground and left it there. The blade was warped so much that one couldn't even tell that it was supposed to be a Japanese Katana, It held a curve similar to a sabre and had a hole around the tip of the blade that would easily slot a human arm, the blade also tapered outward as it made it out towards the tip. Truly it was an unusual blade that made no sense from a structural standpoint, yet it still held. With the act of stabbing the blade in the ground Rin took a few steps back hoping that this would show she was peaceful, "I mean no harm to any of you, as long as you mean no harm to me."

[Goustavia]

East

Salvador watches the group as he approaches high above from the north west. Dolmar's tongue flicks as the rocks move around Haapsalu. Eventually the wizard and his familiar descend near the group. He lands and with a wave of his hand the Carpet becomes limp. Salvador gingerly picks up the carpet, shakes it out and then capes it over his back again. "You um... Don't mind me joining you all do you?" His snake hides in the book bag.

[Talchyon]

South
Haverd Haengsson

RIn,
Southern Beach

"So this IS, Earth? I was unsure, because the last thing I remember was being in Chicago," Rin let out a sigh of relief when this information was given to her. That meant that it was still possible to get back to her friends, as the relief passed through her one of the Giants began to speak and asked who she was. "My name? My name is--" it was then that Rin was cut off by the other Giant. He said a strange word that RIn didn't quite understand but the way he said it filled her with a sense of dread, "Sor-ser?" RIn tilted her head in confusion as if she was some sort of anime character. That's when the word clicked, "You mean Sorcerer? I'm not a sorcerer, no where close. I apologize if I confused you with my appearance but I only have one power. I can't cast one's soul away or manipulate mana, those are acts of fiction."

She didn't know how people acted to Magicals around here but it was clear that these people weren't Operators and that she could discuss her abilities freely. She decided to reach for the wrappings that were on her back and pulled the blade from it, "My name is RIn, and I am a magical with the power to manipulate matter, nothing more," she stabbed the blade into the ground and left it there. The blade was warped so much that one couldn't even tell that it was supposed to be a Japanese Katana, It held a curve similar to a sabre and had a hole around the tip of the blade that would easily slot a human arm, the blade also tapered outward as it made it out towards the tip. Truly it was an unusual blade that made no sense from a structural standpoint, yet it still held. With the act of stabbing the blade in the ground Rin took a few steps back hoping that this would show she was peaceful, "I mean no harm to any of you, as long as you mean no harm to me."

"Not a Sor-ser?", Haverd said slowly. The giant viking was puzzled. The lady had spoken some confusing things that didn't make a lot of sense to Haverd's mind. Her words
made sense to her, but became jumbled in Haverd's mind. What she said was as clear to Haverd as if he had stuck his head in a large mudpit and then with the mud caking his eyes, had tried to tell the color of a particular mountain far off.

He said it again, "Not a Sor-ser? But you 'as flyin'. An' only Sor-sers can fly..."

She - (she had called her's self Rin) - Rin had a tiny kind of weapon. Haverd could sort of make out that it was some kind of blade, the perfect size for her - but what she did with it was just as confusing as her words. She stuck it in the ground. Haverd immediately got afraid, and jumped back a bit. Who knew if this Rin was a Sor-ser, and just trying to deceive him? Was planting her blade in the ground the beginning of a curse? Haverd's breathing got quick, and his hand went without realizing it to the luck charm that he wore on a large, pieced together leather string made of several smaller leather pieces, around his neck. So far the charm had brought him luck... of a sort... but who knew whether it would stop a Sor-ser?

Still. Rin said she brought peace. And she hadn't moved to threaten them. (The sword in the ground as the beginning of a powerful curse the only thing that might be a threat. But so far nothing was happening over there). And she had said her name. Was that a trick, saying her name to learn theirs, to cast a spell against them? Haverd was sweating.

But...

With his hand still clutching his charm, Haverd said, "Er. If yer not a Sor-ser, an' if ya mean what ya say, er, that ya mean peace and not cursin' us... um... I guess ya can join us. Er... My name's Haverd." But he wouldn't tell her his clan. Not just yet.

[Zjaum]

East

Haapsalu was about to make his way out when this... this magic user? Perhaps he channeled it through the rug; he could feel the magic emanating off the floatation device. "No, uh, we will not mind, but there be a problem that..."

As he spoke, the ascension into oblivion began to pick up the pace. A human might be able to outrun it, but someone of Haapsalu's level of stubbiness would have to run like the wind. He was not one to take the coward's way out, though, and the thought that the device could fly... "We may in want of your carpet, sir! We must to leave-" He looked behind him at the accelerating void- "Soon. Now! If you might handle one more, please take them southwest, to my house! We may be safe there!"

He turned around at the posse he had at his disposal. "Is... is anyone want to climb on carpet?"

Dinah shrugged. "I floo once befur. Don't mahnd doin' it agin. Don't need tuh, but maybe." She stretched and snapped her overalls.

The fearless leader started jogging away, seeing as he couldn't wait for much of an answer. "Everyone else, follow me!" he shouted, already running out of breath. Whatever was to happen, they were quickly running out of time.


South

Monica's eyes sparkled at Rin's words, and spoke as if a decade younger and forty feet shorter. "Wow, you've been to Chicago! That's amazing! I've never been there myself! I heard that the weather there is practically magical, and the rate of death is high! Are there beaches there?"

Vrabriya, on the other hand- well, giant- realized the situation a little better. There was a strange city here. Apparently, it posed no threat, nor was there much of note. In the meantime, Haapsalu needed his axe. Just gauging randomly, whatever he probably needed was... is more dire. To think of her friend rotting away in that cave as he waits for the axe... "Yes, we walk now, north and east!"

Monica looked up at the sun for a little bit. If the sky was anything to go by (which, to be frank, it wasn't), northeast would be- the giantess began walking southwards along the beach.

"Oye!" the amazon shouted as she pointed in the correct direction.

Monica shuffled. "Yeah, you know, it'd probably be best if Haverd here led us. He knows where we need to go."

The land in the direction in which Vrabriya pointed felt hotter and drier, but it was the most direct route to the dwarf.