Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[gypsy_merrique]

---

Merrique arrived at the Swill with Jack shortly after the festivities in Umbra began. The pair served the thirsty patrons who had come out to celebrate Umbra's triumphant existence. It was no small effort on Merri's behalf to try to ignore the 'decorative' body parts strewn about the town. In fact Merri was rather proud of how well she'd been holding up under the circumstances, and she even found the rough-around-the-edges seaman at the bar lamenting that the Swill was not serving Papua's finest quite amusing in his very grumpiness.

The drow Gen came by to spend a bit of time talking, her anxiety not lost on him as Jack repeatedly removed torsos and legs and various body parts from the immediate vicinity of the Swill. In fact, Merri and Gen stepped away and had a brief conversation--part of which was his reassuring her that she could overcome her fears. After all, he had seen them up close and personal not long ago in the Den after she cut herself on broken glass.

It was Merrique's misfortune to stumble on a severed torso en route back to the Swill--just steps from the signpost--only moments after the conversation with Gen. She stared down at her bloodied foot and shin with horror and, quite literally, ran from the festivities, with choked screams escaping her lips.

She stood in the corner of the bar not far from the door, shaking and crying. The humiliation of crying in front of both Jack and Gen was nearly as debilitating as the very fear that which brought about the tears. Merrique was vaguely aware of Jack coming to check on her, but she could not face him with tears streaming down her face like a punished child.

At some point, Gen came by and did his best to put right the wrongs in Merrique's mind and soul. It was to little avail, and he picked her up and carried her to her room. Again it must have been he who cleaned the blood from her, before putting her in her bed and murmuring words which rendered her into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Sometime in the earliest part of the morning, Merrique sat up with a start, feeling disoriented and dazed. It took a few moments to piece together how she got to bed--she simply couldn't remember at first. Vague memories formed, and she did remember Gen's arms around her and keeping her still and safe; she seemed to remember words uttered in that strange language of those underground escapees. "He must have made a spell, maybe charmed me to sleep" she thought to herself as she finger-combed the knots from her hair. It was with some relief she realized she had woken up in the same clothing she went to the festival in--how she hated waking up undressed and unable to recall if it was herself or another who put her into such a state.

As she slid from the bed and pulled a pair of boots on, she made a mental note to herself to find Gen and thank him. Again. Despite the fact that his patience and kindness were unnerving to her, she decided she owed him the decency of some type of explanation...even if it did mean putting herself through emotional pain.

After all--maybe he really could help her. And maybe, just maybe, she could connect with someone in a way that had meaning beyond momentary lust or gratification or indulgence or self betterment. Maybe she really could make a friend.

"Maybe, you crazy gypsy, you should talk to miss Ceinwyn first--how could a man really understand anyway?" she thought as she found her way to the wash basin to splash cold water onto her face. As she stepped into that chilly dawn just moments before the sun burst over a horizon somewhere, Merrique shivered with fear and anticipation and a feeling that almost resembled...relief.
_________________


. . . But the dark is very trustworthy.
It's always as dark as you thought it was.
And you don't have to work at staying there.
All you have to do is survive it.
And I've been doing that forever.
from the novel "Dark Debts" by Karen Hall

[Gen Naguchi]

---

Gen arrived to the celebration of Umbra with his fellow guildmates, for some rest and relaxation. It was nice to finally get out and have some type of recreation, it was long overdue. The Order and his division had been constantly busy with new recruits, training, etc., so time off was welcome.

As he walked the city of Umbra, he saw many friends, old and some new enjoying themselves in the many events and festivities going on within the city. The smell of food and the sound of laughter could be heard everywhere. He smiled and had a few words with friends, until he saw her....

She was clad in purple, her hair done flawlessly. Her smile, the twinkle in her deep, dark eyes..It was no mistaken, this was the woman he met a few nights ago, in the Den. He remembered how frightened she was, how she reacted to it...how she left...He was glad to see her in a much better state of mind.

He walked up to her silenty, quietly, his eyes glowing as warm and as golden as the sunset and greeted her. She seemed to be happy to see him and they exchanged pleasantries. They even got a few moments alone, to chat, but alas she had to return to her duties at the Swill. She left before him, and that is when he heard it...the scream...

He raced down the stairs of the bank, only to see her standing petrified at the sight of it on her legs, the blood...She had run into one of the many corpses and body parts scattered about in the road, from some type of game that was being played. Nonetheless, he saw her burst into tears, and run away. He could hear her say.."I'm sorry...."

Gen ran to his mount to try and find her. He looked all over Umbra save one place, the Den. He made his way over, stabling his horse and running up the steps, practically breaking the door open. There she sat, in the corner by the bar, sobbing uncontrollably. He walked in and nodded to Jack, who was already there and looked to her, Merrique. "If you want more to drink, I shall be back to the swill in a moment.", stated Jack. "I have found what I have come for." replied Gen. With that, Jack looked at him and Merrique and promptly left.

He walked silently behind her and whispered to her: "It is alright, I am here." She turned to him still sobbing and he embraced her and said: "Merri, you can do this, I will help you, use it, turn your fear into strength." Merrique looked to him and shook her head, placing it in her hands. "Come my dear, you need to rest.", said Gen softly as he picked her up in his arms, carrying her to her room.

He sat her down gently on her bed, talking quietly, gently to her. "You must rest, place your mind at ease, you will overcome it. I believe you can, I believe in you, but for now, rest my dear..." His eyes began to glow a soft warm white and he placed a kiss on her lips, putting her into a deep relaxing sleep. He stood up and watched her for a few moments taking in her now peaceful state. "Until we meet again, my sweet Merri.." He smiled warmly and chanted the words..."Vas Rel Por", opening a portal back to Dark Cove, back to home...