|
Post by Èdan on Jun 9, 2021 11:47:45 GMT -6
It is his turn to avoid a chuckle at that, taking up step behind her as she picks their new direction. "It does seem to present with a conciousness that likes to both trick and gift. So it can be fickle, but perhaps if we treat the surroundings with due respect, the manor might yet show kindness in return. Even if only with something as small as a jar." All cynicism aside, as much as the manor made his life difficult last time, it presented stranger opportunities as well. It seems the fireflies take up step with them regardless, and with the passengers in tow (Or satchel.. or horn) he follows her through the archway.
The knight squints against the darkness, with only the flutter of the butterfly's faint glow lighting the area around him. "It does seem to be quite.. dim. Strange, for a month that seems themed around light." He tries to take a look around, seeming to see no more further than her (For what are human eyes to do in darkness, even if other types of eyes were well able to see the outlines of the corridor and the path ahead just fine. Hypothetically). "Should we turn back, or continue through?"
. 15 . June: 28
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 9, 2021 13:33:20 GMT -6
It would have been prudent for them to turn back straight away. Stumbling around in the dark was a silly idea, and awfully misleading in a festival filled with light, but Nadia was too curious for her own good - and she was drawn forwards, stepping in the little pools of light the fire mote gave off. "No, no... does it not leave you with just a few questions?" There was a touch of wicked playfulness in her expression when she looked back at the knight, her eyes practically sparkling. "Indulge me, sir. What is done in the dark must be brought to the light... let us uncover some secrets." What secrets was she expecting? It was impossible to say, but boy was she excited about it. Not quite as excited as Dylan, who hadn't run out of energy yet and was skirting around what of their path was lit, but getting close. His ears twitched... and then he skittered backwards, because a fireworks rocket was hurtling towards them with a screech. [29]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Jun 9, 2021 15:50:39 GMT -6
The expression isn't clear behind the helmet, and the dimness isn't likely to help, but he does respond in that slow northern drawl, part-rightful duty, part-resignation, "It presents a number of questions, yes. I fear not all the answers would be to our liking, however." But, as soon as the request of indulgence is made, it is clear there's no other way, but forward, reservations or no. (And a funny turn of phrase at that. He hadn't ever quite heard that version of it. He was much more familiar with the 'what's done in the thing, must stay in the thing' type, instead. But it wouldn't be the first time the City culture surprises him).
It's not even half a thought later, where the screeching noise picks up in the tunnel, and the bright green light of the rocket becomes apparent shortly after. The knight's reaction is quite immediate - He reaches a hand out and around the lady, quickly pulling her back and against the wall with him, out of the path of the thing. Even as it's about to screech past, he turns the shoulder in towards her, the other hand shielding, in case the thing decides to explode close to them, rather than past them.
. 16 . June: 30
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 10, 2021 4:03:47 GMT -6
There wasn't any time to think. Not that Nadia would have a clue what to do either way - she would've stood there like a galabex in headlights regardless - but the rocket shot in their direction with such speed that she barely processed it. Dylan's cries were of greater concern as he backed into her. Thankfully, having a knight at her disposal had its benefits. The firework screamed past her, exactly where she had been standing a moment before... she had been snatched away to safety. Her hands had come up to press over her ears to defend them, which proved to be a good idea, because the rocket exploded in a wash of green against the wall a few feet from them. Good lord. She'd never choose a path again, it would be at Sarv's discretion-- But the leash was feeling awfully slack. When she raised it, Dylan's collar was still clasped onto the end, but with no houluh to be seen. All she could do was hold it up wordlessly for the knight to see, their closeness forgotten about in the shock. [31]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Jun 10, 2021 4:28:44 GMT -6
There's a squint against the sudden light of the explosion (All the more annoying when one's eyes can see darkness, only to be blinded by an extreme shift in light), but he doesn't turn the head away, nor budge. Some sparks fly close enough to singe a few small dots through the tabard and sleeve, but the armour beneath and helmet block most of it. It's only when darkness returns, and no immediate whistles suggest any other barrages, that he finally looks to her, "It's seems to be clear now, my lady." and begins to let go, to give her space.
But the shocked look suggests something is still wrong. At first he thinks that perhaps it's shock from the rocket, or the noise, or perhaps something singed her even so. But he glances down to her hands, seeing the leash and collar being held up with a wordless expression and quickly understands. The pup. (Goddess damned it. One trip without a lost creature. Just one).
There's a moment of processing, but he reaches to hold her hand clutched around the collar, "It seems intact. No burn marks. I suspect the hound may have spooked. It's probably still close."
. 17 . June: 32
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 10, 2021 4:59:30 GMT -6
It was difficult, to swallow the immediate wave of nauseous panic rising in her throat. Nadia knew that Dylan wouldn't have gotten far in the time between getting away and her noticing, and that there were two pairs of hands to assist instead of one, but his fear of Sarv and the sudden noise could have caused him serious stress. She flinched when his fingers closed around hers. "I hope so..." Too worried for embarrassment, she didn't even mention their close proximity. The woman had separated in the blink of an eye and was setting off along the tunnel. The flickering light of the fire mote was lending assistance, but it wasn't perfect, and she kept glancing down in fear that she would trip over him. "Dylan! Dylan, boy, are you there?" A yap. The sound echoed around the tunnel; Nadia thought she could see a pair of eyes in the near distance. "I am so sorry, Sarv. This was foolish." [33]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Jun 10, 2021 7:22:24 GMT -6
He'd known the manor to be a dangerous place, and to seek adventure was to court a chance of that danger. So, on the whole, yes - In many aspects, it had been very foolish.. (But so are a lot of things in life. And he'd be a downright hypocrite if he tried to argue otherwise. The only true argument wasn't whether foolishness existed, but that some of the best things were exactly that). He moves out of the lady's way the moment she takes off, and follows in her wake at respectable distance. Not too close, for she certainly looks to need some space, but not so far as to leave her in harms way, should another rocket decide to barrel down the corridor again.
All the while, the eyes scan the corridor for any sign, footprint, piece of movement or hint of direction where the hound might have gone. The knight might have poor vision in darkness, but it didn't mean he couldn't notice something quite accidentally. The pup is important to the lady, so the sooner they find it, the better.
"There is no need to apologise, my lady," he assures her, still looking around for any signs, "The manor is fickle. But I do not think it vicious. It might merely be looking to challenge us, but I do not think it would actively cause harm." Physically, anyway. (The other kind seemed fair game).
. 18 . June: 34
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 11, 2021 6:39:21 GMT -6
As much as Nadia wanted to sprint ahead towards what she assumed was her puppy, she kept herself within the puddle of light cast by their companions. Disappearing into the darkness would make matters worse. Poor Sarv - whether or not it was his job to provide protection, she was making it difficult for him, and that was impolite. "I hope not. I would never forgive myself if I threw my friends into harm's way," She spoke sincerely, but wasn't clear on whether she was talking about creatures or people. Both, more than likely; she held Dylan and Sarv in equally high regard for different reasons. "Truly, I did not intend to inconvenience you when I asked you to accompany me. Please accept my apologies, sir." Was that a whimper? Nadia thought she could see Dylan's tailtip in the edge of the glow - when she listened, she could hear the skittering of his paws. "Dylan?" Yap, yap, yap in response. The tunnel was opening out, it appeared, but into what... she couldn't tell. [35]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Jun 11, 2021 11:25:41 GMT -6
Ah, the soft of heart.. A virtue which often seems to have more drawbacks than benefits (But only to those who did no see past surfaces. Many a fool have underestimated the sheer strength it can take to remain empathic in a cruel world. Some to their detriment - Nice did not always mean good). The knight steps up to take up position by her side, trying to catch her gaze. There's a look of absolute certainty, when he says, "There is nothing to apologize for, my lady. Had you not offered, I would have instead request to accompany you. Do not take this set-back to heart. It is far from over."
The pup's bark sounds closer then and his head moves to try and catch sight in the darkness. (He can see the shapes just fine, but the colours are all gone. And given the.. decoration? It's none the less difficult to catch a piece of movement in time to see if it's a dog or something else. But he does start to see.. something. Poles, most likely wooden, blankets or carpets? Drapes? Boxes and tables and something dangling from above. Strings? Unlit lanterns? Bird cages?). The knight squints into the darkness, "There's.. something up ahead, my lady. I cannot quite make it out, however.."
. 19 . June: 36
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Jun 12, 2021 21:02:45 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 14, 2021 5:09:20 GMT -6
Nadia felt... strangely soothed. For someone to look at her and tell her that she had nothing to apologise for, that she was doing a good job as she was - it was foreign, but pacified her beyond all expectation. Her clenched jaw relaxed, her fingers uncurled. She managed to take a breath. "Thank you, Sarv," Her words came out on a sigh. "I am ever so grateful that you are here with me." The shape in the near distance was undoubtedly Dylan, she could tell as they drew closer. Things were becoming lighter, the walls had widened, and... was that music? She tried to strain to listen. It was difficult for her to make out the upcoming landscape until they'd almost come upon it. "Is this... a market?" The proper word was escaping her. Enormous relief came when the houluh came sprinting back over with his tail wagging... and some kind of leaf clutched in his teeth. "And you, you tyrant! You can't scare me like that, I shall go to pieces!" No time was wasted in cinching the collar and leash back around his neck. [37]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Jun 14, 2021 11:28:18 GMT -6
"As always, my lady, it is my pleasure," he responds to the thanks, once more giving her the appropriate space. And with good timing - No sooner is that part of the conversation concluded that the small, floppish form of the pup becomes apparent against all the décor around the room. Though the knight's person doesn't show it, the lady's sentiment regarding tyranny is shared (It is one thing having to unsee something, it's completely another to be unable to even spot the hound even if you could see. A true master at the art of hide and seek, this one).
"It appears we're in good fortune," he takes another step backwards while the pup is secured, as another measure of insurance. A thought crosses his mind that perhaps he should step out of the circle of light entirely, as to allow the pup to be retrieved without having to be concerned about it spooking over him.. but at the same time having a threat you can sense but not see might be a few times worse than one you can. So he stays within the edge of the light, even as the butterfly settles on the horn once more, widening that light circle more so.
As to the surroundings themselves.. Something in the air catches his attention. "I can smell some form of food being made. Hmm.. No, there's more." A brief correction as he steps towards some of the crates lining the cloth 'wall', taking in the scents closer to there. "Spices, I think. And other smells. Perfumes? You may be quite correct in assuming a market, my lady, although a foreign one to my tastes."
. 20 . (added) June: 38
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 22, 2021 2:46:26 GMT -6
Dylan didn't look too pleased to be back within close quarters of Sarv - at least not while he was tethered there at the end of a leash. He was happy to have his leaf, though! The ferny fronds were tickling at his nose, and he sneezed hard enough to bump backwards onto his rump. Oof. "My, what an unusual thing to happen upon," Nadia mused. The market -- if that was the correct word for it -- was foreign to her senses as well, but was a welcome development. The hanging lanterns aglow with fireflies washed the area in coloured lights, and the scent of spices made her stomach rumble, though she didn't think she would dare eat any of the mansion's offerings. "Perhaps... we should err on the side of caution, o-or we risk facing... another incident." Still rife with embarrassment about her houluh's escape act, she turned her attention staunchly to the path before them, twining through stalls. "No jars, but..." A long-handled net was sitting atop a crate of goods, and she brandished it with a grin. "We could make do." [39]
|
|
|
Post by Èdan on Jun 22, 2021 6:46:10 GMT -6
The knight approaches the wall and parts what seem to be a curtain. Light trickles into the darkness, and a whole world of colour reveals itself beyond - Large dull lights, small bright lights, shifting of light beams and reflections off of surfaces. Everything in a multicoloured hue set against the backdrop of warm toned curtains, wooden beams, tables, shelves, crates and carpets. His eyes take a moment to adjust to the sudden shift of conditions, but there is no mistaking the scene ahead - a night time market, set aglow by fireflies and decorations alike.
The main path leads ahead, with stalls and rooms to either side, divided by various curtains and carpets. Some paths lead off to smaller alleys in the market, only to reconnect with another broader 'street'. Above, he assumes the sky to be a pinprick of starlight, but it is difficult to tell night from day, for wooden beams and cloth covers offer a nice shade to the bazaar, enhancing the light-show beneath it's mysterious cover. What could be stars could just as well be more fireflies.
But for all the wondrous sights and things, there doesn't seem to be.. people. "Caution can indeed be a good course, my lady. At least, until we're able to ascertain the nature of this room." He walks over to one such stall, peeking in to locate any shopkeepers, but instead finds a strangely pleasant emptiness amid a soft lantern glow. He turns to see her lift the bug net, and there's an appreciative nod, perhaps even something of a smile in the eyes. "Indeed, my lady." the voice is a little lighter, though still in that slow northern drawl, as he picks up a case from the stall, showing it to her, "And it seems they offer some already contained, though not quite fireflies." Not that they needed to worry about those - Several of them were already buzzing around them.
. 21 . June: 40
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Jun 22, 2021 14:46:43 GMT -6
The atmosphere was... peculiar. Though there was no one to be seen, no vendors or crowds, the market somehow felt alive - was it the fireflies meandering through on their way to who-knew-where? Were they in fact accompanied by entities invisible to the naked eye? How could it bustle in that way with no people or creatures? It was a relief to not have to worry about bumping into anyone, at least. Nadia had become accustomed to twisting through throngs of market-goers in the City, but there was always some object in her path, waiting for the opportunity to make her stumble. "Oh, my..." The pinned bugs weren't going to be making an appearance in her living room, that was for sure. "I... think these creatures would look better living, but the butterfly's wings are remarkable..." Dylan's nose was in full sniffing swing once again as they began to make a path through the stalls. The fern leaf was proudly displayed in his teeth still, fronds bouncing as he walked. "This is beautiful, really--" A loud tummy rumble to interrupt her speech, followed by a full face blush. "E-excuse me, sir." [41]
|
|