|
Post by Robin on Jun 24, 2012 15:59:12 GMT
*Robin didn't think he could feel any more wrong-footed. First this girl warrior appears out of nowhere, then they have some adventures together, then she tries to kill him, and now she breaks down in tears. He's almost dizzy with confusion.*
I think I preferred the Latin-speaking ogre.
*Robin leaps down from his pedestal. Keeping sword in hand, in case this is a ruse, or - more likely than not given the recent turns of events - some sort of quite random monster tap-dances in and attempts to turn them into some form of necktie for no real reason, he slowly approaches the girl.*
Er... uhm... Shadow?
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 24, 2012 16:04:42 GMT
*Shadow's arms fall from her head to the floor, one hand touching the blade of the sword. She looks up to Robin, with tears in her eyes.*
You see? I'm a complete maniac. I...lost my memory three years ago. I barely even know who I am.
*Shadow hasn't realised that she's clenching the sword's blade in her right hand until the pain gets to her. She lets go and see's blood leaking from her hand.*
Ahh! Damn it!
*What may shock Robin is that Shadow's blood is not like normal blood. It's a very deep crimson and if you had bad eyesight then you might think it's black.*
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 24, 2012 20:39:09 GMT
*Robin starts ferreting in a small pouch that hangs from his belt.*
Hang on... there's something here...
*He pulls out a pinch of some small sort of herb.*
Only a pinch? But... but I had more and...
And I just spent two days fighting demons in a village, falling down holes, getting scared by bats, scaling tunnels and taking an enchanted boat ride, not to mention being attacked by a friend. It's a wonder I've still got this.
Ah well... what's a hero to do?
*He puts the herb back in the pouch and tosses it to Shadow, careful not to get too near.*
Here... rub this into your wound. It'll accelerate the healing... or at least it's meant to. It kind of works for me...
*He glances at Shadow's crimson blood.*
...even if your blood is black, it should help.
*He winces as his own wound stings a little, but then ignores it.*
Now would you mind telling me what's going on?
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 24, 2012 20:51:08 GMT
It's okay, I don't need it. I can...heal pretty fast. And I've had wounds worse than this before.
*She tosses it back to Robin and stands up, wiping tears away. Then she takes a small piece of paper from her pocket and unfolds it. It reads one word: 'Shadow'. She passes it to Robin.*
This is the only clue I have as to who I am. I woke up one day and if you were there you would have thought I was looking at the sun for the first time. This little piece of paper is what gave me my identity. Along with...
*Shadow pauses for a second.*
...a voice. It...speaks to me in my head. It told me I had a purpose, and I had to fulfill it. For the past three years, I've been trying to find out what it is, but I think I'm close to finding out.
*Shadow picks up the sword, remembers that her hand is injured and transfers it to her left hand.*
It looks like I have a new sword hand for a while. It's a good thing I'm ambidextrous.
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 24, 2012 21:25:14 GMT
[OOC: Shadow... Voice... I'm getting déjà vu here...]
*Robin's head actually is spinning.*
Okay. I need a while to... to process that. You're a girl. You look about... twelve? Thirteen maybe? And yet you have three years of memory, and a piece of paper with your name on it, and a voice in your head?
*The woodsman tries to make sense of this, but decides he needs time to do so. And sitting around for too long is not really his style.*
Okay, look. I need time to make sense of this, but sitting around for too long isn't really my style. If neither of us is bleeding too badly, do you want to continue onwards?
*He gestures towards the staircase.*
I doubt you'll get many answers down here. And that looks like it leads... up.
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 24, 2012 21:39:00 GMT
[OOC: Oh...oops XD]
*Shadow nimbly snatches the piece of paper from Robin and puts it back in her pocket. She then shifts her scabbard so it's positioned on her right side and sheaths her sword.*
Correction: I'm 14. And you have the rest of it right. And as for your suggestion, I think that's a sensible idea.
Voice: Well good luck skipping around with your little wimpy 'friend'.
Oh shut up! You've caused enough trouble as it it.
*She's about to turn to the staircase, but she suddenly takes another look at Robin, who looks a little dizzy.*
Are you okay?
*She reaches up and places her good hand on his shoulder, as if to steady him.*
You look a little faint. Try one of these.
*Her bad hand reaches into her pocket and presents a fresh humbug. Shadow tries very hard not to get a drop of blood on it.*
It may not look like much, but it's good for revitalising yourself. Seriously, you look exhausted!
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 25, 2012 15:59:43 GMT
*Robin takes the humbug.*
I'm OK, I'm OK. C'mon, let's get going.
*Robin sheaths his sword, and then starts to walk towards the staircase. At the foot, he looks up.*
Can't quite tell where this goes... well, only one way to find out...
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 25, 2012 16:04:19 GMT
Up we go then!
*In an unusual hurry, Shadow rushes up the stairs.*
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 27, 2012 10:47:04 GMT
Hey! Hey! Wait for... for me!
*Robin trots along in Shadow's wake.*
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 27, 2012 15:37:43 GMT
*As she travels up, Shadow realises that the staircase seems to be very long, but she can make out some light somewhere near the top.*
COME ON YOU SLOWCOACH!
*Shadow is completely unaware that blood is still leaking from her hand and is dripping on the stairs, as she's in too much of a rush to look back. She nearly trips at one point, but manages to steady herself and continue.*
|
|
|
Post by Young Grimwold on Jun 27, 2012 17:29:11 GMT
[OOC: I think I preferred the Latin-speaking ogre I'm not sure YG's ever spoken any Latin to Robin, but thank you for the IC vote of confidence. ] *Back in the sewers which Robin and Shadow have left behind, an object shaped like a large water fowl is gliding nonchalantly over the muck. Suddenly it explodes, showering the surface with ocean blue crystalline shards that work to counteract the faecal fetidness. Some time later, at the spawning point, another toiling duck is formed, floats out into the sewer network with a job to do, and the process begins again. Not that Lord Fear had ever told Sylvester Hands about this when he'd ordered him down into Goth with a lavatory brush and a bucket of vinegar.*
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 27, 2012 18:45:31 GMT
*As Shadow continues...*
Voice: Why didn't you do it?
Huh? Do what?
Voice: Why didn't you take that herb?
Why didn't I? Umm...well because I don't need it.
Voice: Of course you needed it! You lied to him. Since when could you heal so quickly?
Oh...since...never?
Voice: Exactly. Your hand must hurt, so why didn't you take it?
Well...look, this is nothing. Just stop bothering me.
Voice: Was it for him?
*Shadow suddenly stops.*
...pardon?!
Voice: You wanted him to use it on himself, didn't you?
...
...I don't deserve it. I hurt him. He should have it.
Voice: He doesn't deserve it!
*A sudden strange feeling takes over Shadow.*
Voice: He's a dishonest hero!
Aah!
*The feeling disappears, along with the Voice.*
Did...did I just say that out loud?!
[OOC: I'm making such a poor reference to Maximum Ride here XD]
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 27, 2012 22:25:08 GMT
[OOC: I'm not sure YG's ever spoken any Latin to Robin, but thank you for the IC vote of confidence. One of the first things YG said to Robin was, "Even if you spoke Latin I could understand you." Robin's got a good memory!] *With Shadow hurrying ahead of him, almost too fast for Robin's liking, he feels his hero senses returning to him, as he always does after a battle. He notices the light is increasing ahead of them. He hears some flaps in the distance, and shivers as he thinks of bats. He notices a steady drip of blood coming from the girl's hand and wonders why she didn't rub the healing herb into it. It took him months to source that. The pain in his side keeping him alert, Robin notices that Shadow has lapsed into silence, although as she does so, she appears to be a little fractious, all the while quickening her pace. Suddenly deciding that she needs a distraction, Robin wills his honed muscles into action and starts jogging up the stairs, two at a time, after her. He almost stumbles backwards when Shadow ejaculates an unexpected "Aah!". He looks up at her.* Are you hurt? ...Worse than we thought, I mean? *There is a very pregnant pause. Robin casts around for something to say.* Oh, we're nearly at the top! *Keen to clear the awkwardness, Robin leaps on and hurries up the stairs, before Shadow can start running again.*
|
|
|
Post by Shadow on Jun 27, 2012 22:29:56 GMT
Oh thank goodness, he didn't hear m-...the Voice.
*Shadow shouts to Robin.*
I-it's nothing! Sorry!
*She starts to hurry on again.*
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 29, 2012 9:57:56 GMT
*Above the top step of the staircase, there is a reasonable-sized opening, with a discernable light to it. It's directly above them - maybe a bit of a jump, but nothing strenuous. The stairs lead into the wall, and there's no other way onwards.* Robin reaches it first... barely. Shadow has been hurrying to keep up with him and they get to the top step almost simultaneously.* All right, looks like there's only one thing to do? You're okay with this, I take it? *He jumps up, hauls himself through the hole without difficulty, and...* [OOC: To be continued in The Chamber Above!]
|
|