RuneScape Forum Archive | The Roads We Must Travel

Westenev

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Elyssia – “Why am I here?”

Meanwhile, Elyssia was still on the trail, chugging her way up what seemed to be an insurmountable hill. Her exhaustion aside, it was nighttime, and she was trembling. Thankfully, the trip so far had been uneventful, allowing her to sort out the disjointed mess of questions that addled her brain.

Did she feel ready for this? No.

How much use could she be? She couldn’t answer that.

Was she really 'sure that she can'?

Elyssia crossed her arms tightly for this one. The truth of the matter was, she hadn’t been sure of any of anything for weeks. Perhaps she should have taken the cloaked woman’s advice and simply given up… and, yet, for some unfathomable reason, she felt drawn to be here. She wasn’t presumptuous enough to think of it as a calling, or pretend that she weren’t absolutely out of her depth. She would instead recognize this desire for what it was; selfishness. She wanted to help, to make sure everyone was alright.

And so, torch in hand, Elyssia continued her lonely, yet slightly more justified, stroll through the monster laden trail. Of course, she hadn’t expected to fall so far behind the group – curse her lack of athletic ability – but she couldn’t beat herself up over this. After all, the forest at night was serene and quiet, and when she looked up, she could feel herself swallowed by a sky laiden with a breathtaking array of twinkling jewels. These were sights you simply couldn’t see in a city, and for a moment, her misgivings and anxiety flowed away.

A change in footing cast her gaze downwards, pausing a second or two to realize she had reached the top of the incline. Ahead, the outpost’s lights beckoned her. She was thankful, since this was the exact moment the blister in her foot chose to flare up for an encore.

Wincing, she gingerly limped toward the stables, when…

Noth

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happ

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31-Oct-2018 05:15:44

Inferi

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Tavern - Exit

“

Wait, what?! No!

” the young woman protested, an incredulous look appearing on her face. “

I don’t want to be involved in this! What is wrong with all of you?!

”

“

You put yourself in this by staying here. If you’re not innocent, then you need to be brought along so that you don’t do anything else, and if you’re innocent then I don’t want you out here if more show up. Your insistence that you’ve been safe carries no merit when you don’t know what the attackers want.

” Lias told her, her voice sounding a bit more official than it had up until this point. While she had made it clear that she did not fully trust her, it also seemed as though she was at least a little concerned for the young woman’s safety and thought that, should she be telling the truth, she wasn’t exactly capable of making the best decisions.

She acknowledged Isaac’s gesture with a quick look in his direction, as well as a grateful nod. Whether she was actually alright was still up for debate, but it seemed that she was at least in rational control of herself.

Looking around at everyone assembled for concrete support - and presumably finding none - the young woman’s shoulders slumped, and she muttered, “

If anything happens here, it’s your fault. I’m clearly not in control of my fate anymore.

” Making no more arguments, she grabbed her bag and went along with the group, muttering darkly to herself a few times before falling silent. Done in by the dubious doings of destiny.

31-Oct-2018 21:42:46

Inferi

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Lias made no comments either way towards how everyone seemed to want to organize the group’s actions. Given what they had heard, it seemed likely that it didn’t matter right now to her what the formation was, and that it was far more important that they actually go do something.

That was put on hold, slightly at least, by the arrival of someone that it looked like she certainly hadn’t expected to see. One of the last few people from the tavern incident - and one that hadn’t taken an active role in it - was approaching, and looking like they were in somewhat rough shape. While she wasn't exactly visible at first, by the time everyone came out and saw her, she was in enough of the light from the stables to show who she was.

“

Hey, are you all right?

” she called out, her voice sounding concerned. Then it dawned on her who the person was, and she added, “

Wait, did you follow us all the way here alone?

” Done in by the dubious doings of destiny.

31-Oct-2018 21:42:57 - Last edited on 31-Oct-2018 23:33:16 by Inferi

Westenev

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Elyssia

Elyssia’s head bobbled upward at the woman’s call, her face visibly brightening as she recognised the group. She might have even called back, but her lungs would have none of it.

Elyssia hobbled to the group with a surprising haste, all the while fearing that her knees would buckle out from under her. She clutched her flashlight in an iron grip as she aproached, though she had the sense to point the beam downwards. After all, it was unlikely that anyone needed it under the faint glow of the outpost’s lights.

She gulped, her nervousness climaxing at an all-time high. Regardless, she opened her mouth, and spoke. “I… I wanted to help.”

Noth

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31-Oct-2018 23:56:33

Azi Demonica

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Elizabeth didn’t say anything from the slight verbal conflict. The mysterious woman didn’t want to be involved in anything, though Lias toughened up at that.

Although nothing happened, and there was nothing to see, someone managed to remain inconspicuous. Elizabeth and the others noticed Elyssia, who apparently had remained in the dark and followed everyone, just wanting to help. She sure had a knack for being rather invisible. Rory did not seem to care.

“Hunh...I forgot about you. Had a feeling something was missing,” Elizabeth remarked quietly. “We just have some rooms to check. Should be easy enough. Thanks for not forgetting about us!”

03-Nov-2018 00:09:54

Jul

2011

Annie1227

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Annie followed the group up the stairs. She refused to gaurd the door downstairs. She kept her finger on the trigger of her pistol just in case she needed to. She listened to the conversation but, she stayed silent. -Dances-

03-Nov-2018 01:40:54

George Rozas

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One situation solved, another arose. They had barely got anywhere when a new figure appeared, Isaac half raising his rifle before pausing - the lights illuminating the figure to the group, albeit it took a moment longer for recognition to set in. Another one from the tavern - the other teenage girl, also noted as one of the few who didn't fight. Judging by her appearance and lack of weapon, it was because she didn't know how.

" Risky, but brave, " He commented, taking a moment to scan the woods back down the hill behind her. While they had made the journey unaccosted the girl would not have had any idea of that, even setting aside many other factors of how risky it was she was a lot braver than she had previously let on - or a lot less aware of how dangerous the roads could be. All for her desire to help even if it wasn't apparent how she could do so.

The soldier suppressed the sigh that he felt coming, sparing a glance over the group in general - reminding himself of the unorthodox search party they had put together here. The accented gunslinger, shotgun wielding horseman, sullen soldier, indignant author, cheerful noblewoman, twitchy fingered teen- Wait a second, the hell was she-?

" By the Goddess kid, get your finger off the trigger! " Isaac exclaimed, managing to keep himself from shouting but nevertheless having a sharp cut to his tone. He reached out and pushed the barrel of Annie's handgun down, making sure it was entirely facing the ground and not somebody's leg - an obvious flare of anger on his face. " Who the hell taught you to handle a gun without learning trigger discipline? Goddess, one twitch could've put a hole in one of our legs... "

After a second he stepped back, only letting go of the gun when he was sure Annie had moved her finger off of the trigger. Maybe he sounded harsh but he'd seen one too many accidental shots go off because of lack of trigger discipline - only put your finger on the trigger when you're about to shoot. I am Inferi.

03-Nov-2018 02:42:48

George Rozas

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One involuntary twitch of your finger and the weapon would go off, potentially putting a hole in your friend or alerting anyone or anything in the area.

Still, it seemed like a sore subject from his reaction.

This time he didn't stop his sigh, straightening up and turning away from the kid who - he hoped - would correct that bad habit. It wasn't like there was time for him to reteach her how to handle a gun. He stepped ahead, realizing that all of these delays were only making their position worse - even he was guilty of sluggishness in how they had been handling things, albeit probably due to the fact he was used to working with a trained unit and not a ragtag group.

" Alright, I'm gonna make this abrupt so we can work fast - no point in arguing anymore, including me. " Much like Lias a few moments ago his tone had picked up a more commanding essence to it, whether it be because he was dissatisfied with their pace or because they needed firm decisions on action didn't matter, this didn't sound like a discussion - which was probably the point.

" According to 'horse man' there's the tower and the basement left to check, so here's how we'll do this: we get to the tower and group majority hold position, while he and I " He gestured to Harry. " Climb up and clear it. Once that's done we'll regroup and head for the basement, where we'll head down with, again, him and me in the front. Lias and Annie behind us, these two non-combatants " He gestured to the author and Elyssia. " Behind them, with Elizabeth and Rory at the back as rearguard. We'll work fast, sweep what's left and figure out what to do next afterwards. Sound good? Let's go. "

With that Isaac turned and, looking towards the tower, started making his way there without waiting for arguments. I am Inferi.

03-Nov-2018 02:42:53

NotFishing

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Harry Richard

Harry frowned. He frowned at Annie's insistence on going inside, at Rory's insistence on staying outside, at the arrival of another inexperienced kid with more naivety than sense, and at the author's whinging.

Then Isaac began raising his voice, and when Harry realized what it was about he grimaced. He too had experience with those who lacked trigger discipline. Did he hold it against the girl? No. Hell, when he first started holding a gun he made that mistake as well. Thankfully, nobody had gotten hurt when he did it, but there had been other cases where the people involved had not been so fortunate.

And Harry had learned, of course. Even in his own outburst against the author - which had mainly been for show - he had enough sense to keep his finger off the trigger of his weapon, and had assumed she wouldn't notice.

No doubt this girl would learn as well. But now was not the time for learning. Still, the girl insisted on coming, and aside from Harry and Isaac no one else offered equal insistence on stopping her.

Then Isaac began laying out a plan, and Harry nodded along. Finally, logic had been restored to their ragtag crew. "My name's Harry," he said, understanding that he hadn't introduced himself and realizing that it would eventually seem suspicious if he continued to not do so. "Fair warning, there's a lot of bodies in there. If anyone here can't handle that sort of thing, then don't go in . Stay out here and watch the door. Alright, let's go." Beneath the gold, the Bitter Steel.

03-Nov-2018 04:26:00

Inferi

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Outpost - Barracks Interior

“

It would be too dangerous for you to go back, and whatever you can do to help would be welcome.

” was Lias’ answer to Elyssia’s comment. It sounded like she wasn’t entirely convinced - understandable, given Elyssia’s lack of action before and her being more of an unknown than everyone else - but at least she wasn’t skeptical enough to turn down the offer.

Her words were very nearly cut off by Isaac’s outburst, and from Lias’ expression it was clear that she shared a similar sentiment to him. Maybe she didn’t have quite the experience with such accidents that he did, but anyone who handled weapons knew that what he was saying was correct. The attitude of the one that was being reprimanded hadn’t helped either; she had already seemed very ready to start fighting, and even if that was a definite possibility it wasn’t something that Lias wanted .

All she added to the discussion once he finished was a, “

He’s correct. You can’t set up an accident like that, especially in a building like the one we’re about to enter.

”

Although it had looked like she was considering stepping up and announcing their plan of movement Isaac did it for her, and she looked perfectly content to let that happen. It was quite possibly because they were both military and he had more rank and experience than she did, since she just responded with, “

Got it.

” and fell into formation. Whether everyone else did or not, she wouldn’t really comment. It seemed like she was more focused on the situation itself, and therefore those that didn’t want to do anything weren’t really on her mind.

It didn’t take long after they entered for her expression to go stony. The bodies were clearly much more numerous than she had expected, but she did not move to inspect many of them. After the first couple, when it was clear that they were all dead, she didn’t inspect any more. Done in by the dubious doings of destiny.

03-Nov-2018 19:00:53

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The Roads We Must Travel