Post by localproblem on Sept 28, 2021 4:59:30 GMT -5
Under a thick canopy, were only a few stray strands of light managed to reach the forest floor stood a young blood boy. The teenager with a lanky build and stood around with his hands behind his ear, he was clearly waiting for something- listening with intent while trying to not make a sound himself. “It’s supposed to be around here…”, then his ears twitched at the sound of something snapping nearby. Grazing on some sort of mushroom was the “it” in question, a massive boar that was as tall as the boy was while it was on all fours. He smiled, then picked up a rock from the ground and loaded it into a slip-shot he seemed to have been hiding on himself “HEY, ya’ dumb boar”. If the yelling didn’t get its attention then the rock smacking it in the head did, it let out a guttural roar and turned to face its assent. The boy let out his tongue to mock it some more, “Heheh, time to go!” He proceeded to dash and gain a couple meter lead but the creature followed in its own enraged form.
Still running the boy looked back to see the distance between him and the beast and knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d be caught. That thing wasn’t just fast, but it somehow weaved around the trees with great dexterity despite having the body of a truck. To make matters worse the boy was entering a clearing, there would be no trees to put in the way between him and the creature nothing would be preventing it from going into a full-speed dash and goer its new annoying prey, however, that was always the plan.
*BANG*
A long noise filled the air, the sound of a gun going off- followed by the sound of a large mass hitting the floor. The beast fellow over dead, there was now a small new hole where it’s right eye was suppose to be, and surprisingly very little blood flowing from it. The panting boy looked back with a new grin on his face, “Through the eye? NICE!” he looked up towards a tree on the other side of the clearing and gave it a thumbs up. A figure dropped down from the branches, she had dark hair and had on a casual shirt and shorts. After approaching she immediately took her thumb and middle finger and flicked the smiling boy in the forehead.
Ah, HEY!
You should have gained more distance before attracting it. If I had missed it would have trampled you.
Pfft, as if you’d miss.
We all make mistakes Joshua.
The lady approach the creature and examined it, she seems to be satisfied with the size of her target and it seemed to had been in good health.
Still, though, this is an excellent haul, people love to celebrate with pork this time of year. We should be able to sell this for a decent amount.
Okay yeah, but, let's go after something really big for a change! Like one of those uni-bears you took out last year!”
Bear meat is too tough to sell, besides, you know that tomorrow I’m-
Yeah River I know, tomorrow you’re leaving… going off to be some Marine- I still don’t get why!
He turned around and started walking off to a cart nearby in a huff, then began preparing it for the haul. All the while River merely stared, then smiled, “You know, you’re getting pretty tall. In a month or two you’ll be taller than me”. Joshua was confused by the sudden change in topic, “Huh? Oh I guess-” Then suddenly river shoved her gun into the boy's chest as he turned to face her. “What are you doing? This is-” he didn’t take it “You are the oldest now, practically a man already. You have to provide for the family, take it.” River let go and let the gun fall into Joshua’s arms. “I’m- but you need a gun if your gonna fight pirates!?” his grip tightened on the rifle as he looked to hand it back. “You know this was your father’s rifle, not mine, it was always meant for you. I was merely borrowing it, and I’ll get a new weapon... eventually, don’t worry about me.” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and Joshua could only continue staring at the gun as water began to gather in his eyes, “sis-” the reality of everything seemed to finally be hitting him, his big sister was really leaving and he didn’t know what he could do now that time was up. River closed her eyes and softly put the boy into a full-on hug and let his tear run dry…when she opened them up… the sky's were a horrid crimson red.
All the life of the forest was dead and rotten, the ground was covered in ash and fire began to spread to the surrounding, already lifeless foliage. Her brother had dissipated and now her arms and chest were covered in viscous blood, thick pieces of flesh stranded her fingers. “This is unsettling” she said flatly.
“Aye river get up!”
A man's voice caused River’s eyes to shoot open, while she didn’t seem to be in a panic or move very much she still scanned the room quickly to confirm her whereabouts. “That was unsettling”, she was sitting in a reception office for the small marines based in Sleet town, a place known for being the center point of trade on Nine Ice.
River had just completed her few months of mandatory basic training, where she had learned of navel laws, procedures, and also how to operate on the high seas, among other things. You could say she was on her first mission as a member of the marines, though it wasn’t much more than patrolling and following up on public reports. Today was the second day she had been stationed here, along with a few other academy recruits that had graduated with her; in the room with her were to seamen, a slightly older gentleman with a full beard, Grant and a younger black-haired man, Riley. River had decided to get up bright and early to look after the front to receive any mail orders or assist any townspeople that requested assistance, but, it seems she had nodded off on the job.
How long was I out?
Like two hours. Don’t worry though nothing happened- hell, the captain is still asleep. You really shouldn’t be working overtime, no one is going to show up this early, ya’ know.
I didn’t think I was that tired, well- it looks to be dawn now. I take it that means you’re all headed out?
Uh-huh, we have to get a few crates of supplies that should be by the dock.
Hey! Let’s get the cap some coffee too, she’d like some in the morning~
They all began heading out the door into the frigged weather, each one of them had on a heavy Marine-issued winter jacket. Even with the heavy clothes and being native to the north blue they all still shivered at the extreme weather, there was cold and then there was just absurdity- just who in the world thought it’d be a good idea to build any sort of settlement on this godforsaken island.
Grant cocked his head at what his friend just said, and the way he said it.
You’re not still trying to get buddy buddy with the captain, are you?
A lady like that? Of course I am!
"?"
Didn’t you tell the captain you were married, Riley, and that you left to make the seas a better place for your family?
AHH YEAH, pretty clever right?
River merely blinked at the young man's statement.
I’m confused. If your intention is to court the captain then why tell her you’re married and thus unavailable.
No no no, you see, who can resist that sort of heroic type? Give it a few weeks and she'll totally be into me!
I don’t know. And what when she finds out you had fabricated the story?
That’s the thing- she doesn’t~!
He’s an idiot River, don’t think about it too hard cause he sure didn’t.
You guys just don’t get it. ‘sides, who leaves a loving family to go out and battle pirates? I’ll stick to patrols thank you very much.
River gripped the strap of her musket tightly, she didn’t want to show any displeasure towards her friend since she was sure he didn’t mean anything bad by it. So she kept her face neutral and continued speaking casually.
A short walk later and they would find themselves in the center of the trade district, at this hour it wasn’t all too busy, in fact, most shops were only just opening up or hadn’t yet at all. There were still early birds up and running around though, completing errands and what not- River even saw what looked to be a polar making a delivery, which she found fascinating; after all, every bear she had encountered wished to rip apart her body and devour her flesh- she did not think they could be domesticated.
“Hey, River-” Grant turned towards the girl and shuffled around in his pockets, he pulled out some spare belly he had been carrying. “-dispute what I might have said, getting coffee is actually a good idea- why don’t you go and find some while me and Riley get the things?” he handed River the cash, and she took it in agreement, coffee sounded nice. She nodded and they parted ways.
Still running the boy looked back to see the distance between him and the beast and knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d be caught. That thing wasn’t just fast, but it somehow weaved around the trees with great dexterity despite having the body of a truck. To make matters worse the boy was entering a clearing, there would be no trees to put in the way between him and the creature nothing would be preventing it from going into a full-speed dash and goer its new annoying prey, however, that was always the plan.
*BANG*
A long noise filled the air, the sound of a gun going off- followed by the sound of a large mass hitting the floor. The beast fellow over dead, there was now a small new hole where it’s right eye was suppose to be, and surprisingly very little blood flowing from it. The panting boy looked back with a new grin on his face, “Through the eye? NICE!” he looked up towards a tree on the other side of the clearing and gave it a thumbs up. A figure dropped down from the branches, she had dark hair and had on a casual shirt and shorts. After approaching she immediately took her thumb and middle finger and flicked the smiling boy in the forehead.
Ah, HEY!
You should have gained more distance before attracting it. If I had missed it would have trampled you.
Pfft, as if you’d miss.
We all make mistakes Joshua.
The lady approach the creature and examined it, she seems to be satisfied with the size of her target and it seemed to had been in good health.
Still, though, this is an excellent haul, people love to celebrate with pork this time of year. We should be able to sell this for a decent amount.
Okay yeah, but, let's go after something really big for a change! Like one of those uni-bears you took out last year!”
Bear meat is too tough to sell, besides, you know that tomorrow I’m-
Yeah River I know, tomorrow you’re leaving… going off to be some Marine- I still don’t get why!
He turned around and started walking off to a cart nearby in a huff, then began preparing it for the haul. All the while River merely stared, then smiled, “You know, you’re getting pretty tall. In a month or two you’ll be taller than me”. Joshua was confused by the sudden change in topic, “Huh? Oh I guess-” Then suddenly river shoved her gun into the boy's chest as he turned to face her. “What are you doing? This is-” he didn’t take it “You are the oldest now, practically a man already. You have to provide for the family, take it.” River let go and let the gun fall into Joshua’s arms. “I’m- but you need a gun if your gonna fight pirates!?” his grip tightened on the rifle as he looked to hand it back. “You know this was your father’s rifle, not mine, it was always meant for you. I was merely borrowing it, and I’ll get a new weapon... eventually, don’t worry about me.” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and Joshua could only continue staring at the gun as water began to gather in his eyes, “sis-” the reality of everything seemed to finally be hitting him, his big sister was really leaving and he didn’t know what he could do now that time was up. River closed her eyes and softly put the boy into a full-on hug and let his tear run dry…when she opened them up… the sky's were a horrid crimson red.
All the life of the forest was dead and rotten, the ground was covered in ash and fire began to spread to the surrounding, already lifeless foliage. Her brother had dissipated and now her arms and chest were covered in viscous blood, thick pieces of flesh stranded her fingers. “This is unsettling” she said flatly.
“Aye river get up!”
A man's voice caused River’s eyes to shoot open, while she didn’t seem to be in a panic or move very much she still scanned the room quickly to confirm her whereabouts. “That was unsettling”, she was sitting in a reception office for the small marines based in Sleet town, a place known for being the center point of trade on Nine Ice.
River had just completed her few months of mandatory basic training, where she had learned of navel laws, procedures, and also how to operate on the high seas, among other things. You could say she was on her first mission as a member of the marines, though it wasn’t much more than patrolling and following up on public reports. Today was the second day she had been stationed here, along with a few other academy recruits that had graduated with her; in the room with her were to seamen, a slightly older gentleman with a full beard, Grant and a younger black-haired man, Riley. River had decided to get up bright and early to look after the front to receive any mail orders or assist any townspeople that requested assistance, but, it seems she had nodded off on the job.
How long was I out?
Like two hours. Don’t worry though nothing happened- hell, the captain is still asleep. You really shouldn’t be working overtime, no one is going to show up this early, ya’ know.
I didn’t think I was that tired, well- it looks to be dawn now. I take it that means you’re all headed out?
Uh-huh, we have to get a few crates of supplies that should be by the dock.
Hey! Let’s get the cap some coffee too, she’d like some in the morning~
They all began heading out the door into the frigged weather, each one of them had on a heavy Marine-issued winter jacket. Even with the heavy clothes and being native to the north blue they all still shivered at the extreme weather, there was cold and then there was just absurdity- just who in the world thought it’d be a good idea to build any sort of settlement on this godforsaken island.
Grant cocked his head at what his friend just said, and the way he said it.
You’re not still trying to get buddy buddy with the captain, are you?
A lady like that? Of course I am!
"?"
Didn’t you tell the captain you were married, Riley, and that you left to make the seas a better place for your family?
AHH YEAH, pretty clever right?
River merely blinked at the young man's statement.
I’m confused. If your intention is to court the captain then why tell her you’re married and thus unavailable.
No no no, you see, who can resist that sort of heroic type? Give it a few weeks and she'll totally be into me!
I don’t know. And what when she finds out you had fabricated the story?
That’s the thing- she doesn’t~!
He’s an idiot River, don’t think about it too hard cause he sure didn’t.
You guys just don’t get it. ‘sides, who leaves a loving family to go out and battle pirates? I’ll stick to patrols thank you very much.
River gripped the strap of her musket tightly, she didn’t want to show any displeasure towards her friend since she was sure he didn’t mean anything bad by it. So she kept her face neutral and continued speaking casually.
A short walk later and they would find themselves in the center of the trade district, at this hour it wasn’t all too busy, in fact, most shops were only just opening up or hadn’t yet at all. There were still early birds up and running around though, completing errands and what not- River even saw what looked to be a polar making a delivery, which she found fascinating; after all, every bear she had encountered wished to rip apart her body and devour her flesh- she did not think they could be domesticated.
“Hey, River-” Grant turned towards the girl and shuffled around in his pockets, he pulled out some spare belly he had been carrying. “-dispute what I might have said, getting coffee is actually a good idea- why don’t you go and find some while me and Riley get the things?” he handed River the cash, and she took it in agreement, coffee sounded nice. She nodded and they parted ways.
{Summary}
River has a dream flashback
River is stationed out in sleet town
Her and two other recruits go to the docks to gather supplies
Along the way the split up, river heads into the commercial part of town to get coffee while the other two get the things.
River has a dream flashback
River is stationed out in sleet town
Her and two other recruits go to the docks to gather supplies
Along the way the split up, river heads into the commercial part of town to get coffee while the other two get the things.