Old Bird and Fledgling! A Promise Made under Dancing Lights!

[Fox]

It was a bitterly cold day in the far reaches of the North Blue. The sky was a blindingly bright gray as the sun refracted through the clouds blanketing the sky. The hunting lodge that a few select hunters called home was just waking up for the day, opening curtains and shutters that protected them from the midnight sun’s light. It was achingly early, but hunters had to be up at these sorts of hours. Down by the beach, several hunters worked to break up the ice sheets that had formed overnight.

As they worked, a cry went up as one of the hunters spotted something unusual in the ice. A hand protruded up from the ice. The hunters scrambled, using their tools to chip away at the ice that had encased the hand only to flinch away and fall backwards as the hand began moving of its own volition. Whoever was trapped beneath the ice, they were still alive! The hunters scrambled and redoubled their efforts, pulling from the ice the pale form of a woman. Though her countenance was as pale as death and her touch as icy as the water she’d been extracted from, she still breathed, which was enough for the hunters to haul her onto a sled. They bundled her in furs and blankets and pulled her toward the lodge.

Once they arrived, a great commotion went up amongst the healers of the lodge. They hastily laid her in front of the central hearth, stripping off her half frozen clothes and replacing them with furs. The woman’s body was a tapestry of old scars and injuries. The freshest of injuries, the healers treated before retreating and setting up a barrier of blankets to allow the woman her privacy as she warmed by the fire. Hushed whispers were exchanged near the woman as louder speculation carried on outside between the hunters.

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Sedna | #2aaa8a | Post Count: 1

[Fennec]

It was so much colder than Port Klondike around these parts and Rook wasn’t exactly thrilled by it. But being far from home in such an isolated place made running away back home near impossible. To the west there was an icey ocean and everywhere else was a boreal forest of thick trees filled with beasts beyond a normal man’s imagination. Rook sat in the shed of the lodge doing inventory of supplies making sure the bullets, gunpowder, food, and whale oil were all properly accounted for when he heard a commotion outside. It was rare for that much night to take over the camp… at least on a weekday morning.

Peering outside the door he spotted various hunters bringing in a very tall woman whose skin color seemed to have been flushed out making her seem one with the snow. This was new, silently Rook followed after the hunters helping them out by gathering furs and preparing a fire. From the stories apparently she had been found at the shore covered in ice, an oddity to be sure no normal person could survive those frigid temperatures. That is when it hit Rook… she must be SUPER STRONG! As Rook looked over her and hushed voices talked across the camp an older figure covered in coats walked into the room. It was Ikiaq the Elder, one of the oldest hunters and most respected members of the lodge. The lodge itself had no real leadership but Ikiaq was the closest thing to one there was. His brown grizzled face looked down at the newcomer for a moment inspecting her… the scars of battle made him furrow his white brow momentarily.

“Rook, take care of this woman. Consider it your new duty and… keep an eye on her while you do.”

Rook’s eyes gleamed shiny! Hell yeah! He wanted just that. Maybe if he helped her out she could train him to be super strong and with that strength he could run away! Be free! The twelve year old boy was ecstatic, perhaps more so than a normal boy his age should be at the prospect of looking over a sick person. Ikiaq could see it in his eyes but he didn’t question it even if it was a little weird. If anything it was good to see the boy excited about work for once.

“Consider it done, Sir!”

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Rook | #702963 | Post Count: 1

[Fox]

Hours passed as the pale woman laid by the fire. One of the healers had also been assigned to watch over her and Rook. A portly woman by the name of Malina. She was one of the eldest healers, and, as such, had a wealth of knowledge to draw upon. She was also deeply respected, almost as much as Ikiaq. She rested on a chair, watching the woman. The pale woman was as still as death, breathing so slowly that one might suspect that she was in fact a corpse. Malina furrowed her brow. By all of the hunters’ accounts, the pale woman should be dead. She put her hand to her chin as she pondered these strange happenings, glancing back to the pale woman’s face after a moment of consideration.

“Gah!!”

Malina started, flying backwards in her seat and toppling over to the floor as her eyes met the pale woman’s own staring back at her. Malina rolled painfully, flopping awkwardly onto the floor. She let out a pained groan as she pulled her feet back under her and pushed herself up off the floor hastily. The pale woman was still looking at her. One eye was pale and white like that of a corpse. The other eye was a dark teal color like that of the deep sea. Malina watched as those eyes shifted from her to Rook around the room slowly. Unnaturally. Malina felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as she put a hand out to Rook.

“Rook, help me - ah!”

Malina flinched as the pale woman suddenly sat up in one smooth, elegant motion like a corpse rising from its grave. Her voice died in her throat. She couldn’t help but notice the pale woman’s extraordinarily long hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall and disappeared beneath her. Unnatural! Malina scrambled to her feet hastily, her heart jumping into her throat. She needed to call for someone! Ikiaq. Yes! He’d know what to do about this… this… creature!

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Sedna | #2aaa8a | Post Count: 2

[Fennec]

Man, waiting for the lady to wake up took forever in Rook’s opinion. He didn’t know this could be so boring… especially since Malina just had him collecting some firewood to keep the fire indoors going. With a sigh he came back into the room and began to tend to the flames that lit the room in an orange glow. His violet eyes settled on the flames before him. Fire. An element that seemed familiar to him always though the reason for it was still unknown.

“Gah!”

It was the shriek of an elderly woman which pierced Rook’s ears as he turned around immediately to see Malina toppling over on her chair. The boy was so focused on the elderly woman that he failed to notice the strange pale woman waking up.

“You okay?”

Having rushed by her side he tried helping the elderly woman up only for her to stutter demanding help. To this Rook raised a brow, what did she think he was doing? But her body language gave away that her focus was on something else… or someone else. As Rook turned around he witnessed the pale woman sit up from her lying position scanning the room with a milky eye. She was… corpse-like. Yet beautiful. Rook dropped Malina and immediately went up to Sedna curiously.

“You’re alive!! Are you a sea witch!?”

He had to ask! After all her appearance looked like one or how Rook imagined one too look like. Besides, she had survived the frigid water. Oh!!! To be trained by a Sea Witch! That would be so cool! She probably had some cool techniques or even magical abilities up her sleeve. Dad always dismissed magic. But mom didn’t and out of the two he wanted to believe magic was indeed real.

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Rook | #702963 | Post Count: 2

[Fox]

“N-NooOOoo!”

The old woman’s voice cracked as the young boy ran over to Sedna’s side. Her glacial gaze slid over to the old woman once more, but she’d already tumbled through the makeshift curtains and out of view. A voice at her side brought that same gaze to the young boy looking up at her with bright eyes and excitement. Sedna sighed slowly, knowing already that this one was going to be a headache. She glanced down at herself, realizing that she was naked apart from the furs covering her. The one on her chest was sliding off as she stared at it. Ordinarily, she wouldn’t have bothered with modesty, but since there was a child present, she lifted an arm slowly and pinned it against her chest. Sedna looked down at the boy, considering him.

“Yes,” she said, her voice cold but soft and smooth, “I am.”

From beyond the curtains, a commotion stirred. Sedna lifted her head to look over at it. She listened for signs that she should be on alert. For signs that anything or anyone that was a threat to her. Mostly, she just heard the old woman calling for someone called Ikiaq. Sedna frowned, her brow furrowing. She looked down at the child standing beside her.

“Boy. Who is Ikiaq?”

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Sedna | #2aaa8a | Post Count: 3

[Fennec]

Rook ignored Malina right now he was in Sedna’s world. A real world Sea Witch! He knew they were real. His imagination went wild as his mind was overtaken by images of the pale woman at sea causing blizzards with just the flick of a wrist as sailors begged for mercy. However he was ripped out of his imagination as the Sea Witch made an inquiry of her own. Rook for his part thought it honorable to answer her question after all she had answered him.

“Oh, he is the elder around these parts. Wise old guy, you know?”

He dismissed the old man like it wasn’t a big deal. Which, truthfully, he wasn't, at least not in Rook’s opinion. His eyes went to the corner of the room where he spotted Malina cowering with a terrified expression. Rook tilted his head in utter confusion. What was so terrifying? It was just a Sea Witch… it's not like a Monolith Moose or a Kraken was threatening their lives. Now those things. Those were terrifying.

“Hey Malina! Why don’t you get the Sea Witch some water? I bet she is thirsty.”

Rook turned around again to look at Sedna, his own violet eyes becoming fixated on Sedna’s milky eye and sea-green one. His face gleamed with excitement and the need for validation. Maybe the water was too much? Perhaps some liquor instead to warm the soul. Not that Rook knew anything about that… but he heard many loggers and huntsmen say those words so he assumed as much.

“You want water right?”

Just then the door slammed open letting a cold draft in. Three men entered the room but the one in the center was none other than Ikiaq his grizzled face painted with worry. Before he could even take in the scene he exclaimed.

“What’s going on in here!? We heard a ruckus from outside!”

That is when his eyes laid on the pale woman, his worried expression became wiped from his face. She seemed dead. But it was clear to her that wasn’t the case. After all, ghosts aren’t real. He wiped some sweat off his forehead and furrowed his brow. The old man turned his eyes away from Sedna.

“I’m getting too old for this… Pardon the commotion Miss, it's good to see you awake.”

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Rook | #3DFEBB | Post Count: 3

[Fox]

When Ikiaq appeared, Sedna tensed, preparing herself for whatever may come. She didn’t know if he’d be a threat, but after a moment, she could tell that he was not aggressive. Sedna relaxed slightly, but only just. These people didn’t seem to have any connection to those she has escaped from. Given her experiences, she couldn’t help but be a little suspicious. Still, it wouldn’t do to be outwardly hostile right now. She didn’t need them to become a problem.

“Yes… You saved me from the ice?” she asked slowly, choosing her words carefully, “You have my gratitude, but… where exactly am I? And who are you people?”

As she spoke, Sedna felt exhaustion grip her, but she shrugged off its heavy hand. She could not rest until she knew it was safe. Sedna glanced down at the boy who seemed so eager to help her. She could take him as a hostage if necessary. Children were useful for such purposes. It would be a shame to see the excitement fade from his eyes and morph into terror, but she had to ensure her own safety. She took one of his tiny hands in her own.

“No, boy. Stay.”

For now, Sedna did not need to do anything drastic. She could enjoy the peace a moment longer. But, she did want to keep the boy within arm’s reach if necessary. The boy’s hands were warm, almost burning hot compared to the icy cool of Sedna’s own hands. She was accustomed to the cold, so it did not bother her, but she could tell just how different she was just by touching others. A chilling reminder of her past.

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Sedna | #2aaa8a | Post Count: 4

[Fennec]

“Mmm…”

Ikaiq nodded, his wrinkled eyes seeming to fold in on themselves blocking his sight. But the truth was he could see through them and through his wise aged years he saw how Sedna acted from her micro movements. The tension when she suddenly saw him and the way she handled Rook. For now it was best to keep an eye on her.

“Yes you were floating on some sea ice… currently you’re in Inuvyk in the Tuluaq territory.”

In truth they were pretty far away from anywhere relevant in the world. Inuvyk was remote as is… an archipelago in subarctic territory just a few thousand kilometers away from the North Pole. But it stood as one of the densest populations this far north. That said, the Tuluaq territory was more remote… Most of the people that lived in it were fur trappers, hunters, and tribal clans which had inhabited the land for many centuries in relative isolation. This isolation made it an ideal place for anyone wanting to hide or disappear for good.

“We’re hunters!”“We’re hunters!”

Rook piped up. He stared up at Sedna with a twinkle in his eyes. Almost expecting a ‘good job’ for staying put just as he’d been asked. Honestly this had been the most entertaining thing to happen in a couple of days! Though he did wish that the sea witch’s hands weren’t so cold. Freezing. In fact. It was getting a bit uncomfortable for him but he didn’t complain.

“Yes… like the boy said. We’re hunters. Fur trappers to be exact, part of the Redmond Bay Company.”

To most outsiders the Redmond Bay Company likely meant nothing. But to those all the way in Inuvyk it was well known. The company, though it could hardly call itself that, was more of a guild formed by pioneers, loggers, dog sledders, and fur trappers. Over all the company’s purposes was to ensure the continual well being of the community without the help of any outside source. It provided services, goods, and jobs… while also having a strong sway in local politics.

“It's a miracle you’re alive, Miss…? I didn’t catch your name. But those waters are not only frigid but also infested with Kraken. Being so close to the North Pole… Inuvyk is their breeding ground.”

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Rook | #3DFEBB | Post Count: 4

[Fox]

Sedna wasn’t familiar with Inuvyk or the Tuluaq territory. She must have managed to drift quite the distance in her desperate escape from her pursuers. She ran a hand through her pale hair and let out a small sigh. The little one, Rook, piped up like a little fledgling at her side, declaring proudly that they were hunters. She felt blinded by his sheer enthusiasm and sparkle in his eyes, making her feel some remorse for considering using him as a hostage not but a few moments prior.

She patted him on top of his head, ruffling his hair gently, as he seemed to want some praise for his answer. Sedna turned her attention back to Ikiaq as he expanded on the boy’s answer, earning him another frown from Sedna. Ha, she hadn’t heard of that either. Just where in the world was she? She put her hand to her chin thoughtfully, her brow furrowing.

Ikiaq continued to speak, answering that question in particular and posing his own. The North Pole… The North Blue then? Last she remembered, she’d been in the New World. Her memories surrounding her escape were hazy at best. Perhaps more would come back to her with time and more recovery. At the very least, it didn’t seem like she was in any immediate danger here.

“I didn’t give it,” Sedna replied, referring to her name. Her teal eyes looked up at Ikiaq, conveying what she didn’t deign to say aloud. She would not give her name until her questions were all answered. “There haven’t been any outsiders or strangers frequenting these parts aside from myself, have there? …Or people in robes?”

Depending on his answer, it would determine if she could stay for a while to recover from her ordeal or if she could have to leave immediately. She’d prefer to stay and assess her injuries. She hadn’t had the time to do so in that madman’s laboratory, nor afterwards with… those people… bleeding her like a pig. Her body felt terribly weak.

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Sedna | #2aaa8a | Post Count: 5