Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 20, 2011 0:53:19 GMT -5
Virek Darkfang was sitting beside the roaring campfire, with a paw rested on his short sword, prepared for an intruder. It was in the middle of the night, and the young ferret was on watch duty, along with another young beast; Vasilka. That was the main reason the ferret kept himself awake; he was not only watching the makeshift camp, but he was watching his own back. He did not trust Vasilka at all. Out of all the beasts he was with at the moment, she seemed to have the least restraint. And because of that, Virek was extremely cautious around her when they were alone. He knew her kind ate flesh, and she was more than likely a better fighter than he was, despite his advantage of size.
His mind was beginning to drift, thinking back longingly to his home at Riftgard, thinking of the finery of the palace, all of the food.....Yes, he missed the food the most and he missed his bed second. It made him tired just thinking about it. He even missed the weather, the cold was more his element than the warmer weather of Mossflower. Virek mentally slapped himself out of it; he was out here for a reason. It was his mission, which he failed, and got stranded with these beasts. But no matter what he thought of, sleep was creeping up on him.
The ferret used his free hand to rub his tired eyes, he wasn't used to this. It was beginning to take a toll on him.....His head started to fall to the side, slowly dozing off. But he caught himself, and quickly moved his head back, attempting to fight off the sleepiness that plagued him. Virek glanced over to Vasilka, looking to see if she was awake. If she was, she was certain to call him out for falling asleep on the job, even if was only minor. And Virek was sure there was a fight brewing between them. Sooner or later they would go at it, hopefully it wasn't now, because he couldn't hold his own in this state.
((This post isn't as good as it could be, but it'll start us off. XD))
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 20, 2011 2:30:58 GMT -5
Fortunately for Virek. He was not the only one looking like he was about to fall asleep. Though in Vasilka's case. It was from sheer BOREDOM! There has been nothing going on for days now. No fighting, no killing, no raiding, nothing. NOTHING! Peace was something the ermine was far from used too. Although the Land of Ice and Snow was a frozen wasteland, it was commonly always in a heated hell of fighting, killing, raiding, wars, stealing, raping. You name it. It was happening over there. Even though she hated that place, she loved it. It was home and it was her world..... Least it used to be.....
A big yawn came from the ermine, she had long noticed that Virek was suffering the same problem she was when it came to trying to stay awake, but did nothing to tear into him over it. She was too bored and sleepy to care about that.
Unlike Virek. Vasilka didn't even think of the possibility of a fight between them. Simply because she knew she could easily do him in right now. Before Rabisat could ever get stop to stopping and restraining her, but than again. Where would she get her kicks from scaring jelly spine beasts than?
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 20, 2011 2:53:59 GMT -5
It was clear if he kept sitting still here, with the fire's warmth making him ever sleepier, he would fall asleep. Anything but sleep, he couldn't afford it. Virek cursed himself; he was supposed to be strong, how was he ever to gain any kind of recognition back home if he was weak enough to let Mossflower conquer him?
Although he was physically tired, his determination to prove himself kept the ferret awake. To keep himself busy, he removed his paw from his sword and instead drew his dagger. He inspected the blade in the flickering firelight, searching for imperfections or any dull places along the blade itself. It was nearly perfect, for he hadn't used this dagger much since beginning his travels in Mossflower. It was important to keep his weapons in good working order, in case he ever needed them in a dire situation.
Virek again looked over at Vasilka, and he smiled a bit darkly, noticing that she was just like him, on the verge of sleep. The ferret spoke in a soft voice, so he wouldn't wake the others, "Sleepy, Vasilka?" It was said ice ran through the Darkfangs' blood, and it seemed true in his case, as his voice sounded quite icy. Just like his eyes.
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 20, 2011 3:43:52 GMT -5
Unfortunately. If Vasilka had any weaknesses that could be considered a curse to most vermin. It was trustworthiness. Too much of it for her own good, which lead to another curse to most vermin. Honesty.
The ermine barbarian looked right back into his eyes and did something Virek likely didn't expect. She simply locked her own eyes into his, smiled at him and said "Aye, tis boring in these woods. Not like yonder Land of Ice and Snow, methinks about it often. I hated that land, but alas. I loved it too, not a day goes by without some sort of action going on. How about ye? Thou art have a home away from this dim Hell?"
She did somewhat wonder about her new prey, he was nothing like anything she had ever seen before. His cloths lacked the dirt, snow and bloodstains common in Ice and Snow clothing, his sword, dagger and bow lacked severe under-management and wear, his accent was so much more different than hers or any other beast she has ever encountered. Yes, such a beast caught her attention and made her wonder about what kind of life he faced. How often did he kill? Raid? Rape? Murder? Steal? Did he even do ANY of those things? ......
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 20, 2011 23:26:27 GMT -5
When Virek heard her calm response, he was disappointed; but this was probably better than some kind of fight between them. Besides he had been thinking longingly about his home already, why not talk to Vasilka about it? He quickly deliberated whether to speak or not; Well, that might not be such a good idea; I might give away to much about myself. Something she could use against me.....Ah hell, I'll talk with her. At least I'll stay awake.
He carefully reflected on what he ought to say, without giving to much away in their conversation. Virek finally spoke, after a few moments of thought. "Yes. Riftgard is a cloudy, rainy, and often cold place; but I love it. Especially compared to these bloody woods. You wouldn't consider it exciting, though. Hardly anything goes on, with the Pure Ferrets in control, it's quite peaceful, you might even call it a soft life. That's why I ended up out here, to strengthen myself."
Virek was unsure if he should speak in detail about his personal life on the island, because that would surely reveal his weaknesses. He had only killed a few beasts, on a couple of missions during his training, and they could hardly be called good fighters; they were merely seascum. Only once had he been involved on a raid, and that had been just a few months earlier.
The young ferret spoke again, deciding to see if Vasilka would reveal anything about her life in the Land of Ice and Snow. "How is it living up there? I'm sure it's like night and day when you compare it to Riftgard." Virek would talk if she would, in fact, he was close to saying more about him even if she didn't. This certainly beat falling asleep on the job, in fact speaking calmly to Vasilka wasn't half bad.
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 21, 2011 0:00:14 GMT -5
Vasilka thought about it for a moment. "Oh, where to start? She thought, she actually just threw herself in a situation she was not used to. Sure, she bragged about killing other beasts, but this was simply about everyday LIFE on the Land of Ice and Snow...... Which it lacked by a lot. It's kinda surprising the animals of the Land of Ice and Snow haven't yet fought themselves to extinction yet....
But she started it, might as well give it her best try. She began to speak in her Icy Snowy accent. (Or at least as well as I can possibly do it. xP)
"Hell's fang, not by a long yonder arrow's shot! Tis a cruel, violent place. A place where thy more weaker beasts be killed and eaten, leaving only the strong alive. In fact, when methinks about it. I do not remember a single day of peace that yonder land, nay. The ice, the snow, leaves nothing. There is no vegetation, no fruit. The water is icey cold, so cold that diving into them spell death for thee.... Nay, no other source of nourishment..... There is only..... Each other...."
The wicked grin spread across her muzzle. The one Virek saw when she nipped his neck in their first encounter with each other.
She finished. "'Twas literal Hell, but 'twas my home None-thee-less...That is what my home is like."
(Dammit, i'm gonna have to read Rakkety Tam again to get this accent done again. xD )
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 21, 2011 0:57:39 GMT -5
A cold chill ran down Virek's spine as he saw the smile on Vasilka's face, this wicked smile unnerved him. The thought of other beasts as food, even the so called goodbeasts, it seemed unnatural, even disgusting to the young ferret who was used to a rich diet on Riftgard. Though it was close to being revolting to him, he was becoming more and more curious the more he spent with the barbarians.
Virek narrowed his eyes and continued, explaining some of his life to Vasilka. "You would consider Riftgard a soft place. There is always plenty to eat, the island is prosperous and peaceful. All of the fighting there is merely training for the real thing or fighting with words between the leaders. Though the weather isn't perfect by most beasts' standards, it isn't tough at all. You're life sounds very, very different from mine."
He reflected on what she said about her home, and he was certain he would lose if they fought. Vasilka's life made her tougher than he was, and that made him think about his soft and relatively safe life at Riftgard. Virek wanted to become strong enough to survive through what Vasilka did on a daily basis, that was his determination now. The ferret knew he was physically strong, but he wondered if he was mentally and emotionally strong enough to live in the Land of Ice and Snow.....
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 21, 2011 3:54:19 GMT -5
Vasilka looked fine on the outside, but on the inside. She felt a strange sense of longing when she heard how Riftgard was, sure. She loved/hated her homeland of the Land of Ice and Snow, but it even creatures like her need a vacation. A lot done even get chances like that though. It sounded like the vacation from Dark Forest.... (Heaven)
Actually thinking about it. Maybe if she suddenly ended up in a place like Riftgard, she wouldn't likely feel very homesick for the Land of Ice and Snow anytime soon. Fighting for very fun, the risk of getting killed or raped was very exciting, but the horrible pain of constant hunger? Not remotely, constantly having to wear clothing that's not even your own? Feels good after a while until they inevitably get dirty and bloody too. Than it's not really good anymore.
It was still better than the damn forest though, by a mile. Now she was wondering if she was going to die of boredom instead of hunger.
"Aye, tis different alright. I love the fighting and excitement, but alas. I hate the cruel, constant suffering of hunger. Methinks there had been days where I had not eaten for days....."
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 21, 2011 22:56:05 GMT -5
And I've almost never been hungry, Virek thought, remembering how easy life was at Riftgard. Even if he hadn't been born as a king's son, life there would still probably be good, thanks to the prosperity of the empire. Due to Riftgard's position, it was a major trading hub and port for many ships, which brought in wealth that was distributed much more fairly than most vermin controlled cities. Life there was pretty good; if you had some kind of legal occupation that is.
The young ferret looked back over to Vasilka, most of the edge gone from his voice. "It sounds like hell to me. Even though I want to strengthen myself, your home doesn't seem like a place I would want to live. What about Riftgard? Do you think you could survive there? Without all of the fighting?"
Such a life might be good for me, though. Virek thought himself weak in comparison to the beasts he was traveling with, they had lived much harder lives than he had, and seen more hardship than he would probably ever see. In some ways he wanted to be faced with such a life; it was a challenge, but he liked a good challenge. Anything that doesn't kill you just makes you stronger, that was why he hadn't made an effort to head to the coast to try to return to his home. He hoped these travels made him stronger, so that when he returned to Riftgard, he would be a changed beast.
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 21, 2011 23:07:47 GMT -5
The ermine chuckled. "Aye, Art thou new to this world? We are not like those woodlanders. Fighting, tis an urge. A want. A need. Me and Ye need to fight or declare war eventually. It comes back to us sooner or later like a night of drinking. I would survive Riftgard, tis long as there was creatures like I? Methinks there would always be a fight. Our way of life, of any 'vermin' culture. Is to move foreword nought with nonsense like woodlander peace, but charging foreword in a battlecry...."
A little insightful..... For a barbarian....
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 22, 2011 0:54:10 GMT -5
Virek smiled at this, "Indeed. That is what pushed me to come out here in the first place; to kill, to strengthen myself and become not only a well educated beast; but a beast that can hold his own in a true fight." Vasilka's speech had brought to the surface the type of feelings he was trying to cultivate, the need to kill and carve out his own path in blood, away from the finery of Riftgard, at least for the time being.
The young ferret looked back at the dagger that he still held in his paw, thinking about how effective he would be in combat with this weapon. Would he be good enough to kill without his bow? He was very adept at archery, and he planned to improve other methods of fighting as they continued on. Virek put the dagger away, and looked up at the sky, searching for signs of the nearing sunrise, which he did not find.
It seem their conversation was over for the moment, but Virek needed something to do so that he wouldn't fall asleep, so he spoke again to Vasilka, his expression thoughtful. "I think that I was meant to carve out my own path, different from my brothers, a path that might not involve Riftgard. It strikes me as exciting, the opportunity I have know to become something else, besides a soft beast living in comfort at my home. You think something like that could be accomplished?"
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 22, 2011 15:04:10 GMT -5
Vasilka grinned her sick grin again and spoke. " Most vermin in this camp would likely laugh at ye or say in serious tone that tis impossible, but thee Land of Ice and Snow does not smile upon anybeast. Strong beasts, smart beasts, beasts with connections, I had seen them all come and go despite me young age. The only thing that truly saves ye is simple Luck. Luck always will save ye in the end. Aye, I have been alive for so long just mainly due to sheer luck." Indeed, she had seen almost all of it. She had seen sneaky ermine, witty foxes, fearsome wolves and recently, a wolverine even. All fall, simply because of bad luck. Expertise, Strength and Intelligence are useful yes, but don't mean much if you have the bad luck to encounter someone who is more of that than you are.
She reached for a bottle and took a drink from it. " I hope ye are a very lucky polekitty, otherwise.... Well... 'Twas nice knowing ye..."
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 23, 2011 22:51:20 GMT -5
Virek smiled as well, a dangerous smile, reminiscent of his brother, Vrelt. "Don't call me 'polekitty,' and in case you haven't noticed, we're not in the Land of Ice and Snow. I've seen beasts rise from humble origins and become great. They made their own luck, they forged their own destiny." He thought of a couple of beasts he knew personally; Darren Hislek for one. Hislek had been from Vasilka's homeland, and he was now the commander of the elite guard at Riftgard. Virek was sure luck wasn't what had allowed him to achieve that high rank, it was determination.
The young ferret thought back even further, picturing his great-grandfather carving his path in blood, leaving dead and defeated beasts in his wake. Czeck Darkfang was a beast to look up to, Virek planned to follow his example. He knew that if Czeck could do it, then he would pave his own path, he would make his own luck.
Virek spoke again, the smile gone from his face. "I don't know if you've heard any stories about Czeck Darkfang. He was my great-grandfather, and he was an ambitious beast, a beast that made his own luck. He shouldn't have become king, he shouldn't have become a legend of the seas, and yet he did. I have his blood. To say that luck is what it takes to advance.....That's ignorance."
Although Virek had big plans, he knew also he had a long way to go. It would take years to master his fighting skills, to become experienced in dealing with other beasts, and to become a leader. He was realistic, he knew he might die trying to reach his goals, but in his opinion, it was better to die fighting than to die from old age at Riftgard. Vasilka and the others could laugh at him, but that was what he expected; great beasts were mocked until they became great. Virek was prepared for the ermine to laugh derisively at him, but he didn't care, Vasilka was nothing but a common beast, who didn't have ambition, only the will to survive. Virek supposed it was not her fault, after all, she had been raised in The Land of Ice and Snow, ambition would get you killed up there. But here in the south, across the great sea to the west, there was always opportunities, and Virek wanted to grab hold of them.
|
|
|
Post by Hans Vermeer (Cole) on Mar 25, 2011 0:19:18 GMT -5
Vasilka simply shook her head, it wasn't until she noticed a ray of light suddenly and seemingly chase the shadows of night away that she realized that they had made it. They and stood awake and on guard til the beginning of sunrise! It was....... Actually kind of beautiful. Something she never really notice before. It was somewhat of a shock, how she realized that in her entire sixteen years of life she had never once till his very day on this very season that she had seen the sunrise....
|
|
Vrelt
Moderator
[P:0]
Go Seahawks!
Posts: 1,349
|
Post by Vrelt on Mar 25, 2011 0:35:50 GMT -5
Virek felt a bit accomplished, he had made through the watch, without falling asleep. More importantly, he was still alive, which was an even better accomplishment than keeping awake. He was sure Vasilka would try something while everybeast was asleep, but instead, for the most part, they got along. There wasn't any physical violence, and their conversation was surprising civilized.
The young ferret looked over to the ermine, following her gaze to look at the sun rising. It was something he took for granted, having a view of the sun rise many mornings at Riftgard, except for when the thick clouds blocked it out, which happened most of the time. Virek smiled, noticing the almost awed expression on Vasilka's face, he hadn't expected that from the same beast who looked demonic when she smiled at him. "I never thought I'd see you look like that, Vasilka. Are you glad you're not going to alone with me anymore, or is the sunrise that beautiful to you?"
|
|