prologue ♔ we're all stories in the end

[moonheart]

WHO || Sydney, Faith, Anastacia
WHAT || Sydney arrives in this world
WHERE || The Phillipines
WHEN || Backdated to sometime in late April
HOW || Actionspam

As the Veil fog parts around her, Sydney finds herself surrounded by warm air weighted with humidity. The dissipating mist seems strangely out of place, even without its sudden coming and going, when she gets a view of the tropical scene before her. She appears to be looking out over some kind of small pool of water that flows into a cove, and there are small boats up against the shore, into which several men are loading crates, shouting to one another in Filipino.

Comments

[silvermaid]

He won't hurt you, I promise. [ she looks back over her shoulder towards the form of the man, and takes a few steps that way ] But I'm not sure how long he'll be out.

[celerystick]

[She's not just worried about him, to be honest. No one should be able to do something like that. Not even the Moroi.]

You mean...he's still alive?

[silvermaid]

[ the woman looks a little surprised by the question ] Of course he is... I was merely trying to slow him down. [ and she goes and plucks the weapon out of his hand, cracking it open to empty out the bullets ]

[celerystick]

But the blood and-

[She just stares at the guy's body, looks for breathing, and finally shakes her head.]

I've never seen anything like that.

[moonheart]

[ annnnd up runs a little blonde thing ] Oh my gods, I am so so so sorry!

[celerystick]

[And Sydney is just going to keep...sitting on the ground, because her ankle is fucked and it fucking hurts. Yep.]

I tripped. It isn't your fault.

[Because she just wants to get out of here. Really badly. And she doesn't want these crazy magic-flinging whatevers to be angry with her.]

[moonheart]

I missed with the net. I thought I had them all! [ she looks back over her shoulder ] At least I think they're gonna get the message. And those alchemists will be glad to get their stuff back.

[celerystick]

[Faith, you just said the magic word.]

You know Alchemists?

[moonheart]

Sorta the whole reason we're here, actually! All those supplies are from the Alchemists who work on the island, and grow all that stuff here. People have been stealing truckloads of it and selling it on the black market, or hoarding it for their like, drug cartels or whatever.

[celerystick]

[She looks confused, really. Because of the whole jumping dimensions thing. Are they really her Alchemists?]

I didn't think there'd be a group of them all the way out here.

[silvermaid]

Their services and supplies are in great demand. But there are many who would take advantage of their work - such as these men. It's hard to blame them for isolating themselves.

[celerystick]

Then helping them was for the best.

[Even if she took damage in the process.]

But you said we should get out of here, right? I'm going to...need some help with that.

[Because her ankle. Which still really hurts, by the way.]

[moonheart]

My mom can take care of that if you want. [ she gestures at the tall woman ] Heal it, I mean. Just like that. [ she snaps her fingers ] Or, I guess we could carry you.

[celerystick]

[She actually winces at the snap of her fingers, because everything she's just said is so wrong and unnatural that she's skeeved to even think about it.]

No, no magic. I just need...some support.

[Or so she hopes.]

...How far do we need to go?

[silvermaid]

Not far. We can take you to the Alchemist's sanctuary... It's where they took those crates from. We can always take their boat - then you won't have to walk. Can you make it that far? [ she offers an arm ]

[celerystick]

[She stands on it and manages to grit past any pain she feels. (fort save 21). She gives the girl a nod, taking her arm to help.]

Yeah, I can make it. Let's get out of here.

[moonheart]

[ faith takes her other arm, and together they help her back down the path towards the cove ] I'm Faith, by the way! I don't think I got your name...

[celerystick]

[Hobble, hobble.]

Oh, Sydney. My name is...Sydney Sage.

[silvermaid]

And I'm her mother. Anastacia.

[celerystick]

It's, um, nice to meet you guys.

[That's what she's supposed to say, right? And if they hadn't been here, well, she'd be stuck. And probably dead. So.]

[moonheart]

No, it's nice to meet you. I mean you're the one who signed up for heroics like two seconds after stumbling through the Veil. That takes some real cajones.

[celerystick]

But...I don't have...

[Balls. (Wisdom 5, Sydney is the worst at social things oh my god.)]

But thanks.

[moonheart]

Don't thank us, we're doing our job. Helping people like you, who show up here with no clue what's going on... [ oh hey, boat! with crates! faith hops out into it with ease ]

[celerystick]

[Sydney gets into the boat behind her with grace, despite her injury, and manages to settle herself onto the seat, all while hopping delicately on one foot (dex 19).]

You help people like me? You mean, people that fall through the...I think you called it the Veil?

[moonheart]

Yep! There's lots of you. Like my mom.