Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Enchantments (1x1)

Covered head to toe in garments which sole purpose is to mask his identity, Clock entered the small town his current path had led him to. The sky was a dazzling display of orange, red, and yellow, dotted with highlighted clouds. The day's end was drawing near and Clock, although he did not need sleep, liked to travel during the day. Those that came across him in the dark usually thought he was some sort of spirit. This was a result from his shady appearance and a soft blue glow that came from under his hood and was only really visible at night.

Clock was a stranger to this town and, although his glow was not yet visible, he earned haphazardous glances from those who lived there. This used to bother the clockwork man, before he was accustomed to his metalwork body. Now, however, it was just another natural event. Like a sharp wind that bites into your skin through your garments. Clock had no skin to feel the wind, but they were both still slightly annoying, yet normal all the same.

The first place he went was to the nearest inn. The name displayed on a sign above the door read 'The Sleeping Giant Inn'. Good as any, Clock thought to himself. As soon as the door was opened he was met with the tedious lighting from torches and a fireplace as well as the noise that polluted the previously still air. He entered, ignored the offer of food after he was greeted with a, "Welcome to the Sleeping Giant," from the owner, and purchased a room for the night. Then, without making eye contact with any others in the inn, he walked to the corner seat in the building, and sat, watching the occupants with a dull interest.

Kristy seemed stuck in the town she lived in. She couldn't stand her home life, and she wanted out so bad. Her only way of escape was to go to the towns inn. Sometimes the owner would let her crash in a room for free, but she always made Kristy do chores the next day. She never mind it at all.

Kristy walked in the door and was greeted sweetly by the owner, by name of course. "Hello Kristy! How are you this evening?" the owner asked. Kristy gave her a look. The look the owner knew well. It meant she had a ruff day, and wanted to crash here tonight. The owner gave her a smile and said, "Do the runs for the night, and you can stay in your usually room." "Thank you so much Rosa!" Kristy said. She grabbed a small notebook and turned around to see who was in the dinning area. She noticed a couple people, but someone caught her eyes. He was sitting in the back corner, almost people watching, but not quite.

She walked to the other people in the room, and she made her rounds. She wanted to finish with the guy in the corner. As she walked towards him, she sat on the other side of him. She smiled sweetly, "Can I get you anything for the night?"

Clock watched the girl make her rounds, and knew when she was heading his way, although his hood kept knowledge what he saw to himself. He was not expecting her to sit, however. "No," he said, his voice slightly off sounding, "I just purchased a room for the night. Passed up on food and drink when your employer offered," he explained, then added, "I thank you for asking, however."

She smiled, "You're welcome, although you must get something tomorrow before you leave. The food is wonderful here." "So what makes you pass through this little death trip?" she asked him, not wanting to simple end their conversation, plus she had nothing better to do.

"I'll consider it," he responded. If he could have smiled he would have. "Travel," he added simply in response to her question. "I wander where I wish, this way felt like the way to go. I have heard, however, that there is a noble needing a job done to the north. I could fetch a few coins for when I need them if I travel that way," he paused for a moment, then added, "so I was told.

"You travel?" she asked with giddy in her voice. "That sounds amazing! Where do you travel to? I would love to travel, and leave this town." She had no idea about the work, but that sounded like a good idea. Work somewhere and get enough money to leave this town. "I don't know about the work up north, sorry" she said. "I'm Kristy by the way!" she said sweetly.

Shadowed shoulders shrugged at the question. "Anywhere I wish," he said. He himself did not think much of it, but then again, having your soul trapped in a metal body that could not feel tended to take away a lot of happiness and enjoyment from the world.

He nodded again to her admission of lack of facts on his inquiry. Then introduced himself back once she had. "Most call me clock."

"Do you mind telling me about your travels? Where is there to go? Have you seen anything interesting?" she asked away. After asking she realized that she may be bugging this guy. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for all the questions and such. I must be bugging you" she said smiling and starting to get up from where she was siting.

Clock kept quiet. He didn't know how to respond to something like that. It was also late and he half suspected it was an excuse for her to get out of the conversation and be done with her duties. For some reason she did not seem like many of the wenches Clock had come across. He waited until she left, should she leave, to quietly say, "you bothered me not."

As Kristy got up she went over to Rosa and told her she was done before she grabbed her stuff. As she walked up the stairs, she took one last look at Clock, and thought to herself he must be lonely. From what she got he always traveled, and didn't have anyone else. Maybe his way of "escape" was to travel just like hers was to come to the inn. She turned back around and walked up the rest of the stairs to the room she always stayed in; It was like her second home.

Clock watched her leave, slightly curious how she managed to be so sociable. He never understood how some people found it easy. He watched as more and more customers left the inn, leaving for their homes. Clock had a home once. No, that wasn't right. Clock had never had a home. Dain had a home once, that is when he was still a man, a young man, but a man none-the-less. It was before his mother died, and his uncle too. It was before he had fallen off the walkway into...

Vivid memories flooded the mind of the mechanical man and he winced, hitting the table. This drew looks from several nearby patrons, and Clock matched their stares with his own unseen eyes. They knew nothing. The charade compelled him to finally leave his corner and head to the room he had been assigned. For being so heavy, although he did not appear to be one bit, his footsteps fell surprisingly light on the floorboards. Only the creaks whispered of his movement.

He found the room, it was was just before the last one at the end of the hallway. The key fit the lock and he entered with a twist of the key and then the knob. He never slept. He tried, for hours, but it never came. In the end, he spent the last few hours of night teaching himself other languages of the world. This is how his night went.

As Kristy closed her door, she threw her bag down and laid on her bed. She closed her eyes for a bit and when she opened them, she didn't know how much time passed. She opened her bag and grabbed her notebook. She also enjoyed writing down her thoughts. It always took her away from the world she lived in, the world she wanted so much to escape from. As her eyes got tired, she put her stuff on the nearby table and as she fell asleep for the night.

The next morning when she woke up, the last thing she wanted to do was get out of her bed and go home. She dragged herself out of bed and threw her hair up, changed her cloths. She wasn't sure how long she was planning on staying here so she left her stuff in the room as she went down for breakfast. She grabbed a pastries, and some wine and sat in the back of the room. Usually, she didn't drink in the morning, but since she knew where everything was in the inn and after yesterday, she really needed it, plus it would wake up her up. She wasn't much of an morning person and right now she didn't feel like being bothered this morning.

((Sorry, got sick and was on the couch all week. I hate the flu! Anyways, back now, here's my reply!))

When Clock thought it had been long enough, and he return from wherever his mind had wandered, the mechanical man left his room. He usually judged the time of night by the commotion that went on elsewhere in the building. If doors to nearby rooms were opening and closing, it was usually around time for sleep or to wake up.

A few doors had signaled the morning, and Kristy's had been the last signal needed for the once-man to get up. Still in his heavy garments, he walked down the steps, his padded leather boots preventing his metal feet from clicking and clacking on the wooden floors.

Kristy, put her head on the table. She was just tired. Tired of everything. After a minute or two she sat up and took a drink. She looked around and saw Clock. Now that she thought about it, that was a weird name. She wasn't in the mood to make nice. She didn't wonder what his story was though. He was kind of mysterious.

The construct made a bee line towards the bartender. "Hail, friend," he greeted, getting his attention. The man gave him a look, it was strange being approached by such a shady figure as Clock.

Despite this fact, the man greeted him back. "Hail. What can I do for you?"

"What do you know about the noble around these parts," he inquired. "I seek employment for his coin."

The response was silence, from both the bartender and the surrounding men. Whispers started, and spread through the room as no voice rose beyond a hushed tone. It was as if everyone had some thing to say, but none knew what they should say. "He has a great deal of coin," the man said finally, giving as little detail as possible. "What employment do you seek?"

Now Clock was intrigued. Nobles usually had money, which was why they were nobles. "Any sort of work," he replied, not sure why it mattered. "I am not picky." Wrong response. Almost inaudible murmurs spread around the room again. He's another one of them. I knew he was a shady one. He's going to kill another one. The noble is hiring another. A man behind clock shifted, and nodded to two burly men across the room, who got up and slowly approached clock.

"Is there a problem?" asked the hooded figure.

"Yeah," came a deep voice from behind him. It was one of burly men. "We've had enough of your kind through these parts."

Kristy watched as Clock asked the bartender some questions. She couldn't understand why people got silent and were whispering. That's when she saw Pete go up to him. Pete was someone you stayed away from, unless you were in his little group or if he had a thing for you. Pete always liked causing troubling. She wasn't in the mood to deal with any of this, but Clock didn't know any better. It wasn't really his fault, so she took one more sip of her wine and walked over to them.

She placed her hand on Pete saying, "Is everything okay, hun? I see you met my friend. He's just passing through. He needs some money to make it over to the next couple towns over. I offered him some money, but he wouldn't take it from me. Said it was wrong to take from a lady. I told him not to worry about it since we have known each other for as long as I can remember."

Before Pete could say anything Kristy linked arms with him, "I'm guessing you wouldn't accept money from a lady either, since your a gentleman and all." She gave him a small Kiss on the cheek. "Anyways, I'm sorry for the trouble, it's on me darling. Please forgive me" she told him.

"Yeah, fine Kristy. Just tell him the rules around here" he said back but looking at Clock giving him a dirty look. "I will" she replied giving him one last Kiss on the cheek. She then went over to Clock and told him to follow her. If he was smart he would.

Before Clock could turn to follow the girl the skinnier man shook his head. "Actually," corrected Pete, "I've had enough of the Noble's thugs running through here. It's time we discourage any others from following." There was a murmur of agreement, but the only movement came from the second large man, who walked to Clock's left to flank him.

Then Clock looked up. Not like he had before when the hood covered his entire face. Now the rag that covered the lower half of his face was visible, but that was not all. Just below the rim of the hood shown the blue from his eyes. Someone gasped at the sight. "I want no trouble, I assure you this."

"Liar!" Roared Pete, threatened by the display of Clock's eyes. Then he swung his massive fist into the side of the hooded figure's head, who failed to dodge it in time.

Clock hit the ground hard, skidding a few inches too. To the disbelief of the onlookers, Clock got up as if he hadn't even been hurt. Another roar came from Pete as he charged the man. Foot and handwork are what saved Clock this time. He stepped slightly to the side, right where Pete's hooked arm was posed to strike. Instead if dodging all together, Clock simply but his left arm up to block the strike.

This took seconds and then Pete was in top of him. As the strike came down, Clock countered with a strike to the jaw with his other gloved hand, putting his arm and shoulder into it, his body turning slightly with the punch. This send Pete staggering back, very surprised.

It was only a short time until the other large man came up, proving a more worthy adversary. Clock could only block about half the powerful, yet swift, blows the man landed. A final kick sent him staggering backwards towards the door. He could have turned to run, but now he was angry. Although try had not physically hurt him much, they truly upset him. The truth was, however, the garments were holding him back. He had to lose them in order to win.

There was now twenty feet between he and his opponent, who had backed up after thinking he defeated the man, his hand bleeding from the strikes. He had been hittin metal after all. As Clock walked slowly towards the man. First he untied his cloak, letting it fall to the ground, revealing his rag covered face and shining blue eyes that blocked it the exposed areas of his head. Then he dropped his coat. Then, slowly, with half the distance closed, he unwrapped his head. Terror struck several of the customers as the clockwork was revealed. His head resembled that of a human, but it's large eyes shown blue, but slowly changed to red as he got closer. It also bore no skin, only metal. It had no nose, ears, mouth, or hair.

Clock did not stop there. Off came the leather gloves, the too falling to the floor. Under them were metal hands with cubist fingers. Gears spun as his fingers wiggled freely. He was five feet away now. Walking even slower now, he undid the long sleeve shirt he had, dropping it to the ground. In the back a lady fainted, and so did a man. A full fledge clockwork stood before them, now only a foot away from the large man, looking up at him. Gears spun under an iron rib age and some may think they heard a slight tickin noise.

The large man stood his ground, but inside he was horrified at the sight. Quickly that horror came to anger and misunderstanding. He grabbed a mug off of the table and swung it at the construct's head. Then chaos broke loose.

((Okay there was a bit of action, I didn't post what I wanted to exactly because I'm on my iPod. Anyways, thought I should let your character react rq. I will probably finish the fight next post unless otherwise inferred in yours!))

Kristy started walking, and then she heard Pete. She really thought she fixed this thing. Clock was going to be on his own, because she couldn't fight at all. She turned around right as Pete hit Clock. She gasped when he hit the floor. He quickly got back up and she was glad for that.

The next thing she knew Pete was on top of him and moments after he went flying. She couldn't believe Clock was that strong. Either that or he caught Pete off guard. She didn't know what to do. She just couldn't stand there, but she was nothing against these men.

She missed the rest of the fight. She was off in her own world. She walked over by the fire pit that was a few feet away from them. She could help Clock, and use her powers, but then everyone would know her secret, or she could just walk away from this. It really wasn't her business after all. She looked back over and her mouth dropped.

"Holy cow!" she said, but only loud enough for her ears and the few people inches away from her. Clock was well a clock. Okay well mostly gears, but clocks had gears right? She was stun. That was his secret, why he was always traveling, never seeming to have anyone but him. She understood, she had no one either.

She wondered if Clock would want help anyways. She didn't know, but she wasn't the type of person to let someone get hurt.

She figured she would try it the easy way first. "STOP!" she screamed. Everyone looked at her, but Petes friend and Clock looked back at each other a few seconds after. The room was still quite so she said, "I mean it! Stop it this minute!" The man just laughed at her, knowing she couldn't do anything. Well he was wrong, very wrong.

She hoped Clock was worth this because if not, she was going to be mad. She stood on a chair so she was above everyone and she waved her hands. Kristy made fire come out of the fire pit and around some of the room; the fire was mostly in the air so no one would get hurt.

"Am I funny now?" she asked the guy. "Now leave us alone before I drop this fire on you. Do you understand?" she said in a sharp tone. Everyone in the room was shocked, and no one said a word. She was paying attention to Clock and the man so she she didn't see Pete.

The next thing she knew she was on the ground with Pete on top of her and the fire was back in the fire pit. "Nice trick, Kristy. So you're one of them too?" he asked her. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?" she replied. "One as in not human" he said. "I am human, you idiot. Look at me!" she said to him. She looked at Clock and the man was coming after him now. I guess my plan didn't work she thought to herself.

Clock brought his hand up and into the bottle, breaking it before it reached his head, and showing no pain from his hand. The man was surprised, he could see it in his eyes, but then the room was almost filled with fire, and he looked almost afraid. Clock was not afraid of the fire, it could hardly hurt him, but he was curious where it came from. He saw Kristy and it all made sense. She was taken down quickly but it gave Clock the opportunity he needed. His right hand jabbed the large man in the stomach, then his left hooked into his ribs right after. He staggered back and drew his dagger.

"Let's not play with weapons," Clock said, his voice almost condescending. This did not deter the man, and he rushed the clockwork. The first strike was aimed at his shoulder, and Clock quickly blocked this, then shoved him aside. "I don't kill civilians," he stated.

"If you work for the Noble you do!" Called someone from behind Clock as they whacked him with a walking stick.

"If you insist." The words were cold and hollow, and a threat above all. The large man rushed at him again but Clock suddenly had weapons of his own. In quick motions his left and right hands spun back into his arm as a knife and saw blade spun out opposite to them. The knife replaced his left hand, and the saw blade his right. He parried the dagger thrust and swept at the man with the now spinning saw blade. He mostly missed, the clothing he wore was torn.

A walking stick hit him from behind again, so Clock spun around. It came down again, but the saw blade spun up into it, ripping it out of the man's hands. The blade in his left hand plunged into the un named assailant. He spun back to the large man and attacked furiously. All the large man could do is pick up item after item to defend himself. When that ran out he grabbed a spear that rested on the wall and jabbed at Clock.

The spear's end hit Clock's metal rib cage, bouncing off as if nothing happened. That is when, when a slash of each blade across the chest, Clock killed the big man. He gasped for air, blood soaking his garments, and fell over.

"Let her go," he demanded, talking directly to Pete, "or you will be the third unnecessary death." Pete slowly climbed off the girl as the skinny man who had motioned for them in the first place started clapping.

"You sir, are a monster," the skinny man said.

"I am only what people make me," responded Clock, who's left hand had returned to normal and was now being offered down to help Kristy up.

"Then people have made you a monster," he said. "The town guards are already on their way, I suggest you leave." Pete began to say something, but the skinny man cut him off. "Pete, he just killed two of the customers here. Would you like this demon to wipe out the entire town?"

"No..." Pete mumbled, glaring at the girl and the construct.

Looking to Kristy, Clock's eyes were now blue again. "I suggest we leave," he said.

Kristy couldn't believe her eyes. Clock just killed two people like it was nothing. Maybe he was trouble. She was going to be mad if he left her.

She looked at Pete, when Clock came over and offered her his hand. "Are you going to get off me now?" she asked Pete. He quickly got off Kristy but never took his off Clock. "Yeah I think we should" Kristy said taking his hand to help her up.

She then looked around and noticed that everyone was freaking out. She never seen so much panic before. She looked at Clock, "I have to go get my things. Would you like to wait here or do you want to come with me? It'll only take a minute" she said while walking up the stairs.