Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » As Luck Would Have It (1x1)

It was dark outside, and only a small area was lit by the light of a campfire. Even then, it was dim due to the miniscule size of the flame. Nearby was a makeshift tent consisting of tree branches protruding from the ground, creating an almost cube-like frame with the wood. Atop the frame was a thin blanket. Inside the little tent was a bed of leaves and moss, and truth be told, even the 'bed' looked to be in better shape than the blanket.

Not a soul was nearby, however. At least not within that small area. A bit of a distance away, submerged in darkness aside for the moonlight that helped to light up the woods, a young girl wandered about collecting firewood. Every now and again, she'd deposit the firewood at her feet and pluck any nearby berries she may find hiding within the blackness of night, and without wiping them off, she would eat them before picking up her firewood and returning to the campfire. After that, she left to repeat the process.

It was dark outside, and only a small area was lit by the light of a campfire. Even then, it was dim due to the miniscule size of the flame. Nearby was a makeshift tent consisting of tree branches protruding from the ground, creating an almost cube-like frame with the wood. Atop the frame was a thin blanket. Inside the little tent was a bed of leaves and moss, and truth be told, even the 'bed' looked to be in better shape than the blanket.

Not a soul was nearby, however. At least not within that small area. A bit of a distance away, submerged in darkness aside for the moonlight that helped to light up the woods, a young girl wandered about collecting firewood. Every now and again, she'd deposit the firewood at her feet and pluck any nearby berries she may find hiding within the blackness of night, and without wiping them off, she would eat them before picking up her firewood and returning to the campfire. After that, she left to repeat the process.

Capell wasn't too far away. He was sneaking around through the dark, trying to lose some guards. They were probably gone by now, but he wasn't going to just let it go at that. He wanted to make sure there was distance between them. He paused, rubbing at his chest a moment. Sheesh. It was weird being active while you were dead.

The camp might have been nearby, so the light of the fire could possibly be in viewing range, even if the fire itself was not. It was located in the smallest of clearings, possibly big enough for that miniscule tent, the campfire, and maybe a little room surrounding the campfire. She had to make sure it didn't get too big, all while attempting to keep it going. It was frustrating, but eventually she realized that she would have to just let the fire die out if she wanted any sleep tonight. Getting up periodically during her sleep to get the fire going again would cause her to lose hours, and she'd be exhausted in the morning. Her cloak kept her warm most of the time, the fire was mostly for comfort and extra warmth. She eventually began walking her way back.

Because of the thick cloak, and because of the firelight up ahead, Evelyn appeared to be a silhouette with excessively broad shoulders and no form all the way until the ground is reached. This was something Capell could see, if he was looking the right way.

(Sorry, was busy. Now I can respond! Super sorry!)

Capell caught sight of light, and it could only be fire at this point. That alone was nearly enough to make him bolt in the other direction. But fire meant other people. And other people meant possible allies, and a way to find the next town. He crept along, crouching in the shadows as he came upon the little camp. When a silhouette started approaching, Capell kept very still. Certainly wanted to see if they were friendly or not.

He wasn't sure his plan was such a good idea. But hey, it was worth checking out!

(No worries! I totally understand.)

Evelyn deposited the load of wood she carried a few feet away from the fire. She was going to feed it slowly, rather than dumping it all in the flames. She was always listening to nature. The noises it made often gave way to things to come, and the way nature responded to the presence of another let her know something was nearby. Some crickets had moved away, simply to avoid getting stepped on. Rabbits fled, birds grew quiet, and Evelyn noticed.

She took a deep breath. If someone really was there, and they came to persecute her, she likely was going to get caught here soon. She didn't even consider it could be someone harmlessly walking through. She plucked her athame from her belt and brought it to her palm, pricking just a little bit and attempting to be discreet. She let the blood fall to the ground before she kneaded it into the dirt, meditating on it in an almost hurried manner. While her hands were stuck in dirt, she feigned a sneeze and brought those hands to her face, quickly rubbing the dirt on her cheeks. From there, she stood up and walked away from the fire, her form seeming to almost flicker out of sight. When she'd move, it could be seen as a slow blur that very faintly gave way to her image, but as she stood still she melded into the environment almost too well.

Her hand hurt. For now she listened, waiting for nature to return to its normal state of serenity before she, too, would return to her own devices. She was far too paranoid. Unfortunately, she had left her athame by the fire. Spotting it, she grew unhappy and worried. For those who were interested in persecution, they would very well know what that ritual knife was for.

Capell was a thief, not a magic-man. He watched, surprised and confused when she suddenly flickered out of sight. That was weird. Had it been a ghost? But no, there lay the knife! Curious, of course, he crept out. Aha, something new to snatch up and add to his collection! He was cautious for a moment, but then he crept over and picked it up carefully. "Now, what've we got here?" he murmured to himself, turning it over in his hand carefully.

Evelyn grew very defensive. That was the only thing she had left of her coven and here he was, tampering with it! Gah! Just leave! she thought to herself. And about the time she concluded the thought, he picked up the athame. Without thinking, and without much warning, she spoke.

"Put it down!" she called from her spot, not moving except for small shifts, which would allow a blurry, almost watery version of her to be seen before it slipped back into decent camouflage. "It's not even very sharp. Not worth a thing unless you want to get murdered. Not by me, either. Put it down. Please." She didn't sound mean per say, but she did sound desperate. No touchy!

Capell nearly jumped when he heard a voice out of nowhere. "Cripes!" He stared at her for a moment, then smirked. "Oh really? Well...if it's that boring, guess I can just toss it into the lake or something, huh?" He fiddled with it a moment. It obviously meant something to this strange person. Maybe they could...strike a deal.

"Or, if you want it that bad, I guess I could give it back to you. Well...for a price, that is."

Evelyn wiped the mud from her face and she was visible again. Her face was dirty, but she was visible. She couldn't be older than fifteen years old, but there was something about the way she held herself that seemed to scream that she was a little too wise for her age. Not terribly so, but enough. Maybe she just matured quickly? "D-don't throw it!" she cried, reaching her hand out as if it would bring the thing back to her before he could do something rash.

When he mentioned giving it back for a price, she grew uneasy and frustrated. She hugged her cloak tighter around her body. "What would that be? Can't I just have it back?" she questioned.

Capell was...surprised. It was a kid! He sighed and rolled his eyes. She wouldn't have any money. Especially with mud on her face like that. "Do you know where the nearest town is?" He was going to ask for money, but having a traveling buddy might work just as well to keep the guards off his tail. Maybe he could clean up a little and sneak around as someone else with her for a bit.

Of course, that was the price he was going to ask for her to get her knife back. But he wasn't going to tell her that just yet.

Evelyn did have money, actually! Before she fled from her home, when she was adventuring with her friends April and Evrain, she took money from her room and requested some from her father so that they may have plenty to work with on their travels. Of course that was before he went cuckoo and ordered every woman to her death out of paranoia, or whatever it was, of witches.

"Yes, it's that way," she answered briskly, pointing to the town in question (well, its direction at least). "Now give it to me. Please."

Capell shook his head, hiding the dagger behind his back. "Uh-uh, you gotta go there with me. Once we get there, then I'll let ya have your precious dagger back, okay?" He smirked. "What do you think?" Well, she probably figured she could steal it from him while he was sleeping. Too bad he didn't sleep. But of course, she didn't know that! And because of the darkness and the fire, it wasn't really noticable, his grayish skin. Which worked well to his advantage, at least. Sneaky thief was, of course, sneaky.

Evelyn grew insanely nervous. "Is this a trap? What's going on in that town...? Are there searches? I didn't do anything, alright? I don't even know anyone there so don't listen to what they said, whoever they are. I can't hex anybody!" Oh. So she's afraid he's trying to trick her into coming back to town so she could be burned or drowned or something. Thaaat would explain the nervousness, now, wouldn't it?

Still, she expected he had company either way, so there wasn't much she could do. If the time came, she could run and jump away (yay boots!). Slightly comforted yet still uneasy, the girl got up and snuffed the already small flames. "Please, let's hurry."

Paranoia was a terribly strong thing.

Capell gave her an odd look. "...how'm I supposed to know what's going on in town? I don't even know where it is! That's why you're gonna come with me." He rolled his eyes. Sheesh, women are so paranoid. He looked at her carefully. "Yeah, we'll hurry." He nodded and let her lead the way, since he didn't really know where he was going. He made sure the dagger was tucked away on him. He wasn't about to let her have it and run off and leave him lost!

"I'm Capell, by the way."

Evelyn didn't rightly believe him, but there wasn't much she could do about it now. Her athame was in his hands and it'd be much, much harder for her to perform many of the spells she knew without it. When he introduced himself, she didn't bow or curtsy like she normally would, but instead merely nodded.

"I'm Eve--" she cut herself off. Maybe she should just shorten her name? If she would've thought first she could have made one up and lied completely, but now that she went and blabbed, she'd just have to shorten it. "Eve."

To be fair, she didn't quite know if he was from a kingdom that knew of her and her family, which multitudes did considering who exactly they were. Abandoning that, though, she didn't want any trouble or recognition. Word might travel back and her location could be known. She may be sought. So it was safer this way!

Evelyn proved to be a quiet companion through this trip, mostly because she was nervous and really wanted her ritual knife back. It would take a while to get there though, and it was already dark so she was quick to get tired. It was very obvious.

Capell nodded. "Nice to meetcha, Eve." He smirked a little. "Though I guess it's not so nice to meet me, huh?" He winked a little, then chuckled. They walked along, and he would occupy himself...somehow. He hated the awkward silence, he was a talker. When he wasn't stealing things, of course. But when he noticed she started getting tired, he slowed down. "Want to stop for the night? Get some rest, and we can continue tomorrow? I'm not in too terrible a hurry." With her around, it was less likely for his pursuers to actually find him!

Evelyn didn't really know how to respond, so she simply shrugged her shoulders. She didn't enjoy being mean or unpleasant, but she was upset about the knife and likely would be until she got it back. When he asked if she wished to stop, she nodded.

"I was preparing for bed when you appeared, so I'm fairly tired. Please," she replied. She didn't bother to set up camp as she had last time, simply wrapping herself up in the cloak she wore and laid against the trunk of a tree. Even her feet were ensnared by the fluffy fabric. If he could sense anything magical, atop of her own subtle abilities, she wore several items that were composed purely of the essence.

Evelyn knew she wasn't a very good pickpocket, so she most likely wouldn't attempt to steal the athame back unless she woke up later on (which she did) and he was sleeping. Or laying. If he was laying, she'd assume he was asleep and would make her attempt.

Capell wasn't going to give her any chance to take it back. So even though he didn't sleep, he didn't make it look like he was asleep. He sat with his back against a tree trunk, staring up at the sky through the branches and leaves. He wasn't so sure about this now. When he had time to think, he wasn't really sure of anything. But dragging a kid around for his own gain? Man, that's low even for a thief! What is she doing, anyways? She WAS just a kid. Where were her parents? Was she traveling to them? If so, they'd get worried if they found her gone too long.

Capell thought carefully over this, wondering if he might be able to get to the village without her and let her be on her way. But what if she didn't have parents? What if she was an orphan? After all, she was a witch, apparently. Or something along those lines. She was easily freaked out, and rather paranoid. Maybe having him around would be good for her. He couldn't help but smirk at this thought. Having a thief around would be good for her? Hah! That was a good one. And she didn't even know he was undead yet!

In these days, fifteen wasn't too awfully young. Still incredibly youthful, but marriage was involved. Childbirth. Of course, Evelyn was not at all ready for anything of that nature, and even still she was significantly more mature than many her age.

As for the concern of his centered around him being a thief, there wasn't much to worry about. Evelyn, even while she lived in the castle with her father, had been included in that lifestyle as well. It was more for fun, since the hoity-toity events of the nobles bored her, it was always interesting to see what would happen when they discovered something of value was missing. By the looks of it, Evelyn was gone for a while. Her skin had been increasingly pale due to the lack of moving about during daylight hours and staying within her cloak consistently, and she was also dirty. Her clothes, hair, and skin were all dirty aside for her cloak, gloves, and even boots. Somehow, they never seemed to get more than a little dust on them.

During the night, she'd wake up from being too uncomfortable, and would glance over at him to see if he was asleep. Curious, she thought, that he never laid down to do so, but she did nothing about it and instead slept through. When daylight came, she still slept.