Not the only one under a spell...

[Athaiyel]

(This is just a continuation of my character’s entrance to the Deep Woods. I wanted to continue it because I didn’t want Empyrean’s problems hanging in the air. The entrance post is here viewtopic.php?f=6&t=28757 . But to make it quicker here’s a review.
Empyrean had the spirit of a unicorn living in her and she became magical because of that. A bitter wizard who was under a curse was in need of special unicorn magic to lift his curse and when Empyrean didn’t cooperate the way he imagined, he became angry and turned her into a unicorn. He planned on making a deal with her; if she would help him with his enchantment he would undue hers. Empyrean didn’t trust him and she figured she could find another wizard or magical being where they were going anyway. So she stepped through the portal he opened to get to his planet and ran away from the wizard Demyx, who changed himself into a monster to pursue her. She ran practically all night and she finally collapsed from exhaustion. Just as Demyx towered over her thinking of ways to get her back to his lair, an unliving creature appeared. Wanting to have some fun with the wizard, Dalsh Delash summoned a reptilian zombie to fight Demyx. While Demyx was fighting that thing, Dalsh and his pet flier carried Empyrean away. Dalsh sensed Aequian the unicorn ghost within Empyrean and prompted him to come and show himself. Fearful for Empyrean’s safety, Aequian did so. The two had a pleasant little conversation about the pure phantom selling his soul to Dalsh to save Empyrean’s life. It was a deal and in return Dalsh tried to change Empyrean back when she awoke. Instead of changing her back to human, she became a uni-kangaroo. Basically that’s where we left off. )


Before she heard Dalsh’s reply, Empyrean felt that familiar shape-shifting ripple over her skin. The sensation grew stronger seemingly traveling into her bones. This time however, it was accompanied by a sharp stabbing sensation throughout her body. The horned kangaroo yelped in pain dropping the bowl. She hunched over in agony as the potion settled amongst broken pieces of glass eventually soaking into the soil. Empyrean could see the blue smoky rings encircling around her arms again. The powerful spell Demyx had cast over her wasn’t approving that she wasn’t in a unicorn form; her altered body was rejecting the brew Dalsh had originally created to revert her back to human. Her marsupial wrists were elongating and her claws became unicorn hooves again. The magic gave her neck the swan-like curve and then her tail started to thin out and silky fur grew along it.

Finally after what seemed like an hour to Empyrean when it was only half a minute the transformation was over. The unicorn lay quivering in the carcasses of dead leaves and soil. She could feel her throat tighten as she lost hope in ever being human again. She pushed herself up to all fours and looked over at the emaciated unliving with tears in her eyes.

“I need some time alone. Thank you for trying Dalsh. Take care.” She said softly.

Empyrean shakily trotted out into the last blizzard of the season. She didn’t know where she was going and she didn’t care. Tears continued falling down her furry cheeks like miniature rivers. She was one of the most beautiful and magical creatures in the world as well as immortal and yet she didn’t want any of that. Empyrean yearned to be with her parents and singing along with her father to 80’s music and making a mess in the kitchen baking fudge with her mother. She missed having her room-mate, Kelsey beating her with pillows when the alarm failed to wake Empyrean up. She missed riding horses with her friends out in emerald fields. Right now Empyrean missed everything back on Earth, even homework and working at Taco Bell.
The unicorn’s spindly legs sunk into the glittering white blanket that covered the forest floor. The flurries of snow fell amongst the great trees and coated her eyelashes as she continued walking with her head down. Despite all of the snow, Empyrean’s luxurious fur kept her surprisingly warm until that gust of winter wind blew through the trees. Then she shivered a little as it ruffled her fur. Her wandering hooves soon led her to a tiny frostbitten meadow. Under all of the accumulating snow, its dead grass was covered by a thin sheet of ice. Empyrean started down a sloping incline, not really caring where she went at the moment. She just had an urge to wander.

Then the college student thought she heard something over the howl of the storm. She lifted her head and peered through the curtain of falling snow. Empyrean saw what looked to be a bipedal form in the distance and instinctively reared thinking that Demyx had found her. Suddenly her back hooves slipped out from under her and she fell onto a large patch of ice. As she fell onto her rump she saw what looked like horns on the figure and a long tail swishing behind it. Some other hazy blob branched away from it but as she drew closer, she saw it was much smaller and closer than she thought. Empyrean scraped her feet against the ice trying to get back up but instead she continued slipping down the hill tail first straight at the figure. The unicorn whinnied frantically and dug her hooves into the ice in an attempt to slow down but it was not happening.

[The_Vizir]

Early spring snowstorm. Fantastic... Darien growled to himself as he tightened his long, fur-lined jacket even tighter around himself. As ridiculous as it first seemed for a furred humanoid such as himself to be wearing even more fur, Darien would attest that cold was cold, fur or no. And this was cold. Unfortunately, the blizzard had caught him in some deal of unawareness, and though he had the sense to wear his jacket, he was still cursing himself for choosing today to go artifact hunting at the forest's portal-ridden edge. Well, formerly artifact ridden. It seemed that in the years between his departure and return, the portal activity had died down to almost nothing. Meaning, that there was now little chance at finding freebies just hanging in trees or dumped into bushes. Now, the loss of profit was indeed disturbing for Darien, but what was just as disturbing was the loss of the portals. What had happened to change the nature of this forest? Had the portals moved on? Had the nature of this reality solidified somewhat? Or was there something else behind this? The dark-furred kith's muzzle pulled back into a frown. If the portals were no longer as active here as they were in the past, then his hope of finding another remnant of the Mists was all but lost. And since this was his best hope for such a remnant, well... he hated the thought that he'd be back at square zero.

"Emperor's crown, D, ya could nae have better timing, could ye?" The slightly muffled voice from behind him caused Darien's scowl to deepen even further. As if he didn't have enough to worry about without having to deal with Sarah.

"I'm no diviner, Sarah, ya know that!" the taskmage shot over his shoulder as he hunkered even further into his coat "Anyways, we're almost back at the village, I'm thinking, so not much longer"

Sarah snorted disparagingly at her companion's comments "As if you can tell in this weather, D." she sighed and shook her head "Well, at least nothin' crazy's happened to us today, right?"

Darien stopped dead in his tracks, and spun to face Sarah, fear in his eyes "You did not just-" but a frightened whinny which broke through the snow and wind caused both kith to spin around

"What o' the nine he-" Sarah began to ask, but was pushed by Darien

"Don't ask! Run!" he shouted, and began running ahead. Only problem was that Sarah began running in the opposite direction. "Sarah!" Darien yelled, and spun around after her. Dammit... now was not the time to be splitting up! What would happen if one of them was caught by whatever was out-

That was the last thought that went through Darien's mind before being slammed into by a madly skidding unicorn. The first thought that went through Darien's mind after being slammed into by a madly skidding uniform happened to be 'ow, my spleen', but as that was a given, it shall be glossed over here. Instead, we shall focus on how Darien and his unknown, reluctant assailant, continued skidding across the frozen meadow, and how Sarah, who had realized that she had gone and split herself up from her glass cannon, and in spinning around to find him, had caught him being rammed into by what appeared to a blue unicorn attempting to qualify for a downhill skiing championship, was now running after her unfortunate companion, yelling out "I'll save ya, D!" while attempting to think out exactly how

[Athaiyel]

Since clambering back up the icy hill wasn’t working, Empyrean tried another method. She managed to turn herself around to where she was facing forward with her hocks scraping against the snow and her front hooves gouging into the ice. She looked ahead looming creatures and could see that they were splitting up in opposite directions. She allowed herself to feel more at ease and hoped it wouldn’t be a bad wreck until one of changed its mind and decided to follow after the smaller one.

“Look out!” Empyrean shouted just before she collided into the critter.

She felt it smack against her chest between her splayed hooves and suddenly she was reminded of the ice skating scene between Bambi and Thumper. Except this was no bunny rabbit. As they slid across the ice, she looked down at it to see a fluffy draconic-looking beast wearing a fur coat. The four foot being slowed her but not enough to save them from a wreck.

The unicorn and her unintentional hitch-hiker crashed into a deep snowbank spraying snow everywhere. Empyrean struggled back onto her hooves shaking her head and blowing snow out of her deer-like nose. The enchanted unicorn lowered her head searching for the creature she had hammered into wondering if it was alright.

Those who laid their eyes on some species of ancient unicorns, such as caelestias, were often overcome with joy at the beauty and magic of the creature. Often there was another feeling though. When some less virtuous of heart saw a unicorn, they would have a strong desire to always keep the unicorn in their sight. This was why there were so many hunts after unicorns. People heard of the magical properties of the unicorn horn and so they would hunt with the intent to kill and take the horn, carbuncle stone, hide, hooves, etc. Very rarely was one captured but when it was the poor beast was usually kept in captivity. But if a hunter was about to murder a unicorn, or if danger was present whether the unicorn knew the peril or not then it had a self-preservation charm. The unicorn’s magic would sense the danger and make the unicorn appear even more beautiful and innocent towards a predator or human. Animals were usually subdued at the sight. A hunter would hesitate and instead feel the need to keep the unicorn alive for themselves.

Not all the time did this work such as the case with the unicorn Demyx murdered. Sometimes this rare old magic worked, and sometimes it didn’t. Empyrean had no knowledge of this ability yet but it could possibly help her still. Sometimes a person would have an urge to help a unicorn in need as well.

Catching sight of the other horned creature in her 310 degree vision, Empyrean slowly backed away towards a nearby tree. Had she heard it speak earlier?

“Ah…I...I’m sorry, it was an accident! I couldn’t stop.” She said to the approaching fluffy dragon-like creature.

[The_Vizir]

Darien, suffice to say, wasn't doing much thinking after being rammed into by the cervine unicorn, and what few thoughts were flying through his head were frantic half-hearted prayers to the Emperor. Not that the dark mage was exactly in Cael's good books, but habits were habits, after all, even if they were ingrained through a frustrating decade of schooling at an institution run by Caelean ministers. However, after several seconds of frantic skidding, which seemed like hours to the comically pancaked sythen, his prayers were answered as the unicorn careened into a snow pile, launching him from her chest, in an arc through the air, before he landed deeper in the pile with a muffled "OOPH!"

Sarah, who had been racing after the unicorn speed skater, saw the collision, and realized she herself would soon be joining in that mess if she didn't slow down, and began slowing down her pace... until she herself fell on her face, and skidded along the ice like a curling stone, slowing down as her rather unarodynamic form scrapped along. Eventually, Sarah bumped into the back leg of the unicorn, a rather perturbed glower on her face and ears flattened dangerously against her head as she realized how stupid she looked skating across the ice in an unceremonious heap. The unicorn backed away from the snow pile and pressed herself towards the trees of the forest, obviously ready to skirt into the woods at the first sign of trouble despite her profuse apologies.

Sarah growled and pulled herself to her feet, brushing off her own coat and rustling her wings slightly to clear them of snow "I'm thinkin' that's why ye'd not try ta go racin down tha' hill in this kind o' weather there, lass..." the paladin spoke with a great deal of annoyance in her voice, thus answering Empyrians earlier internal question as to these being spoking. Not only did they speak, but with highly accented voices which sounded rather Scottish at first brush, but not quite. Once satisfied that she herself was looking rather presentable, the veiled knight looked up at the unicorn, ready to continue her minor rant in an attempt to restore her dignity, despite knowing very well the reputation of the dark powers held by the unicorns of the Darkwoods Forest. However, upon casting her full gaze on the unicorn, her body locked, and her scowling mouth twisted into a look of awe, before stumbling back in pain and grasping the sides of her head.

"ACK!" . Sarah shook her head several times to shake her head clear of the ringing pain, before it finally died down to an annoying buzz. "What the..." the paladin swung her head from side to side, trying to catch sight of something out in the blizzard. That was the sign of an attempted mental assault, and a rather powerful one at that... Sarah's hand wrapped around the broadsword strapped to her back, and drew it in one fluid, practised motion, turning in a slow circle in case anything attacked, before her gaze settled back on the unicorn. Either what was out there was invisible, or the attempted mental alteration came from the stuttering fey before her. Sarah raised her sword towards the blue pelted unicorn threateningly "Ye'd better stop that mental screwing yer pullin' here, unless yer wantin to - Angels and saints!" Sarah's blind gaze focused on her hand, eyebrows shooting up into her mane "Why's that happenin'?"

An intricate pattern of softly glowing runes had flared to life across Sarah's fur, rather obvious to anyone staring at her in the blizzard due to the soft cyan light emitting from them. Now, this was not unnatural for kithkin, as the runes were a natural byproduct of magic interacting with the magic-absorbing etherium in their bodies, but it could be suppressed with relatively little focus and training, and was something most syth pouchlings learned before their fifth hatchday. So, the fact that something was causing her to loose control of her runes now was... disturbing to say the least. However, it was likely much more disturbing to those unfamiliar with syth, as all they would have seen was Sarah stepping back, clutching her head, and then having her hands, exposed feet, tail, wings, neck and ears suddenly covered with glowing runes. Unexpected, to say the least.

While all this was going on, Darien was slowly regaining his focus and composure, before groaning softly and sitting up, rubbing his eyes. That was a painful and unusual experience, he thought to himself, as he grasped around for his glasses, squinting to make out shapes in the snowstorm without them. However, Sarah's voice caused his ears to perk up, and he looked in the direction of the noise "Okay... Sarah, what in the nine hells be goin' on here?"

[Athaiyel]

Empyrean was tickled by the creature’s enunciation and it reminded her of a somewhat Scottish accent. To see such a cute little furry thing speak like that was just so… adorable. Despite the fact she was going to have a bruised hind leg, Empyrean almost giggled especially upon seeing it was wearing a fur coat. Instead she held in the laughter and snorted as the corners of her muzzle pulled back in a small smile.

“Well it’s not like I purposely fell down that hill. Hooves don’t have the best traction ya know? What are you, some sort of drag…” Empyrean trailed off when she saw the creature put its paws up to her head and appeared to be in pain.

“Oh my god! Are you ok? What’s wrong?” Empyrean said taking a few steps toward the draconic being. She watched it pull a sword from a sheath between its wings. Empyrean’s withers stiffened and she looked around wondering what was going on.

"Ye'd better stop that mental screwing yer pullin' here, unless yer wantin to - Angels and saints! Why's that happenin'?"

Empyrean swiftly backed her butt up against the tree when the sword was pointed at her but she continued to stare down at the four-foot tall creature with her mouth partially opened now. The unicorn stared mesmerized as a soft glow emerged from under the dragon lady’s coat collar and then glowing symbols began developing across her pale fur. Empyrean’s spindly legs flinched ready to run but she couldn’t bring herself to look away and stood watching as snowflakes floated about, making the living furry nightlight appear even more eerie and mystical.

Then Empyrean heard a groan somewhere in a snowbank and only tilted her head slightly towards the bruised fluffy dragonoid while keeping an eye on the radioactive feminine one. Empyrean felt a drop of relief when she saw the other creature pooping out of the snow and appearing to be somewhat alright. Perhaps he could diagnose what was happening.

"Okay... Sarah, what in the nine hells be goin' on here?"

“Yeah what exactly IS going on here? What’s wrong with her?! Why is she acting like this?” Empyrean asked urgently.

(OOC. So is Sarah wearing sunglasses or an actual blindfold around her eyes?)

[The_Vizir]

((Sarah's veil is more like a scarf wrapped over her eyes... she's blind, but the veil allows her to see as if she wasn't))

Darien looked over at the frightened unicorn for a few moments "An' who in the nine hells are y-" the black mage began to ask, before he as well was caught by the unicorn's aura. For a moment, for a brief moment, he saw the unicorn and desired to possess it, control it's power and beauty. But then, just as with Sarah, the kith felt a sharp pain in his head, and with a hissing intake of breath, he slammed his head into his hands. "Hells..." he growled as the pain slowly died down to a dull headache, and he could open his eyes again. "Okay, what was that?"

Sarah's sword dropped as she watched her companion undergo exactly the same reaction as she herself had, for as he recoiled in pain, deep blue runes raced across his fur as well. "Uhh... well, I cannae say I know what happened here, D..." the paladin's voice was cautious and uncertain "But... but ye're glowin' like a pouchling at a street fair..."

"Really?" Darien said with some surprise, and looked down at his hand, the familiar runes glowing despite his attempts at suppression "So I am..." Darien hauled himself to his feet, and looked around "And nothin's yet tae strike us?"

Sarah nodded, eyes warily on the unicorn "Aye..."

"Well then... interestin..." Darien squinted around into the snow before shrugging and digging out a pack of cards "This would be suggestin' a low level magic field all around here, right?" Darien's voice then dropped down to a low murmur and he recited an incantation, then drew a card, causing his glasses to fly out of the snowbank and into his free hand. Slipping the card back into the deck and the glasses back onto his face, Darien blinked a few times as he focused on Sarah "Right, yes, that there is. Yer glowin' as well, would seem, so I'd hazard someone, or something, want's to be screwin' with us usin' an aura or somethin' like that..." Darien repeated the incantation, and drew another card, this time causing his hat to rise up out of the snowbank and place itself upon his head.

"Yer gonna have tae teach me that spell one day, D..." Sarah grumbled as she watched her companion recover his missing supplies from the snowbank without hours of searching.

"Maybe, Sarah, but she does indeed be comin' in handy once in a blue moon..." the mage smirked and began limping over to his companion, cards once again being shuffled in his hand. "Now, since we've not been attacked here while this aura's been up here, I'd be guessin' it was a defencive ability, somethin' tae protect oneself from attackers or enemies..." Darien's voice dropped a third time, and a third card was drawn, causing a cane to rise up out of the snow bank and find it's way to Darien's hand. Grasping it tightly, Darien held it forwards toward the unicorn, causing golden runes to light up along the canes' length "Now, my fair little unicorn, I'd suggest you turn off your protective spell here, 'cause, I'm sorry ta say, she won't be workin' here at all. We're what ye'd call kithkin, and we've got ourselves etherium fer bones... rather handy in situations like this one. So all yer doin' is givin' me and my companion here a rather nasty headache. And she tends to get into downright horrid mood when she had a headache, so I'm not really all that liable for her flyin' off the handle any moment now..." Darien smirked and looked at his companion, before tilting his head slightly in the direction of the unicorn.

"Oh, uhh... right!" Sarah nodded vigorously, before turning to the unicorn "Me... head hurt. Me is getting so angry at head hurt. Me want to crush what make me's head hurt. Me going to use barbarian rage to crush what make head hurt! Me will then spend several rounds smashing everything that moves, before becoming winded and spending the rest of the fight being useless!"

Darien just stared at Sarah, before slamming his face into his hands "FAIL!"

[Athaiyel]

(Awe man, sorry for being late. You can send people to gang up on me and sit on me or throw me in a lake. I got a little caught up in work and other things… sorry about that.)

Empyrean drew in a breath ready to answer his question when the second kithkin began showing the same signs. “Oh no…” she exhaled softly watching the male squeeze his eyes shut and grimacing in pain. Empyrean grew even more worried taking a tiny step towards him and paused not knowing what she should do. Her eyes swept over the line of trees wondering if she should try to find help.

Eventually it looked as if his pain started to evaporate. It was unnerving for her to watch these two creatures in sudden pain with no explanation. The shining runes across their fur were a pretty blue but why did they begin glowing when the creatures were in pain? Nothing here made any sense to Empyrean . She stood like a statue watching the two beings converse with one another and realized they seemed to be nearly as clueless as she was. Yet they didn’t act very panicked at all. Empyrean dropped some tension and watched the darker one summon his lost items to him with what looked like a pack of playing cards. Obviously he knew his way around magic. You wouldn’t have to know Empyrean very well to guess what she was already thinking.

But when they implied that it was of some sort of magical attack or defense, Empyrean grew nervous again wondering if Demyx was somewhere nearby. With one ear alert towards the forest and the other listening to the female call her companion D, she moved closer to the four foot dragonoids until she was halted by D’s staff and his accusation. Since she had been changed into a unicorn, Empyrean’s eyes which use to be blue had gradually changed to purple due to whatever was left of the human becoming suffocated by the unicorn side. Her eyes widened with bewilderment surfacing in them and she sidestepped away from the scepter. Empyrean didn’t understand why they are blaming her for causing their pain.

“Wait, what?” She started to say but then burst into a fit of laughter when the one called Sarah attempted to act like some vicious barbarian. She raised a foreleg up to her chest then struck the frozen ground with it in amusement.

“Hahahha, I’m so sorry, but both are you are just so adorable. You don’t know what a relief on the eyes you are especially compared to the other creature I met earlier. I’m sorry, I don’t know why this is happening to you, but I’m not doing anything. I don’t know how to work any kind of magic. I’m not even from this planet and I’m not a unicorn. I’m under a spell. All I want to do is be back in my original body and go home, I don’t understand what is happening here but I’m not trying to harm anyone. What exactly is happening to you guys? Why were you in pain earlier?”

[The_Vizir]

((Sorry about the massive wait here, Empy! Been swamped with too much to do and too little time over the past month... however, over summer, I should be able to get one post a week! Fingers crossed, eh?))

Darien's ears flattened against his head at the laughter, and he pressed his hand even further into his forehead, a low growl emerging from his throat, which transformed into a massive sigh when he was called adorable. Right, yes... of course. Adorable, him...

Sarah, however, was a little more vocal in her protest. She had been confused by Darien's frustration and was about to ask what she did, but the adorable thing sent her spluttering to defend herself and her dignity "Wha... what? I'm... adorable? I donnae know whereabouts ye come from, lass, but, well... that would be the last word I'd be usin' to describe us two." she huffed and shot a glance over to Darien "Bloody hells, adorable is what ye'd use to describe a puppy, for Cael's sake, not two..." Sarah's rant became a grumble as the unicorn continued on, and she cocked an eyebrow at her companion.

Darien rubbed his eyes and, after meeting Sarah's eyes with a shake of his head, looked up at the unicorn "For someone who claims she donnae know how to be usin' magic, lass," the mage pushed his glasses back up his nose before pulling back his sleeve to reveal the glowing runes along his arm "Ye be doing a mighty fine job here..." Darien smirked darkly... "Which is exactly the answer to that question of yours as ta what's happenin' tae us." Darien dropped his sleeve back to cover his enruned arm "Like I said, we're kith, we've got etherium fer bones, which means our bodies donnae exactly be likin' magic, and, m'good not-a-unicorn, yer trying to magic us. So, right now, our bodies are tryin' tae fight off yer magical infection by givin' us a fever, and when that be happenin', we light up like a church in yule, if'n ye catch m'drift. So, if ye would kindly shut off whatever magic ye be tryin' tae work on us, I could try ta answer yer other questions, right?"

Sarah leaned into Darien "What does she mean she's not a unicorn? She be lookin' like one tae me... with the hooves and the horn and the entire being a horse thing..."

"Lots o' unicorns in this forest here, so fairly easy to brew up a potion to make yerself one, I would think..." Darien shrugged and looked over the self-professed not-unicorn "She knows she's been planeshifted to this bloody forest, so I donnae know... brought here to experiment or after somethin' like that. M'best guess..."

[Athaiyel]

(I have decided that Empyrean’s type of unicorn is to be placed in the bovine family. She’s actually more closely related to cows!!!!!!!! Mooo!!! As well as antelopes and impala. She’s just a prettier and skinnier cow. XD Let’s tie a cowbell around Empy’s neck! Bwahahahhaa! Yeah, I understand. I’ve been pretty busy as well. Thank god for summer!)

Empyrean bit the inside of her lovely bovine cheek to keep herself from laughing and only smiled at the raging blue creature before her. The more the feminine one ranted and raved, the funnier and cuter she became. Empyrean relaxed as did her magic. It sensed she wasn’t in trouble and so her defense of beauty in the face of danger dimmed a little.

Empyrean quickly straightened up and gawked at D’s glowing arm. “I’m doing that? Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! I, I don’t know how to turn it off. Wow, I didn’t even know I was working magic. I’ve only been a unicorn for two nights…” She trailed off realizing that the snow had stopped and the overcast sky was becoming a little lighter as morning approached.

She stood still, petrified by the slivers of the rising sun through streaks of parting clouds. She didn’t hear what the Kith were whispering. All she heard was the echo of Aequian’s words in her mind. The diminishing human woman was aware that she had until Monday night to break the spell else she would remain as a unicorn forever.

“Oh no! It’s Sunday!! I have until tomorrow night to have this curse undone!”

[The_Vizir]

The two kith relaxed visibly as the magic aura faded around them, letting their runes and headaches fade back into nonexistence. Darien adjusted his glasses slightly and sighed in relief, and nodding at Sarah, and looked up at Empyrean "Aye lass, I do believe ye were causin' that. Considerin' tha' I only be seein' tha three of us 'ere, and neither o' us here were channellin' anythin', it would be seemin' tae be the local conclusion." However his eyebrows furled at the bovine unicorn's proclamation that she'd only been a unicorn for two nights. A sidelong glance at Sarah, and he looked back at the unicorn closely "And what exactly are ye, lass, if'n ye not be a uni-" he closed his eyes sighed softly as his question was cut off by the unicorn's panicked exclamation of some arbitrary time limit on a curse. "Lass, yer showing yer limited knowledge of magic here with that. Curses can be broken through a wide variety of means and methods, dependin' on the curse and it's caster, ye know."

Sarah raised her hands in defence "Hey, hey, D! Don't be askin' me to do any cursebreakin' on a unicorn. Fey beasties are real nestie tae deal with, and using divine magic on somethin' which cursed this lass here intae a unicorn would likely have a nestie backlash here."

Darien looked over at Sarah "First time I've heard you refuse tae help someone who be needin' it, Miss Bree-Carey..." the rogue smirked slightly "Not quite th' knightly thing tae do, be it?"

Sarah's ears flattened against her head and she growled at D slightly, before looking up at the unicorn "I don't be meanin' any offence here, lassie, but I donnae have the materials or equipment here tae be helpin' ye from yer curse. I be havin' th' will, but nae th' way."

"Which is why we should be invitin' her to our place to see if we cannae be helpin' her, right Sarah?" he smirked up at the unicorn, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Sarah's face, however, despite her hidden eyes, was rather easy to understand with it's surprise and confusion "Wha- D? When'd- wha-" her face darkened in concern "What th' hells are ye playin' at D?"

Darien looked at his companion in shock "What be I playin' at, Sarah?" he placed a hand over his primary heart "Ye be woundin' my honour, friend!"

Sarah's eyes narrowed and she grunted in suspicion at her companion... Darien was not one to be charitable, and so he undoubtedly up to something here. Something that likely did not have this unicorn's best interests in mind. On the other hand, Darien may be just the one to cure this unicorn of what ever curse was affecting her. So, she'd have to trust him... or at least keep a close eye on him.

Darien let a slight smile turn up the corners of his mouth as Sarah silenced her protests, before turning back to the unicorn. "Well, lass, ye may have stumbled upon the two syth in this forest who might just be able tae be helpin' ye out in yer current predicament!" he smirked and raised his cane to his hat "Pleased tae meet ye. I be D. Darien Lothar, mage, alchemist, artificer-"

"Theif" Sarah snorted.

Darien smirked and tipped his hat "I much be perferin' wealth distribution specialist. And besides, we all do what we must tae survive. And this..." he pointed his cane at his companion "Is Dame Sarah Tyrin Bree-Carey, o' the Knights of Tyrinac, knight o' the Church of the immortal god-emperor, etcetera, etcetera" Sarah rolled her eyes behind her veil and sighed, causing Darien to chuckle "Donnae be mindin' her, lass." Darien spun his cane around and held out an arm, gesturing forward towards the village and his ship "Why donnae ye tell us about yerself, lass, and what be bringing ye to these woods 'ere with yer curse. Let's see if'n we can't be figurin' what be the nature of your curse, eh?"

[Athaiyel]

(OOC. Hey Viz, sorry for being a crappy roleplayer. This summer has just been hectic. )


Empyrean looked down past her muzzle at the two strange creatures before her. She was still getting used to having an extended nose and mouth in her vision and a heavy horn growing from her forehead. A flutter of excitement filled her heart as there was some hope to return to human form again. She only half listened to their slight dispute nearly missing his name.

He said he was a mage, alchemist, and an artificer!! And...thief? I have nothing for him to steal anyway if he were a thief. Unlike that living dead guy he seems to know all about curses and how to break them!! This could be my chance! Empyrean thought as her excitement rose. She turned to Darien with her voice raised to an excited trill.

“So you may be able to help me? Yes! Let’s give it another try!”

Empyrean felt like hugging both of these syth creatures. She wanted to take Darien’s arm and skip through the snow with him if only she had the right anatomy to do that. The unicorn with her long legs practically danced to them her joints quivering in anticipation and tossing her mane out of her increasing violet eyes. Her humanity was slowly slipping from her eyes even as they spoke.

“I’m so blessed to meet both of you, Darien and Sarah. Sarah, that’s a beautiful name by the way. Thank you so much!! I don’t have anything of value on me. I wish I did but I will find some way to repay you both back once I’m human again.”

Empyrean promised completely forgetting that there was much sought after magic in a single strand of hair and a bounty of enchantment in a tiny drop of her silver blood. Unicorn blood could cure disease and enhance one’s beauty as well as delaying old age. Not to mention all the countless of powerful spells that could be woven with a vial of unicorn blood. Empyrean’s mother was a huge fantasy nerd and had told Empyrean all of these stories about unicorns. Her mother being a fantasy author and artist was what nurtured Empyrean’s love for magic and mythical creatures inspiring Empyrean to be an artist. This was also why Empyrean had such a weird name for a human in a mundane land.

“It’s a long story actually. How far is your home from here? Should I start at the beginning?” Empyrean asked as she enthusiastically followed the couple or what she presumed were a couple even though he had only indicated that Sarah was a friend earlier.

[The_Vizir]

Darien's grin grew ever wider as the unicorn accepted his offer "Another try? Lassie, this'll nae be a mere attempt. It'll be a triumph, I be assurin' ye! A huge success! Infact, I'd say it'd be hard for ye tae be overstatin' yer satisfaction with the results... once yer back on two legs an' all, right?" the dark mage winked and elbowed Sarah in the ribs.

Sarah shot an annoyed and suspicious glare back at Darien. This was really out of character for the dark mage. Sarah had been with him for over 2 years now, and he was not one to do things out of the kindness of his heart. He saw a means of gaining something out of this transaction here, but exactly what... well, she couldn't tell, and that was bothering her. Well, that's why she was around. To stop Darien's greed and selfishness from harming others. And preventing others from harming him. Lots of people were quite fond of that particular train of thought, as Darien was most definitely not the easiest person to get along with. Still, Sarah looked up at the giddy unicorn and sighed. Not like she could leave the poor lass hanging like this, could she? Bowing her head slightly at the compliment, she smiled "Thank ye. Was th' name me mam left wi- anyhow, name's rather special tae me, even though it be rather common. At least it ain't nothin' like Donald..." it was the paladin's time to grin, as Darien scowled at his companion. "Th' blessin's of th' Emperor are many, lass. Count this among them."

"A- aye..." stuttered Darien, quickly regaining composure, a brief sneer as he clasped Sarah close to him the only outward sign of his annoyance. Oh, how he hated his first name. It sounded so... juvenile, so easily mock-able, so very un-sythen. Darien wasn't must of an improvement, but at least it was something. Being named after a saint was a bit preferable than to and old Umbrish king, for the dark kith's ego atleast. "Don't worry about payin' us back here lass. Should everythin go as I'm hopin', ye will be givin' me... er, us, far more than what we're givin' ye." he grinned widely, before being yanked around by Sarah so that the two of them were no longer facing the ex-human

"What in th' nine hells are ye playin' at, D?" Sarah hissed at her companion "'cause the Emperor only knows what I'll be doin' to ye should he harm that lass."

"No need to get yer mane all tangled here, Sarah" Darien whispered back "If everythin' here goes accordin' to this plan my brillance be brewin' up righ now, and that's what I'm hopin' and prayin' for, don't be doubtin' that, then this lass'll be back to being one of those furless tyr-folk, I should say, by nightfall, and the only blood we'll have on our hands is that which... we'll, I donnae want to ruin the surprise. But the lass has nothin' to fear from me, and neither do ye..."

"We each know each other better than that, D." Sarah growled in return I've got plenty tae fear from ye, and ye've got plenty tae fear from me..." she left this to hang threatening in the air, reminding the dark rogue of all the times she'd stopped his schemes before, or shortly after they'd crossed the moral horizon. If he thought he could get away with this one, we'll... he was sadly mistaken.

But Darien knew exactly what his partner was playing at, and simply shrugged briefly, before breaking out of the forced huddle and returning to face the unicorn, eagerly changing the conversation's topic "Anyhow, lass, ye ain't gettin' no closer to loosin' that long face o' yours, so let's get a move on while we've still got some o' the sun's light, eh?" he looked around at the partially forgotten blizzard, "For what good it's doin' us. I swear, this forest be makin' up the weather as it goes... it's bloody spring, you damned woods! " he called out into the snow-obscured trees, before he adjusted the collar on his coat and looked up at Empyrian "Asides, just 'cause one be havin' fur, doesn't mean one has to like the cold. I'm findin' the call o' th' fireside and a mug of coffee a might bit irresistible. What say ye, Sarah?"

The dark rogue smirked over at his companion, who sighed and shook her head "Now he wants tae head home. Not when th' bloody snows flyin' so fast ye cannae see yer claws infront o' yer snout. Ye numpty..."

Darien smiled and shrugged, before gesturing with his arm and cane off into the woods. The cane, and the runes along Darien's body, burst to light, and the kith examined closely the cane's glow for several long moments before he pointed his cane off into the woods. "Found it!" He announced happily, and started off into the blowing snow and shadowy trees "This trip'll be a while..." he announced to Empyrian over his shoulder "So I think we be havin' pleanty o' time fer yer story afore we reach th' village, lass"

[Athaiyel]

The corners of her muzzle rose while her stunning eyes smiled in joy. Despite the chilly morning snowstorm, there was a bounce in Empyrean’s step because of Darien’s assurance.
“Oh Darien! Sarah, thank you! You are both so kind and noble.”

For some strange reason at the mention of emperor, Empy envisioned the Outworld emperor from Mortal Kombat. It was just a random thing that came to her mind. That was the last movie her friend Kelsey and Empyrean had watched earlier that fateful day. So an emperor rules this land? She wondered. Empyrean couldn’t see how she’d be giving them more of a bargain, unless perhaps this emperor handsomely rewarded his people for generously helping others or something. Or these were truly kind people who found it rewarding by unselfishly helping others.

As Donald was yanked around by his companion into a hushed conversation, the enchanted unicorn stood pastern-deep in the snow with flurries churning around her wondering what she could do to pay back her helpers. They were doing her a huge favor by restoring her natural shape back she just had to reward them someway. Empy didn’t have anything of value on her that she could think of, but perhaps hopefully when she found a way back to her planet, she could repay them by giving the creatures her jewelry and paintings.

The wind whistled in the unicorn’s ears blowing away the whispered words of the foreign creatures. She was eager to get going to this village and be back in her human form. Finally they turned to her. Empyrean smiled warmly at Sarah and Darien.

“You’re right, I’m not sure how long this will all take and I don’t want to be a waste of your time. A fireside would be extra cozy in a storm like this. I’m ready whenever you two are.”

Empy watched the kith work his magic. He seemed to know what he was doing. Darien began glowing again along with his staff. Empyrean noted this happened whenever magic affected them or whenever they used magic. The light from his body and cane illuminated the falling snow giving the already unfamiliar being an eerie appearance. Empy looked to where he pointed his staff to see the dark quiet forest covered in drifts of blowing snow.

"Found it!" This trip'll be a while... So I think we be havin' pleanty o' time fer yer story afore we reach th' village, lass" Darien declared.

“Well that’s good then. It’s a long and strange story.” The unicorn said as she followed Darien and Sarah. “It all started back on Earth. Whenever I came home from school or from hanging out with my friends I would see this really strange bird lingering outside of the apartments I lived at. For weeks that thing would be watching as I returned home and a few times I caught it perched on a tree outside my window just staring. It wasn’t any kind of bird from Earth because I searched through books and asked a few teachers about it and I came up with nothing. And it turned out it wasn’t a bird at all. Two nights ago it chased me into my apartment and transformed into what I think was some sort of elf. He said that his name was Demyx. And well he’s a wizard. He appears human except he has pointed ears. He has silver hair which is short and spikey. He’s thin and his eyes are also silver. He’s able to transform himself into various creatures. Does this guy sound familiar to either of you?” Empyrean asked trailing after the two cute fuzzy dragonish critters.

[The_Vizir]

The young human-come-unicorn filly's proclamation of nobility caused mixed reactions among the two syth: Sarah scoffed at the idea of her compatriot being noble, while Darien just smirked darkly, his eyes hidden behind his misted glasses.

The snow cleared up as the small party left the clearing, the massive trees keeping out the snow and the cold, making the season seem more like spring it should be and less like the winter it shouldn't - though given the magical nature of this forest, the weather might just tell the seasons to shove off, they've got logic to mess with here. Actually, mused Darien, that wouldn't be surprising in the least - particularly given the growing planer instability of the Edge. Weather systems from other worlds might find themselves transported in here, rapidly changing the clime and apparent season for as long as the rift lasts. Hmm... note to self, invest in acid proofing for the Mistrunner.

The remainder of Darien's inner monologue was delayed, however, as the unicorn started her tale - really, Darien needed to remember to grab her name. Well, there'd be enough time for that once they reached the Mistrunner.

The kith shot glances at each other at the mention of the name Earth - Earth, that was where Norad came from, right? Well, they might just be able to get her some amenities of home after all.... Sarah was about to speak up, but as the unicorn carried on, she held her tongue and continued to listen.

The mention of an elf caused another shared glance between the two, and Sarah's hand reached under her jacket to grab at her pistol. Fantastic, they'd just got mixed up in elf business. This could get very interesting here... the kith looked around the woods nervously, before Sarah answered the girl's question "Nae, donnae know myself many elves here, but that defin'ly sounds ta me like one... aye, D?"

"Aye..." agreed the dark mage. "Silver eyes, pointed ears, humanoid, an' a shapeshifer. Sounds like an elf if'n I'd ever hear o' one..." He looked at the unicorn, "An' it'd be seemin' ta me that he'd be the reason ye now be walkin' on four legs, not two, righ?" Darien sighed and shook his head, "Well, this could be provin' tricky, as if that elf be anythin' like the elves o' our homeland, his magic'll be on the near side o' impossible to be reversin'..." The dark mage cursed his luck internally - there goes that plan. But... "However, there be many kinds o' elves out in the multiverse as we've been discovering here." Darien looked at Sarah, who nodded in agreement. "So ye might nae be in as much trouble as I'd be thinkin' ye are here... could just take a simple purification potion to fix ye up here. So, I'd say pray to whatever god ye be worshipin' here that it's the latter moreso than th' former."

"Yer a real optimist there, ain't ya, D?" Sarah glared at her companion, before looking over her shoulder at the blue unicorn "Don't worry, certain that the Immortal Emperor's on our side today, lass," she smiled "Today be the holy day of Saint Brian, patron of the woodlands and protection against the fey. If there be one day this'll work, it'd be today."

Darien sighed and rolled his eyes. Right, yes, the Emperor really gave a bloody care about this one girl from another world who'd never even heard of him before. You keep telling her that, Sarah...

"'Sides," continued on the pale paladin, "We be havin' some more good news for ye. Ye ain't the only person from Earth who be here in the forest." She grinned at the unicorn, "There be this fellow named Norad who be livin' out there in the wastes in this, uhh..." Sarah's face scrunched up as she tried to figure out how to describe the guy and not sound like Entropy. Sentient magical mirage who controlled this great metal fortress was still the easiest way of describing it, but... she looked over at Darien.

Darien shook his head and sighed, "If she be from Earth, she prolly don't be needin' anythin' explained here, right Sarah?" The pale paladin blinked a few times behind her veil, before slapping herself in the forehead. Darien smirked slightly and picked up Sarah's explanation where she dropped it off "He be callin' himself one of your 'artificial intelligence' for one of yer 'spaceships'. He be crashed up bloody miserable, but he prolly has some o' the comforts o' home which he could be givin' ye. Nice guy, just don't be gettin' on his bad side. Those people tend to end up..." he looked over at Sarah.

"Boom." The paladin simply replied before looking around around "Hey, D, 'bouts how much longer do we be havin' ta go here? 'Cause my feets be startin' ta ache..."

"It be long enough..." the dark mage grumbled, and looked back at the young Earthling "So, lass, sorry fer interuptin' yer story there. Please be continuin'."

[Athaiyel]

“An' it'd be seemin' ta me that he'd be the reason ye now be walkin' on four legs, not two, righ?"

“Exactly” Empy answered observing their sudden edgy behavior at the mention of an elf.

Back on Earth race had nothing to do with Empyrean’s opinion about someone. Which was probably why she trusted an unliving dude in the first place earlier in the forest. She didn’t want to label the guy as evil just because of his looks or what he was. Besides, he attempted to help her at least. But because of what happened a few nights ago, she decided to be suspicious of elves and by judging these creature’s reactions they must have a right to be wary of them too.

When Darian stated that it would probably be near impossible to turn her back, her great heart shuddered and she looked down. However she had to look away quickly because the sight of these strange legs was disturbing and she didn’t want to imagine living with hooves forever. Perhaps it would be easier if unicorns existed on Earth and were a part of society then at least she could still hang out with her friends and family. But she had dreams of being a concept artist which aren’t possible without hands. Empyrean knew that these people were her last chance.

Empyrean looked up and gave Sarah a small smile. She was grateful that Sarah still had some faith in this. But dang these two are polar opposites she thought. Empyrean ruled out these two being mates since they didn’t show much affection to one another. They must be siblings or friends. She had so many questions about them. What were they, why is Sarah wearing a scarf over her eyes and who’s this eternal emperor? She was severely tempted to ask more about this world she tread upon and she wanted to learn more about magic and elves.

But then an exciting morsel turned up. Empyrean’s now violet eyes brightened and she perked her ears in interest when Sarah mentioned that she wasn’t the only one from Earth. So they’re talking about a robot? If he’s really from Earth that would be amazing since I didn’t know robots were made to feel emotion yet. I better listen to these guys and not do anything to get it mad. That’s pretty cool though. And a spaceship? Wow the government has been hiding their projects from the public then. Empyrean rambled in her head.

"So, lass, sorry fer interuptin' yer story there. Please be continuin'."

“Don’t worry about it. I wanted some input from you both anyway. It helps to know what to expect realistically but I need some hope too. Thanks you two. I guess all we can do is try. I am relieved to hear that I’m not the only Earthling here. I wonder if this Norad you mentioned knows of a way to travel between our planets. Once I’m human again, I really do want to repay you both. If it’s possible, I could return home and gather up some jewelry and paintings for you guys and come back. I have a bow and a couple of swords back at the apartment too if you’re interested, Darien. You would look really pretty wearing some of the necklaces I have Sarah if you like gemstones.”

Empyrean chatted on when she noticed that the dragonoid Darien was indeed limping. She thought there was something weird about his gait earlier but dismissed it as the critter having a tough time wallowing through the snow. Now that the snow was less deep under the network of trees it was a little more apparent. Empyrean wanted to bring it up but she was afraid she’d be asking too many annoying questions. Instead she decided to get on with her story for fear of blurting the question out and offending him.

“Well I guess in order to change me back you may need as much information as possible about the matter. I’ll tell you the rest. When the sorcerer changed into his elf form he told me that he was under a curse and that I have a magical power living deep inside me that could help him. He told me that a unicorn had died here and that its spirit had decided to live in me and apparently grant me some magic. Why me I have no idea. But there was just something wrong about that whole thing. I mean yeah, back on my planet having a freaky bird chase you into your apartment and transform into a sorcerer right in front of you is pretty odd to begin with. That sort of thing is usually restricted to the imagination on Earth since well…it’s Earth. I don’t know how to explain it but I felt deep down I could feel that man was dangerous. So I declined. Wouldn’t ya know it he doesn’t take rejection very well. This altered state of mine is the result of is wrath. He bribed me that if I came with him back to his planet and help break his curse, then he’d undo my enchantment. Something told me that I couldn’t trust him and so I played along since I couldn’t stay on Earth. There’s no way a unicorn could go unnoticed on my planet. In this body, I would probably killed and stuffed for a museum or I’d be thrown in a zoo. That and I knew if I ever wanted to be human again my best bet would be to come to this place and find someone not as crazy who’d be willing to help me. Wizards are hard to come by on Earth if they even exist there. The minute I came through that portal I sprinted off to get away from that creep. Demyx transformed into a monster and pursued me all through the night. When morning came I fainted from exhaustion. I began dreaming but I can’t quite remember what. Then in my mind a unicorn appeared, scattering my dream. I became lucid even though I was still unconscious and realized I was communicating with the spirit of the deceased unicorn that had been living in me. He told me many things. His name was Aequian and that Demyx had murdered him, not some random hunter like Demyx had told me earlier. He said that Demyx was under was a Hecate Diffluere spell. Apparently this spell drains the magic entirely out of a person. Demyx’s teacher was the one who cursed him because he saw how corrupt he had become and I guess he didn’t want to kill the elf. I guess the Hecate diffluere spell takes time to work since he still had enough magic to change me into a unicorn, transform himself into monsters and create portals. Apparently transformation powers were Demyx’s specialty. Aequian mentioned that only the magic from a caelestia unicorn could cure Demyx’s curse. That was why he killed him. Somehow Aequian transferred his magic to me when he was slaughtered to keep the wizard from getting a hold of it. Except Demyx had located Aequian’s spirit and that was how he had found me. Eventually I regained conscience and found that I had been rescued by an unliving man. Have you ever heard of something like that? They’re not exactly undead they just never lived I guess. He was a nice guy though despite his appearance. He actually tried to help undo the curse but the potion he made me turned me into a kangaroo instead. Soon after that I somehow reverted to a unicorn again. I was feeling awfully blue and so I left so I could get some quiet time. Instead I fell down a hill and that’s when I met you guys. By the way sorry for crashing into you Darien. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Will you be alright?” Empyrean asked watching the poor creature limp.

[The_Vizir]

Darien smirked as the young unicorn explained her plan to repay the two kithkin for their help. Not that it would be necessary, of course, if everything went according to plan. No, if that happened then she would have paid back their help in full. Not that Darien believed she could get back to Deep Forest once she returned to Earth - hells, Darien didn't even know if she could return to Earth now. Norad certainly wanted to get home, yet he wasn't going anywhere. Still, the offer of swords and bows was quaint, almost cute. Of course, Darien preferred his firearms and his magic to those more... strength intensive options, being who he was of course. And did she just offer Sarah jewlery? Oh, this'll be good, Darien chuckled as he looked over at Sarah

Humans liked to assign feminine characteristics to thear such as Sarah based on first appearances alone. Yet the thear were traditionally the defenders of hearth and home, soldiers and warriors, farmers and carpenters, the strongest of the three sythen genders. Meanwhile, kyrn such as Darien, who were traditionally seen as quicker and more cunning than thear, but also less strong - suited for the roles of hunter or chieftain, not warrior - were expected to behave like human males. Loving the big swords and all. Oh, trying to shove a three gendered race into a two gendered society - humans were good at that. They even "encouraged" syth to assign female names to thear. But that was neither here nor there. What was here, however, was an embarrassed young thear knight trying to maintain her honour.

Darien's pale companion was oscillating between being embarrassed, insulted, and ashamed that she was getting angry at someone who didn't know any better. Finally, Sarah managed to get out a light cough, followed by "I... donnae be thinkin' that'd be necessary here. Thanks... thanks for the offer though."

Thankfully for Sarah, Empyrean soon launched into her long and complex tale about what had all transpired to her. The pale knight breathed a sigh of relief, her wings visibly relaxing as the topic moved on.

Neither Darien nor Sarah interrupted the unicorn as she spun her tale... partially because they'd entered rough ground around the northern end of the Forest's great lake, partially because Sarah wasn't able to think up something to say - though she did scowl at the mention of the unliving - and partially because Darien was filing everything away for later use.

Finally, they reached the point where the unicorn had careened down the hill into Darien. The dark mage scowled slightly - yes, those bruises would smart some in the morning, that was for certain. "Nae - but it nae be yer fault either here, lass. I got me into some trouble with the government back home and they decided to be teachin' me a lesson I wouldn't be forgettin'. Considered breakin' it again to see if it'd heal right, but...." Darien shrugged "They used some magic on it durin' the healin' processes, so I ain't hopeful...." Not that Darien was certain he even wanted the limp to be fixed - every time he leaned on it, every time the pain shot through him, he was reminded of what he lost and why he fought, why he hated. And when the revolution came, Darien had some very detailed plans of what he would do to the men who had done this to him - very detailed indeed. Oh, they'd be feeling what they did to him - repeatedly. The dark mage's face broke into a vicious grin as his thoughts dwelt temporarily on his inevitable revenge, before he snapped himself out of it.

"Anyhow..." the dark mage chimed up "Back to ye. I cannae say I'd ever been hearing of that 'Hecate Diffluere spell,' but I'd guess it be some kind o' faerie spell or dark magic o' some sort. Not somethin' I would've learned back in my schools... but sounds like it was a good thing he was under that spell. Fey transformations be very powerful indeed, and if this Demyx fellow be a transmutation specialist, well... I would nae have a fightin' chance against him at full power. Sounds to me like the first thing we have to do is get rid o' those remnants o' that Aequian bloke whose magic ye be usin'. If we can break the chains there and exorcise him - somethin' I'm certain Sarah could do in a split, we can then be movin' on to restorin' yer form here. Now, that'd be the tricky part... 'cause o' the nature of faerie transformations. See... they don't just modify the body, but they also be chanin' the storyline as well... or the destiny if you will. So, we've gotta find a way to change it so yer destiny is no longer that of a unicorn no more, but that o' a human. Might require some necromancy and don't glare at me Sarah ye knew it was likely..."

"I also know I don't be likin' playing with souls like that..." the paladin growled.

"Emperor's two front teeth..." Darien cursed under his breath. "Listen, Sarah, we'll be crossin' that bridge if'n we happen upon it, okay? Just my current theory, I could be dead wrong..."

Sarah snorted, and looked back at Empyrean "So, ye donnae be havin' an idea why that unicorn fellow be choosin' ye for his host, eh? Nothin' that'd be makin' ye stand out from the rest o' yer community? No witches or saints or dragons in the bloodline?"

[Athaiyel]

“Well alright then. It just feels a little weird to have someone do something for me and I don’t get to pay them back for it. Thank you so much for helping me gu—ays!”

Empyrean snorted in surprise as she stumbled over the uneven terrain but caught herself on a bent joint. The unicorn quickly got back up this time placing her hooves more carefully against the ground. “Gee I guess having four legs doesn’t make me any less of a klutz.” She said grinning sheepishly.

The snowstorm had long since stopped and fragments of sun rays shown down through the cracks of the canopy. All around the trio of trekkers, snow sloughed off the branches of conifers. Indeed this climate was bipolar. Empyrean was a little relieved to hear that she wasn’t the actual cause of this creature’s limp. Still she felt a little sorry for the guy. Her only response to D’s story was “Oh. That’s terrible.”

Listening to Darian made her realize that it probably wasn’t her alone that learned to call down energy from the universe to boost her speed and endurance when running from Demyx, it was probably because of Aequian’s help. How else did she know how to work that magic. Now that he was gone Empyrean felt clueless about her powers. Empyrean fixed her ears on Sarah and in response to her inquiry she said...

“Hmm, not that I know of Sarah. I mean my dad worked at an airport and my mom was a fantasy author. They’re nice careers in my society and all but nothing out of the ordinary. I think it mostly might have been the fact that my body is pure and according to legend on my planet unicorns are drawn to virgins. My parents did raise me to have good morals and all. That’s the only theory I have since I’ve led a boring life and there’s nothing special about my family heritage. But your theory is very interesting Darien and I’m glad that you know so much about magic. Luckily you won’t have to worry about exorcising Aequian out of me. Either he felt so terrible about getting me involved in all this or he didn’t want Demyx to track me again so he left on his own. He sent me a message through my dream but I can’t remember it all. Aequian did say that because of that Hecate Diffluere curse Demyx was under that I have a chance to be restored to human form as long as it’s before sunset tomorrow. By the way if your leg is really hurting, I wouldn't mind giving you a ride Darien. I might as well make myself useful.”

[The_Vizir]

Both syth looked up quickly as the unicorn stumbled - Sarah even made a move to try and help her, for what good a four-foot-tall kith paladin could do to stop a falling unicorn - but thankfully they were not needed. Darien snorted slightly as Empyrean mentioned how she was still a klutz despite a change in form, and muttered darkly to himself "Can try to fix yer body here, lass, but nae a broken neck..."

Sarah, however, nodded and smiled "Well, ye have nae been in that body fer very long now here, right? So it's only tae be expected here, I suppose..."

The dark-furred kith nodded, "Aye... and if'n we're lucky here, ye won't have tae be in that body fer all that much longer...." He pointed across the lake, to where a curl of smoke was seen rising from the trees. "That there be our goal, lass... the forest's village. Only bastion of civilization in this blasted wilderness... if'n ye'd be willin' tae be callin' a few hundred elves plus assorted other beasties civilization." The dark mage shrugged, letting it be known that he certainly didn't.

"Regardless, it aint' be all that far not."

And off they went again, heading around the River's Deep, listening to Empyrean's tale. Though neither of them really knew what an 'aeroport' was (something to do with zeppelins, mayhaps...) they did get the gist of the ex-human was saying. Where Darien and Sarah came from, pure unicorns were a legend, but much of what Empyrean said seemed to agree with what they knew - drawn to pure virgins and all. Of course, so were the unicorns of the Blackwoods, but those tended to be more interested in slaughtering the pure and fair in fits of jealously - oh Newumberland and your evil, twisted ways.

Darien scratched his chin as Empyrian continued, politely waving off her offer. "No thank ye, lass... I did nae get as far as I have by relyin' on the charity o' others, ye be understandin'" he shrugged his shoulders, and let his jacket loosen up a bit as the chill of the early spring blizzard was replaced by a more seasonal warmth - blasted forest. His body didn't know weather it should shed its winter coat or re-grow it, the blasted weather varied so much. "However, not ta be insultin' ye or yer unlivin' unicorn friend there, but we cannae be certain that he's left ye completely here. There's still enough of him left, obviously, tae be keepin' ye in the body o' a unicorn. If'n we were able tae truely sever the link there that was existing between the two of ye, then maybe, an' this is just me thinkin' out loud here, but we might just be able to snap ye back to yer human form. Just a theory, though... 'course, doesn't attest tae the story-line transformation he exerted... that'll be the real trick for us tae be pullin' off. Makin' so that the universe no longer sees yer destiny as a unicorn but a human... but we won't know everythin' here 'till we be gettin' home..."

Sarah smiled faintly and shrugged at Empyrean - nothing more to add here. This was out of her field of expertise. However, Emperor willing, they would be willing to fix this. However, the thing to watch right now was Darien - the thief never did anything out of the kindness of his heart. He had something to gain from this - something that might not be in Empyrean's best interests...

The dark thoughts clouding her mind, the paladin followed the mage and the unicorn around the sparkling lake, towards the village of elves...

[Athaiyel]

Empyrean smiled down at Darien admiring his stubborn independence. “You sure are a tough one aren’t ya?”

She piped down to listen to his theory even though she was pretty certain that Aequien had left her. Unless maybe the dragonish critter was talking about the magic that Aequien had installed in her body. Well he’s the expert on this sort of thing. Like he said we’ll find out when we get there, Empyrean thought.

She gazed ahead seeing a few houses and shops nestled between the trunks of the enormous trees. A staircase coiled around a massive trunk and she looked up to see a cozy house built into the tree. Oh how Empyrean would have loved to live in this place. She had always wanted a tree house.

Suddenly she braced her long legs and not another step was taken from that spot. “What a minute, did you say elves lived here earlier? What if Demyx lives in this village? Are any of the other elves here just as crazy as he is?”

(Thanks so much for continuing with me Viz. It’s so much more fun and rewarding to get her the new ability to become half human through role-playing instead of telling the story alone. And for some strange reason I can’t seem to find the description of the village. I remember that many of the homes were tree houses am I right?)

[The_Vizir]

Darien snorted... the ex-human didn't know the half of it. Nor would she understand, not having grown up under the same conditions - the bigotry, the hatred, the oppression - he did. His current discomfort was a meager hill compared to the mountains he had already climbed.

As the silent trio made their way towards the village the ground leveled out, and their surroundings began to feel more tamed. The undergrowth had been cleared, and wide dirt trails wove their ways from spiraling staircases between the roots of the ancient behemoths that towered above the unicorn and her companions. The shadowy spring light filtered through the branches to briefly illuminate the houses and bridges suspended among the trees. It was, all in all, a rather fantastic sight. Not that the two kithkin were paying much attention.

"Eh?" Sarah asked in response to Empyrean's question, coming out of whatever daydream had consumed her in the walk. "I... well, I donnae know. We have nae met all the members of this town here... actually, accordin' tae Norad, there's still a bunch o' 'em here frozen in time even. But, if it eases ye any, I have nae met anyone who sounds like that Demyx who'se been tormenting ye there."

"No elf," Darien clarified darkly.

"Ahh, aye... no elf," Sarah rubbed the back of her neck. "This forest... this town has some rather interestin' blokes, I'll be giving ye that. I believe Death actually be runnin' himself a bar here, right D?"

"Death runs a bar, a professional assassin's th' local smith, you've got creatures millenia old teachin' super-powered kids how tae build campfires..." the dark mage scoffed slightly "This forest here, it has it all. Even the crazies, Empyrean. Especially the crazies."

"Includin' at least half a dozen who want tae take over the universe..." the paladin added. "Ye've got that Wolf-fellow, Dark Core... ye've got Kuro... Juno o'course. Empyrean... yerself, D..."

Darien, whose fists had clenched dangerously around his cane at the mention of Juno's name, quickly corrected his pale companion. "I donnae want tae take over the universe, Sarah. Just want tae make certain we syth are nae longer abused and tortured for the amusement and advantage o' by lesser races. If that requires takin' over th' universe, then that requires takin' over the universe," Darien shrugged. "Hopin' it donnae come tae that..."


Sarah just sighed...