♰ Before the Next Sacrifice

[immortalrose]

WHO: Augustine G. Rosethrawn & others (Open To All)
WHERE: Stygia (mainly Serene)
WHEN: Throughout all of October
WHAT: October Event + General Catch-all
WARNINGS: Possible violence, swearing, and mentions of death.

[ I'll be adding more prompts throughout the week featuring the event stuff in question. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]


PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

Comments

[heavenstorn]

...that was bracing.

[ If Cedrik had more than a 'butter knife', as Augustine calls it, he wouldn't have even broken a sweat. As it is he's a little winded, having had to fight twice as hard just to keep up. And speaking of the knife--

Cedrik winces as he notices the handle still in his hand...with the blade now at his feet. In retrospect he remembers it being in the hand he used to hit the ground when he cast the suiton ninjutsu--it must have been enough to finally break the old blade. With a click of his tongue he tosses the handle aside, looking up to see Augustine preparing to skewer Puck where he floats.

This time, he's not as inclined to stop him. ]

Of course, of course! After a show like that you deserve it!

[ Finally, Cedrik thinks, the tension starting to fade from his shoulders. ]

...if...

[ Piss. ]

You can answer one. Last. Question... I am a word that is hardly there. Remove my start, and I'm an herbal flair. What am I?

[ ...piss. Cedrik looks at Augustine, unspoken panic creeping into his eyes. Hitting things he can do all day, but riddles and the like? That's what his friends have always been for. ]

[immortalrose]

[An honest to God growl escapes Augustine as he glares up at the little trickster. He's in no mood for games, especially now that he's closely reaching his limit. His tolerance for pain is diminishing by the seconds and that nasty gash in his hand is still bleeding profusely. He really cannot afford to continue with this farce but at the same time, he wouldn't put it past Puck to attack them at their weakest.

Thankfully, the little imp has a riddle to ask instead of more cheap tricks. Augustine lets out a tense sigh as he decides to summon away some of those crystallized blades. One by one each of those ethereal red blades suddenly shatters like glass. Despite feeling quite fatigued, Augustine's mind is thankfully as sharp as a tact. He might lack a fondness for riddles but he knows his herbs well enough.

He gives Cedrik a quick glance in hopes of calming his fears before giving his answer.]

Sparsely.

[The answer is whispered but it's loud enough for Puck's ears.]

[heavenstorn]

[ Loud enough for Puck's and certainly loud enough for Cedrik's. That has to be the answer, of course! Though he was expecting something less...literal. That always trips him up when it comes to riddles.

Sure enough, Puck gives Augustine another cheer and tosses the lantern towards him. Cedrik reacts without thought, lunging forward with his arms and catching the delicate thing before it can hit the ground. ]

...apologies. I know you wouldn't let it drop, but--

[ Cedrik pauses, glancing down. ]

--you're yet bleeding. Here, give me your hand...

[ Tying the lantern to his belt, Cedrik begins to tear away the sleeve of his tunic. As short-lived as mundane objects are in this realm, he'd be due to replace it within a week anyway. He's no healer but he knows a little, enough to improvise a bandage to put a stop to that blood loss. ]

[immortalrose]

[Just when moved to catch the lantern, Cedrik thankfully caught it instead. Finally, the Mourning Lantern is within their possession. It took a while for them to find it but thankfully, they did.]

All's well, it ends well.

[He mutters quietly before glancing towards Puck's direction only to find that the youth is no longer there. It seems the boy has vanished or maybe he was simply an illusion of some kind. Whatever the case, Augustine is thankful that this entire ordeal has ended.]

Now this just leaves the matter of returning it.

[The dhampir says before suddenly being cut off by Cedrik who seems quite concerned. He stares at him for a moment before glancing down at his wounded hand. It seems he forgotten all about the injury despite the pain.]

I-I'll be fine. [He quickly says in hopes of assuaging his companion's fears. However, words alone won't be enough to calm Cedrik down. Augustine lets out a quiet huff once the man starts bandaging his hand with a piece of cloth.] This is merely a flesh wound.

[The greatest lie ever told. If this was merely a flesh wound, then why does Augustine suddenly tripping over his words?]

[heavenstorn]

[ The only evidence that remains at all are the scattered, smoking remnants of the campfire--and the lantern itself, of course. It sways securely from Cedrik's waist as he works, tightly binding the cut with strips of cloth until red stain finally stops growing.

Augustine's protest is given a flat and knowing look. ]

I've told that lie often enough to recognize it anywhere. Don't try it.

[ But the dhampir is letting Cedrik dress the wound without further fuss so he returns the favor by keeping his scolding to a minimum. Once finished he straightens up, putting his hands on Augustine's shoulders to make sure he's steady on his feet...because he doesn't look like he is. ]

We can afford to rest a little while before we return, if you need it.

[ They have the lantern, after all. The Oakwoods may yet be angry until it's returned, but...it's a bit of a difficult decision. Rush back now and put an end to the crisis, or spare a few minutes more to keep his friend from risking his health even further.

Cedrik decides on the latter. ]

[immortalrose]

[Judging from that shaky chuckle, Augustine really does need a moment. His body feels weak and heavy right now, almost like his entire body is slowly shutting down. Usually several days of rest would be enough to heal him but there’s no resting in the Netherworld, not when danger lurks in every corner. He could barely keep himself upright at this point but thankfully Cedrik is keeping him steady.]

Rest doesn’t come easy here. [He mutters.] Not here in the middle of such evil.

[Even though they may have secured the lantern, unless they return it to Myrtille soon, this forest is bound to consume everyone and everything that still draws breath. Even now, the shadows of this murky forest are slowly encroaching over them. He sees the black tendrils of the shadows inch ever so closer towards them but he’s helpless to do anything about it. There’s a great evil that lurks within these woods, something that honestly makes his skin crawl.]

Go on without me.

[He turns to Cedrik with a pleading gaze in hopes of sending the Viera off to seek the old woman alone.]

Our task is nearly done and I’m bound to slow you down.

[heavenstorn]

[ The look Cedrik had leveled at Augustine before flattens out completely at the dhampir's suggestion to be left behind. ]

Now you're just being a fool.

[ The viera sighs and, without waiting for any more stupidly self sacrificing protests, takes Augustine's arm and draws it over his shoulders. He may be the shorter of the two but he has more than enough strength to support the man. ]

Come on.

[ And so Cedrik sets off back the way they came, with Augustine rather than without. ]

[immortalrose]

[Wait a minute, doesn't he get a say in this? Just when he was going to state there's not enough time, Cedrik suddenly just manhandles him. He knew this alleged rabbit faery creature was indeed strong but strong enough to carry a six foot two dhampir? To be fair, Augustine isn't hardly as heavy as he would seem since he tends to forsake food rather often. While he does eat on occasion, Augustine can go weeks without food.]

I swear if anyone sees us--[He warns before eventually giving in. His pride wouldn't survive the ordeal if this overgrown rabbit carried him into town. He's just lowkey thankful that Cedrik didn't just toss him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Poor Augustine would never forgive him otherwise.]

I suppose I ought show some gratitude.

[He grumbles.]