Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:42 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

She nodded as Angela spoke, understanding that the goddess did, in fact, make a valid point.  One could make any number of mistakes throughout his or her life and never forgive oneself, or one could take those same mistakes and turn them into a learning experience.  Everything threaded together into a lesson for life, and Angela seemed very apt to express that.

She could not help but smile as Angela asked Iva about the blanket, and she could see the shame on the child’s face - which caused her own smile to fade.  Iva seemed to feel truly terrible about whatever had happened with the blanket, and it was apparent that it had happened because she had chosen not to heed whatever instructions or warnings had been given to her by her mother.

Listening intently, she could not help but feel uncomfortable at the thought of a child inadvertently losing its innocence, and she found herself hoping that any sort of monster that would do that to a child found the wrath of damnation swiftly.  She found it interesting that Angela put so much faith into the thoughts of her children, but it began to make sense - they were pure and had not yet been corrupted by the atrocities of the adult world, therefore their ideas and thoughts were much more simple and rational.  The mention of an assassin being like a pawn in a game of chess struck home for her, for that was how she had found herself feeling at times.

As Iva giggled at what Dalanesca said to her, she gave the little girl a wink.  ”Perhaps Iva can take me to meet her sister?” she asked, offering the little girl another wink and smiling at her delight.

She turned back to Angela as she ventured to explain Mendean to the best of her abilities, and it made sense why she had never heard of him before - but the way that Angela explained to go about seeing him didn’t make much sense to her - but according to the goddess she currently stood in the presence of, it would make sense when it was supposed to.

She looked down at the clothing she wore at Angela’s question, and nodded.  ”Something more comfortable than this wouldn’t be horrible… and a bath would be quite nice,” she said, nodding.  She smiled sweetly at Angela.  ”Thank you so much for the hospitality,” she added, and turned to Iva.

”So, stuffed animals?  Care to take me to meet them, and then we can see about that tea party?” she asked.  She assumed that Angela had mentioned spending time with Iva and Sapphire due to the fact that she was probably quite busy and would like the usefulness of having someone else keep an eye on her little ones… and truth be told at the moment she did not mind in the slightest.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 12:51 AM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Angela sat there at the table and listened the woman for a long time. "We all could hate ourselves Child but there must be a line we have to draw. Dance along that line but never pass it. Even being the purest of heart one can make a decision that make them hate themselves."

Looking over at young Iva Angela winked at Dalanesca. "Iva do you remember when you ruined your favorite blanket because you decided to take it outside?" Iva nodded now a bit sheepish. "How did you feel about it?"

"I hated myself because it was my fault. I did something that wasn't okay and I was told that but I didn't listen."

"Children do not have the choices we do Dalanesca however, they have the same emotions we have. A lot of the time they are like very honest drunks. They will always tell you the truth. Unless someone has corrupted their innocence though it makes me shiver to think about that.  I admit to not knowing if something is a good idea but I talk to my children about it. They give me the very best advice on certain things." She took another drink of her tea and savored it for a few. "I am an eye for an eye person though. My children understand that. No one who is set out to destroy things will ever take it easy on you. It's a kill or be killed type of world for some things, that is why I don't dislike what you do. I've played the political game for far too long not to know how useful a good assassin is. Sometimes the assassin is the much needed pawn in a game of chess.  It can be the one key player to get a checkmate. It's ugly but it's necessary for a safe kingdom sometimes."

Dalanesca's words made Iva giggle and Angela smiled. "You might enjoy Sapphire as well. She is normally in the library. She is the polar opposite of Little Iva. She is sometimes very quiet and withdrawn. Likes her books more than people most of the time. The others can take care of themselves."

Angela leaned forward and looked at Dalanesca. "Not many know his face. Not many even remember meeting him or if it was a dream. He is a god that drifts through dreams. You might be able to learn something from him. I cannot assist you with that journey though. That is something you'll have to figure out on your own. When you are ready for him it will happen. That's how I here he comes to people. Mysterious one that one is but he is generally a good soul."

Looking over to Iva she smiled and stared at Dalanesca. "Would you like something more comfortable to lounge in around here? Perhaps an herbal bath or Iva can show you to your room. She will probably introduce you to all of her stuffed animals…"

Iva squealed, "Tea party!"

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Tue Dec 1, 2015 12:23 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

She raised an eyebrow at the goddess mentioning a wine that would literally kill her.  ”Yes, I think it would be best to avoid that one,” she agreed, shaking her head softly.  She assumed that it was brewed with powerful herbs or plants, or perhaps with magic that was simply too strong for someone mortal such as herself.    She smiled at the mention of Iva’s father being a night – it seemed that she came from a good heritage and would no doubt grow up to be an intelligent and prosperous young woman.  She let out a chuckle at the mention of her attitude.  ”Out of the mouths of babes, isn’t that how the saying goes?”

She was glad that the goddess seemed to be understanding of her past.  She went on to explain to Dalanesca just why she was so understanding about it, and she was glad to hear the morality in her voice.  She had no experience with deities and it was nice to know that this one seemed to be somewhat normal.  She seemed to understand that sometimes life required unsavory decisions and that was the only way to go about it.  She had felt that way too many times to count, and it was nice to know that she was not the only one who felt that tug of conscience at certain happenings.

”I’ve given it much thought,” she said, quietly.  ”I know that assassination is pretty much out of the question for me,” she said with a cold laugh.  ”I’m not even really sure who I am,” she said, the honesty palpable in her voice.  ”I haven’t been able to remember since… well, since I got here… and I’m still not sure how that happened,” she said.  She was currently awaiting someone else to assist her with that endeavor, but he had other pressing matters to take care of – that’s why she had been out for her stroll, while she bode her time.  ”I don’t wish to hate myself but I fear that could happen if I am not careful.”

When the goddess became silent, she did as well.  She was glad to hear Angela say that she was comfortable with her being in her realm, especially with the fact that she had so many children there.  She mentioned something about keeping up with the children, and Dalanesca was alright with that.  She did not particularly care for children but she had definitely found Iva to be amusing and not a nuisance.  ”I wouldn’t mind that in the slightest,” she said honestly.  ”I’ll do my best to keep them out of trouble whilst I am here,” she promised, and she meant it.  She did not know how long she planned on staying, but she would make herself useful if she could.

When Angela mentioned Mendean, she wasn’t quite sure who the goddess spoke of.  She was not well versed on the deities of the land, as she did not make it her practice to follow any of them.  ”Who’s that?” she asked, hoping she didn’t sound idiotic to the deity.  

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:29 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

A sweet smile came to her face as she listened and she nodded. "We shall do wine tasting though one is off limits simply because it will kill you." A proud look came to the Rosenite as she listened to her daughter. "Her father was a knight. It doesn't shock me that she got some of his attitude."

For a moment she could see the hesitation in the woman's body language. She tapped her chin for a moment and laughed. "I wouldn't be too upset about something like that. You see while I am a good goddess, where I help everyone. My motto is an eye for an eye. I have my own assassins and while you might not know if the reasoning is just every one needs coin in their pockets. I may bring life but I also know how to take it and I am not afraid to fight to protect the ones I love. I am not afraid to manipulate to get what I want. The only way to advance in the world of nobles is to know these things and that's what I was before I was a goddess."

Though she could see that Dalanesca was stuck she closed her eyes for a moment. "If what you are doing is conflicting with your feelings and you find yourself struggling to be one without emotion then assassinating people is out of the question. You do not want to destroy who you are. You will hate yourself and I don't want to see such a pretty woman do that to herself."

Thinking for a deep while she laughed. "I'm comfortable here with you Dalanesca. I can see your truest desire. Mainly it will probably just be keeping up with the younger ones. Sapphire and Iva. Sapphire isn't too much of a pain but she sneaked out of the temple and went to a very dangerous place. Iva doesn't leave the realm but she gets into enough trouble that she might as well be." Leaning back she looked over at Iva and smiled. "You'll be provided with a room of your own for enjoyment and fresh clothes to relax in if you wish."

Leaning in she propped herself up on the table using her hands. "And if you ever wish to know your desires the one to go to would be Mendean. Though I would be careful with that one."

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 1:56 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

”I love wine,” she said with a bit of a laugh, internally hoping that she would perhaps have the chance to try the concoction at some point or another.  She took another sip of her tea, she nodded at the mention of the goddess being happy that Iva was able to save her.  ”I’m quite grateful as well,” she said, a warm tone to her voice.  ”She’s got a strong head on her shoulders, that one,” she said with a bit of a smile.  It was true – Iva’s determination to help others was an admirable quality, but she could see from Angela where the girl had gotten it from.

She listened intently to everything the goddess said to her, choosing silence over responses for the most part, as most of the things she said didn’t make room for a response.  It seemed that, unlike Dalanesca, the goddess liked to talk – and she was fine with that, because she liked to listen.  Iva sweetly requested more tea from her mother, to which her mother obliged instantly.  

She hesitated when Angela asked her what she did for a living, eventually deciding that lying to a deity would be a terrible decision.  After a moment’s silence, she answered her truthfully.  ”To be truthful, I am, or rather, I was… an assassin,” she said, a hint of shame to her voice.  ”But to be perfectly honest, I’m getting out of that,” she said.  She was fully prepared to face the wrath of this deity, for it seemed like she was quite the opposite of a life taker, but rather a life bringer.  

”It’s just not for me – I find myself questioning if what I am doing is wrong, or right,” she said, with a bit of a shrug.  ”The money’s been great, but I don’t think any amount of coin is worth just taking a life for no particular reason,” she added, looking to the goddess for a reaction and hoping it would be positive as she was speaking of a disdain for life taking.  

The mood lightened when Iva launched forward for the sweets on the table.  Dalanesca opted for a piece of fruit herself, and took a bite of what ended up being the sweetest tasting fruit she could ever remember.  Her mouth watered with the bite and she immediately took another.  She nearly choked on her second bite when the small child told her mother not to drink so much.  She looked quite sassy with her tiny hands on her hips and her hair flopping ‘round her head, Dalanesca couldn’t help but chuckle.

She watched the exchange between mother and child before Angela offered to her to take her time and to relax.  She was not sure how long she would be able to handle being in that realm, but everything at the moment sounded great to her.  ”Relaxing doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” she said, taking another sip of the tea that the goddess had given her earlier.  ”If I am to be here, is there anything that you would request in return for me?  I’m capable of many things,” she said, her way of offering her services to the goddess.  ”That is, if you are truly comfortable with me being here for any amount of time.  If you wish it I could gladly take my leave if you would instruct me as to how,” she said, though there was a soft tone to her voice that indicated she might wish that the goddess would allow her to stay just a bit longer.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:37 AM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Angela smiled at her and nodded. "Thank you my dear. I make tea for everyone. Often I drop them off to my conclave siblings. I make wine in my spare time as well. Not that there is much spare time with someone running around muddying up the temple." She gave a sly look to Iva who was happily drinking her tea. 

Listening contently to the girl tell her story Angela nodded to her. "You don't intrude at all. Everyone is welcome to my realm. Here I am at my peek form and so not many things terrify me here. However, the arch being broken explains why you took a trip through the sky. I'll have to fix that one, again. It would probably be plants from the other edges of the realm." Angela patted Iva's head. "I am glad that she was able to rescue you." She kissed the top of the little one's head.

"I just did what I knew Momma would do." Iva squeaked out before she asked for more tea. Angela chuckled and filled up the tea cup once more.
"Of course there is! It would be terrible if I had to trek all the way back to the beginning and open a portal! I simply open a portal wherever I am though I do so when I am ready to leave." She leaned back into her chair and looked up at the sky. "Being a Goddess has its perks. Like being able to manage things timely and there's creating your home out of thin air." She chuckled more.

"So tell me Dalanesca what is it you do for a living? Rather what is it that you would like to do? Not everyone is long-lived to be able to figure it out." She set her teacup down and thought about it. "I was already a goddess by your age. I was very young when the Tree called. Been about two hundred years now give or take. I'm a little fuzzy on the numbers. I was originally part of the healers' academy. I know my way around wound care like nobody's business. I've delivered countless babies and every other thing you can think of."

She picked up her staff and tapped it on the table. Sweets appeared along with fruits. Iva squealed and got up on her knees on the chair to lean in to grab a handful. Angela promptly smacked her hands and gave her one. "You and sweets are like me and alcohol. It's a disaster."

"Then maybe you shouldn't drink so much." Iva had her hand on her hip and was tossing those red curls around.

"Want me to take that away? Maybe I can double your lessons tomorrow? Or smiting I can always smite you." Angela teased.

"Nooo," Iva whined and got really sad for a moment before bouncing, "we've talked about this, gods don't smite their children they love them and feed them sweets."

"Nice try. No more after that." Iva sat down in her chair to pout as Angela pushed the sweets towards Dalanesca. "Everything is from my gardens here. Fresh and not even with magic. Take your time here and relax. A young thing like you shouldn't work yourself to the bone. I see that way too much these days. My children especially are like that. My daughter Basselina is hundred and fifteen and she still works like she did when she was twenty."

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:36 AM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Dalanesca could not help but smile at the interaction between the goddess and her child.  The daughter looked at her mother with such love and admiration, and it was obvious that although, according to Iva, the goddess had many children, she loved them all equally.  She watched with amazement as her weapon turned into a staff, and she took in her beautiful appearance.  She offered the goddess a smile as Iva introduced her, finding the nickname that the child had bestowed upon her to be endearing.

She sat down at one of the chairs that had been summoned after the goddess had seated herself and listened to the interaction between the two, unable to stifle a smile.  She had never had children, but she couldn’t imagine having to put up with so many at one time, even if one was a divine being.  

She took the tea that was offered to her, relishing in the warmth that radiated from the cup.  ”Thank you,” she said quietly.  ”No sugar for me, thank you,” she responded, opting for the less sweet flavor for the time being.  She took a sip and felt the scalding liquid seep down her throat, loving the feeling and the taste.  ”This is quite delicious,” she said, nodding her head towards the cup.  

”I didn’t mean to intrude on your realm,” she said respectfully.  ”I was out for a walk and I tripped, and there must have been a broken archway on the ground.  Next thing I knew I was flying through the sky, and then some plants, or vines… or something, I don’t know… something grabbed me.”  She paused, thinking quietly for a moment, before continuing.  ”Then, little Iva here showed up and got them to stop.  She and Sir Winston were very brave and helpful!” she said, more specifically to Iva.  

”Is there a way for me to get home from here?” she asked.  The place was very beautiful, but she knew that she would want to leave eventually.  ”I don’t know anything about magic, so I’m kind of at a loss,” she admitted, shrugging her shoulders and taking another sip of the tea.

Author: Angela Rose, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 3:04 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Angela had a rough time with her girls over her boys. Her sons were always honorable and respectful. It came with being heirs to the Red Court. While they were desirable in every way Angela had not raised them any differently. It was the courts that shaped them. She was proud of them. The way they learned but every now and again they would reach that age where they thought they could get away with everything and anything.

It was then that her job really began. After throwing the boy Angela had her obsidian blade transform into a staff. She was dressed in the finest white silk. It dipped low with her cleavage. Her red hair was as bright as star fire and those green eyes were like ivy creeping up an old building. She studied Dalanesca for a moment before bending over to her small daughter.

"What have I told you about trampling on my strawberry patches?" It was the oddest thing and Iva gave her a smile. "You know better than that little soldier. Try not to next time okay? Those strawberries have feelings you know. They shout and they yell almost as much as your older sisters." She bopped the girl on the nose and Iva let out laughter. 

A table sprung up with three chairs. "Please have a seat Iva and.." She looked down at Iva.

"Dalanesca but I like Dally."

"Well I will call her Dalanesca because that is proper." She took a seat and sighed a bit. "In over a hundred years you think children would change tactics when trying to buy their parent's affections."

"They don't?" Iva hopped up on a chair as another one sprung up for Winston. Angela told Iva she was sorry before getting them tea.

"No, they don't. It is all expressed in the same early adulthood rage. I've raised enough of you to know it and know when to expect it. It comes in all forms but it all stems from one thing or another." She looked up to Dalanesca and smiled. "Have a seat my dear. The tea is very lovely I made it myself from different blossoms in my gardens." She poured a hot cup and gave it to her. "It's hot so make sure not to burn yourself." She even poured one for Winston.

"Do you take sugar with yours?" She asked Dalanesca as she poured a cup for her.  "I am sorry about how you showed up. I cannot help how idiots treat my poor archways. So some end up broken and malfunction." She laughed a bit. "Magic is so fickle."

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 2:49 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

”It sounds like the two of you have an awful lot of fun!” she said with a bit of a chuckle.  Iva seemed proud to tell her about what Sir Winston and she did, and Dalanesca was more than happy to oblige her with listening.  She frowned when the girl told her the bear wasn’t allowed to get dirty – what fun was there in being a child if you could not play in the mud?  ”Well that’s too bad,” she said with a bit of a frown.  

She nodded in acknowledgment when Iva said she wasn’t sure where her mother would actually be, but that she had faith she would find the two of them.  If she truly was a goddess (and thus far nothing in this realm had proven otherwise to Dalanesca), then she would indeed be connected to the realm in a deep way and be able to find them regardless of if she could actually see them or not.

Eventually the two of them had reached a pair of stained glass doors.  The designs were quite intricate and Dalanesca looked them over for a moment, taking in their beauty.  Iva told her that this was her mother’s throne room, and she could feel a knot in her stomach.  The deities she had run into in this land had all been quite different thus far, so she was not quite sure what to expect from this one.  Her daughter made her sound like a wonderful person, and weren’t children always to be trusted.  When Iva opened the door she could see a throne briefly in the room, but there was no one in it.

At once, she pulled Dalanesca to the door that had just appeared (out of nowhere, seemingly), shouting about adventure.  Dalanesca laughed and followed after her.  They came to a room that resembled a garden with a woman and a young man who seemed to be sparring.  As Iva explained that it was her brother, she realized that the other must have been the mother that Iva had been talking up.  

She watched as the goddess parried the boy, and inevitably punished him for his attempt at cheating.  She couldn’t help but chuckle.  Tough love, she thought to herself, and she held admirable respect for the goddess.  It was soothing to see a deity acting just as another mother would, teaching her son the ways of the world.  The boy landed a few feet away from Dalanesca and Iva and Dalanesca just looked down at him for a smile.  

She let out a laugh at Iva’s snarky remarks to her brother, sticking her tongue out at him.  At once, she straightened up as she could see that the woman was coming over to them.  She stood stock still out of respect, unsure how the goddess would want her to react, and hoping that her behavior would not be seen as disrespectful.  She readied herself for any questions the goddess would ask, and prepared to ask for help should it be allowed.

Author: Iva, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 2:04 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Iva led her on and thought about it. "We go looking for things. We like to go get books in the library and read them by my daddy. He died so sometimes when I get lonely I go and sit by where momma had his grave. I might have a lot of siblings but our age gap is large from them to me.. At least I think so." She mused lightly.

"He isn't allowed to get dirty though. Drae would be upset if he got dirty. So we don't get in the mud much anymore." She gave the woman another smile. Taking her through the Mother's Footpath was easy enough. Thought she enjoyed the look on the woman's face she nodded a bit more and understood what she meant. "I don't know where she is but I know where she might be. If not she will find us. This entire place is linked to her."

Iva thought for a moment and giggled. "She probably thought I needed a friend and that's why she didn't stop to come get you." The little red head took her across the large bridge and the doors opened for her. She was greeted by some clergy members. "Do you know where my momma is?" They shook their heads as Iva took Dalanesca inside.

Taking her down a few corridors eventually they got to a pair of twin stain glass doors. "This is Momma's throne room." She opened it up and brought the woman inside. It was a garden more than a throne room really. "Momma?" She asked gently. The throne where her mother usually was, was empty. Though the room reacted and another door appeared.

"This way! ADVENTURE!" She tugged Dalanesca to the door and opened it. They were taken to what looked like an outdoor arena of sorts. "Ohh, that's why she didn't want to stop." She let go and ran down to the ledge looking over it. There was her mother and a boy about fifteen. Iva looked up at Dalanesca. "Dally that's my brother."

Angela had a book in one hand and she was reading it. The boy lunged her with a sword but she easily parried it. "Stop being so predictable. You need to not move so heavy! Be fluid." The boy tried again and this time it looked like he used magic. Vines came up and grabbed him throwing him towards Dalanesca and Iva. Wincing as he hit the wall Iva looked at her mother. "That was cheating. If you are going to cheat do it without me noticing."

"You shouldn't be a cheater. Cheater McCheaty Pants." Iva yelled down to the boy who was pulling himself up and dusting himself off. He glared up at the little girl who just stuck her tongue out. "Here comes Momma.. You should ask her when she gets here!"

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:49 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

She found herself feeling warmed as the little girl complimented her name as well. She could not help but find the child’s effort endearing as she stumbled through the multi-syllabled name, but gave her a lot of credit when she said it properly the first time. It sounded like the child thought quite highly of her mother. The thought made Dalanesca sad… she could not remember her mother.

The sadness was short lived as she could see how jubilant the child was about the attention that she paid to her stuffed animal. The girl went on to explain where her clothing had come from – the words meant nothing to Dalanesca, but she nodded all the same. She had never been entirely comfortable around small children, but this girl was an exception and she did not feel uncomfortable in the slightest. She chalked it up to the fact that the girl’s mother was a goddess, of course, whether or not that was actually the case.

She listened as Iva explained her day to day activities. It was cute. ”What sorts of adventures do you and Sir Winston go on?” she asked, encouraging her to regale the events in the most epic fashion possible. ”Surely there have been some great ones!” she added, with excitement in her voice. Her eyes widened at the mention of how many children the goddess had. Over a hundred? That was completely insane, in Dalanesca’s eyes, but she was glad to hear that the deity was insistent on them all being well educated.

With Iva’s tiny hand clutched in her own, she followed her through the darkness. As they moved further, she could see what the child mean by it being like being born… it was as though she was experiencing her senses for the first time after the sensory deprivation that the darkness had brought on. ”She’s right,” she said, offering a smile to her once they were in the light again.

When she could make out the temple, she definitely had a look of awe about her face. She paid much attention to the details that Iva pointed out to her – the place was gorgeous. One thing the girl said to her struck quite the chord with her – the World Tree. She was unsure why, or how, but those words meant something to her.

”The leaves are quite large,” she said, bringing herself back to reality. ”It’s very beautiful here, Iva,” she said, smiling. ”Do you know where your mother is? I need to know if she can help me get back to my home,” she asked, in the most polite manner she could think of.

Author: Iva, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:25 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Iva quite liked this new person though she tended to like anyone who gave her the time of day. "Dalanesca is a nice name to." She found herself stumbling on her name but came through like a champion. She smiled large up at the woman and nodded. "It's something my momma would do." Her momma was her hero.

She got really excited towards her actions towards Winston. "He is pleased to meet you too." She looked back down to her dress and giggled. "Momma said it came from Endapano and that the bow she had to make herself. I ruin a lot of dresses so she always has new ones for me."

As they climbed up the stairs she stopped them short of the canopy of trees. "I play with other children of the clergy, have lessons, prank my siblings, and play in mud.. Mostly though recently Winston and I have been adventuring! I don't like lessons though but Momma says she is not raising a bunch of morons. There are over a hundred of us so she doesn't want a bunch of idiots running around." 

Iva giggled and took her farther. "This next part might be a bit odd for you." She smiled as the darkness consumed them. "Keep hold of my hand." She smiled more even though Dalanesca couldn't see it. "This is the Mother's Footpath." As they traveled farther down the path light began to pour in slowly. Plants and nature filled the air and she could even hear her mother singing a lullaby. "Momma says this place represents what it's like being born."

They got to the archway and made it through until they stood on a very large bridge. Looking at the temple didn't give her a feel of awe like it might Dalanesca. "That's my home right there!" The mansion was one with the giant tree and seemed like they had grown together as one. "Do you like my home? My favorite part is the water that is falling from the sky." She pointed as it cascaded down onto the giant tree and off the large leaves. "The leaves are bigger than you are! Momma says that the World Tree is even larger."

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:14 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

She listened intently as the little girl explained that she was not the first person to fall through the sky, and went on to explain who her mother was – a goddess, and Dalanesca was now in her realm.  Apparently, according to the small child, this goddess was not one of the ‘big evil people,’ but rather she was one that did ‘really good things.’  She offered the child a smile, and let her continue speaking.

She was quiet for a moment, her eyes staring off into the direction of a windmill accompanied with vast fields.  She spoke of people praying, and Dalanesca couldn’t help but chuckle at the nonchalant tone to her voice, though the laughter ceased when she sensed a note of sadness in the girl’s words that she could never be like her mother, due to the fact that her mother was apparently a divine being.  Thankfully, the girl perked up once more and seemed plenty happy.  ”That would be lovely,” she responded, when she offered to bring her to her mother.

She jumped slightly when the girl suddenly grabbed her, not expecting that sudden of a motion from such a small thing.  The girl’s name was beautiful and brought a smile to her lips.  ”That’s a lovely name, Iva,” she said.  ”My name is Dalanesca,” she added as an afterthought, realizing that it would be quite rude of her to not introduce herself.  She was a bit surprised at the girl’s explanation of the her mother, but found herself wincing at the mention of the Winking Mermaid… it was an establishment in Adeluna that Dalanesca had made some horrible decisions at as of late… though she was unsure as to how horrible they actually were. ”Thank you for the help,” she said to the girl.

She couldn’t help but smile again as the girl introduced her to the bear, which she now realized was naught but a child’s toy (she had viewed it as an actual animal in her initial confusion).  ”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Winston,” she said, offering a polite bow to the bear.  ”Yellow is a lovely color,” she said, commenting on both Iva and the bear’s attire.  

”So what does a little one such as yourself do for fun around here?” she asked, attempting to make idle conversation as the two made their way to see Iva’s mother – the goddess of the realm that Dalanesca had somehow found herself in.

Author: Iva, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:46 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

The little girl decided she liked this woman from the moment she tried to protect her. "A few people do a year at least that's what momma says." She smiled a bit and before she answered her question Iva turned around and grabbed Winston. "You are in my momma's realm. She is a goddess you know. Normally the big evil people that smite tiny villagers in stories. Momma isn't bad though she does really good things."

Looking around she stared out over to the windmill then to the fields. "Everyone must be doing a prayer or something. They are really boring. At least I find the clergy life boring. Their children are all 'I want to be like my mom and dad when I get bigger.' and I can't say that cause my momma is a goddess." She was sad for a moment as she rambled. Then she got chipper and hopped about. "I can take you to her. It might be the only way for you to get out of here!"

Without thought Iva grabbed Dalanesca and smiled. "My name is Iva. Momma says my daddy named me it cause it means life." It was her favorite thing about her name. "We just have to go a short way though up to the temple. You might be able to stay here until Momma can take you. She leaves every few days to go bless pregnant bellies and fields. Sometimes she even goes out to this place called the Winking Mermaid and comes home really drunk. Something about my sisters are like screeching cats in her ears and she needs a drink." 

Giggling Iva tugged at her. "Oh and this is Winston." She held up her bear. "He is a royal knight and he protects me. He would have protected you but he is very shy. We match!" She showed off her pretty yellow dress and then the matching bow that Winston had. "My momma's friend taught me how to tie his bow but I'm still learning." She tugged again.

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:36 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Out of nowhere, a small child had appeared.  Her hair, for a moment, reminded Dalanesca of fire, but that thought was only fleeting as the little girl had retrieved a branch from a nearby tree and began to beat on the vines.  She yelled something about telling her mother, which only furthered Dalanesca’s confusion. 

 Was that a bear with the girl?  

She was completely sure that she had hit her head when she had tripped over the rock and that all of this was a hallucination, but when the branches and vines had landed her on her rear on the ground, which did not feel nearly as hard as it looked, she realized that there was a definite chance that this was not a dream or a hallucination.

The little girl approached her and Dalanesca watched her with careful eyes.  She had seen children be privy to sensitive information and training that made them a valuable asset to those with the intent to hurt someone – but the more she studied this little one it did not seem that was the case.  

Though she had never had children of her own, she recoiled instinctively to shield the child from her weapons, thankful when she seemed to realize that touching them would not be in her best interest.  ”I’m alright, I think.” she answered, looking around.  ”I… I honestly don’t know how I came to be falling from the sky, here,” she answered, and it was apparent that she was entirely truthful.  

She watched the girl for a moment before answering her question of help.  Rather than answer, she phrased a question of her own.  ”Can you tell me where I am?” she asked, hoping that the child was smarter than her age gave way – something about her told her that would be the case.

Author: Iva, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:19 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

Hopping along with Winston in toe the little red head was humming to herself. Things had changed for the better since Drae came along. Her mother seemed happy and things seemed a lot more lively. It's like the man understood both of them. Iva had never really had a father figure before. Then there was Sir Winston. He was a marvelous bear with his black fur. She squeezed him close to her.

Her long red curls were going wild. She had earlier gotten into an argument with her nanny while brushing her hair. Her brown eyes had that determined look as she got farther away from the man temple. She was near the wheat fields when she heard a scream. Looking up she shielded her eyes a bit as she watched a body fall from the sky.

"Time to investigate Winston!" She yelled as she ran towards the hazardous patches. Once she got there she stared up at the mass of vines and plants. Setting Winston by a tree she got a branch and starting hitting the vines. "Let her go now before I tell Momma." She stomped her food. "Then you will die." 

She was the little mistress of the area and the vines let the woman down as they found out she wasn't an intruder. They let her hit the ground on her butt and Iva came up to her checking her out. "Oh that looks pointy." She reached out towards her weapons but stopped herself. "Are you okay? You fell a long way. You shouldn't be doing that. People die that way." She brushed her long red hair back and gave her a cheeky smile.

"Do you need to get help?"

Author: Dalanesca, Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:11 PM, Post Subject: Falling [GO-R]

After she had stopped taking so many assassination contracts, Dalanesca found herself with much more free time.  She still travelled well armed, as the enemies that one made while killing for coin did not just disappear when one stopped taking jobs.  She had, however, been having quite a peaceful day, and had wandered just outside of Adeluna for a leisurely stroll.  The sun shone brightly in the sky, and she found herself feeling completely peaceful.  She had always loved the outdoors – that was something she knew was true before she had lost all sense of who she had once been.

She hadn’t always been a contract killer, and now she had chosen to stop the heinous act – at least for now.  For now she was enjoying the existence of life rather than the act of taking it.  As she walked, she made the mistake of paying little attention to her surroundings.  As she walked, the toe of her boot caught on the top of a rock sticking out of the ground.  For a split second she caught a glimpse of cracked marble on the ground.  She let out a yell, bracing for the painful impact of hitting the earth… but she felt nothing.

For a few moments, there was nothing.  She tried to twist around to see above her but there was nothing.  She tried to look beneath her but there was nothing… but soon, there was everything.  She was falling from the sky in some unknown place, the ground rushing at her more quickly than she was comfortable with. ”Oh no… no, no, no!” she cried out, closing her eyes tightly as the ground continued to rush towards her.  She was terrified and confused all at once, nonsensical noises escaping from her lips… but suddenly she had halted, high above the ground.

From somewhere unknown, vines and twigs were grasping her body and wrapping around her stopping her from falling.  At first, she was grateful, but then came the pain.  The vines wrapped tighter and tighter, and soon she could feel the bruising pressure against her skin.  The grip of the plants seemed relentless, and she was sure they were going to crush her to death.

”Someone… anyone… help!” she cried out.  She had no clue where she was, and no idea if there was even anyone around to hear her cries, let alone help her.