Gigi
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5 Cleric of Graves
Posts: 109 
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Post by Gigi on May 18, 2019 0:39:40 GMT
 I t was dusk, growing darker as the sun set across the Sword Coast. A bit of a spring breeze persisted as it brought in the cooler air of night across the City of the Dead. Mist that always seemed to linger once the sun started to set sprang up around the cemetery, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Ravens cawed in the trees, heralding the commotion of two individuals briskly walking through the crypt filled land. "Pix, are you sure this is a good idea?""You're not gonna learn if you don't practice. Believe me, you don't want your first attempts at repelling ghosts an' shit to be the first time you do this."The dark skinned human, more milk chocolate than any other color you might describe him as, was clearly young. Only just into his teens, looking fresh faced, full of life, and definitely not worn down by the responsibilities of adulthood he had warm brown eyes, full lips, and dark kinked hair that slightly fro'ed out around his head. The beginnings of red tinged tattoos, looking like egg whites had dripped down his arm from the shoulder to the elbow, covered the back of each arm. "Magma, you'll do fine. And if something happens I'll be here to back you up. I'm not gonna let you get hurt."The woman on the other hand looked neither teenaged, fresh faced, full of life, and was clearly shouldering the weight of many adult responsibilities. You could tell in the way she kept a cigarette between her fingers, metal fingers, and the way her eyes kept darting around for danger that the other wasn't aware could even be a thing. The two kept walking, following a path that seemed to not make much sense at all while avoiding the patrol of the Gravekeeper who kept an eye on the dead. They didn't seem surprised to see the Keeper, as if they knew his schedule and patrol, and simply waited for him to pass - Gigi's hand up in a motion to signal silence. "Alright, let's keep going."Well into the City of the Dead, past the Hall of Sages and cutting through the overgrown grasses of the middle, past the Warriors of Waterdeep monument and heading towards the Road's End (the tomb reserved for those who died as a simple traveler into the city) the two walked. Speaking in hushed voices when they did, Magma following Gigi like a puppy at her heels, the duo only stopping to occasionally let a more 'well respected' well wishers pass. It's not that Gigi or Magma disrespected the dead. Contrary, they were very much at home within the bones and mummified bodies having spent so much time inside the walls. Just - not many respected the criminal networks that were scattered across the larger city of Waterdeep. Of which they both were. The Little Birds, to be precise. A criminal organization that operated a postal service as a front for their information and supplies management side of things. It was easy to ship goods stolen from the wealthy and distribute it among the needy when you had all the resources of a postal guild. Stopping between three rather large mausoleums in the near center of the City Gigi stopped and looked around carefully, a hand on Magma's shoulder. She was still and unphased. He was a bit jittery and nervous. The mist shifted color, a black and blue sort of tone that could be missed if you weren't ready for it. Shapes began to appear in the mist, a hand, torso.... Until a tall humanoid cloaked shadowy figure rose out of the shrubs around them, flickering in the descending darkness. "Fuck Gigi look!" Magma pointed and pulled into himself. "Pixie, Mag. Pixie. Not Gigi. Get in the habit. And you're fine. Just focus, like we practiced." Her hand simply squeezed on his shoulder, no other affection offered. But it seemed that was enough, or perhaps, for them? Pressure on the shoulder was all that was needed. Closing his eyes even as the shadow came drifting closer the dark skinned human calmed his breathing, set his lips, and lifted his right hand. Slowly the middle finger extended, only to close back in a fist to then allow the pinkie, middle and index to point outward with the ring and thumb pinching closed. "Go away!" His voice cracked as if in puberty. The shadow repelled slightly, but didn't flee. "Focus, breathe. Center on yourself the feelings that keep you grounded to this world an' share it with the feeling channeling through your body." Gigi steadily spoke into his ear, not lifting a hand to help. Not yet. Nodding Magma put his arm up higher, with more focus and zeal. This time? The tattoos on his shoulders and arms had a steady red thum of light flicker through them, then fade. "Again Mag. From Mūlādhāra now, where you've been connecting too!" Her voice was harsh but encouraging, the tone cutting through his nerves. A third time now the teen tried to channel the energy inside of him. Gigi by now was standing directly behind him, her right hand moving to press her thumb right at the base of his spine to correct posture and bring attention to the root chakra she'd mentioned before. Now? Now Magma's tattoos lit as he focused, successfully. His red tinged magic lit across his skin and pulsed out around them. This time? The shadow turned and faded back into the darkening cemetery. At his success Magma turned around with a hopeful look on his face. A grin and a nod of approval from the pink haired healer had the younger victory motion with his whole arm. "Nice choice of somatic motions." Gigi started to say as more movement started to condense from the darkness at the end of the channel divinity range. "Get ready, there's more." |
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Kestrel
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Posts: 319
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Post by Kestrel on May 20, 2019 22:16:09 GMT
This place was a little scary!
Echo shivered and pulled her scarf tighter around her neck. Maybe a little more than a little. Like, a lot. A lot of scary. The tabaxi peeked out from over the top of a crooked gravestone, hands tight against the cold stone, and swished her tail. Honestly? She kind of hated the City of the Dead. Not as much as the Dock Ward, of course! That place really sucked. Hard. But…she still hated it, more than most places in the city, at least. What was there to like? It was just a jumble of painful broken stones and uncomfortable clammy nights and lots and lots and lots of gross and scary dead things. Did any of that sound like fun? Echo huffed. No! No, it did not! It was all, like, the opposite of fun. Especially right then, with dusk there and night fast approaching, and a spine-chilling breeze that swirled the mists around and made even furry Echo shuffle in place. So, why in the Nine Hells was she there in the first place?
Birds!
Echo’s ears twitched as a raven cawed close by. No! Not, uh, the small and pretty and flying kind, but the sneaky and thieving and peopley kind. The Birds. Smugglers, thieves, outcasts, and nobodies who had formed their own group back in Baldur’s Gate. Did all kinds of odds and ends (illegal ones, naturally) but, even more importantly, they took care of anyone who lived on the streets. Beggars. Cripples and the sick. Orphans. So…her! At least back then. Echo hopped from one foot to the other, each short breath a white puff. It was the Birds who had found her and Wisp after they had escaped the Palace: helped them get setup, helped them make a living for themselves, and helped them survive all the suck at the time. She sighed, ears flattening a little, and touched her scarf. Even helped her escape the city…that night. Really, she owed a lot to the Birds.
Her and Wisp both!
And, well…she hoped they could do it again. Help her. With Wisp, actually. Thoughts of her old partner, the map she had stolen, her dreams – all of them were what had brought Echo there. To no-fun dead people town. Echo squinted. She already knew that Waterdeep had Birds too and, hitting up some of her contacts and prowling the backstreets, the treasure hunter had caught word that a couple of them were sometimes seen at the City of the Dead. Why? Who the hells knew? Awful place, through and through. Still, it was her best chance to get in touch with the group again – reconnect some of those ol’ relations and stuff – and see if they would help her out with…her idea. Her plan. Her hope? It sure was something right now. Something sh – there! Echo ducked a bit father down behind the gravestone and watched.
Two shadowy figures had emerged from the mist, passed close by, and then disappeared farther into the graveyard. Echo cocked her head. One of them had been young: dark skinned, darker hair, and covered in really weird red tattoos. Cool! But weird. The other, though? Older she supposed. Awesome pink hair. Smoking. Had a…metal arm? Thing? Huh. Echo pushed herself up and over the gravestone, pulled her hood down lower, and then followed behind them. Her tail dragged across the dewy ground and she kept a distance back. Far enough to keep them looking more like ghosts than people, but not far enough to lose the glow of the lady’s cigarette. Were they the Birds? A bunch of weirdos? Murderers or grave robbers? Maybe all three! Either way, they were the first people Echo had seen for some time and, if nothing else, she was bored. So, they walked for a little while. The treasure hunter danced around gravestones, slipped past prickly brambles and the bare limbs of dead trees, and soon shuffled just behind a large, cobwebbed mausoleum. She shooed a curious raven away and then her one green eye poked out around it.
They had also stopped.
And they were doing…something? Something strange. The guy was standing, arm out in front, and extended toward a thick patch of mist beyond the two of them. The lady was close behind. They were talking, and Echo’s ears perked as she caught a few words here and there. Fuck. Gigi. Focus. Go away! At that the tabaxi twitched, her fur bristling, but she took a deep breath. There was no way they had spotted her yet. Instead, her breath caught in her throat as she watched a shadow emerge from the mists. Just…a shadow. A humanoid shaped shadow, with flickering hands and cloak, that seemed to float right over every stone, shrub, and grave in its path. It looked bad! Bad and dangerous. The guy seemed nervous too, but his partner moved up behind him, placed her hands on his shoulder and back, and held him there. One second. Another. A third. The guy’s tattoos began to glow, Echo gasped, and then the shadow fled. That was…huh. Yeah! Huh. Maybe talking to them right then was not a good idea! Still, she at least wanted to make sure they were really the Birds. The tabaxi crept around the mausoleum, low to the ground, and stepped forw-
“Ow!”
Her foot smashed right into a big piece of crumbled masonry. A sharp big piece of crumbled masonry. Pain shot through her leg as Echo, foot in hand, began to hop around in place. She scattered a flock of ravens as they flew shrieking through the air.
“Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow- “
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Gigi
Approved
5 Cleric of Graves
Posts: 109
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Post by Gigi on May 21, 2019 2:56:49 GMT
T he sound of someone tripping into something had both Gigi and Magma turning sharply towards the source of the sound. Magma with a frightened wide-eye look paired with an arm rising to hold up to his chest. Gigi with narrowed eyes and immediately swung her right arm to push Magma behind her and raising her left which swelled with green sacred flame without any hesitation. Tremors shook the ground around them, a pile of broken gravestone chinking as pieces were tumbled loose to thud on the grass. "Fly." She stated without hesitation, backward glance, or stuttering. Magma, nowhere near ballsy enough to defy his mentor, turned and booked it away as fast as he could into the fleeing ravens - his speed was impressive to say the least. Leaving Gigi standing there with a set look on her face he disappeared. In the span of time it took for the initial sound that had drawn their attention and the series of 'ows' to repeat themselves Gigi was on her own with the unknown thread. Green illuminating the area, graveyard mist curling where Magma had run, Gigi spoke sharply. "Who are..." her voice trailed off a bit as the light uncovered a tabaxi hopping up and down, holding a foot. "... You?" She trailed off, the statement turning into a strange 'not sure if I believe what I'm seeing' sort of question. Taking a few steps closer, weighing quickly in her mind the benefits to keeping the light up or dropping it in favor of not drawing any other attention, Gigi got a better view of her target. Molted colors, black markings, ragged enough clothing. The healer extinguished her light. This wasn't someone who was with the guard or watch. Scowling, heart racing still, Gigi worked on schooling the sudden spook she'd had. Lowering her arm she crossed it with the other. In a quieter voice she whispered sharply, "And what are you doing here?" As if she had rights to be sneaking around a graveyard and the other didn't. There was only so much time still to determine if this was a threat or not, and if she needed to 'fly' as well. |
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Kestrel
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Icon by @ArtByRue on Twitter!
Posts: 319
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Post by Kestrel on May 21, 2019 17:57:40 GMT
Stupid rock! Stupid foot! Stupid place! Stupid everything!
“Ow! Ow! Ow! O – ah!”
Echo, still hopping around on one foot and holding the other, yelped as the ground shook and threw her off balance. She tumbled backwards and landed with her back against the mausoleum. Ow. Cold mists, scary shadowy things, sharp rocks, and now…earthquakes? Echo hissed and leaned her head against the stone. Cat Lord, this place actually sucked almost as bad as the Dock Ward! Almost. Everything was weirdly green all of a sudden, too! What – was it going to start raining actual acid or something? She frowned. Well…she hoped not, at least. That would be bad! Either way, the tabaxi sighed, lifted her foot, and then clicked her tongue. There was only a small cut on one toe, a thin drip of blood beading there along her fur. That was okay. But, worse than that? She had chipped a claw!
Damnit.
That was a whole afternoon of filing right there. Echo clicked her tongue a second time, lowering her foot, and then looked up. The pink haired lady was staring right back. The tattoo guy who had been with her was nowhere to be seen, with only the mists swirling around them now. The treasure hunter’s eyes focused on the green fire in the lady’s hand. Oh. Double damnit! Her ears perked, though, as the lady spoke, and she cocked her head. What was she doing there?
“Other than kicking dumb rocks?”
She sighed.
“I’m, like, looking for you. Maybe.”
Echo climbed to her feet, brushed some of the dust and cobwebs from her clothes, and then pulled back her hood. The lady’s voice was as sharp as the stone she had just smashed into. Her face looked, uh, not happy! And the fire in her hand was just a little worrying. Green fire? That was cool! Also green fire? That sounded…hot. Dangerous for flammable fur. Bad! Still, the lady had not attacked her yet. The tabaxi placed a hand on her hip. That was promising, she supposed! She then flicked her tail and pointed at the lady with her other.
“You a Bird?”
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Gigi
Approved
5 Cleric of Graves
Posts: 109
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Post by Gigi on May 22, 2019 23:07:28 GMT
"No, I'm a bitch." She deadpanned after several long seconds of silence and hard staring at the tabaxi. Even as she circumvented the truth Gigi was immediately on edge and curious at the same time. The way this cat had said 'bird' was unmistakable. She'd said it as if it were a title, group, or name. Not just something that flew. Arms still crossed Gigi didn't offer anything more helpful or something potentially beneficial to the conversation. The way the tabaxi pointed at her signaled red flags in Gigi's head - it was the sort of posture arrogant and entitled and excitable people had. Like children. Or bards. Entertainers. People who had the uncanny knack at figuring out much more than people like her cared for them to know. Her eyes couldn't help but dart down to see the tender way the cat held its foot. If it were a friend she would have offered to take a look. As they were complete strangers? She didn't give a rat's ass unless the injury somehow expanded to directly affect her and her own well being. Gigi did her best to make it seem like she had no idea what the tabaxi meant by 'Bird', capital 'B'. People knew of her and were looking for her directly usually sent their request through the postal system. Direct patients knew who she was, and vice versa, and had no need to tromp through the graveyard looking for her. And for a random humanoid to try and reach out to their group? Most simply looked for help, rarely ever did they know of the gang until they were told of it. There was one other rare way for someone to know of the Birds and not actually be a Bird themselves. Honorary Birds, those who had done a great service to the gang, or had a significant connection to someone within the gang but had no wish to actively engage in the benefits or perks of being a member. They would know enough to ask around but not be sure who to talk to. They would have had a gold pendent though, and knew to have it where casually seen such as around the neck or on a bracelet. And would know the Momma Mystic's dialect of Thieves Cant to make a proper greeting. There were Potential Birds - those spotted in the streets or heard through the grape vine of someone struggling. Usually young kids, single parents, or struggling individuals kicked on by society though it wasn't always the case. There was a list of Potentials in the Crypt, paired with descriptions, so anyone would be able to recognize them and step in if needed. They had a silver pendent. Finally, there were Nestlings. Those who received aid or help by the gang overall, generally a one time or small series of aid, then sent on their way. A copper pendent, or sometimes a copper feather made of wire, was given as a memorial piece. Something tangible to hold on to, to remind them the world was shit, yes, but there were always birds around no matter the weather or season, to give help. Rarely ever did they see a Nestling again. |
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Kestrel
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Icon by @ArtByRue on Twitter!
Posts: 319
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Post by Kestrel on May 23, 2019 19:47:50 GMT
Mist and shadows and silence surrounded them. Echo cleared her throat and scratched her neck, tail swishing slowly behind her. One ear twitched. Close to them a raven cawed, a straggler from the flock she had scattered earlier, as it hopped around a pile of broken masonry. It pecked at a lone pebble. Farther off a twig snapped and Echo cocked her head. Another bird? Grave visitor? Shambling horde of flesh-eating zombies? She sniffled, scratching at her neck again. Who knew? Then…more silence. And even more silence. Sooooo much silence. Echo frowned, shrugged with her hands out, and then crossed them.
Like…okay? Was that it? Just…a bitch. Okay.
“I mean, like, you’re not wrong.”
Cat Lord, at this point she would take the flesh-eating zombies! This was weird as heck. The lady could, uh, at least sort of answer the question, please! The tabaxi hummed to herself. After all, she was pretty sure a Bird could also be a bitch, right? Right. Not birdy birds – they were way too awesome to be bitches – but peopley Birds definitely could! So, Echo still had to wonder: had she actually found the Birds? Or just some dumb rude lady? Cool metal arm thing or not. Echo tapped a claw against her chin, huffed, and then closed her eyes. If only there was a wa – there was!
She had almost forgotten!
“Wait!”
Echo bounced in place.
“I remember there was, uh, a passphrase or something! Uh…”
Her shut eyes scrunched and her nose wrinkled as she searched her brain.
“What the hells was it! Something like…get a kestrel for a rogue? Put the dove in the…the…the fire? No, that, like, doesn’t sound right either.”
The treasure hunter tapped her foot.
“Fall arse over tit keeps coming up, but…like, what does that even mean? Um. Um. Um. Uh…a feather? A feather in your something… “
Echo stomped her foot, huffed loudly, and then opened her eyes. This was useless! Almost forgotten? She had totally forgotten the dumb passphrase they had given her! It was…a while ago, to be fair, but all the same. Dumb! Still, the mention of a feather had made her remember something else. Flipping up one side of her scarf, the tabaxi reached into the folds of the tan fabric, fiddled around to undo its clip, and then pulled out a copper pendent. A copper bird pendent. It was an albatross, a bird she had heard the sailors and stuff at Baldur’s Gate (when they were not at the docks, at least, because screw that otherwise) talk about often. One of its wings was bent, however, and what would have once been a shiny smooth surface was dull, scratched, and flecked with specks of green. Echo held out her hand.
“Whatever. Anyway, they also gave me this little thing.”
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Gigi
Approved
5 Cleric of Graves
Posts: 109
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Post by Gigi on May 26, 2019 16:14:03 GMT
L istening to the poor stuttering description of whatever the hell the tabaxi was attempting to explain, Gigi sat on her hip in a very disinterested posture. At the mention of a passphrase her eyebrow rose in a curious gesture, slowly morphing to a smirk that screamed 'I know what you're trying to say, but I'm not gonna help you say it'. The effect only deepened as the tabaxi went through several failed attempts of bird pun inspired phrases. By now? The worry that this was some sort of set up by the guards had fallen, and true focus and active listening skills were being used. There were a few almost complete phrases spoken in the Momma Mystic dialect of Thieves Cant - but Gigi doubted the cat meant to say anything she was very poorly messing up and requesting. A snort here or there punctuated the worst of the colloquialisms. This was hilarious and overall seemed several good guesses without being absolutely correct. As no passphrase was actually stated correctly? She didn't quite have to care yet. It was a form of protection, the phrase had to be correct. Otherwise any strange bird pun would have them accidently spilling gang secrets. Anyone could start rattling off bird phrases, particularly undercover guard trying to weed out their base. Turning around when it seemed she had exhausted all potential avenues Gigi was prepared to start walking away. Her session with Mag was still on the docket - the lesson being reorganized in her head as she mentally muttered away at how to adjust things without them going at it too much later - at least, it was until the tabaxi held out her hand, a copper pendent in her hand. Gigi's eyes widened slightly, her metal hand reaching out to take the bird, an albatross on closer inspection, and run her real thumb over it. It was old, well worn by time and the elements, but still, absolutely without a doubt, one of the Nestling coins. This one, a carved out and miniature sea bird, told Gigi immediately it'd come originally from Baulder's Gate. On the northern Sword Cost? Neverwinter had the raven. Luskan had the osprey. Waterdeep had the mockingbird. Her eyes flicked up from the copper piece to look into the cat's eye. "You could have had this out in the first place if you were lookin' for us." She grinned, posture changing from uptight and suspiciously unconcerned to almost... Friendly. "And you were looking for 'Birds of a feather flock together." Paired together with the attempt after attempt of colloquialism and having the pendent? Mashed together with the... Less then impressive appearance of the stray looking tabaxi, Gigi didn't think this was a set up. An actor could have been hired by the guard and somehow gotten a copper... But they wouldn't have stubbed their toes too. Handing back the pendent Gigi pushed her pink hair out of her face and reevaluated her new charge. For that was what she was now, her charge. And depending on the circumstance as to why the Nestling was looking for help again? She'd either pass her on to someone who could help better, or take the job on herself. "What's goin' on?" The healer twisted lightly so the shoulder cuff of her metal arm could be seen. There, engraved on the roundest part near where the bicep would be, was an engraved mockingbird in the same position as the albatross was on the pendant. Her own proof to the tabaxi that she was who she was looking for. Of a sorts. "I apologize for the rudeness earlier." She rolled her eyes slightly, not out of sarcasm but out of what she said next. "Never know if the Guard are sniffing around where we don't want to be found - you know how it goes.... I'm Pixie. How can I help you out, Nestling?" From her own studies of healing and dedication to the Birds Gigi had recently risen to her own standing of Juvenile rank. As a Juvy? She'd be expected to handle this herself instead of bringing her directly to someone more experienced. If it was out of her league? An Adult would take over. Otherwise? Well, it'd be a win-win. She would have another success under her belt as she worked towards her Adult ranking and the Nestling would have her problem solved. |
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