Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:14 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Hope…that was a funny thing to hear for a self-proclaimed pessimist. But she supposed that was how it came across to a person who had been in a rut of self-loathing and self-blame. To the lady's offer, she politely declined. "This chair is fine. It's hard for me to fall asleep. I have chronic insomnia, it's like my mind refuses to shut off unless I knock myself out or I go unconscious from exhaustion." She rubbed her face and eyes. This wasn't a surprise, but it did explain the dark circles and generally tired look. "Do you have any lavender or chamomile? That sometimes helps." The key word being 'sometimes', and that was a lot less than she liked. Come to think of it, when was the last time she had slept again? Without Cymbel, it was difficult to get a good night's sleep. But she couldn't rely on his magic forever, she had to find ways to handle herself outside of her workplace.

The warmth of the fire was soothing, and she felt more comfortable being in a position to know if there was danger. It was similar to the habits of cats who preferred to sit on a high perch for its greater vantage point. It gave a sense of security. Her eyes went over to the book the lady had subconsciously touched earlier and that gave her an idea. "…That book, what is it about?" Asking the owner to explain would be less jarring than if Shiloh mentioned how she noticed she had been reading it earlier. The rogue had a distinct feeling that the book was important, maybe even related to her host's past. If she was wrong, then at least it might give her more insight into what sort of relationship she had with the two other people in her first life. Continually pressing for information would cause fatigue and suspicion, both of which would be counterproductive towards her intended result. Her plan was to gradually let the woman open up and recall details naturally, forcing it would cause a greater disruption and possibly muddle facts.

It was the slow and strategic method of casual conversation; a thing she had learned through her painstaking adaptation to common 'human' social norms. Sometimes in order to find information, you needed to come in by a side alley than the main street. Also, allowing someone to talk about things on their own was easier than asking questions one by one.

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Sun Sep 6, 2020 11:59 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Iona couldn’t say if her guest was right. She did not know if the loss of her child was the doing of the curse or not. But the timing had been enough to add to her fear, and she had not managed to bear a child since. That included every one of her lives up to now. She’s had lovers, and she’s lost her innocence unwillingly. Still, never a child.

Smiling softly she looked to her guest with a small sense of relief to have the subject change. “You are welcome to stay as long as you wish,” she replied. Her guest knew more about herself than she knew about her guest. And the paranoia side of her warned that she might be opening herself up to danger, as she’d been betrayed by friends in the past. Yet, she’d never felt so certain about someone’s sincerity before, not as she did with this woman. If she’d wished to harm Iona, she likely already would have. There was the chance that she could be attacked in her sleep, but her guest didn’t have that type of “vibe”.

Or perhaps she was making excuses to trust her because she was tired of being afraid. But she refused to ignore her intuition. Rising from her seat, she took the empty cup from her guest, “I am Iona, and I thank you for helping to open my eyes, and for giving me a little hope.” She took the cup into the kitchen and set it down next to the kettle. “If you wish, I can make a place for you to sleep by the fire. Otherwise I can share my bedroom with you, since there is only one bedroom.” It had been ages ago since her last sleepover. “There is a bathing room down the hall next to the staircase if you wish to wash up. There is another upstairs as well.” She looked at Salem, “More tea?” She offered.

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Fri Sep 4, 2020 1:44 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

As her host talked, Shiloh noticed the distant look in her eyes and the subconscious move of her hand to the book that she had been reading before the visit. She had a feeling that the book had some sort of sentimental value or significance based on that reaction. The summary of the lady's former friend didn't provide very much to work with. But with her host's personal comments about her side of the friendship, she could at least try to make a few guesses. The friend seemed like the type who would approach her first and take the initiative. Both of them were in the same profession and weren't considered highly by others, but Shiloh suspected when it came to the social dynamic between the two–the pale lady would be 'lower' due to her soft-spoken nature. Part of the rogue wondered if the friend's ability to make friends easily was out of genuine altruism or an attempt at establishing ties. Servants didn't have much say when it came to the upper classes, so gaining allies and connections could be a way to compensate. In a class-based society, there was always a desire to rise above one's current rank, especially if you were at the bottom. 

People who knew how to present themselves were more successful and weren't taken advantage of. Those who did not fit the image society expected from them would face a strong disadvantage. She knew that better than anyone. After all, if people don't like you…you'll be a convenient target when someone needs to take responsibility. Apparently that sweet, friendly facade had fallen apart by the time that friend's resentment boiled over. Her host recalled the painful memory of having a miscarriage on the night she was cursed, but Shiloh chose to take that with a grain of salt. Though fortunately she never had to experience it herself, from what she'd read from medical books a miscarriage could be easily caused by a number of things. Part of it had to do with the mother's physical condition, and sudden shock or disturbance to the lower body could cause the muscles to contract. Since she had just witnessed the brutal murder of her lover moments before, there was a very high possibility that this could have caused her to lose her child. But Shiloh kept those thoughts to herself. It wouldn't to any good to bring this up unless she had hard evidence. 

"I see. Well, I can't say much about that. The chain of events did happen naturally the way I see it." It was then that she finally noticed the howling winds outside, and saw snow drifts blow in. The wind had picked up and a blizzard was blowing. "Unfortunately for me, it looks like I'll have to impose on you again. With the weather outside, it seems I'll need to stay the night until it all blows over." She could always tell her staff she had a delay. Deity or not, she didn't like the idea of traveling through a snowstorm. On the upside, this would give her more time to think about the information she'd learned. Downing the cold tea in one shot, she realized she hadn't introduced herself. "Oh right…I completely forgot. You can call me Salem. That's what a lot of folks up in Baltil call me." 

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Thu Sep 3, 2020 12:29 AM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Iona tilted her head. So she wasn’t the only one who thought it might be important. Yet, even the stranger couldn’t seem to pinpoint what was out of place. She moved about as she thought, until she asked a couple more questions. Iona leaned back in her seat again, her eyes turning towards the window. By now she could barely see the lakeside. The wind was howling, stirring the snow around and clouding her vision of the land outside. She stared off in the distance, as if she could see something. And in a way, she could. She saw the friend that she once laughed with, stayed up late with all those nights when they couldn’t sleep or they just weren’t ready to separate ways yet. “We were inseparable,” she replied with a ghostly smile. Absentmindedly, her hand reached out to place her fingertips on the cover of the book beside her. The night they bought that book was one of her favorite memories. O’ the good times they had.

Taking a deep breath, she withdrew her hand. “When we had first met, she was bubbly, always wore a smile. I was a rather shy sort, so she would often take the lead. She’d drag me around, making conversation until she’d managed to open me up. Around others, especially those above us, as we were merely servant girls, she was respectful, yet not afraid to speak her mind. She made friends easily,” her smile faded, and her brow furrowed. Her friend had seemed like the perfect girl. She behaved when she was meant to, and misbehaved when she could get away with it.

But, that night she cursed her… Iona shook her head. “I heard those words in my head, and I began to feel a pain in my stomach as…” her hand was lightly placed on her slim belly, “As the life of my child was taken. The pain crippled me. I couldn’t even watch as she walked away. I know not where she’d gone, nor what’s become of her. That was the last I saw of her.”

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Wed Sep 2, 2020 10:44 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Shiloh clasped her hands and rested her chin on them, bringing her knees to her chest. It was a very precarious sitting position, but her normally flat expression was in a frown. She repeated the words in her mind, trying to make sense of them. "If you remember them so clearly, then they're definitely important. I guess there's only so much we can get from memory." The words themselves were pretty self-explanatory, but what bothered her the most was how they were used. There was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind, but she couldn't tell what it was. "I've heard a lot of horrible things in my life, but for some reason something about the way it sounds makes me uneasy. It's not the words themselves–it's…the format." Yes, that was the word she was looking for. As she put her feet back on the floor, she began to pull at the quill in her hands. "By the way if you don't mind me asking, what kind of person was your friend? If you were to describe her to a complete stranger, what would you say?" She only realized the irony of that sentence after it left her mouth. But this was important. She had a good feel for her host's personality, but she didn't know anything about that friend who eventually cursed her. "And after she cursed you…what happened to her?"

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Wed Sep 2, 2020 9:18 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Instead of answering directly, her guest asked her a question. Knowing it would likely lead up to advice, or some point, Iona followed the woman’s lead. For a moment she considered the difference between curses and blessings, hoping to find common ground. Curses were meant to harm, typically, while blessings were meant to help. Both were very powerful magic and have been known to break even natural laws to ensure its success. Yet, Iona felt none of those were what her guest was wanting to hear. There must be something deeper that she wasn’t aware of. When her time seemed to be up, her guest spoke and revealed the answer. Iona blinked curiously. Contracts was one thing she never would have guessed. She leaned forward slightly like a child prepared to listen intently to a long story.

The woman explained the contract that makes up a blessing and a curse. It was all entirely new information to her, despite the fact she was a witch who was capable of casting curses of her own. But, she’d never done it. It was interesting to learn about curses, and she was relieved to hear that there might be a loophole to hers. Her eyes gleamed with the first flicker of hope she had in many lifetimes. Long ago she’d given up on hoping things would change. She believed she should face the facts, and realize that she would never be free. But, perhaps if she hadn’t become so fearful of being close to others, she could have sought out an expert and had the curse broken long ago. Couldn’t she have?

When her guest admitted who she believed was truly at fault for what happened, Iona was slightly surprised. Not to hear that she was to blame; she already knew it to be true. But that she also blamed her friend and her lover. She’d always thought that it was her own actions that set everything in motion. She’d known how her friend became insecure around her, it’s why she stayed when they were allowed to attend the royal party. And when she’d met the man courting her, she should’ve turned a cold shoulder. She’d seen what was coming by the way he looked at her; she knew it wouldn’t end well. If she had avoided him and told her friend what kind of guy he really was, all of it could’ve been avoided. But, she supposed that was unfair to think. It was like blaming herself for being raped because she walked down the wrong street. She was no more at fault than her lover because he chose to be unfaithful. And her friend… As much as it pained her to admit, her friend could have handled it better herself.

Iona stared down at her tea and slumped back in her seat, looking defeated. As if the truth had winded her. When she was done voicing her opinions, the sound of her going through her belongings made Iona lift her gaze with interest. Her guest wrote down three words. Iona quirked a pale brow. And the moment she realized it was another explanation about curses—grudge-based, apparently, she set her tea aside and scooted forward in her chair so she could see better. Her eyes were large and bright, silent excitement for learning about magic.

She watched as all the arrows were drawn, listening intently to how things had truly happened. It was like a whole new door was opened to her, for she’d always viewed the situation through more simple eyes. She’d betrayed her friend, and she sought revenge…it was as simple as that. Or so she thought. Once again, it was a reminder of just how little she knew. Finally, when she asked if she was right, Iona took a minute to consider it. Something seemed to be out of place, though. Yet, she couldn’t tell what. The curse echoed in her mind. “‘I curse you. Deceitful demon, venomous viper who speaks nothing but lies, I curse you. Suffer until your dying day, suffer in all lives beyond. Lose all that you love most, and you shall know my pain. Conniving little Witch, I curse you for all eternity…” She lifted her gaze to meet her guest’s. “I don’t recall her saying those words, but they repeat themselves over and over in my head. Could it be important concerning your theory?”

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Wed Sep 2, 2020 5:17 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

She knew she wasn't the type to sweeten her words so they would go down smoothly. And she wasn't self-righteous enough to think that she was completely objective. But Shiloh had a genuine interest in this woman's past history and what exactly had happened. Fortunately the lady was willing to disclose more about herself and why she was in this situation. When Iona recalled how many times she had been through the loop and the details of what befell her past friends and family, it was clear what kind of supernatural phenomenon they were dealing with. A grudge. Yes, one of the oldest and most persistent of curses fueled by an undying hatred that could transcend time and space. It was possible that the very first curse came from a grudge, and from it came forth all sorts of horrible variations. And the most common cause was jealousy. It was a textbook scenario: there were two women, one fell in love with a man–but the man loved the other; the first woman would be driven mad by envy and would commit some sort of violent crime before cursing the other out of spite, cementing the last requirement to give the curse form. 

Letting the pale woman finish, Shiloh answered her question with one of her own. "Do you know what curses and blessings have in common?" The dark-haired woman paused, giving her host a few moments to come up with a guess. Her gaze met the woman's as she leaned her head against her hand. When the silent countdown was up, she gave the answer: "They are both contracts." Shiloh proceeded to explain her line of reasoning. "Both blessings and curses can only work under specific conditions. Without those conditions, they are words on the wind. As the saying goes, 'an undeserved curse does not come to rest'. The reason why is simple–if it cannot find its intended recipient, it will rebound back onto the sender. That is why when one blesses or curses, they must choose their words wisely. And just because those conditions weren't verbally spoken doesn't mean they're not in effect."

She then folded her hands together, looking down at her fingers interlocking with each other. "If a curse is still valid, then that means one of a few things. First, the conditions for termination have not yet been reached, or someone has failed to take responsibility. It's possible that the curse wasn't designed to have an end to begin with, but that gives us a little leeway. Like any legal and binding contract, the less specific the terms are, the easier it is to find a loophole." Returning to the details surrounding the curse's origin, Shiloh took in a deep breath and leaned back in her seat, slouching. "I'm going to say this upfront–none of you were innocent in this situation. There isn't a single party in your case that isn't guilty. Your friend wasn't willing to face reality, while you deliberately hid the truth from her as long as possible because you didn't want to lose your friendship. And as for the man…he sounds like a filthy lecher–pardon my language. If a man doesn't know how take 'no' for an answer, that's already a problem." 

"From your perspective, it does seem like he was intentionally leading your friend on while refusing to say he wasn't interested in her. Which is completely despicable when you think about it. He had the guts to pressure a woman into being his lover but didn't have enough to tell another woman no. Or he changed his mind after seeing you. Not your fault, by the way. He was the one that approached you, not the other way around. But if you decided to enter a relationship with him, you should have let your friend know. Well, enough dissecting and picking things apart. Let's lay it all out on the table." Rummaging through her things, she pulled out a quill and a bottle of ink. She fished out a crinkled piece of parchment, and smoothed it out to make it more usable. Uncapping the ink, she began scribbling a simple diagram with three names forming a triangle: 'Friend', 'Lover', and 'You'.

Drawing arrows, she began her summary of Iona's recollection of events. "Allow me to explain the foundations of the grudge-based curse she made against you. By being with him, she believed you had betrayed her trust. The brunt of her anger was directed more towards you than your lover, and this is shown through how she acted. She killed him for failing to reciprocate her affections, but she never forgave you. She probably already knew that he was being cold towards her, but she thought you wouldn't accept his advances. The way I see it, she didn't curse you to feel her pain. She cursed you to suffer, again and again in the worst way possible, for breaking her trust in you. If she had truly cursed you to feel her pain, you would have been trapped in situations where you would be constantly betrayed by the people you trusted. Instead, she took her anger out on you with the people you love as collateral damage. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, being accurate is more important than being right at this point."

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Wed Sep 2, 2020 3:21 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Iona was taken aback by the woman’s bluntness. She expressed no hesitation to speak such harsh words. They were sharp, and hit her hard. Did she not care about others feelings? Or was she only trying to get a point across clearly? Although it hurt, Iona did appreciate her honest opinion. It made her think.

Even though her guest changed the subject to briefly answer Iona’s question, she was now more focused on whether or not the woman was right about her. She always tried to avoid being selfish after she was cursed, but she’d never considered there may have been selfishness behind her “selflessness”. How had she been so blind? Yes, she was afraid of being hurt again, but she truly did care about others. She didn’t want anyone else harmed because of her. But, if living amongst them didn’t help, and neither did living in solitude, then what was she supposed to do?

She shook her head lightly as the woman started to dig a little deeper. And Iona didn’t question, nor did she complain. She took one more sip of her tea, then set it down upon the table beside her. For a few heartbeats she kept her silence while she let her memories flow through her. “I know because it has followed me through many lifetimes,” she began calmly, smoothly, yet her eyes were heavy with sorrow and regret. “I was but a simple human with no magical talents. There was no reason I should have been reborn over and over. And, it mattered not how many times I died; my misfortunes continued to follow me into my next life. Without fail, each of my kin were killed, one by one. Every person who cared about me, whom I loved, met the same fate. I could try to protect them as much as I liked, but sooner or later, the end result was always the same.” Her eyes shifted to meet those of her guest, “I have been reborn over fifty times.” She had experienced the same thing over far too many lifetimes for it to be a coincidence.

She looked towards the blazing fire, reds and oranges and yellows dancing in her cool eyes. “I had been selfish, and now I pay for my sin.” She paused as every moment of that dreadful night washed over her, forcing her to relive it.

Finally, “I had a friend once. She was madly in love with a man. But, when he and I finally met… I didn’t like the way he looked at me, how he always turned his eyes upon me when my friend had her back turned. And the first chance he was given…” her voice faded for a moment as she swallowed hard. “He charmed me. I… I kept denying him. I did not wish to betray my friend. But he was persuasive.” She shook her head, turning her face downcast with shame, “I’d told myself that I was saving her from a loveless relationship—that it would be best to lose him rather than spend her whole life only to find his heart belonged to another. I told myself such things to justify my actions and bury my guilt. But I had no right to make that decision for her… And I was foolish enough to hope she would understand. However, it broke her when he explained why he was leaving her. And it consumed her.” Horror reflected in her eyes as she recalled the woman who’d once been her best friend killing her lover before her very eyes, spatting words of hatred. Iona had felt darkness erupting from her friend—she’d felt it take hold of her. It took the life of her unborn child, and made it impossible for her to escape her suffering through death.

She blinked and took a deep breath to wash those memories away. She took up her tea, “For my punishment, she cursed me to always feel her pain. The pain of losing the one she loved the most. And to prevent me from escaping the pain, I am reborn after every death and forced to relive my losses, only with new faces.” She took a slow sip from her drink. Then, she said quietly, “At first I accepted this fate and believed I deserved it. And, in a way, I suppose I still do. However, I should’ve suffered alone. Others should not suffer as well.” Iona looked back at her guest sadly, yet desperately, “If you do not approve of my decision to live in solitude, then may I ask for your advice?” She did not want to live alone, yet she was tired of others paying the price for her curse. But she’d never thought to ask for help before, nor was she courageous enough to risk allowing anyone to help. She always feared they would suffer as well. Yet, it was clear that nothing she did on her own was working. Perhaps it was time she stopped trying to solve it on her own.

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2020 7:44 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

The answer wasn't unexpected. Her words aside, Shiloh could read the exact same feelings from her expression and body language alone. Resignation, despondency, lingering regrets. They muddied the atmosphere like smoke in the wind. Intermingling, they swirled together until they solidified into the overarching belief that this was something she deserved, that this was her lot in life. Self-blame hung off her like a grey cloud. But when the woman made her defense for her actions, this was where the rogue disagreed. A sober solemness was in her eyes as the tiredness briefly left them when she folded her hands and crossed her legs. "You're not trying to keep them safe. You're trying to protect yourself." As harsh and blunt as those words were, Shiloh knew as well as anybody what was going on. Curse or no curse–from the tone of voice and choice of words the pale lady was taking the entire responsibility for things that likely weren't under her control. Before entering this world, she had gone through the exact same thought process albeit for different reasons. As to her question on why she was here–she didn't mince words. "I have a habit of looking into rumors when I hear them, especially when there aren't clear answers."

Though the mention of a curse meant that things weren't going to be so cut and dried. However, hiding away wasn't going to solve anything and this woman wouldn't be able to hide forever…even if she was a witch. Despite having a decidedly different stance about her situation, Shiloh went on to ask. "Can you explain this 'curse' of yours in more detail? How do you know that your past misfortunes weren't due to some unlucky coincidence?" She had to be careful not to push her own opinions too early, lest she solidify the lady's preconceived notions and block off her chance to learn more. Situations like these were like a game of tug of war–sometimes you had to push and other times you had to pull in order to make headway. She couldn't deny the woman's personal feelings outright, so she had to follow the train of thought to its point of origin. Receiving more information about her circumstances would shed more light on whether this case had a curse as its cause. Perhaps she might come off as cold and tactless, but it was clear that the haggard stranger had a genuine interest in Iona–her 'curse' included. She wasn't here to make small talk and merely satisfy her own curiosity.

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2020 6:26 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

She allowed the woman inside and closed the door behind them. “Make yourself comfortable. I will brew us some tea.” Iona curtsied before she went off to the kitchen. If it could be considered another room. No walls stood between it and the den. She warmed the water, then soaked tea leaves after pouring some into cups. A little sugar was added for some sweetness. Once finished, she carried the cups into the den, handing one to the stranger before taking a seat on the loveseat across from the rocking chair. No sooner had she sat down was she met with more questions. Iona only took a sip of her tea, and smiled a little sadly. There was no hesitation to answer—she already knew the answer. No need to contemplate.

“I chose to live this way because it is for the best,” she said with confidence. “I am cursed, you see. A curse that has ended innocent lives, harmed people who had done no wrong. All because they knew me. The stronger their feelings are for me, and mine for them, the more they suffered. I believe that it can end if I make this small sacrifice. And so, I made claims, only neglecting to tell the fact that I am truly the witch possessed. I allowed them to draw their own conclusions.”

She paused to stare down at the steaming cup in her hands. Memories danced in her clear blue eyes. Memories of all those lost because of her, and memories of when she was made the victim due to her naivety. What those dragon hunters had done… It was not the first time it’d happened to her. It mattered not how many times she was reborn. People such as them always wanted one thing. What would happen should someone—a man—find a woman living all alone, far from people, far from any witnesses? But with the rumors, now they did not believe her to be so defenseless. Even though they only feared being cursed by her witchcraft.

“Please, understand that I take no pleasure in using their fears against them,” she quietly said, lifting her gaze to meet the woman’s. “However, it keeps them safe. That is all that I need.” Her families, lovers, friends—all of them lost because of this curse, because they’d cared for her.

Besides, she wasn’t entirely human. Who was she to try making herself a place in their world as if she belonged? Cilas believed she could belong if she desired it. But, the fact of the matter was that no one accepted a witch they presumed to be evil, nor a spirit, and otherworldly being they do not understand.

“Have you come to investigate?” She asked curiously.

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:58 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Their small talk essentially confirmed what she had suspected, however what she wasn't counting on was the accused having spread those rumors herself. It didn't take much for Shiloh to guess why; she too was guilty of using gossip and hearsay to her own benefit. It's easier to spread ideas and preconceived notions when they come from familiar faces than through the mouths of strangers. After the woman made an honest confession, the rogue crossed her arms and didn't look surprised. "I figured as much. The aura of this place wouldn't be half as innocent if it was." There would be traces of the murders, attempts at keeping the acts hidden, and evidence that needed to be destroyed. Skeletons in the closet literally and figuratively, and the lingering smell of blood. It was a good thing this person likely wasn't looking into her mind. As Shiloh was mulling over it all, she almost forgot what sort of weather they were in as another icy gust wormed its way through her clothes. Even with her ability to acclimate to her environment, the cold wasn't something you wanted to get used to.

Feeling numbness starting to creep into her toes and fingers, she reluctantly took the so-called witch's offer. "I'll accept your invitation." She said, choosing her wording carefully. Another scan with aura sight gave no signs of malevolence in the woman's attitude and the building, so she followed after the pale lady into the welcoming warmth of shelter. Once the door was shut, the absence of a cold draft was enough to help melt away the ever-present chill that clung to her face and skin. Letting out a deep sigh, her breath wasn't visible and she settled into a chair. It was finally quiet. Being as tired as she was, light and noise seemed to be amplified wherever she went. While waiting for the lady to bring the tea she had promised earlier, Shiloh took the chance to survey the interior of the cabin in detail. From the fireplace she made a guess on how long it it had been burning, the smell of the air inside told her what was being prepared in the kitchen, and she saw the book which the woman had been reading before her unannounced house call. 

The house itself did not feel magical, otherwise she would've started feeling nauseous or dizzy. Her first question once both of them were seated was to ask, "Why bother spreading rumors when you live in a place few people can get to or even know about?" Was she hiding something? Or rather, by the way things seemed–was she hiding from something or someone? "Very few people choose to become a hermit, but almost all hermits are by choice." Shiloh wanted to see how she would respond, as she was trying to wrap her head around why someone who seemed harmless was trying to hide themselves away so badly. And seeing how friendly this 'witch' was to a suspicious stranger she had just met, the self-imposed isolation felt like an act done out of desperation. But for what?

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:12 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Iona blinked curiously. The response she was given was not the one she was expecting. She glanced about the area wonderously with a thoughtful hum. The lake was vast, yet hidden by the dense and large forest surrounding it. Many have become lost within. No one would expect to find a lake amidst the forest heart, let alone someone living beside it. Unless they were one of the folk who knew of this place, no one would think to search for people. And if there should be a blizzard as the stranger noted, even the townsfolk surely would not be able to find her home.

“Yes, I suppose so,” she agreed quietly. Iona had yet to learn why the stranger would point out her solitude.

As the woman turned to face Iona directly, she reached by instinct to hold her silken robe closed, containing her modesty. And then, the stranger’s true interests were spoken. Iona gave pause. She feared this woman’s intentions. A witch hunter perhaps? Sent by the townsfolk? She’d know it to only be a matter of time before they let their fear of the unknown cloud their judgment. Humans were predictable that way. But she could not blame them. She understood their fear, even now as she faced this woman.

However, she could not allow herself to forget that she is an experienced witch. She had enough power to protect herself.

Smiling softly, she replied very simply, “Yes, I do know of the rumor you speak of, for I am the one who started it. Because it is true.” She shook her head a little as she continued, “However, allow me to put any fear that might burden you to rest. I only made the claim that the spirit of a witch lives among these trees. But the stories of men vanishing, and disobedient children being cooked and eaten—every horror story told—are untrue. In truth, this so-called witch spirit has never harmed a single soul.”

Another pause when a bone-chilling breeze swept over them. It reminded her that they were exposed to the cold. And glancing over the other’s concerning features, Iona felt the woman could use some rest.

“Forgive me, where are my manners,” she placed her free hand upon her cheek with a disappointed shake of her head. “My dear, you must be freezing! Would you like to come inside? I may answer whatever questions you may have over some hot tea, if you’d wish.”

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:01 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

There was someone inside the house, sitting with a book open. The interior looked clean and well-lit, and there was a distinct lack of suspicious paraphernalia associated with the occult and strange. Not very witch-like, if you asked her. Shiloh's organized chaos in her own personal chambers located within the Machinarium was closer to that than this. It was just a normal house in the woods. The resident looked up from the book they were reading to lock eyes with the lurking rogue, nearly jumping out of their seat. The individual composed themselves and went to answer the door, and Shiloh's eyes followed them. The creak of the hinges told her it was open, and a young woman matching the vendor's description leaned outside to see what was going on. A quiet voice asked: "Pardon me, are you looking for something?" Removing herself from the window, the fogged imprint of her face slowly misted over as the dark-haired woman gave a terse reply. "Yes. And I've already found it. This is a pretty nice place secluded out in the wilderness. If a blizzard passed through, it'd be practically invisible." 

When standing up straight, the rogue was slightly taller out of the two of them. The visual differences were a clear contrast: her haggard appearance and dark circles beneath her eyes versus the pale and fine features of the rumored spirit that haunted these parts. Turning to the woman, her question was direct. "Word on the street is there's a ghost or some sort hanging around this side of the mountain. Do you know anything about that?" She asked not because she suspected her, but because she wanted to confirm if the rumors were just gossip or if the locals had confused another incident with something else. In the darkness of night, light and shadow would play tricks on the mind when one was alone and fearful. A sheet blowing in the wind could look like a specter, and the howls of a cold icy wind would make one's imagination run wild. Up in the remote wilderness, every sound and noise was a monster–real or otherwise. She stared at the pale woman's face intently, reading her expressions and body language for information that wasn't put into words. Her eyes also scanned what they could see through the crack in the door for anything she missed from looking in through the window.

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:23 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

How fascinating it was to read such fictional tales. Through all of her lifetimes, her interest in storybooks never faded. She was allured by the use of words—how they were used to paint pictures in one’s mind, give birth to scenes and give rise to emotions. She found enjoyment in seeing just how powerful the tongue could be, even when written to tell stories that were untrue. It was amusing as well to become emotionally attached to characters that never existed.

She flipped the page.

It was a book she’d read many a times, and it was her favorite. She recalled its age as well. It’d initially been published when she was that lowly servant girl, the naive maiden who’d cost her dearest friend her happiness. A mistake that resulted in her becoming cursed. How many reincarnations ago was that by now? Twenty? Fifty? She couldn’t quite recall. And yet, the memory was clear as a bell. As if it’d only transpired recently.

And the book—she and her friend had been wise with their earnings to ensure they were able to afford a copy. It was all the rage among young women such as themselves. When they read the book, it became clear as to why. It was full of hopeful romance, and yet ended in tragedy. It played with the frail hearts of its readers. The emotion is what they’d been drawn to.

That, and it was beautifully written. The scenes were written so well one could almost feel as though it were real. And the wording—it was poetic.

She was near to finishing it once again. Only a few chapters left. But then something had caught her attention. She looked up from the book and towards the window. The face of a person was peering in, their breath quickly fogging up the glass until their face was no more than a blurry mash of colors. It was a sight alarming enough to make her jump. Why would someone be spying through her window? She could only think of sinister reasons they might have. Perhaps someone searching for an empty house to rob. Or, they could be folk from the nearest town, seeking to rid the mountains of the evil witch or harmful spirit they were led to believe resided within her home.

But then again, unless spoken to, their reasons would be left unknown. And she wasn’t one to assume.

She closed her book with a light thud and set it aside. Iona rose from her seat and approached the door. It opened without so much as a quiet creak as she leaned to peer outside. “Pardon me, are you looking for something?” She inquired softly. 

Author: Shiloh Kyrie, Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:19 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Zets'Ki wasn't on her usual route, being east of Baltil. The snowy settlement of Saljians wasn't a place she visited normally around this time of year, but she had seen it often enough when the world came together to celebrate Reverie. Her reasons for stopping by were simple–she wanted to get a general feel for how many villages and people lived in these mountains. While she already had many information channels in the major cities, it was the rural and smaller settlements that risked falling through the cracks. The nightmare of the World Eaters' invasion and then the remnants that wrought havoc in Mo'mey were still fresh in her mind, not to mention the chain of events that had led up to them. After arriving in the city, Shiloh went around to see what sort of goods were in demand here. Her basic assessment of Zets'Ki Cradle's resources was brief, and while she was browsing the market one of the vendors noticed her. The man waved at her and she went over. He pulled her aside and said: "I noticed you're new around here, so I'll give you a word of warning–if you're going to stay outside the city, don't venture towards the nearby lake. There's a witch who lives there in those parts. Her hair and skin are pale, and she occasionally comes into town. Lately she hasn't been appearing as often, but it's best not to get too close."

Listening carefully, the rogue nodded and let the man go off to attend to his business. After giving him the satisfaction of warning an unwary stranger, it was clear that the rumored lake was where she would be heading to next. Shiloh wasn't the type of person to accept things at face value without gathering enough information. People had a tendency to be unreliable sources thanks to their limited understanding or bias. Leaving Zets'Ki discreetly, she made the long trek through the snowy woods. For a long time the only sound she heard was the crunch of freshly fallen snow beneath her boots. Although she had plenty of artifacts and clothes to keep her warm, the chill still found its way in. When the trees and snow all started to look the same, she found it. 

The lake was a dark blue in the midst of the snow, clear and undisturbed. The area was quiet, without even the faint chatter of birds. The cabin was not too far off, tucked away into the copse of frosted firs and spruce. Unlike how the man had described it, the place looked peaceful. It didn't feel like a place that people needed to avoid; more like a place for someone who wanted to avoid people. That was the impression Shiloh had when she took stock of the area. Sometimes individuals wanted to keep to themselves and cared less about what others thought of them. Maybe they wanted their own personal space, or they were doing just fine all alone. The lack of tracks meant whoever lived here hadn't come out since the last snowfall or weren't in. Using aura sight, she figured it was the former. Somebody was home. There was a life signature, meaning it wasn't a ghost or a figment of her imagination.

Approaching the solitary abode, there was the sound of scratching that could be heard by whoever was on the other side of its walls. And when the resident turned to look out the window, there would be a partially obscured face pressed up against the glass. Fog formed on the windowpanes as Shiloh's warm breath was chilled by the icy air. 

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2020 3:46 PM, Post Subject: Lady of the Lake [P]

Soft humming filled the empty halls, accompanied by the howling of the wind outside and the quiet crackling of fire in the chimney. She swayed back and forth in her chair with a book in her hands. As it was not her first few moons since gaining her mortal body, Iona had learned a great many things. Much of which Cilas had taught her on their journeys. Yet, it was not to last. He seemed to have vanished when they dared to venture into those old ruins, and she had yet to learn of his whereabouts. Perhaps he’d become lost, or ensnared within one of the many traps lay within. Or for worse, she feared his life may have been lost. She had managed to escape after they parted ways, only because she stumbled upon a trap that spit her right outside the ruin walls.

Many a years have passed. And after being rejected too many times by folk overly frightened by those ruins to search for him, she had been left with no other choice but to end her search. For too long she clung to the hope that he’d returned, but she knew better. The curse whispered into her ears, reminding her that in the end she always loses those she loves the most. To death, and a great number of other ways. And when she lost Cilas—she snapped. Her memories returned in full, reminding her of her previous lives and each and every heart aching loss she’d been forced to endure.

No more.

It was high time she gave in to the curse and stopped trying. Lives were only lost and broken on her account. She wished for it all to end.

And so, she moved on. Followed the path Cilas had last spoken of when he’d mentioned his family until she found herself in Zets’ki. She’d managed to earn herself an honest living as a simple seamstress and tailor in the city. Once she’d obtained a respectable amount of coin, she bought this cabin. It was miles from the nearest civilization, deeper into the mountains. It resided at the edge of a dense forest, and directly by the shore of a large, glistening lake. It was a comely little place, just the right size for someone living on their own. It had all that she required to get by in life.

To keep others away, she used rumors that the spirit of a witch dwelled near the lake. It was a simple little thing to spill, while she watched as the rumors flew and twisted from person to person. On their own they came up with the belief that it was the “Lady of the Lake”, a spirit of an old witch who drowns her victims. Some believe the mountains and forests surrounding the cabin were haunted, and that the witch lures in men, both wed and bachelors, into her home and they never return. Children are often told that the witch will offer them sweets and eat them should they fall for her trick. A gruesome tale to keep them within their parents’ sights.

Being the only one known to live near the lake, the townsfolk share whispers about her. They suspect, and fear, avoiding her as a result and become too frightened to so much as glance at her the wrong way. No man dared to touch her again. And of those who must share some form of contact with her were oddly kind in her presence, and very awkward. And yet, she’d shown no indication that she had any ill will, nor that she even possessed any sort of magic. So without any proof against her, the townsfolk could say nothing against her, allowing her to work and run errands among them.

It was lonely to live in such a way, but it was for the best. And, she found comfort in knowing lives will be spared by keeping her distance from others. Because of this, she still had reason to smile.