A clattering song of swords sang back and forth as they went. Percival and Willow would trade blows, adding to the music, filling the silence left by tense onlookers. Cheering and goading had fallen to the wayside by this point, as everyone knew what cost even the slightest distraction could incur. They couldn’t break her focus, or the focus of her opponent. The one-armed duelist was relentless, and above all, unflappable.
Until today.
It happened around Willow’s seventh strike, as she pushed the advance on Percival, he gave her ground. This made the crowd hopeful, but there came an audible sigh as he drew blood in a vicious swing. The length of the edge had managed to leave a shallow cut in her arm, saved by the Allomancer’s reflexes.
It was there that the Alchemist’s steely mask broke, and his brows rose, before sinking in frustration. He tightened his grip on his blade, squaring himself up. There was only the slightest hesitation, but he gritted his teeth as he threw his whole self into a lateral slash that proved to be a feint, twirling into another stab.
[The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Willow was doing well, Willow thought as she watched Willow. The back of her mind picked out critiques that she would need to work on, after she recovered of course, and continued to subtly guide her body towards the performance she wanted. At least up until something unsettling happened; Mr Caxton’s face expressed an emotion. It was enough to make Willow’s consciousness take a front seat again long enough to think Mr. Caxton’s incoming swing seemed a bit more expensive than his usual strikes.
Eyes going wide, Willow caught herself before she committed to countering the slash, and watching as the Alchemist’s saber twirled; its point aiming with deadly precision. Her entire body was a live wire as her off-hand swung up to bash the dull back of the saber. Her main hand took the beginning of its primordial block, swished her wrist, and swung the blade.
“Now!” Willow bellowed involuntarily as her saber sliced towards his collar.
Eyes going wide, Willow caught herself before she committed to countering the slash, and watching as the Alchemist’s saber twirled; its point aiming with deadly precision. Her entire body was a live wire as her off-hand swung up to bash the dull back of the saber. Her main hand took the beginning of its primordial block, swished her wrist, and swung the blade.
“Now!” Willow bellowed involuntarily as her saber sliced towards his collar.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
The swipe was swift, fast and sharp. Willow could feel the edge drag for just a moment in a way she had never felt before in these duels. Her sword had only ever sliced air, or bounced off an edge.
Percival’s sword clattered to the ground as his hand went up to his neck. His eyes drifted to the grass as he realized what just happened. Willow could see the wheels turning in his eyes in a way that did not befit someone who had blood gushing from under his hand.
“She did it,” breathed Noble, just audible from his spot in the stands. Diligence roared, waking up the crowd and, and a thunderous cheer erupted that was so loud, it was almost deafening. Percival’s eyes fluttered, before a weak gout of ethereal took over his form, masking his disappearance. The smallkin and artisans in the stands leaped over the fence, rushing Willow, elated at her victory.
Over their heads, she would see the Alchemist appear again in the doorway he had entered from, stumbling, and then disappearing only to flash up again further away in the dark.
Her attention was wrested away as four arms threw themselves around her. Clever was laughing, the first of the artisans to reach her.
“You did it! You got him! It’s over,” her relief was palpable. If Willow bothered to look around in the celebration, she’d find the artisans taking the victory in different ways: disbelief, celebration, and quiet catharsis. Her days of dying were done.
She had managed to best one of the Menagerie, on his terms.
Percival’s sword clattered to the ground as his hand went up to his neck. His eyes drifted to the grass as he realized what just happened. Willow could see the wheels turning in his eyes in a way that did not befit someone who had blood gushing from under his hand.
“She did it,” breathed Noble, just audible from his spot in the stands. Diligence roared, waking up the crowd and, and a thunderous cheer erupted that was so loud, it was almost deafening. Percival’s eyes fluttered, before a weak gout of ethereal took over his form, masking his disappearance. The smallkin and artisans in the stands leaped over the fence, rushing Willow, elated at her victory.
Over their heads, she would see the Alchemist appear again in the doorway he had entered from, stumbling, and then disappearing only to flash up again further away in the dark.
Her attention was wrested away as four arms threw themselves around her. Clever was laughing, the first of the artisans to reach her.
“You did it! You got him! It’s over,” her relief was palpable. If Willow bothered to look around in the celebration, she’d find the artisans taking the victory in different ways: disbelief, celebration, and quiet catharsis. Her days of dying were done.
She had managed to best one of the Menagerie, on his terms.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Looking stoic as her blade came to rest at her side with a crimson streak upon it, Willow took a moment to process what had just happened. She had just landed a hit, and not just any hit but an ostensibly fatal hit. A part of her felt shocked and immediately worried about the man’s well-being, but another part of her rationalized as Caxton bamfed away that he had initiated this contest and would obviously have means of recuperating much like Willow had on her loses; right? The fact that she had won the contest didn’t even really dawn on her until Clever grappled her into a hug. After that the Briton looked around to see the stands rushing the greens, and Willow had just scored the winning goal. Willow.exe was loading.
“I won? I won!” Willow exclaimed, about to join in the revelry until her rational side kicked in real quick and made her sheath her saber. Returning Clever’s hug as she grinned from ear to ear, Willow couldn’t help but laugh as she felt a wave of relief wash over her; likely the wound she had received healing itself, but it was more than that too. It was like she had been stuck in a hot and stuffy cramped room, and a door had finally opened to let in cool fresh air. Breathing deep, she broke away from the hug and stretched. Looking skyward it seemed she settled into pensive contemplation, but the warm smile remained. Caxton was one of the Menagerie; on par with the likes of Mister Flynn and Miss Jane, a demi-god of creation presiding over a pocket dimension, and a really brutal swordsman. And she had just beaten him in a head-to-head duel.
“No Clever, unfortunately this is just beginning,” Willow’s eyes looked momentarily tired before shifting to eager anticipation. Sure, she had beaten Caxton which was absolutely cause to celebrate, but the only thing that was over was her training. She had beaten the skill check; the Ornstein and Smough of her little solo adventure. Now she was into the real meat and potatoes of the ordeal. Now all she had to do was beat Vengeance and save the Realm. No big deal. “But! That’s Future Willow’s problem. Present Willow wants to celebrate!”
“I won? I won!” Willow exclaimed, about to join in the revelry until her rational side kicked in real quick and made her sheath her saber. Returning Clever’s hug as she grinned from ear to ear, Willow couldn’t help but laugh as she felt a wave of relief wash over her; likely the wound she had received healing itself, but it was more than that too. It was like she had been stuck in a hot and stuffy cramped room, and a door had finally opened to let in cool fresh air. Breathing deep, she broke away from the hug and stretched. Looking skyward it seemed she settled into pensive contemplation, but the warm smile remained. Caxton was one of the Menagerie; on par with the likes of Mister Flynn and Miss Jane, a demi-god of creation presiding over a pocket dimension, and a really brutal swordsman. And she had just beaten him in a head-to-head duel.
“No Clever, unfortunately this is just beginning,” Willow’s eyes looked momentarily tired before shifting to eager anticipation. Sure, she had beaten Caxton which was absolutely cause to celebrate, but the only thing that was over was her training. She had beaten the skill check; the Ornstein and Smough of her little solo adventure. Now she was into the real meat and potatoes of the ordeal. Now all she had to do was beat Vengeance and save the Realm. No big deal. “But! That’s Future Willow’s problem. Present Willow wants to celebrate!”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
To punctuate Willow’s point, Diligence came flying from the stands, taking Willow to the ground. Creative managed to pluck him off with a talon, swooping by before a reap foght could ensue. The quarrids were getting raucous, and their Forge God showed no intent to curb them. So, as always, Noble stepped up.
“Blessed denizens of the Elementalia!” beseeched the Captain, spreading his fully healed wings wide,, “today is a glorious day! Willow Metaleater has undone the one-armed duelist with the greatest merit and skill! He is no more, and that means that, before long, so will Vengeance!”
This bold claim brought on even more cheers, and Noble had to bring his hands up to bring them back down, “We have never been closer to peace in the land! We are close! So close! This is the penultimate victory, but it is a grand victory nonetheless and will be celebrated. Tonight we will feast in Dyrnwyn’s hall in Willow’s honor, and toast to the victories won and those to come!”
The crowd of smallkin burst out in adulation, and began to flow forth in preparation for the event. Smart, having been quietly celebrating the win from her seat, finally made her way over to Willow. She tapped on her on the shoulder, and smiled wearily, as the Allomancer’s many deaths had taken a toll on her heart.
“You should drop off your sword at your room and get cleaned up,” advised Smart, “Noble is very lofty, but he is no different than Diligence when it comes to celebration. Good job.”
Her hands were shaking, and she began to wipe at her glassy eyes, “I’m glad you’re done with that now.”
That said, she made for a hasty escape, pressing her robes into her face as she weaved through the crowd of smallkin. A pair of talons found rest on Willow’s shoulder, Bjorn having finally made his ways over. The odinkine above were still all chittering and singing.
“The job is done,” said Bjorn, his head turning sharply at something. He seemed to be watching a creature that looked like a dove take flight from a tree at the edge of the grounds, “but the one-armed man knew the way forward, did he not? He is gone. What do we do now?”
“Blessed denizens of the Elementalia!” beseeched the Captain, spreading his fully healed wings wide,, “today is a glorious day! Willow Metaleater has undone the one-armed duelist with the greatest merit and skill! He is no more, and that means that, before long, so will Vengeance!”
This bold claim brought on even more cheers, and Noble had to bring his hands up to bring them back down, “We have never been closer to peace in the land! We are close! So close! This is the penultimate victory, but it is a grand victory nonetheless and will be celebrated. Tonight we will feast in Dyrnwyn’s hall in Willow’s honor, and toast to the victories won and those to come!”
The crowd of smallkin burst out in adulation, and began to flow forth in preparation for the event. Smart, having been quietly celebrating the win from her seat, finally made her way over to Willow. She tapped on her on the shoulder, and smiled wearily, as the Allomancer’s many deaths had taken a toll on her heart.
“You should drop off your sword at your room and get cleaned up,” advised Smart, “Noble is very lofty, but he is no different than Diligence when it comes to celebration. Good job.”
Her hands were shaking, and she began to wipe at her glassy eyes, “I’m glad you’re done with that now.”
That said, she made for a hasty escape, pressing her robes into her face as she weaved through the crowd of smallkin. A pair of talons found rest on Willow’s shoulder, Bjorn having finally made his ways over. The odinkine above were still all chittering and singing.
“The job is done,” said Bjorn, his head turning sharply at something. He seemed to be watching a creature that looked like a dove take flight from a tree at the edge of the grounds, “but the one-armed man knew the way forward, did he not? He is gone. What do we do now?”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“Yeah, not a bad idea,” Willow replied to Smart with a laugh as she brushed herself off from Diligence’s tackle. While it had been a different mood from the last time he had tackled her, it was still enough to knock the wind out of her without any Pewter burning. Looking around at the cheering crowd she couldn’t help but feel good. This was what she envisioned when she dreamed of grandeur. These were the parts of games or shows that emboldened her as the protagonist rallied the masses whether through bold actions or stirring speeches. Willow had managed the bold action back, but didn’t trust her eloquence to make a follow up with words.
“We rest up for a bit. Celebrate today, prepare tomorrow, probably set out the day after. First though, I want to wash up, so go play with your girlfriend while I freshen up,” Willow spoke easily as she looked sidelong to Bjorn as she began to make her way through the crowds as well on her way up to her room. Passing crowds already devolving into revelry centered on her, she did her best to make good time. That said, the trip was at least three times longer than normal, and once she finally got to her room she shut the door and leaned her back against the solid wood. A heavy ragged sigh escaped her as she slid to the ground. A soft thunk sounded as Willow let her head droop back to rest against the surface behind her.
Letting her own mask drop for a bit as she was alone, Willow looked tired. Smart wasn’t the only one who had paid a toll for the past few months. Looking over towards the remains of the ESCAPE wardrobe, that she had insisted be left in its destroyed heap, she counted how many times she had wished she hadn’t ordered it destroyed. After the previous round she had even cried beside the broken escape, wallowing in regret over committing to willful agony. At the time she had been certain she was nowhere close to beating Caxton, and the knowledge that she would need to yet again walk to her own execution had torn her up inside. Now it was done, and all those months of building tension were suddenly released leaving her feel ragged. What was worse, the fading tension only served to make clear the picture that she wasn’t done yet.
Undoing her belt, Willow removed the saber from where it angled uncomfortably against her hip. Holding the scabbard out in front of her she stared at it for a few moments, then her grip tightened and she pushed herself up. Stretching, her shoulders cracked before she walked over to her desk and sat the saber down. Taking a seat, Willow turned on the body camera she had brought with her from way back in her dorm. The last replacement battery was already inside it, and its memory probably only had a couple hours of sustained footage left; so she was using it as a diary.
“Video log, Day…. Whatever the fuck day it is today… it’s probably a Tuesday. Feels like a Tuesday. Anyway, I finally did it. I passed the test. Beat Caxton…” Willow paused for a short while as she looked towards nothing in particular, her face looking sad. “God, I’m tired. And… it feels like I still have so far to go. So many times I thought about giving up, but, every time some more of the smallfolk would show up, or someone would start up a new chant calling my name, and I knew no matter how tired I got I couldn’t allow myself to stop. If I did, I would be betraying them. They are why I’m doing this.”
She looked back at the camera for a moment.
“Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ll be making more of these, as hopefully I’ll be back in the dorm after the next big bout… I miss everyone. Hope to see you all again soon.”
Willow turned the camera off and undressed part way so she could wash off the blood and grime from the fight. Once cleaned, she put on her button-up, tucking it in and rolling up the sleeves, and plopped her hat atop her head. Then she took a deep breath, and strode out to the main hall.
“We rest up for a bit. Celebrate today, prepare tomorrow, probably set out the day after. First though, I want to wash up, so go play with your girlfriend while I freshen up,” Willow spoke easily as she looked sidelong to Bjorn as she began to make her way through the crowds as well on her way up to her room. Passing crowds already devolving into revelry centered on her, she did her best to make good time. That said, the trip was at least three times longer than normal, and once she finally got to her room she shut the door and leaned her back against the solid wood. A heavy ragged sigh escaped her as she slid to the ground. A soft thunk sounded as Willow let her head droop back to rest against the surface behind her.
Letting her own mask drop for a bit as she was alone, Willow looked tired. Smart wasn’t the only one who had paid a toll for the past few months. Looking over towards the remains of the ESCAPE wardrobe, that she had insisted be left in its destroyed heap, she counted how many times she had wished she hadn’t ordered it destroyed. After the previous round she had even cried beside the broken escape, wallowing in regret over committing to willful agony. At the time she had been certain she was nowhere close to beating Caxton, and the knowledge that she would need to yet again walk to her own execution had torn her up inside. Now it was done, and all those months of building tension were suddenly released leaving her feel ragged. What was worse, the fading tension only served to make clear the picture that she wasn’t done yet.
Noble’s words rattled in her mind. Of course she knew and remembered her primary goal, but the Artisan’s declaration felt like a shackle. He made it sound so easy. Hell, Willow had made it sound so easy back when she first started. God she had been naïve.He is no more, and that means, before long, so will Vengeance!
Undoing her belt, Willow removed the saber from where it angled uncomfortably against her hip. Holding the scabbard out in front of her she stared at it for a few moments, then her grip tightened and she pushed herself up. Stretching, her shoulders cracked before she walked over to her desk and sat the saber down. Taking a seat, Willow turned on the body camera she had brought with her from way back in her dorm. The last replacement battery was already inside it, and its memory probably only had a couple hours of sustained footage left; so she was using it as a diary.
“Video log, Day…. Whatever the fuck day it is today… it’s probably a Tuesday. Feels like a Tuesday. Anyway, I finally did it. I passed the test. Beat Caxton…” Willow paused for a short while as she looked towards nothing in particular, her face looking sad. “God, I’m tired. And… it feels like I still have so far to go. So many times I thought about giving up, but, every time some more of the smallfolk would show up, or someone would start up a new chant calling my name, and I knew no matter how tired I got I couldn’t allow myself to stop. If I did, I would be betraying them. They are why I’m doing this.”
She looked back at the camera for a moment.
“Anyway, I’m not sure if I’ll be making more of these, as hopefully I’ll be back in the dorm after the next big bout… I miss everyone. Hope to see you all again soon.”
Willow turned the camera off and undressed part way so she could wash off the blood and grime from the fight. Once cleaned, she put on her button-up, tucking it in and rolling up the sleeves, and plopped her hat atop her head. Then she took a deep breath, and strode out to the main hall.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
When Willow stepped out, she nearly bumped into someone waiting outside her door. Had it not been for the ethereal glow, she would’ve run headlong into the person. A steadying hand nestled on the Allomancer’s chest, and a well of power resonated from the contact. They were divine, an artisan, Willow had been around them enough to recognize it by air alone.
Yet, this artisan was neither Diligence, Smart, Clever, Creative, nor Diligence; she was a bit older, like what the others would one day turn into. This was a mature deity, of flowing white hair, that hooded a kaleidoscopic array of color underneath. Her face sculpted into fine, beautiful features that drew the eye and the heart.
The long Willow looked upon this figure, the more her features softened into a shape she could recognize. It wasn’t until the stranger spoke that her form came fully into focus.
“Having a swell time, I see,” commented a voice as pure as its edge could be sharp.
It was Laoise.
Yet, this artisan was neither Diligence, Smart, Clever, Creative, nor Diligence; she was a bit older, like what the others would one day turn into. This was a mature deity, of flowing white hair, that hooded a kaleidoscopic array of color underneath. Her face sculpted into fine, beautiful features that drew the eye and the heart.
The long Willow looked upon this figure, the more her features softened into a shape she could recognize. It wasn’t until the stranger spoke that her form came fully into focus.
“Having a swell time, I see,” commented a voice as pure as its edge could be sharp.
It was Laoise.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
Eyes wide, Willow stared at the entity in front of her. Her mind ran through a series of reactions, the first of which was to apologize in polite Briton fashion, the next was a series of rapid blinks as she processed the identity of who stood in front of her. Apparently, she had not met all of the artisans, which was weird; although not as weird as the fact that this one looked an awful lot like…
Willow’s arms quickly wrapped around the visitor. A rather involuntary reaction as Willow had never been much of a hugger, but as this followed so close on the heels of her emotional overflow, she couldn’t help herself once she recognized a familiar face from home.
“Miss Laoise? What are you doing here?” Willow asked without letting up on the hug.
Willow’s arms quickly wrapped around the visitor. A rather involuntary reaction as Willow had never been much of a hugger, but as this followed so close on the heels of her emotional overflow, she couldn’t help herself once she recognized a familiar face from home.
“Miss Laoise? What are you doing here?” Willow asked without letting up on the hug.
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
“To check on you,” answered Laoise, returning the embrace with an overwhelming sense of warmth, “I thought something stupid was going on when Percy brought someone other than Manon in here.”
With a graceful, flowing turn of her hand, the hall melted away. Dirt foamed up from stone, crunching the carven work into natural formations. The door to her cadre’s quarters opened, now wooden, revealing the familiar, cozy interior of a cottage she and Drysi had spent a lot of time in. There were a few posh trimmings that set it apart, but it had that same still comfort, that same smell of home.
“I watched your fight with him,” came a knowing tone, “I know Percy’s become… unhinged… but I also know he’s not so far gone to do anything permanent to you.”
Laoise leaned back, cupping Willow’s chin to look her over, “You’ve been here a while. I love your hair, by the by.”
The sentence had started out concerned, but ended upbeat. Ruarc’s ethereal looking familiar gestured to the cottage interior. “Why don’t we sit for a minute? I’d like to talk.”
With a graceful, flowing turn of her hand, the hall melted away. Dirt foamed up from stone, crunching the carven work into natural formations. The door to her cadre’s quarters opened, now wooden, revealing the familiar, cozy interior of a cottage she and Drysi had spent a lot of time in. There were a few posh trimmings that set it apart, but it had that same still comfort, that same smell of home.
“I watched your fight with him,” came a knowing tone, “I know Percy’s become… unhinged… but I also know he’s not so far gone to do anything permanent to you.”
Laoise leaned back, cupping Willow’s chin to look her over, “You’ve been here a while. I love your hair, by the by.”
The sentence had started out concerned, but ended upbeat. Ruarc’s ethereal looking familiar gestured to the cottage interior. “Why don’t we sit for a minute? I’d like to talk.”
Re: [The Dorms] A Perilous Acquaintance
The relief on Willow’s face was palpable as she sank into her usual seat at the dining table; or at least the replication of her usual seat. She had watched with awe as the world around her shifted, as was filled with questions about what exactly was going on. With a curious eye she inspected the cottage as well as the younger Flynn sibling as she tried to discern the mystery herself. Only a few moments went by before she gave up and she melted down onto the table, arms outstretched as she basked in familiarity like a lizard would the sun.
“Alright, rephrase: why are you doing here… ahem, why are you here?” Willow’s words mumbled a little as her chin rested against the table. “Only other person I’ve seen here besides Caxton is Manon, and her reason for being got explained. Can familiars be fonts?”
There were a couple other questions bouncing around in her mind, including correcting Miss Laoise that Caxton wouldn’t have left any physical permanent damage. She’d have to wait and see if anything mental had been left behind.
“Alright, rephrase: why are you doing here… ahem, why are you here?” Willow’s words mumbled a little as her chin rested against the table. “Only other person I’ve seen here besides Caxton is Manon, and her reason for being got explained. Can familiars be fonts?”
There were a couple other questions bouncing around in her mind, including correcting Miss Laoise that Caxton wouldn’t have left any physical permanent damage. She’d have to wait and see if anything mental had been left behind.