Only YOU Can Prevent Spontaneous Combustion!

[Woe]

Ymiden 60th, Arc 721

Botany's baying seemed to sound for miles, as he caught scent of something strange. Woe had never seen him react in such a way. He'd seen him react adversely to Tunawa, to Naerrik, and even to the Creep of Quacia. But never had he seen him so excited and agitated as he was at that moment, running through the woods, barrelling through the thick trunks of phoenix trees. Toutouye was enjoying himself far too much, mimicking the dog's movements along the ground, running more or less on all fours himself, as Iago rolled his eyes, strolling along side, a little behind Woe himself.

"Come Iago. Don't dawdle, I've never seen him so excited!" Woe shouted, trying to keep pace with his dog but failing. He would follow his trail if need be, but the dog's baying made that point moot.

Iago groaned as he stepped to, trying to keep pace with his much older father, "What's the point? He's probably found another one of those tree people, and then..."

"That may be, but it's no excuse to let him run rampant. Those tree people are still people, with all the rights we have. Which means I'd be liable if something happened to it on account of Botany."

So saying, Woe rushed after his Quacian Bloodhound, who'd caught scent of a most unusual blood-type.



Botany huffed at the air, reveling in a new scent he'd never experienced before. It was like blood, only hot, fire blood, if such a thing could be believed. Something in the Quacian Bloodhound thrilled to it, as his alpha and his alpha's pups followed closely behind. His long, lanky gray limbs pounded the dirt beneath him as he picked up the speed, now breaking away from his alpha and the rest of the pack.

Before long, he had the scent of the fire blood. He would be upon them in moments, and then? Well Botany didn't know, but it would be exciting to have a new scent!

Template by Natalia Gregorios

[Alyssia]

Alyssia hummed while walking Novus outside of the manor. She decided to take the day off from her studies and go out exploring. Though the teen made sure not to go too far and become lost. With Novus it may not have been something that she needed to worry about, but the girl was not going to risk it. She stopped and sat on a rock letting Novus wander around her sniffing and marking wherever he wished since they were the only two in the woods to her knowledge. The teen wanted to familiarize herself with the plants that were around the island now. A loud barking caused the girl to look the way it was coming from.

“Huh, I wonder who that is out here. I have never heard a dog that sounded like that before,” Alyssia stated and looked at Novus, “come here.”

She made sure that the Nightpup was content beside her before standing up as the creature got louder. Wincing, Alyssia covered her ears some not used to how loud it was. The teen jerked back in shock when what appeared to be a dog barreled into the clearing where she was at. Looking around, the teen did not see anyone immediately behind it. Alyssia got up to her feet slowly so that she would not startle it. When Novus growled, the girl turned and motioned for him to stay where he was before looking back to the other animal.

“Hey there. Where did you come from? I don’t recognize what kind of animal you are,” Alyssia said gently reaching out with one hand with her palm exposed.

She jerked her hand back when what appeared to be a boy burst through the bushes as well. The teen did not move or say anything as he was walking much like the dog did. Perhaps it was the dog’s owner? More rustling caused Alyssia to move back towards the rock waiting to see who else would appear. A smile appeared on her face when Woe finally made his appearance. Finally, someone that the girl actually recognized among the strange group. For once the girl was not wearing anything to mark her as a smooglenuff. While a last name was great, there was much weight that came with her new name.

“Mister Woe. Hello, it has been a long time since we have met. I hope you are doing well since our last meeting,” Alyssia said and bowed at her waist in respect to the man.

[Woe]

Botany didn't approach too closely to Alyssia when he finally spotted her, and got into the same clearing she occupied. Instead, he fixed his mismatched crimson and silver eyes, and sniffed the air a bit. When she made to move forward, Botany hopped back, and bayed at the sky, looking over his shoulder. He was wagging his tail currently, but didn't appear to show any signs of aggression, thankfully. He didn't appear the least bit uncomfortable or out of sorts, and was a perfectly healthy Quacian Bloodhound.

Then Iago, followed by Woe entered the clearing. Woe was startled to find the girl, Alyssia there. Iago looked more curious than anything, but he stepped to the side of Botany, patting his coat and trying to calm his alarm. Botany huffed a small bark at Alyssia, and then sat down on his haunches, proud that he'd led his people to the source of his alarm.

"Alyssia?" Woe knelt beside Botany as well, and tried to calm him down with Iago. "What are you doing out alone in the woods? You shouldn't be out and about on your own..." Woe didn't mean for it to sound ominous, but it nevertheless did coming from him. He bowed his head in apology. "Sorry, it's not my place to say."

He'd heard, of course, that she was made a Baroness of Smooglenuff, and that she was nobility now. He was happy for her. She would at least be taken care of, all her needs and those of her future family would be set, barring anything catastrophic.

His eyes fell on the dog that stood, shivering in alarm by her side, "Hello there... are you friendly, little one?"

His eyes turned upward to meet hers after asking the question. "I heard that you were made a Baroness. I'm very happy for you." Had he heard that correctly? The report he'd heard was a bit muddled as far as the details of her nobility were concerned, but the general consensus was that she was part of the Barony. As such, she would be taken care of. That made Woe glad for her.

He looked around the surrounding woods, looking out for where Toutouye might've gone. "You haven't seen a child around here... a little younger than you, with wild hair and wearing buckskin clothing? He blends in well...." Woe cleared his throat, and then coughed lightly, "Well, if he comes by, don't be startled. He has a way of sneaking up on people... If you spot him, his name is Toutouye. He's my son, like Iago here."

Iago bowed his head respectfully toward Alyssia, he was about a year or so older than her, and stood at about five feet tall. "Well met, Baroness?"

"So, Alyssia, how have you been otherwise? Have you done or seen anything exciting since we parted?" Woe wasn't quite sure how to speak to children in general, and so was floundering a bit.

Template by Natalia Gregorios

[Alyssia]

Alyssia moved back when the bigger dog hopped back and made the loud noise again. The teen managed to keep from covering her ears that time before looking in the same direction as the dog. At least from the tail wagging she could tell that he did not want to cause any harm which helped her relax. Iago and Woe were a surprise, she of course recognized Woe as the man she had gifted with the nature bag of Scalvoris. But his young charge with him was new to her, the teen tilted her head to the side surprised and watched him for a moment before looking at Woe when the pair moved to calm the big dog.

The teen smiled when Woe called her name, it was refreshing that he knew her name still. They had spoken very briefly so she was not sure that he would remember her. The last time she spoke with someone she had not met for long they had recognized her face but was unable to call her name. It had not been a shock as at that time they had nearly been crushed to death. But those were dark thoughts for a later time, when the teen was alone in the darkness of her room at night.

“I have been taking classes at the school that Lady Saoire constructed here on Faldrass, so when they released early today, I decided to explore. I have not had the time to properly explore Faldrass as I have Scalvtown,” Alyssia shook her head, “no, I would except nothing less from a father and adult than to worry for a teen alone.”

Alyssia looked down at Novus who growled when Woe turned his attention to him, “come now, Novus. Woe is a very good friend. It is rude to growl at your friends.”

The teen loved on the dog helping to calm him some. Novus stayed at a wide approach from the larger dog. He very carefully sniffed at Woe’s hand before his tail began to wag just a little. A saddened smile appeared on the girl’s face when he mentioned her becoming a part of the barony. Sort of.

“Yes, I have. Though it is little more than a title till I am old enough. I do not deserve it though. I did not do what I promised I would,” Alyssia stated and looked down at the ring she wore with the mark.

The teen moved and rubbed her hand together taking deep breaths while sitting on a large rock and curling her legs under her. Her mind had drifted back to that night how everything had turned. How the Immortal Karem had saved her life and another’s, yet the late baron had not been saved. The young boy speaking caused her to snap out of her thoughts and smile.

“Oh yes, excuse my quietness. Well, met to you as well, Iago. No, to my knowledge I have not seen your other son. I will be happy to watch for him of course,” Alyssia explained trying to fight the memories, “I have done several things, though I feel as if one had just been a strange dream. The events that led up to my receiving a baroness title actually happened before we last met. Though I did not receive the title till after at a feast held by the Immortal Saoire. She is very kind and quite beautiful. I also attended the honoring of the heros she put on. Though to my embarrassment I had to leave early.”

“What is it that brings you this far out, Mr. Woe?” Alyssia asked.

[Woe]

When Alyssia mentioned Saoire’s school, Woe considered the idea. Did they take children as young as Alyssia to apprentice? It seemed to stand to reason, she was in her early teens and it was about time she learned a trade. He sensed that school was a high point for her, based on what he heard her say. But there was also a certain sadness in her voice, and she shook her head. There were negative signals that she was giving, and the dog of course let its aggression be known, which was a clear sign that it was responding to cues from the girl.

Nevertheless, despite the dog’s aggression, Woe knelt down on the ground, and held his hand out tentatively, only reaching out if the dog stopped growling or showed the slightest curiosity. ”That’s an impressive-looking dog. Novus? A good name.”

Botany was rambunctious as usual, hopping from leg to leg as Iago lured him away from the talking pair.

When she confessed that her barony was only titular until she was old enough, Woe shrugged. It stood to reason, that someone so young wouldn’t be allowed to run a noble estate until they were fully educated and ready. As capable as Alyssia was for her age, Woe could see sense in that. Yet there was that sense of sadness he detected in her.

From behind Woe, Breen appeared from the Beneath. Turning into his physical form from the spirit. The Diri of Sorrow, smelled the air, and took in the sadness that permeated the air. He had been attracted by it, and it strengthened him, fed him.

”I’m sure Toutouye will turn up somewhere. He has a way of finding me when I’m looking for him.” Woe turned his head to the side, and asked Alyssia, as he withdrew his hand from Novus’ personal space. ”I saw you at the feast, didn’t I? Or was this another feast? As for what I’m doing, I’m arranging for education for my sons or hoping to in Saoire’s Dream. It seems like a good place to find tutors.”

Woe turned to face Alyssia, and said, with caution, ”You seem sad Alyssia. Is something troubling you? Is everything going well in the Barony, at school?”

[Alyssia]

Alyssia smiled when Woe told her that the name was a good one. She loved when someone thought it was a good name. The teen was slowly becoming more used to the praise of others, but that did not make it so that she was used to it. A part of her worried that it was all an illusion, and she would wake up back in that place again. Taking a deep breath, the girl looked back over at Woe trying to focus on the conversation at hand. There would be plenty of time for her to get trapped inside her own mind later on when she was home again and alone in her room.

“I am sorry. I do not mean to seem ungrateful; I am just not sure I have truly earned the title of baroness. I made a promise to the late baron that I was unable to keep. So, I do not understand why he would choose to leave me such a title. I am nothing more than a street urchin that has a death wish it seems,” Alyssia stated while turning and walking back over to the rock and sitting on it gently, “thank you. It just seemed like a natural name to give him. I do not know what Novus means, but that is his name.”

The teen smiled when the nightpup ran back over to her and climbed up on the rock with her. She had found a comfort in the small dog since receiving him from Devin. Alyssia was eternally grateful that he had included food and all the comforts that she could not have provided him with at the time. The teen nodded when Woe mentioned the feast that Saoire had held for the fire forged.

“Yes, though I could not stay the full time. I was needed back at the manor,” Alyssia confirmed and smiled at the mention of the school though the smile did not reach her eyes, “that is a very good plan. I have seen many my age or just a little older than me receiving education there. I do not see why they would turn away your sons. From what I have seen and experienced they tailor the lessons to help teach in a way that everyone can learn in their own style.”

Alyssia could not help but sigh when Woe asked her if everything was okay. It seemed she could not fool everyone with the fake smile she put on to hide the pain. To not become a burden for others.

“It seems I cannot hide my sadness as well as I thought I was. The barony is moving along amazingly, Devin has made tremendous strides in getting the manor done and looking at preparing roads to it for safe travel. Darius has helped Hopetoun thrive, though I must say I have not heard much of how Nir’wei is doing. I suppose he is well,” Alyssia stated, “school is going well. I shouldn’t burden you with things that cannot be changed. I will…… I will be strong.”

[Woe]

She said that she had not earned the title of Baroness. Woe could respect such reluctance to accept the mantle that was granted to her. "But did you not appeal to Saoire for the title? It seems Saoire would disagree, as she granted you nothing short of that. But I can respect your reluctance to automatically accept the honor that comes with that title. I didn't realize you were acquainted with the former Baron. What was he like?"

As she spoke, and spoke of things as dark as a death wish, Woe was slightly alarmed but listened without judgment. Perhaps she was speaking freely, but he could almost sense that there was an underlying fear that bothered her. He wondered what it might be, and almost sensed it had to do with where she came from.

He listened,

and determined that it must be related to the life she lived as a urchin, which she'd already eluded to but there was more to it. She was also revealing to him that she was the subject of some form of pursuit. But by whom? Was she a wayward webspinner? A runaway of some cult?

"Alyssia, I hope you know you can trust me enough to share if something or someone is troubling you. I can make sure that they never do so again." He smiled, "And I can be very persuasive."

When she mentioned going to school, and needing to be back at the manor, Woe thought it appropos to escort her back. "Will you need an escort back to the manor? It may not be entirely safe in these woods alone. And my family could benefit from the experience of seeing the manor."

She mentioned that there was more troubling her, that there were things that couldn't be changed. "What can't be changed? Perhaps it's true that whatever is bothering you won't or can't change, but that doesn't mean you can't rise to it. I can help you if you want. Only if you want."

So saying, he clicked his tongue and called to his sons, and Botany, asking them to fall in beside him. "Let's get you home then?" He asked Alyssia.

[Alyssia]

Alyssia looked up at the man as he reminded her that the girl had offered to become a baroness during the feast that Saoire had held. A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked at the ground feeling even more foolish than she already did. The teen should have known better than to appeal for the title even then. But she had felt utterly useless that night when the manor collapsed that she wanted to do anything to help fix what had been broken.

“Yes, I suppose you are right. I did appeal for the position of course that was impulsive and proved I did not have the experience for such a thing. He was kind man though I only met him briefly. I was a member of the Fire Forged that had tried to prevent the volcano from erupting. Due to my age of course, the Baron insisted I stay with him at base and help communicate with the groups that were going to explore. But I failed in that as well, the manor was swallowed by the ground with everyone still inside. I know most of the groups if not all managed to get into the tunnels before being injured. It’s strange how you cry when you know death is only moments from embracing you,” Alyssia stated.

The red mane of hair fell over the girl’s face as she looked down at the ground. She had not opened up to anyone about the hurt and self-blame she felt about herself. It always seemed much better to keep it hidden away so that no one else would be burdened to take care of her. A lump formed in her throat when Woe told her that she could trust him. That he would help protect her from anyone that was trying to hurt her. But could she? Their meetings had been very brief, the longest they had been around each other was when she gifted him the nature that was located through out Scalvoris. Blue eyes glanced up nervously at the man watching his face trying to decide if she could truly open up to him about her fear.

What would happen if the knights learned that the teen actually had a group of people that she cared about? She had heard them threaten new captures with the death of family if they fought or tried to escape. Alyssia had not fought, but completely escaped from them. Darius had even stepped up and helped protect her from one of their best hunters. A gulp could be heard as she decided to believe what the man said.

“They are not troubling me now. But there is a fear they will find me again. One of their hunters has found once. Thankfully Baron Darius was near and helped me. I just wish I was not a burden on everyone. No matter what I do or where I go, I seem to cause trouble for someone. I just want to be free. Is that too much to ask?” Alyssia spoke and looked down at the ground tired from being strong as her voice trailed off the more, she spoke.

Alyssia looked up at the man and listened planning to answer the escort question after his next question.

“I am nothing but an unmarked Aukari that is a time bomb waiting to explode. I will never be anything more than that,” Alyssia stated quietly fighting tears that wanted to escape, “an escort would be nice. You and the kids are welcome any time you want to come to the manor.”

Alyssia stated and stood up calling for Novus who had fallen asleep beside her. The whole group seemed to be tired or thinking. She would begin to walk beside Woe leading the way back when she could offer some help.

[Woe]

She told him more about the events of the Fire Forged, and what gave rise to their ranks, and the resulting fundamental imbalance of Scalvoris. Woe did want to know more, more about the various players involved. How did Balthazar fit into all of that? He'd heard he was a Fire-Forged as well. As was Darius Baer. Was Devin Thorne also a Fire-Forged? But then, the girl seemed very upset, and Woe didn't want to drag her through the turmoil of those memories. It seemed to have triggered a fit of melancholy from her, which Breen was called to sooth. The diri of sorrow began licking her hand as they walked along, absorbing her sadness, taking it upon himself instead. The result would probably leave her crying a bit, but they were good tears, tears of healing.

Woe held out his hand, to take hers if she'd let him. Then he led her along the path back to the manor. "You know..." He began, "You remind me of myself when I was your age. I grew up as a captive of a cruel man, who kept me in chains and worked me to the bone. I used to think that there was little more to life than that, and my own life would scarcely number the years it took for him to work me to death."

The mortalborn shook his head, "But I was young, and all I had known seemed to consume most of my life. I think you'll find as you live more of life, and grow into your life among good people, these feelings will fade away in time. You'll begin to see the troubled past you came from as a distant memory. Perhaps belonging to a shadow of the girl you were."

"It's okay to sink into sorrow of memoria from time to time, Alyssia. But don't let it define you. You're so far away from that now, and so brave to have taken on so much responsibility from the Baron. Few would've had the nerve to step into the role as you had offered to." Woe led her over the hillock, and toward the main path and road to the manor. From there, he, Alyssia, Botany, and the boys moved onwards.

They walked for a good half break along the road, in silence, before Woe spoke once more. "You mentioed being unmarked. What does this mean? Is it usual for an aukari to be marked by the Immortals?"

He shook his head, "Being unmarked isn't such a terrible thing. While I consider my marks to be a great honor, they also come with obligations that dominate my destiny." Woe smiled and turned to look down at her, "Your own fate is yours to choose, it seems to me. And you have chosen well."

[Alyssia]

Alyssia walked beside Woe while she spoke looking down at the ground some as Novus ran ahead barking at any squirrel he saw. The girl took a shaky breath trying not to cry even though she wanted a chance to let it all out. She jumped slightly and looked down seeing Breen there again. The black dog had appeared once before when Alyssia and Woe had met. From what she could remember their talk then had been just as sad. At that time, she was living on the streets of Scalvoris trying to survive the cold cycle. The sudden change in the way Woe was walking caused the girl to look over seeing his hand. A soft smile appeared on her face as tears finally began to fall. She reached out and took his hand gently the difference between their body temperature evident as she was naturally hotter than him.

“I’m sorry, I thought I had all this under control. I shouldn’t be crying over something so silly,” Alyssia stated trying to downplay the pain she held inside.

Her pain was hers to deal with. She did not want to burden anyone else with it. Everyone had their own battles and feelings to deal with. The last thing anyone needed was to deal with an orphan who couldn’t control herself. Alyssia looked up at Woe while sniffling some trying to keep her body heat from rising. She did not want to put him and his kids in danger. The man had been a captive to? It was a shock as she listened to what he had to say, he had come from a past very similar to hers and now he was adventuring all over the world. Could that truly be her one day?

“You were a captive? How did you manage to get free? Did you know what you wanted to do when you got free?” Alyssia asked several questions quickly not able to hold them back at first, “I’m sorry. That was rude, I shouldn’t ask so many questions of you.”

Alyssia made sure to listen intently as the man continued to explain his view on dealing with the past. That in time the pain she felt would fade so that only the memory would remain. The teen longed for that day to arrive as quickly as possible. She hated hiding in her room on really hard days with the door locked so that no one could enter. Those days were coming more often lately though she was not sure what caused them.

“I was very young when the knights found me, but I remember watching friends become marked by one of the Immortals and boasting about how their fire felt more controlled. But something feels different as if that protection is not a way to fix it anymore,” Alyssia stated, “an Aukari does not have control over their fire without practice in meditation or being marked. Otherwise, we are nothing but a wildfire waiting to explode and destroy everything around us, including ourselves.”

The teen looked up at Woe as he spoke highly of his markings being great, but also controlling of what he needed to do. It made the girl more curious about the different Immortals that Woe knew. How many would he reject a blessing from? Who was his favorite? All of which could be asked another time.

“I have?” Alyssia asked gently looking up at the older man when he told her that she had chosen her path well.