The Beast Note: This is an interactive story for Makaze, spawned from a game of ToD. While you may read and comment, I don't really want high criticsm on it. I'm not really trying to write well. Also, Makaze is in control of the decisions made and where the story goes. I suppose you could always suggest choices to him. I'll be communicated with him through MSN for the duration of his ban. If this sort of thing doesn't belong here, that's fine. Just don't move it to the Playground, or the Spamzone. I really do not want to deal with that right now. Before I actually update with Part Nine, I need some time to re-read and get back into it. It's been a while. Contents Spoiler: ToC Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part 5.5 Part Six Part Seven (Set-Up) Part Seven Part Eight P a r t O n e You are a beast; transformed into an ugly, hideous creature by almost everyone's standards by [#1]. In your village, you were intentionally or unintentionally egotistical, placing yourself higher than the ones around you for whatever reason. You were stoic and cold to everyone who wasn't in your your friend or in your interest. Cast away and exiled by the village you once lived in after the curse that turned you this way, you find yourself on the outskirts of town. You seek refuge in an abandoned castle, hiding yourself away not out of shame--but rather to avoid the conflict and taunts bestowed upon you and your family (for housing you). The curse can be broken, but only if ... I won't reveal that yet. The castle you reside in is large and luxurious. You have everything you need here, and are able to efficiently hunt due to your appearance and enhanced strength. While in the castle, you have a lot of alone time. Maybe too much. You don't leave the castle often, there's no where with actual humans that would really accept you. One day while you're out hunting, you spot a girl stumbling through the trees, muttering to herself. She looks lost. You can't tell if she's from the village you used to live in yet. _______ Who is the one who turned you into this? (#1) They must be an active member of the forums (KHV). Why would it be them? Would you help the girl, or would you not? Why? Spoiler: Response P a r t T w o You approach the girl, weaving through the trees and pulling yourself through the snow curiously. Her back is turned to you and she is mumbling to herself, unsure of her surroundings. You confirm she is lost that way and alert her of your presence. She [#1] turns around and her eyes widen when she sees you. She thinks you some sort of bear or other animal at first, and draws a hidden blade from the basket she's carrying. She means to attack you, but before her blade can penetrate beneath the heavy fur of your arm, you softly take her wrist and stop her hand. You let her know you mean no harm to her, and ask where she is from and what she is looking for. Her face is pale, and lips blue; though her eyes are fierce. Her knuckles are white from her grip on her thin cloak and the blade. She is unable to answer you, much too cold and frightened to function properly, but still conscious. Only meaning to help, really, you lift her up into the warmth of your arms and bring her to your castle. Treating her to a meal and placing her in front of a fireplace for warmth, you patiently wait until she's able to talk. You have no real connection with this girl, nor do you have any deep feelings for her. You're simply curious, and a tad bit lonely. Realizing you truly don't mean to harm her, she begins to open up. She was thrown out of her home by her family for a reason she refuses to share with you and she was trying to find her way to the village next over to her own, where an old friend [#2] might have been willing to let her stay. She explains that this friend is fickle, changing their mind often and only sometimes pulling through with their promises. You feel you might know who she is talking about, but do not pry. You offer to let the girl stay with you until the blizzard outside stops. She refuses at first, but you remind her that she could very easily die out there and she changes her mind. You show her to her room and awkwardly leave her be, going back to your chambers for the night. _____ 1; What member is the girl? Why? 2; Who is the 'inconsistent' member? Why? 3; In this situation and scenario, how would you be feeling in general? How would you treat the girl during her stay? Spoiler: Response P a r t T h r e e The weeks went by slowly and the snow began to dwindle. During her stay, the girl is treated with kindness. She has a place to stay, and had things to eat. She would watch as you hunted for you both, and as you prepare things. She watches the way you function, and listens to what you say. You begin to feel closer to her, and she begins to open up to you a bit more--though she still refuses to tell you why she was thrown out. She tells you her name. Saxima. Gradually, you begin to introduce her to other places in the castle. The gardens, the library, the guest rooms, the sparing quarters, and the ballroom. She likes to read, but she would much rather spend time with you, for a reason you can't exactly figure out. You're not overly nice to her. You treat her with respect, but you don't kiss her feet. You make jokes, sometimes mean, but she laughs at them. She's sensitive about certain things, you can tell. But you can talk with her normally without censor. She's interested in your curse. Not to mock and scorn you like the others, but to think of remedies, or find out more about you as a person. As a human being. You begin tending to other places in the castle. She helps you get the garden to something that doesn't look utterly ridiculous. You mop and clean the floors together. Everything she touches seems to brighten. The flowers come to life and the castle glows. Door to door, room to room, you clean and straighten and organize. The lonely, abandoned castle you once resided in is filled with warmth and light. One night, while you lay in bed drifting off to sleep, you feel a presence. A body curls up behind yours, seeking your warmth and mumbling something about being cold. You don't turn around. Knowing she's there is enough, and you fall into the most peaceful slumber you've had since the curse. Soon, the weather begins to warm and the snow ceases. You had almost forgotten about your arrangement, until you hear her beginning to pack away some food and such for her journey. She thanks you for your kindness, and mentions she'll visit if possible. She is off to visit that family friend, Noroz, and ask to stay there for a bit. She says now that the snow has stopped the village will be easier to find. _____ 1; Would you offer to take her there or let her find her way herself? Would you let her go? 2; Describe one of the 'good memories' you may have of her during this stay in the castle? Something I didn't mention. Just an overall good memory you might have in this scenario. 3; In this situation and scenario (her leaving), how would you be feeling in general? Spoiler: Response P a r t F o u r You don't want her to go. She brought you comfort and company, and you enjoyed being around her. As she picks up her basket and starts heading towards the entrance, you force yourself to step forward and gently touch her shoulder. A bit awkward, you look to the ground trying to find the words to say. Something that might convince her to stay with you. She stops, and you can hear her sigh softly under her breath. Does she want to leave? You shake your head once to stop the confusing thoughts from stopping you, and you ask her not to stay. You recognize the name Noroz and don't believe she'll be safe there. You want to protect her. Stubborn as always, Saxima mumbles that he will be expecting her and that she'll need to settle down soon. She doesn't understand why you don't trust him, and tries to assure you that no matter what happens during her stay there, she will be safe. You turn her around to face you and wrap her up in your arms again. She has become very dear to you, and you do not want to risk losing her. She resists you at first, telling you that you don't know what you're dealing with. That you're being naive in some way and she has to go. She tells you that she feels as if time has stopped. That being with you made things on the outside seem less important--but that that's not true. She mentions wanting to start a life, and awkwardly, a family. You're not sure if that hurts you or not. You haven't thought much about the physicalness of things. But you don't care. Every time she resists you, you bring up another memory. You only want her to stay and let you take care of her. She feels she needs to struggle, for some reason. It's like she enjoys causing pain to herself and you don't know why. You don't understand. Finally, she looks up at you and gazes into your dark eyes. She drags her fingers over your fur tenderly, and sighs again--this one much gentler. She looks as if she's about to cry, but the basket she had been clutching before has dropped. Her body surrenders to your embrace, and you stroke her hair. She has decided to stay. Months go by and she stays. She is happy, and so are you. The castle is warm and inviting, and spring is approaching quickly. Warmth spreads throughout the gardens and fruits begin to blossom. Together, you pick them and enjoy them. There's just one thing missing. The castle is lovely, no doubt. But sometimes you see her staring out of the windows like she's a prisoner. Like she's stuck. You figure she might want to go somewhere. Maybe she wants to travel? She hasn't had many interacts besides you, and you do not like leaving the castle. You would rather avoid the criticism of the outside. You don't want her being associated with you, the beast as well. You decide to try and contact a friend of yours from your previous village. Maybe they can help. You write a letter to them asking them to come to the castle. _____ 1; Who is the friend you would trust to take care of Saxima and take her into town and such? Active KHV member, of course. Who is trustworthy enough? Spoiler: Response P a r t F i v e Only a day passes before you get a reply. Your good friend What? arrives at the castle. Well, you were good friends before you were cursed and isolated yourself. No matter, he seems to accept you and greets you when he arrives. You introduce him to Saxima, and they quickly become comfortable with each other. You take a bit of time showing him around the castle to ease his curiosity, and catching up and joking around a bit. He says your family misses you, but you ignore him. You can't help but think of [#1] and if they miss you too, though. Saxima gets ready and What? lets you know they won't stray too far. They're going to visit the market in the village next over. They give you a time they want to return and leave the castle. You're alone again, but it brings you comfort to know they'll be back. That she'll be back. So you simply sit and wait for them to arrive. > You've fallen asleep in a lounge chair in the library, finding that you didn't get much rest the previous night. You're woken up by a loud banging at the entrance. You can hear What?'s voice, but you can't make out what he's saying. You gather yourself and head down to the main entrance, opening the door for him. He's holding an unconscious Saxima in his arms. She doesn't look injured, just pale. What? first explains that nothing had been done to her, and she was still breathing and alive. He states she just claimed to feel ill and fainted, but she seemed to be having a good time before hand. He didn't want to contact a medic or healer without your permission, so he brought her back first. You take her to her chambers and lay her in bed, tucking her in. This is when What? explains something else. While they were in the village, he noticed a few signs about Saxima. She was being searched for. He didn't make out exactly why, but he assumed maybe it was because her family hadn't heard anything from Noroz, or because Noroz hadn't found her. _____ 1; If you were to disappear, who (Active KHV member) do you think would miss you the most? 2; In this scenario, what would you do? Would you try to take care of her in the castle, or would you contact someone to help heal her? Would you want to find out why she was being searched for? Etc, etc. Spoiler: Response P a r t 5 . 5 A few hours pass and you tend to her as best as possible. When things don't look any better, you start to think of a possible healer. Someone compassionate and intuitive, who knows what they're doing. [#1] You can't think of anyone off of the top of your head, so you ask What?. He mentions someone that he knows, and tells you he's willing to go off and send for them. You nod and ask him to come back with information about why Saxima is being searched for. When he leaves, you sit by her bedside and wait for him to return, keeping her warm and safe until his arrival. _____ 1; Who is the healer? Spoiler: Response P a r t S i x The whole time you're with her, Saxima does nothing but sleep. Her skin is cold to touch and her breathing is shallow. You take care of her as best as you can, though she doesn't seem to be getting any better or any worse. After a few hours, you get up and make yourself a small meal, sitting at her bedside and propping her up. You try to offer her something, but she doesn't move. You sigh and lean back in your chair beside her. Your mind begins to wander. You think about your time in your own village. First, you think of your family, then you think of your good friend LARiA, and then you find yourself thinking of Clawtooth--the one who cast this spell on you. Clawtooth was a sensible guy, if not a bit dramatic at times. You know that he could have done much worse to you if he wanted to, but instead decided upon this. Something to 'teach you a lesson', you think. If he had never done so, you may not have met Saxima. But you would have been able to stay with LARiA, and [#1]. Every time you think back on the spell, you can't remember it's condition. You can't remember what breaks it. In fact, you can't even remember how much time you have left before it's permanent [#2]. It's like something is missing. A loud crash snaps you out of your thoughts and you sit up, placing Saxima back down comfortably. You move quickly, closing the doors to her chambers and going back to the entrance of the castle. Another crash, and then a voice you recognize. You open the heavy door and What? falls in, followed by someone you've never met before. Hurriedly, the stranger closes and locks the door. Both men are breathing hard, looking flustered. "Where is she?" The stranger asks, removing his soaked hat and cloak. What? introduces him as PaW (Peace-and-War), the healer. You lead them up the staircase. As you do, What? begins to explain that you don't have much time. A crowd of villagers are heading towards the castle, with Noroz leading half of them. Noroz's half believes you've gone mad and kidnapped Saxima, holding her captive. The other half is lead by [#3]. They are the group searching for Saxima. It doesn't take long before PaW turns away from Saxima and stares hard at you. He says there is nothing he can do. He tells you she's not human. _____ 1; What offline, blood family member (brother, sister, mother, father) do you feel closest to? If no one, do you have a good offline friend you feel close to? You may give them an alias. 2; How would you feel about staying a 'beast' forever? 3; Who is leading the second group? Spoiler: Response P a r t S e v e n (SET-UP) @Makaze; She looks pretty human to you, but you turn back to PaW anyway and frown. You want to ask what she is, but it takes a while to form the words. It's not as though you were treat her any differently, right? So what does it really matter? Still... She could have said something. You figure this might have something to do with why she left her old village. You sigh, feeling a headache come on. PaW asks you if you would like to know what Saxima is. [#1] Before you answer, the sound of angry villagers reaches your ears. They're at the front entrance demanding that you come meet them. Seems like Noroz got here first. You can hear a strong male's voice edging them on. You turn away from What? and PaW, going back to Saxima's bedside and picking her up gently in your arms. There are two places that you know of that you can go for safety. [#2]. _____ 1. Do you want to know? 2. You can either take a secret door to behind the castle and escape that way (you'll be outside), or you can take a secret passage underground and travel that way. Alternatively, you can stay in the castle and face the mobs head-on. 3. If you chose to escape, will you take What? and PaW with you? Spoiler: Response P a r t S e v e n You know you must leave quickly. The villagers are getting louder and more ferocious, shrieking all sorts of accusations at you. Or so you think. It starts off with the loud roar of Noroz's voice yelling at you to open the door and claiming you've kidnapped Saxima. Things like this go on for a while, and then you hear 'murderous witch', 'give us the witch'! Your eyes glance down at Saxima for a moment. This is all over a witch hunt? Before you can turn to PaW, demanding he explain, you rationalize with yourself and decide to focus on escaping. Hurriedly, the four of you make it out of the room. What? and PaW trail closely behind you as you descend deeper into the heart of the castle. The stairwells twist and glimmer beneath you, illuminated by the wall-mounted candles on both sides of you. You've explored the castle before, but it almost seems different now. As if, despite your occasional wandering, the walls and ceiling haven't ever really been alive until now. It's almost as if you haven't been alive until you met her. This wasn't an ideal situation for anyone, but at least you could feel your heart beating. You travel a bit further before stopping at a large portrait. You can't exactly remember how you knew to stop here. Yes, you have explored the castle before, but only briefly, right? ...Right? You can't remember much lately. Not how to break the spell, not how you knew where the secret entrance to the tunnels was...but there's too much adrenaline going through you right now to stop and figure out why. You place a claw on the wall to your right, trailing downwards and then up, until you grasp the bottom of one of the shining candle holders. You tug and retract, listening as the portrait shifts and creaks. Dust tumbles down from the ceiling and you step back, burying Saxima's face into your chest protectively. When the portrait is finished moving, you step forward and into the darkness that awaits you. What? and PaW hesitantly follow, looking at each other curiously. They seem unsure as to whether or not they were permitted to follow you. It's until until you face them yourself and ask them politely to keep up that they comply, tugging the portrait back the way it was and scurrying close to your side. It is pitch dark now. You can hear PaW and What? shift softly beside you, along with Saxima's shallow breathing. You can't hear the cries of the villagers anymore. You're used to silence. It's the darkness that bothers you. You wonder if you could have ripped a candle off of the wall and used it, but it's too late for that now. You slowly move your way through the darkness, keeping an ear out for anything suspicious. You begin to calm down a bit. You're certain the villagers will find their way into the castle shortly. You could only hope they wouldn't find the tunnels. You can feel the slop steepen, dipping at the tips of your toes. You warn the others to be careful and travel on. Saxima whimpers against you and you frown. She had such a vibrancy to her in her consciousness. Seeing her like this was driving you crazy. What could you do to help? Ah...That's right. You turn to PaW, though you can't make him out in this darkness. You ask about his diagnosis. What exactly did he mean by her not being human? And was there anything you could do to help? PaW explains that he may have been rash to deny her humanity and that she is, indeed, a witch of sorts. The way he says it reveals his insecurities about the subject. He tries hard to be unbiased and tolerant, but a shift in his general energy makes you feel uncomfortable. He explains the many types of witches and the dangerous spells and hexes they can create and utilize. He says that a witch is generally a human who makes a contract with the devil to receive unnatural spiritual abilities, and that payment can be given in many forms. Worldly possessions, a soul, mortality, sacrifices. What? figures Chevalier's group is probably after Saxima for being a witch, and for any crimes she may have committed from being so. He reminds you of the issues surrounding witches, and that witches are to be put to death if discovered. At least in some villages. Piecing things together now, you realize she probably left to hide out for a bit, if she truly was a witch. Then again, it could simply be speculation. A misunderstanding. You don't care either way, but you are interested in what type of witch she might be... *Note: All witches will wither and die, slowly, if their contract is violated. Witch of Despondency Price: Contentment. More info: ✿ Unable to ever become truly happy, without dying. ✿ Typically receives strength from making other's unhappy. ✿ Specializes in poisons and curses. Witch of Allurement Price: Fertility. More info: ✿ Unable to ever have children, without both the child and the mother dying. ✿ Unable to ever marry someone, or chose one life-partner, without dying. ✿ Typically receives strength from being intimate with one or several partners at a time. ✿ Specializes in charms and spells. Witch of Mutilation Price: Beauty. More info: ✿ Though maybe not actually physically hideous, no one will ever find her such. Whether she looks like an old hag, or would be considered generally attractive in our world, no one in this truth will ever find her beautiful, and no one is permitted to lie to her. ✿ Typically receives strength from compliments for her other skills. She fishes for them and preforms acts for others, only to hear such things. ✿ Specializes in almost everything. Charms, spells, healing, levitation... Witch of Manipulation. Price: Empathy. More info: ✿ Unable to be understand those around her. Unable to relate. Unable to care. Unable to be compassionate. ✿ Typically receives strength from be emotionally and mentally harming others--and especially being complained to about it. ✿ Specializes in the manipulation, lie-telling, secrecy--all magical forms. For example, if she were to steal a special necklace, even if one visited her home and the necklace was lying right there on the table, no one would ever find it if she didn't want them to. All lies she tells are believed. All secrets are never revealed. Witch of Vitality Price: Mortality. More info: ✿ Unable to die. Will live forever, and ever in the mortal realm. Even if the world was destroyed, she would still be whole and living. Will never achieve any sort of nirvana, or reach any sort of after life. ✿ Typically receives strength from reviving and re-animating the dead. ✿ Skilled in the art of revival and corpse animation. Otherwise specialized in medicines and herbal magick. Witch of Eminence Price: Remembrance. ✿ Unable to remember after a certain period of time. Unable to remember their past and significant events in their lives. Can only remember about a month back at a time. ✿ Typically receives strength from victory. Being right, winning an argument, winning a battle. ✿ Skilled in the art of battle and slaughter. Also skilled with various other common magicks. _____ 1. If Saxima is a witch, which one will she be? The qualities listed won't suddenly apply to her, personality wise. Spoiler: Response P a r t E i g h t You continue to talk until you feel a wind hit your face. You chin turns to point left, the direction of the breeze. Reaching out in front of you, you can tell that this is a fork in the road. Wind comes from the left, while the right seems silent and stale. You don't exactly remember what direction to go in, so you go with the safest option. Some sort of wind must indicate an opening at the end of the tunnel. You don't see any light, but the tunnel on the right isn't any brighter. Your grip on Saxima tightens as you begin to walk. You hear footsteps trailing behind you and sigh exasperatedly. Such a shame that it had to come to this. You thoroughly enjoyed your time with Saxima. You were hoping she would stay with you, in the end. If she's a witch, and she's sick, that must mean she's voiding some part of her contract. You wish she would have said something to you. Given you a hint of some sort. You walk in silence for a bit longer before something rips you out of your thoughts. You can hear a loud, long cry coming from somewhere in the tunnels. You stop walking, feeling a body nudge against yours when you do. PaW groans, rubbing his head and wondering what's wrong. You wait for What? to do the same, but he doesn't. You don't hear him at all. No footsteps, no breathing, no anything. It finally occurs to you that you must have gotten split up somehow at the fork in the tunnel. How could he have gone the wrong way? Why did he keep going for so long? Why did he yell? Is he hurt--or frightened? You gaze out ahead of you, a faint glow of light in the distance. It must be the way out. _____ 1. Do you go back for What?, or trust he'll get out on his own? Why? Spoiler: Response
