Look…
Okay, so I’m not Alwayssss charming.
I mean, of course, I am… but some people don’t find my charm… as appealing, Especially the charm of the magic variety…
So I may or may not have pissed off a small group of just downright assholes in Brinescar.
But can you blame me? It was the first city that I visited after moonhelm, and they were just… so cool and nonchalant about everything.
So I… the cool, nonchalant bad bitch witch thought they’d love a little charm.
Okay, but this is a lot of build-up to a story.
Song: Ship In A Bottle (Steffan Argus -Fin-) | Female Ver. - Cover by Chloe
Right, Brinescar. A city of thugs, thieves, charlatans, and pirates galore… you know, the typical starting place of any good protagonist in any story.
The first city where I felt more confident to just strut my stuff. Not having to worry about pissing people off back home, and with some newly found confidence, thanks to some test run back home… I felt on top of my game.
I’m making my way through the city, feeling hella cool in my outfit, people’s heads turning as I walk by only to be met with glare if I caught them… (Okay so slight interruption here, but that feeling is just… the best. Glaring down at someone you caught staring is hilarious. Most of the time they’re just curious about my claws or outfit, but regardless… it’s the best).
But back to the story right! After getting the lay of the land, and messing with a few poor souls who were brave enough to actually ask me a question, I found myself in a bar at the edge of the city.
The atmosphere was just… intoxicating. Who needs to drink, when you can feel cool as hell just by being in a place like this?
The bar definitely wasn’t for the normal citizens, catering to its more rough and tumble groups who had gotten back from the high seas… trust me you could smell they had gotten back from the high seas.
But being the kick-ass bad bitch I am, I decided this was the perfect spot to just vibe at the end of the day. Do some people watching, try to make a name for myself around the city, and just see what trouble I could get into.
So trouble was a bad idea, but it turned out mostlyyyy fine so shhhh…
Enter in the Boneblades. You know, their name could use work seems a bit too on the point, but to be fair they did live up to their names using blades made of… well bone duh.
The Bone Blades Weapon of Choice
Now, for anyone with some common sense and a will to live… they would’ve distanced themselves from these people immediately… but I only have one of the two, so I said screw it I wanna make some friends here.
I waited at the bar, taking a drink out of my flask from time to time as I leaned back and began to watch the crew pile into the bar. It was clear no one else in this place was gonna fuck with them, so I knew they were the ones I needed to get in with if I wanted to make a name for myself like any good story protagonist would.
As I watched and waited, I noticed one of them walking towards me. I kept calm, and just stayed like I was taking a long swig from my flask as they approached.
They flashed me a smile, their long tusk-like teeth showing full as they sat down next to me.
Now, of course, not to be out done I smiled back showing off my own canine teeth with a laugh. Waiting for them to say the first word in this little dance I was prepping for in my head.
The Bone Blade’s Commander: Zita “The Bulwork” Tyde (They/Them)
Now it wouldn’t be a true story if I didn’t say I was more comfortable around them than I would’ve been the others. Hells I lived with a Half-Orc who I love and adore, so half-orcs aren’t scary to me at all.
Of course, the person sitting across from me noticed this, as they tapped the bar counter in front of them… the bartender quickly putting a mug of ale infront of them.
They nodded their thanks and took a long pull of the ale.
I laugh a little and look her up and down once to get a gist of her style
“You don’t even offer to buy a girl a drink? Howwwww rude”
I say laughing a bit with a shit-eating grin on my face, perfect opener for the cool… aloof person hell yeah!
The half-orc raises an eyebrow and takes another long sip.
I pause for a second, waiting for some response, taking a swig of my flask (of course it’s filled with apple juice, do I even have to say anything here hush) to match and smiling.
“Cat got your tongue there? Or just the silent broody type tonight?”
They laugh. “Cute. What’s your poison, kid?”
I smile, now getting the attention I wanted “Well normally I like rat poison, but tonight I’m spicing it up with horse poison”
I say with a small giggle
The comment prompts another laugh and they raise their mug in a little salute. “Don’t down too much. Stuff’s dangerous for someone your size.”
I laugh a little, and raise my flask in response “Maybe for a lightweight like you… butttt I’d consider my liver a veteran at this rate… sure has the battle scars to prove it”
I say laughing some more
“Battle scars after only- How old are you, anyway? Pipsqueak like you can’t have been drinking longer than a couple years. I’ve got shoes older than you, probably.” They grin to soften the words.
I scoff a bit, pretending to be hurt by the comment “Wow words sharper than those cute tusks you’ve got there… you know, looks can be deceiving right? I mean… you may or may not be right, but something to always keep in mind”
I say laughing a bit, dropping the scoff and fake hurt that I showed
“They can be deceiving, but when you’ve seen as much as I have, you tend to see to the heart of things.”
I smile and, partially under my breath, partially not I retort “Oh trust me… you haven’t seen anything about me yet”
I say, trying to be this vague… mysterious figure, but also showing some slight insecurities in my tone
“I’ve seen that you tend to prefer well-aged vintages. Apple, if I’m not mistaken.” Their tone curls with amusement.
My eyes go a bit wide, and I blush slightly feeling… embarrassed? Is that the right word… I got caught on something so dumb gahhhh… right recovery… ummm…
“Good nose…”
Fuck that’s stupid
“From a farm out near squalls-end, they marinate their drinks with apples to add to the flavor”
MARINATE??? GAHHH ASH WHAT ARE YOU THINKING… right right, that’s a good… no its not, that’s a horrible excuse ughhhh
“What’s your name, kid?”
I try to regain my composure a bit, “Well it sure as shit ain’t kid”
I say with a slight laugh, hoping that puts things back to the cool vibes I’m going for
“Well, until I have a name, kid will have to suffice. Better nickname than Apple Juice, right?”
I pause, thinking of some retort… fuck come on, this is my game… why can’t I think of a retort…. Ummm…
“I get ya old timer, names Ash the Witch of Chaos… at your service, or maybe you’re at mine who knows!”
Okay… better me better
“Ash. That’s a good name. I’m Zita.”
I smile, “I’m quite impartial to that name myself… pleasure to meet ya Z. I feel like I should follow up with the horrible line of come here often? But… I like to think I’m atleast somewhat above that bullshit banter line”
I say laughing “So, what’s an absolute charmerrrrr like you doing here?”
I say joking for the most part, trying to poke fun at them in some sort of retaliation
Zita barks a laugh. “I told you I own shoes older than you, right? Drop the flirty act, kiddo. I’m here for a drink, taking a break from work. Why are you here?”
I laugh a bit, blushing again trying to regain my composure… shit that was flirty wasn’t it??? I… did not mean that fuck…
“Oh trust me, don’t flatter yourself there”
I says with a laugh and a smirk
“You know, sampling the local culture, resting between my travels and exploits… meeting comedians like yourself”
I say with a coy smile
“Good to know you didn’t just run away from home.”
I laugh and smirk a bit
“Do I look like a runaway?”
I say gesturing to my attire and just demeanor… they better not answer yes I swear
They just smirk and take another swig of ale.
“Yeah keep that mouth shut okay”
I say laughing “you workin on the docks, or doing something a bit more… Interesting?”
Please be a pirate… pirates are like… a huge story point in every good fantasy book…
Wait
IMAGINE ME AS A PIRATE
I’d be so freaking cool… wind blowing in my hair, eyepath to match my scars, gahhh…
“Mercenary,” Zita answers, tone breezy despite the flash of pride in their eyes. “Captain of a crew. You heard of the Boneblades?”
I smile a bit, and smirk “Oh my… where are my manors…. CAPTAIN” I say with a sarcastic bow, “wait… wait… let me guess… you have blades… made of bones?”
I says with a giggle “Please tell me you have blades made of bones as your whole gimmick”
Well okay… so I didn’t know who the boneblades were at the time, I thought this was just someone who had a few friends that went on like paid merc runs with these spooooooky bone blades…
I mean… I WAS HORRIBLY WRONG… but
Hindesight is way better than truesight okay…
Zita pulls a bone dagger from their hip, twirls it, and sinks the blade into the bar, grinning cheekily at the bartender.
I jump a bit, not expecting them to actually slam a blade into the bar. Trying to play it off I lean on the bar and keel over laughing
“You have….. ACTUAL BONE BLADES”
I say between laughs “isn’t that…”
I pause regaining my composure “a bit on the nose there Z?”
Zita shrugs. “Most gimmicks are. Gotta stand out somehow.”
I look Zita up and down “Oh and lords know you have a hard time standing out huh?”
“In this city? More than you’d expect.”
I laugh a bit “you know what… fair point”
I say tapping my horns with my claws and laughing
“Why don’t we go for a walk, I’d love to see the ship you’re the hardy captain of”
I say, putting a lot of joking emphasis on the word captain
“What, you looking for a crew?”
I smirk, putting on the coolest voice I can muster “Who knows maybe its time for a mutiny”
I say with a laugh and a wink “Captain Ash has a ring doesn’t it”
I say again laughing at my own antics
“Dangerous words in this town, Chaos Witch.”
“Wellll, it’s a dangerous town, isn’t it? And I’d love to think that I’m a dangerous individual”
I say with a smirk, booping Zita’s nose with a laugh
“I’m sure you would love to think that. I haven’t seen any evidence so far though.” Zita resheathes their blade and chugs the rest of their ale.
I smile, showing off my own tusks/larger canine teeth with another laugh “Haven’t had a reason to show it… you know? But don’t worry there captain, I’m not after your ship… I’m sureeeee it’s as old as you are”
I say with a shit-eating grin, again just poking fun at them
“Yeah, yeah. Try to keep up, Apple Juice.” They stand, pay off their tab, and leave the tavern.
I smile, hopping up and walking along side them… this is going well right?… Yeah this is… good… pirate time…. Totally not… going to get stabbed because of making… threats…. Ummmm…
I paused in the moment, thinking through so many outcomes that it made my own head spin… better safe than sorry right?… just to be sure they dont… want to stab me… plus maybe this can give me a better chance at getting on the ship… right right… okay walk outside and…
I thought for a bit, and as we left the tavern I plucked the strings of my violin, letting off a sweet sounding tune that resonated through the air. As this happened I threw my arm over the shoulder of Zita… having to jump a bit (Shut up).
I gave a rather charming smile… ha see what I did there… and as I did, uttered a phrase in sylvan to finalize the spell.
“Alright… where to Z?”
I said with a smile, on my tip toes since my arm was still slung over their shoulder.
Zita shifts to dislodge the arm across their shoulders but ruffles Ash’s hair in the same movement. “Dock four. This way.”
I smiled a bit at the hair ruffling, and laughed “Damn… dock four? Can’t even reserve dock one there o’ captain?”
“Not for now. There are more important mercenary crews around. But one day we’ll get there.”
I smile a bit and nod “So are you all considered the Kiddo’s on the block?”
I say mocking their verbiage from earlier a bit
“We’ve been around a bit longer than that,” Zita says with a grin. “But we used to be.”
I nod, realizing that they’re being more serious at this moment… feeling kinda bad for being so… not serious…
“We all have to start somewhere huh? I get that all too well”
I say with a nervous laugh and a smile
“I’m sure you do. Been adventuring for long? Or is this one of your first big adventures?”
“Oh me….. You know I’ve been at this for…. Like…. A long time…”
I say, obviously lying
“Like… forever”
Zita’s laugh is softer now. “Maybe my shoes aren’t as old as you, then. Come on, this is her.” Zita gestures to a ship docked at the fourth berth.
I smile a nod, adding under my breath
“This is like… my second adventure….”
I say following behind Zita with a smile, looking around the dock kind of entranced by the whole aesthetic.
The rest of the crew pauses and nods at the pair as they pass, occasionally calling greetings that Zita waves off on their way to the captain’s quarters. “Perks of being in charge,” they say, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of a large desk with a map atop it. “Drink? I don’t have apple, but I might have some other juice. Or water.”
I smile, laughing a bit when they mention the perks of being in charge comment “Huh…?”
I say zoning back in after looking around the quarters and the ship in general
“Oh no no… I’m good, thank you though”
I say with a laugh
“I’ll stick to my names sake you know…”
“Fair enough.” Zita pours themself a drink and takes a seat at the desk. “So. Are you looking for a crew to run with, Ash?”
I smile and looking around
“I mean… well I wouldn’t be opposedddddd… I just”
I pause for a second and look around, trying to think about how genuine to be…. And decide to just go for it
“I’m not… fully sure what i’m looking for….”
Zita nods and shrugs. “That’s alright. You seem like a bright kid. You’ll figure it out. But if you want a spot in the meantime, getting into and out of scrapes and adventures, the offer’s open.”
“I….”
I pause, this is… really… why can’t they jut joke around again why does this make me so uncomfortable!!! I’m… do I be genuine? Do they want something? Do I just fuck around with them? DO I…..
“Why are you so nice to me?”
I say almost without thinking… fuck wait does that sound bad???
Zita squints. “Do I need a reason to be nice to some kid obviously down on her luck?”
I pause… I…. why are people so hard to read what the frick!
“I mean I wouldn’t say down on my luck…. But also…. Yes? Maybe?… It’s just… i’m not used to it, okay, its throwing me off my game you know…. Like”
I said looking away embarrassed
“Strange… and odd”
I said, mumbling slightly
“Huh. Well, you just seem like a nice kid. I’ve seen my fair share of runaways, and I’m willing to help you out.”
“I…. see that…. You….”
I paused, visibly confused and thrown off… at this point I’ve tossed the bad bitch act out the window from the sheer confusion
Song Change: Trust Me Not- Hero and Villain Duet- Lyric Video
“But that’s not normal people…. Always make fun of my looks or…. My… like personality or… this is oddwhyareyouactingoddwhatthefuck!?!?”
I said barely catching my breath between the words.
Zita held their hands up in a gesture of surrender. “It’s okay. Uh, I can… be less nice, if it’s that off-putting to have kindness thrown your way.”
“I… THAT’S EVEN NICER GAHHHHH!!!”
I said almost screaming
“Like… how… I’ve been lying to you almost this whole time, and… you’re still… you’ve known, right? Like…”
In the most impulsive decision I’ve ever made, I decided… yeah right in front of the pirate queen… let’s just drop my face and show who I really am… WHAT COULD GO WRONG?!?
“I’m not even that person! You…. IM TERRIBLE AT PLAYING THEM RIGHT NOW SO…. I”
My ramblings just continued into obscurity, just perplexed at the fact that someone had actually shown me kindness when I was being just… a downright bitch.
Zita blinked, seeming startled by the new form before them. “You… were using a disguise spell?”
I laugh a bit, nodding
“THERE SEE…. that’s what… the….”
I paused, laughing some more
“That’s everyone’s actual reaction okay…. So the…. It was all a…”
I rambled, plopping down in the chair, covering my face, and just letting out a muffled scream
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH”
Zita leapt forward, drawing their dagger and slashing it toward my face with an angry cry. “Who sent you?!” they snarled.
Feeling the dagger slash across their face, Koieta almost instantly recoiled back, causing the chair she had just wantonly plopped into to tumble back. In her mind, it was now fight, flight, or shift… which that third option, while useless, is what she chose. Shifting back into the form of Ash that she had taken on earlier, her face burning with pain as she tried to hold back tears.
“I…. Fuck why was I….”
THAT WAS SO DUMB…. OF COURSE, THEY’RE GONNA REACT LIKE THAT WHEN THEY SEE LITERALLY A NORMAL-ISH PERSON SHIFT INTO A MONSTEROUS FORM!!!!!
“NO ONE…. I… SENT ME?”
I said in a mixture of confused and hurt tonality, using my hand that wasn’t covering the fresh cut on my face to slowly inch me back away from the now fuming captain.
“Out,” they snap, tone venomous. “Get out! Off my ship!”
I tried to scurry up the wall, only to stumble back onto the floor… FUCK LEGS PLEASE LIFE OR DEATH HERE…..
“I…. Ummmm… You…. Please I don’t….. Want to die”
I said, my voice failing me at the end as I pushed up against the wall slowly standing up, my legs trembling from the venomous tone that just resonated through my skull.
Zita leapt again, missing me by a hair’s breadth.
I winced, a shiver sent down my spine as I yelped. With a light flashing in my eyes, and a quick almost enticing tone in my voice I said in Sylvian “Get AWAY FROM ME!!!” and in that instant, there was a spark… or flare?
Regardless of the wording, a light sprung to life between me and Zita, creating this vortex of… magic? Shadowy, purplish, pink? It was hard to describe, and in fact I don’t honestly remember it… I must’ve hit a chord of my violin or something in that moment but… my memory is just… a flash, a still shot overcome by the fear that I felt in that moment… a reminder why I hide my form, staring death in the face for having the gaul to honestly show it to someone else… and it… I was… I am terrified still of that moment.
As this spark grew it slammed against both Zita and myself, forcing us apart from each other… it stung, further than just the pain I felt physically… it stung at the core of what/who I am… a pain I can’t even begin to put into words or context in this singular journal instance, needing endless pages to honestly do so.
All I know is this was my chance…
A moment to run….
To live…
To….
I…
I don’t know what else happened in that moment, what words may or may not have been exchanged, or what I even thought…
All I know is I ran.
Shoving past every person, thing, or object in my way. I ran faster, farther, and longer than I ever had before.
My mind flashing images of that moment, of Zita’s face, their dagger, their disgust… over and over as I did.
I ran until I literally couldn’t anymore, almost dropping from the exhaustion, my legs giving out below me as I fell onto my knees, just sobbing…
They went from so friendly to trying to kill me in a snap…
Was that really how people would react if I shifted in front of them?
Could I ever honestly show my form to another humanoid again?
I… I just cried where I kneeled, terrified of what had just happened… terrified of the response I had gotten… I knew people hated who I was before but this…
This moment…
That feeling…
The fear I felt is something that i’d never forget… never in a million years, even after death finds me it will be ingrained into my very soul…
Is that what its like to have your life flash before your eyes?
Is…. I…. I DONT KNOW OKAY…
All I know is even writing this down brings me to tears so…. Yeah…. Journal entry over okay…
**