Just Junk

[Rayleigh]

Closed to Groot

It rose from the earth like a mountain, and in the darkness, it almost looked like one. Backlit by the nearby town of Ettermire, the vast majority of the towering mass was enveloped in darkness. Sharp edges jutted forth at odd angles, like the the rugged edges of an looming cliff face, blocking the bits of light that did work to illuminate it. There was no sound, and there was no movement, simply a mound cloaked in darkness and mystery.

But there was a scent, which was the first indicator that all was not as it appeared. The rich, earthy smell that one might expect was replaced by something much sharper, and to most, far less pleasant. Rayleigh Aston, however, drew in the air like a nicotine-starved smoker. The harsh metallics, mingling with the musty aroma of time and gasoline reminded the woman of her father's shop. Once, that smell had brought her great comfort, and though four years had passed since she had last visited her old home, her reaction was still much the same.

The wrought iron fence stood nearly three feet taller than the brunette, but that fact no longer discouraged her; she had been scaling it since she was young, and much shorter. Wedging the toes of her boots into the fence's lowest rung, she heaved her small frame higher. With one hand, and a soft grunt of exertion, Ray hooked the ring of her lantern on one of the many spikes. It took a bit more time and concentration to ease her body between said spikes, but by using the edge of the "No Trespassing" sign as a foothold, she was finally able to navigate her way to the other side. Her heart was thudding as she retrieved her light, and she found her breath a bit more slowly than usual. This was easier ten years ago, she thought with a grimace. I must be getting old.

Of course, all negative thoughts fell away when she approached, just as they always did. Maybe it really was morbid that her favorite hideaway was riddled with so much death. She stared over a graveyard, where forgotten relics lay in silent wait, within view of the bustling city where they were conceived. The dim light cast by her small flame caught the reflective edge of an old steam machine, pipes and nobs peeking through the tufts of grass that worked to reclaim the metal. The mechanic paused only a few seconds to study it, before moving her attention the hollowed carcass of a prototype airship. Her excursions with the Tarot Hierarchy had consumed much of her time over the past year, and new items had been collected since her previous visit.

Rayleigh turned back to the mountain, which was not a mountain at all, but instead, a pile of junk. Items cast aside, their intended purpose no longer apparent, or even relevant. They remained in limbo, waiting for something to happen. For something to change. For something to breathe them new life. Perhaps that was why she felt so at home there.

[Gnarl & Root]

The low sunlight created an assortment of strange silhouettes and elongated shadows that marked the landscape like a scorched battlefield. Yet for all its darkness, there was beauty within the technology and life that Ettermire brought to this rocky land.

Here, two strangers to Alerar make their way through the rocky paths surrounding and entering Ettermire. This was as new to them as the world is to a new born baby, though Gnarl knew he had to make this strange land familiar, as of right now, he was rather lost.

Gnarloc walked tirelessly up the rocky path, ahead of him the tall sky touching towers of Ettermire, watching him from a distance like nothing he had ever witnessed before.

It had been a long journey, the longest he had ever been sent on, but he knew, just like any other journey, there was a reason he was here. He just had to find it.

The still air felt dirty, a little unclean and stale as he reached yet another large metallic structure. Every time he saw one of these it fascinated him, never had he witnessed before Alerar, such structures made of metal and stone. This land had so many new things, so many new materials, so many new people and places.

Where in the world am I?

The land itself was far from the beauty of Corone, yet there was something mystical about it all, and Gnarl couldn't shake the feeling of wonderment that filled his mind with every sight, and lungs with every breath. He wandered past, staring up at the tall white structure, appearing currently desolate, but not abandoned permanently. Built against the rocks and shaping briefly alongside the road, it appeared almost like a watch tower for its neighbouring buildings.

"I feel I've been incredibly patient, Gnarloc...But, where are you taking us?"

Root, his faithful feline friend sat quietly, upon his shoulders. Like a parrot on a pirate, he could talk Gnarls ear off sometimes, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

His black tail tickled under Gnarls throat as he balanced still. His claws lightly tucking into the thick leather hide of his shoulders. Gnarl often gazed around at the world as they walked, his blue eyes admiring the world they lived in, something he always appreciated.

"I don't know Root." Gnarl itched his stubble as he continued to walk. "But Stoney insists to go this way..."

They had past many structures of various shapes and sizes, but nothing seemed to draw Gnarl in. He didn't know where he had to be, but the Gods always had a reason, and when that reason appeared, he would know it. Approaching on their right, another mass of metal, but this time, nothing like what he had seen before. A giant mass of piled up junk and frames, whatever they were exactly was beyond him, confusing and mysterious to say the least, and in some ways, rather scary.

Fenced and sign posted off, it encompassed mountains of strange objects, tall and low, wonky and neat. It might have been filled with foreign objects, but Gnarl knew a junk yard when he saw one.

"That place looks rather interesting." Root muttered like part of his conscience.

"It looks just like any other place, new and foreign to me. That feeling is making it difficult to understand where the Gods will us to be."

"Maybe you should stop worrying about what the Gods think, and you find the rest of the way yourself."

Root was right, he was always right.