Wands and Willows

[Smushing Pumpkins]

"Fortunes! Forcasts! Lucky Charms!" a small, cheerful voice called out amongst the woods. The road had been busy, and it had felt like a natural place to set up his small stall. His red mantle spread over a large boulder made the table, a smaller one a stool so that sitting he could rest his elbows on the cloth and see eye to eye with the average man. It was unfortunate, being so short, but there were always ways to find your place in the world if you tried hard enough, he felt. He shuffled his cards now, brown eyes sparkling as he looked over the gathering of travelers who had paused to see what the Corgyn was on about. The small cards were a blur in his fingers, a wash of purple and grey backs moving together while now and then faces flashed reds and yellows, blue and silver. A fox here, a fae there, the watercolor images delicately peeked out and then disappeared again. Finally he set the deck down and pointed into the crowd.

"Who first?" He spoke slowly, making sure his voice rang out clearly. "A few gold and the magic of the fae will light your path!"

[Bunneh]

Gentle wind, the scent of sweet grass and enough clouds to make sure the sun did not burn your eyes.

For once it was a good day. For once in the whole of the time I had been here in Corone.

I set off down the road, my own half a metre tall self, shuffling along as much on hindlegs as I could muster. All the two-legged here were tall, and most were human, so the type of two-legged I had little time for. Around my neck was tied my blue scarf, and in the belt at my waist was all I owned in the world - my pipe, smokes and short rapier. At the sight of me, however, people stopped and stared, eyes popping largely from their skulls, to which I hissed sharply at.

In a way I can empathise. It is not every day that one meets a large white rabbit, attempting to saunter down the street on his hind legs. Neither is it normal to see him with a sword, however for this time and this place I wanted my weapon. My skill with it was barely anything, but Philomel had all but insisted when she discovered my ability to hold tea cups.

"Farragise," she had said, "You have an ability that fate has granted you. I can teach you how to fight like any man, and maybe then the world will consider you more of a beng than a beast."

I wanted to remind her that I was not so disrespected in Eluriand as I am here, in her and my brother's (her familiar) home country. I also wanted to say that I was not a beast, but rather one of the beautiful and elegant species known as the Earth Spirits. I wanted, too, to declare that I was no man, but considered myself a female and that we were as better as the 'dominant' gender ...

However, this she all knew. One look between us and she shrugged at her mistake, and suggested I go explore for the day. Which I did, all to the receivings of the idiotic "Awwwwww"s.

"Fortunes!" I heard a call, "Forcasts and lucky charms!"

I blinked. Tilted my head to the side and fell down to my forepaws. I had just come to the edge of a small stall and there was a strange voice coming from it. I sniffed. And was taken aback, then sniffed again, curious at the scent of dog mixed with human.

"Who first?" the weird bark said.

I raised a paw. Stretched onto my hind legs and raised a white paw in the air.

"Me," I said, my curiousity of this strange beings appearance taking over more than anything. He had a frigging dogs head. Like a corgi!

"I will."

[Smushing Pumpkins]

Billy found himself leaning forward to look over the makeshift table at the pale paw that wavered in the air. He followed the arm down to a rabbit’s face with a gaze that burned like a fire. As the creation of the fae, the rabbit form of his newest client wasn’t shocking. He gave a dogged smile and waved.

“Gwrs! We do need to get you a seat, though. Won’t do if you can’t see the cards.” After a moment of hopping down and moving some empty boxes from an unattended cart over, he’d created a seating area for the bunny and had scampered back up to his own boulder. Now that he could really see the creature, he introduced himself.

“Billy Corgyn, at your service. Now, your fortune! “ His hairy hands hovered over the earth spirit’s paws and he let his brown eyes slide closed. Within he focused on the fae blood that coursed through him, and the always seeing guidance of the great Eye. When he felt he had a handle on the soft, warm aura that bubbled around Farragise, he opened his eyes and went back to shuffling the cards. When something within told him to stop he placed the deck down.

“Past, present, and future,” he said as he dealt the three cards from the top of the deck. His hand moved to rest on top of the first, where the image of a fae knight clad in mythril rode a giant heron. The bird and it’s winged rider flew with a group of other birds from a storm into space.

“Ah, this may be you, methinks. You found it was time to strike out on your own, yes? Independence, adventure, finding yourself. You have begun you own journey, and you must be cautioned against being too impulsive. New experiences are fun, but you must take care in your excitement not to be hurt.”

His hand shifted to the next card. A faerie woman was cloaked in the trunk of a tree, branches loosely draped around her shoulders and flowing from her body as she held out a glowing oak leaf, the sun crowning her head as royalty.

“Do you worry about security?” he mused as he stared at the card and then looked back up to his client. “Maybe you worry that you cannot chase dreams and prosper with your plans and also stay close to your family? I tell you that you can have both, but there will sometimes be risks to be taken and paths to walk alone when you are chasing goals.”

He indicated the last card. “And now, your future.” Two leggy unicorns were painted on the cards, pulling a chariot that held a faerie paladin and carried her across rolling waves. Behind her, they were leaving behind a castle in the clouds, and below them in the water, turtles swarmed around a crab that held the sun.

“The future tells you how to overcome the problems of your present. You are finding yourself choosing between security and independence, but here the chariot is asking you to be assertive!” He sliced the air above the cards with his hand as if it were a sword and he was clearing a path before them. “Take control over your choices! Have confidence and faith and you will have victory!”

As Billy was gathering the cards and putting them away, prepared to answer any questions that the bunny might have for him, a rumble from down the road began to grow. Dust was billowing into the air and a commotion broke out as people jerked their wagons and horses to the side and gasped. A cart pulled by two ponies went rushing by, empty save for broken sacks from the back that sent apples toppling and flying in a wake behind them. Someone from the crowd called out, “Is everyone alright? Can someone get that cart stopped before someone gets hurt?”

[Bunneh]

All of the while I had been sitting there, not interrupting. For the sake of politeness. As this curious dog-human hybrid drifted through what he considered to be my praeteritum praesens futurum I just sat there, not wanting to tell him of the mistakes he was making. Not to mention the incredibly general assumptions he was making upon my character, as well as the particularly vague answers to my 'fortune' he was giving me. Indeed, I had been around far long enough to know that most of these people were frauds.

Thus, when he began to tidy away the cards, I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind. Politely of course, for this was his profession and that I understood - but nevertheless ...

Then, the world outside exploded. Suddenly, within, I siezed, the natural instincts of my prey-form mind taking over. My ears straightened, point up, two long echo-dishes attentive to the outside world. Bent down I assumed the position of a rabbit preparing to flee, for danger, I knew, might just be around the corner. From atop the plush cushion I felt a little safer than if on ground, but also wary in case I needed to make a remarkably quick run for it. My pink eyes stared, as horses, dust and carts revealed themselves in the odd doorway of this stall tent. I took in as much as I could with my almost completely circular vision, and then decided to retreat under the table as an apple came rolling our way.

Under the tablecloth I hunkered, tense but feeling somewhat more safe. I knew on top of me was the dog-headed man, the one who I had longed to ask questions to but was now likely distracted. In my mind I considered the various options - to fight my way out, to creep silently my way out, to arson my way out. Fire was stirring in my belly, this I felt. It was curiously ready to explode in case I needed it; goddess, bless the Behemoth.

Forging my new path. I considered that idea for a moment, the suggestion about my path. Upon first thought I had not thought it even close to my state of mind, but now - under a cloth as the world righted itself once more, I pondered. I guess at one point, I had left all I had known, and struck out on my own. Yet, that had been a very long time ago, when the world was still pounding in magic, the earth element was still just forming and all other earth spirits had proved, thus far, to be idiots.

I smelt soil in the air. Dust and a breeze caught the underside of the tablecloth and I found myself skittering back as my mind raced to the second comment. Security. Security? I had no family, only Veridian and Esmerelda, if you counted her. The dog had mentioned something about being able to hold them dear as well as "chase my dreams," yet if I was honest I was not entirely surprised. I knew I had the capacity for great things.

A horse brayed. I scratched my shoulder with a hind leg, causing my rapier to clank on the floor. If the fortune dog-head was looking for me, certainly he would find me now.

He had said something of overcoming problems of now. Blinking, I wondered what problems I really had, and then realised that they were none. Everyone else just had problems. So as the noise outside abated, or at least the chaos mostly abated and people were rushed to hospital or whatever, I poked my head out from the cloth.

Ready to address my questions to wherever the hell the dog-head was now.

"Oi, dog-head," I yelled, "But I don't have any problems to deal with!"

[Smushing Pumpkins]

The bunny had disappeared, the boxes he’d carefully set up for her chair scattered. When she emerged, as brash as the falling sword knight, Billy chuckled. His laughter was airy, dying quickly as he watched the cart disappear from the impromptu market that had sprung up on the road. The humans that milled around them were repairing the damage, checking their wares and their welfare, and gathering up apples. As one kerchiefed crone tried to entice her frightened mare to eat a bruised apple she’d retrieved from the earth, Billy’s soft, large ears twitched. He turned his head to the south where the wagon had barreled from as if it were a bullet shot from a gun, and just in time. His arm flew up and he cast a spell as quickly as he could. The air shimmered around them and a transparent shield wavered as it deflected a barrage of apples, timber, and the remains of what had been the wagon’s driver.

“Yeah, maybe,” he quipped, hopping from his boulder and jerking his mantle from where it had served as a tablecloth. “But looks like we might be about to have one.”

The ogre that emerged from the treeline stood 8 feet tall at a hunch, green skin dotted with boils and acne like the stars in the night sky. His black beady eyes settled on the crowd and he opened his mouth, exposing broken orange teeth. To Billy it looked like his mouth was filled with the broken rinds of pumpkins. He growled and gurgled, spittle dripping down his many chins. Billy gripped his staff tighter and glanced over to the rabbitkin. He wondered if she’d stick around with him, he wondered what her name was, and he wondered if she knew how to use the sword at her side. Mostly he wondered what she would do. The humans were beginning to run, some of the men throwing rocks at the ogre in order to let their womenfolk and children get away. It was getting angry, and Billy felt the situation growing out of control very quickly.

Raising one hand to hail the beast, he took a step forward. It felt like a giant, and to such a small creature it was. Billy's knees shook just a little, and he felt almost as if the packed earth, smooth and warm from the morning sun, would fall away beneath his feet.

“No need to be afraid! Maybe this guy is just a little hungry. Does anyone have meat to roast? There is a place for all creatures under the sun!”

[eXgTurbostar]

'Fortune telling..what a load of bull.' though a certain blonde while gently stroking her companion's white fur. In return the lion let out a low growl, apparently interested in the fluffy white rabbit that sat in front of the halfling in the improvised stall. They were located on a nearby bench to the left of the crowd. Initially their view would be obstructed by the mass of curious people but in the next instant a powerful roar could be heard from behind them and they would scatter away from the white lion's way. Even if Kimba, cause that was the lion's name, wasn't as big as a fullgrown lion her roar was equally to more resounding, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it.

After a while the blonde half-elf got bored of this 'magic show' and was thinking about leaving, looking at her companion she was about to address her when a runaway cart lead by two ponies went storming past the crowds. She then let out a chuckle as the mass before her started losing its mind 'or maybe not..I guess I'll stay a bit longer, see that's going to happen next'. With that thought in mind she unsheathes the main one of her two black swords, it retains the original color just for a blink of an eye as Ariel's Ice Release#1: Ice Coating unconsciously activates in a instant, offering her weapons a blue glow. Making good use of her Elfish Reflexes she then rushes towards the runaway cart, after it passed the crowd and performs a slash. It was a simple vertical, downwards slash that cut free the ponies from their binding to the cart, it was so powerful that it even cut through the woodwork alongside with the string reins.All around the place she had cut there would be a frost from Ice Coating's active freezing effect (-1 charge/4 remaining, 2h needed for it to recharge)

The ponies continued their wild frenzic run while the cart went forwards a few more meters/yards on its own, consuming the acumulated momentum, until coming to a complete stop. With a smirk the blond sheats her weapon after performing a sideway slash to the right, as in cleaning the blade from any remaining blood. A reflex she had gained from long ago, from when her father was still alive, she used to practice it in a attempt to emulate his behaviour.

"I guess that was all the fun we get to have for today" she said while looking at her white companion. She'd lost track and interest in the halfling and the bunny for a while and now that she was up, it provided her with the perfect excuse to go someplace else...probably a tavern. Twitching her elvish ears the blonde let out a faint smile "We have company!" she said turning towards the woods, from where a massive ogre appeared. The dog halfbreed was already greeting it and asking for something to feed it.

Kimba started growling while Ariel thought 'Is this guy for real?'. She'd approach the staff wielding guy saying: "Are you mad? You want to feed it now?" and next she would enter a defensive stance after unsheathing her blades, activating Ice Coating, while switching her gaze from the ogre to the halfbreed with glasses.

[Smushing Pumpkins]

Somewhere, someone had produced a turkey leg. It was heavy and warm in Billy’s hand, the heft of it almost like a club to the Corgi. He wouldn’t deny that his nose quivered with delight from the fine piece of meat and he began to salivate, his tongue hanging out as he panted with the measure of a pleased pup. He gave the mercenary only a cursory glance before he turned his attention back to the ogre.

“Humans are always so quick to attack creatures that they don’t see as civilized. But many of them have the wrong idea of who the real brute is. We should be welcoming of our forest bretheren.”

He stepped forward and offered the turkey leg to the ogre and began to ask it to sit and share a story with him. However, the great beast merely stared blankly down at him for a moment, swollen face twisted in a menacing grimace. With a swoop of its trunklike arm, the turkey leg was sent flying towards the canopy of branches overhead and Billy and his staff were sent tumbling britches over brim along the road. The corgyn yelped in pain from the blow, but quickly straightened his glasses and stood once he’d stopped rolling.

Perhaps he had been mistaken.

[Bunneh]

"Gahhhh!"

My hindfoot thumped, loudly, expressing my immense distaste at the fact an ogre was in our midst. Carts upturned, life in a muddle, chaos reigning, there was little more to bring myself to any satisfaction. Hindlegs thump instinctively on the rabbit kind, and being born with one of their bodies I was subject to all of the actions.

Retreating as the dog-head was sent sprawling, I hopped back underneath the tablecloth. For a moment, I paused there, then pulled up the cloth to peek at the feet of the - ah yes. The blonde girl with the ice who had joined us. I winced, not knowing either of my new companions names, and winced again as the ogre made the most horrid grumbling sound.

Breathe. It was what I had to do. Sighing, I finally tugged my rapier from its sheath, shoving it into my right paw. Knowing that little mortals cannot cope with giant bald animals the realisation dawned that I needed to show my bravery. Bravery on the face of an adorable white bunny in the wake of a new battle.

"He's definitely not hungry," I found myself muttering, finally taking the leap of faith and bursting from under the table.

Just in time. A great hand was sweeping towards the blonde, ready to punch her solidly in the face. But I was swift, and not easily thwarted. Yes, I was a lazy butt, and yes I could get scared. I had remained under the tablecloth the first time because the noise was too sudden, but this time - this time I knew my foe.

So I aimed, leaping high into the air with those powerful back legs, rapier swinging up to scar the back of his hand.

[eXgTurbostar]

Seeing people actually going along with the halfling's suggestion of actually giving the troll some food, somebody even giving him a piece of meat. At the sight of it, Ariel's companion let out a low growl while greedily licking her snout, they've eaten couple of hour earlier but the familiar seemed eternally hungry when it comes to food, even if she doesn't require this type of material sustenance. Hearing her companion's reaction Ariel shows a frown while addressing her, not losing the troll from her sight as she maintained her stance: "Don't you even think about it, that's not for you. You stay back this time, I got this little guy." she said to the white lion, which with another growl started walking away from her friend.

'Now that that's out of the way...' though the blonde but didn't get to finish when the furry fortuneteller fly by her and land somewhere behind. She couldn't help herself from releasing a chuckle as she addressed him in a mocking tone, without looking behind to see if he's alright. "Yes I see your point.... he just wants to 'talk' with us." She could also hear some rapid tapping noises coming from nearby but decided to ignore it for now. That is until her ears started to twitch, once she heard something coming from the same direction with the tapping earlier. With a smirk the half-elf blonde turned her head for a bit only to be stunned by the image of a bunny wielding a rapier. This caught her off guard as she once again started laughing this time more audibly, losing the troll from her sights for a split of a second.

Widening her eyes as she recognized her mistake and as the blonde gasped she turned her head back towards her opponent, only to see a massive open palm coming her way. A sudden surge of adrenaline rushed through her blood, making time pass a bit slower as she thought of different evasive action: "Jump? no..I can't make it high enough......duck then? too late for that now, dodge left or right, again too late." Apparently without any other option, any other would start panicking and act reckless but the blonde simply would let out a arrogant snort and look the troll, dead in the eyes while shouting: "Ice Aegis!". The next instant, right before she got hit by the giant hand, a medium sized ice shield materialized in front of her as the blond crossed her weapons in front of her.

At first the shield worked absorbing some of the momentum...for a second, until it shattered and the troll's arm continued its way meeting Ariel's blades, then sending her flying as well. She didn't receive any serious damage but the blonde now had a seriously pissed off expression as she straighten herself up after getting off the hay carriage she felt into. "You son of a..."