8-Calm Tides
A strong wind rushed through the forest that Lucas had found himself stuck in. Nothing but loathing and annoyance could be found on Lucas's face.
At this point he had started to distance himself from the original, he couldn't remember what happens in their dreams. He didn't have to suffer with the burdens the nightmares gave him.
"No point in hating yourself" Muttered the dream. Waiting for something to happen, anything even. But hours passed with no event in sight. To be more honest it was minutes but it felt like hours and that was good enough for him.
At the ten hour mark the sound of two footsteps carried itself on the wind, wandering in that direction. Lucas found two kids. . .
One so familiar he hurt to look at.
The first of the pack was a pale girl with flowing black hair stopping at her shoulders, subdued blue eyes that glowed with worry and doubt as the duo made their way.
Her other features looked blurry, as if they weren't important, or weren't remembered.
The other kid though…
Bright brown curly hair and a laid-back aura surrounding him. Eyes that shared the same blue that the girl had but held no doubt or worry, instead boredom and annoyance were the primary emotions.
"Like looking at a mirror" Mused Lucas as he stared at the boy.
The two seemed to ignore his presence as if he weren't there. Which had more benefits than curses. Following the two as they traversed the forest.
"S-shouldn't we get home soon? Len might get mad at us if we aren't back soon" Said the girl anxiously.
"We could have. But you! Had to get into trouble with mister lark. And now we have to find a stupid fishing rod!" Complained the boy in a accusatory tone as he glared at her, annoyed but resigned.
They eventually got to a river where a wooden fishing rod stood. Ready to be claimed for the fetch quest.
"See? You worry too much, right here just like he said" He said. Grabbing the rod and turning around as the two made their way.
"You never k-know, it could be cursed!" the boy stared at her like she was an idiot, "it's a fishing road talos" Muttred the boy.
The girl's face was flush as they made their way. Lucas wondered if maybe, just maybe this wouldn't be a nightmare. Despite the wondrous view of the last dreams, coup of flyers, it had all come crashing down near the end.
Ugh. Even thinking about it makes me shiver. Banishing the thought to the back of his mind. He followed along.
The dream seemed mostly mundane and he hoped it would stay that way.
Idiot. Why would you think that!
Unfortunately destiny had heard his thoughts loud and clear. A stray crow fell from high. Mutated and corrupted as if the flesh was rotated against itself endlessly. Eyes glassy and lifeless with lumps of flesh protruding from its back
Then its stray eye stared at Lucas. Perceiving him, before a dreadfully familiar voice spoke.
"Still too soon. Return only when the inheritance is your rite" The Mutated crow spoke. Before staring at the kids then back at Lucas. Ready to end the dream.
"Awaken" It muttered softly.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Lucas woke with a loud yawn. Wiping his eyes. He sat there for a few minutes hoping to get rid of the morning brain fog. And had partially succeeded. But still, a part of the fog that had never fully left held.
It stood strong. Making sure that Lucas never truly remembered something, and that something was… was…
…nothing, something that he couldn't put any agency to no matter how hard his mind tried. Just something better off forgotten I guess. Thought Lucas before getting up.
Oz and the penguins stayed asleep. Leading Lucas to wonder, were they lazy or was he just an early riser. Knowing Ruby and Coin it was the former, though Oz seemed like an early bird too. So maybe Lucas was just the earliest riser. Hah, that sounds stupid.
With that he left, walking down stairs into the main tavern area of the inn. The only thing that met him was Lily in uniform who was cleaning up last night's aftermath. Perfect timing actually. Gotta ask about the festival.
"Morning, whatcha doing up so early?" Asked Lucas as the bar maiden who was currently putting chairs into their place looked up at him before quickly looking back down.
"You said we would continue our conversation in the morning" Shyly admitted Wendy as she continued clearing the place.
Did I say that? …yeah? Probably, whatever just roll with it.
"Right! Though isn't it a bit early? What's the time anyway?" Asked Lucas, Wendy replied 5:30 which left Lucas a little stunned. He didn't think he was that early of a riser. But he wasn't even the earliest!
Wendy looked impeccable for someone who should've just woken up, uniform sparkling and black hair tied in a neat bun. Overall a picture perfect employee if you didn't count the shyness.
"Did you have a good night's sleep?" Asked Lucas but all he got in return was a confused look before she let out a quiet almost nonexistent, innocent little giggle. It was almost cute, almost. "S-sorry for laughing! It's just been a while since anybody has asked me that" She said, voiced raised and embarrassed.
"I don't actually have to sleep. You see it's how my tale functions. I would show you the description but you can only do it with other people who have tales. Unless?" She said the last part with a hint of hope riddled in with her usual shy tone.
"None"
"Oh. . .Well not to worry. I'll just explain it. Gosh this is the most I've taught anybody, maybe I should be a teacher!" Said Wendy, the last part seemingly a joke.
"Anyway! I'm sure you know what tales are?" Waited Wendy for confirmation "yeah the basics" replied Lucas.
"Which are?" pressed Wendy.
"Umm…you pledge a story of yours to the spirits and they give you a tale" Answered Lucas.
"Oh... That's a bare bone description but I guess that counts. Anyways the spirits won't just take any story. It has to have some part of you into it, something that makes it your story, though interesting stories are well rewarded in comparison" Explained Wendy, making gestures with her hands.
"For example. The reason my tale functions as it does, is because…" Wendy stopped, face flushed as she continued. "...I've spent an embarrassingly long time pulling all nighters. reading my favorite novels" Her face blushed even harder, as if it was a dark secret she had to hide.
"B-but don't tell anybody! They all think it's because I worked hard through the night, and…and I'd like to keep it that way" Wendy murmured, her tone full of embarrassment.
"Fine, fine. But if you didn't want people to know then why tell me?" Asked Lucas.
Wendy answered simply by saying nothing. Her mouth opened and closed yet not a sound came out.
"Nevermind. Just continue with the explanation" Said Lucas. Wendy shut her mouth and nodded, continuing the explanation.
"So…Most of your tales are gonna be extensions or one way related to your first. Some people call your first tale a source. Since I don't need to sleep, I'll probably be given a tale related to working better during the night or something like that" she paused, thinking for a second before her face lit up like a light bulb.
"Oh! And before I forget. Tales start with 3 tiers. Whispers to chants to folktales. Currently mine is a whisper" Said Wendy as she sat on a chair while Lucas leaned on a table.
"how do you upgrade your tale?"
"Well it differs from tale to tale"
"How do you know all of this?"
"School?" Replied Wendy as if that was the simplest thing ever. Though it probably was in all honesty.
"Have you had breakfast? Wait stupid question, of course you haven't…" She paused again deep in thought before continuing.
"...actually, have you eaten anything? You didn't touch your food last night because of the brawl and…What have you eaten?" Asked Wendy, worry slowly filling her expression.
Ah. She caught me. I was hoping that ignoring it would make it go away. But hunger is ever the great annoyance. Mused Lucas.
"Food is a great idea" Said Lucas as Wendy rushed to the kitchen of the inn. Going in through the door behind the bar.
Pulling out a chair and sitting down. He milled through what he learned over the past few days, currently he knew that tales gave you powers and to get some you needed to pledge a story of yours. Though he wondered what 'story' meant.
More questions to ask Wendy over breakfast. Speaking of which, bursting through the door with two plates, one filled with bacon and toast while the other had a steak and some salad.
"That was quick" Said Lucas as Wendy placed the steak in front of him. Taking a seat on the opposite side.
"I usually prepare food for me and miss Quinn but she's out for the day. Plus we're closed on Sundays"said Wendy as she ate.
Lucas grabbed a piece of the steak. Ripping it off and taking a bite.
"Tasty. Better cook than Oz at least" Muttred Lucas. While his mouth bit
into the steak.
"Who's Oz?" Asked Wendy. Who herself was using the fork and knife she set for the both of them.
"Hmm? Isn't it obvious? The blond I travel with" Answered Lucas.
"Oz? Odd name, but fitting for an odd person I guess"
"Whatcha mean?"
Wendy paused. Staring at Lucas before speaking.
"You've traveled with Oz. What's she like to you?"
She?
Oz wasn't a girl…or a boy for that matter, unless…were they? No way. Lucas's eyes wouldn't lie to him about something like that. Plus. If there was one thing he trusted it was his sight.
"Well…Oz is smart, passionate about alchemy, and pleasant to talk to I guess" answered Lucas.
"So that's what you think of her? Can't say I've heard people say much compliments but I digress. What the town folk see is a stranger. Doesn't talk to people. Rarely eats.
And strangely pale. Inhuman even. I think that scares the older folk a lot" Wendy paused, taking a moment to think before adding
"and most town folk can't agree whether it's a she or a he, but personally. I think it's a she, no man I've seen is that pretty except for…" Her eyes flickered to Lucas for a second before immediately beaming down at her empty plate.
"But still. Doesn't excuse how they've treated her" Ended Wendy as she took their plates and left muttering not to wait for her and that she'd take A while. Rushing into the backroom.
Huh. All that and not a single thing about the festival. Guess I'll ask Oz. Standing up and heading upstairs to their room. Heading inside to see Oz staring at the ceiling for a few seconds before noticing his arrival.
"Morning" Greeted Oz as Lucas returned the greeting.
"Lucas, do you mind staying here? I've got errands to get through, I'll come fetch you later?" Lucas nodded before Oz got up and fitted themselves.
"Oh and before I forget. Thank you for last night, I forgotten what it was like to see karma paid back" They muttered softly before walking out of the room
Looking over at the two penguins. Lucas couldn't help but get an idea, walking over and shaking Coin out of slumber. The little glutton woke up annoyed but awake.
"Hey, wanna help me with something?" Asked Lucas with a smile on his face as if he knew the answer.
Coin nodded along, drifting in and out of slumber.
"Good enough" shaking the bird some more to keep him awake. Lucas then moved on to Ruby. Who seemed like she'd never wake up, picking up the penguin. Lucas then figured out a way to wake her up.
He held her over his head, then dropped her.
Lucas waited for the sound of the impact but nothing of the like came. Only the chill of winter, ice grew out of the floor to catch Ruby as she woke up, glaring at Lucas before sitting up. The ice formed a slide as the penguin slid down.
"Now that the two of you are awake. I wanna make a tale" Declared Lucas, Coin perked up whilst Ruby stared. As if weighing two options against each other.
Having powers would be cool, and I'm curious for the most part. Thought Lucas before looking back at Ruby
Lucas stared at Ruby, albeit a bit pleadingly while she thought for a moment, then sighed before nodding.
Lucas smiled then sat down next to the penguins.
Now that was sorted Lucas just needed to pledge his story to the spirits and get a tale, that was when he found himself stuck. How…how do you pledge a story?
"Ruby. How do you get a tale?"
The penguin waddled to the middle of the room while Lucas and Coin sat on the bed. Waiting for an explanation.
Ruby made gestures with her flippers, holding them up before she made a motion which Lucas could only guess was sleeping. So that's that at least.
"I get it" lied Lucas. Laying down on the bed as he closed his eyes. Waiting.
He guessed a good 10 minutes passed before memories flashed in his mind, a good majority of them being his time spent with the penguins. His time surviving in stonepine. Then the flood of memories seemed to stop, leaving only two blank spaces. One due to the fact that the flood of memories had gone, leaving nothing.
And secondly.
Because a single memory stayed as the rest left. It was blank, nothing of note. Just empty space in an ocean of it. Then as if staring at Lucas. The blank followed the rest of the flood
His mind blanked and nothing but pain could be felt as every muscle in his body ached, twisted and rippled. His mind left nothing but fear for death was close. He could feel it.
It watched with a wary eye. But then…
…Then he woke up.
Runes in glided white awaited him. Along with the noise of rushing winds and joyous laughter sounded in his mind.
His first tale.
[Wayfinder of Paths]