| Dark Souls | Hymn of the Missing | 1-on-1 |

Subject: | Dark Souls | Hymn of the Missing | 1-on-1 | Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:37 pm

Sable wasn't sure what had happened. One day, she was home, the next, she woke in a great city. Sun bathed the entire area, leaving the white buildings glow golden. Uncertain as to what to do, she wandered, trying to stay out of sight.

Maybe that had been a bad idea. Everything she saw, giants and incredibly tall people, women in long robes, all kinds of strange things. At some point, she just hid herself behind a pillar, trying to be quiet.

Still, she whimpered, finding herself in a fit of emotions. What had happened? Where was she? Sable wasn't sure. She was afraid, uncertain of anything now.

Sable swiped at her eyes, feeling them growing wet. Too much stress, too much going on. She was alone and afraid. What was she supposed to do?

Sable had no answer, trying not to collapse under the weight of it all. Her mind whirled, leaving her dizzy, her stomach feeling as if it were in knots.

--- [ x ] ---

Quiet. Anor Londo typically was. It was peaceful here and as it should be. Those within the city typically kept to themselves, going about their daily lives as usual.

Yet something odd had changed that day. The feeling was somewhat odd but Gwyndolin had brushed it off for a short time. Surely it was nothing, as quickly as it had come and gone.

Hours had ticked by, the incident completely pushed from his mind. He lifted his head as he patrolled his usual area. He kept out of sight of many, his body strange and frightening.

Movement had caught his eye. A woman, small and obviously human. What was strange was her appearance. Her clothing was odd as was the brief surprise on her face when she saw him.

Gwyndolin was quiet for a long few moments, simply staring at the woman. Perhaps he might handle this...carefully. For the most part, she merely looked confused and lost...

"You are a strange one," he called out, careful with his tone. He was normally rather soft, having been raised with women of the moon most of his life, "A little human as well. You are lost?"

Though there were times in which he guarded the cathedral Ornstein still had free reign from time to time, so long as Smough was guarding the area. Especially so if dragons reared their heads around Anor Londo, necessitating Ornstein’s spear and lightning to fight them off. But for now there were no alarms ringing and Ornstein was free to walk through the many paths of the sun-blessed city.

There were several paths through Anor Londo that Ornstein enjoyed taking. Some were far busier than others. All sorts lived in Anor Londo of varying sizes. Souls were an important thing, leading even to a greater size to those with such powerful ones. Even just a piece of a Lord’s soul had given Ornstein such giant status.

Such brooding over these things were put to halt as movement caught his attention. Halting, Ornstein turned his attention to the pillar he’d seen someone small duck behind. Now, what was with this behavior? There was no reason for anyone to act in such a manner unless he or she were up to something.

With little preamble Ornstein moved to peer around the thick pillar. Whoever it was would hold little threat to him. Even so Ornstein would be prepared to grab for his spear if need be. Yet it didn’t seem to be necessary as the woman behind the pillar seemed to be caught distraught.

“A human within Anor Londo?” he mused aloud. “How has thou hidden away undetected within the city?”

----[x]----

Smooth marble for paths and buildings alike… Where was she? She’d woken in this strange place, bathed in a golden light from what she could see through windows and between pillars. Yet this area was cast in shadow from buildings and pillars alike. Where was she and why wasn’t anyone down here?

How long did she wander down here? Artemis couldn’t say, no watch or phone on her person. Still, in such an ornate and beautiful place she would have thought there’d be more people wandering around here. It wasn’t until what felt like hours did she even see another face and when she did Artemis wasn’t sure what to make of the person.

Dressed in what appeared to be delicate white robes and a strange golden headdress that seemed to mimic the sun, Artemis couldn’t tell if the person was male or female. What drew her attention more than that however were the several large snakes that emerged from the bottom of those robes rather then a pair of legs. Just who was this person and where was she that someone was like that?

Eventually that person spoke, the voice soft and sounding more boyish to her ears. Even so Artemis still had no idea of the gender of this person nor if he or she was even as friendly as that tone of voice might imply.

“You could say that,” Artemis answered carefully, slowly.

Sable would have remained there if able. She wasn't even sure how much time had passed or if anyone would take notice of her but in some regard, she cared very little. She was too caught up in her own confusion and emotions to find much reason worry about where she would go.

That all came crumbling down when a voice rang out. She jumped, backpedaling immediately. A tall figure peered down at her, clad in golden armor. A helm of a lion stared down at her, face obscured by it.

Sable opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't find her voice for a long moment. She played with her fingers, aware of how badly she trembled.

Whoever this man was, he waited quietly, patiently, or so
Sable assumed. That was enough for her, she figured. She swallowed hard, a lump in her throat. What was she supposed to say, if she could at all?

"I..." she finally managed to start slowly, "I...I don't know..."

It was the truth. She had no idea how she got here much less how she was remaining hidden for so long. It seemed that hadn't lasted so long, in the end.

--- [ x ] ---

The human stared, quiet and appeared uncertain. This did not surprise him. While his standing was high here, there were some who still stared witnessing him. For a human, no doubt this would surprise her.

Still, he waited, patiently. There was no need to act without knowing what she was doing here. From the looks of it, she was not much of a threat. The most really was seemed to be odd looking.

When she did speak, her words were slow and guarded, as if she didn't know what to say to him. This was of little help to Gwyndolin. Strange as she was, she had to have some explanation as to why she was here.

"Perhaps...thou may part with exactly how this little one came to be here?" he pressed for more answers. There had to be something more here for someone who appeared so strange.

Yet again, Gwyndolin was met with hesitance. A tip of his head followed for a brief moment. The woman looked unnerved. Perhaps it was merely his presence and appearance that did this to her.

"Thou has little to fear. I will not bring harm to such a tiny human," he finally reassured. From the looks of it, she looked anything but that. It was the most he could offer, however.

If this small woman could have appeared any smaller she’d have managed it in those seconds after he’d spoken. All at once she’d leapt, pushing herself up against anything for aid as well as away from him. Ornstein cocked his head to one side then, an eyebrow raised that was hidden behind his helm. An odd reaction to be sure, and from one dressed so very strangely.

He offered a thoughtful hum in answer to hers. How did one not know how they came to be within Anor Londo, the city of gods? Humans did not so easily arrive here. In fact, most lived within and around Oolacile in these parts…

“Is that so?” he prodded, seeking more answers. But would they come? From the terrified look upon this woman’s face Ornstein wasn’t sure how rational she might be. “Thou must have some clue as to how one ends up within this great city.”

From the tearful look, Ornstein did not peg this woman as a threat. All the same he would remain vigilant. Looks could be deceiving and Ornstein did not truthfully know humans very well.

----[x]----

Trying to guess at this stranger’s gender was a far easier thing then to try to figure out further how she’d arrived in this strange new place. At least the first had a more immediate answer than the latter. Artemis wasn’t even sure if she’d ever find an answer as to why she was so suddenly in this strange place with half-human half-snake people.

Despite this person’s strange appearance they didn’t appear to want to act hostile towards her. Still, Artemis wasn’t entirely sure how much she liked the title “little one”. All the same she deigned to ignore it for now. It wouldn’t do her much good to kick up a fuss about stupid things, especially so when this one was just trying to help her from the sounds of it.

All the same, how did she come to be here? Artemis offered a shrug and a shake of her head. How much stock would this person even put into the truth? One minute Artemis was at home, sleeping and when she’d woken up she was here.

Her hesitance must have been obvious as a tilt of that person’s head followed alongside a reassurance that this one was not out to harm anyone. Even so, Artemis was lost and confused. What all could she expect from this place?

“If I knew I’d tell you. As far as I’m aware I just woke up here,” she admitted finally, feeling dumb even as she said it.

What was she supposed to say? She had no idea how she had ended up here. Sable had just woken up, finding herself bathed in warm light. From there, she just rushed off trying to keep out of sight.

She shuffled her weight nervously, her gaze falling to her feet briefly. Sable shook her head. She had no real answer to give him.

"I just woke up here," she finally managed to reply, trying to ignore the strain in her throat.

Sable had prayed it was a dream. Somehow, she'd wake up and just be in bed, back home. That was all she wanted. Finding a way back would have been more than a blessing now...

Somewhere deep down, she knew she wouldn't be waking up from any dream.

--- [ x ] ---

Quiet once again. She wasn't full of words, it seemed, or maybe she was simply uncertain as to what to say. The questions were simple ones yet the woman had difficulty with him.

If she had come across any of the knights within Anor Londo, they might have not been so kind. In some sense, perhaps it was good that she stumbled upon him here.

The answer that did come didn't inspire confidence. She had no idea how she had gotten here? Perhaps this had to do with the strange feeling he had felt earlier...

Gwyndolin approached her carefully, aware that she was keeping an eye on him. If that made her comfortable, who was he to protest?

"Simply woke up here?" he echoed after a long pause, "Thou are unsure of how it happened? No magic involved? Perhaps this little one has merely lost her mind."

He could expand his disbelief in some ways. This girl certainly was strange in both speech and dress. If anything, Gwyndolin found himself intrigued.

Ornstein waited patiently. Perhaps that was the best way to handle this situation. Rushing her might only provoke anger or resentment and Ornstein did not wish to draw his spear against someone who did not necessitate it.

She fidgeted and glanced around herself, looking at a loss for what to do or say. Ornstein didn’t know how to rectify that and he wasn’t sure if that was the safest thing to do either. If she were frightened she might be more inclined to tell the truth if she thought it might keep him from growing hostile. Perhaps a bit manipulative, but it was the easiest way to receive answers.

Finally she answered, sounded as lost and confused as she looked. Ornstein cocked his head to one side, peering at her carefully. Merely awoke here? A strange answer indeed…

“Is that so?” A pause followed. “Perhaps sorcery is involved in some manner. Dost though tinker with sorceries or the like?”

A spell gone wrong could easily do any number of thing and if that were the case this woman was lucky she was not injured because of it.

----[x]----

There was a long stretch of silence between them but Artemis couldn’t tell if that was a bad thing or not. Truthfully, she didn’t know anything about this place or this person before her. Who just had snakes emerging in place of their legs like that after all? It was enough to cause concern and wariness if not also this strange place.

That person approached, slithering snakes working to do the job a pair of legs should have. If not for the very situation Artemis might have drawn away however this person was her only source of answers, if they even had some. It was enough so that she put aside any curiosity to a gender or name to pin to this person.

At that person’s words Artemis’ frown deepened. Magic? Magic was the stuff of video games and storybooks. A pause followed this. If that was true then why was she sitting here, speaking to someone with several snakes in place of their legs?

“Who are you to decide how sound of mind I am?” she snapped instead. “I know where I was when I went to sleep and when I woke I wasn’t there anymore.”

She stared this person down, regardless of the fact that Artemis could not see their eyes past that headdress. She didn’t want to admit that she was confused and lost and afraid. Home hadn’t exactly been a great place but it had been home and now it seemed to be gone entirely.

Quiet was something she wanted and yet her mind still whirled with questions. That in and of itself was louder than this city. A surprise to her but what could she do? She had no idea where she was.

The man suggested something of sorcery. Sable's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. There was no magic. How could he even suggest such a thing? This was serious!

"There's no such thing," she said, her throat tight.

What she said, she meant. If this confused this armor clad man, it didn't show. At least, not what she could see. Still, it was impossible for magic to exist. That was the stuff of fairy tales and games. There had to be some rational explanation here.

Somehow, Sable felt this answer would be pressed despite denying it. There was no magic in the world. Why pursued such things?

"I fell asleep," she finally pressed after a moment, "And woke up here. Nothing else happened in between that I know of or recall."

--- [ x ] ---

Her eyes were on him. It was easy to feel even if her head was ducked slightly. She was watching where his leg should have been. In place of these were snakes. Surely that would startle most anyone.

It didn't offend him anymore. He was what he was. God or not, this was the body he was cursed to live with. A sad thing for one so divine.

When she spoke, he words were snappish ones. She sounded displeased with the accusation. It might have been pushing too far. Gwyndolin had to have his answers from this curiosity.

"I mean not to offend," he finally answered calmly, "A fiery temper. Thou is brave to stare a god down."

Brave or foolish. Gwyndolin did not know many humans, only stories of them. Perhaps some were true, perhaps not. He had no place to judge, for he had his own jobs to do. This human, however, was a curiosity.

"So if thou did not cast a spell on her own, perhaps someone else did," he decided for her, a tilt of his head following, "The world runs deep with sorcery. Who is to say it is not possible, hmm?"

No such thing as sorceries? Where did this little human come from that such a thing was unheard of? Ornstein wondered if perhaps he should bring this human into an audience with Lord Gwyn if it was possible. Such a human with no understanding of basic principles of the world was curious.

He hummed briefly, wondering how best to go about this. Clearly this human was frightened and perhaps not in her right mind because of it. His size in comparison to her might only set her off further. With that in mind Ornstein took a knee, if only to mitigate the size difference a little bit.

“Perhaps a spell was cast while you slept,” he offered even if she did not believe in such things. The fact that someone could think such things did not exist was baffling to Ornstein but he chose not to mention it now. “Unfortunately for you, you have awoken in a place where few humans reside if at all.”

There was no reason for humans to exist here and while they did work to protect those in the nearby lands around Anor Londo there were so many stories… It was hard to tell which ones were true and which were not. Perhaps now was the time to figure it all out first hand.

----[x]----

Only when she was sure those snakes weren’t going to snap at her did Artemis’ gaze draw to this person’s face again as they’d neared. The snakes seemed passive enough… Heck, Artemis couldn’t even tell if they would be venomous. She’d never been adept at identifying different snakes.

Despite these things her attention would have been taken from those snakes regardless at the mention of gods. Her brow furrowed deeply, half-expecting a follow up that it was just a joke or that it was just a prod to throw her off guard entirely. None of that came however. Was this person being entirely serious?

Her confusion didn’t seem to deter this person, instead they went on with their own prediction on what might’ve happened. People with snakes for legs, magic and gods… Where the hell had Artemis ended up?

“Considering where I come from there’s only stage magic for ‘sorcery’ I’m gonna say I can,” Artemis muttered. A brief pause followed before she shook her head, glancing away. Her head was already aching as it was. “What a mess…”

Maybe at this rate it would be better to figure out what this place was about rather than what had happened. At least then Artemis could wrap her head around something. Still a place with people who had snakes in place of their legs and magic and gods was daunting.

He took to a knee, coming down more to something of a better level to her. Still, Sable shuffled her weight. This was far too odd for her to be comfortable with. Spells didn't exist. Not where she was from. The way he spoke, it was like an everyday occurrence.

"Even if that were possible, why would anyone do that to me?" she asked as if there were some answer to gain.

Sable wasn't much. Just a young adult who was struggling through life. Surely that wasn't anything interesting. Who would want to mess with her in this way? It just didn't make any sense.

The thoughts made her dizzy once again. This was too much to absorb and too much to handle on her own. Why did she have to end up alone?

"So what am I supposed to do, then?" she finally asked.

There wasn't much she could figure she could do. Wherever she was, this was no real dream and she was trapped in a place she knew little about. This could be far more than dangerous. Thinking about that, she felt even more lost.

--- [ x ] ---

Her gaze drew to his face once more when she realized that he was of no danger. He resisted a shake of his head. Really, him harming her would have done little. It wasn't as if she was out to cause trouble. She simply seemed genuinely confused with the situation at hand.

He hummed briefly in response. So this was nothing that she could make sense of herself. What could have happened in between then and now for this woman? Surely someone would know?

"Then thou's home must be strange indeed," he answered.

From the look he'd received, it was almost as if he were the strange one. Perhaps that was correct. For him, being strange was something of a normality. He could not escape his oddness.

For a moment, Gwyndolin pondered what should be done. Surely if there was a human without Anor Londo, this would need to be taken care of accordingly. Still, it seemed as if she meant no harm and simply seemed surprised to be here in the first place. Would his father know what to do.

"Perhaps I should take you to my father," he suggested after a moment, "Though, he may not be pleased to me, I've little choice with a human within his great city."

Gwyndolin motioned for the woman to follow, pausing only for a moment to glance back and ask, "Does thou have a name?"

As he’d expected there was little change in her behavior when he’d leaned closer to her level. Perhaps there was good reason for that. Denying that sorceries existed she might very well not believe in gods either. Or perhaps her country was even more different than Lordran than Ornstein could hope to guess at.

For now requesting an audience with Lord Gwyn about this strange, lost human was his only rational course of action. That was, of course, if Ornstein could keep her calm enough to do so. Who knew if Lord Gwyn would even wish to hear out this odd human?

“If that is something that thou does not know than it is a mystery,” Ornstein answered simply and truthfully. Only she had answers to that and it seemed she was at a loss for them. “For now the only course of action to take is to speak with Lord Gwyn.”

He rose to his full height then, gesturing for the lost woman to prepare for a bit of a walk. There was no way of knowing if Lord Gwyn was where he normally was or if he was busy with other affairs just yet. Perhaps Ornstein might even learn something about this woman along the way. It was the most he could hope for at the moment.

“There are things to be sorted out here,” he pointed out.

----[x]----

Who was this person to say where she came from was weird? Then again if everyone looked like this one did then maybe Artemis was the strange one around here. It was hard to say with no one else around to compare to. For now she chose not to comment on it, instead passing a disgruntled look in reply.

Silence stretched further again after that. Artemis shifted from foot to foot, debating on asking for this person’s name. It might help to distinguish a gender to the person at least. A boyish voice but such a slender appearance dressed in silken robes, it could honestly go either way. Despite her annoyance and confusion Artemis wasn’t out to offend anyone by assuming a gender when it was so muddled.

Eventually the other person spoke up, mentioning something about their father before gesturing for her to follow along. Artemis didn’t have much chance to ask anything about this dad or anything else before her name was requested. She blinked, surprised it had taken so long before names were shared but she supposed other things had taken precedence too.

“Uh, Artemis,” she answered, starting off after this strange person. “And yours is…?”

Depending on the name it would at least give Artemis an idea as to what this person’s preferred gender was. Better to guess from the name than from the voice or the clothing alone. Besides, those two were conflicting as it was.

There wasn't much answer to the situation at hand. Even Sable was lost, who had been spirited away to this place. Who would have done this if at all possible? She had no enemies, she kept to herself.

Sable glanced up at him as he reached full height once more. Who was this ungodly tall anyways? Wearing such heavy looking armor only served to make her feel smaller. Heck, everything made her feel small.

"And...who is he?" she inquired after a moment.

His strides were long as he passed her. No doubt if he did not slow or if she didn't speed up, she would be left behind easily. Sable forced herself to move, simply to catch up to him. She certainly wasn't enjoying the situation...

Sable was more or less silent as she followed. She didn't have much to say or ask. A rock seemed to form at the pit of her stomach, half afraid of what he meant by 'sorted out'. This place was strange so...who was to say they wouldn't do worse things to her; to a 'human'.

She toyed with her hands, glancing around nervously. At least the area wasn't busy but...there were still stares from those who remained out in the open. Truly, Sable must have been strange to these other people.

--- [ x ] ---

The name she gave was rather strange but not too much so. He did not mind the sound of it. Still, it hinted at how foreign she really was. Perhaps that was a good thing. Backing up her own claims would be best when it came to his father.

As they started forward, she asked for his own name. He thought about it for a moment. For all he knew, she wouldn't be around long enough to really need to know his name. Who knew, in the end of things.

"I am Gwyndolin," he finally decided to introduce, "Though, I am of little importance to most. I do not expect thou will need to remember my name."

Sad as it sounded, Gwyndolin spent most of his days alone or with the other women. This was kept mostly to himself, however. He didn't complain. After all, he had a purpose and those without one grew lost far too easily.

When he glanced down at her, she seemed a little perplexed and assumed it was the second half of his explanation that put her off. It certainly wasn't optimistic, after all. He did not need pity, however.

"Come now," he finally continued, "The walk will not be long. With luck, thou will be treated with kindness."

Ornstein peered down at her at the question. Who was Lord Gwyn? How did she did not know? If not for him then the age of fire would not be abound as it was. He would have thought that all knew who to attribute the rise of sunlight to nowadays.

“He is the one responsible for lighting the first flame,” he stated simply.

Any other questions could be answered should she be allowed to remain within Anor Londo’s walls. Until then there was hardly any reason to indulge in such questions. It seemed Sable hardly had any others to utter however. Perhaps she grew worried about meeting Lord Gwyn as they neared his usual chambers during the day.

Though Anor Londo was large and many paths could change with a simple pull of a level, he found himself thankful that this strange human was near enough that these things would hardly hinder them. Perhaps there was something higher than mere chance behind all of this though Ornstein could hardly guess as to why that might be.

There was much to dwell over during the walk and even more that would come to light during a meeting with Lord Gwyn. However there was only so much that could be done immediately.

----[x]----

Despite the fact that she’d asked for a name it took awhile before this person actually answered her. Was there a reason for that? Artemis couldn’t begin to know and she wasn’t sure if she’d get an answer if she did ask anyways. Maybe it was best if she didn’t.

“Gwyndolin,” she parroted carefully. That was definitely a girl’s name but that voice and the way Gwyndolin moved… Artemis huffed. Just what gender did this person identify as? “So, you’re a girl then?”

Maybe outright asking was rude but assuming wouldn’t be any better. Besides, with a name like Gwyndolin maybe this person was just tomboyish. There were too many variables and it was only making Artemis’ head worse as it was. It still didn’t explain the boyish voice but then many women voice actors had played male characters in video games and TV shows…

Either way she decided that whatever Gwyndolin answered with would be the gender Artemis prescribed to this person. It was just easier that way all around.

Mercifully, Gwyndolin mentioned the walk being a short one though the way that statement was phrased made Artemis wonder. Was kindness not to be expected? Just what kind of Lord was this guy? Artemis figured she’d find out one way or another.

The explanation was simple but it only proved to confuse her more. What was the 'first flame'? What did lighting it do? Sable didn't understand anything he was saying...

Sable didn't have anymore questions that she could really ask. Would they have even been answered if she did? She really couldn't say given she didn't know this man or...giant. Who knew what he actually was underneath that armor.

"I've never heard of that..." she muttered in response.

There wasn't much to be said about that. Sable was honest. Maybe that confused him and made things worse. Who knew? Sable found her mind whirled so much, it concerned her.

The walk was mostly done in silence. On occasion, she would glance up at him. If he noticed, he made no visible movement to show it.

They had paused near a great building for a while. What they were waiting on, she couldn't say. Sable rocked nervously, trying not to pace. She just wanted to get this over with...

--- [ x ] ---

Gwyndolin looked back at her once more as they started forward. Was she pondering over many things? It was strange that she would focus on something like that. He pushed it aside for the moment.

"Yes," he answered simply.

He was raised as a woman and while he put little stock in it, she seemed curious, almost cautious on the matter. While that confused Gwyndolin, he didn't ask anything on the matter.

In some sense, she had looked revealed. Gwyndolin didn't think much of it as they walked. What was important here was getting her to his father. Whatever happened afterward, he could only assume.

The walk was not long and when they had arrived, Gwyndolin lifted his head. Ornstein stood there, a woman who looked as just as strange as Artemis nearby. Gwyndolin tipped his head as he neared.

"There is no end to the strange things happening this day," he pointed out as he greeted the great knight.

He did not get to say much more as Artemis had rushed up to the other woman, quickly embracing her. The relief that seemed to fill the air was easily apparent.

» {|AC|} Hymn for the Missing {|Reserved RP|}
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