A Tale As Old As Time

Subject: A Tale As Old As Time Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:28 pm

It had been raining for days. The sheets of water drenched the lush green land, providing relief at first. Summer had been harsh this year, and the plants were grateful for a drink.. until the flooding began. The river escaped its banks and swept through several small towns, taking over part of the forest and becoming a muddy nuisance. Just when people were starting to lose hope, however, the rain had stopped.

For about six hours.

It was just long enough for Rosalyn Arcata to decide it was safe to leave her house. She had wandered into the 'safe' part of the forest to look for food since the rain had wiped out the crops. Sure enough, there were plenty of berries and even a freshly drowned rabbit. What she was not counting on, however, was the rain returning. She was caught in a violent downpour and left to run in the direction she thought was home, but wasn't.

Maybe she would find somewhere to just sit and wait until the storm passed?

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:12 am

Rain. Unrelenting rain. The gray skies reflect my melancholy mood perfectly, which, like the rain, shows no sign of going away. These dark days are shadowed by despair, both for the body I've been trapped in for countless years, and the loneliness I must endure. I do not age, for that is the crux of my curse.

My pain is self inflicted and my punishment is ever-enduring. For years I searched for a way to rid myself of this body but to no avail. Therefore, I have resigned myself to this depression and I go about my days in misery. But little do I know that this bleak existence that I have begrudgingly accepted is about to turn upside down.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:01 pm

Rosalyn ran for several minutes before tripping over an unseen root. She yelped and went tumbling head over heels, sliding down a steep muddy slope. At the bottom, she realized she had lost her basket and all of the food she had managed to find. Oh well. She'd just have to try again later. Sighing, she got up on her hands and knees and blinked. What was that sticking out of the deep mud? She reached down and grabbed it, then stood up. It was like a stick, but polished black and thicker on one end than the other. The thick end was topped with a bright green gem. Strange. She tucked it into her dirty cloak and started moving again.

Soon she saw the dim outline of a building. It was raining too hard to really tell what it looked like or even what kind of place it was, but it seemed large. She ran to it, confused as to what a building was doing way out here, but deciding not to question it. The wind had flung the gates open and she didn't even notice them as she ran by. She could hear rushing water and knew the flood was rapidly approaching.

She went up to the door and knocked three times, her cloak covered in mud.

"Hello! Anybody home?"

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:52 am

I hear a knock at the door. A visitor? I have a visitor? I walk downstairs and look through a window that isn't easy to spy from the door but easily can see outside. I see a young woman standing outside in the rain. "She's beautiful!" I think to myself. But I clearly have no chance with her. Look at me. I'm a hideous beast. I have to find a way to help her without revealing myself. I walk to the front door and stand behind it in the direction it opens. I open the door and stay concealed behind the door. Hopefully she won't see me.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:00 am

The door seemed to swing open on its own and Rosalyn just peeked inside. It was dark and seemed a bit dusty from what she could tell, but it was dry. She lingered a moment longer, then stepped in and took a look around.

"Anybody home? Hello?" she called, walking a bit further in and pulling her muddy hood down from her head. Her hair was white despite her young age, something that her mother had passed down to her. Once it had been a marking of some royal family that ruled in a land nearby, she heard, but she figured those were just stories. Just like how the princess and the monster story was made up to scare small children into fearing magic.

"I'm looking for a place to stay until the rain stops," she called out, hoping for a response as she went a little further from the door. She didn't know why she bothered, this place was obviously deserted. Oh, well. That might be better, because at least now she knew she wouldn't get kicked back out into the rain. She eyed a few pictures on the wall, her bright blue eyes curious. What was this place?

Rosalyn Arcata:

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:07 am

I quietly follow her into my home, maintaining my distance and staying out of sight. Despite my size and beastly form, I can move stealthily when I want to. Her intentions seem honorable but I feel that revealing myself at this point would be a bad move. I sneak around her and make my way back up the stairs. If she decides to explore the rest of the house, I'll reveal myself but otherwise she can use my home as a refuge from the storm.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:10 am

Caidy shivered a little. It was cold, despite having a roof over her head. She turned back and quietly shut the open front door. This place was abandoned, for whatever reason, but she was happy to use it until the storm passed. She didn't want to explore too much since she wasn't sure what had happened here. Perhaps the floors were unstable or rotted and she would fall right through! Or maybe there was a fire.

Fire.

That was a good idea. She rubbed her icy hands together and peeked in a few doorways, looking for a room with a fireplace and hoping one would have wood.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:19 am

I hear her downstairs opening doors and looking inside them. I'm not sure what she's searching for but I really wish she wouldn't search my home like this. Granted, she thinks this place is empty. I'm the only inhabitant and I haven't shown myself. There's no way she could think anything else.

Then a snap of realization comes to mind. If she sees fresh food, she will know someone lives here. I have to reveal myself to her. I just hope she isn't scared away. I walk back downstairs and keep myself hidden. I'll talk to her first so she can see I'm intelligent and can reason like any other human being.

"Hello. This house is not an empty place as you must have thought before. However I won't show myself easily. I have to know I can trust you before I let you see me. Is that clear?" With any luck, she isn't scared by everything and I'll be able to talk to her. Who knows? This is the first visitor I've had in a hundred years and the very first who didn't come looking for me.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:24 am

Cripes!

Rosalyn jumped a mile when she heard a voice, feeling horribly guilty in a fraction of a second for snooping even though she was only trying to get warm and stay dry. She withdrew from the doorway she had been peeking in and quickly looked around, but saw nobody. Where did the voice come from..? And what sort of person wouldn't want to reveal themselves? Was it a ghost? Was the building haunted? Perhaps it was a demon of some sort.. Then again, it was too polite to be a demon. Right?

"Yes, it's clear.. I am very sorry that I came inside, but your door opened and I wanted a place to stay out of the rain," she explained, glancing around and still seeing nothing. "I can leave if you want me to.."

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:30 am

"You can stay if you like. I'm not heartless. The rain is torrential and the cold is unbearable. Just please don't snoop around anymore. If you need to know where something is, simply ask and I'll tell you. I can see you but I'm quite certain you can't see me. And as for the door opening, I did that. I opened up my home for you to stay out of the rain, but for personal reasons, I have to hide my appearance."

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:34 am

"Well.. okay.." she said, a bit uncertain about the whole thing. Maybe it wasn't a ghost, but rather somebody who was disabled or disfigured or otherwise shamed about how they looked. That was silly, she thought. Everybody was beautiful in some way. She rubbed her hands together a bit, realizing she could see her breath if she tried. "Do you mind if I make a fire..?"

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:45 am

"Go ahead. The fireplace is behind the curtain at the back of the room and the wood is in the door to your left." A fire would be nice to sit by. I almost wish I could join her, if not for how I look. Still, it should warm the room up a good deal.

"If I may ask, what's your name?"

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 2:53 am

"My name is Rosalyn. May I ask yours?"

As she spoke, she went to the curtain that he mentioned and pulled it aside. After fastening it in place, she opened the door and withdrew a few thick logs. She placed them in the fireplace over some smaller pieces of kindling, then picked up the flint on the mantle and struck it a few times. The sparks finally caught and she coaxed a small fire to life, gently feeding it to grow.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:22 am

"My name is Thomas, although it's been a long time since I've been called by my name. Most don't bother to find out." The fire is warming up the room already. I'd love to walk out and put a kettle on for a pot of tea but I can't. She seems friendly enough. Maybe I will reveal myself soon.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:30 am

"Thomas is a nice name," Rosalyn commented with a smile. As the fire grew ans warmed the room, she unfastened her cloak. She hung it up next to the fireplace, the golden embroidery on the chest reflecting from the flames. It was the old royal crest - her family crest. She sat on her knees in front of the fire, her dark blue dress surprisingly clean after her tumble and run. "How long have you been here? I didn't even know any houses were out here.."

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:36 am

I chuckle to myself at her question. "Trust me, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Suffice to say I've been out here on my own for far too long. Most visitors I get are hostile and come looking for me for one reason or another. Some are violent and some are manipulative. You're the first who has approached me with kindness."

Even from my hiding spot, I can feel the warmth from the fire. I wonder why I haven't made a fire in so long. It has to have been years since I made one, but a cup of tea or two sounds like the best thing in the world. If she puts a kettle on, I'm coming out. I don't care whether I trust her or not, I want tea.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:45 am

Rosalyn frowned a little. Why would people approach with violence? She looked around and saw a dusty tea set. Hmm.. She got up and picked up the kettle, dusting it off with her skirt. A small pot of water was nearby and she filled the kettle, then carefully hung it on the hook over the flames. She cleaned two cups, dropping tea leaves inside.

"Would you like to join me for tea?"

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 3:50 am

"Yes I would. I'm coming out, but please don't be alarmed. I hid so we could talk as equals without you being scared by my appearance. Now that I'm coming out, please treat me the same as you did before." I walk into the firelight and reveal my true form to you, bracing myself for the usual reaction of a scream or running away.

I stand 7 feet tall and am covered in a dark brown coat of thick fur. I have long fangs that are visible on the outside of my mouth. My legs are long and end in feet structured similarly to that of a dog. My hands are large and padded, with sharp claws extending from each finger. Finally, I have long curved horns sticking out of the sides of my head that end in sharp points.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:01 am

"Alright.." she agreed slowly. She expected some sort of invalid, but when she turned, she was faced with a monster. Her jaw dropped a little and she stared at him, backing away a little. She attempted to keep a calm expression, but that was nearly impossible at this point. "I-I.. um.. wow.." she stuttered, uncertain.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:08 am

When I see her reaction, I hang my head. I knew this is how she would react. She's afraid of me, even though we were just talking as equals not 15 seconds ago. It seems that even someone who approaches me with kindness is unable to look past my beastly appearance.

"I figured this is how you would react. I wanted to be sure that you trusted me before I revealed myself, not because I'm ashamed but because others fear me. We were just talking as human beings and yet you shy away from me when you see my true form? I hardly thought it was possible but apparently I was wrong." I turn away from you and walk back toward the shadows.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:14 am

Rosalyn shook her head a little, snapping out of her fearful daze as he turned away. She frowned, feeling guilty again because he saw nothing but rejection from her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to react like that, you just.. startled me. I didn't know animals could talk. N-not that you're an animal or anything!.. I don't really know what you are.. Not that you aren't a person, just.. um.." she babbled, then she saved herself by taking the steaming water off the fire. "Join me for tea?"

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:21 am

I turn back to you, genuinely surprised at your change in reaction. I walk over and sit next to you on the dusty wooden floor. In the firelight, I take a closer look at you. You're far more beautiful that what I first perceived when you were standing at the door. It seems the perfect person has stumbled into my home: beautiful, kind, and accepting of me based on my personality rather than my looks.

"I'd love a cup. It's been far too long since I've had tea and longer than I can remember since I've had tea with company. Living alone has taken its toll on me emotionally. When you're convinced the world hates you, it's hard to see anything but despair. Thank you for proving yourself better than the rest."

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:26 am

"You are most welcome. It would be horribly rude to reject you after you were kind enough to allow me inside. The storm is getting worse and the flooding is nearly at your door," Rosalyn said, shaking her head as she poured the water into the two cups and gave them a stir to let the tea steep. She handed him a cup, then sat down nearby with her own, simply cradling it with her hands as she waited for it to cool. The fire was nice and bright now, easily illuminating the room and both of them.

"So, Thomas. What would you like to talk about?" she asked, smiling at him kindly and turning a bit to face him. There was a long silver chain around her neck with a sapphire pendant on it that hung over her chest. It caught the light and made tiny rainbows on the floor whenever she moved.

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:43 am

I take a small sip of the tea, then smile at her. I can't even believe this is happening. Someone who is seeing me as a person rather than as a beast. If anyone had told me this would happen, I wouldn't have believed them in a million years. I had assumed that I would always be hated by the world with no chance of redemption or companionship but I can't believe how wrong I was.

"That necklace is beautiful. The silver is shiny and the pendant is bright and clear. How did you get it?" I've never seen such an object in all my life. From her clothes, besides the fact that they're filthy, she seems fairly poor. However, that necklace seems like it belongs on the neck of a duchess or a baroness. How did she ever get it?

Subject: Re: A Tale As Old As Time Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:56 am

"It's a family heirloom," Rosalyn explained, glancing down at the pendant. "My mother says a long time ago, our family was famous or something. I'm not sure how much of it is true since she's not all there these days, but it's nice to think that my family might have been something important," she said with a bit of a laugh. She flipped the pendant over to show him the family crest etched on the back. "See? The Arcata crest."

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