this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
kirean supposed there was a lot on his mind- but when was there not? something had been afoot for days in the hireling's keep; medeia was still as unreconcilable as ever. and the urgent summons for the summoner himself never ceased from flying into his windows at two am in the morning.[break][break] the attendents greeted him faithfully and kirean nodded at every individual he passed. the chimes themselves were engrossed in a discussion about wands with some other noble that kirean might have recognized, had he been trying. instead, he was trying something else entirely- he was attempting to appear fascinated by the magically enchanted basket before him (or maybe it was the fountain he was staring at?)[break][break] he greeted the two hosts when their little chat was over, and then quietly sank into the rooms of the large mansion that was teeming with guests.[break][break] medeia, he supposed, was lucky in that regard- she could use the helios knights as an excuse to avoid any kind of other commitment she wasn't ready for. but then again... kirean's eyes fell on the brown haired boy looking down from the top of the flight of stairs. "hey kid," he said, waving gently. [break][break] but then again, he supposed, medeia would never have the benefit of sheer anonymity.
Once again for the millionth time in Sybil's life, he had to sit and endure uptight witch bitches prancing around his house looking at the collection of 'trinket's his family had collected over the years. Many times he had asked to join in and take part, but oh no, perish the thought! Little Sybil Chime, the failure of the family, taking part in the traditional show of magical items and artefacts?Preposterous! So here he was in his usual spot, tucked away at the top of the stairs but low enough to watch them all dilly dally around, drinking wines and tasting cheeses, old crones giggling as they salivate over enchanted daggers and scarves. Sometimes, he was glad he didn't have to join in with them all, pretend like he was interested. Well... Actually, he loved all that stuff, but when you grow up surrounded by it, pretending to look at an old item like it was something new just wasn't his thing. Been there, done that, time to move on.
Letting out a sigh and resting his chin on his hands, Sybil was looking especially glum. That was until, a familiar sounding voice called out to him from the bottom of the stairs. Sybil's face lit up like a lightbulb as he gave the man a big grin. "Hi! I was wondering if I'd see your face today."
Sybil had no idea what the guys name was, all he knows is that he comes to the shows quite often, and they've always spoken at these times ever since he was a kid. Every conversation from the top of the stairs to the bottom. "It's been a bit boring today. Usually there's a few disagreements about the items on display. The most exciting thing I've seen so far is Mrs Applebee lose her dentures." he started laughing about it again, "Obviously Mother caught me laughing and scolded me for it."
the boy spoke with the kind of uninhibited childishness that reminded kirean of his own children. he smiled and shrugged gently. today was a good day as any other to have an excuse to take a break. and hiding behind the inflated egos of the nobility was so simple of a task that he was sure even this lad had already mastered it.[break][break] kirean chuckled. "you shouldn't be laughing at the poor lady's misery now. it's no wonder your mother scolded you." but the faint mirth in his chocolatey eyes spoke otherwise, and kirean was quick to change the subject.[break][break] "explain to me again why you aren't taking part in the festivities, young man?" he seemed to either have never known or simply could not remember or comprehend. his eyes flickered to the items on display- there was a lovely little metal bell that someone's child had gonged; now the mother was hastilly [break][break] "or are you more of the observer than the participant?" kirean did not have much to object about that- the idea reminded him of when he was smaller.... [break][break] notes: n/a[break] tag: Sybil Chime
For a moment or two, Sybil thought the guy was actually being serious. Was he now going to lecture him about manners?! He went from laughing to a sliver or worry, his eyes not wanting to make eye contact. That was until he realised the blonde too, was also joking. It was quite embarrassing actually, how Sybil looked up to this person who he barely knew, sure they had met many times but other than that, he was a stranger.
"Why I'm not taking part?" Sybil slouched back a bit, sighing, "Because I'm not wanted down there." He didn't say anything for a few seconds, kind of just letting that sink in -- it felt so strange saying it out loud. "Oh well, I'm used to just watching. I guess I've learnt to enjoy it more?" Sybil pouted, making himself look all important, "Besides... I probably know more about those trinkets than all these people put together. They just like the look of them. I on the other hand read about them."
Literally everyone came here just to see how pretty they were and find out how much they were worth, nobody cared about the history or the power behind them. Well, Sybil thinks his parents do but his brothers and viewers certainly don't. If only he was allowed to partake in it, he could tell everyone so much...
kirean watched the boy with a small twinkle in his eyes. the severity of his statement did not make kirean lose heart. instead, the old man's soft smile was subtle and knowing as ever, and did not fade but brightened at the young boy's pout and sudden upright, self-possessed posture. [break][break] "you learn things watching and listening that you don't learn anywhere else," kirean remarked idly, eyes never truly leaving the boy until he mentioned the objects and their history. at this, he let his eyes and mind wander. he watched the upperclass loiter about and discuss trivialities as they appraised the assorted objects on the basis of their aesthetic value and material wealth. [break][break] he was no enchanter, but he couldn't help but wonder what medeia would think of such an event. she would probably blend in nicely with all the chatty ladies, perfectly concealing her own distaste for the ones that belittled the products of her affinity. he thought of their recent dispute and sighed. it seemed like neither of them would bend to reason.
[break][break] "then, mr. chime. if a guest of yours requests wouldn't you be required to drop down for a bit? i want to hear what you have to say about all of these." his hand gestured at the object before them before his chin motioned towards one in particular- a beautiful wind-chime made of carefully engraved metal, done in the design of dangling swords and war-like paraphernalia. [break][break] "starting with that one..."
The gaze set upon him was noticeable, it wasn't meant to make him feel uncomfortable in any way (he assumed), but it made him shift uneasily, glancing upstairs to see if maybe it would be best to leave the guest be and let him continue browsing.
But he continued talking, reinforcing Sybil's assumption that he may be enjoying the company of the youngest Chime member. "It's true, the library we have is very useful too but I'm afraid that's out of bounds for guests. It's supposed to be a 'Chime' thing only, but Mother and Father still get a bit funny with me when i request to use it. Strange however, since I am the only one who actually reads the books in there." It made him wonder for a second how his family had all these amazing artefacts and knowledge, but only seem to be interested in showing it off. Sybil shrugged to himself, shifting his weight due to how uncomfortable it was starting to get.
But what the man said next made him want to explode! Explode with joy? Shock? Disbelief? Sybil started to laugh to himself, teary eyed. "Me? A- Are you sure?" concern filled him, his face screwing up with curiosity. Did he really mean it? Was he actually allowed to do this? Sybil had no idea who this man was or how important he was, so if his family found out he was offering a tour to one of the 'lesser' guests, he'd be grounded for quite some time!
"W- Well I guess so?" the next few steps he took downstairs felt so unnatural to him. He was never used to planting his feet on the floor, the floor of the house he lived in. It felt quite nice, filling him with pride for probably the first time in his life. The boards creaked beneath his feet as he timidly moved forwards, taking each step as if he were walking on ice. A nervous look flicked over to the group of guests in the rooms either side of him, then back at the man for a boost in confidence.
Sybil was simply doing as asked, so he'd make sure he'd do an excellent job of it! He bent down to the glass case, a skeletal mandible laid delicately on top of a maroon velvet cushion. "Oh, this one! It's apparently from the jaw of some kind of creature from beyond the cities walls. Nobody was sure if it belonged to a man or a beast, so it's been named 'Jaw of the Wild'." he frowned, sighing slightly, "Rubbish name, I know. It would have been cooler to see the rest of the skeleton too."
honestly, it's severely disconcerting what the boy has to say about his family. despite his own grievances with anything related to him by blood (he thinks of medeia, and dmitri, and he quickly skips over the flash of his family), he wants to tell the child to somehow be better with his family. but he can't. he has no experience in the field. he's winging it with his own family, and his advice here would be useless. [break][break] "you should come over to the library in sundial. talk to gammana, i'm sure she could arrange something for you. books are vital no matter where in life you are; it's a shame your family does not think so." [break][break] kirean blinked at the sight of the boy- tears in his eyes and his face scrunched up as though he had been offered some great honor. the summoner smiled. "yes, i think i'd like to hear what you have to say." he looked at the boy's timid steps and the way he eyed the guests as though they were predators: wide-eyed and anxious. [break][break] "i don't think anyone will disturb us, he said, knowing full well that few had the guts to talk to him without care for much of the consequence. perhaps that is why he drifted towards the young boy- because unadulterated conversation was far rarer than these antiques.
[break][break]"jaw of the wild?" kirean chuckled. "i suppose all things from outside seem interesting when you have not ventured into the wild yourself. there are dozens of beasts like this. do all of them deserve velvet cushions?" he shook his head.
[break][break] he smiled at the boy's sentiment. "much cooler," he recceeded, before moving to the next piece...[break][break] notes: n/a[break] tag: Sybil Chime
