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.
Sybil could make quick haste on his own, it was much easier when Arveen was in that little world of his own, not taking up space with his tall body. Though to be fair, he'd probably push a few weaker trees down, but the deeper they went, the more dense the growth became. Eyes locked onto the red streak, Sybil hardly noticed the other person approach the side of him. He kind of assumed he'd be out of everyone's way up in the air... How wrong he was.
"Is that you again?"
Tilting his head to the side, Sybil would make clear eye contact with Julius. Already, he could feel the pain of being tormented and teased, his voice echoing behind him. And so, Sybil looked at him blankly, "No. It's not."
He then planned to fly away, go to the left of the group perhaps. Instead however, nature had other plans. A large bird of some kind came swooping behind them, but it didn't seem to attack. The impact caused both Sybil and Julius to go flying downwards, the brooms losing their control but Sybil did not lose his grip. Like flies, they dropped into the woodland with a few scratches and bruises.
"Oowwww." he groaned while rubbing the back of his head, looking around. For a moment, he thought he'd be lost in this place with Julius for a while, thankfully someone else had ran over quickly to help out. "Thanks." he'd frown slightly, pushing himself up, "I love being referred to as the other one."
Sybil turned his back, a new sassness starting to bloom inside of him. He checked if he had everything, which he did thank goodness. "Anyone know how to get back to the road?"
Post by Korrine Lovelace on Aug 16, 2017 18:52:03 GMT
They had been walking, just walking, quite calmly through the forest, fledglings kept corralled by the more senior members of the guilds present, for what felt like hours. Korrine wasn't quite sure how long it had been since they had departed from the city proper. Out here minutes seemed to melt together, like ice-cream spilled all over a parlour's shop floor, with all of Korrine's sense of time vanishing as she relaxed into her surroundings. The forest, in her mind, was serene, despite the red streak that had run through the sky. Perhaps it was prophetic...
She was lost in her musings as she wandered along. Which were swiftly ended when there was some kind of disturbance up ahead. More to the point though, her eyes clapped onto a small child nearby. She reached to try and yank on JP's arm, before heading towards said girl. It was a Knight's Duty to serve those that needed help-- and seeing as JP had helped her before, Korrine figured he wouldn't mind coming along for the ride.
"W-what's wrong? What do you need help with? Are you lost, little girl? We can help you find your way home?" Korrine wasn't the best with children but she kept her tone soothing. She had, after all, volunteered for this mission so that she could represent her guild. Plus, she couldn't keep down the flame of curiousity in her belly.
[attr="class","scrollz"]A shadow suddenly enveloped him and his allies, casting them all in a temporary twilight. JP’s eyes glances skyward, only to catch sight of the tail feathers of whatever had overshadowed them and to see the two airborne witches be forced to the ground. The crash and sighting of the monster brought their expedition to a sudden halt. Some went to help their fallen comrades while others murmured amongst each other. JP crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. This was not a good idea. He had traveled these roads before. Stopping would just make them a bigger target for whatever monsters lurked in the woods. He was ready to voice his concern when a sudden yanking nearly brought him to the floor.
“Wha-?” He asked, confused and annoyed before seeing where Korrine had gone to. A little girl, part of her body obscured by the thick vegetation of the forest, was… mouthing for help. Not calling, screaming, or yelling. Mouthing. Which meant one of two things: Whatever had trapped her was still around or she was part of the trap.
In Gale Valley, there aren’t many teachers. Not because there aren’t enough capable of educating the youth but there aren’t enough capable of defending the youth. Buildings full of defenseless children make easy targets for hungry monsters, they just need to rid themselves of the teacher. What better way to do so by luring them out with a seemingly injured, trapped, or fleeing child?
JP grimaced at the thought but one could never be too sure. “Korrine…” He called out, keeping his distance from the tree the child found itself trapped in. Eyes scanning the group around him for someone who could actually do something, some faces stood out to him. Faces that looked the same. Twins. He’d seen them around the coven a few times before but never really had a chance to talk to them. Someone else was with them and… Bowing? Weird.
He jogged over to them, his eyes clouded in dark grey storms of worry. “Uh, hi, there’s some girl trapped in a tree or something. She has bright white hair, which is sorta weird, but I’m not one to talk.” He began, shrugging at the end when he brought up her hair. Glancing back to the girl and Korrine, he added, “Korrine, the girl over there with not white hair, is trying to help her. While I would normally think the two of us could figure something to get her out of the tree; five heads are better than two, right?” He was talking fast, nerves creeping into his voice despite his best efforts to keep cool. JP had decided to leave out his suspicions of the girl as well. Maybe he was wrong, he hoped he was wrong.
wow i shoved two events in one #shitpost sao speaks mostly to zeph and is trying not to cry because heights
[attr="class","technoscroll"]
❝
She can feel the utter fear coursing through her veins, as she grips the smooth wood of the broom handle. 'Breathe.' While not a great height above the ground, she can feel her arms tremble from the sheer tension in her muscles. 'Ahh, no, no, no.' Refusing to move her head, she stares straight into Zephyr's back, relying only on minimal peripheral vision she has for her surroundings. She felt faint. Swallowing, she has half the mind to grab onto Zephyr himself and just hold on for dear life. However, self-preservation keeps her hands glued tight.
How was she even here, she wonders. The appearance of a red streak in the sky had subsequently set every coven in Sundial in motion; mostly the novices, dragging the fledglings in tow, but definitely a movement. Zephyr had asked, she said yes and that was it. Up on a broom she goes and time to face her greatest fear.
She hears Zephyr calling out to others, recognising only the name of her coven members. Hardly daring to look up, she smiles weakly at Maddox, who rides nearby on Moosely, shakily waving. A flash of red hair catches her attention and she just manages to glimpse her baker boy. Suddenly more confident, she looks over Zephyr's shoulder to try and find him again. Maybe they could catch up later.
Peace does not last long before the atmosphere is tainted with danger. A giant bird swoops down above them, knocking two witches from their brooms. It happens so abruptly she barely has time to scream. "Oh my god." It doesn't do anything else, leaving them behind as it continues its path towards the red streak. Shaken, she can only be thankful that it wasn't her. Peering over Zephyr's shoulder, she asks him, "Are they okay? Are you okay?"
The group begins to disperse as different people turn their attentions to different situations. Sima and Maddox go after Julius and the other one, while other people go towards the trees. Wondering what they'd seen, she doesn't expect to see the girl. Who is she? Pursing her lips and frowning slightly, she doesn't make an immediate comment on her presence. The girl is being attended to already. She needn't bother, right?
She ponders on it for a few seconds before coming to the eventual decision that she'd let the more experienced novice call the big shots. Murmuring softly, she says, "There's a girl behind the tree on right, but others have gotten to her. Let's get Maddox and the others...and keep going?"
[attr="class","gearcore"]Juls' answer to his question didn't exactly fill Zeph with confidence. What was "sure" supposed to mean? That it was a reasonable course of action? That it was a bad idea, but doable? The mechanic wasn't entirely sure about that "sure" himself, but, at the thought of navigating a crowd this large through such thick shrubbery, he decided he's just go with the more easily navigable route.
"He's an absolute grump who takes his name too seriously, but somehow manages to be fun," Zeph chimes in at Sima's question about Sirius. It was a heavily subjective opinion, however, since most people likely wouldn't have considered an assassination mission anything close to "fun".
"i wonder what--" Maddox begins to speak again. However, before he can complete the expression of his thought, a monstrous bird swoops overhead.
"-- the fuck is that!?" Zeph finishes the sentence for him.
Julius is suddenly falling, and Moosely starts to move in the direction of his trajectory. Zephyr considers following suit, but they aren't the only Leviathans here. The majority of the others were on foot and less experienced with magic. Someone had to look out for them. "Fuck," he repeats under his breath. In a split second decision, he tosses his brother an elliptical chain -- one half to a crafted gate to which Zephyr had the other half. "Don't break that!" he orders, shouting after the moose ramping up into a charge straight into the underbrush, "An' don't turn into monster food!"
Not a second later, they were out of sight.
He sighs. "I'm alright," he answers Saoirse's question, "Mads an' Sima can handle gettin' th' other two back, then we can meet back up--"
"There's a girl behind the tree on right..."
Zephyr's head whipped around. The girl in question had her body half-hidden, wasn't part of their initial group, and wasn't near any town. Red flags everywhere. Regardless, it seemed like some were brave (foolish?) enough to approach her. Zephyr, however, did not trust oddities in the forest enough to give them any benefit of doubt. He quickly created a wall of rock with his fortress technique between the white-haired girl and the other young girl who was getting closer. "Don't trust anythin' tryin' t' lure ya away from the group an' into the thick parts of the forest," he barks at everyone following him, "Shit livin' in the wilderness is usually out t' kill ya, and it knows th' terrain a whole lot better than anyone here. I say we stay on th' path unless anyone's got a good reason why we should risk our lives t' get there faster." He motions to the path leading to the right, "So let's get movin'."
Thhere was a little girl in the forest. This was fishy as heck. His heart told him to give this the benefit of the doubt and protect the little girl. Scoop her up and adopt her. Be a cool dad with Percy. You know normal thoughts.
His instincts... and his familiar were of a different mindset. The little familiar moved in front of his master and attempting to somewhat block the two novice magic users from moving closer. The little creature growled at the strange girl and arched it back like it was ready to attack. The dog familiar didn't have long to posture though as earth magic rose up to block everyone from the girl. The creature looked pleased with this.
The pup looked for the source of the earth magic and seemed to be pleased with whoever it was. The blond boy it looks like. Being overprotective as a familiar would come in handy it seems in this weird forested area. They were completely exposed in this place. There wasn't to much to hide.
"You guys should stay with the group... lots of things like to snatch children here."
He was calm and polite as he watched them. He hoped they'd listen to the boy shouting at them and himself giving a nice motherly chat. He wasn't very leadery so just as quick as he was watching them he was moving along with the main group. That is what he'd do after all. Pick at the sides and ends to get them alone. It is much easier to get your prey when it is alone. As long as they didn't split up much safety in numbers should be a thing.
Post by julius kingston on Aug 17, 2017 15:25:13 GMT
[nospaces]
[attr="class","paigepost"]
[attr="class","paige_cont"]
[attr="class","paige_head"]
[attr="class","paige_lyrics"]
if my woman were a fire, oh she'd burn out before i wake[break]
AND BE REPLACED BY PINTS OF WHISKEY, CIGARETTES, AND OUTER SPACE---
[attr="class","paige_post"]
Julius's ground-surveying is troublesome- the rightward path doesn't seem to go towards their objective (though it doesn't exactly stay too far from it, either); but the path in front is hardly a path at all. they weren't exactly in a rush to get to the red streak, but if they were still in the forest by nightfall it would just mean bad ne-- [break][break] --and just as he thought of nightfall, the sky seemed to descend down on him like an angry god. Julius felt himself freeze: his hands went numb as his finger clutched the broom, his eyes went wide as she anticipated the inevitable-- Shit. It knocked against him with the force of an airplane and Julius quickly lost balance. From there it was a downward spiral, interrupted only by the smacking of his underarm against a treebranch so he could be spiralled counter-clockwise instead.
[break][break] He fell to the ground with an unceremonious thud and groaned while rolling against the grass for a good few seconds, clutching his left arm. Lying on the floor he finds his glasses (one frame shattered)- and the sight of the seems to bring him back to reality. He grabs them and lifts his head, turning to the sound of a stampeding noise. [break][break] When he turns he almost thinks whatever attacked was back for a second round but the fear gives way to relief as he gives Maddox his good arm to get lifted up. His legs wobble but he holds on tight. "Ayy," he says, breathless greeting a well-formulated attempt at hiding the wince underneath. [break][break] "Probably not," he says, and then eyes his other arm. "Hopefully not," he corrects, before flashing the novice a sheepish smile. "I can take care of the bruises. Though this has me screwed-" he waves the broken glasses airily. Before quickly scanning what he could see of his surroundings. "The path keeps heading to the right, and it gets pretty close but seems too convoluted. The destination's right up ahead..." He gestures randomly to the side and realizes he's lost all sense of direction in the fall "...but we'll spend an hour or so cutting bushes before we can reach it." [break][break] "One's a waste of time, the other's a dangerous waste of time. I don't know about you, but I don't want to follow that giant-ass whatever-the-hell anytime soon." [break][break]
He spins around, looking at the trees and attepting to assess where Maddox came from. "I'm so out of it. Where are we, again?"
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Aug 17, 2017 16:03:20 GMT
that was you.
( "don't break that!" and maddox has the chain firmly wrapped around his wrist, "an' don't turn into monster food!", and there's just enough time for a bark of laughter before moosely plunges into the vegetation. )
for a moment, his eyes are critical, lips pressed into a thin line, then he huffs a breath and shrugs helplessly. "you'll be fine," he says, waving away the issue in that typical way of his. a pause. he looks back at the broken glasses, and amends his statement. "mostly."
there's a sudden curl to his lips as he regards the vegetation ahead; lightning flashes, hangs on to the glint in his eyes as he considers, then the moment passes and he decides that the thrill of crashing through the forest -- the monster-infested, terrifyingly unknown forest -- is not quite worth it.
he is somewhat more reluctant to admit to feeling mildly responsible for shepherding these people back out to the safety ( in relative terms ) of the path.
"yeah, nah, screw the forest, we'll head back out to the path." maddox steps aside and gestures vaguely behind him; the path is fairly clear, as trodden vegetation is wont to be when crushed by a stampeding bull moose. "red carpet, ready when you are." the path, or the excuse of one, stretches onwards. they'd probably need a faster way of transport--
( 'oh no. don't you bloody dare--' )
maddox spins on his heel to call out to sima and the other fallen scout. "let's get back to the path as soon as possible." the familiar glowers impatiently behind him. "brooms, if you want to fly," but there's a pointed look directed at the sky that warns them against flying too high this time. "if not, get on and we'll make a run for it." he looks back towards the path ahead of them, untouched, and vaults back onto moosely. even to the casual observer, the familiar is definitely large enough to endure the burden of several more passengers.
[attr="class","intext"]Sima scowled and quickly dropped her hand at Sybil's response. "It's not like I magically learned your name just by looking at you." She huffed, but she didn't ask for it, deciding instead that if he was going to be an ass, she simply wasn't going to bother. So. she took a step back and then walked back to Maddx and Juls. Julius seemed more or less okay, but his glasses were broken. Personally, Sima didn't know how bad his eyesight was. Hopefully not too bad. She imagined it wouldn't be fun continuing this mission unable to see things properly. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked Julius. She wondered briefly if anyone in the group knew a spell that might help Julius and his new lack of glasses, but since she couldn't think of a specific spell off the top of her head that might be able to help, she kept the idea to herself. "Personally, I'd prefer to not take the woods. I don't want to increase our chances of running into anything when it's only the four of us and I certainly don't want to risk getting lost." Trying to take a shortcut just seemed like an all around bad idea. Between the stated dangerous and the difficult terrain, she felt that any benefits it posed were heavily weighed out by the risks. She was happy that Maddox agreed and that was two votes for the path, but it seemed like the decision had been made for the group as Maddox mounted up onto Moosely. Sima followed and watched Julius and Sybil. Would they take to their brooks again and simply keep low or would they ride as well?
She remembered that Zephyr threw something at Maddox, then. "Hey, Maddy, what did Zeph throw you anyway?" She remembered him yelling something followed by an object zipping past her head, but she didn't see it and didn't hear if Zephyr said anything about it. Would it be useful at this point or was it something like a backup plan? Something that might help them escape if a monster came up on them?
Better circumstances. It seems bleak, impossible to happen, even. Claire looks at the red skies, cut half in the middle with a denser color of blood. She looks at the group before them, of the ranks joining hands, traversing the worn-out paths in the forest. It's peaceful, serene even, but somehow Claire knows it won't last long.
And so Claire nods, her dark blue eyes train at Lucena's face, at her eye, trying to get as much as she can from this short span of peace. "Even better, we will turn this one into a better circumstance."
Too many things happen at once. It doesn't even allows Lucena's twin to speak before it breaks the peace. Claire hears the bird before she could even see it, and when she looks she could only see the witches falling off their brooms and being thrown to a part away from the path. Chaos ensues, but Claire remains calm.
There are people already after the rescue of the witches, and so Claire does not worry for them, instead her eyes trail after the large bird. When she thinks it is the only challenge that would befall, she is wrong.
Claire doesn't even register the child until someone approaches her and the twins. White hair? Help? Slowly Claire's gaze fall upon the said girl. Her eyes widen and she instinctively back up. The child is downright creepy. Never mind that she's asking for help. For all she knows she could be a monster.
Luckily enough she isn't the only one with the same sentiments. Zephyr yells, and then from the earth rises a wall separating the group from the child.
"Keep a safe distance away from the girl," Claire orders the pink woman, despite not being the one spoken to. Her color intrigues Claire, but now is not the time to talk about it. "Tell that to your friend. We will not be helping someone in this expedition other than ourselves and our comrades, not until we are sure of her identity."
Claire grits her teeth and beckons the twins to move closer to the group. "It's best if we stick together."
Post by astartia zamóre on Aug 18, 2017 5:00:12 GMT
❧
It didn’t feel wrong to be in a forest to her— quite the contrary, Astartia felt more at ease among the trees than in her own home, though she figured that was inescapable; she and the trees had a history, an understanding, even if these were unfamiliar. Her bow was pressing lightly against her back, her satchel of arrows carried over her shoulder as well— twenty of them, to be precise, a “just in case” precaution. Not only was her life on the line, but her sister’s was too, and she’d be damned if she didn’t do everything in her power to keep Lucena safe. [break] She was all Astartia had in the end; there was no one else in her life, really. [break] The pair had been nearer to the back of the group as they’d travelled, though within the crowd; at least the more skilled were playing the role of guards to keep the flock safer. She was walking in a calm silence before Lucena’s soft, familiar voice broke the air. [break] “I could say the same for you,” Astartia hummed with a small smile, though it was clear that she was serious in returning the request. “But to ease your worries, yeah, I’ll be careful. Promise— just don’t go sticking your head in where it doesn’t need to be, either, and we’ll both be grand,” she finished with a light laugh and a glance toward Lucena before her eyes roamed away and around them. [break] Out of the corner of her eye, Astartia could spot someone who seemed to be making her way… toward them? [break] “That’s the girl I was talking about.” [break] “Ooh! I get to meet her so early, how convenient.” [break] Astartia had to suppress a laugh as the woman had a momentary slip when it came to identifying them, instead holding it with a smile. She watched the pair’s interaction with a mischievous glint in her eyes, before turning her attention to Claire once the woman had turned to her. [break] Before she could speak, a massive creature derailed those in the sky, and Astartia instinctively reached for her bow; it was up and steadied within a flash, though the creature was proving relatively harmless. Astartia loosened her grip, easing the weapon back as she watched it soar. [break] “Curious,” she breathed, features going momentarily stiff before she softened them again. She went to answer Claire before the three of them were called upon— Astartia’s brow furrowed. [break] “Out of the tree… ?” Astartia’s eyes wandered over to where the girl was said to be before a wall of earth was erected, effectively cutting the group off from them. She heard Zephyr’s distinctive voice call out. “Zephyr’s right and so is Claire,” she says, gaze hardening. “It’s always tough out here, and it’s better not to take chances; sorry. I don’t think I’ve met you though, I’m Astartia.” [break] She said the last bit with a kind, warm smile, turning to Claire as well to signal that her introduction was effectively for the both of them. “Yeah, best… let’s get going, then,” she commented idly as she went after the rest of the group, casting a glance back to where the girl in question was— she couldn’t help but wonder if she really did need help or not, and why Astartia was so quick to turn away someone that very easily reminded her of her childhood. Items:[break]1. -[break]2. -[break]3. -[break]4. -[break]5. -[break]Arrows Remaining: 20
e careful she had said, warning Juls before the mission had started. Juls can take care of himself just fine, but his personality and penchant for fooling around has left him in sticky situations more often than not. Her eyes scan past the foliage of the trees and finds his small figure in the sky, small enough to mistake him for a stray bird or bug. At this, she can't help but sigh, and resists the urge to tell him to get down. He'll be fine.
She trails behind Maddox and Zephyr, idly listening to their conversation. They stay at the head of the pack, and since they're novices, have been entrusted to protect their small herd. Unfortunately. While Cassidy trusts them, she's not quite sure if they're in good hands.
"He sounds like someone I'd like to meet." She murmurs, and before she can do anything else, a shadow flies over their heads. She hears the flap of wings, and when she looks up, Juls and another witch is already falling.
At least, that's what she thinks until a large shadow passes overhead--and before she can react, it knocks Juls and another witch out of the sky. She rushes forward--but Maddox has already taken care of it. It wasn't too big of a fall, and he's probably fine.
What she worries about is the girl that's suddenly appeared.
Stark white hair and blue eyes, she peeks out from behind the tree. It's obviously suspicious, and most of the group seems to have thought the same. They keep their distance--and Zephyr even goes so far as to put up a barrier between one of the group members that stray too close.
Cassidy doesn't seek to stir up trouble, but she can't ignore someone who needs help. Whether it's a trap or not, she's willing to risk it if it means helping her.
"Suspicious or not, we can't just leave this girl alone." She says. Compassion doesn't come from cowardice. Cassidy walks around the barrier and grabs hold of the tree before taking a knee, and ignores the group behind her.
"Are you hurt sweetie? What do you need help with?"
❀ tags along with the group, sees juls and sybil fall but stays because maddox can get to them. ignores everyone and tries to help the little girl. ❀ 364 words ❀ @everyone ❀ no items used
I've been watching your kindness keep A lonely company Look at the fire and think of me I've been watching you creep Around my wandering feet Trying for years to flee
Lucena could feel some tension building within her, muscles growing tense as the once tranquil trek towards their destination unravels into a frenzied mess; the foundation of their group already buckling beneath them, “I truly hope we can manage to keep the better circumstance than…” She forces the words from her mouth, it was clear that her attention was divided from their conversation and far more focused on the new situation on hand.
Witches were forced off their brooms when a large creature derailed them from the sky and she could feel all her suppressed worries arise once more though the feeling eased a bit when it seemed to care little of their group. Lucena breathed out a small sigh of relief, her muscles momentarily growing lax before another stranger addresses the trio– specifically her sister and herself.
“The color of her hair isn’t something that you should be concerned about.” Lucena manages after a moment, her gaze trailing towards the mysterious girl in question; her heart sinking in the slightest when she caught a glimpse of the disheveled look the child appeared to have, “However, don’t you find it a bit strange to find a child all the way out here?” She glances back towards the pink stranger, attempting to gauge their reaction though the moment seemed to be short lived.
Zephyr and Claire were the first to announce their weariness towards the unfamiliar face, words that Lucena was unable to ignore; their concern resonated with her, “It does seem odd to find someone like that this far out, I think it would be better to keep moving.” She chimed in agreement, casting a small glance towards her sister. It wasn’t an easy task to ignore a child like that, but the timing of the events were all to suspicious to her.
“I hope we did the right thing…” She mumbled under her breath, forcing herself forwards to follow her twin sibling and fall in stride with her; some portion of her mind prayed that the child was some beast. She shook her head at the thought, simply following the lead of the rest of their group.
Post by maddox rothscus ✨ on Aug 18, 2017 7:40:26 GMT
that was you.
"hey, maddy, what did zeph throw you anyway?"
he blinks. stares back down at the link around his wrist. "sima, you bloody genius." a laugh like a clap of thunder; his eyes glitter. "this is why i love you."
then his attention turns back to the group, beckoning the stranger over. moosely vanishes beneath him, and, catching himself in his feet neatly; he hears a disgruntled sigh at the back of his mind, and an affirmation that, yes, you are an idiot.
"this is a gate back to the main group, it'll get us back in no time at all. the moment i get it open, run through, 'kay? i'll be behind you guys."
he pauses, meeting each of their gazes, seeking confirmation; then he focuses and tried to recall the times he's practiced this with zephyr.
the gate flickers into existence in the empty space beside him. he motions them forward, inclines his head in a mock bow. "after you, please."
Post by kasimir burovski ✨ on Aug 18, 2017 9:52:15 GMT
blue moon
you saw me standing alone
shadowy wings fall upon the group, ominous like the herald of oncoming doom; kasimir very very nearly shoots a fireball in its direction. he doesn't, stops himself at the last second, stays tensely still with fire flickering over his fingertips and green eyes narrowed at the sky - it has not yet attacked them, seems to be moving away from them ( and towards the streak of crimson in the sky, he notes ), and he wishes not to antagonise nor draw its attention.
it passes, and wary stillness descends upon them all once more.
only, not. two scouts have fallen from the sky into the thick tangle of wild undergrowth - one of whom is a boy kasimir has silently vowed to protect. as much as it pains him, he cannot leave the main group though, for danger is thick in the very air around them and he, as one of the four novices present, has a responsibility to take care of the lower ranked. relief tangles its fingers in the criss-cross of his bloodveins when maddox charges forth after the two fallen scouts - as much as the novice is... trying, occasionally, to be around, he is competent enough that kasimir is ( mostly ) satisfied with his ability to escort the scouts back safely.
( but the fine hairs on the back of his neck prickle; but uneasiness digs its claws into his vertebrae )
'right,' kirjava says, the timbre of her mental tone low and urgent. he can almost see her eyes, smokey-gold and dangerous in the half light of his mind, a lethal predator preparing for a hunt.
he looks right. there is a girl half-hidden behind a tree, young ( too young, too young ) with hair like snow and large eyes uncannily blue; kasimir's lips tighten. danger, eerie, trap, the largest part of him, the part of him raised in crimson and death and pain and paranoia, whispers, calls for him to be wary, be on guard, be ready to kill; but kasimir is also an older brother with a younger sister, but kasimir hates, despises harming children - that part of him, the soft part, the small part unbroken by the experiences of his life - that part of him yearns to comfort the girl.
he does not. he has much experience ( too much experience ) pushing back that part of himself.
zephyr, it seems, shares his caution - acts upon it with a wall of earth - as does the helios knights novice. a woman though, dark haired and kind eyed, walks up to the wall and addresses the mysterious girl ( and the small, soft part of kasimir relaxes ). seeing as wariness has already been warned for, kasimir feels no need to reiterate what has already been said; he stays put at the back of the group, eyes ever flickering about the undergrowth in search of any sign of a threat; mana curls beneath his skin, a single thought away from curling into a spell - he readies himself to blink to the dark-haired woman's side should the girl prove hostile.
@everyone
tl;dr: kasi stays at the back, ready to blink himself over to the creepy girl and attack/defend if necessary, also keeping an eye out on the surrounding forest this is such a shitpost rip