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.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Claire praises her again and this makes her smile. She swears she could feel her face heating up but she tries to hide it from the adept, even though a faint pink is starting to make itself evident. "Thank you," She isn't used to compliments. Before in her childhood she is only greeted by taunts from her father to 'get better', 'get stronger', always fight back no matter what you do. That sentence spoken by Claire -- and that sentence alone -- is always appreciated.
[break][break]Emery has a question for the adept; she is greeted by a few moments of silence, before finally, Claie's familiar confesses that she does not know. Claire admits to herself as well. "Ah, it's fine! Not everybody knows everything." She states in an attempt to reassure the adept. She finds this statement to be true; her mother always tells her this if she makes a mistake, and she still stands by it.
[break][break]Then she listens as Vani tells her all about this Chanel girl, as prior to her interest. While Vani speaks, she could almost feel Rogue sneer just beside her. He's never liked arrogant people, and so does Emery. She dislikes them a lot, but she does not show it, simply with the aura of silence. Arrogant people feel like they are more important than anyone else. Arrogant people remind her of Inguis.
[break][break]"I see." Emery manages a smile once Vani points out the differences between her and Chanel. Rogue's sneer turns into a growl and his tail wags furiously behind him, but Emery holds him back. "Arrogant people are inevitably just... real, unfortunately. I've always had a dislike for people who feel so full of themselves." She shrugs and closes her eyes with a sigh. "But then again... maybe they have their reasons why they act that way. Maybe this Chanel is no exception."
Post by claire fermont on Feb 18, 2019 7:02:06 GMT
their words bared their teeth into the wall
i would rid the world of feral animals
[attr="class","dbody"]Claire only nods in acknowledgement. For all that is said and done, Claire believes in Emery. She has confidence that the blonde Knight would do great things--in time. As for Claire, she too, has ways to go and dreams to follow. It's a never-ending journey to the completion and satisfaction of oneself.
It seems like the boar has taken a liking on Emery. She's not hard to like--soft smile, pristine features, like a breath of fresh air. However she is new, and all Claire can hope is for her not to lose her way. Claire wonders if the shoe would fit on Vani. Emery is talking about arrogance and Vani possesses hefty amounts of it. As expected, the boar is unfazed and even nods enthusiastically. Typical Vani. "Yeah, I know right!" he agrees, animated. "I've hated her ever since then. Glad I'm not seeing her around much these days. She is probably chilling with the richer ones. Oh, are you one of those people, too? The richer ones? I certainly hope you're not!"
It's true. The Helios Knights pride themselves with the guidance of the blazing sun, and surely those who would shine would have to have glitter and gold. Claire is one of the few rare exceptions. She is an outcast from Eclipse Town, caught in act for an unforgivable crime. She's not wealthy or beautiful, not someone that would typically wear the Knight's Crest.
Emery, however.... Claire looks at Emery, waiting for her answer.
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Emery has grown much comfortable near Claire and her familiar (as rambunctious as he is). She learns a lot from the adept, about her past experiences, and what she can do to overcome her own challenges. Rogue keeps himself entertained, watching Emery showcase her spells and watch Claire as she shows his witch her own spells. He also has quite of a liking to Vani, but the boar is annoying to him, regardless.
[break][break]Vani expresses his hate for this Chanel girl, simply nodding in response to his statements. Rich people can get really annoying, she can say that from experience. She had been in a richer family from her time as a child, but the Argentia family prides itself more on culture and the passed down traditions from generation to generation. She could say the Helios Knights has its similarities, but it manner of richness is different from the rest.
[break][break]But then Vani suddenly asks if she is one of the rich ones; it makes her turn to him, eyes slightly wide with surprise. Rogue turns to him with a raised eyebrow, eyeing him suspiciously. But sooner than not her eyes soften, and she turns away, staying silent for a while. The blonde does not notice Claire staring at her, but Rogue does.
[break][break]Emery sighs and hugs herself, rubbing her arms. "Well... I used to be." She replies, slightly turning her head to Claire and Vani. "I was born to a noble family that prides itself in the tradition that all evil men should be vanquished without a trace. So many of us there are born to rich families, but in general the Argentia bloodline cares only about tradition and not how rich with money we are."
[break][break]Rogue turns to her, concerned of what she might feel if she were to ramble on any further, but Emery simply smiles back at him. "But my grandfather was accused of a crime we did not commit, and we left the Argentia house. Now part of my family is here in Sundial, among the normal people and not with the arrogance of the rich."
Post by claire fermont on Mar 30, 2019 16:11:58 GMT
their words bared their teeth into the wall
i would rid the world of feral animals
[attr="class","dbody"]Vani plops on his belly as he chats animatedly with Emery. Yeah, he has warmed up to her. To Vani's vocabulary, he and Emery are 'best pals' now. That's quite something, because not many people gives Vani a chance. Claire can sense he's happy. Well, only with Emery though. The cat, Claire's not so sure about. He seems to not mind the cat, though. Claire thinks that's an improvement.
What a question. Vani doesn't even seem unfazed by the level of the inquiry and the insult that is implied if the answer is indeed, yes, Emery Argentia actually belongs to a prominent family. Claire's not about to stop him though--there are so many people worse than Vani within ranks of the Helios Knights. It would be the right thing to introduce her to the environment that will shape her very being.
No can prepare Claire or Vani for the answer that came. Claire tilts her head to the side, interested, while Vani whines lowly. "What do you mean?" Vani asks, confused on the whole we used to be part. Then Emery goes to say that the Argentia family is the typical elite clan and the very class Claire used to hate. It's a good thing she has given a fair warning. If not, the Vani would have been seething and there is no easy way to calm him to actually listen.
The following story feels entirely too familiar. She, too, was accused of a crime, which would have found her guilty in the courts if Medeia didn't intervene. The High Priestess knew the truth--that while Claire did commit the crime, she was only used. Claire remembers how the man had fled from her, and how Claire chased him. She ran and ran, not knowing why she was running after a man she didn't know. She didn't know why she was holding a knife and throwing it at the man out of desperation. She's tired, it seemed to be the only way.
Then the knife stopped in mid-air. Claire falters as she saw glints of red and gold.
Vani is at a loss of what to say. He is good at annoying people and picking fights with them, not with sympathizing with them. "Well, we're glad your family is doing well now. It must have been a humbling experience for them, and for you. Though, I have to ask, isn't there a way to turn things around and prove the other party wrong?"
@emery // sorry for the delay! feel free to advance it however you like!!
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Emery has never told anyone of her past as Inguis' soldier before. No one in her family, including her, wants to talk about it to anyone. They believe they should start anew, and leave the things they have known before behind. Talking about it now, she realizes, is more than uncomfortable, but she reassures herself she is ready for others to hear of this injustice. It is not in her interest to impress the adept, oh no. She simply could not refuse if people were to ask what she was before.
[break][break]She remembers little of her time in that house, that large colony born in Salem formed by a tyrannical man who's beliefs rang through the minds of whom lived under him. Her siblings were trained to fight, back then when her family was under the influence of Inguis' beliefs... their childhood was the least enjoyable, though Emery did not mind before. Her young mind told her to impress, no matter what the cost. And it seems she is successful at it; as she grew older she was recognized a true soldier of the Argentia family.
[break][break]Emery wished she were not too proud of herself before, though. The accusation against her grandfather had taken a toll on not only her, but the entire family; soon they were deemed unfaithful to the bloodline and were discriminated upon. Her family has decided; they were going to leave their old life behind, and start anew. Before Grandfather Yuin was to be executed, they left, avoiding the people whom they thought were their family.
[break][break]They were no longer soldiers, living a humble life in this city called Sundial, though Emery and a brother of hers insisted later on that they want to fight for true glory. Soon enough they were members of the Helios Knights before they knew it.
[break][break]Claire's statement makes Emery smile; she is glad not to be laughed at for relating this unfortunate event that had happened to her and her family. "Thank you. That is... glad to hear. And yes, it has been." She is happy for once that she is not discriminated at just for telling someone her story; back then she'd been laughed and pointed at by the children who may still be among the bloodline.
[break][break]But at the second statement; a question she is not entirely sure she could answer, her smile drops into a frown. She looks away from the adept and her eyebrows furrow; she is suddenly reminded that they would not be given a second chance to defend themselves from a crime their elder did not commit. "...The Argentia did not believe in second chances. Once a crime is committed and the suspect is determined -- whether they are only accused -- they need to be eliminated for the good of the bloodline." She shakes her hand, a sigh escaping her lips. "They will not listen, no matter how many times we try to convince them."
[attr="class","dbody"]Second chances are things Claire will be forever be grateful of. If not for the chance the High Priestess had given her, Claire would not be here. She would not have the opportunity to right her mistakes and live a new life--a life that has meaning, not just bloody slaughter for reasons unknown to her. Claire still loves the brawl, still loves the adrenaline, but now, she does it for the right reason--for Salem.
Medeia has bore into Claire's mind the reason why she was given a second chance. Medeia sees her potential, sees her twisted innocence, and sees that she will be a valuable addition to the ranks of the Helios Knights. Medeia did not open her cell and brought back her magic for Claire--she did it for Salem.
And so, for Salem. Protect the twelve pillars. Protect the very foundation of civilization.
"Justice is confusing sometimes," Claire says, thinking of the time Medeia entered her cell. The High Priestess knelt in front of Claire and pushed a cold metal on her chest. Red and gold--the symbol of the Helios Knights. "Good and evil are not black and white. There are many grey areas in between, and in those areas we must be careful. The Argentia family did not listen, and that is their fault."
She gives Emery a light tap in the back. "The Helios Knights listen. Our ranks are not perfect..." Claire pauses as she sighs, remembering the lazy-ass higher-ups and entitled fledglings. "But we do listen. Justice is blind, not deaf."
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
Emery would have loved it if the clock turned its hands around and allowed her to change the events before. She thinks about what the Argentia might have been if Inguis did not rule them like a tyrant; she thinks about what it would have been if her family had turned away from a soldier's life before her grandfather was accused of the crime. She thinks about what it would have been if the rules of the Argentia are different... or what it would have been if there were no rules at all. Ever since childhood, even in secret, she thinks and thinks and thinks, until there is nothing more to be thought about.
[break][break]But instead, here she is flung from the passage of time, into her present life. She's realized upon growing up that thinking about changing the past is senseless, as what's happened has happened. Now that she has matured, she is grateful to Fate, on the contrary. If they hadn't left, they would be stuck in the Argentia household and grandfather Yuin would be executed. Her family would be the subject of harsh discrimination, and maybe another false accusation might be pointed to them. But they left the old life behind, and settled for Salem; and for that, Emery is grateful, for if Fate hadn't shown her and her family the true colors of the Argentia, then they would have stayed there, locked up in their cage forever.
[break][break]However, even with how grateful she is, somehow she is still sad of the events. Yes, everything was a past, but a person can never truly remove the trauma from what they had experienced. Emery still feels crestfallen once reminded of that story, but she tries and dares not to show it to anyone. Today, though... today might be an exception.
[break][break]When Claire speaks, Emery raises her head, listening intently to what the adept has to say. "Justice is confusing sometimes," Claire states, and Emery finds herself questioning if Inguis had ever thought of that. Thought about how good and evil are not white and black, respectively. How everyone is subject to moralities of gray, as Claire said. And as she listens to her speak, Emery could not help but agree to her words, because everything is true.
[break][break]She feels the adept's light tap behind her back, and she turns to her. "The Helios Knights is blind, not deaf." She explains. Well, she is glad that is the case. The Argentia bloodline and the Helios Knights are both not perfect, after all. But the Helios Knights are people she can finally confide to, and not be blamed for wrongdoings that she did not do.
Post by claire fermont on Oct 31, 2019 11:16:44 GMT
their words bared their teeth into the wall
i would rid the world of feral animals
[attr="class","dbody"]Claire recounts her years as a Knight. Did she redeem herself, just like what Medeia has told her? She has done well, that's for sure. She has saved many people and many lives. She has been faithful to the creed of the Knights. She has much more freedom now, and Claire has decided she will protect Sundial at all costs.
The Knight has decided her path.
Still, there is a lingering thought in the back of her head. She remembers her father and his strange death. The missions she had been given--a debt to pay in her father's absence--she has not forgotten about them. ( She asked, but she received not answers but several more bruises. ) She was blindfolded when she received orders, and her mind was always hazy for some reason--all she can remember is the order, the name of the person she was supposed to kill. Too many what ifs, too many questions. Claire is not willing to entertain any of them.
Receiving the Knight's Crest saved her from that evil. She still shivers every time she remembers the dark old days. Her redemption arc is long over and she has settled to follow the path of light.
Her moral compass is unwavering. Loyal.
And she, too, hopes that Emery would remain faithful as a Helios Knights. Claire sees her soft smile, and Claire is not worried.
"All right, that's about it," she says. "You will discover things on your own. Vani, quit that yapping, let's go." Vani, still wanting to get revenge on the cat, is forced to give up on harassing the feline and hmmphs away. Just before she turns, Claire says, "I'll see you around, Emery."
OF ALL OF YOU THAT BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, AND YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT ARE YOU RIGHT?
[attr="class","frniknaktop5"]
THE JUDGEMENT MAN HOLDS MY FATE. AS I GAZE AROUND THE ROOM, THEIR EYES ARE LIKE KNIVES: COULD DECAPITATE.
[attr="class","frniknakmid"]
The path she has chosen has taken a turn for the better. Sundial has welcomed her with more opportunities than everything Inguis Argentia has to offer. The way she has adjusted, even taking long periods of time to truly get used to Sundial, is rather unbelievable, but worth it. She and her family have improved and worked on moving on from the past, living simple lives in the process. And so this is where Emery chooses to be. Sundial is her home and it is now also her duty to protect it, and it could not have been any better.
[break][break]Claire implies calling it a day and urges Vani that they are leaving; she says Emery will discover more things on her own. As Emery watches the higher up leave, she wonders if there really is more to discover. But whatever the outcome, she is there to accept it. She has her fingers crossed that Fate will bring her things that are worth the wait, things that enable her to prove her worth.
[break][break]She waves at Claire once she turns and says she would see her around. "I'll see you around as well, adept." She says, bowing after -- because she never forgets to respect those with a higher standing -- and turns heel.
[break][break]Emery notices Rogue still scowling at something behind her; she immediately remembers that the cat still has things to settle with the boar, but she smacks him softly on the head, which startles him. "Quit it, Rogue. We've got to return and you are not letting me come get you if you chose to actually pick a fight with him." She scolds the cat, who in turn huffs and turns the other way, where Emery is facing.
[break][break]It's been a day, she thinks to herself. A rather fantastic one.
[break][break]
~*~
[break][break]They are twin goddesses; one of them still growing, and the other one who's experiences allow her to teach.