„Hello, Teptoc!“
„Hello, ......!“
„....., Teptoc!“
„....., ...... .“
Greetings. They would utter them because it was considered an act of courtesy, they would say them in earnest, sometimes whilst passing, sometimes right to his face. However, they did not matter. Nothing was urgent enough, nothing could reach him when the sound of crushing waves would come upon him as sudden as the high tide came upon the shore. The noises of daily life in Cadomyr would be drowned but his hands would continue to do the routine.
The longer the waves kept sweeping everything else from his mind, the more likely the light was going to come back as well.
When it came to him this time, he was staring at the Unicorn Lion's smoking oven. It started with a brick just above the opening beyond which his salmons dangled from numerous hooks. The brick seemed to be fashioned in a brighter red than those adjacent to it. Actually, it was growing brighter constantly. Soon it was an orange brick while the others turned a muddy brown. When it turned yellow, the others would lose their colour and turn grey, mottled with dark lines.
Once the brick had completely given way to a blinding centre of white light, the whole environment had turned pitchblack and a faint thought would cross his mind: Like a full moon on a clear sky, outshining the petty stars.
Enlightenment
Moderator: Gamemasters
Re: Enlightenment
Shapes started shifting, the brick was no longer a square but a circle and when it had become a circle, contours would fray until it would become impossible to judge its dimension.
Not that it mattered. Drawn to the light like a moth, his mind would empty gradually until it was as blank as his black eyes. The sound of waves had died, he could not remember when but there was nothing now, only silence. Silence and light. He was ready.
Pain
„Hahahaha..“„..hihihi..“ „..hohoho!“
Laughter
He blinks. The light flickers and mingles with the darkness until everything has gone back to normal. Candles on the table, the dim glow inside the oven and the fading sunlight's reflection in the pool are once again the only illumination that bathes the room in a warm mixture of orange and dancing shades.
He turns his head at a motion to his right and sees a black-haired man dash through the door. He looks to his left and squints at those who remain.
Miss Rabon, cutting smoked ham by his side. Master Rabon, cleaning a beer mug and Hassan, filling his glass with shaking hands. Their cheeks are flushed, their eyes sparkle and their lips are still twisted into smiles or even big grins.
He looks down when remnants of pain continue to linger and sees his tail winding, curling up instinctively where it had been stepped on.
Mister Drathe..
Not that it mattered. Drawn to the light like a moth, his mind would empty gradually until it was as blank as his black eyes. The sound of waves had died, he could not remember when but there was nothing now, only silence. Silence and light. He was ready.
Pain
„Hahahaha..“„..hihihi..“ „..hohoho!“
Laughter
He blinks. The light flickers and mingles with the darkness until everything has gone back to normal. Candles on the table, the dim glow inside the oven and the fading sunlight's reflection in the pool are once again the only illumination that bathes the room in a warm mixture of orange and dancing shades.
He turns his head at a motion to his right and sees a black-haired man dash through the door. He looks to his left and squints at those who remain.
Miss Rabon, cutting smoked ham by his side. Master Rabon, cleaning a beer mug and Hassan, filling his glass with shaking hands. Their cheeks are flushed, their eyes sparkle and their lips are still twisted into smiles or even big grins.
He looks down when remnants of pain continue to linger and sees his tail winding, curling up instinctively where it had been stepped on.
Mister Drathe..
The Beginning
„ .. sso you wissh to mate with thiss one? “
„ Gods, Fish, why don't you just get up on the table and yell so those thickheaded dwarves in that corner can hear it, too .. oh for gods' sakes, that wasn't .. stay down! Blasted lizard! “
He would bend his knees to crouch obediently by Cliffs side again, the fat fisherman himself remaining seated in the comfortable armchair, one of few in the gloomy tavern. His heavy hand pressed down on Teptoc's head, making sure he would not get up.
„ Of course I would take her if I could afford her but the likes of me won't ever be able to pay for that, no matter how many of them big ones you chase into the nets.. just look at her! “
And look at her he did but what was there to see?
She was obviously one of the younglings among her kind, her hair was long and black and her skin fair in comparison to all the hardened leatherskins the others bore. Those others were the fishermen, sailors, soldiers and the wrenches who worked the pots or took those upstairs who could not pay more than a handful of coppers for their pleasure. Nevertheless, the girl everyone just called Pearl, was of no more sexual interest to him than fat, unwashed Cliff himself.
„ Will the harpisst be playing again ssoon? “, he sought to digress but it only served to make Cliff scowl and groan in frustration.
„ What is it with you and that damn elf-music, seriously! That chord-plugging son of a .. “
Waves
„ Gods, Fish, why don't you just get up on the table and yell so those thickheaded dwarves in that corner can hear it, too .. oh for gods' sakes, that wasn't .. stay down! Blasted lizard! “
He would bend his knees to crouch obediently by Cliffs side again, the fat fisherman himself remaining seated in the comfortable armchair, one of few in the gloomy tavern. His heavy hand pressed down on Teptoc's head, making sure he would not get up.
„ Of course I would take her if I could afford her but the likes of me won't ever be able to pay for that, no matter how many of them big ones you chase into the nets.. just look at her! “
And look at her he did but what was there to see?
She was obviously one of the younglings among her kind, her hair was long and black and her skin fair in comparison to all the hardened leatherskins the others bore. Those others were the fishermen, sailors, soldiers and the wrenches who worked the pots or took those upstairs who could not pay more than a handful of coppers for their pleasure. Nevertheless, the girl everyone just called Pearl, was of no more sexual interest to him than fat, unwashed Cliff himself.
„ Will the harpisst be playing again ssoon? “, he sought to digress but it only served to make Cliff scowl and groan in frustration.
„ What is it with you and that damn elf-music, seriously! That chord-plugging son of a .. “
Waves
Cliff's lips kept moving and sent spittle flying as he shook a fist, still unloading one of his famous tirades against anyone who wasn't human. The other hand, still on Teptoc's head, would close around his skull rather uncomfortably, while the man's doughy face flushed with anger and his body would appear to swell like a pufferfish in the face of danger. It was not the first outburst, Teptoc had caused.
However, the only noise he could in that very moment back then was that of water washing up against rocks and spilling onto sandy shores.
It had started recently. At first he thought it was some sort of side-effect of life on solid grounds. Perhaps a lingering echo but it had grown more persistent as of late and there were times when the waves would keep crushing for up to an hour. Cliff mistook his silence for mocking ignorance and had been no help either when Teptoc tried to explain the condition.
Honestly, Cliff was not being as useful as he had been in the beginning when he would show Teptoc around the village and its harbour. He would introduce him to many landling customs and in return, Teptoc would help him with the fishing. Nowadays, though, their relation had grown to benefit Cliff far more than it would benefit him. In fact, he feared it was actually holding him back.
Hence, when Mother's wet embrace claimed Cliff during a storm only a week later, Teptoc would simply watch him being washed across deck and over the railing. The man's pleas for help drowned when his mouth and lungs filled with saltwater and when the guideless boat crumbled beneath the elements' force to follows its owner, it was time to move on.
However, the only noise he could in that very moment back then was that of water washing up against rocks and spilling onto sandy shores.
It had started recently. At first he thought it was some sort of side-effect of life on solid grounds. Perhaps a lingering echo but it had grown more persistent as of late and there were times when the waves would keep crushing for up to an hour. Cliff mistook his silence for mocking ignorance and had been no help either when Teptoc tried to explain the condition.
Honestly, Cliff was not being as useful as he had been in the beginning when he would show Teptoc around the village and its harbour. He would introduce him to many landling customs and in return, Teptoc would help him with the fishing. Nowadays, though, their relation had grown to benefit Cliff far more than it would benefit him. In fact, he feared it was actually holding him back.
Hence, when Mother's wet embrace claimed Cliff during a storm only a week later, Teptoc would simply watch him being washed across deck and over the railing. The man's pleas for help drowned when his mouth and lungs filled with saltwater and when the guideless boat crumbled beneath the elements' force to follows its owner, it was time to move on.
Unrelenting
"..mackerelss ..mackerelss.. mackerelss.. mackerelss.. mackerelss.."
He kept chanting the word beneath his breath like a desperate incantation. To concentrate on what is real, that was the key, he had learned. The light would only come in moments of exhaustion and rest, when his mind was no longer engaged sufficiently to cling to this realm.
"..mackerels ..mackerelss ..mackerelss.. macke.. ma..", his voice died and instinct turned his head towards the open door.
That noise.. at that moment no more than the faint rustling of palm leaves, it would seem but it grew louder the instance he concentrated on it.
Waves!
"Mackerelss! Mackerelss! Macker.. Macker.. Ma.. Mother..", he cried out, his voice dripping with panic as he was seeking refuge in stuffing the oven with more fish. Mackerels fell to the ground, their bodies landing with wet smacking noises.
The struggle lassted only seconds before he succumbed to the calming sound, welcoming and allowing it to wash away all thoughts and sorrows. The intensity of the crashing waves reached its climax quickly and allowed only one last conscious thought to linger for a split second...
He kept chanting the word beneath his breath like a desperate incantation. To concentrate on what is real, that was the key, he had learned. The light would only come in moments of exhaustion and rest, when his mind was no longer engaged sufficiently to cling to this realm.
"..mackerels ..mackerelss ..mackerelss.. macke.. ma..", his voice died and instinct turned his head towards the open door.
That noise.. at that moment no more than the faint rustling of palm leaves, it would seem but it grew louder the instance he concentrated on it.
Waves!
"Mackerelss! Mackerelss! Macker.. Macker.. Ma.. Mother..", he cried out, his voice dripping with panic as he was seeking refuge in stuffing the oven with more fish. Mackerels fell to the ground, their bodies landing with wet smacking noises.
The struggle lassted only seconds before he succumbed to the calming sound, welcoming and allowing it to wash away all thoughts and sorrows. The intensity of the crashing waves reached its climax quickly and allowed only one last conscious thought to linger for a split second...
Re: Enlightenment
It was a warped memory: A fat man clinging to the railing of his sinking ship, his fleshy paws bloody from holding on to broken wood desperately. When the figure looked up to the roaring skies, yelping like a fearsome child, his eyes turned black and his skin blue.
Sunshine burst through the black clouds above, white and gentle, its touch warm to the man's skin that had turned into smooth scales.
"Let go, child.", an ethereal voice urged him.
"Mother, I.. am afraid!", he cried out, pressing himself against the wooden hull, his body now a true lizardman once again.
"Let go, child.."
Foaming water tugged on his legs and tail, gentle and yet determined. Mother's caressing fingers. Why did he fight her when he knew she was always going to protect him?
Just as he was about to relax his grip, the water came over the ship in the shape of a clenched fist and burst through its deck. Silence fell like a curtain while chaos ensued.
Flying splinters and spraying water accompanied Teptoc on his fall. Bright lightening rippled through the night and the last thing he saw, before Mother's wet embrace closed in around him, was the boat's figurehead.
Cheap and wormy wood resembling a dolphin in flight. Painted on the hull just beneath its tail fin was the vessel's name, the old ink cracked and dissolving:
~~~~~
Spirit
~~~~~
"Squire Teptoc?", Linda asked, startled at the lizard's sudden withdrawal from the oven.
"Are you quite alri..", the words stuck in her throat when he turned, her own reflection shining impregnably in his widened, glossy eyes.
On his way to the door, he plowed through the obstructing furniture in his path at a fluent and calm pace. That was when she found the courage to call out again "Hey, are you alrigh?!", her voice mingling with her Father's irritated shout but both were answered only with silence and just like that, Teptoc was out the door already.
Sunshine burst through the black clouds above, white and gentle, its touch warm to the man's skin that had turned into smooth scales.
"Let go, child.", an ethereal voice urged him.
"Mother, I.. am afraid!", he cried out, pressing himself against the wooden hull, his body now a true lizardman once again.
"Let go, child.."
Foaming water tugged on his legs and tail, gentle and yet determined. Mother's caressing fingers. Why did he fight her when he knew she was always going to protect him?
Just as he was about to relax his grip, the water came over the ship in the shape of a clenched fist and burst through its deck. Silence fell like a curtain while chaos ensued.
Flying splinters and spraying water accompanied Teptoc on his fall. Bright lightening rippled through the night and the last thing he saw, before Mother's wet embrace closed in around him, was the boat's figurehead.
Cheap and wormy wood resembling a dolphin in flight. Painted on the hull just beneath its tail fin was the vessel's name, the old ink cracked and dissolving:
~~~~~
Spirit
~~~~~
"Squire Teptoc?", Linda asked, startled at the lizard's sudden withdrawal from the oven.
"Are you quite alri..", the words stuck in her throat when he turned, her own reflection shining impregnably in his widened, glossy eyes.
On his way to the door, he plowed through the obstructing furniture in his path at a fluent and calm pace. That was when she found the courage to call out again "Hey, are you alrigh?!", her voice mingling with her Father's irritated shout but both were answered only with silence and just like that, Teptoc was out the door already.
Re: Enlightenment
It's been a while since the last incident and he had finally put it out of his mind, thinking it might have been just some odd effect of the prolonged life on solid grounds. Perhaps signs of withdrawal after the long absence from Mother's wet embrace. After all, retreating into the lakes and ocean more often seemed to have put a stop to the fits of mental absence and confusion.
Now it had struck him so much the worse. He had been on his way to meet a customer, yet now he found himself past the great wall in the North. Most of his new armour was gone, his arms long lost during the swim and dive he could not recall already. Beasts were roaming the nearby woods and the gruff voices of the local orc tribe pierced the dull silence every now and then.
Teptoc, however, just kept stalking and swimming and diving and crawling. The throbbing in his injured leg had ceased long ago. His path led further North than it had ever done before. His black eyes seemed to reflect the bright light which was the only thing he could see for it had claimed all of his sight and mind.
"Come..", a voice lured him. "Come.. to me..", it said and he followed.
Now it had struck him so much the worse. He had been on his way to meet a customer, yet now he found himself past the great wall in the North. Most of his new armour was gone, his arms long lost during the swim and dive he could not recall already. Beasts were roaming the nearby woods and the gruff voices of the local orc tribe pierced the dull silence every now and then.
Teptoc, however, just kept stalking and swimming and diving and crawling. The throbbing in his injured leg had ceased long ago. His path led further North than it had ever done before. His black eyes seemed to reflect the bright light which was the only thing he could see for it had claimed all of his sight and mind.
"Come..", a voice lured him. "Come.. to me..", it said and he followed.