Conall - Depression/First Capture (CoI) (8/8)

[01:27] "All on my own."

That's all he wanted in the end. He already knew the outcome of the fight. This actually might be his last day living. His final breath. The thorns squeezed his body with ease to draw out more blood. He doesn't remember the last time he felt so much pain in his life, but there were worse times.

"W-What's so funny about doing this all on my own?" Leaf asked, keeping his eyes on the Dryad in front of him. Although his eyesight was quite blurry from the loss of blood. "The first time I saw you.. I asked for coins for a mana amnesia, then you just walked away." Leaf remembered that day. The day he even begged Vesper to coins until she gave him the greatest advice of his life.

Do it by yourself.

Ever since that day? He's drunk four mana amnesia, and thirty booster potions, bought enchanted armor, and other greats things. All on his own. "I was alone.. In your negligence, a man that called himself a ninja asked if I should be one.. It's the first time I felt like I was a part of something, like a family." His eyes looked around Cruxati. "So I wanted to give it a try here." With Dryads like Conall and Perenia helping him ring Cruxati back as a family. "W-We even planted trees around Cruxati-"

Suddenly.

The sensation of pain increased with the thorn taking it's sweet time to stick through his eyeball. "We just wanted you to acknowledge the things we do for this tribe." That's all he wanted in the end. The unaffected eyeball was now watery, letting tears flow. "We all just want what you want.." His throat cleared.

"COME BACK TO US! That might be his final words..


(Leaf Wvelven)
[01:33] It was a respectful plea for his life, and if Sibri was anything but a self-indulgent, self-serving Dryad (aside from when the Cruxati was an extension of himself) he might reconsider his current path--

Mercy.

"...Perhaps you aren't so terrible after all, Leaf Wvelven. But, unfortunately..."

The vine continued to slip into the white of his eye, piercing the delicate flesh until blood treckled out. Deeper, deeper. "Your plea for attention ahs put me in a difficult position, keh-keh. If only you phrased things with more tact, little-one..."

"...I wouldn't have to kill you."

With that, a piercing strike followed through and the thorned vine crept through Leaf's skull, in his brain and out, whipping to crack the bone and exit the back of his head.

"I will have you buried, returned to the soil. A Dryad you are, if a little misguided. Keeh."
(Sibri)
[01:36] Zyanya tugs at Setzer's clothing and leans in to whisper to him.
(Zyanya Ahuiliztli)
[01:36] Zyanya Ahuiliztli whispers something.
[01:36] Telru reads from his book, blocking out the gruesome scene in front of him.. but he knew what happened exactly.
(Telru)
[01:37] Setzer Azahara whispers something.
[01:37] Zyanya Ahuiliztli whispers something.
[01:37] A few of the blue vines wrap around the corpse, dragging it over to the graveyard... Some servants follow behind.
(Sibri)
[01:38] Telru whispers: Hush, I'm trying to read..
[01:39] He stares.

It took a while to cross the forest from Gremory to Cruxati. The sight that greeted him was the same as the one at the tower, months before. Blood covered the area, but with more plant matter then the last time. Again he saw his friend Leaf, but this time.

It pierced his skull.

He walked, barefoot over to where the battle had taken place. He looked at the cadavers of his friend. He swallowed. A toothy smile spread across his wirey lips, cracks upon chapped teeth.

"Is he sleeping?"

He asked in denial.
(Conall Revels)
[01:39] Sibri says, "Dead. Honor duel."
[01:40] Her ears perk at her friend's voice, peeking through the trees to see the scene, eyes widening.
(Ginger Snap)
[01:40] * You have been awarded 6 Roleplay Points! *
[01:40] Conall Revels says, "Dead."
[01:40] Telru rolls his eyes, what honor was in that? Sibri was clearly stronger and would snap the other dryad like a twig.
(Telru)
[01:40] Sibri says, "Do not worry, little-one. His flesh and mana will feed the soil, yes-yes."
[01:40] Mina says, "..I think I should've danced with him when I had the chance."
[01:41] Mina says, "Oh well."
[01:41] Telru says, "Ugh.. don't bring up that dance again.. such a waste of time and resources."
[01:42] Setzer Azahara says, "Well, that's that."
[01:42] Conall Revels asks, "Was he strong in his final moments? Did he go out like a warrior?"
[01:43] Luna Tanaka asks, ".. Setzer? Hey! What's going on?"
[01:43] Sibri says, "...no, he was toyed with and humiliated, the strength of a magi child. But he had some nice things to say at the end that made me reconsider my punishment, keeh."
[01:43] Sibri says, "If only for a brief second..."
[01:43] Setzer Azahara says, "..Hey."
[01:43] Telru claps his book closed and puts it in his pouch. "Nightshade.. nightshade, time to get some nightshade.."
(Telru)
[01:44] Luna Tanaka whispers something.
[01:44] Setzer Azahara whispers something.
[01:44] Luna Tanaka whispers something.
[01:45] Setzer Azahara whispers something.
[01:46] Luna Tanaka whispers something.
[01:46] A light dims in his eyes, but the wirey stepford smile remains, skin on his lips peeling. Half lidded, the gaze looks away. He walks away from the bench.

"He was a friend. But he needed to be stronger. I will become a powerful warrior. I will miss my friend."
(Conall Revels)
[01:47] Setzer Azahara whispers something.
[01:47] Luna Tanaka whispers something.
[01:47] Luna Tanaka whispers something.
[01:48] "Not stronger," Sibri chimes, his wiry form perking up, "-Smarter, keheh."

"He gave me no choice but to end him as an example. He tried to usurp me like it was some kind of game. Does he not know how many I've killed? Keeh. Unfortunate, to put down a Dryad like that..."

"Do not make the same mistakes, little-one. And come to me if you need advice from your elder, yes-yes."
(Sibri)
[01:58] Coda sat idly on the stairwell, nonchalantly motioning his gaze to Conali and theor ookami companion, before he'd would immediately re-adjust his eyes to a nearby firepot. Azure hues watching as the flames within the container would flicker with a strangely alluring liveliness that could only compare to an individual pushing themselves to survive through sheer willpower alone.

He couldn't help but let a slight grin beam upon his face as such a thought ran through his head, regardless of the inherently morbid nature it held within.
(Sekkihuitzli Coda)
[02:02] "Smarter. Stronger. I want to be the best warrior. One of them." The young Dryad said. His wirey lips remained in a smile but the eyes continued to have the light fade within them. A feeling born, understanding the pain of those at the tower all so suddenly.

"I will not make the same mistake as brother Leaf. I will talk to you when I need help, Elder. " The voice was choked, as if holding back tears that refused to flow down his barklike face.

"Byeeeeee Elder."

He lacked enthusiasm he had been known for. He pushed off, walking with the Ookami.
(Conall Revels)
[02:02] Sibri says, "Keh-keh."
[02:04] Ginger Snap whispers: .. Are you okay?
[02:05] Sekkihuitzli , detecting a slight vibration within the earth....and hearing the footsteps of the duo, would glance up at them confused before promptly shrugging it off and resume staring down at the ground.
(Sekkihuitzli Coda)
[02:06] Conall Revels whispers: He is dead. Brother Leaf is dead. Just like that.
[02:06] Conall Revels whispers: With a wimper.
[02:06] Ginger Snap whispers: Let's .. let's discuss this elsewhere, Coni.
[02:07] The ookami gently lays a reassuring hand to the dryad's shoulder, a small frown upon her lips, "We can spar and collect ore and.. talk, okay?" She speaks, patting him softly.
(Ginger Snap)
[02:09] Although the smile did not fade, he felt as dead as an oak tree in the winter. His feet slovenly did not stop, dragging him forwards. "Riiiiiiight."
(Conall Revels)
[02:10] Ginger Snap asks, "Mmn..?"
[02:11] Ginger Snap says, "Everyone dies, Conall.. and supposedly, your friend died because he was stupid."
[02:11] Conall Revels says, "It is so short. The gift of life."
[02:12] Ginger Snap asks, "That's why you focus on living it to its fullest, right?"
[02:12] Conall Revels asks, "Living to the fullest?"
[02:12] Ginger Snap says, "Y'know.. enjoying life, doing what you want, being what you want to be, and striving toward that."
[02:16] Enjoying life to the fullest. Doing what he wanted, being what he wanted to be. The words broke Conall's distant look, the Dryad turning to look at the Ookami by his side. The smile widens, pearly sharp teeth showing.

"You are right. Leaf died because he was dumb and he was foolish. He tried to take from the tribe. But if I do not hurt the tribe. I can do what I want. Whatever I want.

Because life is short. And what other people want does not matter. Only what I want."

He stared towards her.
(Conall Revels)
[02:18] The little ookami shrugs her shoulders, "It's still fair to grieve, even if he.. died foolishly." That smile makes her somewhat uncomfortable, but she only forces one in return,

"You can do what you want so long as it doesn't hurt anyone else." She states, offering a waggle of her index finger before reaching over to prod at his cheek,

"Have you been training a lot lately? What is your goal then, huh? To get really strong and ... and then what?"
(Ginger Snap)
[02:21] "There is no time. No time to grieve. No time to remember. There is only here. There is only now." Conall said through his bark covered lips.

"No one else matters. I can do what I want. Why do I care if it hurts someone? The strong take what they want. They make what they want." He said in his distant tone before she touched him. His own hand reached out, touching the Ookami's throat and gripping it with a tenseness.

"I have been training. I want to be a warrior. A strong warrior of the Cruxati. Stronger then Leaf."
(Conall Revels)
[02:24] The words spewing from the man's mouth cause Ginger's ears to fall flat against her hair.

"N-no, wait.." She mutters, hoping to calm him down, but during her prod to his cheek, he gripped hold of her throat. She squirmed, gasping for breath and scratching at the bark-covered fingers of her crush.

"St-stop.." She struggles out, hearing his next words. A strong warrior, taking from the weak, it didn't matter if people got hurt? There was no way she could be around this guy, not after all that was said. She had to leave.
(Ginger Snap)
[02:28] His wood-like hand held her neck stiffly as his mouth continued to sit in that curve. The distant gaze stares straight into the Ookami's eyes. His hold would lift her off the ground for but a moment before placing both her feet firmly back on it. His hold lossened on her neck and he stared at her.

"Fight me."

He demanded, turning and walking a couple spaces back. "Winner gets what they want from the loser. Like before. But this time you will do what I say."
(Conall Revels)
[02:29] Ginger Snap says, ". . ."
[02:30] She grasps hold of her neck, grimacing and whining softly as her flattened ears and overall expression seem to show that she is frightened. Her eyes glance along the treelines, "I-I.. don't even have a weapon, how can I fight you!" She questions, nervously fiddling with her fingers.

Should I run? She questions herself in thought, eyes lowering from his and to the ground. This would end poorly if she didn't, but he was strong, capable of stopping her.

"You can't use your weapon either then.." She says in a faux confident tone.
(Ginger Snap)
[02:33] He stared at her as she made her request, noting her lack of weapon. Bark-like textures started to form along Conall's arms and legs and leaves fell from the nearby trees, swaying around the Dryad. His distant and dead eyes stared down the Ookami before he would slowly nod.

"I will not use a weapon. I do not need it. Not to beat you. I am strong. I am not a warrior yet. But I will be."
(Conall Revels)
[02:33] Ginger Snap says, ". . ."
[02:34] Ginger Snap exclaims, "Being strong isn't the only thing in life, Conall!"
[02:34] As she says this, a veil of water forms around her, utilizing her surroundings, vines appear to move along the ground, raising to assist in the battle.

"Winner takes all!" She'd yelp out angrily.
(Ginger Snap)
[02:39] ** Conall Revels has inflicted an injury upon Ginger Snap. ("Permanent Injury", "Permanent Injury", "Permanent", "Severity: MODERATE (-20 Vit)") **
[02:47] Being strong isn't the only thing in life Conall.

"But isn't it?" The Dryad asked in that distant tone of his. The memory of Leaf hounded his mind. The tendril of blue entered the other Dryad's skull, and then Leaf was dead, just like that. He shivered. "If we are not strong and if we are not smart we die. We perish.

Our lives are over. Just like that. Gone to the spirits, gone to the cycle. We do not matter." He stalked forwards. Flowers rose from the grass, sending spores towards Ginger as Mandrakes rose from petals. He did not break his gaze.

"Worthless. It is all worthless. So why does anyone else even matter? Why should I not do what I want when I want to?" He asked.

A series of spores sent the Ookami choking and he took steps closer. Images of warriors came through his mind as his bark covered limbs grabbed her shoulders. He looked at her.

"I want things. And I want to do what I want. Because it is all worthless and doesn't matter."

Sharp teeth dig into Ginger's neck, tearing through the Ookami's skin and letting blood flow. Mindlessly, sloppily, and lazily the Dryad tears her skin, leaving deep jagged teeth marks. He draws back his jaw and stares at Ginger.

"Winner takes all. You belong to me. And this time I do not care about your complaint."
(Conall Revels)
[02:52] The ookami succumbs to defeat all too easily. She falls to the ground, groaning in pain, unable to breathe. Would this be her fate? Always hurting, always losing because her words were wrong? Was being strong really all that mattered in this world?

She was starting to believe that as the dryad stepped over her and bit into her neck-- this wasn't a bite that would be common with ookami, no, this was worse. He tore off skin, nearly to the bone, as blood trickled from her wound-- and from the harsh amount of pain, she could barely see anymore.

His words echo in her mind, Winner takes all. You belong to me.

Then, she passes out from blood loss.
(Ginger Snap)
[02:55] His tongue runs across the blood remaining on his jagged teeth as he finished drawing back. Ginger had fallen, seemingly completely out from the loss of blood. The Dryad reached down, gripping her knocked out form. Her arm would be draped over his shoulder and in the darkness of the night he started to stumble away to the caves.

She would wake up eventually.
(Conall Revels)