[location: Taxon Forest, mainly, but even the Woodsman goes into town for acquiring Stuff]

[tin_hearts]

Once upon a time, there was a man, who was so pained by grief that one day he simply stopped feeling. Not the pain of his own, not that of others; there was nothing that could move him to the point of pangs or aches of any kind. What had once been the most expressive face and bright blue eyes, was no more. Lack luster orbs and too little skin

Comments

[Location] Taxon Forest

[the_bluethunder]

She sought the forest for its song. Perhaps here, where existence and appearances ebbed and flowed like an ocean, she would have regained her power to hear it. But she was deaf to it, still.

She came upon The Woodsman there, to her displeasure. Humans roamed the city like flies, like spiderwebs obstructing her path. She could not escape them. She did not know this one, nor did she care to know him. His presence went unheeded, but still she speaks, nonetheless, looking up toward the shaded canopies above. Her voice is quiet.

"This place...would have sang great tributes to me, once."

[ooc: Unglitched, but sadly I don't think she's seen Cain enough to notice the lack of hat.]

[Location] Taxon Forest

[tin_hearts]

It was plain to see that she was no mere mortal, and as such worthy of the same respect as any other lady who passed through his forest - his only for the protection he gave; a duty placed upon him by the Queen Herself.

And yet, though he would have been moved by such a presence, he merely knelt before her and bowed his head. "My apologies, m'lady, but the forest has long since lost her voice. She is old, and cares for little else but sleep. I speak to her every day, but can't remember the last time she spoke in turn."

[no worries :D]

[Location] Taxon Forest

[the_bluethunder]

His show of respect pleased her. A time, all would have cowered before her. To be worshiped was an expectation, not a gift. But her human form did not command such reverence, and so humans forgot their place.

"You are content to speak to it, still, though it does not heed your voice, utterly empty to your presence. Why do you bother?"

[Location] Taxon Forest

[tin_hearts]

"Content, yes," he replied, unfeeling of the frostbite that had long ago set into his body. He moved slower for it, but the cold weather had ceased to matter so long ago he couldn't remember the years.

"She is mine to protect and care for. Silent company though she is, I find her better suited as such than any mortal." He spoke from the heart, though he hadn't felt it beat for an age.

"More to the point, I would not have her forget her place."

Perhaps even more truthful - he was lonely, though he knew it not himself.

[Location] Taxon Forest

[goodluck_kobra]

There once was a young man called Michael, who enjoyed wandering around the forest greatly, even though the people of town and his older brother warned him of the dangers lurking there. Michael never listened to them. There was nothing dangerous in the forest. It was beautiful and he liked napping underneath the trees, falling asleep to the songs of the birds.

He had just been watching the squirrels play when there were footsteps and they ran away. Frowning Michael got up from where he'd been sitting propped against the trunk of a tree.

[Location] Taxon Forest

[tin_hearts]

"Who goes there?" demanded the Woodsman, for he didn't take lightly to trespassers, and this was Her Majesty's land. He would give safe passage to anyone in need, but curses befall anyone who would seek to steal or wreak havoc on the Queen's territory.

[Location] Taxon Forest

[goodluck_kobra]

Michael was relieved to find it was a man speaking and not one of the dreadful creatures the village people told srories about.

"My name is Michael," he introduced himself, not daring to move. "I was just taking a walk here, sir." he had been taught to be friendly and respectful to strangers.

[Location] Taxon Forest

[tin_hearts]

"Pray, take heed of my warning: you are trespassing, but I bear you no ill will for it. What is your business within these woods?"

Though his eyes were dulled and his face spoke of hard years spent in the wild both in folds and scars new and old, the Woodsman was not known for a lack of kindness. Quite the opposite, he would never turn his back on someone in need.

[location] because why not

[justaddmarbles]

Every once in a while the pixie sorcerer would pay a visit to past business associates. Partly because it amused him, occasionally as a means to ensure they were still satisfied with their gifts, but typically it was to see if another deal could be brokered.

All three applied to the Woodsman, and the pixie conspired to place himself in the man's path. He perched in a tree, the gray hat dangling from the toe of one shoe as he awaited salutation.

[location] why not indeed :D

[tin_hearts]

The salutation was, as was the Woodsman's wont, curt and dry as kindling. "You tease me, pixie. Nay, you wound me, to display my forfeited hat so carelessly."

[location]

[justaddmarbles]

"Wound you? Oh, if it is something so small as that--" He kicked his foot upward with effortless grace, and after brief flight the hat settled upon the sorcerer's wild-haired head. "Then I shan't put forth the effort. How fares the woods this morning?"

[location]

[tin_hearts]

Once upon a time, the Woodsman might have envied the pixie the innate fluidity of movement he seemed to possess (and flaunt without shame), but it had been a long time indeed since he last cared for such ugly emotions.

"She is slumbering, as ever. Silent and unstirring. You'd best take care not to wake her," he said with a well practiced ease. "Or I shall be ever cross with you."

[Location]

[smecker]

His tablet said Wyatt was here. Paul himself was ill at ease in the woods, not being a natury sort of guy, but with the city going fucking medieval he figured get with Cain, get a little sanity somewhere in the bullshit.

"Cain, you in here?" he calls as he walks, scowling and kicking at a leaf. "Don't make me get all Ranger Fucking Rick, I don't look good in those uniforms."

[Location]

[tin_hearts]

Unfortunately for Paul, once he finds Cain - or rather, the Woodsman finds him - there is not even the faintest glimmer of recollection in his eyes.

Perhaps even more alarmingly: his eyes are dulled from sheer lack of emotion, and his skin is glaringly red for a lack of caution in the weather of late. He seems - and is - completely unaware.

"Who goes there? Speak."

[Location]

[smecker]

....and of course, the problem with Paul's plan was that Wyatt was temporarily a part of the fucking medieval bullshit. He stopped walking, taking in Wyatt's appearance.

He knew the glitches by now, after this long in the city he sure as fuck knew them. He knew it wasn't going to be permanent, he knew it wasn't anything personal.

There's still an automatic and instinctive sort of revulsion at looking into the eyes of someone you know, someone you know well, and seeing absolutely nothing looking back at you.

Paul stands stock still on the forest trail for a few moments.

"Sorry. Wrong fucking number. Go about your.... your foresty business."

[Location]

[tin_hearts]

Skin stretching taut from the cold, the Woodsman looked the stranger over and gave a slight frown. A stranger though he was, he seemed more than that if only from what was clear to see in his eyes. There lay confusion in their depths, confusion and something else that made the Woodsman's jaw clench. Could it be disappointment?

He tilted his head, stepping closer yet. "Beg pardon, sir... I meant no offense. Are you looking for someone?"