Mechanical Willows (Open RP)

[Eliza]

How is it that things can go from good to bad so quickly, and yet they never can go back? What happens when you hear one side of the story, never hear the other, and are faced with ever conflicting information? Innovations and marvels and care tear apart clans, yet bind mountains at the same time.

For some the choice is so easy, and then for others, the teeter on the edge, bound by relationships, friends, family, honour, fear… Often the things overlap, melding into one reason, fear being the strongest of them all. Some dare to live life between the lines, others skirt the truth and hide from reality, lest they be frowned upon, and others still, have choices made for them.

In the end, it comes down to a house divided, brothers apposing each other, husbands and wives torn apart, and both sides too stubborn to accept the other.

How will it end?


~~~

Early morning sunlight flittered through the window to shine on her face, stirring her from her slumber. She stretched and yawned as she peered out into the outside world, her eyes still hazy from sleep, and heavy with tiredness. It seemed sleep didn’t come easily, as of late, and it was fitful, the weight of the doubts she had crushing her, and making her mind race day in and day out.

Her dreams had been particularly troubling the previous night, and she pondered them as she rose and walked nearer to the window, allowing the sun to warm her bare skin, where goosebumps had risen, despite the warmth of the day. What was she to do? She had prayed to the gods for answers, and peace, but had received no reply, no sign, and so her doubts grew, not that the gods where there, but that they listened to them just because of how ‘pure’ they were, answering more readily to those of the oldest bloodlines. It was confusing, to say the least. She looked out to see the sun peeking up over the horizon, lighting the trees and grasses with dancing flames of red, orange, and pink. Looking around closer, she could see others milling about in their homes, just shadows, due to the distance, but she could make them out. Looking down, she spotted a few others, some on horses, some carrying water, others off to tend to things… She envied them, their ability to come and go as they pleased, unbound by honour or obligation… Now wasn’t a good time to worry about it, though, so she pulled on a smile and dressed for a day of riding.

She needed to work on her archery skills, and today looked would be a great day. No wind, not too cool, or hot, it was beautiful. It was easier to think when she was alone, as well, so she only needed to keep up her appearance around her family, and anyone else she saw before she ventured into the quiet calm of the deeper forest. Her family was a slightly sour subject with her, her younger brother always wanting to please their parents, their parents not understanding that Uuni was confused and flustered, because she couldn’t them. Still, she kept up a brave front for them, just as she would do the moment she ventured from her room.

[Shuboni]

"Wake up, you lazy bum!" Hugh woke up groggily to a shout and tapping on the window of his room. He covered his eyes and groaned before slowly, carefully sitting up and on the edge of his bed. What day was it? Some day in the middle of the week. He stretched before looking down at his clothing.

"I seem to have fallen asleep in my uniform again..." Hugh stated to nobody in particular. He stood and looked out the window to see who it was that had woken him up. It was a customer, actually. A rather angry looking one, carrying one of his pneumatic ziplines. The zipline looked in rather bad shape. That made Hugh groan again, his ears dropping slightly. Those ziplines could take quite a bit of abuse, he knew first hand what they could go through. That meant that this particular customer had either done something really dangerous or this zipline wasn't built properly.

After fixing the zipline, explaining to the customer that it wasn't designed to take modifications well and that this was bound to happen unless used only for the purposes it was designed for, and finishing his morning rituals, Hugh decided that today was going to be a day that he visited one of the other cities he liked so much. There was a city he particularly liked visiting just through the woods. The closest city to the border of the Wood Elve's country and the Steam Elve's country.

Hugh strapped on his zipline, walked to the edge of the forest, and started zipping through the trees to get there, keen on getting in trouble.

[Eliza]

She wasn't certain how she made it out of the house without once bumping into her family, but she wasn't questioning it, either, just settling on the assumption that they were all off busy somewhere. The morning was fresh and crisp, a cool dampness hanging in the air from the early morning dew. It brought a smile to her face as she lead her horse from the stable, built at the base of the tree her family resided in, quiver and bow strung over her shoulder. Only a few spoke to her, a quick "good morning" before they were on their way, otherwise leaving her in peace as she made it away from the more inhabited area before mounting her horse.

Now that she was out, she was uncertain about her choice of location to practice, and feeling slightly rebellious. A devilish little smile made it onto her lips as she decided where she would go. The area on the other side of the town closest to the Steam Elves territory. She had yet to cross the border, but she had thought about it. Her parents were the only reason she stayed, for fear of the shame they would suffer should she be seen. A soft sigh left her as she slowly lost herself in thought, only guiding her horse when she must.