What Lurks Beneath [Dante & Rainore] - Timeless2024-03-29T14:40:20Zhttp://timeless.ning.com/forum/topics/what-lurks-beneath-dante-rainore?commentId=5164310%3AComment%3A97958&xg_source=activity&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhat Lurks Beneath
w/ Rainore…tag:timeless.ning.com,2023-08-23:5164310:Comment:1038332023-08-23T05:17:49.587ZDante Tristan Waylandhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/DanteTristanWayland
<center><div style="border: 5px solid #fff; width: 700px; height: 900px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #000, #000, #333, #303e59);"><div style="line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase; margin-bottom: 50px;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/mkKHGvV.png" style="float: center; width: auto; border-bottom: 1px solid #FFF; margin-bottom: -70px;"></img> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/tfcrdoQ.png" style="float: center; width: auto; border-bottom: 1px solid #FFF; margin-bottom: -70px;"></img> <br></br><div style="font-size: 25px; letter-spacing: 1px; color: #fff; margin-top: 10px;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: #fff; margin-bottom: -35px;">w/ Rainore Riverscar…</div>
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<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/fc/bd/20/fcbd20b00e6f443e8e0df8c067b3a1a4.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #fff; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"></img> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/AuSQr9q.gif" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #fff; border-bottom: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"></img></div>
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<center><div style="border: 5px solid #fff; width: 700px; height: 900px; background: linear-gradient(to bottom, #000, #000, #333, #303e59);"><div style="line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase; margin-bottom: 50px;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/mkKHGvV.png" style="float: center; width: auto; border-bottom: 1px solid #FFF; margin-bottom: -70px;"/><img src="https://i.imgur.com/tfcrdoQ.png" style="float: center; width: auto; border-bottom: 1px solid #FFF; margin-bottom: -70px;"/><br/><div style="font-size: 25px; letter-spacing: 1px; color: #fff; margin-top: 10px;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: #fff; margin-bottom: -35px;">w/ Rainore Riverscar</div>
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<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/fc/bd/20/fcbd20b00e6f443e8e0df8c067b3a1a4.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #fff; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"/><img src="https://i.imgur.com/AuSQr9q.gif" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #fff; border-bottom: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"/><img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/5d/f9/6d/5df96daa582d75cbc147921434fb8a73.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #fff; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"/><br/>
<div style="font-family: times; font-size: 10px; color: #fff; letter-spacing: 4px;">• Dante looked up just in time to see the crushing blow that sent him into darkness.•</div>
<center><img src="https://i.imgur.com/OaI48ke.png" style="float: center; width: 550px;"/></center>
<div style="background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.5); width: 620px; height: auto; overflow: hidden;"><div style="width: 600px; height: 390px; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.5; overflow: auto; font-family: times; font-size: 16px; color: #fff; text-align: justify;">The pit in his stomach only grew as there was no immediate response when he called out her name. Everything was far too still as he continued forward. No birds singing to one another. No skittering animals in the brush. No wind through the tall trees. Silence. Nothing. Dante's hand gripped his sword tighter. <br/> <br/> "Rainore!!" An inhuman response then. One he knew could've come from her. He raced towards the sound and was met by the echoes of a scuffle as he cut through some more of the thicket which brought him to a small clearing. There he saw the siren. Unmoving and covered in mud on the ground. <br/>
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His eyes swept the open area and yet there was nothing he could see, but that didn't mean there was not something there. Gaze landing back to Rainore, he tried to make out if she was breathing, hoping to see her back rising and falling in rhythm, but he was too far to be sure.<br/>
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Bait. She was absolutely bait for him, but he couldn't exactly leave her there and he took his first booted step towards the trap. <br/>
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The unnatural silence was deafening. His footsteps being the only sound as he moved over the forest floor. That and his heartbeat thrumming in his head. Dante was close enough now to see Rainore, but his coat, which still draped over her, was far larger than her slight frame and he couldn't make out if she was even alive. With a final glance around him, he leaned down and turned her over carefully. His overcoat parted slightly between her breasts and he thankfully saw the steady breaths that lifted her chest. Sheathing his weapon, he lifted Rainore into his arms and braced himself. Whatever it was that was out there would most certainly be making its move now.<br/>
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A step. Then another. Rainore remained limp in his arms, but he adjusted her slightly so her damp hair fell away from her face and across her back. He could then see the claw marks that had torn through his coat and across her shoulder, breaking through her skin and reaching as far as her neck. Blood seeped from the wounds and trickled over his hand, further down his arm which braced her against him. Whatever it was that had attacked her was no small creature. A few inches higher and it would've ripped her throat to shreds. However, if he didn't see to the gashes, she would bleed out within minutes.<br/>
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A shadow suddenly passed just within the corner of his eye. Dante sidestepped as the thing that had been stalking them finally appeared. He didn't even have enough time to process exactly what it was he was facing as the monster lunged for him again. He had no choice but to drop Rainore far less gently than he would've liked before pulling his sword again. A screech came from the creature's mouth, its jaw seeming to disconnect at the motion to open at an impossible angle, vibrating through him and out into the clearing. <br/>
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Then it vanished. The eerie silence fell down like a heavy weight around him again. Dante whirled, but the thing was nowhere in sight. "Come on, you coward," he taunted with deadly softness between clenched teeth. "Come on!" The air shifted behind him and he swung, connecting with what he assumed was skin despite its hazy form. Somehow that strike seemed to make the creature appear more whole for a moment as black, thickened blood coated his blade. <br/>
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Another unholy cry reverberated around them as it charged. Dante was able to parry a blow, then another, but the sheer strength of the beast was more than he could withstand, the metal and his limbs shaking with the effort. He crashed to the ground heavily. His eyes shot across the glade to Rainore who remained still, blood now pooling around her. Dante looked up just in time to see the crushing blow that sent him into darkness. <br/>
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Fire brought him around again. No, smoke, he realized. Dante's head was ringing, but he lifted his heavy lids to indeed see flames dancing at a pit a few feet away. He noted other strong spices and herbs which seemed to be floating around him, a heavy weight pressing on his chest. Or so it felt like. Lifting his head seemed impossible as a grogginess settled. His mind couldn't focus, it swimming in a fuzziness. His fingers flexed in and out and as he lifted his wrists to inspect them, Dante realized he was shackled to a slab of onyx colored stone.<br/>
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He pulled again and again, but there was no give and his body was far too leaden to move. He knew it must've been the mix of herbs and magic being burned in the cave that purposefully kept him in this state. <em>Cave</em>.. they were in a cave. "Rain... Rainore..." His mouth was as dry as sand. His throat burned and ached and not just from the smoke. Gaze moving, Dante saw another figure laying on the opposite side of the fire, strapped on a twin onyx rock and shackled the same as he. "Rainore!" His eyes quickly moved to where he knew her wounds would be, but it was impossible to see clearly through the fire that blazed between them.</div>
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</center> What Lurks Beneath
The blood…tag:timeless.ning.com,2023-07-19:5164310:Comment:1035782023-07-19T10:05:26.095ZRainore Riverscar - Councilhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/RainoreRiverscar
<center><div style="border: 10px solid #FFFFFF; width: 700px; height: 800px; background: linear-gradient(to left, #444, #A2B8C8);"><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 10px; color: #000; font-family: times; font-size: 25px; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px; font-style: italic;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7d/a1/1d/7da11d484c5de5099f4a75261c4a79b8.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #000; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"></img> <img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/da/81/fdda8111536adb5362d60fc5873b9bae.gif" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #000; border-bottom: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"></img> <img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cf/9a/90/cf9a902231b65b2ed210b7b17f5a85b1.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #000; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"></img> <br></br>
<div style="font-family: times; font-size: 14px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 2px;">The blood she managed to draw from it was a black gunk, it…</div>
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<center><div style="border: 10px solid #FFFFFF; width: 700px; height: 800px; background: linear-gradient(to left, #444, #A2B8C8);"><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 10px; color: #000; font-family: times; font-size: 25px; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px; font-style: italic;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/7d/a1/1d/7da11d484c5de5099f4a75261c4a79b8.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #000; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"/><img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/da/81/fdda8111536adb5362d60fc5873b9bae.gif" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #000; border-bottom: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"/><img src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cf/9a/90/cf9a902231b65b2ed210b7b17f5a85b1.jpg" style="border-radius: 100%; border: 5px solid #000; border-top: none; box-sizing: border-box; float: center; height: 200px!important; margin: 0!important; object-fit: cover; width: 200px!important;"/><br/>
<div style="font-family: times; font-size: 14px; color: #000; letter-spacing: 2px;">The blood she managed to draw from it was a black gunk, it was thick and it smelt awful.</div>
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/B48Uuqg.png" style="float: center;"/><br/>
<div style="width: 620px; height: auto; overflow: hidden;"><div style="width: 600px; height: 350px; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.5; overflow: auto; font-family: times; font-size: 16px; color: #000; text-align: justify;"><div style="border-top: 2px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1); color: #000;"></div>
<br/> <a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/04/c8/b3/04c8b3711dfcd55867da78734ceb21cc.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/04/c8/b3/04c8b3711dfcd55867da78734ceb21cc.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a>Rain didn’t dare correct him, she didn’t dare tell him that she used her darkened sense of humour to make the best of the situation they found themselves in; when in a matter of fact, all she wanted to do was leave, and leave whatever lived here untouched, undisturbed - she quite liked the idea of having all her limbs intact, and her head secured to her neck. “You wear your heart on your sleeve, that could one day end up getting you killed” She responded with a shrug, and followed after him, her gaze watching the shadows with intent, absolutely certain that there were unseen eyes watching their every move. They moved in silence for a few prolonged minutes as Dante cut through the vegetation, creating a makeshift pave for them; the rustling they created echoed too loudly around them.<br/> <br/> She caught the few concerned glances he threw her way, and it took all her will to ensure that her own expression remained clear, unbothered and emotionless; bar a little smile here and there to allow him some comfort to know she wasn’t going to try and eat him at any chance she got. Rain stood with her hands on her hips, taking in the area which would be their home for the evening, it could be worse, could be better. “Yes Captain” Rain smirked and saluted him as she turned into her heels to enter the shadows which, whilst silent, it still felt like they sang an enticing song for her. The shadows felt like they were reaching out to her, encompassing her and wrapping around her, pulling her, beckoning her to go deeper into its belly. <br/> <br/> “Absolutely not” She hissed to the silent song of the island as it continued to entice her whilst she picked up a variety of different sized twigs and branches. The branches she snapped rang loudly in her ears, although the echo of it didn’t go far, as if the silence engulfed it, smothered it. “Dante, that isn’t funny.” Rainore muttered over her shoulder at the movements behind her, the insidious sounds rumbling around her but not insight. “Don’t make me sing you to sl—” Rainore hadn’t managed to complete her sentence as a mighty force pounced on her from behind; her face landing in a deep puddle of mud. <br/> <br/> Rain didn’t scream, she wasn’t the type; but she did put a valiant effort against the thing that was attempting to render her unconscious. Her fangs and talons extended from her as she swiped, clawed, and attempted to bite into the overpowering being. The blood she managed to draw from it was a black gunk, it was thick and it smelt awful. She growled loud as she heard her name being shouted, Dante was coming and hopefully he had heard her - but it was enough of a distraction that the creature above her took it to its advantage and succeeded in rendering her unconscious with one powerful swipe of its claws.</div>
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</center> What Lurks Beneath
w/ Rainore…tag:timeless.ning.com,2023-04-13:5164310:Comment:1027602023-04-13T15:32:56.560ZDante Tristan Waylandhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/DanteTristanWayland
<center><div style="border: 5px double #000; width: 700px; height: 800px; background-color: #fff;"><div style="background: #FFF; line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase;"><div style="font-size: 25px; letter-spacing: 1px; color: #000; margin-top: 10px;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: #111; margin-bottom: 10px;">w/ Rainore Riverscar…</div>
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<img src="https://pa1.narvii.com/6689/bddcc9ff2b98a90bb8d428719030e4a6d58f2e61_hq.gif" style="width: 575px; height: 290px; border: 1px solid #000; float: center;"></img> <br></br>
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<center><div style="border: 5px double #000; width: 700px; height: 800px; background-color: #fff;"><div style="background: #FFF; line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase;"><div style="font-size: 25px; letter-spacing: 1px; color: #000; margin-top: 10px;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: #111; margin-bottom: 10px;">w/ Rainore Riverscar</div>
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<img src="https://pa1.narvii.com/6689/bddcc9ff2b98a90bb8d428719030e4a6d58f2e61_hq.gif" style="width: 575px; height: 290px; border: 1px solid #000; float: center;"/><br/>
<div style="font-family: times; font-size: 12px; color: #555; letter-spacing: 4px;">• <em>His gut was telling him that only danger could be further in if they continued</em> •</div>
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<br/> Dante's jaw clenched at her ultimatum. It was true, being alone and stuck on some deserted island did not sound like the ideal. Still, he was not going to just let what happened to his men be in vain or downplay the horrors of it either. The image of the young and terrified boy being cornered by the ghostly creature flashed over his vision. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword tighter as he hacked away at the branches which made up the path he aimed to take. The giant leaves fell easily from the swings of the weapon, though with his anger currently, he doubted anything would likely survive the end of the blade. <br/> <br/> <span>"You seem to be enjoying yourself," he said through his chopping motions, moving into the cooler parts of the island now as the tree cover above them provided some ample and much needed shade. "You'll have to forgive me if I don't seem as eager as you are about being here currently or watching other innocents die at the hands of monsters." He stopped for a moment to look at her and catch a breath before continuing further. </span><br/> <br/> <a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/2c6f3a3afa0281f40cd2d4cea90443a3/42e809b7918bf6ea-03/s540x810/fbb9fe1cfaa873d50c1e395dc52fe53eda099f88.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/2c6f3a3afa0281f40cd2d4cea90443a3/42e809b7918bf6ea-03/s540x810/fbb9fe1cfaa873d50c1e395dc52fe53eda099f88.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-left"/></a>Once through the thickness of the outer treeline, Dante sheathed his sword and looked around. The trees only continued onward and there was no immediate sign of any life. Not only human, but animal as well. It was eerily quiet and void of anything beyond the vegetation itself. He let out a conflicted breath through his nose. Nothing about this sat well in him. His gut was telling him that only danger could be further in if they continued, but nothing of value was there on that sand. If they were to find some way out of here or answers as to what was going on, the two would have to press on. His hand wrapped around the makeshift sack he'd made before giving a cautionary glance to Rainoire and moving on.<br/> <br/> He decided to stop at a grouping of trees that would suffice for their needs and knelt down to start unpacking what he could salvage. Glancing around the space for a few moments as the eerie feeling still writhed in his gut, he looked up to his new companion wearily. "Think you can find some wood we can use for a fire while I get the rest set up?" Dante quickly interjected before she turned to do so. "Just... be careful. Don't go too far where I can't hear you." He knew she must've felt it too. Every moment of being here only heightened his unease.<br/> <br/> He turned back to the sack and decided to focus on the task at hand then because that he could control at least. He cut the sail into a large piece and tied the ends to the trees with rope to give them a makeshift roof, using much of the rest of it to form a hanging cot for each of them as well as a smaller bag to keep the little food remaining and themselves off the ground. Just as the cursed man started tying some of the rope to the ends of the bedding, his boot landed on something which made a crunching sound.<br/> <br/> Dante lowered himself and brushed away the dirt and grass to see the object more clearly. He blew across it in one final effort and held it closer for inspection. A foreboding chill washed over him as he stood then. His boot began to brush away at the ground in the surrounding area and more of the familiar pieces of varying sizes started to turn up with his disturbance. Bones. And not of any animal. And not from one person. More like a dozen at least.<br/> <br/> His eyes lifted then to the wood where all still remained silent. "Rainoire?" There was no response and he was only met with more quiet. "Rainoire?!" Dante reached for his sword and moved away from the camp, his heartbeat quickening against his chest as each second he was met with more silence. "Rainoire!!"</div>
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</center> It wasn’t difficult to miss t…tag:timeless.ning.com,2023-02-23:5164310:Comment:1017472023-02-23T17:07:42.232ZRainore Riverscar - Councilhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/RainoreRiverscar
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It wasn’t difficult to miss the stiffness in his muscles at the mention of Cornwall; she had always been good at reading people and it was clear that he had uncomfortable, even unhappy memories of that particular area of England. Which wasn’t at all hard to imagine, at times, the land could be cruel and unforgiving, and just because she came from a comfortable household, did not mean they didn’t suffer hardships. Despite wanting to press him further by what he…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It wasn’t difficult to miss the stiffness in his muscles at the mention of Cornwall; she had always been good at reading people and it was clear that he had uncomfortable, even unhappy memories of that particular area of England. Which wasn’t at all hard to imagine, at times, the land could be cruel and unforgiving, and just because she came from a comfortable household, did not mean they didn’t suffer hardships. Despite wanting to press him further by what he meant by he knows it well, she presumed it was best not to ask just yet and that it likely resulted in a heartbreak of one way or another. “It’s a beautiful area of the country, I just can’t return yet” For her family and friends believed her to be dead; perhaps she would wait a century before returning. Besides, she was now a completely different person to who they believed, Talise Rosewell was no longer. And so, even if she did return, they would not recognise her and would likely try many torture methods to expel the demon that now resided within. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would suppose so, yes.” Rainore responded and watched him begin to collect items from the wreckage. “My family were also quite happy to have me go along with him, for good fortune to be bestowed upon the town or whatever their excuse was” She couldn’t blame them, not really; if any of them had said no, it was their lives on stake as well as the lives of those in Polperro. “He treated me and my family well, and being a sixteen year old girl, that was all I could have asked. Even though I was extremely pissed and argumentative to my parents behind doors.” She smiled and laughed at the fond memory, a small glimpse at the innocent girl behind the tough exterior she had perfected since her death and rebirth. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainore chuckled and shook her head, reaching down to grab an apple which he had put to the side. “We can eat normal human food, but it’s not substantial. It does the job but after a little while, we get weak and even more cranky” She examined the apple before taking a bite; the crunch sounding appetising. “It’s not as enjoyable, however. Lacks a certain flavour” She grinned before she glanced out at the sea graveyard. The dismembered bodies bobbing along; she was one of pride but she couldn’t help but consider just how long they’d be on the island. Thus, taking a ghost like Siren’s sloppy seconds wasn’t a bad idea. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She coughed slightly and caught his disapproving and almost disgusted expression; it felt as if he could read her mind. “Look. Don’t get all on your high<a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/7a46c62cfa8651b0bb76b273c0b54647/2442da2cccec992d-cd/s250x400/baa46883ce2eba9176fcce627ee2490054153418.gifv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/7a46c62cfa8651b0bb76b273c0b54647/2442da2cccec992d-cd/s250x400/baa46883ce2eba9176fcce627ee2490054153418.gifv?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a> horse with me, Dante. I didn’t do” She indicated with her hands. “</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">That</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">” Rain hissed. “I just wanted one man, and one man only… But I didn’t get him. Those creatures would have probably got to your men regardless of my being there” She spoke matter of factly and placed her hands on her hips as she watched him walk away inland. Rain glanced back at the deceased bodies, conflicted but soon groaned as she turned on her heels to follow him. “Either you put your opinions and thoughts about my kind to the side or you’ll have to try and escape this land by yourself.” Rain gave him his options with a shrug; both of them knowing she had a better chance than him escaping with the water possibly being on her side. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His expression said it all. “Yeah, I didn’t think so.” Rain almost sounded smug. “Lets go set up camp. We probably need the rest before facing tomorrow… If we survive the night that is.” A devious smile found her lips, she was sure they’d both seen far worse on civilised islands so a deserted one would be a piece of cake. </span></p>
<p></p> What Lurks Beneath
"Cornwall…tag:timeless.ning.com,2022-08-18:5164310:Comment:994382022-08-18T05:26:46.545ZDante Tristan Waylandhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/DanteTristanWayland
<center><div style="border: 5px double #000; width: 700px; background-color: #fff;"><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-top: 10px; color: #000; font-family: times; font-size: 25px; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px; font-style: italic;">What Lurks Beneath</div>
<img src="https://pa1.narvii.com/6689/bddcc9ff2b98a90bb8d428719030e4a6d58f2e61_hq.gif" style="width: 500px; height: 200px; border: 1px solid #000; float: center;"></img> <br></br>
<div style="font-family: times; font-size: 12px; color: #555; letter-spacing: 2px;">"Cornwall. I know it well."…</div>
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<div style="font-family: times; font-size: 12px; color: #555; letter-spacing: 2px;">"Cornwall. I know it well."</div>
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His dark eyes moved over the beach. Many of the ship's remnants were starting to find their way along the shoreline and he hoped there was enough salvageable items they could use in their predicament. It was the mission he put in front of him for now. Then, wondering if he would actually ever step foot on inhabited land again could be the next obstacle to overcome. One life altering disaster at a time.<br/>
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A large portion of one of the masts was the most noticeable of all things. The light colored fabric billowed up and down with the waves as its ropes and splintered wood entangled upon itself. He took hold of the debris and pulled it ashore, reaching for the dagger in his boot, and cutting the first bit of rope to release some of the material. As he went to the other side of the pole and cut the sail, he immediately paused at hearing the word Cornwall from Rainore's lips. He looked to her for a brief moment before quickly turning away and going back to slicing the fabric again. "Cornwall. I know it well," was all he said as he finished tearing the rest through. "I wasn't with him then." And for good reason. Dante couldn't step foot there. The memories of a lifetime long ago haunted him still, even though he once called the place his home, when his name had been Tristan.<br/>
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"I'm guessing he took one look at you and you became the prize to win. Or steal," he said, with a shake of his head as he tied the sail into a large sack he could drag across the sand with anything he found useful. Dante moved back over into the water, wiping his forehead with the back of his tattered sleeve as the sweat began to bead along his skin from his efforts. "The man has little honor and the need to have anything he wants at whatever cost with no thought to those who are hurt along the way." After collecting a variety of things, his gaze landed on a few crates that he knew carried some foods or at least did before the sinking. "What exactly does a siren eat besides sailors?"<br/>
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<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10777078269?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10777078269?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-left"/></a>His hand reached into the broken wood and pulled out a few of the fruit that remained until moving to the next one which he hoped had the salted meats. Lifting a crate off of another, a dismembered sailor's remains were stuck to the planks of the box below. It was apparent he had been made into a partial meal. Dante looked away from the sight and off into the ocean where more of the bodies appeared to be floating ashore. He tossed the crate aside and looked to Rainore for a brief moment with slight anger, given she was kin to the creatures that had a hand in the destruction of his ship and crew. Clenching his jaw with a turn of his back, he grabbed the ends of the sail in one hand with his sword in the other and began dragging it into the tree line, wanting to get as far as possible from the wreckage and the remains of his crew.<br/>
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</center> Rainore narrowed her eyes at…tag:timeless.ning.com,2022-07-23:5164310:Comment:990742022-07-23T16:11:53.857ZRainore Riverscar - Councilhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/RainoreRiverscar
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainore narrowed her eyes at the sea before them and how settled it was now; as if whatever they had experienced had never happened. Although excited and pumped with adrenaline, she knew she could make her way back home - at least, she thought so. Rain wasn’t a siren from birth, and so she had a lot of history and folklore to catch up on, but from what she had heard over the last few years was that once in this area of sea, there was no return; however, she…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainore narrowed her eyes at the sea before them and how settled it was now; as if whatever they had experienced had never happened. Although excited and pumped with adrenaline, she knew she could make her way back home - at least, she thought so. Rain wasn’t a siren from birth, and so she had a lot of history and folklore to catch up on, but from what she had heard over the last few years was that once in this area of sea, there was no return; however, she simply assumed that was for mortals, and that it didn’t concern her. Yet, this world had surprised so much that it wouldn’t surprise her if she swam up to the sea boundary line and was not able to cross into the neighbouring ocean. She noted his reluctance to tell her the tales, despite once being Human before, she was ready to hear stories she hadn’t heard<a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/5936cb74d1233f0b07e30050f8600cef/4b2d642f38f7bbea-e5/s400x600/04ba6cf1bc1c6e834de5f7705d0876fefa483b4d.gifv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/5936cb74d1233f0b07e30050f8600cef/4b2d642f38f7bbea-e5/s400x600/04ba6cf1bc1c6e834de5f7705d0876fefa483b4d.gifv?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a> before. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She snorted at his statement. “I didn’t want to know him” Rain sneered in response, it was her Father, her Village which pushed her to get to know him; like any of them had any choice in the matter. King Henry wouldn’t have taken no for an answer from anyone to get a chance to get to know Talise Rosewell. “It doesn’t sound like he has changed in the last few years. Shocker” She tutted under her breath as Dante shared the reason why they were sailing this way. “If only he was on that stupid ship too” Rainore kicked the sand and growled with clenched teeth; she’d now have to figure out, not just how to get home but another way to his Majesty away from his guards to rip his throat out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The very thought of having to go further inland made Rainore shudder as she glanced behind her and at the shadows which were created by the canopy of trees. “Looks inviting. So very inviting” She responded without realising that Dante had already made the first few strides to do the very thing which her gut was telling her not to. Rain balanced out her options, to leave the Sailor alone to battle out survival on this island or join him and find an escape route together; and for some strange reason, the universe was pushing her to join him. Rainore rolled her eyes and soon followed after him. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And tell you all my secrets on the very first night? Dante, Please.” She hummed with a sly grin upon her lips which were still somewhat stained with blood of his crew mates. She was so glad she ate before being washed up. “He was on tour and he came to visit my small fisherman village in Cornwall” Rain began the story, but hell she wasn’t going to tell him all at once, she had to keep him guessing; it was simply the flirt in her. </span></p> Dante's head swiveled slightl…tag:timeless.ning.com,2022-07-04:5164310:Comment:989302022-07-04T15:58:54.982ZDante Tristan Waylandhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/DanteTristanWayland
<p>Dante's head swiveled slightly in her direction. The siren seemed awfully excited and interested in meeting those of her kind that helped to obliterate his people and ship. In fact, Rainore didn't seem very concerned at all for their current predicament. Perhaps it was because she could find her way back to the world by just entering the water. Or maybe it was she couldn't do so and that's the reason she was still here now. From what he understood of sirens, they weren't particularly partial…</p>
<p>Dante's head swiveled slightly in her direction. The siren seemed awfully excited and interested in meeting those of her kind that helped to obliterate his people and ship. In fact, Rainore didn't seem very concerned at all for their current predicament. Perhaps it was because she could find her way back to the world by just entering the water. Or maybe it was she couldn't do so and that's the reason she was still here now. From what he understood of sirens, they weren't particularly partial to sailors unless it was in line with having a meal. Maybe she was stuck here just like him and the stories told by her kind were indeed true. From what he had witnessed, Dante would wholeheartedly agree.</p>
<p>"Yes, we have our tales," he replied, his eyes moving out over the ocean which seemed so normal. The waves softly crashed against his worn boots in contrast to her bare feet. Nothing in the distance would give away the cursed waters they had just been in not long ago where it had been complete and eerie darkness. Now the sun beamed brightly as if it had all been some nightmare. He might've believed it was if not for the wreckage strewn all over the beach. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10620278695?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10620278695?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="300" class="align-left"/></a>Dante eyed the brunette when she spoke of Henry. "You know him," he replied, not as a question, but a statement full of curiosity. The tone in her voice was clear disdain and he zeroed in on that, disregarding her questions at first. "When the king says sail, you go." His jaw clenched in anger as he thought on how he'd advised Henry that the sailing would be dangerous and they weren't prepared. "He wanted to find treasure in the New World as the rest of the world does. Sailing uncharted waters meant finding places which hadn't been touched by others yet. Getting him his riches. He doesn't much care for how it's done, only that it gets done as quickly as possible." Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity for him to disappear. It was something he had to do throughout the years as an immortal. You couldn't stay in one place very long when those around you were aging and you were not. As far as he was concerned right now given his anger with the king, every single crew member died on the Mary.</p>
<p>"I'm going to see if there are any supplies we can use. We'll need some form of shelter and then water. Food. None of that is going to be provided here on the beach. We'll have to go further in the island." He fully faced Rainore for a pointed moment before walking along the shoreline and calling over his shoulder. "You'll have to indulge me on how you know the <em>great </em>king Henry." If Dante had to guess, she was another of his unknown mistresses. Kept in the dark. Never for the world to see. She was certainly beautiful enough to be. He had probably promised Rainore the world and all the oceans in it before discarding her like he did most of the women in his life. Right then, he only wished she'd made a meal of of the king afterwards.</p> Rainore watched him curiously…tag:timeless.ning.com,2022-01-23:5164310:Comment:980602022-01-23T14:31:58.702ZRainore Riverscar - Councilhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/RainoreRiverscar
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainore watched him curiously as he glanced out to sea to where his men met their fatal end, to where his ship had sunk; she could only imagine that as a Captain, there was a level of guilt enshrouded him. A Captain always went down with his ship, but not this one. A brow pushed upward, she supposed it was the least that he could do considering she saved his life, with the sun now beaming down on them, the coat would soon dry. However, in this heat, Rain…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainore watched him curiously as he glanced out to sea to where his men met their fatal end, to where his ship had sunk; she could only imagine that as a Captain, there was a level of guilt enshrouded him. A Captain always went down with his ship, but not this one. A brow pushed upward, she supposed it was the least that he could do considering she saved his life, with the sun now beaming down on them, the coat would soon dry. However, in this heat, Rain needed the sea close and what could be closer than a damp coat. “Wonderful” She grinned, and waited for him to turn his back before ripping the leaf from her and slipping into the coat. “I saw it, heard it, felt it.” She shuddered, although she couldn’t be judgemental to her distant relatives - after all, they lived similar lives, required the same diet; they simply looked different, that was all. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have no idea.” Rainore responded honestly and joined him at the shoreline, the waves just brushing up against her bare toes. “I had been told that this particular area<a href="https://c.tenor.com/Xuvs9PNN-80AAAAd/phoebe-tonkin.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://c.tenor.com/Xuvs9PNN-80AAAAd/phoebe-tonkin.gif?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="195" height="243"/></a> of sea was off limits to my closer relatives' She exhaled and stuffed her hands in the pockets the jacket provided. “It was all rumours, old wives tales to scare us. It was just an area of sea which was off limits if we wanted to live. We were told of horrible monsters and those who enter it’s waters… Sirens, Humans the like, there was no chance of return.” Rain glanced at him through the corner of her eyes. “I guess I now know why my colony have warned me of such a place, although, it’s in my kind’s nature to never kill a fellow siren” She shrugged her shoulders, but she supposed if her colony knew the monsters in the water were old, ancient siren’s then perhaps the stories would be different. “But for the other creatures which got on board your ship. I don’t know.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We just look different, they have the same diet.” Rainore laughed. “They could be cursed, banished from normal colony civilisation or they had simply upset the Gods yet again. I’d</span> <i><span style="font-weight: 400;">love</span></i> <span style="font-weight: 400;">to get to know one of them, and ask them questions” It was true, did others know of this other branch of Siren? If so, what happened and why did these look malnourished and corpse-like? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The images of the cursed creatures flashed in her mind and she was thankful those particular things did not see her. “Don’t you humans have rumours, or myths about this part of the ocean? If so, why the fuck did you guys sail this way?” She persisted, until she realised the true reason why she was in this predicament in the first place. “The King probably just wanted you all dead, it’s clearly a trait he hasn’t shaken off” Rain rolled her eyes and turned her back to the sea to face the island they had found themselves on. “What was so important on this side of the ocean?” </span></p> Sleep. He just wanted to slee…tag:timeless.ning.com,2022-01-22:5164310:Comment:978782022-01-22T18:14:56.636ZDante Tristan Waylandhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/DanteTristanWayland
<p>Sleep. He just wanted to sleep, but something was egging him back to the waking world. Dante groaned shortly which caused an extreme discomfort in his chest that in turn made him cough. That also hurt. It burned his lungs as he finally was forced to focus on just trying to gain control of his breaths. The sand that came flying towards his face made him flinch, until he recognized the dark haired woman who had been with him before passing out. He fumbled backwards for a moment and pulled his…</p>
<p>Sleep. He just wanted to sleep, but something was egging him back to the waking world. Dante groaned shortly which caused an extreme discomfort in his chest that in turn made him cough. That also hurt. It burned his lungs as he finally was forced to focus on just trying to gain control of his breaths. The sand that came flying towards his face made him flinch, until he recognized the dark haired woman who had been with him before passing out. He fumbled backwards for a moment and pulled his sword, stumbling to his feet which was another agonizing task. His legs felt like iron and wobbled from the effort of just standing firm in order to face her. Once he'd finally gathered himself a bit, he tried to process her words.</p>
<p>"What?" His gaze moved over her covered body that was wrapped in the leaf and then to look at their surroundings. They were on a stretch of beach that was deserted. The sun had risen and beamed harshly over them, making him squint his dry and irritated eyes. The sword he held was suddenly becoming rather heavy then as pieces of the wreckage became recognizable along the shoreline. Wooden planks, cargo, mast lines, and sails were torn and destroyed, bobbing in the waves as the ocean pushed them ashore. </p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10033918876?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10033918876?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250" class="align-left"/></a>Dante took a deep breath before turning back to the woman who he had to presume brought him here. Despite what he knew she was, he had to assume she was telling the truth. There was no reason for her to not kill him in the ocean when given the chance, only to bring him here on the beach. She didn't appear like the others he'd seen devouring his crew in the darkened and haunted depths, but that didn't mean he was trusting of her just yet. Those sirens looked like they were decaying and much like the creatures he'd seen boarding the ship as she went down. This one was as beautiful as her kind always seemed to be. "Dante. My name is Dante," he replied, his throat scratchy and dry. He turned back towards the ocean and wished drinking from it would help, but instead he knelt and cupped some of the cool water in his hands to splash it over his face in some attempt to find clarity as well as wash away the sand that had stuck to his skin.</p>
<p>Looking towards the debris across the shore, he couldn't help but hear the screams of the sailors. The frightened look of the boy as that monster came for him. Dante shut his eyes tightly for a moment before standing again and facing the woman. He sheathed the sword and walked back, eyeing her again. "Thank you, Rainore." It was an odd thing to say seeing as he'd heard and seen what sirens were capable of in his extended life before what had transpired the previous night. He shrugged his still damp long coat off and offered it to her, seeing as that leaf which was barely covering her was probably not going to do her any favors as a permanent garment in their current predicament. It was a small gesture he could give in some repayment at least, though it was just in his nature to do so anyway. </p>
<p>He reached out for a handful of the berries and turned his back to offer privacy. She was right. They tasted awful, but Dante was glad of the juice they provided to at least give some relief to the burning in his throat. "You saw what happened, I presume." He turned his head slightly over his shoulder as he spoke. "Do you know what that was? That ship? Those.. things.. You are not like your sisters it seems either."</p> The chaotic air had suddenly…tag:timeless.ning.com,2022-01-16:5164310:Comment:979582022-01-16T15:13:48.389ZRainore Riverscar - Councilhttp://timeless.ning.com/profile/RainoreRiverscar
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The chaotic air had suddenly taken a turn into something far more haunting and dreadful than that of the screams and cries of men; all of which were saying their prayers or simply crying out for their Mothers. Rainore had heard those utterances too many times since transitioning into a Siren and they no longer phased her like they once did; but the deafening silence which was looming over and through the fog gave her goosebumps. She watched silently as her…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The chaotic air had suddenly taken a turn into something far more haunting and dreadful than that of the screams and cries of men; all of which were saying their prayers or simply crying out for their Mothers. Rainore had heard those utterances too many times since transitioning into a Siren and they no longer phased her like they once did; but the deafening silence which was looming over and through the fog gave her goosebumps. She watched silently as her distant, very distant family members devoured the sailors; her eyes couldn’t drag themselves away from the decaying Siren’s; they were both fascinating and frightful. Rainore felt the chilling gaze of one of the sirens, and for a moment feared for her life but once upon a time, she was informed that it was an unwritten rule to not attack or kill a fellow Siren no matter their colony. So when that particular siren swam away, she gained an unnerving sense of confidence in the dark sea. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet the waves began to calm, and both ships were no longer in sight, she was lucky to have found one survivor of the battle; it had amazed her that such a thing could happen in a situation like that. Whatever that situation was. Although hungry, she didn’t like food that would simply give itself up to her - she liked the play, the hunt and the fear in her prey’s eyes; so feeding off the human was not even a consideration. Therefore, it felt only right to bring him to the nearest shore. When he reached for his sword, she knew it would be of no use; he wasn’t even able to keep his head up, let alone such a marvelous weapon. Rain grabbed a hold of the board he had managed to pull himself on, and began to swim; for how long, she had no idea. There was a part of her that wished to return to safer waters, but that would take days, weeks… Months even; she likely had more chance of land in the direction they were heading. <a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/c0551dc2acce2940228f840c29ea916b/62eadf83d65ee91e-c1/s540x810/cc166ea5ff79ae88d2d93a94adcda2f98fef5c56.gifv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/c0551dc2acce2940228f840c29ea916b/62eadf83d65ee91e-c1/s540x810/cc166ea5ff79ae88d2d93a94adcda2f98fef5c56.gifv?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="385" height="214"/></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After what felt like a lifetime, Rainore couldn’t have been happier to find land and feel the sand brush up against her stomach as she pushed the human to shore. The land itself was just as barren as the sea and her senses were telling her that it was just as unsafe but both of them needed food or some form of substance. And for Rainore, he was her substance should they want to get back quickly. With a painful transformation, Rain stood wobbling on two legs for a moment and whilst the man was still unconscious; she wrapped herself in a rather big leaf - although she was never body shy if it came to it, not these days anyway. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainore hummed to herself before she began pestering the sailor by poking him, nudging him and flicking sand over his face. “Wakey Wakey Sunshine, sleep is clearly for the weak” Although her own body was crying out for some rest. When the man arose and once again reached for his sword, Rain rose her hands up defensively. “Woah, I’m not going to kill you and if I were, I would’ve done it back in the water” Although it possibly wasn’t the best response to give, she hoped it would reassure him. “Names Rainore, and you’re welcome” She smiled sarcastically. “I found some berries whilst you were out cold, they taste awful and before you ask, yes, you are the only survivor from what I can tell”</span></p>