These Work Conditions! [Serenity]

[Deleted]

Aria crept Oohhh did she creep like the little creeper she was born to be. She tip toed to Serenity’s first district home. Aria had just popped back over from her palace; she had fully showered and cleaned up after the day’s festivities. However her day was not over jusssttt yet. She stopped underneath Serenity’s window taking out the special flute her love had given her for her birthday. At this she began to play; Serenity from her place in the house would hear an angelic melody. The soft notes rose and fell like a tide against the sand; slowly lulling the listener to sleep. Aria would play like this for about ten minutes, before she was sure that her song had likely lulled the woman into a deep sleep. She then proceeded to pull her lock picks from her bra of holding and picked the lock to the front door. While she could probably unlock it by magic, she didn’t like to become rusty on a valuable skill. In mere moments Aria was in; years hanging out with Core and being a part of the thieves certainly showing. She searched the house before finding the sleeping woman…and since she was asleep and couldn’t object…..Aria pointed at Serenity's sleeping form; having her gently float up and over to Aria. Aria then proceeded to guide the floating Serenity out the door…once she made sure everything was clear after all.



She was sure to lock the door behind her; before making her way down to the gazebo that was tucked away on the Royal beach. During the trip Serenity would dream; Aria having weaved the pattern of the dream as she had played. In the dream Serenity would be whisked away to another world, much in a manner she had already experienced, where or what happened would be left up to the girl’s own subconscious. Aria reached the gazebo and whispered the words ‘Rak’teska’ and suddenly they were whisked away to the sister gazebo on The Lost Isle. This is where Aria gently lay Serenity, on the tiles which had been warmed by the sun for the majority of the day. The sun had just begun to set painting the landscape in reds and oranges. Beautiful really. Aria admired the view for only a moment before tip toeing down the stairs and into the jungle out of view. She would move before the change in temperature of the air around Serenity would disturb her from her enchanted sleep.



When Serenity awoke she would be lying upon a majestic mosaic; the edges made with turquoise tile, and a large lotus in the middle made out of mother of pear. A large sapphire in its center. The rest of the large stone gazebo would be made of stone pillars holding up a roof. A stone waist height railing wrapped around the gazebo, opening up to a set of stairs that lead down to a dirt path. That could go either into the jungle, or down the steep mountain side to the ocean. From the gazebo one could survey the entire island; a castle way off on the other side of the island just barely visible. The ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see, on the east side of the island the waves were large and crashing against large stone cliffs; while the west had smooth white sandy beaches and calmer waters. A dock was visible just off of the mountain side path; however there were no ships in sight.

[Serenity Caine]

Seeing Black and Red words: 325. tag: N/A notes: N/A Serenity had been relaxing on her couch when the music started playing. She was drawing a new design for a dress, slowly falling asleep, her hand with the charcoal falling to her side while the sketchpad rested in her lap. Serenity was wearing a very simple ensemble, of a short sleeved white blouse with a red and black corset over top of it, a pleated black skirt falling to her ankles. As of now, her feet were bare and her hair tumbled down around her shoulders, resting at her ribs. The dress which she’d been sketching looked a lot like this.  While she slept she had the strangest dream. She opened her eyes and was in her own bed. As in…her original bed. Frantically she sat up, looking around the room. She rushed out of the room, running down the large spiral staircase without thinking twice, stopping in her tracks as she passed the parlour, the large ornate portrait of her mother staring down at her. She looked up, staring into her mothers eyes with wonder, her own eyes wide and starting to water from not blinking. M-Miss Caine, your 10 O’clock is here… A meek voice spoke up behind her. Faster than she could fully register, Serenity turned, facing the source of the voice. Tim! She gasped out, rushing forward to hug the older, scrawny man. This man had been her assistant and right hand man ever since her fathers passing. Thats not to say she treated him right, as could easily be seen in his reaction to her outburst. He trembled under her hug, stepping back as soon as she released him. M-Miss Caine! What has g-gotten into you this morning? The poor man muttered, his face pink and a bit fearful. When Serenity was in a good mood, it usually meant she wanted someone dead, and planned on it happening soon.  What-? Serenity stopped, looking around, her face falling. None of this could be real, could it? She walked to the large mirror in the hall and stared at her face, her brain recalling all her memories of Nova, her new home. None of this was real. She turned her head sadly to Tim, a tear falling down her face. Nothing my friend… send my 10 o’clock to the parlour… I’ll be waiting there. Serenity spoke slowly, controlling her voice. Tim nodded and left the hall, no doubt fetching said guest. Serenity moved away from the mirror, wiping the tear and sitting down on the lovely chair next to the fire place, glancing up at her mother once more. With a sigh, she turned back to the doorway, hearing the footsteps return.  M-Miss Caine, allow me to present your 10 o’clock. Tim bowed his head as another set of footsteps were heard coming closer. Serenity’s eyes widened as she registered the face in front of her. Slowly she stood up, tears springing forward as she took a tiny step towards him. Hello Ser… He said, that signature grin on his face. She brought a shaky hand up to her mouth, which had fallen open slightly. R- Serenity’s eyes sprung open. She sat up quickly, her head spinning from the speed. Where the hell was she? She looked around, never having been to this location before. She took a deep breath, bring her hands up to wipe the hair from her face, but instead finding her face was wet. She had been crying? The dream slowly came back to her, and she sat there for a few more minutes, trying to get past who she’d seen. The dream itself was startling, but that person showing up had assured her that returning to her home was never possible, not even in a dream. Serenity looked up the beautiful sky painted before her, whispering to herself. I hate that I miss you. She sighed, standing up and looking around to find which path she should take. After thinking for a moment, she decided to try and head to the castle in the distance. It was far, but it could be her best shot.

ⒶⓀⒾ

[Deleted]

Ahh her prey had awoken; her whiskers turned forward as she wiggled a bit. She did however catch the scent of tears; perhaps the dream took a wrong turn. Never the less her plan did not change. She waited for Serenity to sit up; from her spot she could see the girl look around her. Aria waited for a reaction that never came….she was hoping for a little more panic or confusion. Sadly it would seem Serenity just took it like a normal day. She watched as Serenity began to make her way to the jungle path. Walking from here would take her about an hour. She’d reach the castle sometime after night fall. But before that she would have a little fun with the girl.

The Beginning 

Serenity would walk along a dirt path; the dirt path being about two horses wide and plenty clear. Making the walk a pleasant one. The path was lined with thick vegetation; from the path Serenity would spy a variety of trees; from macadamia nut trees, rose apple trees, cocoa trees, some of the tree’s stretched far; with fat twisting trunks. Moss hung from branches along with plants such as the birds nest fern created mystical feeling. Pops of color coming from growing sky plants which were a bright green that faded into a yellow, to red, to a vibrant purple. Rich green plants such as elephant ear plants, Mylees flower; bax plants, ect. Further off the path and into the forest one could note that some tree’s seemed to be covered in Zeapon’s wrath. Closer to the path flowering bushes and plants such as beehive ginger, tropical canna lilys, ect could be seen and smelled.  

For the first fifteen minutes of the walk the jungle would become thick; the light from the setting sun still making its way through the canopy casing the path into twilight. Fire flies could be seen flitting bath and forth. The sound of a number of species of frogs beginning their songs for the evening. A tropical bird call breaking the rhythm every now and then. If she looked up she would see a colorful bird fly by every now and the; if she was lucky maybe even glimpse a bird of paradise. However as she walked she might get the annoying feeling she was being watched.  

[Serenity Caine]

It didn't take long for serenity to find the wide dirt path. By the time she reached it, the dream state her mind had been in was gone. Instead she was growing irritated and grouchy.  Why was she in the middle of nowhere!?! Forests were definitely not her strong suit. She had her skirts bunched up in her hand to keep the dirt from the hem as she marched forward, grumbling profanities to herself.

As the trees thickened and the light dimmed serenity began walking a bit slower, having this odd and tight feeling in her chest.  She glanced around as she walked, feeling like there was someone else out there with her. There must be an opening soon... there must be... she used the hopes of that as motivation to keep moving forward.  She was still trying to figure out how she'd gotten there, who'd brought her and, where the hell they went... Hopefully whatever was in that castle could answer even one of her questions.

[Deleted]

The Path

As Serenity walked the path would begin veering off to the left: slowly descending down hill.  The path began to transition from dirt to soft moss. Stone slabs embedded into the moss marked the path. The hills on either side becoming steeper. If Serenity looked over her left side she would see it drop only ten feet or so to a fast moving stream filled with crystal blue water. The stream moving fast enough to create small rapids which crashed over large smooth black rocks. As Serenity continued to move she would notice the path which had been gradually descending once again began to ascend. Ever now and then there would be another path that would dart off the side and go down the mountain slope, however the main path was still clear as it was wider and flatter then any of the side paths. 


As she continued on the tree line would become a bit more scarce; opening up to once again show views of the entire island. Serenity around this point would feel the feeling of being watched lax off a bit. Allowing her to enjoy the view a bit more. The air was still pleasantly warm, especially compared to the cold spring air that was present in Nova. From this vantage point Serenity would notice she made good ground; the gazebo from which she started out of could be noticed some distance away; still higher up on top of one of the mountain peaks. From this vantage point she could see the sheer steep cliffs that dropped down into a rough ocean below. Large waves crashed against the mountain side. The size of the waves giving one a healthy dose of respect for the power behind the large body of water. 


The Cave

As she continued on the path which was slowly becoming a gravel lain pathway, she would come to a wall; not a man made one but a natural cliff side covered in green moss. This cliff side would ascend rapidly into another mountain peak, much to steep to climb. However there was a large circular opening in the cliff edge, vines carefully pull aside to reveal its entrance.  The path would continue on through the cave entrance; leading down a man made stone staircase. Inside the walls opened up to reveal a huge cavern; the stairs staying against the wall as it spiraled down he large circular cavern. The cavern itself was a hundred and twenty yards wide in any direction; at least from the top where Serenity entered. It would only get larger as she traveled down the stair case. The stair case was wide enough that one could feel comfortable walking down it, even if there was no railing protecting one from a very far drop to the bottom of the cave which was over three hundred feet down. Just above her she would also notice a string of all flower potions hung up along the wall to provide ample lighting.

From any point of the stair case Serenity would notice a beautiful blue glow on the ceiling, like miniature stars twinkling among the stalactites. Every now and then she would be able to hear a bat squeak by as it flew about the cave. She may even get close enough to one to notice it looked like flying fox. Adorable in its own way. Far on the other side of the cave twenty or so odd feet from the top of the staircase, a water fall, fed by the stream which Serenity saw earlier, cascaded down to a deep crystal blue pool, with mossy rocks around the edge. The pool itself seemed very deep starting from a light blue hue at the top and becoming much darker towards the middle. The pool received a generous amount of light due to the large cave opening at the bottom. To which the pool cascaded out of in a shallow rocky stream bed. 



Waterwalking

The stairs would stop at the pool, and create a stone path way just a foot or so above the water, and continue out of the bottom cave opening. The path would continue like this straight through the middle of the stream. The jungle once more taking over the landscape. The path would soon lead down the mountain a little more. It was about here that Serenity would pick up the odd feeling of being watched once more. She may even notice a very large wet paw print crossing the stone path, heading in the direction the thick brush.




The Path Continues


The stream in which the path decided down came to slow into a large pool. A wooden bridge would cross over the pool, the planks were sturdy and the bridge well made and easy to travel across. From her vantage point Serenity would see lovely egrets standing int he shallows, and lazy fish swimming by underneath the bridge. Maybe even a flamingo or two. The bridge led back into the thick brush; if Serenity kept her bearings straight she might even have noticed it was now in the direction that large paw print had been heading. 



The Choice

The edge of the path still lit fairly well. Which was pleasant due to the slowly dimming light. The material that she walked on was back to being that compact dirt, giving the path a bit more isolated feel. Serenity would once again find herself ascending, as the path once more traveled upwards. The jungle brush becoming even thicker. The feeling of being watched and perhaps hunted would only grow as the animals among the forest began to grow silent. 


The path suddenly opened up to reveal a sharp drop, the cliff side plummeting a dizzying way down. Revealing a small slice of river that cut through to either side of the island. The other side of the cliff side could be seen, and the only way across the deep ravine was across a thick braided rope. With some netting on either side of hand rails. The rope bride swung slightly in the breeze, not nearly as sturdy as the last bridge across. Suddenly Serenity would hear a branch snap behind her, and a low growl from some large beast come from the brush. From the light reflected from an all flower potion she may see the gleam of eyes looking from between the thick leaves of a bush.