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Micah Bradley:
It was another day in Philadelphia. Christmas vibes are in the air and Micah, used to the rainy cold of the United Kingdoms, wasn't too pleased with the extra chilly and dry air of the country he had put himself in. He didn't usually dress up for winter, but now he was bundled up. Complete with a giant scarf wrapped around his head.
During his exploration though, he stumbled across a gate and ever the curious Fae-Touched, could not help himself but to sneak in. It was immediately much warmer in the Hedge and so he took off his scarf with a sigh of happiness. Unfortunately for him, the gate opened directly in front of a pack of Briarwolves who were patrolling their territory. Everyone and everything froze for what felt like minutes when really, it was barely a second.
Overcoming his paralyzing fear, Micah immediately jumped into action and ran off in the opposite direction of the pack. The frustrated howls and snarls of the pack only served to spur him on as he leapt over roots and bushes, swerved around trees with smooth grace and tried his hardest to get away from the hungry pack.
Vorpal:
Some Changelings have senses with sharpness to rival that of the most honed blades, and Avery and Vorpal are among them. The moment the baying and chasing begins, the patrolling Lost are well and fully on alert. There's a glance to Avery, a tip of the head in that direction, and then V's moving towards the direction of the chaos. Both are absurdly fast; Avery more so, and they have their task. Vorpal has hers.
It may, briefly, leave Micah wondering if it might be safer to plunge into the pack as the trod is abruptly occupied by a seething shadow. It's humanized only by the shape, the leather coat, the blouse and boots- the gleaming blade likely does little to truly set his mind at ease. All the same, she speaks, and the voice is clear and steady. "Keep moving, friend-" She stands, twisting to hold the knife- her only visible means of defense- behind her, extending a hand in welcome as if challenging the entire pack at once.
"Let them come."
Avery:
Avery had heard the howls of briarwolves and was immedietly on edge and nodded to Vorpal before quietly sneaking around behind the pack. While quiet, Avery was FAST and made good time.
While Vorpal distracted, Avery picked out the two sitting at the back of the pack, and while they thought they were hidden, their angle was just barely wrong and the two wolves had just enough time to brace for the attack...not that it mattered. The curved knives cut through bone as easily as paper and the two were dead before they had a chance to hit the ground. The Raven like changeling's hood was up, obscuring their face, and they stand ready at the back of the pack, knives still dripping.
The wolves had two options, neither of which was survivable.
Micah Bradley:
The man does indeed skid to a half-halt in front of that shadowy figure, but didn't really stop moving. At their recommendation to keep moving, he simply veered to the left on nimble feet and dashed several feet away from them. Turning back quickly, he finally stopped to watch with interest. This shadow felt like one of Them... And yet, they called him 'friend'? A Changeling? Best be on his guard regardless. He watched as the wolves were quickly dispatched while he caught his breath.
Vorpal:
Two of the wolves round on Avery as their fellows fall, pouncing with all intent to chomp and chew and rip and tear.
They fill their jaws with air and the dreams of feathers.
The other four, the other half of the pack, rush forwards. There's a new target, an easier target, one that isn't running, isn't attacking, is just standing and waiting.
They rush in, coordinated, angling to tear into her from all angles, slavering maws opening, straining, snapping sh-
Vorpal:
There's a single gleam of steel, the four cuts indistinguishable from one another. The wolves aren't so much butchered or chopped into pieces as they splatter, their fibers and bones particulate in the mess that soaks the Trod. The level of violence enacted in such a tiny time span isn't entirely conceivable without help.
There were wolves one moment.
And then a shadow in a ring of blood, calmly wiping blood off the blade.
Avery:
Avery meanwhile had chosen their direction to avoid the attacks...up. There was a beautiful leap and twirl before the twin blades embed themselves in the remaining two wolves's backs.
Avery had overcorrected just slightly, and the assassin was left between two deeply wounded but very much still alive wolves. A flash of fear hits their face.
Micah Bradley:
Micah watched with awe. The quick dispatching of the briarwolves was definitely amazing. These were experienced Hedge-runners for sure. The more he saw, the more hopeful he felt that he had stumbled upon two individuals that he would want to get to know.
Avery:
And the wolves CHOMP. Avery screams in pain as their bones snap between the strong teeth of the briarwolves. The cost of any bird being able to fly is their bones are hollow, and any kind of crush can be deadly.
Luckily, the power of Summer coursing through them has kept them alive...for now.
Vorpal:
Vorpal blinked as the sound of snapping bounds is brittle and fragile instead of thick and beastly. She turns to look over her shoulder at what she expected to be a perfectly butchered pair of wolves, to find only MOSTLY butchered wolves diving onto Avery with a savagery befitting of cornered animals. For a moment, her eyes narrow to starprick gleams in the darkness, horrified. What did she just allow to happen? She could have moved. She could have attacked, could have drawn them off of Avery, could have-
No. Not could have.
Could.
Glamour and sheer will pour off the Changeling as she turns from the scene, abandoning Avery, abandoning Micah, denying the entire reality she stood in. She turned, and turned, and turned until she was facing back the way she had been a moment before, cleaning her knife, trusting Avery to slaughter the wolves before they could strike, and she stepped closer, putting space between herself and Micah, until the wolves were just. Close enough.
A deep breath inwards, and she gulps down a mouthful of shadow, pumping glamour into her protection as she activates it anew, this time without mercy. Shadows erupt outwards, carving across the Trod, tearing through the underbrush as they rip into everything that breathes within a good thirty feet of Vorpal. They scythe into the wolves, doing little damage- but enough. This time, when Avery strikes the barely wounded wolves?
They fall. Struggle. Snap, snarl... perish, as Vorpal releases her shadows and tucks away her knife, the danger resolved.
And her heart pounding in her chest.
Micah Bradley:
The sound of clapping follows the muted silence of the after battle. Micah was grinning at the two Changelings, feeling quite elated despite not having actually done anything to be safe. His grandfather would be disappointed.
"Thanks for saving my skin, friends!" he called to them in his cheerful British accent.
Avery:
Avery does a final stab to the wolves around him, ensuring they died quickly and did not suffer. He then flicks the knives and approaches, quite quickly. There's a look at Vorpal, not mad but a little bit of hurt pride.
"I could have handled them myself Vorpal. They weren't able to even hit me."
A quick look to Micah, the Changeling covered in feathers letting down their hood to reveal a pale white face with pitch black eyes. The eyes seem to catch every detail around them. "I am glad you are safe...friend?"
Vorpal:
Vorpal is an awful liar. AWFUL. So rather than try to explain, or deceive, or anything else, she just- keeps her mouth shut. Lets Avery talk to the Faetouched. Moves to carve up the corpses that didn't pulverize.
Does that mean leaving Micah hanging?
Yes.
But she's still seeing the wrong-way bends in Avery's limbs and the places bone shards tore the surface.
She isn't feeling super talkative just now.
Micah Bradley:
"Well, you must be part of the local freehold! Other more... Unwelcome beings wouldn't be glad of my safety." he chuckled softly. And then he grinned sheepishly as he introduced himself, voice thick with the British accent. "My name is Micah. I'm uh... Well, new in town, I suppose. Sorry about... Barging into the Hedge like this... Could not help myself."
Avery:
Avery looks back at Vorpal, a concerned look but she could handle themselves. The Raven changeling looks back at Micah.
"Yes, we are. You may call me Avery, and you may call my friend Vorpal." The thing to notice is about their eyes, they seem to reflect every detail around them. Taking in EVERY detail.
"You should have been more careful about entering, but yes, I am glad you are safe."
Vorpal:
The continuing conversation seems to draw Vorpal back a bit, back towards the others in a way. "Oh. New? Well. welcome to the area. I understand, exploring is one of the greatest adventures on offer, but. It IS the Hedge. Do try to keep in mind its dangers are myriad and hungry?"
Micah Bradley:
He bit his lip and looked even more ashamed of himself like a little kid caught stealing from the cookie jar. "I... I know... The draw is still um... Strong... I came prepared at least?" he mumbled.
Avery:
Avery nods, looking around for any other threats. They already knew there weren't any in earshot but...might as well look.
"Well...I guess...we should escort you to the Trod?" They look at Vorpal for confirmation.
Vorpal:
"We should," V confirms, using a bit of cordage to close a pelt around the rest of what she's taken off the wolves. "Not very exciting, I know, but. No good having you left to be lunch or something." She rose, started to lead the way back towards the Trod. "You have someone still out there? You said you still feel a draw, right?"
Micah Bradley:
He sighed softly and nodded. Then, just before following them, he turned to stare out at the Hedge longingly. But that moment passes and he grinned cheerfully again as he caught up to answer Vorpal's question. "Oh, I found him! He's in your freehold!"
Avery:
Avery takes the time as thry walk to clean off their knives, reusing Blessing of Perfection for if there were any other threats.
"Does he know you went into the Hedge? And who is he?"
Vorpal:
"Oh? Is he, then?" V asks, tilting her head and glancing Micah's way. "Who is it?"
Micah Bradley:
"Aurelio." he replied back proudly. He was careful not to reveal anything more than that. Names had power in this world afterall.
Avery:
Avery glances to Vorpal. "I...don't know as many people as you do."
Vorpal:
"Ah! Lovely! We're acquainted." V nods reassuringly back to Avery. "That's good. Still feel a pull into the Hedge, though?"
Micah Bradley:
Micah shrugged and nodded. "Yes. It is not as strong as before, but... Well, let us say that I am a bit of a curious cat."
Avery:
Avery cleans off another blade.
"I was afraid of the Hedge for several months...it is dangerous here...and loud."
Vorpal:
"Everywhere is loud once your hearing gets sharp enough," V murmurs, lamentably. "You may need to practice working on controlling that impulse, or scheduling trips with escorts, I'm thinking."
Micah Bradley:
"Aww, the Hedge isn't that bad if you're prepared for it. I was not expecting to land in the middle of a Briarwolf den, however!" he grinned, completely ignoring the suggestion from Vorpal to control his impulse or get escorts.
Avery:
Avery nods solemnly at Vorpal's assessment about hearing, even if it was useful at the moment. At the comment that it wasn't that bad, Avery's jaw drops, and they look like they're trying to say something, but just don't know what.
Vorpal:
"Hmm. I see. So, let's replay that encounter, but without me and Avery nearby. You weren't planning to run into a Briarwolf pack. But you did. What now?"
Micah Bradley:
"I try to lose them, I suppose. Or run far enough that they tire of the chase!"
Avery:
Avery shakes their head. "You are optomistic...but wrong. They have four legs and you only have 2. One trip from the hungry thorns and you would not be here for Aurelio."
Vorpal:
"Indeed. Can you outrun them? Fly away from them? Have you learned any tricks that might get you away safely?" V asks calmly.
Micah Bradley:
A sly smirk spread across the Fae-Touched's face. He put his hands behind his back as he walked, as if this was but a nice summer stroll through a forest that was most certainly safe from all dangers. "Why yes, I have. As I said, I came in prepared. I have been preparing all my life."
Avery:
Avery looks at Vorpal, then at Micah, and sighs. "I am worried for your safety."
Vorpal:
"Oh, well, then. No need to come to your rescue in the future then, eh? You've got a well-thought out, infallible escape from anything and everything, then!" V states, clearly not buying it and trying to cast the claim in another light.
Micah Bradley:
"Nothing is certain. As you said, I could indeed trip and fall victim to dangers I had not thought of or didn't think was possible. It is the Hedge afterall. I am still grateful for your help." he murmured apologetically. Clearly, he was starting to irk the Changelings with his cheerful optimism.
Avery:
Avery nods, pausing at a distant crunch of a branch, then continuing. "You said.... you have been preparing for your whole life. How?"
Vorpal:
V lets Avery take the questioning, moving to the lead and ensuring the way was clear.
Micah Bradley:
"Training. Studying. The usual ways one might prepare for something." came his vague reply.
Avery:
Avery looks anxious for a second as Vorpal moves ahead, but focuses back on the talk.
"But...for the Hedge. How?"
Micah Bradley:
He glanced over at Avery with a thoughtful expression. It was becoming obvious that perhaps Avery was a recent escapee. "I have my connections. Why do you ask?"
Avery:
Avery had only been out for a year, so quite. "It's the Hedge...you are confusing me."
Micah Bradley:
"Am I really?" he grinned at her. Then he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Perhaps if you offered me something for a better answer... You may get a better answer."
Avery:
Avery glares, grabing a blade and recasting Blessing of Perfection, showing the blade grow extra sharp, before putting it away.
"I am not here to trade."
Micah Bradley:
He put his hands up to placate her, grin still on his face and amusement glittering in his cheerful eyes. "My apologies, Lady Avery, I did not mean to offend. I however cannot offer a better answer for nothing. It is the way."
Avery:
Avery looks him over. "You may use he/him pronouns for me."
Micah Bradley:
"Oh." he blinked in surprise. Micah fell silent for a moment, brow furrowed in thought. "I appear to be making a fool of myself today. Please forgive me for assuming. The adrenaline is still pumping through my veins and I forgot myself for a bit there." he finally sighed, getting quite formal with his apology.
Avery:
"Yes, it is kind to ask for pronouns. You are making a fool of yourself." Avery looks to Vorpal for help.
Vorpal:
"Eh, everyone does, though this is a particular method of fool-making I prefer folx to avoid. I don't personally care what pronouns come my way, but some do, and I'll thank you to adhere to Avery's. But yes, in general, I advise asking. It won't overly bother anyone cis, and will make those of us that aren't more at home knowing you're being considerate."
Micah Bradley:
Micah winced at Avery's tone and words. "Is this something extremely important to Americans?" he asked curiously.
Avery:
Avery sighs. "I don't wish to make a deal with you for that. If you have questions, I will answer if I can, but I do not wish the Wyrd to bind me for that."
Vorpal:
V stops completely dead and turns to fave Micah. "It is extremely important to those of us who are uncomfortable or pained to be associated with the gender we were originally assigned. It's got nothing to do with being American."
Micah Bradley:
Being directly confronted like this, and in a harsher light, was unexpected. He hesitated and took a step back, eying the two Changelings warily. "I see..." he muttered, not knowing what else to say or if he should even try. They might decide that the Briarwolves were in the right and attack him. He didn't need that to happen in the Hedge at this time.
Avery:
Avery nods. "Pronouns are important to us, yes. As is safety our lack thereof."
Vorpal:
V just scoffed. "I'm not going to assault you. I just want you to take it seriously. Dismissive attitudes towards someone just asking to be called the right terms is something people deal with in the real world constantly. We don't need to deal with it among our own people."
Micah Bradley:
A confused expression completely takes over his face. "I... Was not being dismissive?"
Avery:
Avery looks at him. "You were." Avery looks away, trying to hide the anxiety.
Vorpal:
V does pause and consider a moment. "No, I think he's right, he wasn't being dismissive, but it did feel reductive. Which aren't the same thing, and that's a fair point. I do apologize for mis-labeling the response. Honestly, I'm more concerned with just making sure you do your best moving forward."
Micah Bradley:
He blinked from one Changeling to the next. Should he respond to this or just drop it? He was sure that he wasn't being dismissive or reductive, but... Well, perhaps it was in the accent? Or perhaps... His expressiveness was far too... Different than they were used to.
On the other hand, it was likely also trauma related and they have had others dismiss their choices in sexual orientation before. If that was the case, then it was probably a good idea to drop it. He drew himself up and nodded once to show his understanding. "I will do my best. Thank you." he finally decided to say.
Avery:
Avery looks behind them, then back at the group. "You are learning...it is...ok. But it is hurtful at times. Please...be careful in all of this."
Vorpal:
V just nodded and flashed a thumbs-up Micah's way. "That's all I ask. Lot of people will appreciate that you're trying. Promise." Then she turns and starts walking again! No more spoopy confrontation.
Micah Bradley:
The Fae-Touched let out a soft sigh of grudging acceptance. These two probably aren't the best people to show curiosity around. He will have to ask Aurelio later about this. As they find the trod and proceed to head to safety and back to the real world, Micah continued to glance out into the wild Thorns longingly. He could feel the pull to explore, to find something, to get into trouble despite not really wanting to. Was he a daredevil? Perhaps he was...
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