Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Cloudy)

All that was left these days was gray.

Ferro exhaled, the vapor in the air scatter in the frozen air, and then embers spewed from a quick breath. He looked up from outside the door of his forge, to the endless gray sky. Flakes were falling, hitting the buildings, floating to the ground and the few people left in town. The town used to be a lively happy place before the storm came.

All that was left these days was gray. The town used to be full of colour and exuberance , but now all one could see was a gray-scale mockery of the former magnificence. The buildings were grey, the road was grey, bodies became grey with the coming of death, quickly adding to the depression of the town. The only thing that wasn't gray with the town's slow death was the horrid snow that fell upon them daily now.

White, the colour of death. Such a horrid thing, another fell to the cold, and madness, his body looked emaciated and clothes torn off, he apparently was going to starve soon, so he was trying to make it sooner rather than later. Ferro stumbled back inside, as it was unbearable to watch more and more death taking the people of Castle town for it's own sick fun.

The forge was one of the few places that stayed warm these days, as the forge's flames rarely ever died without Ferro's intent to put it out. He didn't have much food left, and the few people who found themselves desperate enough to trust him, of all the people in castle town, were starting to look like they were about to give to horrid emotions and disgusting fears.

Why weren't the army doing anything to stop this horrific event? Instead of keeping the monsters away from town and securing a proper method of obtaining food, they attempted to take all the food they can. It was all he could do to feed the 4, 5 civilians that hauled themselves up with him.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Ignis cursed silently to himself as he trudged through the cold, biting snow that enveloped Castle-Town like a murderous blanket. It clung to his cloak and stabbed into his feet, while the wind danced and whipped itself into a frenzy against his face, cutting like a blade. The gray surroundings paled against the color of his cloak, as if they were fake, hollow. Coming was a mistake, the Deku spit at himself.

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He had trekked north from Impa, reaching the city mere hours before the demonic storm had hit. He had been summoned by an old acquaintance, offering a lucrative task for Ignis. While the letter was vague on details concerning this “task,” Ignis was short on rupees, and on his last bottle of Scotch. So, careful to avoid the ever increasing presence of guards in the new town, the Deku began making his way towards the capital city. The open air and endless time alone brightened Ignis’ spirits, and gave him time to mull over what details he had been told. His target was a Hylian by the name of Ferro Zelaine. He was a blacksmith in Castle-Town, and supposedly owned some kind of “precious metal.” A precious metal that his employer was will to pay well for. Ignis cared not for the man, nor his acquaintance. All he needed was a pouch of rupees, and he’d be set. Hell, he thought to himself with a wry smile, I may even be able to find a better buyer down in Nabooru.

It had become unusually dark and chilly when Ignis finally reached Castle-Town, even for a creature of nature. Pulling his cloak tight, he passed into the sprawling conurbation with a shutter. The Deku was always nervous when he visited the city. He could feel eyes staring, leering, watching, judging. But, money was money. Still uneasy, Ignis bee lined to the nearest inn, deciding it was best to rest for the night and search for his acquaintance early the next morn. Curling into a small ball, he passed quickly into the realm of sleep, dreaming of endless warmth and light.

Ignis awoke to a frozen hell. Snow and ice covered every inch of the city, grasping on with an iron grip. A body could be seen here and there, killed in the night by the frost. The Deku rubbed his eyes, unable to understand the insanity that lay in front of him. Ignis could think of no reasonable explanation for this, nor did he believe there was one. This was not natural by any means. He was here for a reason though, and nothing was going to keep him from his task. Pilfering a heavy coat from a frozen body outside the inn, he hurried himself through town to the address in the letter, fighting the cold and wind with every step.

Ignis had no problems locating the man he sought. The body laid feet from the door, pants-less, still clutching a liquor bottle. He shook his head. With his employer dead, the Deku had no choice but to acquire the information he needed on his own. A blacksmith can’t be that hard to find… Right?

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In the several days since he had arrived in Castle-Town, Ignis had failed to find the blacksmith. Search as he might, he couldn’t locate even the slightest hint that the man had ever existed. Though, in Ignis defense, he had never been very good at tracking people down quickly. He always left that to someone else. The problem with that was, unfortunately, once Ignis had started a job, he had to finish it. Shaking his head and cursing at himself once more, he continued along the street, carefully examining the surrounding buildings for any signs, anything really, that would point him in the right direction.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

It was among the few buildings in this section of the town that was still lit. An inviting warmth glowed from the various windows of the estate, letting all who could see it know that there was a merrily burning fire within the building, past the mounds of white powder layering the front yard and walk. The only real obstacle was the tall, heavy wrought-iron gates, black against the blue-white snow and darkening gray of the mansion walls; gates so heavy only a Goron would be able to crush them.

At the gates, though, one would barely be able to hear the mounting volume of muffled sounds coming near the front door. The sounds continued for several more seconds before the door was opened, revealing an elaborately furnished entryway and arguing voices as a pair of armor-clad guards hurried out towards the gates while a cloaked figure was making its way down the hall.

"--you know you really shouldn't be stepping out in that mess--"
"I have no choice. It won't be bad out during this hour, the night is barely young--"
"--there'll be storms, dear, and it'll be dreadful to be caught out in one--"
"--we haven't seen any storms all day, Mother. I will be fine, and I must go now."

The cloaked woman ignored the rest of the dialogue as she stepped out into the cold, pulling her cloak around her slender body tighter to keep in the warmth, and the manservant at the door hastily shut it behind her. She proceeded down the walk as the guards were opening the gate partway for her. One of them handed her a lantern before bowing to her. "Thank you, good man," she accepted it, nodding graciously. "I shall return within a few hours. Please keep a watch out for my return."

"As you wish, Lady Sharidan," he said, bowing once more. "Be careful out there."

Kayt Sharidan stepped through the opened gateway, and looked down to the left, up at the looming castle walls and spires, before turning away from it and beginning a trek through the snow, hurrying for her destination at the libraries, using the dull glow of the lantern light to guide her way.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Kayt stumbled over a bit of unseen ice, covered in the thick snows, and barely managed to catch herself before she fell face-first into the powder. Her cloak flared open with the movement, giving view of the thick woolen dress of lavender she had clad herself in, and gasped as whatever warmth that was collected in it was lost. Grumbling to herself, Kayt used her free hand to hold her cloak tighter to her body, and hefted her lantern higher.

A faint whistling could be heard in the air, and her mother's words came back to haunt her--"there'll be storms, dear, and it'll be dreadful to be caught out in one!"--it was one of the telltale signs that another one of those unnatural storms was beginning to blow in, its biting wind threatening to sap the life out of anyone unfortunate enough to be caught out in it.

Quickly, she looked around--was there any viable shelters nearby? Unlikely, given the depressing amount of deaths each night caused--wait. She squinted her eyes in the dark, looking down at the far end of the street. Was that the glow of a fire? And an uncontained one at that--open air, most likely a forge. It would have to do. Steeling herself to push forward once more, Kayt pushed through the snow, hurrying to that needed glow.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Another blew from the northeast, and it would quickly be upon them. His nostrils flared, creates small flames. His fire breath was becoming natural to him, even more so than normal breathing. He inhaled, letting the cold air fill his lungs, the painful, yet relaxing sensation.

He shaped his mouth as if to whistle, before blowing, letting out a strange shrieking sound that the few that took refuge with him couldn't stand. What they couldn't under stand though, that this technique, focused the flames, contained their heat to their target. Flames flying everywhere in one short burst would not be useful for anyone. The forge flickered and regained a youthful vigor with it's meal of flames and coal. He insisted the refugees get close to the fire, as he pulled a chained cloth barrier to blow winds from the north, as something caught Ferro's eye.

The silhouette of a cloaked girl, dark against the white snow and the blue-gray shadows that lay on it. He blew out a stream of flames to light the dark streets, to confirm their location, as he stepped out, beckoning to the few people around his forge for assistance.

A young Hylian man, Ultes stood up to help Ferro. He wasn't from around castle town in the first place, and couldn't understand the wariness of the general population towards Ferro. Ferro had saved him in this cold, and therefore he would return the favor anyway he could.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Kayt's eyes blinked several times, refocusing as the glow flared brighter for several moments, illuminating the outlines of several silhouetted figures within the open stall. Two of the figures--black within the corona of the flames--looked to be standing, moving forward. Had they seen her?

Only one real way to know, she thought. Swallowing to clear her throat a bit, the mage called out in a soft voice, one that nevertheless carried in the stillness of the night--the winds had not yet reached the castle walls to blow over. "Hello? You are open to visitors, I pray?"

As she approached, though, she saw what the figures were doing--pulling up a sheet of cloth around the stall, likely in response to the same howling she had heard. Breath catching in her throat, she redoubled her efforts to get there before they blocked her out entirely. "Wait a moment, please!" she called again, unsure if she was heard this time as she struggled through the snow covering the roads.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Eventually, Ignis was just too cold to move.
Ignis collapsed, into a drift as the last remnants of life drain away into the frozen hell that engulfed the world around him. A thin coat of ice covering his cloak, encasing the Deku like a coffin. Every part of his body ached, every nerve in his body screamed in unyielding agony as his scarred bark cracking from the dry, moisture-less air. Looking into the heavens, Ignis watched as the sky grew dark and ominous, as if there was something sinister hiding just out of sight. A storm was brewing on the horizon, promising a slow, bitter death for any soul left in its grasp.

Ignis wasn’t sure how long he laid there for, watching the clouds swirl and tumble, eyes growing heavy. He chuckled, dazed and lost within the labyrinth of his frozen mind. This is where I die. He chuckled again, accepting his fate as his eyes began to flutter shut. Cued by lifes unseen stage manager, a bright glow suddenly sprung up just outside his vision, blinding the poor man as it danced to and fro across his eyes. Ignis was stunned for a moment, unable to comprehend what could create something so dazzling in this world of darkness. Screwing up his eyes, Ignis managed to lift his head a fraction on an inch. Not even twenty feet from the Deku, a mysterious light flooded forth, as if the sun and stars had suddenly sprung to life within the building in question. He knew not what it was, only that every inch of his being hungered to bathe in the warmth and heat that would accompany such intense illumination. Giving into to his body, Ignis pulled himself forward, managing a hoarse “H-h-help…” before his voice cracked and died. He could make out vague blobs blocking his precious light, and hoped to Din that they saw him too.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Now two people were on the verge of being snuffed by the cruel winter's breeze. Ferro stumbled towards the dark figure of the girl, and kept moving forward, but Ultes got distracted by something, seeing a small shape in the snow that was quickly being covered.

Ferro had made it to the girl, and lifted her up off the ground, and trudged his way back toward the fire of the forge. Ultes on the other hand, made his way to the body that was being covered in snow. Upon reaching the small thing, he unearthed him, and lifted the small deku, and carried him to Ferro's abode to protect and save him from the cold.

Ferro slumped to the ground after closing themselves off to the storms, save for a small hole in the roof above to prevent smoke inhalation. He nodded off for the time being, praying for the storm to be short.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Something hidden in the snow caught the mage by the foot, and with a yelp, Kayt staggered forward, her balance lost. It was only one of the figure's quick movements that she was saved from falling in the snow completely, and instead she caught herself on the man's plated arm. "Thank you," she breathed, looking up at the man's face, but she could make out little detail beyond the stubble lining a grit jaw. Knowing her dress and cloak made travel in the snow a poor choice, she made no protest when he hefted her off the ground completely and carried her to the forge--for it was a forge, now that she could see more detail from the flames within the stall.

She was about to thank him once more when she was set down when Kayt noticed him beginning to slump, and she quickly knelt down to his level. "Are you okay?" she asked, bringing her lantern up to see. The steadying rise and fall of the man's chest showed that sleep was beginning to set in for the man. Her concerned expression softened at the sight. He was likely exhausted.

Seeing that he was okay, Kayt set her lantern down beside him and stood once more, brushing the snow off of her skirts before it could melt and soak through, and looked about the forge. Few others looked back in her direction, most concentrating on the flames within the forge. None of them looked healthy--their clothing was matted and rumpled, looking too big on their thinning bodies. The few that looked back at her did not look happy to see her. She could not blame them, with her fine clothing and well-kept appearance. It was the commoners of Castle Town that truly felt the bite of this prolonged winter.

Instead, the mage turned her attentions to the other young man who ventured out into the snows, and retrieved something--or, as she saw now, someone--from it. Her boots made little sound on the rough floor of the forge's stall. Kneeling down at the man's side, she looked over the wooden creature that was now huddled. The Deku Scrub looked dreadfully cold, and she wondered just how long the poor thing had been lying in the snow, awaiting an end. How had it even survived this long?

"Will he be all right?" she asked, looking up at the Scrub's rescuer.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Ultes had no idea what would happen to the Deku, he had no experience in medicine nor deku scrubs. He shook his head as he looked at the fire, pondering why such a meager existence in this storm will be worth it. He slumped to the ground, hoping that the sheets would keep in most of the heat, not completely sure. He exhaled with the vapor visible from his breath, and he looked towards the noble brat. "Listen, the Cold has taken many lives. You don't seem like the kind of person who really understands this, and this wooden being dies, You'll probably be shocked about it. This should be a great lesson for you in death." He turned his head and spat.

Ultes never really had any care for Hylian nobles, or any kind of nobles. All of them were naive and book-smart, but when it came down to it, they were too soft and couldn't be relied on to get anything done.

A hour or so passed, and the storm died down a bit, but it had still persisted. Ultes could hear something out there, a strange noise to him, because snow was such an unusual concept to him in the first place. Was it metal. He put his hand on his sword, that Ferro had made for him when it came time that there was no choice but for them to leave. He stood up, and slid quietly towards the curtain.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Kayt recoiled at the commoner's biting remarks, pulling back from her examination of the ailing Deku Scrub. Struck by his angry words, she opened her mouth to refute them--she needed no such lessons; she had already experienced her share of death--then realized the futility of the matter: she really didn't know how it was for them. She could profess all she wanted her empathy, but her family, and herself by extension, had been safe from the storm, having paid guards, a stockpile of food, and a sturdy, warm house.

Most of these people had nothing. To say she understood would be fairly hypocritical.

She looked away, biting her lip and standing to take her leave from the man. Not wishing to spark another confrontation with the rest of the common folk hiding away in the blacksmith's stall, she kept herself towards one of the unoccupied corners, well within reach of the fire, but also near the man who had carried her into the stall himself. She kept a close eye on his sleeping form, while occasionally letting her gaze drift over to the Deku Scrub that had also been taken in along with her.

Time continued to pass. Within an hour, the mage perked her head up, hearing something amidst the dying winds that had been screaming a high-pitched howl in the dead of the night. She shuffled through the scant slush within the stall's interior to the blanketed entrance, snatching up her lantern and igniting it as she went. She saw that the other man, the one who had snapped at her was also moving, but she ignored it as she peeked her upper body out of the curtain. There was the silhouette of someone out in the dark. Perhaps multiple someones, she wasn't able to tell. She lifted her lantern up outside to get a better look.

"He looks to be one of the guards," she remarked, partially for herself but loud enough for the benefit of the other man.

Re: Starving off the Cold (Chie, Rising Dragon, Pancake, Clo

Noise, loud noise filling his ears, waking the young smith from his slumber. Ferro stands up, rolling his arms and groaning in pain. He turns to face the face of one of the damned guards of Hyrule. He spat into the fire, and began to inhale sharply. Breath escapes his lips, flames flickering from his mouth. His words tempered into the blades he could make, he asks for why a guard would intrude in his forge, even in these conditions. Did they find proof that he had killed his father, like he always denied vehemently? Did they want to evict him in these times of struggle and torment?

Caustic words left his mouth with the flames that always flickered from them," ARE YOU HERE FOR THE LITTLE FOOD AND WARMTH I HAVE? TO TAKE WHAT LITTLE WE HAVE?"

He couldn't fight the guard, otherwise what little he had left, his forge and his blades would be taken. His father's last gifts couldn't be wasted on such petty a man. His living hand balled into a fist, unhappy about the decision of their Master's peace. The fire flickered, his breath flickered, anger spreading in the passionate heat of the forge, contrast to the cool uncaring burns of the icy storm. The young man was tearing up, worried about what was to come. His shaking metal hand reached to a weapon, a strong sword, the one that he and his father had made, of non-shattering iron and immense size.