Worlds Apart

[Tantrikenetic]

Jack

Jack picked at the food slowly, watching the people walk around the table. The table was set up magnificently. Whoever owned this place really spared no expense.

The brown and green leather clothes fit his body perfectly and the brown cloak seems to be just the right length. The clothes had been marked "archer", although Jack couldn't tell a difference between this one and the other traveling clothes. Except the archer's clothes came with a cloak. And a quiver.

Jack drummed his fingers lightly on his plate as he scanned the room. That man from the peir had come to greet us again and then he disappeard as easy as he appeared. He was certainly a slippery one. He wondered if anyone else noticed the man's sneakiness.

Jack tried to adjust his quiver again. He wasn't sure why he still wore it; it's just an empty, heavy annoyance. He sighed and refilled his plate with food. He didn't see Jasamine anywhere.



Not that he cared, of course.

 

[intriguess]

Michaela

I was somehow not surprised when my attendant found me in front of a small fire I had started away from my hut. He had this steely gaze that somehow told me I would be attending dinner whether I liked it or not. I passed my hand over the fire and it went out as I filtered another powder over it.

It had taken a long time to figure out the powders and herbs some of which I still didn't know what they were for. I was prodded towards the dining hall I sat down arriving a little late and picked at my food and inspected the other guests and wondered how they had come to be here. I could feel my attendant's cold eyes on me as I tucked an apple in a pocket and munched on some cheese.

 

[kamalw1]

Loki was talking to some other guests when the same guy who greeted them upon arrival came out to speak again. Loki only half listened to the words as hekept thinking about all the interesting peopl he had been talkig to. When the food came out, Loki sat down and began to eat. There was so much food, it seemed like something out of a dream. As Loki wassitting down eating and chatting, a woman sat next to him. It looked like she was wearing some kind of magician's clothing. She looked a little lonely, so he decided to start a conversation with her...

 

[intriguess]

Michaela

An odd somewhat fierce looking black guy dressed as a Viking approached me. The garb stuck me as odd, perhaps it had been tailored to his interests. After all vikings did exist in that time, it just felt odd, even though I could tell that he was a guess and not an attendant as they were garbed differently from the rest of the guests. I wasn't sure if he just wanted someone to talk to or was picking on me. I felt an unhealthy wave of paranoia wash over me and suddenly the food was poisoned and everyone was out to get me. I stood suddenly and excused myself.


OOC:
just thinking perhaps one of the powders would have some unexpected side effects.

 

[silverwolf]

sorian

Having finished eating i sat and scanned the room.Wondering the expence on everything.As i scanned i noticed a beautiful young lady garbed in black.Black having always been my fav color i thought that she might share that interest.But being shy as i was i didnt approach her.Especially after i saw the viking sit next to her.Turning away i. I continued to scan the room wishing that someone would talk to me.Not that i was chicken to start a conversation.OH wait yes i am' i thought as i sat there solemly. I Got up and walked out twoard my hut to get some sleep,And check some of the costumes.

 

[SecretDesires]

OOC: Okay, now to get things moving a bit.

IC: Kelly noticed that all the guests on the boat had made it here somehow. The attendants that did not leave their sides gave her an indication of how. For a moment the thought flashed across that maybe they were a bit more prisoners than guests but she shook it off. Pretending to be a thief was definately making her parinoid.

She turned she saw a man and woman getting up to leave, wondering at their early departure. The woman's face was pale, almost as if she was scared though nothing that Kelly could see had happened to scare her. The man simply looked uncomfortable in his surroundings. Then something very weird happened. As she watched them get up and move to leave the world seemed to slow down, almost stop, the people about her going as if in slow motion. No...not all the people. The attendants were moving as normal as if nothing were wrong. It was the guests that looked as if they were walking through a sea of gelitin. Moving her head slowly toward the entrance she saw that one of the guards was having the same trouble as the guests and it occured to her to wonder briefly of this vision of hers and how many others were experiencing the same thing.

**************************************
The last word was spoken, the last candle lit, the knife in the demi-demon's hand rose and came down slicing through the air the blood upon it fresh, drops of it flying from the blade to splatter against the wall.

As if it were a living thing, the air rent with a scream sending a soundless shockwave across the island, rending the very reality around it. Slowly the landscape began to dissolve and fade and another took it's place. Gone were the palm trees and natural growth of the island and, in it's place forests sprang up as if being superimposed upon it. The huts and castle, farmlands and plains remained but took on an aged, realistic appearance as if they had been there for decades instead of months. The island was transforming, becoming something different and yet something that seemed to have been there from the beginning of time.

*****************************************

Kelly felt a drowsiness come over her as if she had worked out at the gym all day and the only thing she wanted to do was go to bed and sleep. The food on the table became unimportant, the people around her as well as the very setting itself seemed to lose all meaning. Standing, her hand on the table, Kelly felt her knees buckle and she fell to the earth, unconscious before she hit the floor.

*******************************************

The morning sun shown down on her and she winced in a sleep that seemed to have been augmented by drink. Bringing her hand up to shield her eyes she wondered idly why the sun would be coming in her room so strongly. She was sure that the window was not facing the rising sun.

Then she felt the grass beneath her head, smelt the air full of the odors of the outdoors, heard the chirping of the birds as well as other sounds that spoke of creatures moving through the underbrush. Suddenly awake, she sat upright and looked around. She was at a campsite, a dying fire beside her, blankets and bags of provisions a bit further away. Looking wildly around she realized that there was no sign of huts, people or any of the guests anywhere around.

It was then that she caught sight of the birds in the trees scattering to the winds and heard, and instant later, the thrashing of men through the trees. They were certaintly not trying to be stealthy and it did not sound like a rescue party for she caught their words as they were a few feet away.

"Over here, Men," Said a gruff voice,"We have her. She won't have gotten too far and she won't escape us easily."

Something inside Kelly told her they were talking about her and that it was not friendly talk at all. Instinctively she sprang up into a crouch and grabbed the bag of provisions before ducking into the undergrowth away from the voice of what could only be pursuers hoping against hope that she was being silent enough not to attract their attentions.

Her mind was whirling with possiblities. What could have happened? Had the game already started and these men were just playing the part of the sherriff's men out to catch a thief? Somehow she was not so sure. She only hoped that that was the way it was. But if so why the weird vision of last night and why just put her in a glade and abandon her without explaining the mechanics of the place? Something was very not right here.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Jack

It's over Phoenix....

No one can help you know....

It's over....

***************************************************

Jack awoke with a start. His blurred vision suddenly adjusted to the sunlight that illuminated the sky. He squinted and looked around. He had no idea what had happened. Was there something in that food last night? He didn't remember leaving dinner. He tried to stand up, but found that his muscles were too heavy to lift. Dammit...they had been drugged.

He suddenly realized he was alone. He moved his eyes around furiously. Where was everyone? Where was he, for that matter? He was leaning up against a tree in the middle of nowhere. He noticed he still had his quiver, but, sadly, it was still empty.

He eventually found the strength to stand up and he hobbled over a bit to try and find where he was. He hadn't walked far before two large men came into view. Jack backed off a bit; these men were very tall and very muscular. They had dirty clothes on and had short swords strapped to their belts. Their faces had the look of men from the gallows.

"Your money, boy. Give it to us."

"My money?!" Jack started to back off. "Listen, I don't know who you are, but you had better not try and-"

Jack couldn't complete the sentence because one of the men grabbed his arms and lifted him off the ground.

"Hey! What the fuck?" Jack yelled out. The man slammed him against a nearby tree. The wind rushed out of Jack's lungs. These guys were strong! He tried to catch his breath, but the other man walked up, drew his arm back, and belted Jack as hard as possible in the stomach. Jack doubled over in pain and blood droplets flew from his mouth. He tried to yell, but couldn't find his voice.The second man still pressed him to the tree, holding Jack's arms.

"Your money!" The man growled again. Jack could only cough in response. The man punched him again. This time, Jack managed to scream in pain.

"Your money!" He yelled again. Jack just gasped a few times. The man growled and threw another punch. Jack used the last of his energy to lift his feet up and place them on the second man's shoulders. The first man couldn't stop and he punched the tree. He yelped in pain, falling back and shaking his bruised hand. Jack brought his legs together swiftly, crushing the second man's head in between them. The man yelled and let go of Jack's arms. Jack tumbled to the ground and rolled away from the two men. The one with the broken fist pointed at Jack.

"Get him!"

Jack knew it was time to bolt. He ran off through the woods, trying to ward off the effects of the drugs. He didn't know if he could outrun the bandits for long. For the first time in a five years, Jack wished he wasn't alone.

 

[kamalw1]

Loki squinted as the sun shining above sent a stabbing pain into his eyes. He slowly sat up and tried to fight off the wave of nausea that passed over him. He massaged his temples to relieve the pain. "I feel like I've gone ten round with Ali." he commented to himself. After a few moments, he opened his eyes andlooked around. Loki was shocked to find himself in a forest. The last thing he remembered was the woman seated next to him at dinner getting up in a hurry. "How the hell did I get here?" he said to himself. "And where the hell is here, anyway?"

Loki slowly stood up nd made sure everything was alright. he was happy to find that the warhammer was still in it's proper place, and his gloves were still on. Feeling a little bit better, he started walking through the forest, hoping to find someone to help him.

As he was walking, he heard a scream ahead of him. Loki picked up his pace to see what was going on. When he reached the spot, he hid behind a tree and watched. He saw a guy getting beat up by two big men. He wasn't sure if this was real or not until one of the big men went to throw a punch and missed, hitting the tree. Loki figured no one would do that on purpose. The victim somehow broke away from his attackers and started running, the two men not far behind. Loki chased after them, hoping to get some answers.

The victim kept running until he stumbled slightly. That was all the men needed. They pounced on him and were about to attack him again when Loki pulled out his hammer and hit them on the back of their heads. They slumped to the ground, dropping the victim. Loki extended his hand to help the man up...

 

[silverwolf]

sorian

As i walked away from the table i felt the same annoyance tha i had every time that guy spoke or came near.Starting to turn i feel this extremem pain start in the back o fmy head and i fall to my knees fightning to stay concious.As i fell into unconciosness i heard a scream, as of something not human and not physical.Then backness overcame me.

Waking up i notice trees all around me.Sitting up i frantically search for my pack. Finding it i decide that mayby i should change costume into something less shiny.Ducking behind a tree i change into the wizasrd outfit,placing my bradsword at my side and wielding the staff.Putting the chainmail into the pack with the helm i started to walk.'What the hell happened' i thought as i walked.Then hearing to men i jumped behind a tree.After they past i decided to follow the.

Following them was quite easy since the left a pretty clear path in the wood.THen hearing a voice ask if someone was ok i walk up slowly to see who it was.Deciding its best to stay hidden for now
i just watch them for a time.

 

[intriguess]

Michaela

I would have sworn that I made it to my hut before, darkness clouded my eyes and suddenly the paranoia seemed real as my attendant shimmered between real and what I could only describe as demonic. When I awoke I was in a tree, and had no idea how I had gotten there. I did see my backpack hanging from a branch not too far distant and I searched my pockets again, this time to find that labels had appeared on them and it looked as if I had scrawled what I knew about each on the label. It was my handwriting but I did not recognize it and I looked at them carefully trying to recall the events of last night. I remembered my attendant making a lewd suggestion and trying to get me into my bed, after that everything went blank.

I was ravenous and I noticed that it was well into the morning as the reddish glare of the sun, reddish glare? I glanced up the sun had taken on a bloody cast to it as if it had been changed. I blinked what kind of tree was I in? There had not been any forrest visible from the boat and this tree would not be native to this island. There was no way it could be natural could there?

I dug a roll out of my pocket and ate it quickly before making my way through the limbs of the tree to retrieve my backpack. I suddenly felt like Dumbo when he gets drunk and flies. I broke a few limbs on my descent and shook my cloak free of twigs. I was still hungry and reaching into my cloak found another roll. I thought nothing of it at the time merely steadied myself and wondered which way to go.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Jack

It had happened so quickly. All of a sudden, he had tripped and tumbled to the ground. The men had caught up with Jack, but both had fallen to the ground with the resounding sound of a metal object. Jack looked around and saw another man was standing by him offering his hand. Jack remembered the man's face from earlier at the dinner. He reluctantly took the man's hand and got to his feet. Jack dusted himself off.

"Thanks." Jack said.

"What the hell is going on?" The man asked.

"That's a good question." Jack looked down and was relieved to see the men probably wouldn't be getting back up.

"Is this the game?"

"Well, if it is," Jack wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth, "the punches are very real."

"So what do we do?"

"We get the hell out of here." Jack said. The man nodded.

"My name's Loki."

"Jack." Jack bent over and took one of the men's sword and sheath. He attached it around his waist. "Have you seen anyone else?"

"No, just you."

"Huh." Jack said, searching for anything on the men. All he found was pouch of gold coins. He showed it to Loki. "Gold coins. This is almost surreal." He pocketed the pouch. "Alright, we'll concentrate on getting out of this forest first."

 

[cremebrulee]

Jasamine

It had taken me a while to get my mind clear after the water ordeal, but dressed quickly in the first thing I grabbed. How strange to have found what seemed to be a boys costume in my hut. Pants, leather leggings and a vest and somewhat worn shirt, a cape and gauntlets that I pulled on as I ran in thigh high soft leather boots. So much for femininity.

As I arrived late to the banquet ( I could hardly call such a spread a dinner) I saw several of the guests already departing, including my reluctant hero, Jack. He looked so good in his archers clothes that I almost didn't notice the strange putrid smell in the room and the staggering behaviour of the other guests. I hadn't even gotten to the table to eat when all hell seemed to be breaking loose. I felt a steely cold hand on my shoulder and fell into unconsciousness. The last thing I heard was a man's voice calling out my name...

 

[SecretDesires]

Looking back at her pursuers, Kelly did not realize where she was going. Suddenly she tripped and fell, skidding headlong through the follage and then rolling coming to a stop in another glade. Scrambling to her feet, she looked around and was startled to see a woman in what had to be mage's clothing. Frozen for a second, not knowing what to do, Kelly finally realized that the woman was one of the guests. The two women stood there, just looking at each other, the mage holding what looked like a roll in her hand as if she had been having breakfast.

Brushing leaves and twigs from her hair, Kelly told the woman. "I got guys after me. I don't know why but I wouldn't be here when they get here if I were you. Something has gone wrong, I just know it. We have to get out of here."

 

[intriguess]

Michaela

I found my head clearing as the person approached, I slowly sifted through the guests I had seen and hearing her voice I quickly put the figure before me with one of the other guests. I tossed her a roll and dug another one out od my cloak. I said with a funny look on my face, "How about a distraction for your pursuers?" I lift a finger and test the wind and search through my cloak for the one that had said creates smoke use sparingly. I figured in for a pinch in for a pound and take a generous clump and blow it from my palm to where she had come from. Suddenly we are running from the think smoke before it envelopes us. I kept an eye on her as we ran. "I guess I should follow my own advice. It said to use sparingly." I try not to laugh as I need all the air for running.

We hit a clearing and I look back to see the smoke blowing away. "I'm Michaela, but most people just call me Micki." I pause doubled over breathing in the air.

 

[SecretDesires]

Coughing, Kelly tried to talk. "Kel...*cough* *cough*...Kelly." She said in way of introduction. Finally getting more clean ear in than smoke she said,"You are wicked with that stuff."

Her face furrowed as she said,"Is it me or has the whole world gone nuts? I don't remember any of this being on the itenerary." Standing, she held out her hand to help the other woman up.

"If we are in this much trouble I wonder what is happening with the other guests. Maybe we should look for more familiar faces. I think we are going to need them."

Bringing the roll up to take a bite from it, Kelly noticed that it was covered in a fine, grey soot. Thinking better of it, she tossed it out to the birds who were squawking around in the air having been disturbed by the smoke screen.

"Besides I don't think staying in one place is a good idea and looking for the others is at least better than wandering around lost and scared."

And, to tell the truth, by now she was scared. If you wanted to go for understatement.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Jack

Jack and Loki had been walking for some time and they had seen very little except plants and forest creatures like birds and squirrels. Jack was beginning to think they would never find anything out in this god-forsaken forest until he came upon a female body laying dormant in the woods. There were snakes slithering all over it.

"Jesus..." Loki said, grimacing at the body.

"I think she's still alive..." Jack said slowly. He squinted and tried to make out the figure. Was that...Jasamine? "Loki! I think that's one of the guests!" Jack yelled. Loki's eyebrows shot up and he pulled out his warhammer.

"Hey! Get away from her!" He yelled. The snakes slowly rose up to look at the duo. There were about five green slithering reptiles and they were much larger than Jack originally thought; about four feet long . They all hissed and large bat-like wings unfolded from their back. Jack stumbled back.

"Holy shit!" Jack yelled and unsheathed his sword. The five winged snakes took flight and flew toward the duo. "Watch it, Loki!" Jack yelled as he brought his sword around in an arc, cutting one of the winged snakes in half. Another one came around and bit the back of his neck. Jack swore and swung his sword around, missing the flying serpent by inches. He thrusted again, and the snake dodged again. He hoped Loki was having better luck than he was.

 

[Emotionless]

Dan stood alone infront of the building which untill now had been the guard barracks for the park. Untill recently for now it was more a fortress then a barracks, with huge walls and battlements.

Dan shook his head and walked in the open door, and moved down the torch lit hallways to where his bunk used to be. Pushing open the door, Dan noticed everything was pretty much the same, if a bit more rustic. He removed his combersome helm and set it in place, then unstrapped the breastplate and tossed it on the bed. He then drew his sword and ran a finger down the blade. "Yeouch!" he yelled. It was sharp as hell.

It was then that he looked out the window and noticed the whole landscape of the island had changed. "What the ff.."
He threw his leather armout on, which for some reason fit a whole lot better, as if it had been taylored for him. Dawning his regular helm he set out to find the guests and see if they were alright. That was still his job after all.

Dan was jogging slowly through the forest when he came upon an obvious trail. He diverted course to match it, and soon came upon the trail's creators. It was the winking thief from earlier and the odd acting woman in the mage's garb. He picked up his step and shouted "Ladies!". They heard him and turned. He trotted up "Are you alright? Is anyone hurt?"

 

[kamalw1]

"What the fuck!" Loki yelled, as the snakes sprouted wings and started attacking them. He saw Jack slice one of the snakes in half as one of the others flew at him. Loki silently cursed to himself, thinking that he should have brought a sword. The snake easily dodged his swing and flew down towards his feet. The serpent wrapped around Loki's legs and squeezed, bringing him down hard. Loki swung the hammer at the snake's head, crushing it.

As Loki tried to get to his feet, another snake lunged at him. Loki caught it in his hand and pinned it to the ground. The snake writhed in his grip, struggling to get free. Loki brought the hammer down upon it with his other hand, and watched the blood splatter from the impact. Loki looked up and saw the other snakes lying on the ground, their bodies split open from Jack's blade.

As Loki sat there, regaining his composure, he saw Jack move over to the body of the woman and gently ease her up, trying to see if she would wake up. He noticed that she was one of the women he had seen on the yacht ride to the island. As Jack held the woman, Loki saw her start to move. he alo noticed the small bite marks on the back of Jack's neck, and hoped that the snakes weren't poisonous...

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Jack

Jack cradled Jasamine's body in his arms. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was raggid. He tried to jolt her awake, but she hardly moved. Jack grimaced.

"How is she?" Loki asked.

"Not too good." Jack said. "We may need to carry her." He stood up, holding Jasamine in his arms. As he did, she began to move. Jack looked at the woman and hoped that she was coming to...

 

[silverwolf]

sorian

Having followed the 2 guests for quite a while a slow a bit. When i catch up again i see that they had evidently had a tussle with some "snakes" and seeing the another guest who didnt look to well i decide its time to show myself. Walking up i ask "is she ok" they both turn in surprise. Holding up my hand, "its ok im one of the guests.will she be ok.?" i ask again.

 

[intriguess]

Mic

I reach in my cloak and toss her another roll, and I wonder if there was somehow an endless supply of them in my cloak. ON to more important matters however. "It's nice to meet you Kelly, and I have to tell you this cloak has more tricks in it then a barrel of monkeys." I stand slowly and take a few deep breaths, "I get the feeling we are all in for a lot more than we paid for." We take a few steps and I casually comment, "You know that outfit may explain a lot. Care for a change of clothes?" I search through my pack as I ask and look up as I hear someone approaching. I recall the unusually normal guard from last night and I blink a few times seeing just a normal person. My head clears and I say, "Unless you consider a little amnesia and smoke inhalation hurt, I think I'm okay. How about you Kelly?" I ask brushing my hands off.

 

[SecretDesires]

OOC: Sorry i disappeared. I wasnt feeling well but i am back.

IC: As soon as she heard the voice, her hand instinctively went to a pocket where she had discovered throwing knives earlier. She didnt know what she was going to do with them as violence wasnt in her basic nature. But suvival was and she wasn't going to be caught flatfooted again.

Staring at the man who was dressed as a soldier, Kelly slowly put the knife in her pack again and shook her head at Micki's offer of different clothing.

"I don't think the clothing is what is wrong and I think that black might even be an advantage when night comes but thanks." Turning to the 'soldier' she said,"Do you have any idea what is going on here?" She was hoping because he seemed to work on the island he might have some answers that none of the rest of them did.

 

[cremebrulee]

~was out of town, back now~

*Jasamine*


I don't remember much after the hand on my shoulder. It was as if I were being transported, carried ~ flying instead of swimming, but with greater intensity this time.
I felt my head whirling and heard a deeply chilling voice saying something undistinguishable, but somewhat like an order. Yes, it was a cold dark order, then a low laugh, then more flying and spinning and a feeling that I had hands (or something else colder) running all over my body.
Then it went completely black. Little by little I felt myself regaining consciousness, but could not move or even feel my legs or arms.
My stomach began to turn. I could hear men's voices above me, but could not respond. Some turmoil and shuffling, yelling...
"Oh, God save me" I thought, but my lips could not move to form the words before I felt myself moving again as I began to wretch, my stomach violently spasming.
I then could hear two men speaking, "Jasamine!" one man said, then the voices again faded, became more muddled.

I could not see, everthing was still a blur as I lay paralized. I had an awful taste in my mouth. Had I vomited or had I ingested something? The taste was foul, unearthly, bitter, rotten.
I had to fight this.
I tried to open my eyes, but could not.
I tried to open my lips to speak, but could not.
It was as if I were in some sort of coma, still vaguely aware of what was going on around me when I heard the voices more clearly.
There were two men speaking in what seemed like a cross between a whisper and a shout. Their voices sounded as if they were in a tunnel far away getting closer.
Then I heard a new voice, a third man speaking.
Sounds got clearer, but I was still lost...

 

[kamalw1]

Loki looked at this new arrival and evaluated him. For some reason, Loki felt like he could trust him, so he recounted what had been going on to the stranger. After this was done, he walked back over to where Jack was sitting with the woman.

"I think we need to come up with some sort of plan," Loki said to the two men. "If we just walk around aimlessly while carrying her, we will probably find ourselves in a difficult situation. I think we should rest here and stand watch until she comes to. At least this way we can get our thoughts together and come up with something."

 

[Emotionless]

Dan shook his head at the question. "I haven't got a clue. Everything is different, the buildings, the landscape...everything."
The guard looked as if he were contemplating something then shook his head again. "I can't find any of the other guards or employees, so I came out here looking for guests....or anyone. Have you seen anyone else?"