Upon the Meadows of Past

Upon the Meadows of Past
Date of Scene:	27 November 2012
Location:	Castle Oblivion
Synopsis:	Avira is in for a wild ride as she and Skoll accidentally thread into Castle Oblivion
Cast of Characters:	Skoll Ulfang, Avira

---

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
An arrival to the Castle Oblivion is rarely one done on purpose. Skoll had invited Avira for a walk and somehow, they'd taken a wrong turn at the crossroads after meeting at - and leaving - Luca. Who can blame them? It's a rather landmarkless location. As they approached the 'strange castle' however, memories just go a bit woozy. Did they choose to enter themselves? It's hard to remember. Castle Oblivion messes with one's perception of reality after all...

But reality suddenly changes. Skoll is gone - and there is only Avira, standing amidst an absolutely beautiful meadow. There are forests all around her, a blue sky, and animals are gently grazing near an Oasis. In the distance, a few antelopes jump around, and elsewhere, there's a group of grazing Chocobos of various colors. But most of all, she might note... in this moment... she is alone. And the only landmark upon this plain... is a single forest in the distance, and a huge mountain far far - far in the distance.

Avira has posed:
Hanging out with Skoll was always a welcomed thing for Avira. Yes, even if it might include being abandoned in a dangerous forest for a few days. Heck, there's even the barest hint that she actually...likes that kind of thing. Walks are okay too.

But somehow, even a walk can go wrong. It's probably Reize's fault.

Suddenly everything becomes strange and hard to focus once she spots that strange-looking castle. Memories start to run together, fade, twist, and vanish entirely. Did she enter the castle on her own will? Did something take her here? She was here with someone...with Skoll, right?

When she finally regains her awareness, she finds herself alone, standing and staring blankly into space. Shaking her head, she looks around, slightly panicked as she realizes that Skoll wasn't here. Furthermore, this wasn't the...what was she approaching again? Avira rubs her head, unable to remember.

"Skoll?" she calls out, looking around. There was nobody there! Nobody but chocobos and antelopes. "...oh, so maybe he...yes."

Of course. He left her alone again to fend for herself, that must be what happened. Assuming this to be the case, she 'gets to work' and slowly starts to approach the chocobos.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Upon her approach of the Chocobos, the creatures look up automatically. They tilt their heads for a moment, before the red ones suddenly move to the front... and tiny little meteors start coming down upon the field, aimed at her - trying to seek her out moments before the entire pack turns and flees! It looks like these Chocobos are used to humans - or at least people who look like her - and are mightily wary and startled by her! They don't even 'stop' running, they just keep going and keep going, making distance from her, looking back in fright now and again.

Maybe, this is not one of those times. Surely, Skoll would not have left her behind like this. And certainly not with such dangerous animals. But more importantly... why are the animals so dangerous here!?

Avira has posed:
Well THIS is new and officially marks the first time that Avira's seen chocobos THIS aggressive! Or magical, for that matter. A startled yelp escapes her as she dances around the field in a manner that'd be pretty hilarious to watch. "Hey! Hey calm down!" she begs, but it's too late for her words from the heart to reach them. They've all already run away from her.

Avira doesn't move to chase, merely watching with some sadness as they all run away. "...Skoll?" she calls out again and starts to wander, making her way to that forest. This place he's taken her...she didn't recognize that at all but part of her just wasn't surprised by that.

Avira has posed:
Time passes. Avira reaches the forest and continues to explore, searching for her dear friend Skoll. She has no luck whatsoever. In her search, she does come across more of the native animal wildlife but...much to her disappointment, they flee her.

Or worse yet. Attack her. Her attempts to prevent this fail again and gradually, she grows more disheartened by this turn of events.

Eventually, she elects to climb a tree and wait quietly, taking the time to silently listen to the forest around her and acclimate herself. She'd actually been trying this quite a bit lately, not only in places like these, but in the desert and grasslands around Rabanastre. She doesn't do anything now, but listen and watch.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
When she finally gets into the trees of the forest, the forest grows a bit more quiet - sounds returning to normal. Slowly, she starts coming to acclimate herself with the forest. Its sounds. Animals darting here and there. Predators stalking their prey - yet remaining skittish. The predators she /had/ encountered had seemed strong - magical. The equivalent of being 'above her level'. In the distance, she can hear the stomping of something large that she probably would want to avoid...

But then, there is a disturbance. Prey-animals suddenly move away from where she is. And then, not moments later, creatures walk beneath her at the ground-level. They don't seem to have noticed her. Massive walking werewolves, talking to eachother. And she can understand them. "I heard rumor that someone scared the chocobos ahead." A woman jokes. The male replies; "Hahah! Yes, I saw some of the comets dropping in the distance. They're probably as flat as a pancake." They're wearing what you'd expect a werewolf to wear, and seem to be fairly relaxed amidst a forest of so much danger. Are they maybe the reason the animals are so skittish and strong here?

Avira has posed:
Dangerous magical predators were /intensely/ unfair, existing like that. Avira's forced to adopt the extreme avoidance patterns she cultivated in Bramble Forest. Fortunately, it seems to work.

As she expands her awareness of the forest, she takes in those stomping sounds off in the distance. Clearly a big predator of some kind. The nearby disturbance distracts her and she hears the other animals skittering away. Part of her fears that a CERTAIN SOMEONE has arrived and will attack her shortly.

But instead she sees...werewolves beneath her? Yes, definitely werewolves, given that she's witnessed Hati's full transformation. She watches them closely and remains very still as she realizes that she doesn't recognize either of them.

The chocobos..they were talking about her. Inwardly, she begins to debate on whether or not to call out to them but quickly makes the connection that these natural hunters are probably why the animals here are so strong and skittish. Upon realizing this, she quietly slinks backwards out of sight.

Then it strikes her how impossible this is. Those are werewolves. Those are Skoll's people. Weren't they all killed? Unless...unless he was wrong and his world still IS here.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
She had yet to tell Skoll of this 'certain someone'. But neither is Skoll here it would appear at first. The girl remains up in the trees as the werewolves wander along, and she goes unnoticed. In fact, Avira can probably tell that it's her training so far that helps her in going unnoticed. Then suddenly, "Daddy! Wait up!" She might recognize the voice! A young human skoll, minus the chains, is seen running after his parents until finally he folds his fingers around his father's tail and pulls himself in it for safety. He himself has a tiny cute doggy tail.

The man turns around, "Don't be such a little coward, Skoll." The father comments, chuckling, before looking at the woman besides himself. "Don't be so hard on him Odin...-" The female werewolf tells him, followed by Odin picking up Skoll and putting him easily on his shoulder. "He has to become strong - you know that. He has to become the next Alpha, when I get too old. Besides... he's special. Even amongst our people."

Then. Those two very important words... "An Unlimited."

Avira has posed:
The werewolves move on and Avira suppresses a sigh of relief. Sure, the pair might actually be friendly and might take a random human being here very well. Or they could view her as one of the prey animals of the forest and hunt her down. Being a fairly survival-minded lady, she's going to play it safe right now.

Fast feet and a child voice calling out to his daddy make her freeze. It's not just because that means there was a third werewolf here, but because she recognizes that voice. Very carefully, she adjusts her position so she can peer down and watch.

Little boy Skoll. He's so...so CUTE. Avira's heart melts. Wait. Odin. Daddy.

She must've been sent back in time. Watching the scene unfold, she listens carefully. 'An Unlimited.' The words are filed away in her mind for now for she's smart enough to know that it definitely must mean something.

Eventually, she must creep along in the tree to follow the happy family to keep listening in. She really wanted to listen in now that adorable little Skoll was being discussed.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
The threesome goes completely unaware of Avira ever still. Luckily, it's not too hard to keep up with them. Not long after she has to move into the next tree, another girl arrives. Younger than Skoll. If Skoll had a sister... then this must be Hati. "Mommy!" She calls out, which has Odin look back for a moment... and grunt. Though young Skoll doesn't seem to notice - this young - Avira would. This is a father that doesn't 'want to recognize' his daughter. With the way the father holds himself, and how skinny Hati is in compared to Skoll.

The mother werewolf takes the girl into her arm and lifts her up, staring into her eyes -- which is quickly followed by a beautiful pearly white light... and then Hati is suddenly a werewolf. Slightly bigger - but still clearly a child werewolf, the mother keeps her dotingly to her chest. Skoll on the other hand, not having looked directly into anyone's eyes, doesn't transform. He just sticks his tongue out at his dad - which draws a chuckle from the massive beast.

They continue to walk, and Avira follows. What follows is mostly smalltalk for now.

Avira has posed:
That's right, Hati was a part of this family too. She pauses in the next tree, watching this interaction carefully. The disinterested reaction of the father certainly is noticed and it draws a small frown from the huntress's face. Given the size difference...maybe Hati was too runty for her father's approval?

But at least the mother seems to care. Avira doesn't shade her eyes when Hati changes, but she does squint a little and continues to watch. She's...pretty adorable too as a little girl. Too bad she'd eventually become that jerk Avira met in Fluorgis that one day.

Avira follows for a while and listens in on the small talk. Though after a while, when she doesn't hear anything else important being said about Skoll (including an explanation of what an Unlimited might be) she holds back and waits for them to continue on into the forest.

Once they have passed, she drops down back to the forest floor with a muted thump. "...now I need to find a way back to the future."

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Indeed, Hati was the runt of the family. Odin had fathered a strong son - Skoll - an Unlimited. And then there had been Hati, the Runt of a child, weak, and 'not worth his attention'. Odin is not a kind werewolf. But as they pass, and the girl finally drops to her feet, silence reigns for a while. Then suddenly, a white light and the pitter-patter of feet. She might notice then, at her feet... something had fallen. A small chain necklace lays directly at her feet.

Before she has a chance to react, a little werewolf Skoll appear out of the bushes, strong even as a youngster, with a long large bushy and poofy tail and feathers in his ears. There's beautiful marks across his fur that somehow show that he is indeed special. Undetered by the fact that a strange girl is standing in front of him, the young boy just goes up to her, grabs the necklace, and then looks up and smiles at her. "Hi!" He says... then turns around and goes to all fours and runs off. "Bye!" Energetic one, isn't he?

Then, things change. The world, once based on a memory of his changes... and then she suddenly 'is' elsewhere...

It's her dorm, she's laying on her bed, and there's knocking at her door. "Rose! Hey Rose!?" She should recognize the voice of her ex's.

Avira has posed:
It was all pretty sad. Though her own parents had always been supportive of her, even when...things didn't turn out as great as they hoped in school, they'd never been that dismissive of her. She was an only child though. How strange that she's actually feeling quite sorry for Hati now.

Avira looks around the forest, considering her options, when she first notices the necklace at her feet. Then she hears the rapid pitter-pattering.

Then the young Skoll appears in his werewolf form and Avira's heart melts all over again. She...she wanted to pick him up and hug him, but restrains herself and just stares down at him. "...hi." she says back with a smile, staring to reach out for him to pet his fuzzy little head. Then he's off. Then...

That's right, she had to get up now.

Rosalie Levine lies in her bed, staring at the ceiling, fighting the strong urge to skip class again. She wouldn't even bother getting up if a certain someone wasn't knocking at her door. Blearily, she gets up and heads over, opening it to the familiar blonde. "Val? What's wrong?"

Rosalie is quick to smile-it was actually quite a joy for him to come visit /her/ for a change. Lately it just seemed like she had to chase and chase to get his attention.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
"Is it true? You've been seeing another boy?" Oblivion Castle is not perfect. Memories will get confused - change - even when the central points remain. "I heard you were hanging with some damned silverhaired kid - what are you, into old men now? And seriously, those chains? I didn't think..." Her 'boyfriend' leans with one arm against the doorpost, staring at her with a fit of anger aimed at her. It seems he is not letting that smile stay there for long, is he.

Her memories are confused. They are mixing this world with the other world. She had been hanging out with Skoll! But not in this world. Or had she!? Was he in her class? Or some biker from a gang that hung around her campus?

Avira has posed:
As she approaches him, that smile disappears so fast.

"What? N-no! I-" Before she can get much farther, he interrupts again, describing some person that...sounded familiar. She knew that person, where had she...

Memories start to twist and 'click' into place. Rosalie lifts both of her hands up in a defensive fashion. "Skoll is just a friend!" she exclaims, waving her hands around, "We're not hanging out or anything, he's tutoring me in organic chemistry!" Which, well, took up a lot of time actually. They had to spend quite a few evenings together, especially since the end of the semester was fast approaching and soon exam time would be here. Yes, that's exactly what was happening. "And the chains, he.."

She trails off for a moment, turning red. Why? "It's his look, okay? Valeth I promise, there's nothing between him and I!"

She reaches for her boyfriend now, trying to place a hand on his neck and rub it in a calming fashion. Yes, this was bad enough that she'd get physical to assauge his anger.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Her boyfriend just gives her this /look/ when she claims that Skoll is 'just a friend'. And by the looks of it, when she tells him he's been 'tutoring' her in organic chemistry , it isn't helping. "The class you keep getting all those Fs in? I bet he 'tutors' real well!" He groans at her, not believing her, but when she goes so far as to put her hand on his shoulders, Valeth seems to calm down for a moment. He puts a hand on her hand and takes a moment to breathe...

And then he breathes out again. "Sorry... I just... I don't want to hear these kind of things you know? It's bad for my reputation... and you..."

Avira has posed:
It doesn't look like he's buying it, does he? This only makes Rosalie more nervous. "I-I'm not doing that bad in it!" she protests. More flaily-if she lost Val, then what would she be left with? She would have...nobody...? No, she still had Skoll, right?

Her mind seems to hit a snag for a moment, competing memories bumping against each other. The crushing depression of an ended relationship versus actually having friends around to cope with things. That hadn't happened. What is...

To the casual observer, she seems to space out unnaturally.

When he speaks again, she snaps out of it. "No, I'm sorry. I really should be spending more time with you." She sounds...hopeful. "You do believe me, right?" she lets her hand rest there.

If he didn't, at least Skoll would be there-wait, there goes her head hurting again as she thinks about this. Her free hand lifts to rub her forehead.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Her boyfriend gives her a strange look, one she might recognize in that moment as something fierceful. An intent stare, like she'd once seen in Kaze. An aura she might recognize in someone like Garland. "You know you are failing that class, Rose. Don't play tricks with me." Valenth comments, before he lets out a lazy sigh and shakes his head. "I'd like it if you came to me more often." He then adds, "I don't know if I believe you though."

The youth gives her a wary look up and down, before he shrugs. "I guess you'd never cheat on me. You'd be all alone and would have nobody anymore." Wait, did that sound right? The youth then turns around and walks right away from her down the hall... and she watches him as the door turns to a window, and suddenly she is standing in her own room, the door blockaded off. There's scratching on the door! Shadows! Somehow, she knows what these things are now!

But her blockade! It isn't helping! THEY'RE COMING!

Avira has posed:
That look was familiar...but...she hadn't seen it on his face before. Nor did he feel like that horrible force of chaos she's met before-in fact, that felt like Garland. She shrinks away from him now, her hand withdrawing, feeling a pang of terror and the glow of shame bright upon her cheeks. She was pre-med, failing organic chemistry was absolutely unconscionable. "I-I'm not..." she says in a tiny voice.

'Skoll would be ashamed right now.' she finds herself thinking, 'He'd be ashamed if he saw me like this. That's why I...'

He gives her that look and...yes. He definitely said that to her. She remembered that quite clearly now. Not long after that, he did break it up and she was...

Confused memories smash together in her head again.

Rosalie starts to follow when Valeth walks away. "Wait, don't go-" The door is closed off, everything she could find in the office piled against it to keep those creatures out.

NOT AGAIN. She looks out the window before her, and everything is dark. The sky is gone and even the electrical lights that typically power the city are dimmed. Sirens go off in the distance and screams can be heard in the building. "Not again not again not again..." she shudders, blindly groping around for something to defend herself with. Her hands find it-the human spine model-and she grips it as if it were her only lifeline, scared.

'That's why I changed myself. I didn't want to be this anymore.' Her hands now hold the Spine, post modifications she made upon it that turned it into a servicable weapon. "This isn't right...what's going on!?"

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
"Finally, I find you." Then suddenly, from just behind her, she hears a familiar voice. Skoll steps out from nowhere and comes to stand besides her, putting a single hand on her shoulder as she stands at the ready with the 'spine' sword. His hand 'squeezes' on her shoulder in that moment, before he lets his chains drop to the ground. Who knows what kind of things he'd gone through. Had he seen things of her memory? Or had he been lost within his own!?

"Come on, stand straight. You are not alone." Behind him, a foursome of wolves come from nowhere, standing on either side of her; her allies from the Bramble forest. "We will keep watch over you. We will protect you, even when you believe you can no longer sleep." The wolves howl... yet somehow she can understand them. Then finally, the shadows pop up and try to lunge at them... and are caught immediately by a swing of Skoll's chain, which brings them back to the ground and explodes them.

"But we cannot stay here. Not within this maze of memories." Skoll then adds, "Come on, we should go." He whispers, and offers a hand to Avira. "Come with me."

Avira has posed:
She knew how this went. She'd face the end of her world alone then get swallowed up by the darkness. Her less restful nights had nightmares of that day. But today someone stands with her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Skoll!" she squeaks, almost about to throw herself on him and hug him tightly. He looked weary though-or more accurately, as if he'd been fighting something himself. Fighting what though? Memories?

That's it, isn't it. She straightens suddenly, a smile on her face as she sees the familiar wolves. "Skoll...my friends." It doesn't even strike her as odd that she can understand them.

She then half turns away, lashing out with the full reach of her Spine to drive the Shadows back, working in concert with Skoll's chains, even though she doesn't have the same reach he does.

"I agree." Avira says briskly, grasping Skoll's hand tightly.

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
With their both attacks, the heartless are pounded and defeated within moments. It seem that those of places like World of Ruin truly do have a strength of their own. A unique natural ability to destroy these heartless. "Never lose that light." Skoll whispers, before he pulls her through a Portal of Darkness - and draws her through it by one hand. The 'wolves' are left behind in that world - merely a memory.

When the two step out, they are in Twilight Town, right in front of her headquarters. Skoll grins, "I heard that you guys were making a place here." Really, he'd just seen her walk in and out now and again. "But I do wonder... those wolves. What did they mean to say - we will protect you even if you believe you can no longer sleep? My dragging you into the forest?"

Avira has posed:
"I'm going to hold onto it. Until I die." Avira murmurs and moves with him, drawn through one of those portals. She steels herself for this experience, knowing that stepping through one seemed to hurt her just a little. Avira won't tell Skoll this, especially when it seems like it's their only escape route.

When they are free-at least, Avira believes they are 'free', she finally lets out a sigh of relief. Looking up at him, she smiles back. "Yep, this is the VALKYRI base." , Oh is she ever so proud of this!

The cryptic words though, "Yes. That...while I was there, after I made friends with the wolves, I slept with them, and they protected me through the night from the Noise Sho had put in there."

There's a pause and she looks to Skoll again. In her mind, she sees that adorable child again. "Skoll...do you have any idea what just happened?"

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll calmly turns to look her way, then shakes his head. "I am afraid not. Be it a spell, or a special place... somehow, I think we shared some of our memories." The werewolf moves his other hand to his chin and rubs it - Avira has not let go of the other one after all. Something he comments on not moments later; "But I think you do have to let go at /some/ point. I don't know what you've seen in there though... so I guess I will allow this Lady to hold my hand for a little longer."

The werewolf then looks back to the headquarters. "Have you seen those wolves since?" He then asks.

Avira has posed:
"So you saw..." Avira suddenly turns red with embarassment. Her previous life was something she clearly wasn't too proud of, though someone of Skoll's background might be hard-pressed to really see why. The important part was that this was apparently the past she would go so far as to lie to cover it up.

Then she realizes she's still holding his hand. After a moment, she squeezes that hand, then lets it go. "N-no, I haven't seen them since. I've been so busy lately-" and even captured by the horrible Baronians! "-that I haven't been able to go looking for that forest."

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
"I saw some things... not sure I understand. Met a man named Valeth. Seemed like a jerk - no honor." He must have seen him in the very last parts of their relationship if anything? "However, I do think I need to acquire one of those 'motorcycles' - they seem pretty rad." The punkish looking youth comments, grinning widely. "Nothing to get all flustered about." He then adds. He squeezes her hand back casually, and then sticks both of his hands into his pockets.

"Busy huh? Hope you've been okay." Skoll notes, leaning back against the wall of her headquarters. "Need help finding the place?"

Avira has posed:
"He was." Avira says very softly, confirming that he certainly had become a part of her memories somehow. She tries to chase away her own discomfort with a cheerful laugh, "I could definitely see you on a motorcycle, Skoll." Avira smiles, almost slyly, "Maybe we can arrange for you to have one someday." Just like -Mercade- hand one.

"Mostly okay." Sounds like Skoll hadn't heard about the Baron incident. Good. Then he wouldn't have seen that horrible picture of her circulating around. "Well I would like help...but at the same time, I want to be able to find this place on my own. I want to be able to find my friends again." She looks to the VALKYRI HQ. "Also you want to come in, I can show you around a little. It's not much though."

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
"Very well then, I will leave you to your own journey - when it comes to meeting your old friends." Skoll comments, before he shakes his head. "Though I am afraid that I can't come in." He pulls out a beautiful golden pocketwatch from a chain out of his pockets, opens it, and nods at it. "Just as I thought. I don't know how long it /felt/ were trapped in there exactly, but it's been hours out her"

The werewolf then suddenly bows, going royally through his knees before her. "You will have to excuse this werewolf, my lady. It is unfortunately time for me to depart." It seems like he is sorry about it too. Like he doesn't really just wanna up and leave. "My appologies." A dark portal opens up behind him. He then stands back up and tilts his head to the side a little. She has some time before he leaves at least.

Avira has posed:
"I promise I will find it one day. I want to see the wolves again." She hadn't realized until she saw them in that strange memory-tinged place just how much she missed them. Now Avira wanted to see them again more than ever...and sleep curled up with them on the forest floor.

Her face pales a little when he mentions that they were trapped in there for hours. "Wow, I..." Suddenly Skoll seems a little more polite than before. A small sad look is on her face, as if she didn't want him to leave so abruptly either. As he starts to go, she quickly speaks up.

"Skoll, before you go...what is an Unlimited?"

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll pauses when she speaks his name, just about to turn away, and halts halfway into the portal. His tail moves down a little, and he then glances back to her. "Beings that live for very... very long - Avira. Far longer than a human. Longer than elves. Beings that heal, no matter what hurts them... with a few exceptions." He turns his gaze to the ground. It seems she has him a little longer with that question. He turns his head towards the portal. "Why do you ask?"

Avira has posed:
Did he remember? His reaction's rather unusual. Sad even as his tail droops ever so slightly. When Skoll looks back, he'll find her looking back curiously. That explanation though, it literally brings a small twist of pain to Avira's heart. So Skoll might live forever? He'd drastically outlive her? "Oh, I see." she pauses, looking at him as he lingers. "I saw some of your memories. I heard your parents-your father, call you that."

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
Skoll just silently nods his head - he doesn't say he is one, but he just lets it hang there. "That's what I've been told anyhow. I can't prove it until I've lived a far longer life." He explains, and then steps into the portal partially, and looks back at her. "Odin." He then notes, reiterating his father's name. "By the way... does your headquarters have room for a puppy? As you may remember, we have an abundance of them at our place."

Avira has posed:
Strange how Skoll won't seem to admit that he is one. He must know, Avira trusts, and not want to talk about it anymore. Or as he finally admits, he might not even believe it himself. Not until he's lived for far longer. "Yes, it was him. I..er..." she smailes, flattered, "PoSSIBLY. valencia's experiments can be a little dangerous, though, but I'm sure everyone would love a puppy."

Skoll Ulfang has posed:
"'should come by the Shard Seekers HQ then. Pick one out." Skoll notes, before stepping through the portal, before he nods. "And yes, I am fairly sure I am Unlimited. For there is one other trait they possess - one that none of my people ever did." The portal slowly begins to close. "As a Werewolf, I am a summoner." And so, the portal closes.