Off one Ship, Onto a Thousand Others

Kada

Kada

Comradmin
Administrator
Supporter
Aug 9, 2016
5,922
Gender
Male
Pronouns
Him/Her/Them
Posting Status
Daily, Weekly
Shuji grabbed what little luggage he had been able to bring with him as two sailors, much larger than himself, escorted him off of the ship that just days before had set sail from Japan.

He had spent most of the trip confined to his room, after some of the crew had stopped working in order to chat him up. He had been impressed that they could understand one another, despite an apparent language barrier. His meals had been brought to him, and he couldn't watch the ocean while they travels. But his bed had been comfy and he was excited by the prospect of a new place and new people to meet.

The two men more or less tossed Shuji onto the docks, giving him a brusque grunt before walking back up the plank to continue their duties. Smiling, Shuji gave a wave to the retreating men and shouted, "Thank you very much for the trip! Have a good day!"

Standing up and brushing himself off, he clenched his fists and staring up at the island that stood before him, his jaw set with determination. "Alright... This is the start of a brand new adventure! I can't wait!"
Now he just had to find his way into the city, and a job, and a place to live. Maybe a local would be kind enough to help him out? He picked up his suitcase and looked around.
 
Crayola

Crayola

Active Member
Inactive
Jul 31, 2016
41

Words: 289

shujinko

Braylar was restless. Somehow she'd managed to find the mythical marketplace that sold human flesh and finagled some off the keeper, but she was still missing something. There was an essential piece to the puzzle that made her life more than just eating.

The hunt. She was missing the hunt. Searching down a potential quarry. Just enough interaction to learn the best way to convince them to come with her. Dragging them into the depths of water and watching the life drain from their eyes as they tried desperately to breathe. . . .

That was what her life was about.

So she decided to try something new. Stalk the docks, and watch the new people come in. Surely a new arrival to the island wouldn't have their guard up and would be easy pickings. They wouldn't have had time to make friends and anchor themselves in the society of the island. They wouldn't be missed. . .no one would come looking. . . .

She spotted her mark two hours into the stakeout. An average man in every sense of the word. Braylar didn't immediately spot anything suspect about him, so she glamoured herself up into her maiden guise, complete with a yellow sundress.

Confidence put a bounce in each of her barefoot steps as she approached him, glad that they were by the docks. It wouldn't seem to out of place for her hair to be damp. Hands clasped behind her back, she stopped in front of him and smiled as he straightened up from picking up his bags.

"Hello," she greeted him with convincing cheer. "My name is Braylar, and I'm here to guide you into town!"

Hopefully he took the bait: she didn't know how long she could keep up the charade.

NOTES: she thinks she's so freaking slick

&
 
Kada

Kada

Comradmin
Administrator
Supporter
Aug 9, 2016
5,922
Gender
Male
Pronouns
Him/Her/Them
Posting Status
Daily, Weekly
Shujinkō's vision of the island was suddenly taken over by golden yellow hair and deep red brown eyes. Letting his eyes blink into focus, he came to see the young woman in the yellow sundress standing before him, all cheery and offering to help him around the island.

"B-beautiful," he said to himself, nearly tripping over his own feet as he took a reflexive step backwards. Catching himself and not wanting to be rude, he gave a polite bow to the girl and flashed a small, awkward smile. "A-ah. Sorry. My name is Shujinkō Nishimura. It's a pleasure to meet you, Braylar-san."

Scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, he gestured with his luggage. His smile never went away. "Looks like it's my lucky day. I needed a guide to the city. I just never expected the welcome committee to be so cute."

Oh no Shuji you idiot. She totally thinks you're a creep now. The first person you meet on the island and you are already alienating them. Shuji's inner turmoil was clear in his face as he stood stock still, lost in self-depreciating thought.
 
Crayola

Crayola

Active Member
Inactive
Jul 31, 2016
41

Words: 243

shujinko

None would be so surprised as Braylar at the refined giggle that slipped past her lips at his gushing. She paused for the briefest of moments, stricken at her own reaction. It wasn't the first—nor would it be the last—time she had been complimented.

All just part of the act, she figured. Up close, though, she couldn't help but consider how he wasn't quite so plain. Human, as far as she could tell, not dangerous. . .but there was still something she couldn't put her hoof on.

Maybe he just looked extra delicious because she was hungry.

"Well," she started after clearing her throat. "I happen to spend a lot of times at the dock watching people and the ocean alike, trying to pick up new residents where I can."

This was what Braylar was talented at. As a subspecies of fae, lying was a difficult thing to do. Twisting the truth into specious statements. . .it was all necessary if she ever wished to deceive anyone into doing what she wanted. If she could get away with asking people if it was okay to eat them, she would.

It would be less fun, but results were results. The world didn't work like that, anyway.

She continued. "It is a bit of walk, though. Tell me, do you know how to ride horses, Shujinko? And please, there is no need for honorifics. Braylar will do just fine." She flashed him a pleasant smile.

NOTES: oh dang she making a play

&
 
Kada

Kada

Comradmin
Administrator
Supporter
Aug 9, 2016
5,922
Gender
Male
Pronouns
Him/Her/Them
Posting Status
Daily, Weekly
Shuji flinched just a bit at first as Braylar let out a laugh, but eased up when he realized that the laughter didn't seem malicious. Letting out a sigh and shaking his head, he returned to smiling at the girl. "Ah, thank you very much. I was worried about finding my way around, but with you here I'm sure everything will be fine. It's very kind of you to take time out of your day to help new arrivals." He gave a small bow to show his appreciation.

At the mention of horses, Shuji's smile faded just a bit and he tapped his cheek thoughtfully. "I've never ridden a horse before, ah, Braylar-s... Braylar. But I'd be willing to try. Just please be patient and take care of me." Shuji returned the smile and felt himself blushing a bit. She was acting pretty normal. This was the first time he had spoken to a girl normally in a long time. They usually just ended up... Gah, don't think about that now, you moron.
 
Crayola

Crayola

Active Member
Inactive
Jul 31, 2016
41

Words: 201

shujinko

This was proving to be the easiest hunt she'd ever been on! He was so trusting, so naive, so precious. . . .

She shook off that strange last thought and smiled at Shujinko. Oh, she planned to take care of him. Up until she wandered off and tried to eat him, that is. She was giddy at the prospect of her first real meal in days.

"I will be your guide and your ride today!" she chirped, taking a couple steps away from her prey.

In a matter of seconds, her human glamour shed and she replaced it with that of a thin veil over her true form. A mare now stood before Shunjinko, her head low and tail swishing. She would be slightly damp to the touch, but otherwise appeared to be nothing more than cream-colored horse with dark eyes.

"For I am a horse," she stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Braylar lowered herself to the ground so that Shunjinko might mount her easier, seeing as she had no saddle or stirrups for him to use. "I'll go slow. Just please don't pull on my mane too hard. I can carry you and your bags, just keep them in front of you."

NOTES: who doesn't like riding horses tho for real

&
 
Kada

Kada

Comradmin
Administrator
Supporter
Aug 9, 2016
5,922
Gender
Male
Pronouns
Him/Her/Them
Posting Status
Daily, Weekly
Shuji was really confused when Braylar mentioned that she would be his ride. His mind went to very inappropriate places very briefly, and flashbacks to high school played through his head. He took a step back, raising his arm defensively. His legs tensed, ready to run at a moment's notice if this girl attempted to jump him. Surely she wouldn't, not in a public place? Though it had happened before...

He stared in wonder as the girl in front of him transformed into a beautiful horse before his very eyes. He stood slack jawed, unsure if what he was seeing was real or not. "I, uh... how did you... but... what?"
The initial shock wore off, and Shuji circled the girl, now a horse, looking at her from all sides. This was really something. "Wow, Braylar! I've never met someone who could do anything like this before. Are you sure it's safe to be transforming yourself out in public like that? I mean, I wouldn't want anyone to think anything weird about you."

But now that he thought about it, Shuji had noticed some oddities about the crew of the ship that had brought him here. Not that any of it really mattered to him. His whole life had been one oddity after another. He hesitated, putting a hand on Braylar's back.
Was it really alright to do? He didn't want to impose on her. But she really seemed sincere with the offer.

Carefully, Shuji mounted the horse, unsure of how to sit rally or where to put his hands. He put his single suitcase in front of him and put a hand on Braylar's neck. He was blushing furiously. He was, after all, just sitting on top of a horse that had not moments before been a beautiful girl.
 
Crayola

Crayola

Active Member
Inactive
Jul 31, 2016
41

Words: 259

shujinko

Bless his tasty heart he knew nothing about this island! He was worried that she would be seen as a freak. There was an animated skeleton running around in the nude and he was worried because she'd turned into a horse!

Ah, soon enough he'd realize that she had a much more sinister form than a normal horse. It was too bad he would never learn about all the fantastical things living on the island. But it made her wonder for a moment, while she gave him simple adjustments to make the ride more comfortable for both of them, what exactly he was doing on the island.

Once he was situated in a better position, Braylar stood up. A much more difficult task than one might think. Standing from a prone position for a horse wasn't simple, but she made it look somewhat graceful.

"Alright," she said, turning her head to look at him. "Hold on tight with your knees, but not too tight. It's unfortunate that your first horse ride has to be bareback, but I'll go slow."

With that, she set off at a brisk but manageable pace. Truth be told, the second Shunjinko had found his seat, she'd made her skin sticky. He wouldn't notice unless he attempted to dismount her or moved around too much, but he wasn't going to fall off anytime soon. On accident or on purpose.

"What brings you to Manta Carlos, Shunjinko? Surely you are aware of the island's inhabitants? I am certainly not the strangest thing around here," she asked.

NOTES: <3

&
 
Kada

Kada

Comradmin
Administrator
Supporter
Aug 9, 2016
5,922
Gender
Male
Pronouns
Him/Her/Them
Posting Status
Daily, Weekly
Shuji nodded and let himself enjoy the ride, holding on with his legs like Braylar told him. He closed his eyes as they began to move, letting the gentle ocean breeze waft over him and feeling the familiar warmth of the sun on his face. It was relaxing, practically disarming, and he was more excited about seeing the island and starting a new chapter of his life. He kept one hand lightly held on Braylar's mane while the other rested on top of his suitcase so that it didn't fall.

When Braylar mentioned that she wasn't the strangest thing on the island, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. There were things here more fantastic than a lovely girl who could turn into a horse? He shook his head at the question and smiled as he looked up into the sky. "Ah, no. I'm afraid I don't know exactly why I'm here, Braylar. The truth is, I've always had a knack for getting myself into pretty ludicrous situations." Wow, that's the understatement of the year, he thought to himself. He chuckled at the thought and shook his head.

"I was sitting at home, thinking about how I needed a change of pace. Something new to break up the rut I had gotten into. And then I get this letter in the mail. It told me that here was a place that understood my struggles. That I could be myself there without fear. My father wasn't talking to me anymore, and I had very few friends who would miss me. So, I just decided to roll with the punches and see what happened."

Shuji scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "And so far, it looks like its all worked out. This island is beautiful, and I got to meet such a nice person like you, Braylar-san. Ah sorry, I mean... hahaha..."
 
Crayola

Crayola

Active Member
Inactive
Jul 31, 2016
41

Words:199

shujinko

At the very least Braylar could assume he had some sort of passive ability that he was unaware of. It mattered little to her end game: after all, whatever it was it didn't immediately tell him she was a dangerous thing that wanted to gobble him up.

And that was all she really cared about. An easy meal.

She flicked her tail and started up a quicker trot, now that he had no reasonable way to fall off barring whatever power he had unsticking him from her. "Yes, the island is quite lovely. Why don't we see more of it sometime?"

The ride to the edge of the city was a rather short one from the docks once she picked up speed, but Braylar stopped just on the outskirts, still shrouded by trees. "Well, this is the city," she said, pausing just long enough for her rider to get a decent look at what he could of it. "Alright, moving on."

And just like that, she pulled off the beaten path and headed deeper into the woods. Not quite turning all the way around to go back the way they came, but away from the city all the same.

NOTES: sorry, mondays are busy for me!

&
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Forgot your password?