Third Vine

[woodsiequeen]

[She received a letter. It contained nothing but a symbol:



She was insulted. How dare they flaunt their power, using this most revered symbol? It mocked her, reminding her that she was a failure and a prisoner. She stewed about it the entire day, until night fell and she prepared for bed. She sighed, realizing that she had fallen into a pattern once again. Humans did so love their routines, and she followed them to keep up her charade, but just like before, she found herself doing things subconsciously; going through the motions. Only this time, there was nothing tying her to true self. She had no power, she had no one close to her, and she didn't have the reassurance that she was working towards a goal. Was this her punishment? To slowly forget who she was and the higher purpose she served, and resolve herself to a life of conformity and patterns?

She thought about this as she stood in front of the mirror in the washroom as she did every night (another routine...). Just like before, she gazed at her reflection intently, trying to summon up even an inkling of her power, and just like before she expected to be disappointed. But this time the pattern was broken. Her eyes went wide as she watched herself change; as her soft skin became smooth, green bark. She could hardly believe it, but for the first time in weeks she saw herself as herself, and not that wretched human shell.

Viktoria wanted to scream. She wanted to run through the town and sing the praises of the Woodsie Lord for giving her this precious gift. But as she knew it was a gift, she also knew she could not be so careless with it. There was no one who needed to know of her powers, and therefore they would remain a secret... for now. She was well-versed in keeping her true self a secret. She slowly, almost sadly, reverted to her human disguise and crawled into bed... but she did not sleep. No, she waited until she was certain enough hours had passed, then slipped out of the room, and out of the house entirely.

Silently, she made her way to the park. It was artificial, like everything else in this horrid town, but it was the only place that felt fitting for a prayer of thanks to the Trickster. As she approached the small pond, she unbuttoned her nightgown and let it fall away from her, and as she knelt by the water she called the change again. It was such a wonderful sensation to feel the moonlight on her skin and the water absorbed through her fingertips again. She couldn't remain here; she would have to return before dawn so not to arouse suspicion, but she could linger just a little longer...]

((OOC: So hey, nightowls. Who wants to talk to the naked green babe in the park?))

Comments

lol, it happens~! XD

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

[Atticus turns toward the laugh, not really emoting his concern. Should it be someone who wanted to hurt him, he'd try to at least talk his way out of it and hope for the best. Even so, he wasn't terrified, and he wasn't the type to run. So he stood sternly in place and called out in his usual sturdy voice.]

I don't suppose you're out for the nice air, too, are you?

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

[So serious, like she was a child being scolded. Viktoria couldn't help herself; she wanted to play with this one a bit. After all, he was only a man, what could he possibly do to her?]

Of course. It's such a beautiful night, even for this place.

[She stood up and leaned against the tree. She was still in shadow, but now she was a little easier to see.]

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

[Atticus squinted at the dark, adjusting his glasses just so. He didn't seem fearful of her presence.]

Sorry, dear, my vision's a little weathered this late into the evening. You've been in Mayfield long? I've recently appeared here, myself.

[There was a bench nearby and he walked to it, sitting down and clasping his paperwork between two hands.]

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

Another newcomer? There's always so many, dragged away from their homes to this awful little prison. I've been here for weeks now, but there are others who have been here far longer.

[She ducks behind the tree, and reappears on the other side, out of the shadow.]

Is this better for you? I sometimes forget that men cannot see as well in the dark of night.

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

[Oh my you're naked. But Atticus is a gentlemen as usual.]

Older men, especially. We just can't hold on to our eyesight, it seems.

[A pause.]

Weeks? That sounds terrible--though, some of the people who've been here for more than a year must really be missing their homes at this point. I've personally yet to see the dark side of this town, but I'm hoping I'll be prepared for that day.

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

[Silly human, nymphs have no need for things like clothing. Or, you know, not making people feel awkward.]

Oh, you will, in time. I have seen the tricks and lies for myself twice already. But you seem like a smart man; I'm sure their lies will have no effect on you.

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your words--we'll have to see what happens in such a town. I've hardly had to deal with a world where everything is so eerily controlled and precise, but I'll try my best to figure out how to right their wrong.

[He takes off his glasses and cleans them on the inside of his coat. Even though he was in a new world, he looked like he never left Maycomb, Alabama.]

Perhaps my schooling as a lawyer can pay off in some intelligence digging. Or so I'm hoping, with my limited resources.

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

[A man of law? He certainly didn't seem like the type, but her standards were admittedly, abysmally low from what she was accustomed to.]

There are always so many people willing to help, but still the people here are disorganized and scattered. There are those that have been here longer than I that continue to believe the lies the puppet masters feed us.

[She was hardly one to talk. Her own intelligence gathering had been painfully slow ever since she "arrived", and she, too, fell for the Westport illusion. But this man didn't need to know that.]

Where I am from, I was also a dealer in information. Perhaps we could be of some service to one another?

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

Disorganized and scattered? I suppose that is understandable--it's in human nature to divot into different directions when things are confusing or out of their hands.

[He rubs his chin.]

I would appreciate that, ma'am. Any information you can offer would be more than welcomed and thanked.

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

It will be interesting to see whether we will all band together, or if we will ultimately fall apart in the face of our captors' power.

[Well, it seems she's decided to trust this man. They were on the same side, and after all, he didn't run screaming at the sight of her, like many people in the City would have.]

As would I. May I have your name, good sir? If we are to be allies, we should be introduced, should we not?

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

[Atticus adjusts his glasses, smiling softly.]

That does make sense. My name is Atticus--Atticus Finch, a pleasure to meet you.

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

The same. You may call me Viktoria. And now, I believe I have kept you too long. The night is no time for a man such as yourself.

[foureyed-lawyer.livejournal.com]

[The older gent yawns under his hand, checking his pocket watch.]

You're right, I'm afraid--I have a case in the morning, and though I'm confused about my current situation, I did swear to uphold my duties.

[He smiles, standing to his feet, bowing his head faintly.]

Take care, Miss Viktoria.

[plantenough.livejournal.com]

Until we meet again, then.

[And then she disappears behind the tree.]