Wishes Have Aftershock Tremors (Kiriyama)
OoC: I have to admit, I just thought it was cool that the thread is abbreviated "What?" Because that's what's going to be going on for a lot of it.
BiC: Ash continued to pour over the vast, empty land of Red Hill’s wasted environment. He ran a thoughtful hand through his red, silky, short hair while staring out into the approaching night. The sunset quickly approached, and along with it, another restless day for The Wishmaster. He allowed a leg to hang off the side of the boulder he tried to relax on. His cold, listless eyes flashed among the surroundings he found, wishing something would move, if even for the worse.
He felt… he didn’t know how to explain it. As if he wished himself for some poor soul to come for a wish. Not because he knew he could get something out of it each time and grow stronger, but because he enjoyed the company of the people, even when it was bad for them.
You grow restless, my servant.
“Yes… I do.” Pyralis whispered back to the master he knew. “I wish for something. Do you sense anything happening in the future?”
I do. There is something that will happen soon, it will satisfy your craving, my servant.
“Good,” Pyralis commented, leg unconsciously moving up and down in a jittery motion. “Do they come with a wish?”
It is too early to tell. Be patient, and your power shall come.
“Very well.” Pyralis allowed his thoughts to drift back, though he didn’t really have memories to recall. The first thing he really vividly drew out was his birth, the moment he awakened, not knowing who he was or what he was. The young man had no knowledge of any concept such as slavery, or how it was wrong, including emotions and the idea of being an individual, a free person.
Recalling your birth, aren’t you?
“Yes. I was remembering,” Pyralis stated, leaning back slightly, then forward enough to see his reflection. To this being, all Pyralis knew was being the slave of his master. He was to do as his master asked without question, and as such, he had no right to act as if he knew anything. He was simply to obey and act. Those were the only things he knew. He had no personality, no wants, no needs… or so he thought. The truth, was that Pyralis did remember other things.
Of course, the images and thoughts were not vivid enough to cause any damage to the master’s claims. All the young man could see at those times were flashes of unknown people. The most often seen person was a brown-haired boy, usually drawing as Pyralis had learned to do, only using something other than his finger in ash. He sometimes seemed to be by the sea for a reason. Pyralis knew what water was, as he learned more every day, but he wasn’t sure why this boy lingered so often near to it. He saw another person, too, one that was a female.
What were they meant for? Why were they different than he? Pyralis wondered this as he recalled the features of the specific girl. She was blonde, with light, fluffy curls. Her face, angelic in form, innocent like he seemed to be was broken with a smile usually.
Without realizing it, Pyralis himself echoed her expression. She was seen sometimes with the boy the Wishmaster knew of, the two of them appearing to be quite happy. He wondered who she was and why he kept seeing her. He said nothing about his master, knowing that the force would not be pleased, somehow.
Instead, he let all thoughts of the future fade away, not looking forward to what was going to happen for the time being. He let her image freeze inside his mind, standing out against any other idea, shimmering in the darkness of his consciousness. He found himself blocking out every other notion as he closed his eyes, focusing on simply her face, still smiling. He was at peace.
*-----------------*
In the distance, a figure chuckled, running his fingers through one pocket of his tan trench coat. His brown hair, though greasy, framed his face well. He used his left hand to twirl a sterling silver watch, letting it rest as he placed a thin-wire frame of glasses on his face. Not like he needed them, but they made him look smarter, and they looked good on him, shielding his sea-green eyes.
He paused at a nearby pole after a second glance, noticing a person putting up a notice on it. After a short cough, he neared the person, careful to pop his collar up and stay behind him. “Ah, what’s that you have there, stranger?” he asked, his semi-lighthearted voice piquing up.
“We have a conman on the loose around here lately, and he needs to be stopped. We’re warning people now before he comes this way.” The official replied, tacking up a picture and a hefty reward below it. “They’re offering a lot of money if he can be caught, but they say he’s like shadow. Watch yourself, sir.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” He commented, shaking his head as he disappeared, un-popping his collar to reveal the very face that had been on the poster. “Too late, old man. I’ve already milked this place for all its worth. People really are so funny. You can take all they have, and they still think you’re the golden image of innocence.”
He listened joyfully to the coins within his pocket. This would be enough to keep him going for a while. He came upon a sign post, and cocked his head, pride consuming him. No one could stop him now. Where should he visit next?
“Ah?” His sharp eyes suddenly rested upon the left arrow, narrowing slightly. “Red Hill…” he growled under his breath. “Why is it that you always seem to end up where you begin in life? I wonder what’s happening around here these days… might as well drop in for a quick visit.”
He kicked a bit of dirt up with his black boots, his white blouse under his vest looking quite snazzy. “I don’t see why not… in fact…” He looked opposite to the destination he had decided upon, a building resembling a castle looming in the distance.
“Why don’t I just give myself another reason again to live up to my name… how about it, Con, old boy?” he asked no one in particular. “You up for trying to get more than you have already? Why not?... besides, if I’m going to end up trying to find her, I’m going to need a lot more money, anyway… and no one would hire me.” He began to approach the building, pausing once he reached the castle’s large doors. “Might as well knock, it’s only polite.” He lifted the hefty iron ring, letting it fall with a resounding bang.