The Hunt for Gray, the Forsworn

Characters in this scene: Fascination and her representative, Gray\_2, Hale, Foundling, Echo's representative

Editor's note: This content was made before OMO's current guidelines and standards of play were implemented and thus may not be of the same level of quality or realism expected on OMO today.

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/12/2021

Suddenly, grays phone emits a low beeping sound. Then playing from no apparent application comes the melody to the nursery rhyme three blind mice but staticy and warped. The melody abruptly cuts off and is followed by another low beep.

Gray knows this is something fucked, but for some reason they feel the urge to keep listening. The desire to know where this goes.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

gray\_2 paces back and forth in front of the elementary school, shivering, staring intently at the phone. He's a teenaged boy with unwashed blond hair and a tattered jacket that does nothing to protect him from the cold. "Oh shit," he says. "What the fuck? What is this? Hello, hello, hello? Can you hear me?"

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/12/2021

After the sound ends you hear a calm female British voice “3, 8, 2, 4, 3” sounds from the radio. This sequence is repeated four times before another series of sounds are heard, jangling chimes. “4, 5, 1, 3, 0” Is heard, with a similar number of repetitions. This sequence repeats four more times before the melody is played once more.In each sequence the sound distorts and the static increases in volume but the numbers remain clear and crisp through it all, as if you intuitively understand what the Lady is saying.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

"Who are you? What are you fucking doing?" gray\_2 shakes the phone. "Oh god. Oh god oh fuck oh god. Tell me you're here to help. Tell me you're going to, are you that person who said you were going to protect me? Please please please."

burke828 — 03/12/2021

At the same time that the first set of numbers is finished, a drop of blood appears seemingly from nowhere, and pools on the ground, larger than one drop seems like it should. The pool forms a circle and eight spokes spread out. As the last spoke is completed the ground falls in as if it was merely covering a sinkhole, and a ladder comes out.

A loud and high pitched voice comes from the hole, "You have made a mistake by announcing yourself as free game. Few are willing to help the forsworn. I would be willing to help you go somewhere you at least aren't expected."

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

He jolts, alarmed. "But I, the phone, I mean, uh." He grabs a grimy backpack that was sitting against the curb and slings it onto one shoulder. "Where would you take me? I mean, there's. I think there's someone on the phone who wants to help. I don't know, I don't fucking know." He looks back at the phone and shakes it up and down, as if to confirm that he's still holding it. "Should I go down? Can you tell me, can you help? Please."

IntrovertedIncarnate — 03/12/2021

The numbers continue. They appear to distort even further in the wake of the new arrival. You really feel like you should be noting these down.

burke828 — 03/12/2021

Hale climbs up out of the ladder and looks sadly at Gray. The hole is stable, but appears to be leaking slightly.

"I would recommend you get rid of that. Strange occurrences like that are just as likely to be others as practitioners, and others have little in the way of a human mindset to justify not killing something as pitiful as you have made yourself. If you come with me, you likely will avoid the worse fates you could undergo. Its now or never however, several portals like the one I have made will likely appear soon, and their inhabitants will not show you the mercy I intend to."

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

"Uhh no. No, what the fuck, that's my phone. The only thing I have left. I mean, I don't—" He startles, looks around him, then resumes talking. "I don't want to fucking die to those other portals though, I'm going down. Fine. Okay." As he walks over to the ladder, he trips. The phone slips from his hand, hits the ground and shatters. "What the fucking fuck." The sound echoes. Alarmed, he stands up and starts down the ladder.

burke828 — 03/12/2021

Hale climbs down after Gray, and the portal closes as soon as they pass the threshold. The blood forming the diagram drains into the center and dissapates. As it does, several other portals begin to open in the same way the first had. Hale and Gray have several minutes more to climb before they exit the other side of the tunnel.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

"So," the boy says. "Uh. Who the fuck are you anyway? I'm grateful for the help and all but what can you do for me."

burke828 — 03/12/2021

"I'm a practicioner. Same as the rest who will be coming after you. I'm going to be dropping you off in the realm of a powerful incarnation, who may or may not see to your continued survival."

At this point Gray realizes that they are now climbing upwards instead of downwards. They near the surface, a red edge with golden light shining down in.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

"What is that? Where are we going? What's even your name? You never told me your name. You're not really telling me anything. You'll help, right?"

burke828 — 03/12/2021

"That is the realm of a powerful other who may see to it that you are not destroyed in your entirety. That is all the information I am willing to give you."

With that, Hale lets go of the ladder and drops into the darkness. Gray cannot hear any noise from Hale after a few seconds.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

"Wait, where are you going? What? Come back, fucking come back!" He stops climbing and looks down, trying to see where the practitioner could've gone. "You can't just fucking leave me like that, fucking what?"

burke828 — 03/12/2021

The sounds of animals become louder and louder, and the bottom of the tunnel becomes visible. Gray can hear his heartbeat pounding loudly. Every time Gray blinks the bottom of the tunnel seems closer and the light seems brighter. The smell of rotting leaves becomes just barely detectable.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

The boy clings to the ladder for dear life, trying his damn best to not go up or down. "Where the fuck are you, what the fuck is happening? Dear god. God god god don't get close to me, whatever you are!"

burke828 — 03/12/2021

The bottom of the tunnel and the edge become one between Gray's blinks. The surrounding area is covered in viscera and fur. Deer, mice, rabbits and small birds are chewing at the blood. All of them seem afraid. Gray can almost hear their heartbeats.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

"Where am I, what's going on?" He gapes at his surroundings, bending down to touch the fur and confirm that he's really standing in a world made of, what, animals? He looks around, searching for escape. "What the fuck did you do to me. What the fuck is happening."

burke828 — 03/12/2021

All at once the animals flee. Birds fly, rabbits run into the underbrush, and deer flee. Gray feels an overwhelming urge to *flee*.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

He runs, with no idea where he's heading.

burke828 — 03/12/2021

The viscera is less prevalent as he runs, and the feeling of fear lessens slightly. A portal begins to open like before nearby. Something can be heard climbing out.

gray\_2 — 03/12/2021

Panting, he stops to catch his breath and looks at the portal. Sweat drips from his forehead.

Foundling — 03/13/2021

Foundling walks through the portal, with a toolbox, a phone, and a calm attitude. Humming a hellions tune, he checks his toolbox, while putting his phone in his pocket.

An athame, some clay, water, stored blood, a skinning knife, a few citations, pre-made runes, along other tricks. He keeps his box still open, while he looks for gray. On his face is a green eyed monsters smile. Merely the movement of flesh, than a true smile. He spots Gray. “Graaaaayyyyyy....found ya!” He throws a knife into Gray’s shoulder, which has a tracking rune on it.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"Are you here to hel—" the boy starts, and is then interrupted by the knife stabbing straight into him. He screams, clutching at his shoulder, and breaks into a run. Blood drips from his shoulder. He fumbles at the handle, awkwardly trying to remove the knife while fleeing as fast as possible.

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Good reaction~ This might be a passable Hunt~” Foundling makes chase, with a prance that might be expected of a Pollyana. He brandishes another blade in his left hand. He then cristens a few pieces of clay, with a citation in it. “Larking Leech~~Do help me out~~” The leeches leap and target Gray. Looking to drain Gray of what traits make him special, and give them to their master. Stamina, Vitality, Muscle Memory, among others being possible candidates.

Foundlings eyes, are eerily pale green. He still has that casual, madmans smile.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

Gray vaults over a pile of rotting guts and continues running, trying to get a grip on the knife so he can have at least one weapon. He doesn't succeed. A clump of fat, squirming leeches lands on his neck, clustering together to suck at his endurance. He screams and with his other hand bats at the leeches, now trying to remove two things from his body. "Get the fuck away from me," he gasps, between breaths. "I'm, I'm too young to die! Didn't get to drink beer yet!"

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Tsk, tsk, forsworn. It’s just business, for what does your age matter to me” Foundling keeps smiling. He speeds up, picking up an impressive sprint. He’s very buff for an eighteen year old, and skilled at movement. The traits coalesce in Foundling’s hand, and he puts them in the box. He calls back the knife, with a rune, and is duel wielding knives. He does a flawless lunging strike with the larger knife, in order to catch Gray in the back.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

Gray slows, fatigued, sweat dripping off him. As Foundling reaches him, Gray trips at the worst possible moment and falls face-first into a shallow puddle of blood. His scream is muffled by the ground. The knife thrusts easily into his back, as if it's meant to be there. He screams again, louder, in sheer agony.

Foundling — 03/13/2021

Foundling lets the knife stick in there. He pins down Gray, with his boot, and brings out a third knife. Foundling....stops. He reads the chat. He decides he can afford to play with his food. He sits on top of Gray, and starts to scroll through. "I wouldn't move if I were you. I am not you though. Know that your fate is currently in the hands of others and Others."

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

With incredible exertion, he summons the last of his energy and rolls his head to the side so he can breathe. His face is covered in blood. "Please don't kill me," he blubbers. He's sobbing now. "I have, I have a family. They're innocents, they won't know what happened to me. I have a sister, I have a girlfriend who loves me. I'll do anything for you, I'll give you anything, please."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

"Child. I do not do this merely out of thrill. I do this mostly out of opportunity. I know that most of what you could give, I could also take, with little karmic consequence. Your few options out of this situation alive, are ultimately dependent on Echo, the OMO moderator. Though, forsworn such as you tend to have a bad time, relying on providence."

"You should have honestly minded your wording, or should have taken greater consequences. If you truly do have a family, a sister, and a girlfriend, I recommend having them also mind what they promise and imply."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

"Truthfully, karmic debt is passed down through inheritance as well. So, the longer you stay forsworn, the worse you could possibly make it for those who inherit your burden." Foundling scrolls through the post once more, and he considers what's offered.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"I'm sorry," he sobs. "I'm so sorry, I'm so fucking sorry. I'm sorry. Don't do this to me. Help me. Help me, oh god, oh fuck oh god!" He screams and tries to reach for the knife embedded into his back, but doesn't have the strength. His arm drops uselessly to the side. "I can't fucking die like this, I don't want to die like this. I'd do anything to take it back. I take everything back, take everything back! Please, please please."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

Foundling drags Gray out of the domain, and into neutral grounds. He seems to have appeared in the middle of the woods.

burke828 — 03/13/2021

The scent of the forest lingers on Foundling.

Foundling — 03/13/2021

Foundling examines His body. He might be cursed. He’ll probably need to examine himself for faulty gears, to Citate it out. Ah well, free stuff for him. ”Know that this does not mean you go free. Your master or mistress is not chosen by you, but by bargain. It’s kind of like slavery, except the universe itself is backing the decision.”

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

Once more gray hears the distorted melody and clear voice. The memory of the last time he listened to them springs forth in his head and he can anticipate almost every number before they are read out. He thinks it would be a really good idea to start trying to decipher the numbers. He doesn't have a note of paper but maybe just thinking them through in his head could work?

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"What's happening," the boy mumbles. "Where am I, what is this?" He replays the numbers in his head. They are beautiful.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

As he replays them in his head the static from the phone appears to be spreading into the real world. The wind blowing through the tree's sounds distorted and crackly.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

An older man wearing worn hunting clothes walks down towards them with a rifle slung over his shoulder. As he spots gray and foundling he speeds up, heading towards them.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

The running man's footsteps too are riddled with static.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

You can't actually hear Foundling's voice through the static.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Not Echo. I'm 'ere on 'is be'alf." They lean against a tree a short distance from Foundling. "I'll be guessing that'd the Forsworn, 'den." he gestures towards gray, "Which'd make ya Foundling, righ'?".

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"Guys," the boy says. "Guys, what are you fucking doing to me, I don't want to be in slavery, are you here to help?"

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

Gray hears a child's voice in the static of the numbers. It's as if it's whispering in their ear "I can help, just invite me through." That sentence sounds magnified, clearly heard through the static surrounding it. The environmental effects suddenly stop and a small girl appears behind Gray. They wear a blue jacket with an eye emblazoned on the pocket and a black and white checked skirt. Their blonde hair is done up in two pigtails. They shimmering eyes appear too big and faint wisps of golden light emerge from them.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

To the voice, he says, "Wait, you also here to help? Yes, yes yes please. I don't care what you do as long as you're helping me, please. Please."

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"It ain' ma place ta say what's ta happen ta ya. Al want's ta help ya or so ei says so 'ere I am."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Well, it could also resemble animal grazing, indentured servitude, or ritual sacrifice. I am the Foundling, though.”

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"Wait, no, no no no. I don't want to be fucking ritually sacrificed, fucking what? No! No! No!" He shrieks, shrill. The knife is still stuck inside him, and he pulls at it, trying to get ahold of a weapon.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Calm yaself, boy. If ai git ma way ya'll be basically as fine as ya can be. Na need to be gettin yaself worked up fa some'in that mightn' 'appen."

"Sa, we waitn' on anyone else then Foundlin'?"

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"I am here on behalf of the Lady Fascination." The girl curtsies.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"He wasn't—you," The boy steadies himself, tries to get on his feet, then collapses in pain. He moans wordlessly. His head knocks against the ground as he tries to get up again. "Fucking help me, what are you doing? Stop sitting around, get the knife out of my back, hurry up! Why are we here, what are we doing, he nearly murdered me!"

Foundling — 03/13/2021

Well, if that’s the envoy of Fascination, and you’re envoy for Echo, I guess most of the required people are here?

”You posted that you were forsworn, did you not? That was quite an irrational decision. You seem to not know how bad being Forsworn is.”

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"Let us get to dealing then. I'll have a look at the product, no need to waste time. Get him into a setting position so we can have a look" The child's voice sounds excited, appearing to relish the prospect.

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Sure. Should I remove the blade from him?” Foundling has a neutral expression getting the product ready.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"I'm not a fucking product, I'm a human be—" His head hits the ground, and he grips it with bloodied fingers. "Oww, oww oh god fucking god ow." His words dissolve into agonized moaning.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"I know wat I've been asked ta do. Give me a moment." the man takes out an old phone and ring a number on it. He puts to phone to his ear "Yea, Al. I'm there. Sure." He points to gray "don' ya go killin' 'im or Al'll be annoyed."

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

The child skips round to be at eye level to Gray. She steps closer to them. Leering close to them. Her pupils. Her attention is practically palpable, Gray can feel themselves being examined, probed and understood. It feels invasive, like the most private parts of themselves are being dissected in an autopsy theater. Hundreds of eyes relishing them being picked apart ,considered and then moved on from. Like their very self is being lade bare to this scouring gaze. The girls reaches forward and strokes grays face. She appears overjoyed.

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

The boy is bleeding from his shoulder, his back, and his neck. He squirms and tries to recoil violently from her touch, but swinging from the branch as he is, he can't really move. "Stop," he gasps, still moaning in pain.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Nah then. I'd ratha tha' we da tha negotiatin' first. It it's all tha sam' ta ya ih's lookin' ratha wan an I'd ratha im not expire on me if ya catch ma drift. Ouw's a grand for a startin' bid? A grand ta eatch a ya tat is."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Good starting bid. I assume the envoy of Fascination has some means of contacting her, currently? I do have some stamina I drained from him, in a leech. Arguably, him expiring on us is him getting the merciful route, compared to what could happen later. So....” Foundling attaches a leech, and instructs it to heal. It causes intense pain, but heals the bleeding somewhat. “There.”

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

A horrid scream tears from his throat. He shakes, tears flowing from his closed eyes. The severity of his wounds diminishes.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

The girl twirls round so that she's facing Foundling. "The agreed terms with the addition of a moderate magical item from us. She then looks towards echoes representative "as for you, i believe the favor of both an Incarnate and Lord may help encourage you to cease your negotiations?" Lastly she looks at Gray "" Oh and an oath from you will be needed to complete the deal as we intend it."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”An oath from the Forsworn, or someone else? Cause...are Forsworn individuals words even meaningful anymore?”

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Al ain't 'appy with tha, yet. That'd be enough fur meself but I ain't negotiatin' for meself. Ta ya, Envoy a Facination, Al's offerin' a favour from imself, tha grand and anotha minor artifact of ya chosin'. I don ave tha' list but I can git it for ya. Ta ya, Foundlin', 'is willin' to up it ta one grand and a tome. Ee sais tha' ya may'aps be especially interested in tha las' part."

gray\_2 — 03/13/2021

"I'll agree, I'll agree to fucking anything. Just help me please. Please."

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

The girl pouts. "I'm afraid the lady is rather interested in this fellow" She turns to Foundling "We are willing to offer £5k as well as the item, which you would have a say in the crafting of."

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

The man smiles. "Al's still 'er. Ee'll up ya ta £6k, a tome an' a collection o' minor tools 'at one in ya position with ya talents could find useful. Nothin' particularly weighty but ta sorta stuff ya'd expect ta have if ya were in a propa dynasty."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Hmm....decisions....decisions....” Foundling thinks it over. “I have an interesting proposal. How about we decide the choice via Roshambo? The winner gets to chose which deal of the two deals is considered to be picked. Best out of three times per rpund. If you tie, you go again. If you two tie three separate rounds, then I dunno.”

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"I'd be up fer tha'."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Sure then. Roshambo is another name for the game of Rock-Paper Scizzors, btw. You fine with that, Envoy of Fascination?”

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"Well then. How unconventional. I agree to have this game."

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

After a hard fought battle of rock paper scissors, Echo's messenger comes out ahead 3-0. "Sa then. Ta ya, Envoy of Fascination, one grand, a tome and a minor favour from Al. Foundling, ya'll be gettin' six grand, a tome an' tha tools. Ya'll both be wantin' ta speak ta the man 'imself if ya'd be wantin' the payment. We all agreed?"

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Probably. I assume Fascination will try to keep this deal secret?”

”I guess since it’s been verbally agreed upon, I think this may be sufficient.” Foundling gives the blackgaurd a PO number to send the stuff to.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"I'm afraid that deal is not accepted in it's current form." The static returns again like a blast. The area around gray looks like it's being viewed through an old tv screen, crackling and distorted.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

The man takes his rifle from his shoulder and aims it at Fascination's Envoy. "Na, ya be thinkin' carefully 'bout what ya do next."

WatcherAtTheWindowBOT — 03/13/2021

"Al is the OMO poster yes?"

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Al'd probably be bette' known ta ya as Echo, aye."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Well hello, Fascination. How might you be doing? I wondered, something. You agreed to send an envoy, though have you currently agreed to refrain to post or disseminate this incident?”

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"They might have information we're interested in, that would be our price." Her voice is clear over the static.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Go an." He lowers the rifle, still holding it but not aiming it at anyone.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

The static fades. "We would like to know the location of the user known as IntrovertedIncarnate."

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Al ain't a auger be ee sais ee could give a recent, ta most recent - ta 'is knowledge, one. With stipulations, mind. And nat so near that one withou' oaths from im as well." At the end he gestures towards Foundling.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"What stipulations." She cocks her head, smiling.

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Ee don' wan' it gettin' out where it was ya found out from. Sa an oath of secrecy ta identity of ta person who tald ya."

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"A fair request, roughly how old is your information?"

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"Ee believes it to be four days ald. Ouever ee also believes it ta be still accurate."

Foundling — 03/13/2021

”Might I ask for you to not post ’these unfortunate events’ at you put it, on OMO, lady Fascination? I don’t feel quite comfortable otherwise. I dislike having too many loose ends”

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

"That is good to hear. I believe we can deal on the site then? To allow you to deal directly with the Lady" She looks to foundling and smirks "I'm afraid I am unable to grant such a request on my ladies behalf. Even if i could, we have little reason to accommodate your wishes."

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

"OMO, aye t'd sound good. Any objections if I jus' take this 'ere Forsworn ta ma van? Thay look like thay could da with a little stabalisin'."

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

She gestures dismissively, "you can take the wretch away."

August Эхꙮ of the Blazing Green — 03/13/2021

He slings the rifle back over his shoulder, picks up gray and walks off back the way he came.

WatcherAtTheWindow — 03/13/2021

The Envoy begins to shine, light leaking out from the. With a blinding flash they disappear.

Foundling — 03/13/2021

Epilogue: Foundling removed his curse via citation. A bit crude, and more damaging than he would like, but it comes off nonetheless. He smiles, and treks back to Sanctuary.