Topic: Boom... Through The Green Haired Elf's Eyes

Lydia Loran

Date: 2007-11-28 12:55 EST
The Marketplace was a busy place this time of year. Even most who didn't celebrate Christmas took part in celebrating the Winter Solstice. The streets were crowded; full of people shopping, decorating, and generally just being.. happy. It was a rather pleasant change compared to how Rhydin was at other times. People getting some early shopping done trudged about carrying their bags, children wrapped themselves around their parents legs begging for them to buy things they wanted, and many stood outside of stores, just peering inside as they did some window shopping. It wasn't all that different at The Stitch.

Both sides of the store had been packed with customers, since things had been quite good after the expansion. Coupling that along with the time of the year it wasn't a surprise at all that things were going so well. There had been a spike in the male customers that shopped at The Stitch as well. Husbands and boyfriends sought out the perfect presents for their significant others in the form of clothing or jewelry. And at The Stitch the dresses, knittery, and beaded items weren't terribly expensive either. Perfect gift items! And perfect items for women to splurge on and spoil themselves with as well.

Even with so many customers though, lunch time had arrived and food consumption had to go on. Lydia planned a short lunch for herself so she could return quickly, since some customers were so determined they waited outside the shop even as it was being closed down. Customers and employees alike shuffled out of both entrances. Griffith handled locking up the left side- what was once the flower shop, and Lydia handled locking up the main entrance. Removing keys from her bag, she was in the process of locking up as the little blonde elf by her side spoke.

"He kissed ya!? That's so nasty!" To reiterate her point, Carley shuddered and shivered at the thought, little nose wrinkling. "Did you tell Grem?" Bright blues suddenly widened as they watched Lydia carefully.

Pausing, she glanced aside to Carley. "Of course I did. As many people saw? Better I tell him myself than let him read about it or hear about it from someone else." Like Carley, for one. Pause. Afterthought. "And gods, yes. It was disgusting."

Clapping hands together once rather gleefully, Carley grinned up at Lydia. "Ya did!? That's great! He'll probably beat him up! I hope I'm around to see when it does. Because that guy really deserves it, kissin' ya and coppin' feels on anyone he can..." She gave her most sagely nod then.

Turning to face Carley better, Lydia rested a hand on her hip. "Grem is not going to beat Robert up." She had already done a pretty good job of mushing his nose in. She hoped Grem wouldn't do anything... No, she knew he wouldn't. Though honestly, Lydia wouldn't exactly lose any sleep if he did. The thought of it even put a faint trace of a smile on her lips. Gods, Carley was an awful influence... Smile pushed back, she shook her head. "I mean, that's not really going to accomplish anything."

Huffing in disappointment, the little blond reached up to adjust her beret, but alas, she grasped air. "Fire! I forgot my beret!" Carley bounced on her toes as she leaned forward and around Lydia, peering at her. "I gotta run in real quick to get it." She started rubbing the top of her head, almost in a self conscious gesture.

Lydia looked towards where Carley rubbed her head then shook her own, smiling mirthfully. "Go ahead and catch up with everyone and I'll run in and get it, alright?" Rather than object, Carley gave a grin and a nod before spinning around, then started hurrying towards the small group heading away from the store.

"Wait for me!"

Watching Carley for a few moments, Lydia then slipped back inside the store, glancing around in search of her infamous beret. It was rather easy to spot, sitting out on the counter, with that feather attached to it. Mindful of the feather as she picked it up, she ventured back outside and tucked the beret beneath an arm as she relocated the proper key to lock up with. Glancing down the street, she saw the rest of the group and started that way, her steps quick.

The loud sound that suddenly flooded her ears took her entirely by surprise then, more so than the unseen force that knocked her forcefully and violently against pavement and cobblestones.

Lydia Loran

Date: 2007-11-28 13:02 EST
Groaning, Lydia pushed herself up from the ground, shaking her head to clear the deafening roar from her ears. Instinctively reaching up to touch the stinging flesh on the right side of her face, she winced at the contact and pulled her hand away- fingertips now stained red. A gash on the right side of her forehead sent blood flowing over the various cuts and scrapes that littered her face and down her neck. Lifting her gaze up, she squinted in an effort to see beyond the heavy dust and smoke wafting about in the air around her. Things came into sight slowly, and only bits and pieces. Assorted debris, the awning that once hung over a storefront, shattered glass, bits and pieces of broken wood, even a couple overturned carriages. Lydia had to look away from one rather quickly, since the attached horse wasn't exactly in one piece anymore.

Ringing and silence left her ears and were replaced by screams and wailing and the sounds of panic in the air. Lydia was slow to move to her feet, staggering a little as a wave of dizziness hit her. Brows furrowed as she tried concentrating on various figures she could see, slightly blurred. Where was Erin? Carley? Ivy? Griffith? Mere moments ago she saw them, and now they were nowhere in sight. A sound escaped her throat, betraying the panic that was starting to well up within her. She stepped forward, closer to rubble and debris crushing who knew what beneath it- all just a mere few feet away from where she had been. The approaching pitter patter of footsteps had her looking aside, eyes widening at the small figure making it's way through the destruction towards her. The small figure that wore a familiar, conical red hat. "David...?"

The little gnome skidded to a halt, his usually rosy cheeks a bit ashen and pale. "By the gods... what the hell happened!?" Beady eyes darted about to take in the scene before landing on Lydia. They widened a touch, noting her current condition. "You alright?"

She studied David momentarily before letting her gaze drift back to the mess they were in the middle of. "I don't know what happened... I was walking and there was this.. this loud sound and..." Shaking her head, Lydia pulled some hair from her eyes. "I'm fine.. but.. gods.. I think we need some help over here. More people. Healers and.. and.." Pale blues shift to the little gnome, pleading with him. They weren't exactly the best of friends, or friends at all, but she hoped silly feuding wouldn't get in the way now.

"Yeah, sure. I know some help's on the way, but I'll see if I can get more. I'll make sure the healers are on their way at least..." Frowning at his surroundings David turned to hurry away. If anyone had been crushed beneath the rubble they'd most likely need a healer as soon as possible. Though right now, they had to work on getting to those people.

Dropping to her knees in front of the rubble and debris, Lydia started lifting bits and pieces of it to set it aside. Slabs of concrete, wood, bits of glass even. She wasn't sure how extensive the damage in the area was just yet, not having gotten a good look before, or where all the debris was from, but right now that wasn't a concern or even close to being a priority. While using magic to lift all the rubble up at once may have been tempting, there was no telling who was under there, or how caught up some could be within it. She was able to use her magic to keep the rubble stationary however, murmuring a quiet spell beneath her breath now and then to keep heavier bits suspended as she sifted through it. She kept at it, pulling away what she could, clenching her teeth tightly at the sight of red streaks or.. worse, when she came across it. Tears that kept forming in her eyes were blinked back repeatedly to keep her vision clear. Pulling back a rather large piece of plywood, pale blues widened a bit at the sight of a small hand beneath it, the unseen attached body pinned beneath entirely too heavy rubble and chunks of rock. That hand was too small, even for Carley.

"Oh...gods.." Instinctively, Lydia reached out, grasping the small hand in one of hers. For a moment? There was nothing, but then little fingers gripped her own- weakly. She gave a gentle squeeze back, hopefully in assurance of some sort. "It's okay... I'm gonna get you out of here." She pulled her hand out of their grasp and turned to start pulling the rocks off, careful so as to not jostle them too much, or make them fall. One rather large piece of concrete was much too heavy though, and she had to use her magic to pull it off. Just a glow to her eyes, no spoken incantations, and she lifted the thing up as if it were weightless, careful as she could, and set it aside. More plywood was peeled back to reveal a sight which nearly caused Lydia to cry out.

It was a child, no doubt about that, but they were battered beyond recognition. Lydia bit at her lip to hold back a whimper mirroring the child's as she reached down, settling a hand on his back. It was a hesitant gesture, since she knew moving him might not be a good idea, especially if there were broken limbs. And she was quite certain that there were from the looks of it... Rather than lift the child up and cradle them close, like she desired to, she kneeled down by his side so she could speak softly and into his ear. "You'll be just fine... I'll find someone to help you, okay? I.. I'll be right back.. okay? I promise."

Lydia started to pull away to move to her feet, but the child made such a pitiful sound it gave her pause. Kneeling back down she rested her hand back on their's, only to have it gripped even tighter than before. It was obvious he didn't want to be left alone. How could she deny him that? "...alright... I'll stay then. David should be back any minute now... He's getting some help.. I'm sure he'll bring someone who can help you.. just hold on, okay?" Biting her lip, Lydia used her free hand to stroke the child's matted and blood caked hair, sitting close enough where he could feel her close to them. She couldn't pick him up, but she would make sure to let him know she was there, just as close as she could be, and that she wasn't going to be leaving them.

Lydia Loran

Date: 2007-11-28 13:06 EST
Short legs pumped as fast as they could as David moved rather quickly for someone of his stature. At the very least, at his size it was rather easy for him to keep out of other people's way. Approaching the rubble he slowed a little bit, dark eyes darting back and forth rather quickly in search of familiar green hair. Giving a rub to his nose as it wriggled in response to some dust still heavy in the air, he spotted the figure he was looking for and took off in a sprint that way. "'ey! There's help on the way. Some are comin' in from da other side of the market! Healers may take a while, but they's-" David's words were cut off rather abruptly, and he stopped in his tracks when he saw the little one next to Lydia. Smaller than even him. "By the gods..."

Still refusing to let go of that little hand, Lydia turned towards David- her eyes red and cheeks soaked with tears. It was a struggle to speak, but she finally managed, though her words were little more than a breathy whisper. "They're gone..." She turned from David then, to look back at the child's body. "I couldn't..." With a shake of her head, she pulled her hand away from the child's hesitantly, so very very slowly.

Lowering his head somberly, David ventured closer, but couldn't bring himself to look directly upon the body. Kneeling down, he removed his winter cloak and draped it over the body as he murmured a quiet prayer for the departing spirit. As he stood back up, David looked towards Lydia, and rested his hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry..." His gaze drifted from her, towards the rest of the rubble, the chaos, people at work; crying and wailing and lamenting. It wasn't his intention to be cruel then, because a child's death struck hard even at his own heart, but there was so much that needed to be done. So many that still needed help. "We gotta get back to work. There's a lot to be done. We need ta try and stop this from happening to others."

Lydia felt painfully numb. There was so much to worry about. So many to worry about. So much to be frightened of right now. For the moment though, she gave a nod of agreement to David. He did have a point. The time for crying and feeling would come later. Right now she pushed everything from her mind, to better focus on the tasks at hand. After pushing to her feet she and David got to work. Anywhere there was rubble where people could be trapped under, they sifted through it. Sometimes there was nothing, sometimes there was someone. Luckily, none they were pulling out were terribly injured.

A group of dwarves entered the fray not too long later. They were short, but pure muscle; an asset to have around, since they were pulling up rubble and pieces far too big and heavy for David or Lydia to handle. Though the green haired elf did use some of her levitation magic to hold up larger pieces while they sifted and sorted areas beneath it. Some eventually brought over a few wheelbarrows to be used. Dwarves and elves and humans alike manned them, using them to cart parts of the mess away, and sometimes even to cart people away who were unable to walk with using their own power.

When healers and doctors arrived the surprisingly diplomatic David intercepted them and organized groups. Naturally, those most injured and in peril received immediate magic healing if their body was receptive to such. If not, doctors worked hard on those. Many doctors, or even just people with experience in first aid, handled the more minor injuries people had. But most, including Lydia, chose to keep working without treatment. There were people in far worse shape than she was in that still needed help.

Amidst the chaos, Lydia had found Griffith, who came out of everything surprisingly unscathed. Not only that but he had seen Erin and Ivy, and assured her that they were doing well. They separated soon after, so they could resume their jobs in helping and digging through rubble. Scraping her arm even more as she worked, it was a cycle of bleeding and clotting and bleeding again. That, coupled with the dizziness she started to feel forced Lydia to slow down. She could only keep up for so long.

"'ey."

Turning around, she spotted David looking her over and looking none too pleased. Mostly he was looking at that arm of hers. Even she had to admit it was looking rough at this point.

"I want you ta go get that checked out. There's some people giving first aid at the fountain." His tone implied there was to be no arguing. He presented himself rather formidably, even at his height. Lydia wasn't about to argue though. She knew David was right. So with a wordless nod, she turned to head that way. Steps slow and mechanical. Her physical and emotional fatigue was wearing on her. About halfway to the fountain she spotted some dwarves pushing along some wheelbarrows. Frowning a little, she studied the contents of each. Mostly rubble, though one wheelbarrow did house a small, unmoving figure- blonde and clad in bright blue.

"Oh gods...no."

Lydia Loran

Date: 2007-11-28 16:00 EST
Choking back words and sobs, Lydia's pace picked up a good deal as she hurried over towards the dwarves and wheelbarrows. The closer she drew to them all it became all the more apparent who it was in that wheelbarrow- Carley. She didn't look to be in terribly good condition either. Bruised, bloodied and scraped up all over, part of her face swollen... not moving or talking. She was so terribly still. Lydia wasn't used to seeing Carley in that way. Usually the little blonde was always smiling, bouncing, moving; one had to struggle at times to get her to keep still for more than a few seconds at a time. But now?

"Carley...?" Tears were flowing freely now, as Lydia just about collapsed on her knees next to the wheelbarrow housing Carley. The dwarf who had been pushing the blonde elf along came to a stop, regarding Lydia with mild surprise. "Hey... wake up?" Pale blues darted up towards the dwarf, pleading and watery. "She's okay isn't she?"

"Ah... I dun' know the extent of 'er injuries. But I think she'll be fine. Aye, look, she's stirrin' again." The dwarf gestured down to the little one as a confused moan escaped her, and eyes started to flutter open. "She's been driftin' in an' out like that since we dug 'er out. I need to be gettin' her to the doctors." He paused, eying Lydia's red and raw arm. "Looks like you could stand to go as well. "'ey Duron!" Another dwarf that had been passing by, somewhat shorter and stockier than the first, paused to regard him curiously. "This lass needs a lift." The dwarf manning the Carley wheelbarrow gestured towards Lydia.

Glancing towards the second dwarf momentarily, now directing his wheelbarrow towards her, Lydia furrowed her brows a little, about to object. But really she was entirely too worn down to argue with anyone over anything. And it wouldn't do to hold them up. Her gaze shifted back to Carley then, a bit relieved to see she was conscious. "Hey..." She did her best to muster up a smile for Carley, but it was barely there, and didn't reflect in her eyes at all.

"C'mon lassie." The second dwarf, Duron, settled his wheelbarrow upon the ground next to Lydia before reaching out to take her by the waist. Despite differences in size he was still deceptively strong, effortlessly hoisting the green haired elf from the ground and settled her into the wheelbarrow, much to her surprise. Without delay the dwarven duo set off again, carting the elven duo away side by side from the carnage and towards the fountain.

Glancing over her shoulder, Lydia frowned at the scene. People still scrambled and hurried about, the buildings were damages and.. gods. Were more dead? Like that child? And she still hadn't even seen Ivy or Erin. Griffith had told her they were fine, but were they really? "Fire...?" A small voice to her side broke through her thoughts.

"I'm here." Lydia was quick to respond, glancing aside to her fallen friend. Reaching over, she gingerly took one of Carley's hands in her own. "It's okay.. you're just kinda scraped up. These guys are making sure you get looked at." The words she spoke, were they more for her own reassurance than Carley's? "You're gonna be fine."

Carley's head slowly lolled to the side as she looked around, confusion evident in her eyes. Everything had happened so quick. Her voice was quiet, so very weak. "Where's Vee Vee and.. Eri and..."

Quickly intercepting. "They're all okay. I saw Griffith. He told me they're all doing fine. We'll see them later, okay? So don't worry. Just rest..." Lydia gave Carley's hand a light squeeze, but refused to let go for the moment. Slumping just a little, her gaze drifted away from her friend and back to the mess they were leaving behind. "We're all going to be just fine." The words came with conviction-

-but she wasn't sure she believed them.