Xiaoling
Legacy Name: Xiaoling

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Read the Tale
Prologue
Chapter One – Grave Mystery
Chapter Two – Time to Get in the SEA

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Prologue

It started with a chilling moment. Maybe something you wouldn't even have remembered the next day. Walking along, and suddenly realizing you weren't alone. A prickling of the hairs on the back of your neck alerted you. And before you could turn to defend yourself, you felt a sensation... every nerve in your body pulsed for a moment as if something had just pushed through you.

There was nothing to be seen. Nothing to be heard. After a gasp and rubbing your arms to make the feeling pass, you were sure you would be fine. But you weren't. As the mix of fear and excitement from the moment began to fade, it was replaced with a heaviness. Every muscle felt stiffer and you could feel them pulling you closer to the ground. The overwhelming feeling that you needed rest. Pure exhaustion.

As you walked towards your home, you passed windows and caught sight of your own reflection. Did you look paler? Had the blood rushed from your face? Maybe. Or maybe the windows were just dirty.

Days passed, and you didn't gain that energy back. If anything, you felt weaker. Chores and daily tasks seemed too energy consuming to be worth it. You had to force yourself out of your home, just to see others and have some social interaction. But others looked just as poor as you. That same faded look. The same bags under their eyes.

Then came the first news report. An outbreak of some sort that drains the pallor of its victims. Experts were contacted, but as they didn't rush to aid the people, it must have been deemed a non-problem. It was as if all the victims were given the same treatment - rest therapy. Stay home. Get rest. Report what happened to you. Even the news seemed to take it lightly.

For days you tried resting, but it didn't seem to help. This wasn't like you, and you weren't going to just sit around and do nothing. You'd solved murders, fought in wars, cured zombie plagues, and traveled through time. You weren't going to let this... sickness beat you.

But where to begin?

Luckily, you have friends in high places, and quite the reputation. You didn't have to go looking for long, before someone came to you.


Chapter One – Grave Mystery

Chapter One - Grave Mystery


Connor Rainsong hadn't changed a bit since you'd last seen him, all those long months ago. A Councillor for Shadowglen, he was well versed in politics, even if he often struggled to get the words out. Sadly, though he had a vague familiarity with the illness, he couldn't recall much. And so you were, yet again, enlisted for help.

And of course you would help. Not only did you need a cure, you also had an insatiable curiosity.

You agreed to meet up with Connor, and chose the likely location of downtown Shadowglen. You had been listening to the news reports, and you knew that the outbreak was not confined to just one place. But the people here always seemed a bit grayer than others, and now you seemed to blend in with them. Had you really turned “grayscale” as the epidemic was being called? Maybe your skin had become washed out, but your clothing hadn't lost its color. Though, black, white, and gray did just seem to fit your mood better. The somber colors just felt right, so you wore them more.

After exchanging pleasantries, Connor mentioned that his growing up in Centropolis limited his knowledge about the Tehb to only those subjects he'd learned in school. However, the outbreak had reminded him of something from the past. He mentioned gifts for family members, but could not clearly recall the old traditions.

“Do you think someone living in Shadowglen would have more information?” Connor forced through his stutter. “Quentin has been caretaker of the graveyard for a long time, so they might be able to tell us more about this old story.” After a sigh, he added, “Do you think you could do the talking? For, uh, obvious reasons.”

Poor Connor seemed more tired than you after spitting out such a monologue. So, you decided to happily oblige and do the talking, both for his sake, and your own.

Now you're escorting the Councillor through the town and towards Shadowglen's iconic graveyard. It isn't uncommon to see a few spooks floating past, but the graveyard has never quite looked so... distorted. Flowers vases are toppled. Headstones cracked or broken. Even the ground seems disturbed in places.

Though happy to see us, Quentin is quick to point out that they have caught the illness as well (though they must be at some earlier stage of the sickness, since their eyes still have a shine to them). And while describing the story of an unusual encounter, they mention the unusual spirit activity that has been taking place. One look at the graveyard could have told you as much.

It seems that Quentin has been kept busy by the spirits, and having near-constant exhaustion from the illness hasn't helped either. Sadly, even they, a long-time resident of Shadowglen, have no information about the cause of the newest epidemic. And in their condition, they aren't likely be of other help.

But you didn't walk all this way, and use all that energy, just to find nothing. You've been unproductive for days... might as well do something. So, with what little stored energy you have, you offer to help Quentin out. Surely the graveyard could use an extra hand right now?

“Actually, yes, thank you for the offer! With all these cave systems below, the graves here tend to settle, and you need to move coffins around before they fall into the chasms below and are lost forever. I've been meaning to fix some of these settling graves for a while, but I haven't had the energy for it these last few days. Would you mind helping out?” Quentin smiles, then adds quietly, “They're much older graves, so it's not going to be, er, messy work.”

After shifting uncomfortably for a moment, Quentin continues, “You don’t need to move anything, really, I would just appreciate it if you could dig down as far as you can and make notes about the soil quality, perhaps, so at least I will know what I’m working with once I’ve recovered? Come to think of it, the spirits seem to have been breaking a lot of headstones in this area! Perhaps something below is upsetting them? You might be able to find some kind of clue and help me out at the same time.”

Now THAT is what you wanted to hear! After eagerly grabbing a shovel, you go to the indicated spot, and start digging.
And digging.
My goodness, how deep does this go?
If I keep digging, will I hit the other side of the---

You stabbed your shovel a bit too hard it would seem, and broke through into one of those underground caves that Quentin mentioned earlier. The drop wasn't too far, but your already heavy muscles now ache as well. At least helping out a friend makes your heart feel good, right?

You climb back up the hole, covered in dirt and a few bruises, and then report to Quentin your notes on the soil conditions.

“That doesn't seem so bad at all, I was worried the situation was much worse. Thank you for helping me out.” Quentin replies with that sweet smile of theirs.

You are about to turn around and say your goodbyes to Connor when Quentin places a gentle hand on your shoulder. “Wait. While you were down there, I spent a bit of time taking a closer look at these headstones, and well...” Quentin motions their hand from headstone to headstone. “Dorothy Whiskerwell, hanged for piracy”, “Bao-Jin Summercoat, hanged for piracy”, “Epaucus One-Eye, lost at sea”, and so on.” They turn back to meet your gaze. “There seems to be a trend here, to say the least.”

Pirates? A pain while at sea, and now a pain once they're dead too? Great.

Quentin suggests that Connor and you try talking to the pirates. Connor is quick to point out the difficulty in finding them, but then admits he could ask the other Councillors. He has his connections, and he'll use them if needed. So he rushes his goodbyes and then hurries off to start calling in some favors.

Leaving you to help Quentin a bit more. If your muscles and weak body can help, that is.


Prologue | | |Chapter Two – Time to Get in the SEA

Chapter Two - Time to Get in the SEA


It was a few days before you heard from Connor again, but honestly, you needed the time to recuperate anyway. Digging up graves for hours on end had your body aching, and this sickness was making it hard to bounce back to your normal self. But you always follow through, and this was something you were going to see to the end.

Connor contacted you, saying that he wanted to meet in Delphi. “Some of my fellow Councillors came through for me, and we’ve got a location for those pirates. Now, we just need to find a boat to take us out to meet them, hope that they don’t attack us, and hope they know something about the problem we’ve got going on.” You could almost feel the sigh that came as a pause. “Wow, we’re really grasping at straws here.”

Thankfully, Connor was just as determined to find answers as you were. He explained he might have a solution to at least one problem, but that your aid was necessary. So that's why you are trekking over to Delphi beach.

Sun, sand, and the pleasant sound of waves. Delphi is normally packed with happy people, all excited for a day of fun in the sun. Today though, the beach is not as packed, and the boardwalk in the distance appears to be empty. Has the number of infected people really grown so fast? Is everyone staying inside rather than venturing out? Some brave souls are making sandcastles and collecting seashells, but the quiet is a bit ominous.

You spotted a Connor right away, and as you walk up, you notice he is wringing his hands and quickly shifting gaze. Before you can say hello, or ask what is bothering him, he cuts you off. “Quickly, my contact will be here any minute.” He shifts his weight from one leg to the other. “I know this sounds weird, but could you just... stand in between us? She tends to touch and I get all nervous and my stuttering just gets worse and wor-”

“Connor!” The tehb's body jumps as his name is called and a lovely islander prances our way. “No'hia kamokichtli, have you gotten more handsome than the last time I saw you? How could anyone else hope to keep up when you're so stylish and beautiful and clever? It's really not fair, ia'zotla.”

Ah yes, Chimalma, another Councillor and obviously the contact we've been waiting for. Outgoing and lively, it's easy to see how she could make an already delicate and shy Connor all the more awkward. And as he stood there, wordless and struggling to stutter out a hello, you fully understand why he asked for you to do the talking. You gently put a hand on his shoulder (to which he jumped slightly), and then take over the conversation.

You don't get far though, for as soon as the word “pirates” leaves your mouth, Chimalma cuts you off. “You're going after pirates!? Is that what you need the boat for? I take back everything I said, because this is a stupid idea for idiots! Connor, how can you come and ask an Islander to help you attack pirates? That's the ultimate cliche, and hold on a hot minute- this isn't a free boat, x'olopitli, I want it back when you're done with it-”

“Slow down, Chimalma, we're not attacking anyone!” The accusation finally frees Connor from his nervous silence, though it hasn't helped his speech impediment. “We want to talk to them! We found some information in Shadowglen that suggests they might know something about this sickness that has been going around.” He had to take a quick breath after fighting the word “around” for a solid 15 seconds. “We're not going to wreck your boat, or get it stolen, or run it aground.”

Chimalma eyes Connor skeptically and then turns her gaze to you. Her eyes examine your weakened body from top to bottom, trying to read your trustworthiness. “Mmmm... I don't believe you, you're definitely going to ruin this boat.”

There was a long moment when you weren't so sure this would work. Connor looked at you, pleading for some sort of assistance in convincing her. But before you can say anything else, Chimalma nods. “You owe me! Yes, that's right, you preemptively owe me a huge favor. A huge one, Connor! I can't believe you came to me about this! I'm a Councillor, Connor! Do you know how many pirates I have in this community? I rely on those votes, Connor! I swear to the sea if anyone recognizes the boat I'm going to tell them you stole it!”

While Connor complains under his breath about her using his name so much, you just sigh in relief. So you don't have her full support, but at least you have a boat, and a small chance of speaking with the pirates. Now, whether they shoot us before we even start asking any questions... is an entirely different problem.

But what's that old saying? You'll cross that bridge when you get to it? Or maybe, in this case, it should be: you'll climb that boat once you cross the sea to get there.

Chimalma waves her hand to a small dock in the distance. “Uhg, just go!” she adds, dramatically looking away from you and Connor as you begin to walk to the dock. Even from this distance, it is clear that this boat is little more than a row boat. Great. First digging, and now rowing. Your arms are going to be made of steel before this is all over.

“Wait-” Chimalma calls out as you reach the dock. You both turn to look at her again. “Be safe!” she shouts. “But also get out of my sight! But, uhg, also be careful?” She is clearly torn about how to feel- annoyed or concerned. “I don't know, just go, you've got me all riled up now.”

You turn to Connor and shrug, earning yourself a small smile from the Councillor before you both climb into the little boat.

STORY STORY STORY

Pixel by ren.
Human Overlay by grim.
Design by me, Lexx.
Shengui Guo story by Subeta, re-written by me, Lexx.
Background Patterns –
Jade Palace by Sililoquy (me) and Designfruit.
Mint Swirl by Sililoquy (me) and dazzlement.
Parasol Lillypads by Sililoquy (me) and incal.
Profile and graphic design by me, Lexx.

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