Jul. 22nd, 2032
hild;
Jul. 24th, 2022
Opt-In.
While Hild is definitively not a true seer and does not possess any supernatural powers or extrasensory abilities, she is incredibly good at reading people, anticipating situations, and determining what a person will do in those situations. I do not believe that the level of her observational skills and her ability to predict the future based on her knowledge is truly OP in the context of the novel. However I am aware that in playing this out in threads, it might come off as info-modding. I don't see any fun in true info-modding, so if you ever feel like I am crossing this line, please let me know so we can remedy the situation or end the thread. If you would like to volunteer information about your character that you think Hild would notice and that wouldn't necessarily come up in a regular tag, please comment to this post or use the form below.
Information Input
You can utilize this form if you would like, or simply comment with details you are okay with being noticed or would not like to be noticed.
CODE BY MARWOOD
Jul. 24th, 2022
Opt-Out.
Hild's canon delves into quite a few subjects that can be upsetting. Those are detailed below for your perusal. If you do not wish to deal with a certain topic or do not want to interact with Hild generally, for whatever reason, please comment below to let me know. The comments will be screened and no questions will be asked.
Content Warnings.
PTSD/WAR/PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
While Hild is a woman and therefore not expected in her canon to actively engage in war or serve, she has seen the effects of it on the common people and in the bodies of fallen warriors. She herself is plunged into the middle of an unexpected attack and suffers serious PTSD from the experience, disassociating, blocking the memory, and going mute for several months. Additionally, Hild's uncle, the king, makes particularly graphic and disturbing threats of physical harm to her should she fail to perform the way he wishes.
While Hild is a woman and therefore not expected in her canon to actively engage in war or serve, she has seen the effects of it on the common people and in the bodies of fallen warriors. She herself is plunged into the middle of an unexpected attack and suffers serious PTSD from the experience, disassociating, blocking the memory, and going mute for several months. Additionally, Hild's uncle, the king, makes particularly graphic and disturbing threats of physical harm to her should she fail to perform the way he wishes.
SLAVERY
Slavery is common in Hild's world, usually in the form of civilians captured during a war and sold amongst the members of the winning side. Such was the case with Hild's personal slave, Gwladus. Hild "saved" her from a young warrior who intended to abuse her, but kept her in her household and in her service. Most of Gwladus' duties could be defined as servant responsibilities, making sure Hild was dressed properly, bathed regularly, fed well, and housed in clean lodgings befitting her rank. Hild did attempt to give her her freedom once, but Gwladus refused, fearing that she had upset Hild somehow and knowing that, in the context of her social status within the kingdom, being Hild's slave was "desirable." Gwladus was therefore well-kept, but that does not in any way forgive the situation she was put in or that Hild maintained.
Slavery is common in Hild's world, usually in the form of civilians captured during a war and sold amongst the members of the winning side. Such was the case with Hild's personal slave, Gwladus. Hild "saved" her from a young warrior who intended to abuse her, but kept her in her household and in her service. Most of Gwladus' duties could be defined as servant responsibilities, making sure Hild was dressed properly, bathed regularly, fed well, and housed in clean lodgings befitting her rank. Hild did attempt to give her her freedom once, but Gwladus refused, fearing that she had upset Hild somehow and knowing that, in the context of her social status within the kingdom, being Hild's slave was "desirable." Gwladus was therefore well-kept, but that does not in any way forgive the situation she was put in or that Hild maintained.
DUBIOUS CONSENT
In addition to the standard and more acceptable duties in service to Hild, Gwladus made the determination that sexual duties were required as well. Hild was a teenaged girl, caught up in emotional and tense situations and expected to perform with a calm demeanor and a clear mind. She is regularly characterized as being unaware of her own needs, physical and emotional. Caught up in the hormones of youth, stressed and tense and overwhelmed, she needed release. Gwladus decided to give that to her in the form of sexual release. Hild did not ask for it nor expect it. In fact, she was completely surprised and at first ignorant of what was happening. But it became a semi-regular event between the two. Gwladus never allowed for reciprocation, even though Hild wished to give it, and it existed more as an unspoken arrangement between the two rather than an emotional relationship. Hild did not make outright advances towards Gwladus, however all things considered, it's difficult to say that this sexual relationship was consensual.
In addition to the standard and more acceptable duties in service to Hild, Gwladus made the determination that sexual duties were required as well. Hild was a teenaged girl, caught up in emotional and tense situations and expected to perform with a calm demeanor and a clear mind. She is regularly characterized as being unaware of her own needs, physical and emotional. Caught up in the hormones of youth, stressed and tense and overwhelmed, she needed release. Gwladus decided to give that to her in the form of sexual release. Hild did not ask for it nor expect it. In fact, she was completely surprised and at first ignorant of what was happening. But it became a semi-regular event between the two. Gwladus never allowed for reciprocation, even though Hild wished to give it, and it existed more as an unspoken arrangement between the two rather than an emotional relationship. Hild did not make outright advances towards Gwladus, however all things considered, it's difficult to say that this sexual relationship was consensual.
INCEST
Hild has had a relationship with Cian since her birth, neither one of them aware that they share the same father. Their closeness turned to sexual tension as they aged and there is true love between them. However, while in her middle teens, Hild figured out on her own that she and Cian are half-siblings, a fact which was confirmed for her later by her mother. Hild immediately took measures to distance herself from Cian, much to Cian's confusion, frustration, and annoyance. He interpreted this as Hild thinking she was too good for him and, in addition to bearing a grudge against her, he tried all the harder to impress her and advance his social status. This did not change Hild's feelings for him, for good or for bad, but did attract the attention of the king who saw Cian as a growing threat to his crown. Also aware of Cian's true parentage, the king decides to arrange a marriage between Hild and Cian. This betrothal is sprung on Hild at a feast, leaving her no opportunity to weasel her way out of it, especially considering her mother was aware of it too and decided to allow it to happen. The pair are married in the last chapters of the novel and do consummate that marriage.
Hild has had a relationship with Cian since her birth, neither one of them aware that they share the same father. Their closeness turned to sexual tension as they aged and there is true love between them. However, while in her middle teens, Hild figured out on her own that she and Cian are half-siblings, a fact which was confirmed for her later by her mother. Hild immediately took measures to distance herself from Cian, much to Cian's confusion, frustration, and annoyance. He interpreted this as Hild thinking she was too good for him and, in addition to bearing a grudge against her, he tried all the harder to impress her and advance his social status. This did not change Hild's feelings for him, for good or for bad, but did attract the attention of the king who saw Cian as a growing threat to his crown. Also aware of Cian's true parentage, the king decides to arrange a marriage between Hild and Cian. This betrothal is sprung on Hild at a feast, leaving her no opportunity to weasel her way out of it, especially considering her mother was aware of it too and decided to allow it to happen. The pair are married in the last chapters of the novel and do consummate that marriage.
CODE BY MARWOOD
Jul. 24th, 2022
hild
hild (2013 novel)
seer
woman
20
pansexual
seer
woman
20
pansexual
Abilities
⯌ Prophecy & Insight
Hild is not actually a seer, though she is incredibly convincing due to always being right in her pronouncements and uncanny in her observations. She's trained to read people and to be mystical and mysterious while doing so. Her ability to discern the truth and see patterns is remarkable; she's a true master of the skill. However, it's just practice and knowledge, not magic.
⯌ Polyglot While the languages she speaks are all archaic, Hild does still have a mastery of Old English (of West Germanic origin aka Northumbrian dialect), West Saxon, a variety of Brythonic Celtic dialects, Ecclesiastical Latin, and Old Irish. She is very much capable of learning more and will at any opportunity.
⯌ Old World Knowledge Just like with language, Hild absorbs any piece of information or knowledge that she can get her hands on. It doesn't matter what sphere it's from, she wants to know. Because of this, she has picked up many skills over the years. Herbology and farming and husbandry and artisanal skills like wine and cheese-making all naturally fall under her purview as a woman of her time, but she also knows combat, strategy, commerce, and any number of facts.
⯌ Polyglot While the languages she speaks are all archaic, Hild does still have a mastery of Old English (of West Germanic origin aka Northumbrian dialect), West Saxon, a variety of Brythonic Celtic dialects, Ecclesiastical Latin, and Old Irish. She is very much capable of learning more and will at any opportunity.
⯌ Old World Knowledge Just like with language, Hild absorbs any piece of information or knowledge that she can get her hands on. It doesn't matter what sphere it's from, she wants to know. Because of this, she has picked up many skills over the years. Herbology and farming and husbandry and artisanal skills like wine and cheese-making all naturally fall under her purview as a woman of her time, but she also knows combat, strategy, commerce, and any number of facts.
Out-of-Character
⯌ Backtag
I can be defined as a slow tagger. I enjoy boomeranging when circumstances allow and work out, but for the most part I try to tag back within 1-3 days. I don't mind if I get tags back faster as long as we're all aware that I might not respond as quickly.
⯌ Fourthwall The odds of people in real life knowing Hild's canon are small and, as I state elsewhere, what is known about the historical St. Hilda of Whitby does not look much like Hild as she is now. That said, I don't have anything against an appropriate character breaking the fourth wall with her. She'll probably take it well, all things considered.
⯌ Off-Limits From a narrative perspective, not much is off limits for Hild. I'm willing to entertain storylines with most anything. That said, I don't necessarily want to thread it. Please check in with me before writing out graphic tags or scenes that involve her with subjects such as non-con, eating disorders, self-harm, child abuse or animal abuse. Mentions of these things in another character's background are different.
⯌ Content Warning Hild's canon has its fair share of problematic events and stories that could easily trigger someone. Hild herself has PTSD from a traumatic battle which may be mentioned. More importantly, she owns a slave with whom she engages in sexual acts. These sexual acts can be interpreted as consensual as the other woman initiated them without prompting from Hild and Hild never expected nor pursued them. However both Hild and I are aware that a servant or slave, whichever term one wants to use in the context of Hild's time and place, does not truly have the ability to consent. Additionally, one of the last events in her canon is her marriage to her half-brother. She does not choose the marriage and does not have any say in it, and also her half-brother is unaware of their true familial connection. But there is a history of attraction, sexual and non, between them before Hild was aware of their relationship to each other.
⯌ Fourthwall The odds of people in real life knowing Hild's canon are small and, as I state elsewhere, what is known about the historical St. Hilda of Whitby does not look much like Hild as she is now. That said, I don't have anything against an appropriate character breaking the fourth wall with her. She'll probably take it well, all things considered.
⯌ Off-Limits From a narrative perspective, not much is off limits for Hild. I'm willing to entertain storylines with most anything. That said, I don't necessarily want to thread it. Please check in with me before writing out graphic tags or scenes that involve her with subjects such as non-con, eating disorders, self-harm, child abuse or animal abuse. Mentions of these things in another character's background are different.
⯌ Content Warning Hild's canon has its fair share of problematic events and stories that could easily trigger someone. Hild herself has PTSD from a traumatic battle which may be mentioned. More importantly, she owns a slave with whom she engages in sexual acts. These sexual acts can be interpreted as consensual as the other woman initiated them without prompting from Hild and Hild never expected nor pursued them. However both Hild and I are aware that a servant or slave, whichever term one wants to use in the context of Hild's time and place, does not truly have the ability to consent. Additionally, one of the last events in her canon is her marriage to her half-brother. She does not choose the marriage and does not have any say in it, and also her half-brother is unaware of their true familial connection. But there is a history of attraction, sexual and non, between them before Hild was aware of their relationship to each other.
In-Character
⯌ Physical Contact
In the beginning of a relationship, Hild does not expect anyone to touch her. She is regularly viewed as strange, otherworldly, and undesirable. People talk about her behind her back and children run from her. She will be startled by the contact and, depending on who it's coming from and in what social situation, may react in the strong negative. Once she has gotten to know someone however, likes them and trusts them, she is much more tactile and will lean into touch.
⯌ Mental Contact Hild does not have any experience with true psychic abilities. She will not expect any sort of mental intrusion. She will not understand it at first. But once she is able to ascertain what's happening, she will fight it. Whether she does this well or not can be determined between us.
⯌ Flirt Again, Hild is rarely viewed by the world at large as a sexual being. In some instances, she in fact chooses and encourages this view of her. Therefore, any romantic or sexual interest shown her way will be met at first with distrust. But, again, depending on who it's coming from and the social situation, she might respond positively. Romance can be fraught with complications, but sex does not have as many strings attached.
⯌ Fight Hild does not usually feel the need to initiate physical violence, however she has been known to if the situation calls and she will almost always respond in kind. She does have experience in battle with sword and staff and shield, as well as some wrestling. But she won't be better than a person with actual professional training.
⯌ Injury Bruises, bumps, and small scars are welcome. Anything more significant like a broken bone or permanent like an ugly or large scar should be discussed ahead of time.
⯌ Death I'd like to avoid this for the time being.
⯌ Mental Contact Hild does not have any experience with true psychic abilities. She will not expect any sort of mental intrusion. She will not understand it at first. But once she is able to ascertain what's happening, she will fight it. Whether she does this well or not can be determined between us.
⯌ Flirt Again, Hild is rarely viewed by the world at large as a sexual being. In some instances, she in fact chooses and encourages this view of her. Therefore, any romantic or sexual interest shown her way will be met at first with distrust. But, again, depending on who it's coming from and the social situation, she might respond positively. Romance can be fraught with complications, but sex does not have as many strings attached.
⯌ Fight Hild does not usually feel the need to initiate physical violence, however she has been known to if the situation calls and she will almost always respond in kind. She does have experience in battle with sword and staff and shield, as well as some wrestling. But she won't be better than a person with actual professional training.
⯌ Injury Bruises, bumps, and small scars are welcome. Anything more significant like a broken bone or permanent like an ugly or large scar should be discussed ahead of time.
⯌ Death I'd like to avoid this for the time being.
Jul. 24th, 2022
Hild
quiet mouth, bright mind
stats
appearance
There is something unearthly about Hild. This is more apparent in her own place and own time. She's too tall, tall enough that the some folk whisper about ettin blood in her veins. She has the warm chestnut hair of her royal Yffing house. But her eyes, her eyes are an intense green like moss agate and her gaze is so direct and uncanny as to make royal men and warriors doubt themselves, even since she was 10 years old. She does not typically display much emotion, no until one gets to know her, and even then her smiles can be seldom. But when they do appear, they are true. Her voice has a gentle roughness to it, but she speaks with authority, the kind that comes naturally. There's no need for her to pitch her voice when all silence themselves and crane to listen to her. Though she mostly wears dresses -- long, dyed royal gem colors with glittering embroidery -- they are always sleeveless. This is important because in her world only men bare their arms so. Her arms will never be covered.
There are some accessories always on her:
There are some accessories always on her:
- a belt on which hangs distaffs and spindle, a small and ornate purse holding more weaving supplies, herbs, and keepsakes, as well as a wicked looking long dagger;
- a string of carnelians on a cord of yellow silk, worn as a bracelet by being wrapped a few times around her wrist;
- a necklace of gold bearing a large gold cross, accented with garnet and pearl.
first impressions & personality
Hild without question and consistently comes off as removed, regal, otherworldly and, depending on how one feels about these qualities, dangerous. She purports herself to be a seer and prophet, and she does in fact make observations and prophecies that are or do come true. For most, she seems to know things, know the person, better than she should on first meeting. For the others that she cannot read, she will not try to make guesses but still maintain her air of reserve.
As a prophet and princess, she is one of those people who has been so distanced from normal life and has had so many expectations and duties placed upon her from a young age that she sometimes does not know how to interact with people as a person herself. She is wary of revealing too much of herself or her true opinions. In her world, saying the wrong thing once will result in pain for her, if not death. Worse, it might mean pain or death for the people that she loves.
All that being said, after someone has earned her trust and the walls have begun to crumble, Hild is loving, warm, clever, and bright. She has a sly sense of humor and a fierce, protective love for those she deems her family. Those walls don't last long once the first few cracks have formed. She loves fully and will be a tactile, attentive friend (or lover).
As a prophet and princess, she is one of those people who has been so distanced from normal life and has had so many expectations and duties placed upon her from a young age that she sometimes does not know how to interact with people as a person herself. She is wary of revealing too much of herself or her true opinions. In her world, saying the wrong thing once will result in pain for her, if not death. Worse, it might mean pain or death for the people that she loves.
All that being said, after someone has earned her trust and the walls have begun to crumble, Hild is loving, warm, clever, and bright. She has a sly sense of humor and a fierce, protective love for those she deems her family. Those walls don't last long once the first few cracks have formed. She loves fully and will be a tactile, attentive friend (or lover).
abilities (or lack thereof)
Despite what she might tell you, Hild is not actually a prophet. She has no special sight into the future or into one's soul. She's just incredibly observant, absorbs all knowledge like a sponge, and uses her status and aura to grant her more insight. What she is is a manipulator. There is no malice or ill-intent in her schemes. Unlike her mother, who taught her how to look for secrets and patterns and how to dress them up like visions, Hild does not have any thirst for power for power's sake. What she wants is a position of power within the world, yes, but one that would allow her her own little corner that she can protect and care for. She wants her own homestead that grows and provides, her own household of friends and lovers, and she does not want to be held back by her sex. From the beginning, her position as seer has always been wielded by her as a means to protect her family. She might make unnervingly insightful remarks or pronouncements about the future to establish herself as otherworldly, with the power that that brings, but she's not looking to manipulate every person for her own gain. In fact, she would rather drop the pretense and be herself. But that very literally means death for her and all the people she calls her own.
In terms of utterly human skills, Hild is a polyglot and eager to learn more. She has a vast knowledge of nature (specific to Britain) as well as farming, artisanal works, and husbandry, as era appropriate. She makes tinctures and teas and salves, as well as weaves tapestries and linen for clothes and sews embroidery. She also very much knows how to use that dagger; she has been fighting with sword and staff "like a boy" from a very young age.
In terms of utterly human skills, Hild is a polyglot and eager to learn more. She has a vast knowledge of nature (specific to Britain) as well as farming, artisanal works, and husbandry, as era appropriate. She makes tinctures and teas and salves, as well as weaves tapestries and linen for clothes and sews embroidery. She also very much knows how to use that dagger; she has been fighting with sword and staff "like a boy" from a very young age.
religion
Hild is not Catholic (or simply Christian as it is called in her time) in the true sense, but neither is she particularly devout towards her native gods. Being baptized was a purely political move and she is careful amount comments about faith because the priests, specifically the bishop, hold sway currently in the court. That's why she always wears the cross. Honestly, she thinks of the Christ as a rather silly god who doesn't make sense and doesn't have any good stories about him. And his followers are pretty lackluster on average.
This Hild is however based upon St. Hilda of Whitby, in so much as a historical figure with five pages dedicated to her by the Venerable Bede can be a solid base for a fully fleshed out character. There's a lot of historical guesswork going into her story by way of the author. Everything in her story is certainly possible and fits into the historical record of the time such as we have it, but there's no solid proof backing up this story. If your character wants to recognize the name, the powers at play, or anything else of significance, they're free to, but she has a healthy understanding of the fact that her legacy, such as it is, will very well be manipulated by powers in the future for their own causes.
This Hild is however based upon St. Hilda of Whitby, in so much as a historical figure with five pages dedicated to her by the Venerable Bede can be a solid base for a fully fleshed out character. There's a lot of historical guesswork going into her story by way of the author. Everything in her story is certainly possible and fits into the historical record of the time such as we have it, but there's no solid proof backing up this story. If your character wants to recognize the name, the powers at play, or anything else of significance, they're free to, but she has a healthy understanding of the fact that her legacy, such as it is, will very well be manipulated by powers in the future for their own causes.
visuals
May. 28th, 2018
PLAYER INFORMATION
Player Name: Kat
Are you 18+?: Yes
Preferred Contact:
Current Characters: Magnus Bane, Shadowhunters; Arthur Castus, King Arthur (application in process)
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character Name: Hild
Canon: Hild by Nicola Griffith
Canonpoint: Hild comes from near the end of the novel, when she is just about to be betrothed to her half-brother.
Character Age: 18
Appearance: N/A
Background/History: Hild, daughter of Hereric, was both in early 7th century Britain. Daughter to a princeling with a good chance at the throne of overking, she should have become a peaceweaver, married off to another great princeling or king to solidify a political alliance. But that was never to be Hild’s fate, her wyrd, and this was learned at an early age.
Her father was killed when she was four -- poisoned by her uncle, Edwin, who became overking in his stead. Her mother, Breguswith, being a shrewd and political Kentish princess, knew to work quickly to assure the safety of her household. Kings throw away what they don’t have use for. Edwin, having only two sons, needed a peaceweaver. In lieu of a daughter, a niece would do, and Hereswith, Hild’s elder sister, became a trading piece. Hild, far from marriageable age but with a bright, sharp mind, became the king’s seer. Schooled by her mother and possessing her own boundless curiosity, Hild learned to observe everything, from bird flight to the posture of princelings; to sift the wheat from the chaff, knowing what mattered to kings and what mattered to farmers; and to see the pattern in the woven strands of life, to prophesy the future that she already knew would become fact.
Foretelling political intrigues and bloody uprisings, as well as good harvests and harsh weather, Hild became indispensable to her uncle. Hild used her position to learn, to grow, to keep herself and those around her safe. The ways of the woods and the farm were just as important to her as the ways of Christ priests and warriors, and she learned everything. Languages, writing, fighting, religion: she absorbed fully the bits from which life is made. Her friends were few, but cherished: Fursey, the Irish priest who taught her to write; Begu, the daughter of a lesser king who became her confidant; Gwladus, her bodywoman and sometimes lover; Cian, her childhood friend (and half-brother) who grew to lead the king’s warriors. And the dangers were many, of course. The king kept her always at hand, and so she was always watched, by those who wished her well and ill, by those who would profit by her favor or her death: the common people who saw her as a benefactor, holy and powerful; competing princelings who saw her as the last of a royal line; the black-eyed bishop Paulinus, always suspicious.
But even seers do not always prophesy bountiful harvests and peace. She can see how the pattern will unfold, that her king will fall. What she cannot see is what Edwin has in store for her, though she can see the plot forming behind his eyes. The chiefs assemble to discuss the war in progress, and later that evening they feast. It is just as Edwin is about to reveal his plans for Hild that she leaves, the words still unspoken, the deed not yet done.
Strengths:
+Quiet mouth.
+Bright mind.
+Protective.
Weaknesses:
-Stubborn.
-Sharp.
-Repressed.
Fatal Flaw: For all her knowledge, all her ability to see, Hild is blind when it comes to herself. She doesn't understand her own mind and heart the way that she does the thoughts and desires of others. This leaves her vulnerable, likely to spin off course and subsume herself in unpredictable emotions or incapable of seeing what is coming for her. For a long time, she had people to look out for her, even if they did not do the best job of it. But as she grew up, they sheltered her less and less until there was no buffer between Hild and her world. So when things strike at her, personally, they come as a shock and she cannot prepare for them the way she would a proper battle or a court intrigue. Case in point: She never saw that her uncle intended to marry her off to her half-brother, even though it was the easiest way to guarantee that the secret of her half-brother's lineage would never be known. She should have seen it coming and taking steps to protect herself, but she didn't and is now doomed to live a horrible lie for the rest of her life.
Driving Force: Hild is driven by a desire to learn all that she can and, most importantly, to use that knowledge to the benefit of her people. Everywhere she goes, Hild makes a point of learning as much as she can about the place, from the tree in the orchard that offers the best apples to the workings of the blacksmith or the old Roman fountains. She is a sponge for knowledge, never satisfied, and takes full advantage of the special place that she holds in her society. Because she is king's kin and because she is a seer, she is permitted certain luxuries that would never be given to her gender, such as the ability to ask questions and have them answered, to be heard when others would be turned away. She does not hoard this knowledge greedily inside of her, but parcels it out where it can do the most good: she offers counsel to her uncle the king as well as to the people in her own little town that is hers to protect. She learns so as to protect -- herself, her family, her friends, her people, her uncle (to an extent) -- and to improve.
Patron: Hild is meant for Minerva. Her mind is sharp as a razor's edge and she uses it to great ends, guiding her uncle with the management of his kingdom. She knows and understands patience, but at the same time she easily grows frustrated when others don't understand her cryptic prophecies and need things spelled out for them. She will not hesitate to twist the truth in order to suit the ends of herself, her people or her kingdom. She can be prickly as a hedgehog and, simply by the nature of the world she grew up in, she believes in classes of people, in respecting your betters and treating those less than you with noblesse oblige. She can be deadly as any warrior, but prefers to think outside the box to see her ends met. She holds grudges, however, and remembers everything.
GAME INFORMATION
Setting Suitability: Hild is like a bird trapped in a cage, only now realizing its situation and desperate to get out. For so long, she thought she was playing the game, sitting outside the board and moving pieces around. It's only recently that she's realized she is a piece, too, and needs to figure her own way out of this mess. She would jump at the chance to escape, even if only for a little while. What's more, she would love to experience something new. Her desire for knowledge isn't purely factual; she wants to know but also to feel and do. I hope to give her a chance to breathe a little more freely, be more Hild the woman than what is expected of Hild. There may be some recklessness to her, as befits an older teenager, but Hild has faced many a life or death situation. She has killed many men and has been through hell and back. She is more than fitted to a wartime scenario.
Sample: TDM 1; TDM 2
Sep. 9th, 2017
There had been rain off and on for the last two days, not enough to stop Hild from gathering her herbs, but enough to make everything sticky and unpleasant. There were times that she liked the rain, when the weather had grown hot and the air pregnant with humidity, until it finally burst and fell. She liked the smell of newly wet cement, the patter of rain drops and the force of a torrent. There were times when she loved the rain, when the morning was crisp and cool and misting or when she could feel the mud between her toes but not yet fear slipping, when the world was green and beautiful and precious after the water had refreshed it. But there were of course times when mud clung to her dress and weighed it down, when water wilted what should be fresh growing flowers and made life feel somewhat impossible.
She was grateful for the sunshine and the lack of clouds on that day, knowing that the mud would dry out soon and the flowers would respond to the sun like children growing under praise. It was a day when everything felt fresh, the air cool and unsullied in the countryside morning. Hild had stopped at a walnut tree, it's broad spread boughs easily reached for a climb. Walking carefully along one of the branches, she reached for the nuts and threw them into the basket she had left down on the ground. Most of them hit the woven container, but many did not. She hissed out a curse as a squirrel bounded out to grab one and threw a nut at him.
"Bane of my life," she shouted down at him in Anglisc. Though a rueful grin tugged at her lips, she was only half joking.
She was grateful for the sunshine and the lack of clouds on that day, knowing that the mud would dry out soon and the flowers would respond to the sun like children growing under praise. It was a day when everything felt fresh, the air cool and unsullied in the countryside morning. Hild had stopped at a walnut tree, it's broad spread boughs easily reached for a climb. Walking carefully along one of the branches, she reached for the nuts and threw them into the basket she had left down on the ground. Most of them hit the woven container, but many did not. She hissed out a curse as a squirrel bounded out to grab one and threw a nut at him.
"Bane of my life," she shouted down at him in Anglisc. Though a rueful grin tugged at her lips, she was only half joking.
Sep. 7th, 2017
A little more than a month had passed since they had all moved into their house in the countryside, and Hild had been concientious about building it into a home, a household like the one she knew back in Northumbria, a place she could be proud of. She carried her old purse, attached to her belt, more often these days, the similarity between this life and the other growing more each day. There were differences. There were so many differences. But this was the life of a normal young woman in a normal situation in a normal time, and Hild relished it.
There were no trees on the property yet, certainly no fruit trees the sort of which Krem wished to have. But not too far from the house, far enough that Hild could see it still, if only small and white, was a walnut tree. The boughs were all but made for climbing, low and spreading wide over the space, and the nuts themselves were just coming into season. Along with her woven basket, Hild had brought a metal nutcracker with her, tucked into her purse, so she could sit along one of the branches, legs dangling, and help herself to a snack before harvesting.
She saw Thomas coming near, on one of his long runs, and immediately flung a walnut straight at his head.
There were no trees on the property yet, certainly no fruit trees the sort of which Krem wished to have. But not too far from the house, far enough that Hild could see it still, if only small and white, was a walnut tree. The boughs were all but made for climbing, low and spreading wide over the space, and the nuts themselves were just coming into season. Along with her woven basket, Hild had brought a metal nutcracker with her, tucked into her purse, so she could sit along one of the branches, legs dangling, and help herself to a snack before harvesting.
She saw Thomas coming near, on one of his long runs, and immediately flung a walnut straight at his head.
Sep. 6th, 2017
The weather had turned a little cool, bringing with it a little rain and a little reminder that fall was here and winter approached, bringing with that the aches and the pains and the colds of bad weather. So Hild's shop had been busy in the last few days as her patrons stocked up on remedies and preventatives to help them through the upcoming months.
Hild welcomed them of course and helped them however they needed, with advice and reassurance, but for her part she did not fear the upcoming autumn. The weather still was mild though Hild felt sure that as time passed the fall would prove to be quite cold and rainy, but neither were things she minded. And in the interim, she could stroll home from work at her leisure, enjoying the good weather while it lasted.
She let herself out early and left Ellie to close up shop behind her. She found herself approaching a woman with a familiar face, although it was hidden at times behind a sizable camera. Grinning warmly, Hild let her easy walk bring her closer to Therese.
"Good shots today?"
Hild welcomed them of course and helped them however they needed, with advice and reassurance, but for her part she did not fear the upcoming autumn. The weather still was mild though Hild felt sure that as time passed the fall would prove to be quite cold and rainy, but neither were things she minded. And in the interim, she could stroll home from work at her leisure, enjoying the good weather while it lasted.
She let herself out early and left Ellie to close up shop behind her. She found herself approaching a woman with a familiar face, although it was hidden at times behind a sizable camera. Grinning warmly, Hild let her easy walk bring her closer to Therese.
"Good shots today?"
Feb. 17th, 2017
The few days that had passed since Valentine's Day had been horrendous for Hild. No one had made her to feel uncomfortable. Krem and Gannicus, of course, had laughed, but their fondness and love outweighed any embarrassment she might have felt from them. Things with Ellie were more complicated, but as Hild had no true intention of disturbing her relationship, and Ellie had no desire to do so either, they had tacitly agreed not to speak of the thing again. The rest had not been so terrible; overwrought though she had been, nothing said had been truly embarrassing, only wrapped up in overdramatic sensibility and phrasing.
All the same, it grated on her. Yes, the magic of the city did this to people, at times, but this had not been city magic. This had been the magic of one man, one man who decided his enjoyment ranked above others. She had escaped all the previous attempts by him and by Darrow magic to manipulate her personality and person. It felt no less unfair that she should be swept up in such a thing now.
Beneath all this, too, lurked the anger at herself for having drunk the wine in the first place. She had faltered; she had let her vigilance slip. She knew better than to drink freely at such a party, knew better than to dive in without observing its effects. She felt herself to blame as much as Magnus Bane, and that frustrated her to no end.
The only thing she could do, however, short of making her apologies and putting a knife somewhere in the vicinity of Magnus Bane's testicles, which she could not do, was carry on. And so she did, stopping by the same coffee shop that had now become her favorite, ordering her usual latte and going to her work. She tried to sidestep another man in the moderately crowded cafe, murmuring a pardon as she did. But when she lifted her gaze to look at him, she stopped still.
"Oh, no."
All the same, it grated on her. Yes, the magic of the city did this to people, at times, but this had not been city magic. This had been the magic of one man, one man who decided his enjoyment ranked above others. She had escaped all the previous attempts by him and by Darrow magic to manipulate her personality and person. It felt no less unfair that she should be swept up in such a thing now.
Beneath all this, too, lurked the anger at herself for having drunk the wine in the first place. She had faltered; she had let her vigilance slip. She knew better than to drink freely at such a party, knew better than to dive in without observing its effects. She felt herself to blame as much as Magnus Bane, and that frustrated her to no end.
The only thing she could do, however, short of making her apologies and putting a knife somewhere in the vicinity of Magnus Bane's testicles, which she could not do, was carry on. And so she did, stopping by the same coffee shop that had now become her favorite, ordering her usual latte and going to her work. She tried to sidestep another man in the moderately crowded cafe, murmuring a pardon as she did. But when she lifted her gaze to look at him, she stopped still.
"Oh, no."
Aug. 29th, 2016
The deal was all but done. The unimpressive little shop with crystals and pointless little herbal concoctions had gone into something called bankruptcy. The man selling the shop -- a real estate broker -- had explained that meant the business had no money and so, to pay off some of the people owed, the shop had to be sold.
For cheap. Cheaper, at least, than any other shopfronts on the market, which were few.
Hild had thought handing over money would be enough. She had already gone to the bank and learned what a loan was, had applied, had done the math and been sure she could make the payments, provided the business did well.
But then there were things called escrow and deeds and taxes. There were rules for how to run a business, rules set by the city for what she could sell and how the building must be kept and how she must pay and treat her employees. They all came together in a vague pattern that Hild thought she could understand, but it was a painfully slow process to stop and look up the meaning of every phrase or concept she did not understand.
She could have gone to Luke. She had already asked questions of him, learned from watching and doing. But she hadn't realized the sheer number of laws that dictated his actions. All of his actions simply made sense.
She could have gone to Luke. She could have gone to Derek. But she wanted to go to Spencer. They saw each other often; at the very least, Hild could expect to see him whenever she had a shift at the bookstore. But they had not sat down and had a proper talk, with coffee, just by themselves, in some time.
So she placed her folder full of papers, two coffees (Spencer's favorite blend, made as he liked it), and a plate filled with pastry on the table of the coffee shop, and waited for Spencer to arrive.
For cheap. Cheaper, at least, than any other shopfronts on the market, which were few.
Hild had thought handing over money would be enough. She had already gone to the bank and learned what a loan was, had applied, had done the math and been sure she could make the payments, provided the business did well.
But then there were things called escrow and deeds and taxes. There were rules for how to run a business, rules set by the city for what she could sell and how the building must be kept and how she must pay and treat her employees. They all came together in a vague pattern that Hild thought she could understand, but it was a painfully slow process to stop and look up the meaning of every phrase or concept she did not understand.
She could have gone to Luke. She had already asked questions of him, learned from watching and doing. But she hadn't realized the sheer number of laws that dictated his actions. All of his actions simply made sense.
She could have gone to Luke. She could have gone to Derek. But she wanted to go to Spencer. They saw each other often; at the very least, Hild could expect to see him whenever she had a shift at the bookstore. But they had not sat down and had a proper talk, with coffee, just by themselves, in some time.
So she placed her folder full of papers, two coffees (Spencer's favorite blend, made as he liked it), and a plate filled with pastry on the table of the coffee shop, and waited for Spencer to arrive.
mood: 
chipper
chipperApr. 8th, 2016
It had been a long month for all. Days without, days spent missing, lingered longer, time dragging its feet though its steady progression of hours. The searching, the hoping, the praying, the worrying made the sun slower in the day and the stars dimmer at night.
And then, to lose. To lose was to make time stop. The world moved on, but one's own reckoning of it ceased.
It had been a few days since Hild had realized Bianca was gone. She texted her more often than most and Hild's messages sat unanswered. She had visited her home, knocking on the door to receive no invitation. She had come back, hoping that she had simply missed the other young woman, had timed her visit badly.
She had never lost someone like this before. Hereswith, Fursey, they had only left; great distance separated them, but nothing that letters following the threads of trade could not connect. Begu, Cian, both had left and come back to her. This wasn't even death. Was Bianca back in her home, back with her old friends who had missed her, her family who loved her, her life left abruptly? Or was it something else.
The nagging worry and confusion refused to budge. She yearned, not for the first time, for a loom to occupy her thoughts and fingers. Lacking that, she turned to her kitchen. Cooking had not been a duty expected of her back home, not given her rank, not as king's kin, but she knew it. She had spent hours watching bakers roll out dough, cooks choose spices, farmers pick their best crops. She had had to feed herself, had she not?
She wasn't a pie-maker like Bitty, but the so-called shepherd's pie was still warm in her arms, the buttery, savory scents drifting up to her nose as she made her way to Derek's. At his doorstep, she paused to knock and hope that she was not interrupting time with his lover.
That was still a thing she needed to adjust to.
And then, to lose. To lose was to make time stop. The world moved on, but one's own reckoning of it ceased.
It had been a few days since Hild had realized Bianca was gone. She texted her more often than most and Hild's messages sat unanswered. She had visited her home, knocking on the door to receive no invitation. She had come back, hoping that she had simply missed the other young woman, had timed her visit badly.
She had never lost someone like this before. Hereswith, Fursey, they had only left; great distance separated them, but nothing that letters following the threads of trade could not connect. Begu, Cian, both had left and come back to her. This wasn't even death. Was Bianca back in her home, back with her old friends who had missed her, her family who loved her, her life left abruptly? Or was it something else.
The nagging worry and confusion refused to budge. She yearned, not for the first time, for a loom to occupy her thoughts and fingers. Lacking that, she turned to her kitchen. Cooking had not been a duty expected of her back home, not given her rank, not as king's kin, but she knew it. She had spent hours watching bakers roll out dough, cooks choose spices, farmers pick their best crops. She had had to feed herself, had she not?
She wasn't a pie-maker like Bitty, but the so-called shepherd's pie was still warm in her arms, the buttery, savory scents drifting up to her nose as she made her way to Derek's. At his doorstep, she paused to knock and hope that she was not interrupting time with his lover.
That was still a thing she needed to adjust to.
mood: 
anxious
anxiousDec. 26th, 2015
location: outside Little Lorenzo's
mood: horny
hornyOct. 13th, 2015
She was floating.
She should have taken Noah's warning more to heart. She should have left that party the second he said to. But curiosity, as always, got the best of her. Now, in addition to being a demon, she was a fool who ignored the omens of the dead.
Hild would have been troubled by this if she could feel troubled. If she could feel regret. Or guilt. She felt only at peace now, happy, pleased, content. She felt as though all her worries and troubles had lifted. No, Hild had been lifted up, on a cloud, leaving every heavy feeling, thought, emotion on the distant ground. They were still there, she knew that, just as she knew that she should find her way back to her own bed sometime before the sun rose. But they were distant and hard to reckon, just as her bed was.
She left the party humming to herself, vainly searching her mind for some song that was all happy, that didn't have a speck of death or war or sorrow in it. The ground wobbled slightly beneath her feet, so she gave up on trying to walk a straight line back to the city, instead spread her arms and weaved her way like a bird, turned this way and that by the wind currents, but roughly heading in the right direction of the sidewalk.
She should have taken Noah's warning more to heart. She should have left that party the second he said to. But curiosity, as always, got the best of her. Now, in addition to being a demon, she was a fool who ignored the omens of the dead.
Hild would have been troubled by this if she could feel troubled. If she could feel regret. Or guilt. She felt only at peace now, happy, pleased, content. She felt as though all her worries and troubles had lifted. No, Hild had been lifted up, on a cloud, leaving every heavy feeling, thought, emotion on the distant ground. They were still there, she knew that, just as she knew that she should find her way back to her own bed sometime before the sun rose. But they were distant and hard to reckon, just as her bed was.
She left the party humming to herself, vainly searching her mind for some song that was all happy, that didn't have a speck of death or war or sorrow in it. The ground wobbled slightly beneath her feet, so she gave up on trying to walk a straight line back to the city, instead spread her arms and weaved her way like a bird, turned this way and that by the wind currents, but roughly heading in the right direction of the sidewalk.
location: outside the warehouse
mood: high
highOct. 1st, 2015
There were a multitude of things that Hild enjoyed about working at Graymark Books. The owner, of course, was the best boss that Hild could possibly have. But the store itself was still a marvel to her, crammed full of books, which were so precious in her time and place, so rare, none of them so neatly formed as these, sturdy and precise. She had quickly learned how it was that a book smelled, and just as quickly learned to love it. The customers were usually polite, relaxed, unperturbed by Hild's still lingering accent or the way she had to pause at times before answering a question. She learned in leaps and bounds from these interactions and, on those afternoons when the store was empty, peaceably silent and still, all activity shut outside the broad front window, she read.
It was not very fast reading. English was more of a mongrel language on paper than on the tongue, Hild felt. The alphabet was familiar to her, thankfully, but whenever she sounded out words, their meanings eluded her. Luke would read things for her at times, when he was also in the shop on slow days, but sometimes that hindered more than helped. (How "receipt" could be spelled with a p was beyond her.)
One such slow afternoon had Hild behind the counter, bent over a more simply written book called The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Her finger dragged slowly along the lines and her lips mouthed the words, but the moment she heard the front door open, she promptly greeted the new guest with a well practiced "Hello. Can I help you find something?"
It was not very fast reading. English was more of a mongrel language on paper than on the tongue, Hild felt. The alphabet was familiar to her, thankfully, but whenever she sounded out words, their meanings eluded her. Luke would read things for her at times, when he was also in the shop on slow days, but sometimes that hindered more than helped. (How "receipt" could be spelled with a p was beyond her.)
One such slow afternoon had Hild behind the counter, bent over a more simply written book called The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Her finger dragged slowly along the lines and her lips mouthed the words, but the moment she heard the front door open, she promptly greeted the new guest with a well practiced "Hello. Can I help you find something?"
location: Graymark Books
mood: relaxed
relaxedSep. 12th, 2015
Back home, the court moved. Breguswith had explained it to Hild once, when she was a child and adamantly against such constant travel. She wanted to stay in a place long enough to learn its habits, to discover its secret places, to feel it with her whole skin. But as her mother pointed out, a king could not remain in one area for so long, not if he wished to keep his thegns in line with his powerful presence and keep his court from eating those thegns out of house and home. And so they had drifted from castle to castle, following the shifting seasons, keeping time with the different vills. Bebbanburg, Yeavering, Tinamutha, once, Brough, Sancton, Goodmanham, York.
But time did not need a changing landscape to move on. Hild found herself on the cusp of fall, without York, for the first time in more than a decade. Darrow did not have York's sweet apples or pears, nor its wars. It did have something called a pumpkin spice latte, however, which was almost as delicious as the overexcited barista had told Hild it would be. She had ordered two if only to calm the woman, but she had reasoned that anything that garnered such praise, mostly earnest, had to be passing good.
Balancing a tray of coffees and a few scones in one hand, Hild texted a few of her friends with the other, inviting them each to join her in the park, if they had the time. The first to arrive could have the spare latte. So she said. Hild had every intention of ensuring that each of her friends could share in the pumpkin spiced goodness.
But time did not need a changing landscape to move on. Hild found herself on the cusp of fall, without York, for the first time in more than a decade. Darrow did not have York's sweet apples or pears, nor its wars. It did have something called a pumpkin spice latte, however, which was almost as delicious as the overexcited barista had told Hild it would be. She had ordered two if only to calm the woman, but she had reasoned that anything that garnered such praise, mostly earnest, had to be passing good.
Balancing a tray of coffees and a few scones in one hand, Hild texted a few of her friends with the other, inviting them each to join her in the park, if they had the time. The first to arrive could have the spare latte. So she said. Hild had every intention of ensuring that each of her friends could share in the pumpkin spiced goodness.
location: Petros Park, Darrow
mood: cheerful
cheerfulSep. 1st, 2015
location: Swimming Hole, Derek's Cabin, Darrow
mood: 
inquisitive
inquisitiveAug. 15th, 2015
location: Beach, Darrow
mood: horny
horny