Work Text:
[Click]
[Sounds of rummaging and the clicking of horseshoes can be heard]
[???]
Where is that damned– Ah! There it is!
[???]
Ahem
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
Audio notes of Jack Von Pyroscythe recorded–
[The audio is interrupted by a loud thumping noise, and a yelp, not very brave, are we?]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
I- ah- excuse me. I am– The location of this recording is the paths outside of the capital. I, their intrepid explorer. No, no that doesn’t sound professional. I, Jack Von Pyroscythe, have ventured outside the walls of the Capital to research a small town known as Oakhurst.
[At the sound of the name Oakhurst, thunder rumbles ominously in the background. Jack Von Pyroscythe gives a nervous laugh]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
That’s odd… it’s not raining outside. Ah- well, who knows with the weather these days, right?
[He gives a weak laugh before sighing]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
Trying to appease a stupid tape recorder. It’s not even– I’ll cut this part out. Let’s start again.
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
The audio notes of Jack Von Pyroscythe regarding the town of Oakhurst. I, an archaeologist and researcher, have ventured outside of these gilded walls of our Capital to research it.
Of the little information available in the library, the town is given to a litany of history since its founding one thousand years ago. Of course, most towns that old are, but none so interesting as Oakhurst.
Originally a small farming town, records say the nobleman who ruled it was known for his striking blue hair. Now, it is likely that that myth has been… exaggerated, he likely had black hair that looked blue in certain lightings, but this man is so fascinating.
For one, it is said that he would take human and animal sacrifices to maintain eternal youth and power. The fables say he ruled for centuries, until a coven of witches managed to cast him into eternal slumber in the crypt underneath his castle. I wonder if that crypt still exists! I would not go check in out, of course, not without the proper permits, but would it not be the discovery of a lifetime? Who knows what could be down there? Gold, jewels, hell perhaps we could finally nail down a time for when exactly this man lived! Oakhurst has so many lost records it would to the find of and century for the anthropology community!
Oh! I could center my entire thesis around the man!
Ahem
Right. I suppose I should continue. Oakhurst has had many quote on quote ‘extinction’ events in its lifetime as a village. The first, aside from the ritual sacrifice, was directly after the death of the tyrant. It’s said as he fell, with a dying breath, he cursed the fields so nothing would grow. It is far more likely that the loss of the noble led to a loss of funds for farming and all contact with the outside world ceased. This would lead to death for many villagers as back in that time they did not have proper medical care, nor did they have any way to sustain themselves during an unexpected famine.
Oakhurst was not the most fertile grounds anyway, the perpetual fog that lay across the forest prevented that. I have always preferred stormy weather, so I am quite excited for that fabled aspect. I will be utterly disappointed if there is a speck of sun.
[They give a giddy little laugh]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
Oh I can’t wait! Weeks in solitude with no one to disturb my research and infinite chances to discover something new! I’ll surely get back into the will!
Ignore that. I am…getting off topic again.
[Jack Von Pyroscythe gives a sigh]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
I’m not very professional… am I? Ah, no matter, I’ll just… write this down later. Still, it was more secure to record it on this tape than it was to write it on paper.
At least this can take a few hits before being destroyed.
[Thunder crackles in the background and rain begins to fall, pattering at the outside of the carriage like incessant knocking. Horses whiny in the distance and a man calls out to them in a wail]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
R-right. I-i’m sure it will be fine. Surely this carriage has weathered storms before.
[the sound of hoofbeats grows more rapid, and fabric scuffles.]
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
This ride is very bumpy, I- WOAH, I suppose we’ve gotten off the beaten path, huh?
I’m so excited! Records from Oakhurst cut off for the next 400 or so years, before Oakhurst is miraculously resurrected under the leadership of a young man named Louis. He turns the town into a thriving city with a bustling economy, before the witch trials set in and he is burned at the stake.
The fire spread through town, burning it all to the ground and killing most people within the walls. It was one of the most significant tragedies of the Witch Trials the world had seen at the time. A town reduced to ashes in a mere instant.
Since then the ruins of Oakhurst have become a popular…ish tourist destination, though hopefully not this close to winter. Many people in the two hundred years since have attempted to rebuild the town, only to fall victim to plague and wild animals. Many suggest it is the curse laid upon the town by the Blue-haired man, or perhaps Louis the witch. I believe it is human stupidity. Yet, even in the face of that, these folktales are a fascinating report on the human condition.
Thus ends the first update in my audio files. Jack Von Pyroscythe, signing off.
[A man screams in the distance, and the banging gets louder, wheels scratch to a stop.]
[Carriage Driver]
Sorry sir, yous gonna have to get out here.
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
WHAT?- Excuse me, I’m sorry. I paid for a trip to Oakhurst with the last- with my money and now you expect me to walk?
[Carriage Driver]
I’m sorry sir, but the horses can’t go no further in this rain. I gotta turn back now. Unless yous rather come with? I won’t charge you for riding back to the capital.
[Jack Von Pyroscythe]
…No, no. I’d best go. Schedule my return trip for a few months.
[The sound of shuffling is heard. Footsteps fade into the distance]
[???]
Well, well, well look what we have here!
[Carriage Driver]
‘Ello?
[???]
Hello good sir~ Such a treat, just for me~? I’ve always loved a rugged stable boy. I’d tell you not to run but… you wouldn’t make it far anyways.
[The sound of screaming causes the tape to short out. A few moments later only the pattering rain is heard.]
[Click]
[Pyro]
Sire said he had a gift for me I didn’t realize–
[He laughs, high pitched and afraid]
[Pyro?]
I didn’t realize this is what he meant– What am I supposed to do with– I didn’t realize the driver had– I wondered what had happened to him, when he didn’t show to pick me up. That’s solved now, I suppose.
Such a shame sire didn’t save some for me. NO! Greedy, greedy Pyro.
There’s so much I could say. So much I’ve learned, so much to note down, so so much. Yet– I’ve never been good at starting these properly have I?
Vampires are real, and I am one. Oakhurst is my home, my ruin, my grave. Are you happy mother? Father? I’ve become the monster you said I was, yet I have access to riches you could never imagine!
[He laughs again, then it slowly turns into the sound of crying. This goes on for many long, uncomfortable minutes. Pyro slowly takes a deep breath]
[Pyro]
I appreciate my Sire’s gift. I shall preserve it as a remnant of my humanity. It is all that is left.
[A crack shatters the noise. The sound of someone rewinding a tape. Something metal is crushed very close to the microphone]
[It is deadly silent]
[Click]