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 Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:14 pm
"You don't need a King to have a country." Lysos said quickly in response.
And neither do you need a Queen.
He, for one, enjoyed the fact that Abigale would never come to power alongside some husband she would manipulate like the snake she was. It was a fact a nation like Madeen would know all too well. He understood by now, he must be fanning the flames no matter what he said, and resolved to say no more. Getting off the mat, he silently marched off into the woods, presumably to hunt. He couldn't help but contemplate how the future would change if there was a male heir, but figured it made no difference. There was no way Kiera's mission would succeed, no way the world would be saved. They were bound to go through another cycle, and Lysos was convinced the best course of action was to live the rest of his days as high as he could, dying a noble death in the greatest battle never known. It was indeed ironic how bickering and decadence provided security for those who went without, and how societies without elaborate plots and scandals flocked to a society where such things were commonplace.
He was, however, in no place to criticize his society, for he was among those who contributed to the politically motivated landscape. Never did he feel his actions or any of his peers' were morally unjustified. They were born to live the way they did, and thus, possessed the right.
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 9:15 am
He was the sort of person who stood on mountaintops during thunderstorms in wet copper armour, shouting,"All the Gods are bastards!" Jagger Green ╔══════════════╗
Located: Madeen woods with Kiera
Injuries: Multiple nearly-healed scratches, gashes, and puncture wounds
Thoughts: '....'
╚══════════════╝ 
Jagger found no answer suitable for Kiera when they were still mounted and in journey towards Alexandria. He didn’t know why he lingered with the party, nor had he any reason not to, but out in the woods with his scalping knife- he couldn’t think of anything else. Something about the way Kiera had spoken had left him is discord, perhaps it was because he felt an impending instinct that trouble was brewing and somehow, that girl had found herself in the center of it all. By now, these thoughts did little sate his thirst for knowledge while he attended to his other hungers: for food.
A quaint pond had been found in the heart of the woods, how it came to be was a mystery to him, but the small animals of the forest were thankful, nonetheless. Several hares scampered off at the rustle of branches which he snapped off to create a rod. A roll of twine was withdrawn from his leather pouch to create the makeshift fishing rod that he now had clutched in his fingers. The twinkle of darkness began to creep, and, pleased with the four trout that he had fished up and descaled, Jagger hurried back to the incandescence of the flame that had been built. With the barrier of trees, he could faintly make out the voices of Lysos and Kiera. The whispered talk of the princess, his sister, and the king, had only darkened his vision when he met them. Their words rattled, and he couldn’t help the callous annoyance that began to build because of the very thought. He didn’t say a word as he strut forward and bent close to the fire, a white twine bundled sticks together until he was able to tie the string of fish hooked on thorns to float above the flames just humble enough to roast the meat. ”Fish.” It was all he said as he glanced up at Kiera and then towards the retreating figure of Lysos.
”Politics?” The rhetorical question was offered to Kiera as his eyes of gold rested on the flames. ”Shouldn’t we be trying to figure out why these summons are coming to us more now than ever before?”
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:14 am
 Kiera glanced over at Jagger when he returned with a healthy supply of fish. She smiled softly to herself as she readjusted more comfortably, like she had been before Lysos started his pitch for a holiday in Alexandria. It was reassuring to see most seemed capable of fending for themselves; and she was content to let Jagger work in silence as he set the fish to roast. She opened her eyes as he began to speak, tracing his gaze to Lysos as he walked away. That man; he wasn't blind to the corruption in his home, but he was quick to defend it still. It seemed he knew a bit about honor as well, though, despite the way Lysos said of it, Keira found it an admirable quality nonetheless. She would be quick to defend the simplistic lifestyle she had in Madeen, but she understood why their culture's would clash. Madeen and Alexandria could be compared to an 'unruly child' and 'over-protective father'. The village was new, and comprised of people looking for a new start, and an escape from all the things Kiera mentioned. Madeen was founded because Alexandria had become what it was; to those citizens, carving a life out of the forest was more rewarding than scraping one off ancient stonework. So, when Jagger offered to change the subject, Kiera was all the more eager to oblige.
"Oh that's right..." She said with a realized tone, groaning as she lifted herself back off her mat. "... your Djinn probably doesn't say much, does he?.."
Kiera glanced over at Ashe before speaking.
"She knows better than I... Still, you have at least heard the legend of Goliath. It's not just a silly story you tell around the fire... It's coming back. It's uncertain why, but summons are the key to Goliath's destruction, so they know when his return is near... and so do we. They aren't coming to us more than ever before, it's just that we can hear them now better than before..."
"Anderath came because you asked him to." Ashe said, still in a pose aimed away from the fire, not that she was capable of eye-contact anyways. "Maybe you didn't know it, or mean to do it, but that doesn't matter; your spirit knows and that's what we see in our realm... You did need his help didn't you?" She added turning her gaze towards Jagger.
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Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:47 pm
 It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations... Sayuri raised a hand to her head in slight shock. Eh? A voice? Her voice? No, She quickly recognized it as their cheery guide, however taken on a serious tone. "...They're in my head now!" She joked to herself before taking the instructions a little more seriously. "Trust my heart, huh?" She muttered, more so to herself than the others. "She said to keep going forward" She said uncertainly, gesturing to the path ahead of them. Itsuki tilted his head with a knowing grin of their communication. She ignored him. Well, better get started. She pulled together whatever was left of her remaining confidence and set onwards.
The group walked until the sun began to sink into the horizon. "...We'll never get to Alexandria by nightfall." She spoke her thought aloud. It was probably inevitable from the start, even if you had taken the clear path, it would still be shaky to say you could make it in only a day's worth of travel. It's just that she didn't know how they were going to spend the night in the middle of nowhere. Sayuri, tired and wary pushed aside yet another branch as Itsuki, trailing behind her followed with ease. He hadn't even broken a sweat. The sound of running water drifted to her ears. Looking to the sky, streaked with soft hues of orange and pinks, a thin trail of smoke. She wiped her brow. What were the odds? "Hm, What'd you think Jude?" She questioned about the sign of others before turning to face him. ...No one is in control of your happiness but you; so you have no one to blame but yourself O.O.C 【For summoning words, do I use the words Kiera used previously, or do I say something else? On a unrelated note, Happy Thanksgiving!】
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:34 pm
 Daphne "Nightshade" Irluna
Nightshade stood over her prey, eyes glowing as the last of the sun disappeared over the horizon. This man had whimpered until his very last breath, begging for mercy. A smile twitched on her lips as she remembered. Oh, the pleasure of it all! This one had been on the more difficult side to trace and kill. Of course, all men had a weakness, and she had simply found and exploited his: lust. The man was married, but he still went to the red-light district to enjoy the company of the pretty ladies there. It hadn't been hard to blend in there. Nightshade herself wasn't exactly plain. With her tall, thin body, more than one man stopped to ogle her when she passed by. Little did they know that under her cloak were tools that could one day kill them. The tools of her trade.
After disposing of the body, Nightshade made her way to the bar she knew her employer would be at. She pulled up the hood of her cloak, hiding the iridescent silvery-white hair that crowned her head. The bar was crowded, but that was expected. She casually strode around the room until she spotted her employer - a woman. She smoothly slid into the seat opposite her. Without a word, the woman handed her a pouch under the table. After quickly examining the silver pieces, Nightshade nodded, accepting the payment, then rose and left without uttering a single word.
Nightshade's birth name was Daphne Irluna. She'd been born in Serrucia, but cast out as a young teenager by her parents because she'd been born an albino. Since then, she'd made a reputation for herself as the famed assassin Nightshade. She'd traveled all across the continent, from city to city, until she'd arrived at Alexandria. There, she settled in for a while, creating for herself a small haven whenever she wasn't on a job. It was one of the larger rooms in the inn she stayed at, The Feather Falcon, where she allowed herself to contemplate her eventual revenge on the world, the world that had turned its back on her.
Daphne walked the streets of Alexandria, keeping her eyes on the street urchins lurking about. At one point, one girl, about 12 years old, leaped out and made a grab for anything valuable on Daphne, fumbling, and finding the pouch that lay beneath. Within seconds, the girl was off and running. A smirk crossed over Daphne's face, and she took off after the girl, feeling the hunt begin. She traced the girl to an alleyway, where the girl had apparently thought she'd be safe. She was with another boy, even younger, perhaps 8 or 9 years old. They had the pouch open and were counting the money when Nightshade stepped into sight. Both froze, a flash of fear crossing their faces. "So you dare to steal from me, do you?" she whispered, her voice icy cold, with a hint of excitement. Her eyes were bright with anticipation.
Both children cowered, and started begging for mercy, begging to be spared, that they would never steal again, if she let them go. A sharp laugh escaped from Nightshade's lips, harsh and ugly. "You really expect me to believe that?" she said, still in a whisper. She let back her hood, allowing the children to see her white hair, the last thing they would ever see. Swiftly, she drew her sword from the sheath on her back, and beheaded both children on the spot, fear wild in their eyes. A spot of blood sprayed onto her face, and she lifted her hand to wipe it off with her finger. Staring at the blood spot, she brought it to her lips, licking off the blood. Picking up the pouch with the money, which was covered in blood, she turned her back on the now-headless children, lifted the hood of her cloak, and continued on her way.
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 1:04 pm
He was the sort of person who stood on mountaintops during thunderstorms in wet copper armour, shouting,"All the Gods are bastards!" Jagger Green ╔══════════════╗
Located: Madeen woods with Kiera
Injuries: Multiple nearly-healed scratches, gashes, and puncture wounds
Thoughts: '....'
╚══════════════╝
Jagger wasn't going to be coy about a subject he knew nothing about, and cheerfully adamant upon not straying back onto the subject that constantly drove them all apart. For being a scholar, Jagger mused, Lysos wasn't particularly well with social interactions. If Jagger was like that, he would have likely been butchered off at a younger age without ever the knowledge of his true identiy. When the silence between Kiera's words had lingered, Jagger was quick to fill the silence. "Not particularly, got a mighty fiesty personality as it is..."
But when words of only whispered tales had been confirmed, Jagger grew silent. Kiera, for all her worth, was genuine about the depth of truth behind those enchanted fairy tales he once only assumed was there to keep him in line. He didn't know how to perceive the world, not anymore, it had always been such a bland thing to him but now?
Now he just wasn't sure.
"I 'uppose," Jagger decidedly admitted when Ashe had redirected her sightless gaze upon him. After a moment, eyes of piercing gold shifted to take in the monstrous size of a horse grazing several yards away. "I did."
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Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 2:45 pm
Ashe nodded before offering a sincere smile, as Kiera moved to toss more wood into the flame. The fire bounced with each piece added, sending flurries of bright red glints into the air, spiraling along the plume of heat before they had finally consumed themselves of their majesty, and drifted away as ash into the night; Kiera glanced over at Ashe before taking her seat again. There was her role-model; her words carried the weight of eons of experience. Her, like many others from her realm, had lived to serve many a summoner, and had witnessed first hand Goliath's power, they knew what was to come, and knew what they needed to do. It was why Kiera seemed to possess such solidarity on the matter at hand; Ashe had served to coach her mind with information and detail from the moment she came back into her life. Ashe refused to give any details about anyone she'd ever known, and how long she'd been fighting this war, but Kiera knew Goliath was real, there could be no denying that fact.
Kiera traced Jagger's gaze to his Djinn. Anderath was impressive; there was no doubt about that.
"Don't worry... Just have to keep an open mind to these things... He suits you, ya' know?" Kiera added as she leaned forward, plucking one of the blackened fish from the line he'd set-up.
"Something very sincere about him; like he doesn't have a care in the world but for the freedom in his heart."
Kiera produced a small knife and began scaling and cleaning the fish; the aroma no doubt carrying about the campsite. It was certainly building her appetite. Once finished, she simply cut the meat into more managable pieces, sampling a bite from one of them. She realized the smell was better than the taste, but wasn't disappointed eitherway.
"Here, It got a little charred, but I think it'll be alright." She said, offering what she'd prepared on a simplistic plate, that was more a thin wooden disc than anything. She gave a somewhat apologetic smile before moving onto the other fish still dangling on the line, proceeding to repeat the process until she had cleaned and portioned them all. She left them near the fire to stay warm, before laying back, while nibbling on the piece she began with and looking up at the sky.* * * The night moved on without incident; and morning brought a cool start to the day as they packed up and continued on their journey. Two more days of travel, just as the first. Long and weary with silence, whispers in the dark places of the woods that threatened, or drove them forward. It was a journey of unease to be sure, but one they completed nonetheless. Just as the sun set on the third day, the alabaster-white stonework came into view as they crest a large hillside. All that remained between them and their destination was the long, tree covered path that led them down to the West Gate.[. . . two days earlier; Night One]Silence seemed a plague that wouldn't pass as Sayuri looked on at what might be her only means of salvation in those woods that night. As soon as she spoke; however, she had made her mistake. Dog's howled in the distance, and released deep, raspy calls in the dark; that no more to settle Sayuri's mind than the voice that followed. She would've heard Luka's paniced yelp in her head, being still waiting in the winds from their recent merger.
"Stand up slowly, and show me your hands." A man's voice said, grissly and raspy. "I'm not messing around. This cross-bow can fell a deer at sixty yards, don't test me at close range."
It was when she finally turned around and the torch he was holding illuminated her face, that he let his gaurd down for a moment; he looked at her clothes, and remarked how young she seemed to be out in the woods, so far from the town.
"You're a long way from Esta Ro Sol, don't you think?" He asked, lowering the crossbow.
The man had long, untended and coarse hair, that matched a dark-brown beard making a mystery of what his face actually looked like beneath the hair. He was tall, six-foot; plus, and dressed in old, handmade garments; a woodman, through and through, and most likely a hermit, venturing no further than need would take him. He was old, in his forties at least. He looked the girl over, with no real expression penetrating the brush on his face, before returning to the doe he'd felled in a hunt he was only returning from when he stumbled over her. He lifted the limp beast over his shoulder before moving towards his home.
"Come along then." He instructed, stopping to glance back over at her for only a moment before continueing.
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 12:24 am
 Jude blinked absentmindedly. He had spaced out yet again. Lately, that had seemed like a regular thing for him. He inclined his head towards Sayuri. "What do I think? Well..." He cast his eyes upward towards the pillar of smoke. "It's worth looking into, I think."
Although, the two would find out if it was safe regardless of his thoughts about the matter.
A man soon appeared behind them, brandishing a crossbow. He was no taller than Jude, but Jude was a tall young man anyway. He was obviously a hermit, or a very strange hunter. He was an older man, and had just recently acquired the spoils of his hunt, a doe.
The young priest said nothing in response the man. He glanced towards Sayuri briefly, before complying with the strange man's request. It seemed like the wisest thing to do in the current situation. The man didn't actually pose much of a threat; even if the man was armed, Sayuri had her summons, and Lujte his magic. They could, at the very least, escape from this man if need be.
Not that the young priest had any suspicion's about the man's intentions, however.
"Let's go. I don't think he has any malicious intent behind his actions."
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 2:40 am
If there was anything Lysos was grateful for, it was that the group had beaten the refugees. Unease may have been created by the sinister sounds from the woods, but at least dark creatures give ample warning before death. Lysos's behavior was confusing at best; Dassan's a total enigma. The avatar spoke to noone, not even his summoner. When they made verbal contact again on the third day, it came in the form of a half-polite request, and only after they'd already reached the walls.
"Check the gates, ask for clearance." Lysos directed in not the best spirits. Dassan complied, seemingly equally disgruntled. From an outside standpoint it would have been utterly confusing as to why friction existed between the two. Lysos focused his attention back to the walls. Home for a day. Funny, but not enough to laugh.
"I always wondered how much it costed to build these." Lysos commented. The statement was false, but fully believable given his most recent veneer of personality. It took twenty minutes for Dassan to return. The guards were more watchful at nighttime.
"They'll let us in when we're ready." Dassan reported. He seemed almost reluctant in his speech. Lysos shrugged in response, wiping some sweat off his face before urging his horse forward.
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Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:57 pm
It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations... Not long after a hound's deep howl, Sayuri heard a high yell, though something told her it was only echoing through her mind. She stomach felt like it jumped as a Man gruff voice said a few commands and the unfamiliar click of what she would later find to be a crossbow. Going stiff, she stared at Itsuki for counsel, who was already facing the other way.Hm. Caught already? Well, that didn't take very long. The muscles in his arms tensed in the slightest, his facial expression unchanged. Armed, Experienced. The thought of starting small talk laced with suspension drifted to his mind, but, if the man was well-read in magic, a crossbow could certainly shoot faster than a spell could be cast. Besides, the spell wasn't selective either, and he didn't want to have to carry two limp bodies the way to Alexandria. But if the man was a bandit of some sort, it would've been easier to shoot already, and take their belongings. Itsuki knelt down slowly, returning Sayuri's gaze with a gentle smile. "Do as the man says." He murmured. No matter the scuffles she had gotten into with her Esper before, she did trust him. Even Jude, the calm-headed cleric was backing him up. She nodded at Jude in final agreement Reluctantly, she lifted her empty hands and turned around obediently. Amber eyes almost too ashamed to make contact with the person in question or her friends for getting them caught.
"It's been a strange set of circumstances." She mumbled back to the man's remark.
The man lifted a limp doe, probably a kill from his recent hunt. She followed silently. ...No one is in control of your happiness but you; so you have no one to blame but yourself O.O.C 【】
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Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:50 am
Daphne "Nightshade" Irluna
Daphne gazed out the window of her spacious room at the sprawling city of Alexandria. Her eyes skimmed every street, building, and person in sight. How many times had she taken in this sight? Too many times to count. She had memorized every single street, every single building of the town. She knew all the alleyways that could lead to a good escape. She would have made a good thief, if she had chose that as her profession. But, no. Her passion was death. The exhilaration she got from the chase. The excitement as she cornered her prey. The satisfaction of standing over the lifeless body of her prey. It was all something she was passionate about. Sometimes, if she was in a particularly bad mood, she'd administer her namesake, nightshade, the devil's cherry. The sweet cherries were ungodly tasty, yet devilishly poisonous. The torment the consumer would go through was tremendous. It made her ecstatic. Nightshade was the belladonna of her life.
Daphne smiled a little at the thought. The word "belladonna" could be used in so many ways. It could describe a beautiful lady, but it was also another name for deadly nightshade. In other words, a "belladonna" was a beautiful, yet deadly woman. Like herself. She was Daphne, the Belladonna Nightshade. This was her legacy.
Daphne separated herself from her wandering thoughts, deciding that she had spent enough time indoors. Rising from her seat, she crossed the room to the dresser. There, she pick up a black wig from it's stand. She always wore this when she wasn't on a job. Why make herself more conspicuous with her white hair? Brushing the wig, she laid it carefully on her head, making sure to cover all of her white hair. The wig was long, and Daphne had to admit, made her look quite stunning, in a completely different way than her white hair did. She did a once-over to make sure her disguise was complete. She wore a simple dress with an inconspicuous slit down the side. Underneath it, belts were wrapped around her thighs, holding her throwing knives and poison needles. She wrapped a cloak around herself, pulling up the hood just enough so that it covered the crown of her head, but allowed her to see from side to side. Satisfied that her disguise was complete, she left the room without a sound, descending into the racket of the inn's pub.
[OOC: More of a contemplating post to pass the time. XP But no worries! I've got something planned until it is time for her to truly enter the fray...]
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Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 10:11 pm
-------------------------------_╕╝α'{ Kiera Malkhar }'α╝╕_------------------------------- For all she said in disdain about the city at large, she never would've expected to be so grateful to see it's form in the distance. Three days and two nights in that acursed forest were trying enough, considering every wink of sleep was an uncertain last and day-light brought little reprieve to the daunting shadow of the woods, but then you add the sort of silence among companions that can only fill one with doubt and uncertaintly; added stress on an already stressful situation. Alexandria welcomed Kiera like a beacon, and a part of her hoped she'd be able to leave some baggage behind before making for Blackbridge, as she peered at Lysos and Dassan with a scrutinous glare. She didn't like him from the start, and he hadn't improved his standing with the odd distance he kept from everyone; even the Avatar seemed put-off. It was why she had made certain to ride with Jagger and Anderath between her and the other two; she didn't trust Lysos.
Don't over-react, Kiera, Ashe's voice rang in Kiera's head as Lysos remarked on the structure. Kiera's gaze was locked Dassan as he reluctantly made for the gate. He's just another pompous noble.
I don't know, Kiera's thoughts reverberated. I don't like this guy...I'm leaving as soon as we get the chance... The sooner the better.
"A lot of sweat and blood, I'm sure." Kiera finally remarked in response to Lysos' speculation, flashing a sharp gaze his way as he looked at the walls. Once she'd lost sight of Dassan down the hill, she dismounted and led her horse off the trail slightly to allow him a moments rest. She took a post leaning against a tree nearby, as she waited for Dassan to return. She didn't say anything else, and did her best to play her suspicions as fatigue, which in truth wasn't a difficult sell; she shut her eyes at one point and thought she might doze off before she heard Dassan's voice again, bringing her out of the lathargic stupper she was feeling. She re-mounted her horse and followed the precession in toe. [. . . two days earlier; Night One]A pair of twin bloodhounds slowly lumbered towards the edge of the aged and neglected deck riser leading to the cabin door wagging their tails, as their master climbed the steps. Each plank groaned one after the other as he made his way to the door, giving it a hard tap with the front of his crossbow coax the beaten door open, before stepping through the threshold with a slight hunch in his posture to make way for the deer. He turned around to usher them both through with a quick flick of his head before disappearing futher within, likely to find a suitable place to temorarily store his catch. His dogs seemed meek enough, despite their loud and boisterous announcements that their master was home. They sniffed about Jude as he entered, wagging their tails, worn nails tapping light-heatedly against the planked decking, no more phased by him than their master. But as Sayuri passed, both animals released a soft whimper before sitting immediately, in identical stances, side-by-side, parallel to the path Sayuri moved. It was if they had moved to clear her path. They had a sort of statuesque quality to the way the seemed completely frozen in place, it was regal; all but their eyes, that traced her every step before she would finally make her way inside.
The inside of the cabin was simple enough; old and worn like the outside, there were gaps in planking, and holes in the walls, but all in all it was as well kept as one might expect in so secluded a place. Two rooms, a large open area with limited furniture well used beyond it's time; an old couch and rug arranged near the door paired with a wobbly bookcase, stuffed with dusty texts, spines lost of any telling features as to what might be contained within, a hand-crafted table just off center of the room, covered of elegant designs carved into it's workmanship. A labor to be sure, though it's current condition said much for the amount of care it recieved; very little if any. The bearded man emerged from the open entry way on the left side of the wall opposite the door. No longer encumbered by the deer, his gaze seemed to move past Sayuri and Jude to the front door, where his hounds sat, eyes still glued to the girl, and still sitting in the watchful stance they'd donned, though their heads had turned to peer through the open door. Possibly, just light reflecting back, but their eyes carried an uncanny glow that seemed far to bright for the limited light cast over them. The man, without word, walked to the door, and shut it abruptly, breaking any sight the his dogs. Outside, they flinched, breaking their stance as they moved to the door. One sniffed and huffed at the gap between the deck and the bottom of the door, while the other gave a few longful sratches at the door; both released discontented whimpers before their bodies evaporated like a wisp of smoke...
"You two can relax. You are safe in my home." He offered before moving to a chair poised haphazardly in front of a smoldering fireplace. He looked back over at the pair offering a smile, that manifested more through his eyes than anything; kind, warm, humble. Any could describe the emotion they exuted. "I'm nothing to worry about; especially these days."
He then proceeded to toss a log onto the fire from a neat stack next to the pit, and collapse comforably into his chair. He leaned forward to poke at the embers before pulling a small packet of tobacco and a intricate, handcrafted pipe from a pocket on his coat. He packed it tightly before striking a match against the rim, puffing softly on the mouth piece as streams of smoke began to rise above him. He drew an audibly deep breath, before releasing a cloud of smoke into the firepit. His chair creaked weakly as he shifted, to stiffle a single cough and continued to puff lightly, staring deeply into the flame. ((Ok, just to avoid confusion, I'll tell ya'll now; I'm changing my posting colors to a more simple approach [startin' to look like Rainbow Bright over here XD] For now on, in-character posting, whether for my OC or NPCs will be [saddlebrown], while narratives will be [olive], and I will continue to use a [brown] for summon dialog; should prove a more united color scheme))
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Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 12:44 pm
Lysos's horse trotted alongside Dassan's, approaching the open gate as if they expected a military welcome. Perhaps to everyone's surprise, such a welcome was given. Two lines of soldiers formed to both sides as the group passed through the gatehouse. Lysos acted as if they were invisible, while Dassan dropped his head in disgust. It would soon become evident this was no welcoming procession. The guards were fully equipped and the captain stood defiantly in the middle of the road, his arms crossed. Lysos and Dassan urged their horses forward, putting some distance between themselves and the group. A line of pike-armed troops quickly moved to divide them from Kiera and Jagger, while others with similar armaments rushed to block off the gate.
"These the summoners?" The captain asked, placing a twig between his index and middle fingers as if it were a cigar. Lysos had concluded at a young age that all lesser officers found the asking of rhetoric questions the best way to demonstrate one's authority. Now, however, wasn't the time to break out sass. After all, he ever expected the captain to deliver the information extracted from the boy's interrogations.
"Yes." Lysos replied indifferently following a 3 second pause. The commander responded by holding his hand up as if this gesture actually meant something to melee troops.
"Talk t' the knight commander in a day. He'll squeeze it out by then." The man uttered with great confidence.
Lysos abstained from making a sneering remark about how Kiera could now stay longer in Alexandria- he had no business with her. It was Jagger who would serve as his ammunition in the next privy council meeting. The b*****d who wielded a well-crafted blade was rare, the b*****d who wielded a well-crafted blade and didn't stem from a noble household was to say, truly rare. Adultery was commonplace at court, but the entirety of the upper class still pretended it was a heinous violation which they were all free of.
For Lysos, this was no act to be ashamed of- it was everyday business. He'd come off to the group as some sincere and emotional chap who hated the class he was born into, but the reality was far from it. Lysos was the type who wouldn't settle for anything less than the usual luxuries.
Dassan, on the other hand, was disgruntled at best. He'd done everything in his power to tear down Lysos's deception, but could muster only passive resistance given the situation. In his mind, Lysos was taking a secular course of action to a supernatural problem. As an experienced Avatar he knew very well the danger of the Goliath, and here was his summoner assisting some insane regent in rounding up the few willing to go through the ordeal in exchange for political ammunition. He glanced momentarily at Kiera, who would probably suffer through imprisonment purely because of coincidence. His expression conveyed more anger than pity. Anger at how she was so foolish as to place a noble b*****d and the head of a household in the same party, how she had wasted her resolve and her desire to combat the impending doom.
The pair galloped down the street towards the castle, where Lysos would probably sit through a lecture from the High Magistrate about how a sudden disappearance of a noble 'threatened the security of the realm', which basically meant Severan's spies temporarily lost their bearing. Little did Lysos know just how preoccupied the man was at the moment.
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Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 8:07 pm
It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations... Sayuri followed the man's silhouette as they reached the cabin, a pair of hounds joining them. The man gesturing to them after stepping through the doorway. Jude, who was already in the lead, stepped inside whilst the dogs, enthusiastically sniffed at him, tails wagging. Sayuri followed after, but the pair's behavior changed dramatically. Quiet whimpers reaching her ears. What? Did she do something yet again? She frowned. It was the way they looked at her. Call her crazy if it was just paranoia talking, but that didn't seem like how any other dog would act.
She gazed around the room curiously, admiring the work put into each and every item. However, she couldn't shake the feeling on eyes on her back, though she was almost too frightened to actually turn her head to check.The man returned after parting with his deer. Following his gaze, Itsuki saw the subject of his attention, and smirked. His copper eyes glimmered. Looking down at Sayuri, it was clear, to him at least, that she was just as oblivious as ever. The man shut the door, faint muffled whines behind the wood of the door. After a few moments, It was quiet once again except for the crackling of the fire. The man broke the silence, assuring them to relax. Sayuri shifted her weight from one foot to the other. As if right on cue, Itsuki nudged her hard with his elbow. Relax...She couldn't see herself doing any of that anytime soon. The way he spoke, he added depth to certain words. 'You are safe in my home' , as in, it's not safe anywhere else? More danger on the rise that this, She took a fleeting glance that the Esper beside her, neglected to tell her? She looked at Jude as if to say "So-what-do-we-do?" She shifted her weight, maybe she should sa-- Ouch..!
"U-Uhm! Thank you for your hospitality." She said. Stupid Esper. He grinned back at her. "...I'm Sayuri, and this is Jude." She gestured to him. End statement. H-Hey! Ow! "...and that's Itsuki." She said, tacking it onto the end. "We got a tad lost, straying off the path to Alexandria. But we'll be out of your hair by morning." She left it at that, leaving it so Jude could add on if he so wished. ...No one is in control of your happiness but you; so you have no one to blame but yourself O.O.C 【】
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Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 7:20 pm
-------------------------------_╕╝α'{ Kiera Malkhar }'α╝╕_------------------------------- OK, Kiera. I believe you now! Something is definitely wrong here!
Ashe's new found unease bubbled in Kiera's mind as they continued through the gatehouse. Armed gaurds, Kiera might have expected, but so many? They had been led into a trap; and by a fellow summoner no less... Kiera threw her gaze up as Lysos and Dassan as they stopped before the man Kiera assumed was in charge. The avatar's posture was telling; this had been no joint effort on their part, and Kiera had ignored the signs he displayed. She simply couldn't fathom the Avatar's relashonship to Lysos. The race at large had nothing but disdain for humanity's decadence, and no loyalty to the race of man. So what binded Dassan's loyalty? If something nefarious was at work, how could he just stand by and let his friend betray them? The look of anger in his eye's gave her the answer; she was supposed to do something about it, and had failed. When word of implied interrogation carried over the line of gaurds aiming their speartips at her, Kiera felt a new feeling of displacment.
"You're a coward!" She shouted, as steely hands reached for her squirming resistently atop her horse. The men suceeded pulling her off the horse, but she remained no less resistent. She couldn't believe Lysos' deciet; couldn't believe how lightly he seemed to take the approaching storm. Was she the only one who truly left Madeen hoping to put a stop to Goliath; hoping to live up the the quality of her race? Perhaps, her father was right in the end; it was all just fairy-tales. Whether doubt of their truth still remained or not, it was clear the world had no desire to believe in their message. Like a net that seized the plummeting sensation she was experiencing, she slowly wavered to the hands clinging brusqely onto ther clothing.
"...You're a coward." She mumbled in defeat as the gaurds began to lead her and Jagger away.
Kiera! Call me! I can get you out of here. We can run!
I -- I can't, Ashe. These men, they're just doing what they've been told... The captain may be corrupt, but even now, I can't let anyone get hurt.
Don't be a fool. They're going to kill you!
Maybe they should; this is all my fault anyways...
...
The prison tower consisted of a spiral stair that led to an administration level, warden's office, four cell block levels, as well as a dungeon below ground. Kiera and Jagger were guided, on no uncertain terms, to the thrird level, and each thrown into small, iron-barred cells. Each cell had a simple bunk that didn't quiet fit flush against the rounded edge of the inside wall of the tower. Kiera shot an icy glare at the guard that gave her the final nudge into the cell before the loud ring of the door slamming shut, brought home Kiera's plight. She glanced through the bars at Jagger, with a feeling of self-disgust in the pit of her stomach, before she moved over to the bed and sat down. She turned her head away, as the stabbing feeling in her stomach finally brought tears to her eyes, and light sobs escaped, despite efforts to stiffle noise.
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