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 Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:06 pm
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College of Sorcery Solo
Ithric: Part 1
Tohru stared at the beautifully paved street that stretched out before him. His golden gaze traveled across the cobblestones to land on the glossy marble building waiting patiently for him at the end of the road. When he spotted the blue insignia emblazoned on the top of it, he sighed. The College of Sorcery. The young Dovaa had traveled all the way from Eowyn to the Celestial Plane at his brother's insistence. Never mind that he'd never traveled such a distance alone before... And that he had no real interest in practicing his magic, anyway...
But Kaysen had been adamant. He insisted that Tohru would be a much better person if he was just slightly more in-touch with his magic. Just an ounce more willing to use it in his day-to-day life. Tohru's lips had set into a tiny frown, and he's wanted to argue that he didn't need Kiandri magic in his daily life. It wasn't helpful in anything he wanted to do... But he hadn't. Like usual, he'd kept his mouth closed and somberly agreed to journey to the Celestial Plane and join up with the sect of the College of Sorcery there.
Now that he stood before the building, in all its tall, marvelous, glistening glory, Tohru couldn't help but wonder what he was supposed to do with himself... Surely if he went in and asked to be taught and trained amongst the other, better, truer Dovaa, he'd be laughed at and sent away... He didn't deserve to learn alongside others of his race... And of the scholars there would be able to see that he was... wrong right off the bat... However, he'd told Kasen he would try. That was all he could do was try. he swallowed, shifted his bag against his shoulder and began up the stairs.
He was greeted at the door by a short, plump woman, with wild curls and bespectacled green eyes. She tipped her head down to look up over the rim of her glasses at him. Tohru felt heat rising to his cheeks as she scrutinized him. Not just because of her gaze, but also... It was quite possibly the only time he'd ever had to look down at someone. "Can I help you with something, young one?" She inquired, quirking a brow at him. Her voice was soft and gentle, as if she recognized the countenance of a bouken.
The Kiandri jumped a bit at her question, then fumbled to say anything that would make him seem even remotely worth teaching. "I-I wanted s-somewhere to practice with someone magic?" He tried, instantly feeling ashamed at the lack of clarity to the statement. His golden gaze flicked to the ground, and his fingers tensed around the strap of his bag as he prepared to be sent away.
The woman smiled, and slowly reached out to gently pat his arm. "It's alright, lad." She assured, though Tohru jumped at the contact. "If you follow this hallway, it'll take you out to the courtyard." She informed him. "There's a group of lads about your age just starting a practice session. Why don't you see if you can join them?" At Tohru's hesitance, she rumbled, "Go on, now, shoo!" And waved him away. Tohru skittered to the hallway like a startled silx.
There were only a few passerby on the trek through the halls. And most of them seemed to be heading the same way he was. Although they seemed to go in groups. Laughing and scampering along, tugging at each others clothing and appendages as they headed toward the exit. Tohru walked a little more slowly. He didn't have anyone to pull him along... And once he made it outside, he'd surely be ridiculed and reprimanded for his weak magical abilities anyway...
But hallways didn't last forever.
He stepped outside, into an open, grassy courtyard.. Trees dotted the corners, fountains danced along the edges of the walkway, and off to the side, where everyone seemed to be gathering, was a small, squared off ring. This must be where the woman had wanted him to go. Tohru hesitantly stepped up to the edge of the crowd. He stood on his tiptoes to get a glimpse what was happening in the ring.
"-Just as important as mental training. Mastering your abilities, not only in the safety of the library, but also in the heat of battle is an important step in understanding magic." Tohru could just make out the speaker. A tall fellow with black hair and crisp, icy eyes. An Aiskala, probably. Much lower to the ground, another boy stood. By no means was Tohru a genius, but he recognized Firani traits when he saw them. It wasn't hair or eyes that gave the boy away. It was the trademark Firani smugness. Tohru couldn't help but shy away. "Who will join Ravi here in the ring?"
Naturally Tohru had no interest in such a thing. Especially not against a Firani. No sooner had he settled back onto his feet than he felt a hand on his back, coupled with just enough pressure to send him forward a pace... With a gasp of surprise, he whipped to stare over his shoulder, only to spot the woman that had met him at the door. She smiled reassuringly, then shoved him through the crowd with enough force to send him sprawling in the dirt of the ring.
He was almost too mortified to pick himself up, and he may have lay on the ground a few seconds longer than normal. When he didn't melt into the dirt, he knew he had to stand (despite how much he'd really rather not). When Tohru righted himself, he was met with that frosted gaze and a quirked brow. "I suppose we have a taker. Got a name, kid?"
From behind the Aiskala, Ravi snickered, as did the group of boys that stood nearest to him along the outer edge of the ring. The little Dovaa's golden orbs flicked to the Firani lad, then back to the Aiskala addressing him. "Tohru..." He whispered out softly.
"Well, Tohru, I hope your magic is better than your coordination." The Kiandri felt a wave of shame overcome him, and he directed his gaze to the ground. The Aiskala man walked to the edge of the ring, perching along the fence. "You may begin."
Begin?
Tohru's orbs snapped back up as a wave of heat burst toward him. He hardly had the chance to dip to the side to avoid it before a flaming ball was shot out at him. It wasn't like fighting Amara at all. She liked things up close and personal. It was easy enough to dodge a singular blow from her fist or foot, but Ravi fought in waves, sending out on onslaught of flames that left Tohru confused at how to escape. He couldn't attack. Wasn't even sure where to begin launching an offensive against another Dovaa.
When the heat licked at his arms and torso, Tohru whimpered, instinctively shying away from flames that burned him. As Ravi's fire lashed out like a whip, the little Kiandri dipped. He felt the dirt beneath his feet slip, and his eyes widened a fraction as his foot glided right out from under him. He was on the ground before he could think of a way to save himself. A single orb of fire formed at Ravi's fingers, and as he sent it away, Tohru burried his face against the ground, covering his head with his arms and praying that this would be the worst of the fight.
The sound of the impact hit him before he felt anything. It sounded much worse than it felt, like the rough growl and angry hiss of the dragon. The heat washed over him like a mist, landing in tiny flecks of boiling... water? The Kiandri's breath came sharp and quick. Was... was it done? Or had time suspended itself just to draw out the agony of this moment.
"I hope you're proud of yourself." The jarring and clearly annoyed comment could only be directed at him. Tohru whimpered, and his arms tightened over his head.
"Ithric! What are you doing!?" It was the voice of the Aiskalan instructor. He heard heavy footfalls in the dirt. Tohru risked a peek up to see the Aiskala's boots nearing his face. "You don't even belong in this age group. You have no business-!"
"No, you have no business allowing this bullying to happen right before your eyes!" The Kiandri dared to sit up just an inch more, enough to catch a glimpse of the new speaker. The glare of the sun blocked out much of his features, but Tohru could make out white pants and a navy-colored coat. The curiosity made him raise himself onto his hands and knees for a better look.
"Bullying?! We're training our magical abilities! He volunteered-!" The outburst came from Ravi, who'd drawn closer as his instructor was reprimanded.
The newcomer rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I don't really want to hear anything outta your mouth. People who thinks it's funny to hurt others disgust me." He shrugged. "You should be put in your place now before you turn into a creepy serial killer." With a dismissive huff, he turned and crouched down, near eye level with Tohru.
The Kiandri instantly receded away from him, his golden orbs scrunching shut with a quiet mewl.
"You don't have to be scared..." The voice was soft, much more patient and forgiving than the earlier tone. Tohru felt a hand on his cheek. He yelped and twitched away, his golden orbs popping open to stare at the stranger. He was met with deep pools of blue, half tucked beneath long, dark lashes. His full lips were parted slightly in question, but also had the beginnings of a reassuring smile. When Tohru's gaze found his, he tipped his head just so the side and sighed softly. "Are you alright?"
But most interestingly of all (at least to Tohru)... The stranger's hair wasn't dual-colored, like many Dovaa. Or even tri-colored. The little Kiandri had never seen anyone like this guy before, with his navy-colored bangs, flowing down to frame his face in streaks of white. It was navy where it parted down the middle, but then faded to a cherry wood brown just an inch or two from the part, and then shifted again to honey blond near the nape of his nape. Tohru was half inclined to ask if it was natural... But he settled for a tiny nod in response to the stranger's question.
The Peisio let out a sigh of relief, then stood and offered a hand to help the younger lad up. "That's good." When Tohru had been pulled to his feet, the man chuckled. "It may be strange of me to say, but I think there's better places for you to practice magic."
Results: Joins the College of Sorcery
Words: 1821 |
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 5:24 pm
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Friend-Zone Solo
Ithric: Part 2
"So... Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?" Ithric murmured, long slim fingers tracing delicately over the rim of his glass, absentmindedly swirling the liquid within. The two were sitting at one of the tables along the edge of the courtyard. The Peisio had thought it was appropriate to offer him something to eat or drink, but... the little Kiandri hadn't so much as even looked at it, let alone tasted anything. Maybe he was picky with his food. Who was to say? That was fine. But the kid was... kind of a stiff. Like he was afraid to move or breathe or anything. His golden gaze didn't even dare roam away from his hands folded in his lap. And at Ithric's question, he only flinched.
The man sighed and leaned back. "That's okay, I guess. No matter that you kind of owe me for saving your skin back there. But, I mean..." If Tohru would've had the wherewithal to at least look up, he would've seen the pearly white smirk that spread across Ithric's face. Instead he only felt the brush of fingers against his cheek, gently smoothing caramel strands off his cheek. The Kiandri's gaze jolted up to meet his for the first time, and his body instinctively shifted away. Ithric ignored it. "It would be a real shame to mark up such a pretty thing, after all."
Pretty? This strange Peisio thought he- a worthless, useless, abomination of a Dovaa was... pretty? Had anyone ever said that to him before, however mistakenly? "I-I'm not-" He whispered softly, feeling a faint heat rise to his cheeks.
"But appearance doesn't play that big a role in attraction, y'know." Ithric continued, letting his arm rest back against the wooden table. "A pretty face can't hide a shitty attitude."
Tohru winced and recoiled as far away from the Peisio as he possible could. Shitty attitude? He was trying his very hardest to be good... What could he possibly be doing to upset this guy? He hadn't even said more than a few words to him, even after- His orbs widened in realization and he glanced up fleetingly to those deep pools. "Th-thank you." He stammered suddenly, flushing in his embarrassment. "For saving me..."
The Peisio grinned and finally leaned out of Tohru's personal space. "I didn't peg you for a rude little kid. I don't like to be wrong, so it's good that you aren't." He laughed. "But you've got a pretty voice too. If you keep ignoring it, it'll shrivel up and die. Then you won't be able to talk at all..."
Tohru gazed skeptically at the other man. He wasn't a complete dolt. Surely something like that couldn't be true. He was already sixteen, after all. If it hadn't happened yet, it seemed unlikely that it ever would. And even if it did... Wouldn't he be better off?
"So... Kiandri, hm? That seems like... an unsuitable clan choice." Ithric commented, poking Tohru's glass pointedly toward him.
Tohru glanced down at the object inching steadily closer to him. It did seem rude to allow the stranger to procure him a snack and then not eat it. He wrapped both hands around the glass and brought it to his lips for the tiniest sip he could possibly take. "It's... What my mother wanted." The little Kiandri murmured, feeling the familiar bile of his sour situation rising in his throat. If he'd held out just a little longer, until Kasen came... How different would things be? He doubted he'd be here...
Ithric took one look at his downcast expression and could at least understand the fundamental gist of it. He knew a lot of Dovaa parents coerced their children into choosing one clan over the other. A lot of Dovaa parents that already had their kids lives planned out. But... he also knew a lot of kids that took it with a grain of salt. Some of them had spunk, confidence and resolve, parent's choices be damned. But for a kid to be so... skittish and beaten down as this one... Ithric's gaze wandered to the scar on the little Kiandri's forearm. Judging from the color and off-shape, it wasn't new. And since he was still so small and young, how little had he been when he'd gotten that? No one had bothered to take him to a healer, it seemed.
The Peisio rose to his feet, and Tohru's eyes snapped after him. Ithric rounded the edge of the table and slid into the seat next to the little Kiandri. "A little confidence can go a long way, y'know." Ithric told him, reaching out to pat Tohru's shoulder, despite the way the younger boy flinched. "I'm not a Battler." He admitted. "But I've spent a lot of time studying theories of magic. Not just Peisio stuff, but all of them- Kiandri too. And I wouldn't say I haven't been trained to fight. I can help you, if you wanted me to."
Tohru's wide golden orbs were on him now, displaying some sad mix of confusion, curiosity, and uncertainty. In all his life, he'd thought the only person interested in helping him would be Kasen. They were brothers, so of course it would be blasphemous not to prepare a fellow family member to the best of his abilities. But Tohru had just met this guy. He wasn't even a Battler- a Scholar, it seemed. And he... wanted to help. It was strange. No reason behind it at all. Tohru's orbs traced their way up to meet pools of blue. "Why?" He questioned softly.
Why? Ithric tapped his fingers against the table. Why, indeed. In his current state, the kid had no will to fight. That much had been apparent from watching him stagger uselessly about whilst fighting Ravi, if it could even be called fighting. So to take someone with no drive, say negative potential for magic, and be able to help them develop... It was a useful study technique. To be able to watch them grow from the ground up... Plus... "I'd be ashamed if I heard that you... got hurt," Killed yourself. "Because you didn't have someone to help you." Because you didn't have a friend. He was a cute kid. Losing him would be a waste. "So? What do you say?"
Results: Bonds with Ithric.
Words: 1053 |
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:46 am
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Developmental Solo
Dancing With Lightning: Part 1
Tohru's heart ached as the peaks of Ayr loomed into view. Under normal circumstances, he never would've allowed himself to return to this place so willingly. But... His gaze shifted to Ithric. The man's grinning face was turned to the wind, tousling his multicolored hair and making him look like an excited young teen. The waves rippled below the ferry, bouncing fragments of light against his skin. The Kiandri sighed. How was he supposed to explain that Ayr was the source of his nightmares? Especially after Ithric was so proud of himself for coming up with this brilliant idea.
Kiandri's had increased magical power against Ayrala Dragons and Peisio Dragons. While Peisios could be found virtually anywhere there was water, Ithric seemed to think that maybe... they were a bit too powerful for Tohru to face now. The Kiandri didn't disagree. So instead, the older Dovaa turned his attention to the Ayrala Dragons. These beasts lived exclusively on Ayr, but they were much weaker and still had the natural disadvantage to Tohru's magic. Even if it meant they had to travel a bit, it was worth it (in Ithric's mind) to help this little abused Dovaa! How was he supposed to know it was where Tohru's family lived?
He wasn't. Unless Tohru said something, of course. Which he didn't.
Onward they sailed. Every inch closer, Tohru's skin pricked with discomfort, loathing, fear. His mother... He'd wondered how she fared when he left, but he'd never wanted to come close enough to find out. And now, he may as well be walking up to her. Would she even care to see him again? He was as good as disowned, anyway... At least... His golden gaze slithered over to the older Dovaa again. Well, at least he wasn't going alone. He may not know the Peisio that well, but for some reason, he really did seem genuinely interested in helping Tohru. The Kiandri couldn't say he understood, but, maybe Ithric was... a friend...?
"Here we are." The Peisio murmured softly, turning his navy pools on Tohru with a smile. "Let's find someplace to camp before we do anything else. It'd be a real pain if we got in some trouble and didn't have anywhere to return to. You don't happen to have any ideas, do you?"
The Kiandri flushed in humiliation. He hated to admit that he actually did know Ayr pretty well. He had lived here, after all. And there was... one place where he'd actually felt safer than at his own home. "I... might..." He replied hesitantly.
Ithric couldn't even hide his surprise. Blinking in confusion, he nodded slowly. "Well, alright then. Lead the way!"
~~~
They walked along the beach for at least an hour. Tohru was used to trekking back and forth across Eowyn with the hot desert sun beating down on him, but obviously, Ithric was not. The sun was obscured by clouds, but it was still humid and sticky, and the wind did nothing to make breathing (or walking) any easier. The older Peisio had stripped off his coat some time ago, and was stepping along the sand with light delicate footfalls, accenting his steps with an array of bounces and twists and flicks of his toes.
Tohru had actually wandered several yards ahead of him before he glanced back curiously, only to see Ithric trailing the toe of his sandals through the sand, creating a delicate spiral pattern. He looked away from the Peisio's feet and watched a stream of water leap from the ocean and move alongside him. "W-we really should try to get there before it gets any darker..." He murmured uncertainly. They didn't really have time for this type of goofing off.
"Hm, I guess you're going somewhere specific." Ithric murmured, not ceasing in his movements. "But honestly, any of the caves along the beach here will suffice for the night. Let's take a break. We'll get there tomorrow. Not like you have anyone waiting on you, right?"
Tohru winced. No, no one knew he was here (he hoped), but it would still be nice to get into more comfortable territory. He glanced to the caves lining the crags of the beach, then up at the sky. At this rate he wouldn't get to Cadeo's cove tonight, anyway, and Ithric did seem to be enjoying himself. "Okay..." He whispered softly.
"Good. So that means you have the rest of the night to practice too. You shouldn't be too tired yet. We haven't gone very far." Ithric told him, pausing only a moment to catch up to Tohru. He tossed his jacket farther from the water, and leaned down to remove his sandals. The Kiandri gasped in horrified surprise as the white pants went next, leaving Ithric in nothing but a loose over shirt and (thankfully) short, yet baggy... shorts? It almost looked like a weird skirt, actually... Maybe it was just the way it settled on his hips.
"Practice?" Tohru squeaked, still not fully recovered from the shock of anyone stripping in front of him... He gasped in alarm when the Peisio's fingers wrapped around his.
"Yeah." Ithric confirmed. "It's obvious that you don't take take to practice your magic." The Peisio informed him. "And that's a real waste. I watched you in your fight with Ravi. You're quick, agile, flexible." Tohru felt himself flush again. "They could be really good traits in combat if you would just let your body follow through with it. But you don't. For some reason you freeze up and try and stop yourself. That makes you clumsy and off balance. Magic should be second nature to you- To any Dovaa, but you didn't even try and use it. You... probably know this, but right now, you aren't an effective fighter."
The amount of praise he'd received only second before was definitely overshadowed by the amount of criticism. The Kiandri whimpered softly and cast his gaze down again. Yes, he knew he was useless in a fight. He knew his uncertainty was more likely to get him hurt than to spare him, but that didn't make it any easier to- "What are you doing?!" He demanded in shock as Ithric's fingers dipped into the laced-up ties at the side of his torso that held his shirt together.
"Your clothes are so tight." Ithric muttered. "Can't be comfortable. And it isn't conducive to training." He replied, undoing the laces so Tohru's top hung from his shoulders. The Kiandri winced as he heard fabric ripping, and the braided sash at his waist was tossed to the ground. "You don't need this..." The Peisio muttered, undoing the snaps the held the top layer of Tohru's shirt attached to his frame. He slipped the high collar over the Kiandri's head, taking two more of the decorative braided ropes with it. Ithric pushed the sash from around Tohru's hips. He tossed the articles to join his jacket, then smiled. "That's a little better." He decided. "At least you can move a little more freely."
The young Dovaa gave a tiny nod. "What's it better for?" He asked.
"For dancing!" Ithric beamed. "I think it'll help you a lot. It's good for discipline and confidence. To follow though all the moves outside of battle will help you focus more in a battle. It'll help you gain more awareness of yourself and your capabilities. When you're moving so freely, you can just feel the channels of your magic opening up... And you... You can obviously use some help with magic."
"I-I'm not a Peisio! My magic is different-" Tohru argued.
"But no, it's not." Ithric retorted. "Let me show you." He murmured, reaching out to take the smaller man's hand.
Results: Ithric teaches Tohru to dance.
Words: 1285 |
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Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 5:25 pm
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Tohru SaysVS 8 Ordon Apprentice in Dancing With Lightning: Part 2 - Done!
Ithric continues teaching Tohru to dance on Ayr, but as the sky grows dark they need to head for a place to rest. In the cave they choose to stay in, they run into a young family of ordon, ready to attack!
I've never wanted to help anyone before. Never thought anything I could do would be worth calling 'help.' If I tried, I'd just be in the way. My magic is useless. It always has been. But to Ithric... it wasn't. I could do something for him. I... I could help him. I did help him. Without him, I'd be nothing, but with him... I was useful. The lightning still hurts. It still singes my skin and bites at my chest, but with Ithric's water, at least it did him some good. I've never been proud of myself. Until now.
Results: +280 EXP, +8 LUK, +42 Plain Cloth
Words: 2564 |
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 11:35 am
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Developmental Solo
Aftershock
The family of ordons fell as Tohru's lethal magic shot through them. Once they were on the ground, the little Kiandri was left with a searing pain along his arms and chest, where his own lightning had danced across his tanned skin. He didn't think he'd ever used so much of his magic before. Not when he was fighting dragons with Maeron or when dunkels were chasing him, or ever. It hurt. Keeping his magic in, when all it wanted was to be free grated on him, occasionally stung a little, but it never burned so badly that he found himself paralyzed.
But Ithric didn't seem to notice in the looming darkness of the cave. The Peisio was silent for only a moment as he waited to see if the ordons would rise again. When they didn't, he turned to Tohru with a broad smile. "You did it!" He beamed, wrapping his smaller companion in an overly-affectionate hug. When the little Kiandri winced and gasped out a whimper, Ithric freed him instantly, if only because he figured Tohru was alarmed by his abrupt actions. But even after being released, Tohru still mewled pathetically. As Ithric scrutinized him, he realized that the young Dovaa held himself stiffly, and his fingers trembled. He took a step back. "What's wrong?" He questioned sternly.
Tohru's golder orbs flicked to him, then down at the ground. How was he to say he couldn't even control his lightning, when it was so obvious that Ithric had immeasurable prowess with his own? He shook his head slowly. "I-I just..."
Cool fingertips delicately graze across the skin of his forearm. Tohru whined pitifully, but Ithric already felt the flash of unnatural heat from a burn. the Kiandri looked up hesitantly to see his companion's brows furrowed questioningly. "You... You shocked yourself?" He asked uncertainly. Now that he thought about it... Ithric had never seen Tohru use his magic until just now. He'd never heard of anyone hurting themselves in such a manner before, but it would explain why he was such a hesitant kid... "Let me help you..." Ithric murmured, gingerly taking hold of one of the younger Dovaa's hands and settling a light palm on his back. He guided Tohru into the cave they'd won from the ordons and settled him near the wall.
The Peisio's cool water wrapped around his searing appendages, emitting a soft and calming glow as it soothed Tohru's flesh. Despite the pain from his own magic ebbing away, he couldn't stop the way his cheeks flamed in humiliation. He had to be the only Dovaa who wounded himself from a simple burst of magic. He didn't know any other Kiandris, but if this was a recurring thing, he probably would have heard of it. Ithric probably thought he was pathetic. It was shameful, really. When the task was done, the Peisio set up his sleeping quarters. Tohru did the same. Smoothing out a blanket across the ground before curling around himself, with his back to his companion. He really was useless... With a silent sniffle, Tohru smooshed his face into his blanket, letting his long caramel hair fall around his face to hide his burning cheeks and wet eyes.
Ithric only watched him. It had to make training difficult if every burst caused damage to himself as well. It was... sad, in all honesty. He felt bad for the kid, but was there really anything he could do about it? He sighed and slipped into his sleeping bag, closing his eyes for the night.
Results: Ithric learns of Tohru's plight.
Words: 592 |
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 8:00 pm
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Developmental Solo
Pure Note
Morning found the two males walking in awkward silence along the beach side once more. Whatever playfulness Ithric had felt last night may as well have dissipated with the ordons' death. Occasionally, Tohru glanced fleetingly at him out of the corner of his eye, only to see the Peisio's own gaze downcast and thoughtful. Thoughtful of what a lost cause Tohru was, probably. The young Kiandri held in a whimper and twisted his hands together. That Ithric was still here was amazing. He was sure any other Dovaa would've seen what an abomination he was and abandoned him immediately...
"You're still paying attention to where we're going, right?" Ithric questioned softly. Apparently he'd realized that Tohru was too fragile to take the full force of his voice.
The Kiandri nodded somberly. He could tell his companion that he'd be fine on his own, if Ithric wanted to go ahead and take off, but... Strangely, Tohru found himself loathing when this person would leave his side. It wasn't fair of him to keep the Peisio from going if he wanted to, but what did a few measly extra moments matter? As far as Tohru understood, he'd come out here with the sole purpose of helping him train, anyway.
They lapsed into silence again. Tohru worried over what could possibly be keeping such a vocal person so quiet. At least until he stepped onto a familiar beach. "Cadeo?" He called out softly, remembering a time when all he'd needed was to whisper the Khehora's name, and he'd come. As he'd expected, the grand creature heard him somehow and came sailing from the cliffs above. The large Peisio landed before the two Magescians with a rumble.
"Little Dovaa. It has been a while." His displeasure was nearly palpable. Tohru tried not to wince fearfully. "Why have you brought another here? To my home?"
The Kiandri winced and turned his golden orbs to the ground. "This is Ithric... He thought Ayr would be a good place to help me with my magic, so... I thought... maybe we could stay near your beach..." He mumbled to the sand at his feet.
Tohru caught sight of Ithric's sandals entering his vision, and he spared a second to glance fleetingly to his companion, who was staring up at Cadeo with wide eyes. "Your friend is a Khehora...? I thought maybe you had a house to stay at, but.... Wow, what a life you must lead, if you have a friend like this." Was that... awe? Not only awe, but one of the few things Ithric had said to him since they woke up?
Cadeo glowered down at them, unfazed by the two-legged Peisio's wonder. "There is only two of you?" He demanded sternly. Tohru gave a tiny nod. "Very well..." Cadeo grumbled reluctantly. "If I catch you or any other two-legger near my cave, though, I will tear you to shreds. Is. That. Clear?" More nods from both Magescians followed. "Now then, let's find someplace to rest."
~~~
Cadeo guided them to a cave facing the expanse of the ocean. Even the Khehora seemed curious as to why two Dovaa traveled all the way out here to help one child feel confident in his skills. While Tohru didn't have much to say on the matter, Ithric had no problem opening up to someone he assumed was a good friend of the Kiandri. He told Cadeo about the fight in the Celestial Plane, how Tohru hadn't even tried to use magic, about how they danced, and then, to Tohru's utter humiliation, about how the lightning magic reared by and attacked him of its own accord whenever he tried to wield it.
The Khehora could only tut and shake his head. "My daughter, bless her soul, was blessed with her mother's passion and intensity. That obviously isn't what's ailing you." He told Tohru pointedly. "But hear me out. My lass has her Firani mother's drive and aspirations. She can be a bit... overzealous when it comes to trying to use her Peisio magic. Sometimes her excitement causes her to falter. Water cannot be forced, and neither, I think, can lightning." Ithric nodded in agreement, and Tohru found himself mildly curious, enough to look to the Khehora, anyway. Even though the situations didn't sound similar at all to him...
"When she is feeling particularly out of control, she finds it helpful to... sing. The melodies remind her that water is a delicate element. It requires control and focus to help it flow. Every river has a direction."
"That must be very lovely..." Tohru murmured, turning his gaze to his hands in his lap. "But I don't think my magic is the same."
"You say that about everything." Ithric snorted with a roll of his eyes. He slid a bit closer and reached out to touch the Kiandri's side to draw his attention. "About yesterday, I... Didn't know... I shouldn't have asked you to help, at the risk to yourself, but how could I guess you would shock yourself? Your magic is stronger than you are right now. That's pretty depressing, actually. I think... It would be wrong of me to abandon you like this, wouldn't it? But I don't know what ability I possess that can help you. I don't know how all of this happened. But I'm eager to see how I can fix it. Tohru... Give it a shot. It won't hurt to try. Well... Maybe it just won't hurt much."
So he was... an interesting and new test subject. A rarity amongst Dovaa that Ithric was eager to play with, but probably not much else. Tohru sighed softly. It was what he wanted though, wasn't it? For Ithric not to leave? Naturally the only way to keep him around was to hurt himself. "Okay." Tohru whispered. "I'll try."
Results: Ithric meets Cadeo, and Tohru decides to give singing a shot.
Words: 970 |
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 3:40 pm
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Developmental SoloSimple and Clean**Click the title to be taken to the song!**"You know I'm not going to hurt you, so you don't really have any reason to flinch." Ithric grumbled with a sigh, flicking his wrist in to call his water whip back to himself. He didn't think he was being particularly aggressive. Of course, he had to move, and his attacks at least needed to approach the smaller male. He had no intention of hitting Tohru, really. He'd said so. Repeatedly. But the little Kiandri just didn't seem to get that. Ithric just wanted to see some kind of defense. Any kind of defense. And Tohru would simply not humor him. At all. "I don't think I'm asking for much. Just a little jolt to knock my water of course. Just a little. C'mon, then. You can do it, can't you?"
The younger Dovaa was standing far enough away that Ithric had to assume he whimpered in response. That was probably as close to an affirmative as he'd ever get. One foot slid in front of the other, his arms slinging forward and drawing the water with it. It lashed toward the Kiandri. Ithric didn't know why he expected a spark this time, as opposed to every other time, but he was disappointed nonetheless. Tohru executed the usual flinch, but this time, rather than standing rigidly and waiting to be struck, he at least had the wherewithal to duck away.
The Peisio sighed. That was about all he could hope for, he supposed. "Let's see about some dinner." He decided. "There'll be time again tomorrow." As he strode toward the cave they were using as shelter, he paused to shoot one heartfelt, disapproving look at the smaller boy. He held it until Tohru's gaze dipped to the sand before he continued on his way with a shake of his head.
Ugh. Kids were more difficult than he thought. There had been a time when he'd wanted some of his own. He was certainly old enough, but if any of them were even a fraction as meek as Tohru was, he didn't know if he could handle it. Half the time, he wondered if he was talking to air. So quiet and unobtrusive... Ithric ran a hand through his hair. He may have bitten off more than he could chew this time... At least his conscience was clear. He hadn't ignored a child in need. Desperate need. Need of everything, it seemed.
As he sat in the cave, skinning boukens for dinner, the large Khehora, Cadeo plodded in and sat across from him. "So, how goes it today?" The Peisio questioned, his bright blue eyes on the dead animal in Ithric's hands.
The Dovaa had to suppress a grimace. "I just- Don't know what to do." He snapped, instantly finding it easier to take his frustrations out on the Khehora. "I'm trying to be nice, I ask politely. He's just- He's just- Impossible to work with. He won't actually do anything I ask. He doesn't try. He doesn't try anything. He didn't take to the dancing or the singing, but he won't use his magic without something! Just- what. What can I do?" he skinning knife ripped through the bouken's pelt and sliced into the meat. He glowered at it before tossing it to the ground and giving it a few extra stabs. He was trying so hard to be patient and understanding, but it yielded nothing. With a final huff at the ruined meat, he tossed it to Cadeo, who happily gobbled it up.
After he licked his jaws clean, the Khehora rumbled. "You wouldn't know, but he has changed since I last saw him. For the better, I think. It's difficult to break someone of old habits, but I think you can do it. Just have patience." Now that he'd gotten what he wanted, Cadeo wandered off again, leaving Ithric to his cooking and his thoughts. When he'd first seen Tohru, he'd recognized the look of someone neglected and put down. Ithric had never had that issue, but he'd also assumed that if he had, he wouldn't put up with it. Not for one second. To endure it and still go on living, that was.. pretty impressive too. You'd never be able to tell on the outside, but Tohru had to have something stubborn in him too, or he wouldn't be here.
Ithric stared at the bouken meat as it sizzled over the fire. Patience. Tohru was just a kid. He'd learn, however slowly. The Peisio rose slowly and headed out to retrieve the little Kiandri for dinner. But the Khehora blocked his path. Cadeo stood gazing out toward the sand, and Ithric had to shuffle around him to get a look.
Tohru was out there, standing near the water. His feet glided over the sand, leaving shallow trails where his toes dipped through the surface. His arms rose and fell in waves and faint touches. And it was slow, soft... A little out of rhythm, but that could be fixed with practice. Ithric took a few steps closer, half fearing detection. "He is a very lo-"
"Sh!" Ithric hissed, throwing out his arms to silence the Khehora. It was faint, very faint especially over the wind and waves, but Ithric could hear it. The soft melody of the Kiandri's voice. He recalled saying once that Tohru had a pretty voice, if only he would use it. The dancing... well, he needed practice. Ithric could help with that. But listening to him sing, however scarcely he could hear it, reminded the Peisio that his young companion had be listening. He wanted to learn, but fear could be a pretty hefty roadblock.
"'Don't go.'" The soft words carried out to Ithric with more piercing intensity than anything else. No. He was here because someone young and inexperienced needed him. If he needed to be patient and tolerant for just a little longer, then he would.
The Peisio stood a little straighter and walked past the Khehora, finding his way out onto the beach with deliberate silence. The instant his chest brushed against Tohru's back, the Kiandri's voice died. Ithric felt the smaller boy try and recoil into himself; his arms drew near to his body and his head tucked. He pulled everything into himself.
No. Ithric couldn't allow it. He laced his fingers through the back of Tohru's own, holding the captured appendage from tucking away. "Don't." He murmured, reaching over the Kiandri's shoulder to tilt his chin back up. "Stop." When the smaller boy didn't offer much resistance, Ithric caught his free hand and tugged it to settle on Tohru's hip, beneath where the Peisio's own fingers rested. "Well?" He prompted as he steadily guided the younger man into slow and easy steps.
The Kiandri craned his head back to lay questioning golden orbs on Ithric. When his only response was an expectant quirk of his eyebrow, Tohru flushed a bit before his lips parted and he continued where he left off. "'The way that you're making me feel tonight.'" Yeah, Tohru didn't even know the half of it.
Results: Ithric's patience is tried.
Words: 1180 |
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 1:07 pm
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Developmental SoloBlown Away**Click the title to be taken to the song!**Tohru raked his fingers through his hair, trying to coerce the long, tangled strands into some semblance of order before he knocked on the door. His clothes were already a mess after several painfully long days on the beach. The least he could do to appear presentable was get his hair in order. As usual, nature was against him. It whipped and howled through the canyon with more force than the young Kiandri remembered. It had been a while... Perhaps he was just imagining it.
He walked to the door alone, half fearing he'd be spotted through the window before he was ready. He'd left Ithric behind at the beach with a half mumbled excuse about "taking a walk." He planned to be back before dusk, so surely the Peisio wouldn't be too suspicious about that... Tohru's biggest concern was that he'd leave while the smaller male wasn't looking...
He couldn't think about that right now. He was on Ayr. Where his mother lived. Time and time again, he'd wondered if they'd thought about him at all since Kasen had taken him in. Did they know what had become of him? Did they care? Had Amara replaced him with some other sad tool- No, that...He'd never wondered that. Really. Whatever had happened, Tohru could've just as easily ignored it. He was... mildly curious, yes, but now enough to travel to Ayr for the sole purpose of finding out. But now that he was here for a different reason...
It would feel wrong not to see, even if he stayed for only a minute or two. Hopefully.
He swallowed as he stood in the doorway. He'd already been here for several minutes, mulling over what he was going to say, what they were going to say. If he waited any longer... He raised his arm and gave the door two sharp raps before he could think better of it. Maybe no one was home. It could easily have been eons that he stood there, waiting, his mind reeling with horrible thoughts of the events that could transpire. Would they hate him? More than they already did? Would he be forced to stay? Would they kill him? He was certainly sure they were capable of it.
The knob clicked. The door opened. Tohru stood up rigidly, his heart racing and his breath caught in his chest. "Can I help-? You." The Kiandri hardly recognized the young woman that appeared in the door. Her flaming eyes and dark, silken hair had hardly changed at all, but... She used to look so much... bigger? Tohru blinked. Where he'd once had to tip his head back to look at her, he now stood eye-level. Her scowl looked much less sinister from this angle.
"Amara..." He whispered. "You... look well..."
There was a moment of silence. An awkward moment in which Tohru didn't know where to turn his gaze. Down? So he was looking down her shirt? No, thank you. He twitched his head to the side, so he was staring down the canyon path instead.
She locked her fingers around his wrist and yanked forward with all the power she could muster. The young Kiandri stumbled through the doorway with a yelp, his golden orbs turning back to the lady Firani in shock. "Who do you think-?! How dare you even believe you have the right to show your face here!" She was caught somewhere between surprise and rage. Her mouth perpetually hung open. Her eyes were wide and glaring, and her face burned nearly the same shade as her irises. And she still held his wrist captive.
He tried not to fidget. "Right... Of course you- I wondered if mother... Is she...?" He tried hesitantly, twisting his arm experimentally as if that would encourage her to release him. Outside, the soft plip of rain hitting the ground started to resonate from the rocks.
She dragged him forward, pressing her nose to his and surprising both of them with the amount of effort she had to put forth to move him those few steps. "Mother?" Amara hissed, sounding very much like a bucket of water splashed on hot coals. Her hands found their way to his tunic, bunching in the thin fabric at his chest. "She's gone to the port market, bless her poor heart. She has definitely had enough of you for one lifetime. Are you hoping you kill her this time?" The Firani demanded.
Kill her? When Tohru opened his mouth to reply, she shoved him backwards, sending them both crashing back into the door frame with a resounding thud. The Kiandri winced as his back hit the solid wood. "I'm sure wanted to upset mother. You wanted to take the only family she had away, and you wanted her to suffer."
"I-I didn't-" Tohru pleaded.
"Shut. Up. You have no place existing away from Mother's side. Your sole purpose on this earth is to keep Mother happy. And you can't even do that." The Kiandri's heart lurched. Had he really failed in his only reason for being?He'd ventured into the world (for the most part) and found no happiness, so-
Wait.
Well... That was a lie too. He wasn't particularly strong, despite how his mother wanted him to be. He didn't really have a family, like his mother had wanted him to have. He was not brave or intelligent or dutiful. He didn't have a great love or even hopeful plans for the future.
But he had Kasen. And he had Ithric, for however long the Peisio decided to stay with him. And those things... well, they were enough for now.
Amara glowered at him when he didn't respond.He didn't know what she wanted him to say? An apology? That had never got him anywhere, with anyone. A rebuttal? He'd never really been that great at arguing for his own sake. Agreement? To say that he was worthless beyond bending to his mother's every whim? It went against what most everyone he'd met had ever told him. It went against what Ithric told him. He inclined his head.
There was the rustle of movement. A shadow appeared across the ground as Amara raised her arm. Tohru wasn't an idiot. He had lived many years with these woman. Any act of defiance, no matter how small deserved some form of punishment.
He didn't know what strange force compelled him to grab her wrist and stop her. But somehow his fingers found themselves locked around her arm, still several inches from his face. Amara looked more confused than anything else. She didn't move, didn't speak, didn't try to regain her footing or pull away from his grasp. Quiet engulfed them, for the first time since Tohru's arrival. In the silence that followed, the sound of voices could be heard approaching from behind the door. Voices. More than one.
The Firani woman snarled and ripped away from the younger Dovaa. With a scowl, she shoved him to the side so she could yank the door open. "Mother. You will never believe-"
Tohru stayed concealed behind the open door. He'd been here only a few moments and he already felt drained. Miserable, even. He could peer through the tiny crevice the open door made and see the outside. Dark, drab, windy. The rain was coming down more heavily now.
"Hush." Vesta's voice. Tohru couldn't stop himself from cringing. He saw movement from his position, though he couldn't identify what was actually happening. One person came in, followed by another. The Kiandri's mother and whoever she'd been speaking with.
Once everyone was out of the rain, Amara shut the door. And Tohru couldn't help but realize how stupidly excited she was to finally inform her dearest mother that the object of their tortures had finally returned. The Kiandri sighed softly, and pushed himself away from the wall. He looked to Vesta and-
"Ithric?" he whispered in confusion.
The Peisio's deep navy orbs found him, and Ithric beamed. "There you are." He smiled, striding toward Tohru. "You could've just told me you were off to see your family." He looked so... So cheery.
"I thought-" Tohru murmured, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Even as he spoke, Vesta grabbed the back of Ithric's coat and gave him an undignified tug back toward the door. "Well, thank you for helping me find him. I suppose you'll have places to be."
Ithric was taller than both of the woman by several inches. He was by no means "well-built," but if he didn't want to be dragged around by them, he could certainly stop it. "Right, right." He agreed. "Tohru's a kid apart of the College now. He's still young, so he needs someone experienced to stay by his side. And that's me. So... Where he goes, I go. Mkay?" He wasn't a fool. Someone had to have made Tohru meek and scared and think he was worthless. And he knew someone gave him that scar. And a Firani mother was just too likely. With a Firani... sister, he guessed? Whatever. It didn't matter. the point was, he couldn't leave Tohru alone with them. He shrugged out of the hold on his jacket and extended an arm to his young charge.
"Not 'mkay.'" Amara hissed. "You can't just decide-"
Vesta smacked his arm down. "This is a private residence. If you do not respect my wishes for you to leave, I'll kill you. Get out."
The corners of Ithric's mouth twitched into a frown. "Ugh, it really if just wrong for a lady to be so abrasive. Fine, fine. I'll go." He raised his hands in surrender. He could've imagined the little Kiandri's whimper, over the sound of rain and rippling thunder, but it seemed unlikely. "But I'm taking the kid with me. He's my respons-"
Vesta jumped, swinging her heel up and out to catch Ithric in the side of the head and sending him sprawling to the side, farther away from the door. "Mother!" Tohru gasped in horror as he scrambled away from the wall and moved to kneel at the Peisio's side.
He didn't quite make make it. Amara grabbed a fistful of brown hair before he could escape too far from her reach and dragged him backward. He slid helplessly across the stone floor and farther from the unsuspecting Peisio until he was several feet away. There was a flurry of movement from Ithric and the older Firani that Tohru couldn't quite make out as he was pushed over and his face was held to the floor. Thudding, hissing, slamming. The Kiandri was pretty sure he didn't want to see what was happening.
Amara pressed her knee to his back, dragging at his hair until he could halfway see her out of the corner of his eye. "So, what is this? Kasen have a debt to pay or something, so you wound up with this guy? And you think you can just run back to your mother and everything will just be perfect like before?" Tohru had never thought anything was perfect. Ever. And he was also pretty sure woman made the craziest of assumptions. "Well, it's not." He never would've guessed. "The punishment has to fit the crime and all."
She dragged at his hair until his vision wasn't overtaken by the floor. At the upper edge of his vision, his mother. A few droplets of red on the ground. Ithric's feet. More movement. Something glistening. He strained against Amara's grip, despite the pain, whatever it took for a better look.
He didn't know how or why the larger Peisio allowed himself to be pinned beneath his petite mother. He didn't know why she was so intent on killing him with- with a letter opener of all things. Ithric had a resistance to her magic, yes, but he wasn't impervious to it, by any means. Tohru had thought he was scared before. Any other time he'd ever been afraid was nothing compared to now. "Don't!" He shouted.
Ithric's arm whipped up, drawing forth the stream of rainwater that had leaked through the door when he first entered. He snagged around Vesta's ankle and lifted her clean from atop him with a screech of surprise. Rather than spearing the letter opener into his throat, she hung from the ceiling, lashing at the water and spitting fire from her mouth to help it dissipate.
The Peisio scrambled from beneath her. Once he was clear of her flailing, the water that held her suspended flowed back to him. With a flick of his wrist, he whipped it at Amara. She dove away, releasing Tohru in the process. When she ran at Ithric again, he slipped away, locking his foot around her leg and sending her sprawling to the floor with a grunt.
He was at Tohru's side, then, grabbing up his arm and hauling him toward the door before the Kiandri had a chance to get his footing. As soon as he realized, the outside, the rain, if they made it that far, the woman would have to back off. Ithric's fingers were on the handle, fumbling with it for a mere second. "If I ever see you again, you're dead." He didn't know if Vesta's comment was for him or Ithric. Maybe both. Did it matter?
He didn't look back. The Peisio didn't let him.
Results: Death cage match up in here.
Words: 2228 |
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 6:52 pm
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Developmental SoloYour Biggest Mistake**Click the title to be taken to the song!**"So your family is certainly... interesting." Ithric grumbled as he stared out at the water pouring from the lip of the cave and the lingering blackness that may as well have stretched forever. Tohru hadn't said two words since they'd fled, which despite being more than believable for the Kiandri's actions, still left Ithric feeling like he was talking to a rock wall. He'd made the effort to sap the rain from his own clothes and hair, but when he'd extended the same courtesy to the smaller male, he'd been met with nothing but silence. The Peisio tossed a glance over his shoulder to see Tohru sitting on the ground, back to the wall, legs curled up tightly against his chest, head down and still sopping wet.
Ithric ran his fingers through his hair as he stared down at the young Kiandri. As he thought about it, it really hadn't been any of his business to intrude. Maybe things wouldn't have turned so sou- Heh. Yeah right. The two women were obviously quite disturbed. If he hadn't run into Vesta by mere coincidence, and she'd made it home before he found Tohru... It certainly wouldn't have been beneficial for his younger companion. With a sigh, Ithric took the two short strides that would bring him to the Kiandri's side and plopped down on the ground next to him.
He looped an arm around the slimmer boy's shoulders, instantly feeling the chill of rain and wind against his skin. To his deepest surprise, Tohru turned into him, an arm snaking out to snag in the front of Ithric's shirt as he buried his nose against the Peisio's shoulder. He was just a kid... A kid who had grown up with some pretty twisted family and was obviously in desperate need of affection.
He drew the smaller Kianndri as close as he dared and fingered through his wet hair. "Hey, you should be happy, y'know?" He found himself saying thoughtlessly. Tohru tensed at the words but offered no argument, so Ithric continued. "You can leave and not look back. Get off this horrid island and find someplace... someone that actually appreciates you." He chuckled a little and was pretty sure Tohru was glowering at him from beneath his long caramel hair. Ithric grinned and tousled the Kiandri's hair, drawing forth the rainwater that still soaked him and flicking it off to the side. "The world has already done its worst. It's just not statistically plausible that it couldn't get better from here."
He felt Tohru's shoulders sag, and the younger Dovaa tilted his head up to stare at Ithric through wide golden orbs. "Better?" He asked softly, just a whisper over the outside wind.
Ithric ran a hand down his back, pulling the rest of the wet from his clothes and shedding it off across the floor. He should start warming up, in any event. "Better." The Peisio promised solemnly. He didn't argue when Tohru made no move to pull away from him and instead found himself trying to get comfortable against the rocky walls while not relinquishing his hold on the smaller lad.
~~~
Morning found the earth blackened by a thick coating of clouds. The wind still roared through the crevices, a humid mist settled near the bottom of the mountains, and everything was slathered in a thick layer of slick water.
"Be careful." Ithric cautioned as he extended an arm to help the Kiandri slowly skitter down through the rocks. Tohru took his arm, and was actually... mildly surprised that the slim Peisio could actually support even the Kiandri's tiny frame. Once they made it back to the beach, they could travel along it until they reached the docks. They'd catch the first boat back the the Celestial Vortex, and never return to this place again.
Tohru stepped up to Ithric's side, and actually braved shooting him a grateful smile. The Peisio grinned back and then rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "So... I guess you don't have anyplace to stay in the Plane." The smaller boy blinked and looked up at him quizzically. "Don't feel obligated or whatever, but... you can stay with me, if you wanted. I just live at the college, so it's not fancy or anything."
The younger Dovaa tipped his head. Was it strange that Ithric was offering him someplace to stay? It must've been too obvious that he didn't really know anyone outside of his immediate family and the strange Khehora they were staying with now. And, well... Tohru had never really been that good at refusing anything. "Okay." He agreed. "I'm not... that great at cooking, but I can do any dishes, keep the room clean, take care of your laundry..." The Kiandri offered.
When he glanced back toward the Peisio, Ithric was shooting him a look full of suspicion. "You just want to get your hands on my unddies." The older man informed him tartly. Never in his life had he seen anyone turn such a deep shade of red so quickly.
"I-I don't-!" Tohru protested, raising his arms as if he needed to defend himself from an incoming blow.
Ithric stared skeptically at him, not swayed by the mortified tone in the slightest. He lunged for the Kiandri snagging up one of his arms and jabbing him in the side with what could have been a little too much force. "Admit it!" He commanded playfully, dragging the captured limb above Tohru’s head and out of the way. Surely the degree of alarm that sprang to the Kiandri’s face had never been matched in history.
"Ithr-?!" He squeaked in shock, before he was cut off by another prod to the side that had him writhing and twisting in the Peisio’s grasp to the point where it looked like he was willing to dislocate his shoulder in order to escape.
"Admit it, admit it!" Ithric chanted as his fingers skimmed over the sensitive skin of Tohru’s side.
He wasn’t sure at what point he stopped breathing, or when he started desperately swatting at the Peisio (a bold move, indeed). Probably around the same time he started trembling and whining and thrashing. ”Okay!" Tohru relented desperately. When Ithric released him, the smaller Dovaa flopped to the ground, panting and shaking quietly as he stared at the dirt and rubbed at his wrist that had been captured.
After a few seconds of Tohru adamantly refusing to look back up at him, Ithric crouched down next to him. "Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, or anything… I was only teasing you a little..." He admitted hesitantly.
”I-it’s okay..." Tohru whispered, his voice soft. He reached up to scrub at his eyes with the back of his hand before letting out a sofi sigh. He looked up. There was wetness in the corner of his eyes, but… he was smiling. And Ithric suddenly realized that he wasn’t entirely sure if he’d ever seen that before. ”I’m okay." The Kiandri said assuredly.
Ithric beamed back at him, pleasantly satisfied by this new development. "Good." He rose fluidly to his feet and extended a hand to help tug Tohru back up as well.
As the youngster’s fingers reached out to take his, a shadow fell across them, and Tohru paused to look up. A horned, fluffy-furred head peeked over the rocks at them. It tilted curiously to the side, then slunk over the edge and jumped down to a lower rock. "Do you know what that is?" Ithric asked in a quiet rumble. The creature’s fluffy ears perked at his voice. Tohru wasn’t entirely sure if he was supposed to move or speak or do anything, but he gave a tiny shake of his head. Whether Ithric actually saw it or not was- "It’s a rajsha." The Peisio informed him. "They can be nasty predators, but there’s just one so I can probably-"
The sound of crumbling rocks hitting the ground accented his statement, and Tohru whipped his head around to stare back down the path as heavy paws splashed down into a nearby puddle. And more followed. Six on the ground and one above. The commotion of the two Dovaas’ earlier antics must have attracted them. Tohru certainly wasn’t smiling anymore. Ithric took the Kiandri’s hand that still floated uncertainly in the air and guided him slowly to his feet, those wide golden orbs still on the cluster of rajsha approaching through the path.
"Tohru?" Ithric murmured, drawing the younger man’s attention. "You can be brave, can’t you?" He question, taking both the Kiandri’s hands. A wave of fear washed across Tohru’s face even as Ithric asked. "Don’t worry, I won’t let anything hurt you." He promised. "Now. You are going to run down the path." He slowly pointed away from the small hoard approaching them. "Rajsha are very quick. They can outrun you. So I’m going to stay here and keep them away from you. And once I think you’re safe, I’ll come after you, okay?"
”You said you weren’t a battler." Tohru whispered.
Ithric frowned. He wasn’t, by any stretch of the word. But he was a Peisio that had plenty of rainwater at his disposal. And Tohru was… Well, if he was being blunt, Tohru was a hindrance. He obviously had no control over his magic when it was dry. With this much water on the ground, he’d accidentally kill them both, along with all the rajsha, for sure. He could stick around, but he’d just be something Ithric had to watch out for. the Peisio could run and probably leave Tohru in the dust, but then the kid would die, surely. So, the older Dovaa sighed. "I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve." He promised.
The larger rajsha from above leaped down, and Ithric gave his Kiandri companion a violent shove to get him on his way as the beast landed between them. Tohru stumbled a bit and paused as the furry beast turned toward him. If anyone was going to run, it was obligated as a predator to chase. The rajsha pounced at him, but before it made contact a stream of water whipped out and wrapped around its back limb, slamming it back to the ground. "Go now." Ithric commanded with a wave as the rajsha turned on him with a snarl.
Tohru gulped and scrambled a several yards away. Ithric was confident, intelligent, quick, agile and cunning. But he was still only one. And the rajsha were large, heavy, wielded fangs and claws like the weapons they were. They were born to be predators. And Ithric was… not. The Kiandri stilled. He could flee and stay out of the way. He’d been told, more than once, that his uncontrolled magic was a danger to those around him. And for someone like Ithric, who would only suffer under a Kiandri’s magic, that was exceptionally true.
’Run.’ His mind whispered.
And for a few more steps, his feet obeyed. The Peisio had not once, ever hurt him. Yes, he’d gotten annoyed and had griped a little bit, but when Tohru had needed help, he’d offered it, in any situation. Ithric had asked him to leave.
He couldn’t. His heart was hammering. He was already gulping down shallow gasps of air before he’d even started fighting. And as Tohru turned back, he realized he wasn’t scared of being hurt or dying under the rajsha’s claws. He was scared of losing someone he kind of liked. He sprinted back toward the scene, trying to compose himself, trying to figure out what he’d do once he got there. The clamor was still raging, a crescendo of snarls and growls. Ithric had said he was a scholar. It was… at best, unlikely hat he had any degree of stamina to sustain a fight for longer than a few minutes. But if he just needed a distraction, or a little burst of surprise; a rock thrown, or something...
As Tohru neared, the Peisio’s navy orbs found him. His brow furrowed, and everything around him seemed to freeze for only but a second. "No. What are you doing, you idi-?!" One of the beasts behind him lunged forward, it’s heavy paw lashing out and around Ithric to catch him on the side of the head. Teeth and claws flashed. There was red. Tohru watched the Peisio going down.
Every ounce of terror that Tohru had ever felt crashed down on him. He’d been told to run. He should’ve run. He was always to do as he was told, no questions asked.
He ran.
If he wasn’t there, Ithric would be okay. He’d said he would meet him on the beach. He’d said that before the rajsha had torn into his skull. The Kiandri’s breath hitched. His mind whirled. He didn’t stop. He was obviously only in the way, so if he just waited at the beach.
He didn’t stop until he was kicking up sand and the great expanse of the ocean spread before him. Tohru couldn’t breathe and his legs ached and he was terrified of what he’d seen, what he’d caused to happen. But Ithric was okay. He’d be here. He said he would.
Tohru waited.
He sat in the sand and waited, completely silent, completely rigid. Sitting, waiting, and thinking. The longer he sat, the longer he was certain he’d seen claws pierced through bone and drive into Ithric’s skull, or sever the tendons in his neck or teeth snapping his spine. He was suddenly sure he’d seen these things. Suddenly sure that when Ithric had looked at him in that last second, there was regret and hatred and mistrust because the Peisio knew that Tohru had killed him.
Ithric didn’t return.
As the sky was darkening, Tohru realized just how much one person could legitimately cry before his body was physically incapable of producing tears. He curled in the sand, his knees pulled against his chest as the wind whipped and tangled at his hair. His entire body trembled. He couldn’t cry even if he tried, but no matter how he wanted he couldn’t stop the dry sobs that tore at his frame, making his chest physically ache. But it didn’t matter. Not one bit. Ithric had said ’Better.’ He’d promised. He’d lied.
’You lied.’ Tohru buried his nose in his knees and wished for the ocean to sweep up and pull him away. Wished for the sand to encave upon him or the ground to swallow him. Anything.
’You lied...’
Results: Ithric dies.
Words: 2420 |
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Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 1:29 pm
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Orb Solo
Zera, Vega, Cela, and How to Get Things Done
He wasn't sure at what point Cadeo noticed the lump on his beach, or how long it took before the Khehora realized that if he wanted the lump to leave, he'd have to usher it to the ferry himself. But somehow Tohru found himself standing before the ship, while the Khehora explained to whoever he was talking to that the young Dovaa was to be seen off safely into the Celestial Vortex. The word 'unstable' was mentioned. Twice. There may also have been a bribe, but Tohru was far beyond caring.
The stranger beckoned the little Dovaa to follow him aboard, and it was all Tohru could do to wordlessly obey. He really couldn't have cared any less whether or not he had a say in where he should go next. If it was the end, then that was fine too. He'd finally be where he deserved to be. But before he could get too far, Cadeo pressed his maw to the back of Tohru's head. "It'll be alright, little one." He promised softly. The Kiandri didn't so much as look at him. His arm was taken by the ferryman, and he was tugged up the ramp.
He was deposited near the cabin doors with a quiet assurance of being "checked on" later. There weren't many people lingering about, but it was still enough to send Tohru away from the cabins and in search of somewhere less densely populated. Of course, it was a ship, so options were limited. The Kiandri eventually found a spot where the sound of voices was completely overcome by the wind and waves. He put his back to the wall and slid down, looking out over the railing at the ocean beyond.
He may have dozed. He may have been so transfixed on the water that he didn't realize when anyone came to check on him. He was occasionally aware of a pair of feet strolling near him and little else. He supposed there weren't enough people on board to have to venture this far back for anything more than a lazy soiree to stretch their legs. Ithric had seemed like the type who would do that. Tohru closed his eyes.
"He hasn't moved since yesterday."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I saw him there before."
"He's definitely creeping me out. Maybe he's sick or planning something evil."
"... You're stupid or something, aren't you?"
"Kids are scary, man! Especially the quiet ones with hair like that!"
He didn't hear footsteps approaching, but he did feel the touch on his shoulder. He remembered a time when he would've jumped, winced, flinched, whimpered, or any number of things that was more than just sitting like a lump. "Hey, little boy, are you feeling okay?" It was the woman he'd heard speak first. She gave him a little shake when it took him more than a second to answer. After another moment, he gave one shake of his head. "Sick?" She asked. He shook his head again. "Tired?" Another shake. "...Sad?"
For the first time, Tohru looked at her, just barely raising his head from his folded legs to peek at the woman through disheveled bangs. The first thing he registered was... concern in her honey-colored eyes and the way she still held her touch on his shoulder, no heavier than a feather. And then came the pink skin, the splodge of brown hair on her head, her bulky stature, and her wings. Two pairs of large brown wings.
An Orderite. There was a time when that had mortified him too, but honestly he could not summon a reason for why.
"Sad, huh?" She turned to her companion, and Tohru couldn't help it when his gaze traveled up as well. The other woman looked more suspicious than anything else. She was slimmer, shorter, with messy mid-length curls colored stark black and icy blue streaks of straight hair fanning around her shoulders. Yet, she also had feathered wings and horns. A hybrid. "Zera, go fetch the kid something to eat." The first girl suggested.
The hybrid, Zera, looked like she may argue, but with a shrug, she thought better of it and headed away.
Tohru turned back to the first woman as she plopped down next to him, hardly more than an inch away. She smiled and held out a hand to shake. "Name's Vega. Hope you don't mind the company. You looked... Er, how to put this...? You looked... like you might be dead, really." She shrugged. "Anyway, got a name?"
Like he might be dead. If only. If only it had been him. He uncurled his arm from himself to shake her hand. "It's Tohru."
Vega nodded. "Cool, glad to meet ya." She rubbed the back of her neck, and Tohru could physically see the encroaching awkwardness. "You... probably don't wanna talk about it, huh? You don't seem the talky type." To her obvious relief, Tohru shook his head. "Well, that's fine. No need to say anything. It's probably too much for someone like me to handle, anyway."
They lapsed into silence for a few moments, until the sound of footsteps drew their attentions once more. Zera had returned, carrying with her a rolled napkin. She stood before the little Dovaa and offered it down to him. It unfurled to reveal an array of sweets. "Kids like candy, right?" Tohru stared quizzically at her, but didn't take the treats. "Well, go on!" Zera huffed. "I got it for you, so just- Yeek!" The boat hit a particularly powerful wave, and the hybrid woman found herself crashing down, kicking Tohru's bag of belongings and spilling snacks everywhere. Her eyes widened as Dragon SOuls rolled from his pack.
"Holy crap, he's a thief." Zera yipped in shock. "A good one." The hybrid crouched down to paw through Tohru's orbs, and he did absolutely nothing to stop her. The souls seemed useless now. "I mean, there's no way such a scrawny kid could actually win fights for these, and he's on his own, so..." She glanced from his treasures back to his face, and leaned in close to inspect him. Tohru's golden orbs met hers and held. As she pressed forward, he didn't back away, as he once would've. Honestly, if she could make him hurt worse than this, than she should, but he doubted the hybrid held that power. "Lesse... Dead, expressionless eyes, lithe frame, pure Dovaa..." She pulled back. "He definitely could be a skilled pickpocket. Are you going to give these to Marcus?"
Tohru blinked in confusion at the Dovaa leader's name. He'd once vowed never to return to that place. There was never enough of a reason. There still really wasn't, except that he could transfer the sould to someone who could actually use them. They were better in Marcus's hands. The Kiandri gave a crisp nod.
"You're stopping at the Plane, then." Zera nodded, packing Tohru's orbs back into his back and setting it neatly next to his side. "We're going to keep going on to Eowyn, but one of our friends is stopping at the same time as you. You should meet her, then you can come hang with us, afterwards. Unless you've got somewhere to be?"
The Kiandri blinked. This had been the woman who called him 'creepy' earlier. Now she wanted him to meet them on Eowyn after delivering the orbs? Logically, it didn't make any sense, but if someone actually wanted him for whatever reason, it would be wrong to refuse to be of some use, wouldn't it? Besides, he had nothing for him in the Plane, nothing for him on Ayr, no business being in Soudul or Serenia... "I'll meet you there." Tohru agreed.
Vega clapped her hands and beamed. "Great!" She tugged Zera back to her feet. "We'll leave you be for now, then. Don't forget to eat, and our friend will find you before you get off the ferry, kay?" When Tohru nodded, the two women started heading off. He heard Vega mutter, "That wasn't so bad was it? Don't lie, he could be a useful kid..." Then the sound of wind washed her voice out, and they disappeared from view soon after.
Tohru sighed and popped a bite of chocolate pastry into his mouth. he felt like his stomach was going to reject it, but that was probably just because he was starving, having forgone food for the past few days in favor of wallowing. He still felt miserable, but at least he had something to do, even if it was probably unscrupulous...
~~~
The next few days of the trip passed without incident. Whenever Zera or Vega would see him, they'd give him a polite wave and a smile, maybe a bit of passing conversation before they continued on. He still had yet to meet their 'friend' by the time he was ready to depart. He saw the ferryman that Cadeo had passed him off to on occasion, though the man had little to say. As they pulled into the docking station, the young Dovaa began to wonder if he should wait for Vega and Zera's friend...
Something crashed into his back with a gleeful squeal. The only think that kept him upright was that the same thing had also latched onto his arm and held him on his feet. The Kiandri glanced over his shoulder to see bright green eyes, corkscrew horns sprouting from just over her ears, and a broad grin. "Hi, hi! You're Tohru, right? It'd be kind of awkward if you weren't, since, well, we're kind of attached now, and all.." Further inspection revealed superfluous frills on her dress and tall heels. The Kiandri nodded hesitantly. She proceeded to lean down and sniff along his arm before nodding in satisfaction. "Yup! Okay, let's go!" She cast a thumbs up over her shoulder, and Tohru looked back to see Vega and Zera waving and snickering.
"I'm Cela." She slipped to his side and hooked up his arm in hers. "Wow, you're actually really cute. Definitely don't look like you should be wandering alone... Bet you can fool anybody." She tugged him off the boat and through the vortex, and they continued along down the Celestial Plane's streets together.
Tohru didn't mind being tugged alongside some stranger he'd just met, he didn't mind being accused of trickery or whatever else, he didn't mind not knowing what the flip was going on and why these strangers were suddenly so interested in him, and he didn't mind that he no longer felt so anxious at the prospect of meeting Marcus again. But the woman, the girl really, was pretty curious. The three of the women were nothing alike, not even of the same race. What did they want...? He probably should've stopped the Dovaa's chatter to ask, but it seemed rude to cut through her cheery attitude with his questions that didn't even matter.
"Here we are!" Cela chirped as they stood before the Celestial Foretress. She turned to face him fully, plucking up his hands and beaming at him. "Tohru, I have someone I need to meet too, but I won't be long. You'll wait for me, right? I'll meet you right here when we're both finished." It seemed like a lot of trouble to go through for him. These people... What could he possibly do that they wanted? Slowly, he nodded. Cela smiled. "Okay! Thank you! See you again soon! And good luck in there!" With a last wave, she bounded off, and Tohru was struck with her likeness to a bouken...
Ahead of him, the Fortress stretched. As a child, it had seemed hauntingly beautiful, looming over the city. And now it was just... a building. All the buildings were just buildings. The streets were just streets, the people just Dovaa. Nothing seemed beautiful anymore. Nothing seemed scary. Everything just was. It simply existed. As Tohru did. The feeling of emptiness somehow pushed everything else away, and he was free to enter the large doors with no feelings of fear, anxiety, trepidation, or awe. Just... nothing.
When he was instructed to wait, he obeyed, and when he was summoned several minutes later, he walked briskly toward the Dovaa leader's office. He knocked before entering. The first thing he thought of when he saw the Peisio leader's dark swatch of navy hair, was Ithric. His breath caught, but after only a second, he reminded himself that anything he wanted or could hope for at this point was worthless.
Marcus seemed to notice, though he didn't comment. Instead, he stood from his desk and strode before the smaller Dovaa. "Ah, I remember you. Your name is Tohru, right?"
The Kiandri swallowed to get the knot from his throat. Was it going to hurt like this every time he saw dark navy hair? Or smokey eyes? Or Ithric's ridiculous grin? Or his concerned voice? Or any number of other things? Tohru wished for the feeling of nothing again. "Yes, sir." He murmured on a cracked whisper. He felt heat in his face, and he looked down to his bag to see anything but the older Peisio. He fumbled with the clip on his bag before producing five icy crystalline orbs for Markus to inspect. "I brought a few orbs for you. From my travels." He probably took a few seconds longer than was standard, but he offered the souls to him nonetheless.
"Oh?" Marcus queried. "I think I remember telling you I expected a story next time we met. Which is now."
Tohru sighed. "I do recall that as well, sir..." He admitted, letting his gaze trail back to the Peisio's. "But I'm not really feeling that great..."
Marcus extended an arm to pat the Kiandri's shoulder. "It's alright, lad. Emotions and expressions can weave tales just as well as words. And I do believe yours has earned you passage to the next rank." He collected the orbs Tohru passed him and stashed them away. As he took a seat at his desk once more, he smiled. "Don't give up, Tohru. Your story has many more chapters, yet."
"Thank you, sir." The Kiandri bowed politely then departed, making his way through the Fortress and out to where Cela had promised to meet him. His story... Despite his leader's enthusiasm, Tohru was already sure it had reached a dead end.
Results: Lost five Aiskala Orbs. Met Zera, Vega, and Cela.
Words: 2391 |
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Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:04 am
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Growth Solo
Words Like Thunder
Growth Prompt Tohru is in the Plane itself when he gets bullied (by someone who knew him from the College or a random person who likes to pick on the weak looking Tohru) and Tohru's Kiandri powers go wild and either hurt or kill them (your choice). Roleplay out how this occurs and the immediate results and his thoughts.
There was some desperate corner of his mind that was actually disappointed when he didn't see the Ysali Dovaa girl waiting for him. Surprised? Never. But disappointed? Sure, that was common. Tohru even lingered about for a few extra minutes, daring to hope that Cela had just gotten sidetracked. She seemed like a pretty flighty girl, so maybe she found something interesting to hold her attention for longer than it should have? The Kiandri shifted awkwardly from foot to foot as he waited for her, twisting his hands behind his back impatiently as his golden orbs roamed the streets for even the slightest familiar face.
But no. After an hour of standing around, waiting for something that wasn't go to happen, Tohru decided he should move on. He was probably the saddest most pathetic thing in the Celestial Plane right now. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Little to hope for. No reason for existence. The smidgeon of happiness he'd ever felt had been dashed almost instantaneously, leaving a paralyzing emptiness that overtook the feelings of fear and sadness he'd once felt. And that was something the Plane didn't need.
With a sigh, he moved away from the Fortress. He supposed he'd head back toward the ferry. It could drop him on Eowyn and he could meander about aimlessly from there. Maybe find a hoard of wild uruu he could join. They seemed personable enough. Yeah, that sounded like a pla-
"Hey, don't! You'll ruin them! Stop!" The voice was high and shrill and impossible to miss. Tohru froze where he stood, as, even through the shriek, he recognized Cela's voice. He wasn't the only one who paused at the loud wail, though. Many Dovaa in the street blocked his view, but he could just make out a flurry of movement near the entryway to a bakery on the other side of the road. He considered moving on. Her business was not his to meddle in, especially not after she'd abandoned him for the last hour. "Please!" She begged. "They're for my friends!" Tohru's gaze shifted over. It was possible that she really had been held up by accident. And someone was over there genuinely being mean to her. She was a sweet girl. If he could do anything for her, then he should. If he could do anything to help anyone with such a bright smile, even if it was just take the fall so they wouldn't get hurt, then he should. He was good for little else. He started across the street.
As he moved closer, he heard more, saw more of the group. "We're your friends, right? Why don't you make us treats like this?" Tohru's heart iced over. He considered turning back and forgetting Cela and her friends and everything about them. That would be easiest. He'd only ever heard that voice once, and only for a few minutes. But he doubted he'd forget it. Because that had also been the first time that he'd heard Ithric's voice... Ravi held a box over his head, pretty far out of Cela's reach as he smirked down at her. She shrieked as she dove for him, but another of the boys effortlessly snagged her around the waist and pushed her away. She went toppling backwards, her extravagant frills and laces doing nothing to keep her upright.
Ithric would've stood up to them. He had before. Tohru owed him at least that much, since it certainly didn't look like anyone else was willing to step in. He swallowed and continued forward. "Cela?" He called out as he approached the group. He hadn't realized how short she was until she was standing amidst a group of taller boys.
The small Ysali turned to blink at him. Her large green eyes were watery and her pale cheeks flushed with embarrassment and frustration. "Oh, Tohru!" She stood quickly and dusted her skirts. He'd expected her to look surprised or even upset, since he hadn't obediently waited at the Fortress for her, but she gave him a quivering smile instead. "I'm sorry... You must have been waiting-"
Ravi's loud chortle drowned out anything else she was trying to say. "Oh, this kid. I remember you. That pathetic Kiandri. Had to have that stupid Peisio jump in for you. This is your friend?" He questioned Cela. "A pretty girl like you should have better friends than this." When he laughed, his group of friends chimed in, and Cela's cheeks flushed in anger.
Tohru had to swallow another knot as he stared at the older Firani. It had probably been stupid of him to come over here. "You... You should give her things back..." He muttered, knowing even as he said it that it wasn't very convincing.
Ravi quirked a brow at him. "I could've, but seeing you just pisses me off. So I think I'll just..." The box slipped from his fingers. Tohru's golden orbs followed it all the way to the ground. As it crashed down, the Kiandri realized he could've saved it if only he'd moved to catch the box. Instead, the Firani stomped the bright pink box, and sticky sweet smashed cake and ooze erupted from the split sides. Tohru hardly had a chance to look back up and catch Ravi's gaze before Cela was smashing into the Firani with a screech, knocking him backwards and pounding her little fists on him.
One of the other boys raced forward and grabbed a fistful of her hair, hauling her away from Ravi, but not before she'd decked him in the face, leaving his lip bloody and his gaze smoldering. "Stupid girl." He hissed as he took a threatening step toward her.
Tohru didn't let himself think about it as he threw himself between them. Behind him, Cela still squirmed to free herself, and before him, Ravi glared in annoyance. "Worthless brat." He spat as his fist lashed out toward Tohru's face.
He could tense up and take it like he usually did. But if he went down, that left Cela on her own against five larger men. He didn't know much about her, but since she'd resorted to wild fist-flailing, it seemed unlikely that she could escape without taking damage herself. Tohru would have to stay up and capable at least until she got away. And that meant actually practicing what his Peisio, er, Ithric, that is, had been trying to teach him for the past few weeks.
He slipped to the side to avoid the hit, and continued doing his best to not be assaulted. It was easy to focus on dodging when he wasn't throwing any hits of his own. It was easy when he stayed near the side, instead of directly in front of Ravi. It was easy when he was only dodging arms and legs, and not actual fire. But that couldn't last forever. Ravi was still a Firani, and his boiling temper wouldn't be satisfied until Tohru was seared through. With a snarl, Ravi flung himself forward, releasing a burst of flames that shot from his fist and blasted several feet away. A few of the boys behind Tohru had to leap out of the way as the Kiandri ducked under the stream.
He was starting to wish he'd more actively trained in actual fighting rather than just dodging. Ravi was intense, determined, fierce... He'd get tired eventually, but...
One of the lads behind him kicked him in the back of the knee. Tohru yelped as he staggered, and only an instant later a fist was connecting with his gut, leaving the Kiandri gasping and falling to his knees. Somewhere in his mind, he knew he should just stay down. Just stay down and maybe they'd leave him and Cela be eventually. But his fingers latched onto Ravi's sleeve before he had the chance to pull away. He had magic too... If he just gave him a little jolt... Something to paralyze the gang leader so he and Cela could run.
Ravi yanked his arm back, swinging his foot out to catch Tohru in the neck and sending him to the ground before crunching it down on his chest. A pained noise was forced from his throat, and he squirmed. "You useless little brat..."
"Stop," Tohru pleaded, his fingers clawing at anything they could reach, desperation coiling in his stomach as he felt his ribs bending.
Ravi tutted. "You did this to yourself. You should've known this time to stay out of my way, and you didn't. So you just have to be taught this time. No one here to defend you. No nosy, meddling Peisios..."
Tohru whimpered. Ithric had stood up for him, and probably any other kid that needed him. "Get off." He hissed as his magic sparked down his skin. Cela needed him. Ravi had destroyed her treats for no reason. He was a Dovaa, but he was not full of goodness. Torturing some little girl... The Kiandri growled softly, writhing beneath his captor. If Ravi was defeated just once, maybe he wouldn't be so mean. Just one jolt... One jolt to knock him on his arse...
His breath came a little harder, his fingers latched into the cloth of Ravi's pant leg. His magic coiled in his chest, excited at the thought of freedom. It burst from him in a wave, arcing along his arms and through his chest and driving through the Firani's frame. With a harsh pulse of power, Ravi was thrown from atop him. The power singed his skin with delight, rather than pain. Tohru scrambled to his feet.
He caught Cela's gaze. Her eyes were wide, and her lips slightly parted. She ripped free of one of the boys and grabbed Tohru's arm. "Are you alright?" Her fingers skated frantically over his skin. Was she shaking? Her green orbs darted to one of the boys as he moved to crouch near the downed Firani. "We should go." She insisted, giving Tohru a yank away as shock dawned on the other boy's face.
"Hey, he's not breathing..."
Cela yanked on him before Tohru could say anything of it. With a squeak, he staggered after her.
"Someone get a medic! That boy just-!"
Tohru couldn't help but glance over his shoulder at them. Two of the other boys had fled, whether it was to find help or fear of prosecution he didn't know. He turned ahead again, letting his feet catch up with Cela. Ravi was... probably okay, right? It couldn't have been that much of a jolt. He looked over his shoulder again, but Cela was running now. The sounds and the sights from the remaining boys had already been lost in the crowd.
Results: Tohru attacks a Dovaa in the Celestial Plane
Words: 1784 |
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:37 pm
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Tohru SaysVS 4 Diamond Mara, 3 Dark Mage Mara, 2 Crafter Mara, 1 Rock Mara in Sap and Salve - Done!
Tohru may be trying to peacefully dwell on his past mistakes as he and Cela head toward Eowyn's docks, but the peppy Ysali has other plans in mind for him!
Between Ithric and now Ravi, it seemed like I would never be happy again, that I didn't deserve to be happy again. Cela was there, she saw what i did to that Firani boy, but... I guess she didn't care. She spent the entire day with me, purposefully trying to make sure I wouldn't be down. She said something peculiar to me, about always finding new things... If I were to have a friend, Cela seems like a reasonable choice. And after the battle we endured together, the way she could make me smile... She can't replace Ithric, but... maybe it won't hurt to keep looking for new things. To keep trying new things.
Results: +385 EXP, +20 Diamond, +15 Arcanite Stone, +30 Obsidian, +6 Copper Bar, +10 Moon Stone, +25 Shattered Granite, +2 Small Hammer
Words: 3012 |
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 4:39 pm
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Tohru SaysVS 1 Diamond Mara, 2 Dark Mage Mara, 2 Crafter Mara, 1 Metal Mara, 3 Rock Mara, 1 Vispiri Swarm in Tide Turner - Done!
A stressful night leads Tohru to an early morning. And the thought of breakfast! Vega ends up taking him out for a hunt, but things don't turn out quite the way they hoped...
Vega looked so cool fighting the Mara that for some reason, I thought I could do the same. Obviously she has years of practice and experience that I don't have, but I thought... If I didn't do anything she would die... I'm not creative like the others, so I just tried to do what she did, and... well, it didn't go very well. I broke my hand and my wrist and nearly all my fingers... Vega assures me Cela can fix it, but gods I feel like an idiot. Especially now that she wants me to practice with her. I... don't think I'll be that great at anything she tries to teach me...
Results: +362 EXP, +1 LUK, +5 Diamond, +10 Arcanite Stone, +20 Obsidian, +19 Copper Bar, +10 Moon Stone, +55 Shattered Granite, +2 Small Hammer, +3 Oozing Poison Gland
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