|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:49 am
Near the Edge of the World and in the shadow of Mt. Shaelia is the land traditionally held by the Kai family. Once, the family settled there and named themselves after the land. They, story tells, were the communicators and the wings that transversed the land to make connections with traders and those who sell, helping to shape the method of trade across the land of Epsilon. Only one among their number was of noble blood, a Baron, and this individual's line was the one who held the title and became the head of this small clan within Ethe.
The land itself wasn't known for its crops, but for its trade, being one of the major routes a trader loops through when plying their wares and to pick up new ones, particularly the gemstones and refined jewelry of Ethe.
Most recently it's been a place of excitement as those of the Kai house return to their home and herald the hope to Ethans.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:58 am
 Baroness Youkimi Kai
Living today without a way
To understand the weight of the world
The collection of wings and feathers took through the air with the ease and promise fueled by excitement and a feverish hope. The icy blue wings of the baroness were not at the forefront of the flock, but nevertheless, she was found amongst the shades of blues that ranged from snowy ice to the midnight blue of a winter sky, some speckled, some striped, and all of them eager to see their homeland again. Those who flew under the Kai banner flocked with those who were simply proud to belong to Ethe, plumage that ranged from fierce sun yellow to the humble brown of sun-warmed earth, and all the hues beautiful in the light as they landed.
This band was about twenty in number, having grown quickly as the rumor and news spread amongst the refugees. They gathered about the baroness as she landed in the ash, moving as though she didn't care about how dirty her clothes became. Her attire on this day was humble, as she didn't prepare herself to greet any other members of nobility, and certainly not as she was among her own who did not stand on ceremony for her. There was no need, for they were in this cause together.
She moved over the ash and dust, having flown through the red cloud, and now she approached what was once a woodland of sorts, but now seemed to be a collection of buried bushes, dead on sight.... But at their bases... tentatively reaching out of the blanketing ash....
She knelt beside these saplings, the tender green leaves reaching desperately for the sky, and her pale hands reached into the miniscule dust that was volcanic glass. Ignorant of the sharpness and feeling nothing of it, she began to dig into the dust, freeing the small plant. Her people gathered about her, looming over her shoulder. It had been months since many of them had even glimpsed at this land again. After a moment of reverent silence, there arose a great excited chatter. Feverishly, they began to beat aside the ash, stirring it up with their wings. Their voices rose in song. One among them had the sense to unbury just one sapling, and the rest were stopped from this effort, urged to let the Ethen plants grow, and this little plant would be taken back with them, to report on the beauty of the land.
It was more invigorating than anything they had yet experienced. Their homeland lived and survived. They were lifted in song the entire way back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:07 pm
As they began to leave the ashes that had been shifted by the countless wings and hands coming to see the growth beginning in Ethe would start to twist and come together as if they had been drawn together. Steam floated up from underground, lifting some as a the ashes clung to each other and formed the shape of a body.
The body began to fill with ashes and become more defined as finger took shape and long hair blossomed from the head. Eyes blinked open the color of fire and the hair would soon take this color as well. The ashes of the body would soon define clothing that would settle in an archaic forgotten fashion, Covering the chest and hips. The ash would finally settle as the body finally finished forming pale skin that looked like it had been in the sun a bit to long, a small ski-sloped nose, sinful red lips with a perfect bow shaped arch. The last of the clothing formed as well, large bangles, heavy earrings, Dozens if not half a hundred bangles, and a circlet of gold upon the head of the woman.
As she watched the Phoenix's start to fly away she would reach her hand down toward one of the saplings and let magic flow into it. She would then raise her hand, causing ash and obsidian shards to fly upward. The ground would shake as a large tree would grow from the ashes, its roots digging deep into the ground as it sprouted up and up until it stopped at a good twenty five feet high. Leaves sprouted green and healthy from the limbs and beautiful white flowers would blossom before dying off and pods quickly growing larger and large and turning bright red as apples grew all over the tree. The Woman would go over to another sapling and begin to do the same.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 6:50 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Living today without a way
To understand the weight of the world
Lingering behind in the ashen cloud, the baroness stood alone. The refugees and the others flew in great haste, eager to share and to spread the information and the news that was confirmed with their eyes. It would amass to a new kind of work, yes, but there would be more for them to do. People worked harder for their own land, and this news indeed would give them great hope.
Amidst the ashes, the baroness knelt and she seemed to be praying on her land. After a short while, her eyes opened and she thought she saw the form in the ash. It gathered about the feminine form of the stranger and accompanied her graceful strides as she reached for the ground... even as she moved, she commanded the ash with all the mein of divinity... the dusty particles obeyed, and at her word, life formed. Vibrant trees, luscious fruit.
Was this... possible?
Youkimi watched in awe, unable to convince herself to move as she watched this entity continue her silent work. The baroness was unsure of what she could say, even if she had the capacity to vocalize. So, for now, she watched from where she knelt. Watching her homeland come again to green and breathing life, impossibly reversing the damage of a coughing and rumbling mountain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:33 pm
Ashes flew once more into the air as another tree sprouted from the ground and this time when the flowers fell yellow fruits came from the buds, the red haired woman couldn't help but chuckle "Lemons" she said as she turned to bring another tree up from the ashes but her eyes where drawn to movement and instead she stood straight and looked over at Youkimi, it had been her blinking that had drawn her attention, the way she knelt upon the land reminded her of how she had once done so for a being higher then her. She would smile as she looked back at the tree she had yet to raise and she brought her arm up and let the tree take root, burying deep into the ground while the trunk shot up. The red haired woman would close her eyes as ash flew by her "One less then I would blind you for looking upon it" she finally said as the flowers once again fell to show more apples. She would then walk over to Youkimi and place her hands upon her shoulders, her hands would be so warm it would be uncomfortable, but she would keep them upon Youkimi as she guided her to her feet "Even now the Ethe kneel in ashes and suffer for things that they did not take part" she whispered "My children should not have to suffer as they have and for so long." the woman would say before finally removing her hands from Youkimi and walked away from her. The woman would walk over to a small crater created by a rock that had been spewed forth by the mountain of Adara "This is the land your family lay claim to?" she asked as she took a step into the crater, the ashes congregating to create steps as she walked down and went over to the rock and she looked upon it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:31 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Living today without a way
To understand the weight of the world
Startled from the moment, from the inability to quite understand, and yet finding herself drifting in fanciful wonder at the scene and miracle that unfolded, Youkimi averted her gaze upon being noticed. She didn't know how to respond to this being of power, this woman who wielded the power of divines. She was trained to carry herself before her people, before nobility, and before royalty. But before divinity? Only ever in prayer... Yet when the voice of the one that spoke now seemed to belong to her kin, it did not feel right.
She marveled at how gentle the woman's hands were. She wondered at how gently she was guided to stand. Warm. Fiery. The gesture friendly. The power inherent, suggested in mere touch, undeniable. And... while there was some soft reprimand in the words, a warning at power, she chose instead not to punish. There was no malice in the words.
This woman of red and life spoke of Ethe as her children. Youkimi dared to lift her eyes, to again view the woman. Nay... it would be more fitting to call her goddess. The goddess walked, continuing her deliberate work, stepping carefully down into a divot created by a stone that fell from the mountain. Youkimi felt her feet move, carry her forward.
She had been asked a question. It was polite to answer deity.
"Yes, your excellency." Youkimi answered, for a moment wondering if her voice actually would continue to hold. How could she begin to repay the miracle that unfolded before her eyes? How much did they owe the goddess? Not only her family name, but her clan? Her people? Perhaps it was best only to speak when spoken to. To answer only the questions that were asked. "This land has been the home of my people and my family for generations."
Having answered, she respectfully stood aside and continued to watch life return to the ground. The miracle unfolded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:32 pm
She nodded her head once as she went to the rock "it is well tended, if not for the eruption it would be ready for harvest within another month" she said, stating the obvious. The makeshift ash steps would disintegrate once she was no longer using them and she would place her hand upon the stone and from where she placed her hand the rock began to break away, turning in on itself and finally crashing down in order to reveal what had been inside, perfectly preserved white feathers and lone bones, a few of which where broken and showing that they where hollow, while others that where broken where not. Some of the feathers clung to the hollow bones and the woman crouched down to pick them up, pulling the feathers away from hollow bones, she would not stand again until she had collected all the feathers. She would hold the few dozen feathers in her hands and she would throw them up into the air, watching as the feathers where taken up and began to fly toward the edge of the world. With the feathers gone the woman would move the ash so it covered the bones, slowly filling in the crater with ashes and dirt so that the bones where well covered. Once finished she would place her hand upon the ground and a tree would sprout, it would start out with red bark and pulsing veins as if fire was running though it instead of sap, and the tree would grow faster and faster until it was a good sixty feet tall, full of bright green leaves and large Avocado's weighing down its branches. The pulsing bark would soon settle and go dark, looking like just a normal tree. The woman would then stand back up and look over at Youkimi once more, standing in the shade of the Avocado tree "Speak loosely to me, my child. What threatens Ethe? I cast my eye to the west and I see a dominion of Dragons that threatens to encompass all things. How has such a thing happened, why causes the children of Ethe to fall into such despair, was it truly just the fire that came from the mountains or is their much more that has happened since I last walked with you?" she asked
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:55 am
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Living today without a way
To understand the weight of the world
Youkimi bowed her head, humbly accepting the compliment concerning the care of the land. This land was, and is, their home. They were proud of it, her people, and they took care of it. The goddess was seen, continuing to work, withdrawing feathers from one of the fallen. These feathers caught the wind and escaped, and for a few moments, Youkimi remained silent out of respect for the soul they belonged to.
From the ashes, from the buried individual a tree grew, urged to the surface and to stretch for the sky by the whim by the goddess. The impressive and young tree was vibrant and lively, a more fitting resting place, an optimistic turn in the story.
Her attention returned again to the goddess who spoke and invited her voice by asking another question with her observations. Youkimi reflected on the past many months.
"The eruption's impact demoralized Ethe. We were not prepared for its power, though it had been our neighbor and among us for centuries. Many fled out of fear but all mourned the loss." Youkimi closed her eyes. It was too easy to recall the day.... screams drowning out thought. Panic erasing the rest of rational thought. "Being away from their home country weakens the voice of Ethe's people, encouraging them to be more easily swept away. The dragons spread their kingdom.... and there is much intrigue among the nobility. What threatens Ethe most comes from its lack of pride. We are weak because we are frightened. Yet.... this news of life gave my people hope."
Youkimi smiled and her eyes open. Tears formed on her lids as these thoughts brought her to a much happier place, where gratitude overtook her heart. "My ken were here only moments before, celebrating over a sapling, and they returned in haste to spread the news. We will return."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:36 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Youkimi was up early. Though she did not sleep well, there was energy in her step that carried her easily about her lands. Her people had worked while she visited Ethe's flame. Now they had managed to rebuild the town hall. There was a great deal of celebration from those that returned and that continued to return over the days. Some were carried back. Some came along in caravans. They arrived throughout the day, and no sooner did they arrive then they were excited to lend their strength to the fields, to begin harvesting and to bring in the bounty that their beautiful goddess had seen fit to give them and their land.
There were many voices lifted in songs of praise. Excitement fueled the many who worked in the farmlands. Work continued to build and rebuild the towns across Kaishin lands. Already plans for celebration were beginning while some began to prepare feasts in honor of the goddess, should she bless them with her company on this day.
Though she was shy to speak of it at first, word got out that Youkimi had seen the goddess that embodied Ethe. They rushed to her to have her tell them what she looked like and what she spoke of. Instead of spending her time being of active use to her people, she was persuaded to tell them of the goddess and to describe the magnificence that existed in that being. Those here who remained had no other explanation for what the Lady Kai saw, and so they were also persuaded to believe, even those who might have been skeptical before.
Yet when surrounded by life that only a fortnight prior had been desolate and full of desperation? What other explanation could be given? And yea, the remaining heir to the Kaishin land and title was one to be believed, for her words were fervent and the brightness of her expression impossible to refute. And so, all were employed in some manner to the reclaiming of the land. On that day, silos were constructed to house the food they harvested. A simple feast was in the process of being prepared, to be unveiled and revealed to the people in the coming eve, when a large bonfire would be lit to celebrate the goddess and the life she brought to the land.
The only invitations sent were limited to those within Ethe's land. Word of mouth alone spread of the banquet they would feast upon.
Come to Kaishin, friends and kindred would say. Let Ethe gather and let us celebrate together the bounty we can enjoy as kindred and allies in this land made sacred by the Goddess' generosity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 5:47 pm
✺Forgotten Son Outfit (minus the tacky cross) EC: 100 Of course, the count would be the first to show. That was evident in the sudden appearance of a shooting star--others would remark until it got to the Baroness; damnitall that it took long enough for the streaking falcon to tear its way over to her field of vision.
It took a while, but soon the more sensitive of those present would sense a certain... Approach: whether it was a slight change in the temperature of the breeze or just an optical cue, it couldn't be nailed down, but it was for sure that comet was coming this way!
It had a violet tail, and by the time people reacted to it, the mass of curling fire,
seeming to eat itself, bounded off the ground a few times, hopping straight over them. With a powerful woosh, the count backtracked and landed somewhat softly on the lawn about twenty paces in front of the Baroness who'd help him out in several tough spots. He'd been meaning to talk to her--alone.
"Youkimi." He stood tall as every; now, though, he seemed to be looking at Youkimi as though he wouldn't mind talking sword-fighting lessons from her an not her goons--help! Assistants, that is. Ehm... She looked strong. Yes. Let's just... Okay.
"I had a feeling today was destined to be special--"as he would so often say, perhaps overly-optimistic--"but I had no idea just how! You're really going all-in on this one, eh?" He minded not his tone or elocution. He gave a nod and wink to a man at right, who trembled a little. "Alright?"
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Quotes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:10 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
And..... there it was. The familiar bloom of heat and fire that made shooting stars second-guess their impact on those below. Ah, but this one turned with all the ferocity of a meteor. Fortunately, the landing had a little more grace. Sure enough, spilling the energy from his brilliant plumage, the count gathered himself together with the same bright smile.
Though, he looked at her a little strangely this time. Youkimi couldn't place what it was, exactly, but as always, she patiently waited until he spoke before she took her turn. Yes, today was a special day. A good one, at that, if not because of the harvest, then perhaps because of the energy and excitement that spilled out from her people.
"It's been long overdue, has it not?" Youkimi offered with a smile, unable to deny that she had done nothing to stop the impromptu celebration and festivities. It was a humble spectacle, really, adorned with hastily made torch-lights, feather and paper decorations hung from trees and threads, and with the air heavy with the smell of food, both the imported meats and the newly baked breads that came from wheat gathered just that day and the day before, alongside all of the fruit. It seemed to be a throw back to a past before decorum was locked away in stone walls. There was a simpleness to it that was beautiful. Youthful. Dare she say it... fun.
"See how happy they are that we are home? I can think of no better reason to make the most of the joy."
She waved for Dixon to follow, expecting that he would walk with her as they patrolled the area. She would look for something to do, anything at all, but with so many hands there wasn't much room for hers. After all, she only splurged a little bit of the reserve funds on a hundred pounds of meat or so....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:06 pm
✺Forgotten SonOutfit (minus the tacky cross) EC: 100
Hey, hey... What's all this? Don't tell me I'm being put to work.
"All the world to them, innit?" Mentioned the count after a few shuffles in step with Youkimi. "The only thing I wish is that I knew about it in advance. Would've put down the hammer on any crew who didn't come out, yeah?" He chuckled to himself, clearing the sleeves of his impressive forearms with that trademark grin of his.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
The place itself was, in a lot of ways, like Etelan. They were neighbors, after all. Dixon could hear it now. Spring: all the miners pretending to catch up on things other than Zs, those with horses letting them run while they ate in the sunshine, churches absolutely ablaze with marriages. Whether he knew it or not, he was smiling to himself. His head snapped back slowly to Youkimi.
"I hate to be this way, but..." It was at this point, by some table with few cooks circling a ways away, that Youkimi would know exactly what the count was talking about.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Quotes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:35 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
But of course! Whether or not it was truly spring, it was a feeling of it that was yet unrivaled. Youkimi wished to celebrate like this every year, perhaps making it a tradition to leave wherever her home was to enjoy the festivities and to remember the goodness that came to them. The joy of the people. That was the best panacea.
So, yes, she might have put Dixon to work. For some reason, the people were a little more willing to let him help than herself. They should have known Dixon's face for as often as he visited before the mountain's fire. However, now in her lands were people who were originally here and some who were from other lands, whose lords and nobility had never returned. The traitors best remembered were they who fled in haste and who sold out their lands immediately. Their lands, their people, were now brought under Kaishin flag. Even if they returned.... Youkimi had agreed to fight them for the land. So far, there had been no answers.
She stood beside Dixon and turned her attention away from the world about, at least for now. Dixon's tone had changed. Something was wrong..? Her expression shifted to its traditional calm. Still, she was hoping that what he had to say was something she could handle.
"But...?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 7:29 pm
✺Forgotten SonOutfit (minus the tacky cross) EC: 100
"--I think something should be done." He let those words dissolve evenly into the chatter around, making a slippy gesture as though he was speaking about the spread or some tawdry overworked peasant's complaint--"About people like the Mayor, I mean."
"How many times do we have to be thrown underfoot of oncoming stampeding--well, those we're trying to help, get me? Sayeth truth-sayers from all walks: rat-bastards like that are the reason Ethe is in dire straits. Aye--"here he pinched his nose--"I'd shift an eye to search for prints if this was the same man who irked the Volcano to spit death at us; would serve well; I don't want that man around her Grace! Think of if he..." He couldn't. Instead the count thumbed his chin to turn away, fixing his eyes parallel to a ray in this midmorning sun.
════════════════════════════════════════════════════════Quotes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 7:39 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Ahh....... Yes....
The thought of the mayor did not bring happy thoughts for Youkimi, either. Though she didn't say anything in particular while Dixon stated his case, she felt unsettled and unresolved feelings rise within her, somewhere close to anger and to being upset. The mayor, if he was of Ethe, did not seem to behave like a pheonix that belonged to this nation. No, it was implied by the way he sided with Bellris' head chairwoman, it was displayed before the very goddess and soul of Ethe, and there had been no whisper of apology since.
There was a reason she had made no attempt to reach out to him. He didn't seem to be in a position to help, and she doubted that he would be willing to hear her side if he was so under the thumb of Bellris' nobility and hierarchy. She alternatively tightened her hands into fists and steadily relaxed them.
After a moment, she also looked to some obscure middle distance, perhaps to disguise any expression that might have come to her face. She really didn't want to think about it.
"Yes.... and while there might be many suggestions to be made of how this could be accomplished, what would you suggest?" Youkimi folded her arms. This time, she did not hide these arms in any sleeves, but left her hands exposed. Perhaps it was simply a side-effect of this outfit that was not in the style of the open-sleeved robes she normally wore when she was out and about.
"He is in a unique place, protected by his connections." That said, there were other ways to remove people from precarious places where they could be more of a hindrance than a help. But was she the best one to speak of such matters? Her attention was so focused on Ethe and the people in her care that she didn't know very much of the politics and world around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
