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 Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:51 pm
Lucid reached up a hand and gently stroked the breast feathers of the falcon, his gaze drifting over to Seth.
"Even the waters of Anica are protected this close to the land, Seth." he said evenly. "You of all people should know that. I know everything, remember?" He smiled at the man, knowing that Seth had often said as much when he'd first come to the Haven. Any time Seth had been doing something he wasn't supposed to, or not doing what he was, Lucid had caught him. The kid had sword up and down that Lucid had eyes in the very walls of the castle or a crystal ball. Lucid did possess the latter of the two, but rarely used it for spying on those inside the castle. He looked back at the bird sitting happily on his shoulder and grinned.
;I have been well, though a bit more tired than usual.; he said. ;Are the waters of the sea still so treacherous?;
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:10 pm
Carefully stepping down from Lucids shoulder, Talon moved delicately, one small step at a time. His talons were blade sharp and sliced easily, he had no wish to hurt the man who had made his bonded pretty much.
"Very much so...now more than ever, perhaps that is why Seth has felt the need to return to you. Something troubles him though he does not speak of it to me. Danger seems to be hovering everywhere including here at the Haven. To be a hunter st such a time is a dangerous thing.: Talon once again looked back at Lucid as he spoke, his tone almost sad.
Seth's easy smile stayed in place as he watched his falcon very carefully lift from Lucids arm and into the air, his long wings catching the current and lifting him higher in direction of the castle.
"I know...the waters push intruders away from home, though they never were good enough to keep me at bay." he teased though as he drew closer to Lucid his smile faded.
"You look tired Master." Seth answered falling into the old title he'd called Lucid though it was no longer required.
"That is rare, there was never often a time when you let fatigue show and when it did, it was usually my fault." With a casual shrug that was a habit he had picked up from too much time spent with Gabriel in his younger years, Seth sighed, holding up his hands.
"Not my fault this time...I haven't been here to wreak havoc on your life." he hoped to get a smile out of his master but wasn't sure he would succeed. He could literally count on one hand the number of times he had seen Lucid weary and every single time it scared the s**t out of him.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:21 pm
Lucid turned and started back up the path, motioning for Seth to follow.
"The Haven has become quite busy in the past few days. Arjay is here, along with Gabriel." he said quietly, not bothering to hide his fatigue. "But now we also have several strays. A dempire, his companion; whom I believe to be a Terran or a descendant thereof, an Elf of sorts, a human and another female by the name of Lyra, who I rescued from hunters on my own land." He paused for a moment to glance back at Seth. "It has become quite crowded, considering the normal residents are myself and the rats in the wine cellar."
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:31 pm
"I can tell. Though I am surprised you convinced Gabriel to leave your side even if only for a short amount of time." Seth answered and struggled to try to take everything in. He frowned and tilted his head, thinking hard.
"Arjay....I think I recall him. The one who called me a worthless whelp and yet still claimed that I had potential all in the same breath?" he asked, though granted he had been grateful fro the few lessons he had gotten from the other ancient. And they had been few and far in between with Lucid always there to run interference if necessary. If he remembered correctly it had something to do with Arjays sword though the entire situation had never been explained to him. He did recall that there had never once been an incident though and Arjay's words as he left the Haven. Your lucky kid, Hiro..something or other must have a liking for you. He couldn't recall the name, nor did he know what the man had meant, as he'd been only sixteen the first and last time he had seen him. That had been several centuries ago now.
"Lyra....you didn't tell me what race she was, so I take you expect me to remember her?" he asked hesitantly racking his brain though he could recall neither a feminine voice or face other than Kira in his memory.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:43 pm
Lucid sighed.
"Arjay is the man that gave the lessons in swordsmanship and told you that you had potential, yes." he said. "Gabriel does what I tell him, nothing less. He went and socialized for a few centuries. I must say, though, it did nothing to change him any..he is still the same submissive that left me." He stepped back up to the cliff edge, walking along it toward the castle. I just recently rescued Lyra, so no, you wouldn't remember her at all."
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:51 pm
"Rescued her? Picking up yet another stray Lucid?" he asked with a slight grin. The grin faded after a moment when he once again studied the tired eyes of his mentor. To him Lucid had always seemed invincible...though he guessed that was how most people viewed their heroes. Though he never let on that he had thought of Lucid that way, knowing that the ancient would be mortified at the very thought.
"Is she a vampiress?" he asked out of simple curiosity. He frowned as they walked toward the back end of the castle. He knew he had something to tell Lucid as well as show him, he was just trying to think of what it was. Sticking his hands in his pockets he felt the crumpled edge of a parchment and his frown deepened. The paper reminded him of one of the reasons he had moved home, and swiftly, though surely it could wait until his master was more rested. He didn't seem as though he could take any more weight on his shoulders for the moment.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:05 pm
Lucid nodded. He had picked up several strays, or so it seemed to him. The list of concerns in his mind was growing. He still had yet to find the person responsible for Lyra being hunted. Then there was Arjay and his problem with Hiratoshi. He still had yet to find out why the others were there. He suddenly wished he could simply crawl into a hole and die. Upon reaching the castle doors, he pushed them open and went inside, leaving them open for Seth. "Come sit and have a drink with me, boy." he said, heading for the pale light of the bar.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:25 pm
The haven had changed little, Seth noted as he strode the the narrow hallway that led to the back end of the castle. The entrance hall was a grand affair but enter from any other door and the hallways were narrow until you moved further from the door. Seth had wondered even as a child if Lucid had done that on purpose. The stirring of the air around him was the only warning Seth had to duck as his head as Talon glided through the doorway with a graceful dive. Crying out a warning, Talon danced easily around Lucid's head, and led the way, his eyes studying the two below him. There was little to no need to search for danger within the walls of the castle.
:You see what I mean? Something weighs on his mind.: Talon hesitated for a long moment before deciding to ask. :You are weary ancient one but it is not your pet or friend that pulls on your mind so heavily. Nor is it the other strays, as you have already assured yourself that they only seek sanctuary. It is the girl who you wish to protect?: the question was phrased like a statement but Talon knew he did not always read Lucid correctly, just most of the time.
Seth simply followed from a distance, things indeed were weighing on his mind and he was wondering just how much of them he should share with lucid if any. he did not wish to add stress to the already gathered mound that Lucid seemed to be dealing with. He was starting to think that perhaps now had not been a good time for him to return home.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:34 pm
Lucid smiled slightly stepping into the pale glow of the violet neons that lit the bar. He moved behind the bar and took a bottle of Bloodwyne from the back shelf. Grabbing a goblet from under the bar, he uncorked the bottle.
"Want anything in particular while we talk about that weight on your chest?" he asked, pouring the dark liquid into the goblet.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:46 pm
Talon let his laughter echo in Lucid's mind.
:Silence is often the best answer....and the most revealing. You should know that ancient one...you are the one who taught it to Seth: Deciding to leave matters alone for the moment, he flew into the bar and landed easily on one of the many rafters, grateful for the support. He was also weary but for now, he could keep watch while the two hunters attempted to relax.
Seth strode after Lucid and shook his head.
"God how can you stand that stuff?" he asked, sickened. He had tried it, despite Lucid warning him not to. He had been fourteen and cocky as hell. He had given Lucid hell as well, testing the boundaries that had been set. Almost daring Lucid to give up and dump him back on the streets. The vampire hadn't though, for reasons that continued to elude Seth, Lucid had stuck by him. The wine had left a bitter almost coppery taste in his mouth and his stomach had rebelled, though he had forced himself to drink two whole bottles of the s**t. And Lucid had let him, though he would have known he was doing it, he had spies in the castle, Seth was still sure of it. He gotten sicker than a dog and had thrown up all over Lucid and his weapon during training later that day. Lucid's only words were that he would know better next time and to get the hell back on his feet. Sick or not, whether he wanted to or not, he was going to learn how to defend himself. And I had, Seth thought now with a slight smile as he poured himself a jack and coke, in fact he'd learned all too well.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:54 pm
Lucid grinned, lifting the goblet to his lips and taking a long drink. He knew that even the smell bothered Seth, as well it should. Bloodwyne was a very acquired taste and most that didn't drink blood already didn't try to acquire it. After all, it was made with blood.
"I happen to enjoy Bloodwyne, Seth. It isn't my fault that you don't." he said, casting the kid a glance. He then sat on one of the many stools that lined the bar. "Now, tell me what's on your mind, so that I may offer my advice on the matter."
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:59 pm
Sighing, Seth sank onto a stool and shook his head.
"it's nothing Lucid, nothing that can't wait anyhow. I trust that Gabriel is well then?" he asked, hoping to defer Lucid's attention off of the matter at hand. he wasn't ready to put more strain in the eyes of his mentor just yet. In fact, Seth thought bitterly, I might not at all, if I didn't think Lucid would have my hide if he found out I knew something and didn't warn him ahead of time. Taking a sip of his drink, he thought about the best course of action to take and ending up hitting one dead end after another.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:07 pm
Lucid watched his pupil with interest, then gave in and allowed the change in subject.
"Gabriel is well enough. He still wears my collar." he said with a shrug. "And lots of leather." He had only ever seen his pet in regular clothing once, and that had been when he'd very first met him. Ever since then, Gabriel had always been wearing leather in some form. "I'm a bit worried about the situation with Lyra. I killed the men on my land that were after her, but there are more..and if the first batch weren't good enough, they'll start sending immortals." he said quietly. "We may have to go hunting."
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:18 pm
Closing his eyes Seth gave in and downed his drink in one long quick gulp.
"I don't know if that's a good idea just yet. I came home for a reason. Someone is paying and paying well for any information anyone can give them on the inhabiter's of this area. Who they are, who their families are, what their weaknesses are. It's not pretty, and the information they want is solely based on the area of the mountains and the plains...and the Haven. I also found this, I wasn't sure if it was connected but the last place they had her known at was the plains, so I grabbed it." he pulled the folded parchment from his pocket and carefully unfolding it, laid it on the bar top. On it was a careful and detailed sketch of a young woman with an odd marking on her forehead. The writing was simple and too the point. They wanted her alive and anyone that could bring her to them that way would be very rich men if they weren't already. The reward was dangerously high, almost o the point of being ridiculous but not quite. It was high enough to make men greedy and even ones who already had money yearn for the challenge. but low enough that hunters wouldn't shrug it off as some sort of scam. Whoever had posted it knew what they were doing and knew it well.
"I tried to get a meeting, sniff out what I could, but the man I met with when I contacted them to let them know I was interested, in finding the girl, was an immortal...a powerful one at that. I couldn't pick up a damn thing Lucid, Talon couldn't even. he felt like you on a very bad day. It worried me, worried me enough that i decided to come home and check on things." he muttered.
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Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:25 pm
Lucid stared at the picture. Lyra stared back at him. They had captured her quite well, he noted. The hadn't gotten the mark on her forehead quite right though. Points for them. The only problem was, they knew she was here in the Haven. Which, in turn, put everyone within it's walls at risk. Great.
"That's her, Seth." he said, tapping the picture. "That's Lyra." He pushed the picture away and lay his head down on the bar top. "What am I going to do?"
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