Welcome to Gaia! ::

(People were rolling to heal?
Started with 6/50... +16=22/50
Also pre voice)

Acerium woke back up feeling warm and fuzzy in a lovely bath. Last she remembered she had been asleep in her bouquet outside. Somebody must have dragged her into here, dunked her in a few times... She hadn't woken up. Well! She must have been out!
She washed herself off and dressed in the clothes that were (slightly rumpled) near her.
oooooo... these were nice.
Someone prodded her. She still felt groggy... but better.
"oh, uh... hmm? Oh." Right. The emperor. In the gold kingdom. Funny how used she was to this already...
She wondered what he wanted.
"Oh! Yes. Of course." Diplomacy!
But she still needed tea... DIPLOMACY CAME FIRST.
She at least got herself decent before scurrying off to answer the emperors summons, but she was still her slightly disorganized self when she went before the emperor.
"You wanted to see me, your eminence?"
Was this about the flowers? She hoped so! She was proud of those flowers.

The Voice's words were chilling, on two fronts. They were now marching to battle, and a war was unavoidable. It stirred an uneasiness in the pit of Kiwi's stomach, but was nothing compared to the thought of just what the Voice might be. He was used to war, being a warrior himself after all. But being called upon by the enemy itself-

He touched the fan to his lips a moment. For now, best to wait and see. Either way war was coming, and they must do their best not to become a desolate kingdom. His eyes flickered towards the others gathered. Imryn was here, but where were Lifen, Lan, and Shaheen?? ...

As quietly and unnoticed as he could manage, Kiwi backed into the crowd and began towards the bath area on a hunch. After all, that was practically where he had found the Silvers. Perhaps he would find them relaxing there as well.

Two sacrifices.

While Mei's head was still reeling from valley, the Voice made her head pound even worse. This feeling she hoped would subside and quickly.

Still, while loyal to her kingdom she...really didn't want to die. A noble gesture really to lay down one's life, but she felt like she could do so much more for her kingdom. Who knew what future need it would need from her?

She kept silent until the Emperor spoke.

Mjoll was standing there a few garments left in her hands wondering if anyone else would need them when the voice chimed out. There was a small twitch when she heard what the voice had to say.

They wanted volunteers to be .... well she closed her eyes and sighed, she hadn't had a chance to change yet or tidy up however. There was another in the crowd that offered as well.

Mjoll's eyes moved over to Scarlett. There was a small sigh as she had set down the last of the clothing and was now playing with the braid of her hair, undoing it slowly. "Your Majesty, I volunteer as well. You shouldn't have to go out on the battlefield. As a crafter the only use you have of me is my armor and weapons all which can be found in the basement of my shop."

She dropped her half undone braid and took her shop's key from around her neck - dangling on a golden chain. "I ask that if you need them use them, they are the best that I could've possibly made. This way, you have both a sacrifice and the armor that you need."

"A game?" Kashi looked disheartened and lost in thought for a moment. "Perhaps, it started out as one."

A familiar game, to him. Pick up a toy, play with it for a short time then abandon it; never to pick it up again. Everything with Molan had started out the same way. But those plans were interrupted when both the emperor and the Voice had interrupted his plans. He ended up chasing after Molan, into the labyrinth. He made a deal to keep him close, teased him and wound up not wanting to leave him behind. 'Anyone else.' He'd of walked away after breezing through the first zone. He let out a sigh and met Molan's gaze with a steady one.

"Imagine spending so long in a realm full of the most flawless pearls. Each one is so brilliant and stunning. But each time you hold one you see another one. Then you hold that one and there is yet another! As far as I can remember this place has been full of pearls." He pressed his forehead, lightly, against Molan's. "But today... Today, a diamond fell right out the sky. It's something I've never seen, nor held before. I can see straight through it so clearly and my god, does it shine! But it's edges are sharp. After holding so many rounded pearls, it's a little difficult trying to figure out how to hold this diamond without cutting myself, and leaving it stained and less brillia--"

Kashi paused and looked to the sky for a moment. The Voice rang out. Black Kingdom had fallen and a battle was on the horizon. He looked back to Molan and stood silently. His grip on the sash had weakened and he was no longer holding the other closely. Kashiyoru seemed to be falling into deep thought.

Was anything truly every more important than that? Bastion paused at the turn of phrase, second guessing his boldness, but the surge of desperation pushed him forward. No, this was because they were going to save the King. This was why he had to do this, now. Their lives weren't theirs anymore - and if he was going to give his up so easily, he was going to make sure he had no more regrets.

He pulled her away far enough to speak privately, and tried not to stare flatly at her for the agitation in her voice. Even now, did she have to hate him so much? Yes, apparently she did. He grit his teeth, and ducked his head, whispering with a serious intensity that he really wasn't known for.

"Did you mean what you said? Before. When you.. you know. In the tower." He'd had this all planned out in his head, but he was still faltering at the words. "About if.. if I wasn't an a**."

He waited at the other spoke, a frown on of concern on his face. He didn't particularly enjoy hearing that it had been a game to begin with. Though it also held meaning that it no longer was? As disheartening it was to hear the initial bit, but at the same time he appreciated hearing the truth. For wouldn't he thought less of Kashi if he'd lied or tried to cover things up with deceit.

He likely didn't realize that, perhaps choosing gemstones for the jeweler was a bit too fitting. It, was also quite touching. For a day that had been nothing but loss, grief, pain, and uncertainty... at least this much was good. Perhaps enough to make up for everything else. He was only able to smile as the other's forehead leaned against his after a moment, not yet having a chance to speak. And it would seem that he never would, as the sort of dazed and happy stare was interrupted by the ever present and clear Voice calling out to them. Declaring the end of such.

Black had fallen. A battle was to be fought. It truly would be war.

He had looked to the heavens at the voice, before turning back to the other man sadly, brows knit with concern. There was little way this would end well. He was aware he knew little of fighting, but all would go. If not, they were a sacrifice. Death seemed to shine from all angles. All he could hope for was luck at this point. How sad, finding something wonderful only to have it stolen away. "I... too do not wish to lose what I have found." He replied, somewhat shaken and dumbfounded on what to say. He didn't want this, not right after that. Why.

He looked sadly at the other, offering a pathetically weak smile at that point before he placed one of his hands over, Kashiyoru's. "I do not wish to see your death, nor any others. However... particularly..." He briefly leaned closer to the other man, eyes closing momentarily before he gently kissed him. A brief, short matter of seconds of bliss before he drew back again. He shook his head before taking a step back, gathering the sash and tying it in place. "What I say, I say with hope for your safety." With that, he cast a rather sorrowful look before turning to see if he could find the king.

If their king so chose the path of sacrifice, he would gladly fall before the blade before he watched any he cared for do the same. If it would mean protecting Kashiyoru, he was happy to die first.

"Your Eminence, if that is the path you should desire, I too will volunteer. I offered myself in any way that would be of use and I stand by that. Use me as you would." He bowed his head lightly, after speaking his piece, not daring to raise his head for a moment for fear of showing any weakness on his face. He didn't want to die, that was far from it. He just didn't wish to see the end of those he held dear.