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| Too many topics at once? |
| Yup. Stupid girl. |
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| Psh... Naw. |
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| Total Votes : 27 |
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 Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:26 pm
Amara's lungs twisted painfully against her ribs as she realized James had been abruptly slowing his pace to match her own. She glanced at him out of the corner of her almond eyes, resisting the tempting urge to snarl as Diablo hissed threateningly within her ears, as her heartbeat quickened.
Did I draw that much attention to myself?
She could only wonder as James spoke to her, never completely diminishing her guard despite his reassurances of their equality. Amara was fully aware of the sudden weight of her glaive against her back, her fingers prickling to grab hold--yet she steadied herself, convinced her adrenaline-fueled nerves that this was not a confrontation; merely, a little conversation.
At least...that's what we're hoping.
She stood before him, crossing her arms in front of her chest in what she hoped appeared to be a nonchalant gesture, the gem of her necklace cool as ice against her burning skin. What could he possibly want to speak about, besides anything aroused from suspicion? Her own suspicion crawled within her body like a dormant spider as she nodded hesitantly and fought to appear more amiable.
"Yes?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:52 pm
As Rainer entered the town, she did not notice James and Amara slowing to speak. She was too busy trying to envision the blade she would soon get. Isaac himself was so tired and Mimi didn't appear to be paying attention.
Upon entering her room, Rainer sighed. She was dreadfully tired but was more concerned about her hygiene. Grabbing a towel, Rainer headed into the bathroom where she took a quick shower and emerged in a plain white shirt and her uniform skirt. Rainer flopped onto a bed, sighing. The bed wasn't the best in the world, but considering how tired she was, the bed could have been made of chocobo down. Before falling asleep, Rainer sat up and brushed her hair, causing the water in her hair to drip onto the floor. She grimaced and lay down again, this time fanning her hair above her pillow to let it dry. The whiteness of her hair still unsettled her, but didn't really bother her. Her eyes drifted shut and she fell into a dreamless sleep.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:52 am
James smiled as she stopped, taking in every gesture and motion that she made. Amara was nervous, suspicious, and not trusting; it was apparent on every one of her features, and James could see it. It made him question her even more so, although he didn't allow it to be seen. He had the experience, so rather than attempting to hide his emotions and failing, he hide them expertly.
"Don't seem so nervous." It was almost a mocking statement, "I only wished to get to know you. I don't remember your file ever coming up at Galbadia, nor do I remember it appearing in the linked SeeD Database. Every student is required to register there. I admit that it may have been my mistake, but I was curious."
He was lying. Entirely so. When he met Amara and had a name, he immediately brought up her file in his mind. Diablos was her Guardian Force. There was a connection there that most scholars deemed unhealthy, especially since the connection was with one of the few truly dark Guardians. She had a knack for Drawing and using magic, something that not many were skilled with. And her reason for the transfer? She was detached from everyone and everything, except for combat. Everything else about her she keeps secret.
"Take it how you will." James continued once more before she answered, "But I take great care in the safety of my students. If you are going to travel with us, and you are going to be under my care, I wish to be sure that Diablos's rage twisting inside you will not be a problem."
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:29 pm
Don't believe him.
Wings flapped with such momentum against her mind that she could feel its every motion within her skull; Amara drew a breath in slight surprise at James's statement, forcibly ignoring the dark guardian's hissing, threatening snarls of hostility. Diablos was much more a beast than a "human-like" guardian force, his instincts calling immediately for violence and bloodshed--yet she had learned to resist him as a way of atoning for her past mistakes, and he was just as much as within her as she was within him. Almost self-consciously, Amara touched her fingers to the opposite hand of her wrist, the sound of the pulse reflected in her mind as one of a joint heartbeat. As all Guardians, the bestial Force was inside of her, deeper in a way than any vital organ to her body; and yet they had been of similar nature from the very beginning.
In truth, Amara had no idea how to interpret James's claim that her file was not available on the SeeD database--merely because she had no idea of its existence, herself. For a moment she struggled to read the intent behind his eyes with no hostile prejudgments towards the magic pulsing from his body, like an offensive smell to her senses; yet it was too difficult to read the more experienced SeeD.
You don't know if he suspects you as a person. He merely thinks you are an unstable little girl.
The Galbadian could feel Diablos's fanged grin within her, taunting and cruel; she drew odd comfort from its presence and mirrored his smile, albeit one of genuine reassurance rather than mockery.
"Regardless of what you say about my nonexistent file, I am still as much of a SeeD as you or our other companions. Diablos has been junctioned to me for quite some time, and I've handled him deftly so far; why else would I be allowed to have him as my guardian force if I were not mentally capable?"
It was true, in more of a way than she would be willing to tell James, or any of her other traveling comrades outright. She made sure to hide the confusion within her mind, the endless questions of James's extent of knowledge towards her history, her intent. He constantly emanated the strength of a sorceress, after all, enough to make the creature within her coax her to actions she would undoubtedly regret if allowing the guardian total discretion. She didn't underestimate the constant vein of information available to SeeDs of this man's rank, yet wondered just how confidential the nature of such information was at their disposal.
Esthar is close. It's only a matter of time before Galbadia furthers its agenda as it sees fit.
"I assure you, I was a SeeD at Galbadia Garden for quite some time, although I am aware you couldn't simply consult the headmaster himself to prove such information--nor Esthar, for that matter," She replied smoothly, her mind working viciously, "I think it enough that you know that I, like your other students, am just as coherent and capable of handling myself, as well as others. If you feel any sort of hostility from my presence, then..."
If she were not under the visual surveillance of James, Amara would have bitten her lip at that moment. She wanted to say James's very presence itself unnerved her, sent her calm composure into one of viciously controlled resentment--yet she replied without any sort of visible hesitation in the most convincing tone she could muster,
"Know that comes only from Diablos. And it is a rage that I can control. If you do not trust me, I can simply part ways in Esthar. I leave that option open to you."
Her words brought a surge of pain through her bones, as if Diablos were digging his long-fingered nails into her innards. He clearly did not approve of this, and Amara's instincts bid her to travel along with these SeeDs as humanly possible; yet she needed to earn James's trust.
At least, as halfheartedly as she could manage.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:39 pm
Isaac had gone directly to bed, he figured he'd shower when he woke up. Like so many times before, he dive bombed his bed. The moment he fell asleep, the sound of grinding gears filled his head. Alexander was warning him to wake up, he sensed something that didn't belong. But all Isaac could think of was that he forgot to tell James that Alexander had sensed darkness in Amara. "Awaken." A pause, "Awaken." The booming but strained voice of some entity sounded in Isaac's head. But Isaac only rolled in his sleep.
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:09 pm
"Calm yourself, Amara." James cooed, "You've no need to be defensive. I just merely wished to know. You're more than welcome to travel with my students as long as you wish. I merely ask that should they need it that you'll help them. I saw your disdain for Leagh, and the same for Rainer's powers. Plus, I can also tell that you don't like me. Please, just help my students as necessary. That's all I ask."
And James left Amara with a smile, wandering into Town. He needed to pick up some supplies if he was going to travel into the Plains of Esthar. Remedies were a must, of course. Too many foul status ailments could be taken on in the Plains, especially while fighting those cursed Malboros. He'd also stock up on Hi Potions, and maybe buy the workings for a Cottage or two just in case.
There were certain other things that he would stock up on as well. Various combat items were important, mostly the supportive spell stones. Shell, Protect, and Aura stones were not normally purchasable but James had connections after all. Beyond that, he was pretty sure that he didn't need anything.
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:32 pm
Amara did instantly calm herself at James's words; her eyes were still narrowed, however, as she realized he could see through her as clearly as if she were transparent. As he walked away, she studied his retreating form with a scowl. Could he really be so calm, smiling at her when he knew of her instinctive revulsion towards him? Were people of his kind normally so patient?
"How do you gain the trust of others while hiding yourself from them?"
She murmured beneath her breath, her golden eyes gleaming beneath her thick lashes as she lowered her head to the ground, refusing to regard James any other way, even if he heard her quiet question.
She realized with a sudden sickening jolt that the same could be applied to herself. Scowling, Amara followed James at a considerably faster pace into the small town, fighting off any trace of fatigue with her own incredible frustration. It was an unhealthy emotion, one which she rarely felt, as she was naturally a patient person; yet now Diablos practically sank his fangs into her every thought, embittering her usually composed mood. She yearned to steer as clearly away from the sorcerer as physically possible, if only to resist giving away any more unanticipated information from her involuntary actions, like a victim trying desperately to cure his spasming limbs.
Amara scoured the shops half-heartedly, passing over most items save for those that proved to be curative and aids of status ailments. She mentally counted the stock of magic in her inventory, the usual staggering size nothing more than a necessity for the Galbadian, as well as the variety available to her. The restlessness of being in such an idle town with nothing more to do than wait while war ebbed about them began to gnaw at her already frail patience--Amara decided upon renting a room in the nearby Inn in which the others resided, deciding that forcing sleep would be a merciful escape into the horrifically languid hours allotted to them before Esthar.
Sighing, she slumped against her bed, pulling her glaive from its positioning against her back. Squinting eyes examined the staggeringly long size of the pole, the sharp gleam of the curved, crescent-shaped tip. She polished its surface meticulously with a rag, wasting away minutes of methodical care to clear her thoughts before slumping backwards against the inviting sheets.
With Diablos's calm hiss running through her constantly throbbing head, Amara fell into a deep, and--always--dreamless sleep.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:19 am
[I apologize in advance for the inconveniences this will undoubtedly cause, but I must take a temporary leave of absence from everything that is in any way Gaia related. I need to fix a lot of things about myself. I need to relearn a lot of things about myself. I need to fix so many things...mend so many bridges. I can't do that here. I need to figure out how to fix myself, and how to be truly happy with myself, so that anyone else might be able to do the same.
To those it may concern, I apologize. Deep down, you know why. Please, I ask your forgiveness. If you cannot give it now, then please give me time to earn it.
To those of you that it doesn't, please do your best to carry on without me. I don't know how long I'll be away.
Maker Of Tomorrow
Guild Captain of Insert Name Here.]
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:17 pm
(Off to smack and forgive Maker.)
Isaac's eyes snapped open as he rolled off the bed. He hit the floor with only a thump, his face almost flat on the floor. "Ow..." He mumbled as he slowly picked himself up. Knowing that if James was still in the room he had been out all night, if not, he would about already. He knocked softly on the room shared by Rainer and Mimi. "Anyone there awake?" He called slightly. "Weirdest dream last night..."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:50 pm
((It's alright, James. heart Take as much time as you need.))
((By the way...does anyone know where Mimi went off to?))
Amara awoke with a jolt; immediately she swung her legs over the side of the bed, pulling herself up with fluid quickness, her fatigue-glazed eyes sweeping over her surroundings with renewed urgency. Her heart crashed against her ribs in one sweeping moment of panic, having woken up too fast for her brain to adjust from a sudden strange, terribly rare nightmare (she only remembered one dream at most in years); and here she was, standing on the cold, wooden floor, in one piece. She sighed and pulled her arms upward in a shaky stretch, yawning loudly before proceeding to wander into the bathroom, in which she washed her face thoroughly of any traces of exhaustion and made sure she looked decent for the public eye.
If you could call my travel companions "the public eye," with such strange people...
Amara wiped the thought from her mind as she adjusted her slightly wrinkled clothing, checking her mini-dress and long, red duster for durability. The Galbadian usually only had enough gil to spare her a few healing and status ailment potions; she was not equipped properly to buy new clothing if her current outfit tore apart (and any other decent clothing in her wardrobe was mercilessly stashed away in Esthar Garden, awaiting her arrival). The raven and scarlet-haired SeeD smoothed her hair with her fingers, glaive in the opposite hand, as she departed from her room and scanned the halls, finding Isaac nearby.
Slowly, struggling to erase the last few traces of fatigue from her walk, she approached Isaac and regarded him with a nod.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:24 pm
||Gah, I've lost you again, Maker. Ah well, I suppose it's all for the best. Good luck!
By the way, I don't know where Mimi went off to, but after this post I'll PM her. I'll control her for now. Anyone want to take care of James?||
Several hours later, Rainer suddenly rolled over and fell to the floor with a loud THUMP! She groaned. Her whole body ached, though the feeling was only enhanced by her ungraceful fall off the bed. It felt as if someone had lain her in the middle of a train track and let the numerous trains roll back and forth over her.
Why the heck am I so sore? Ughh... I'm so... tired... Rainer blinked sleepily and considered remaining on the floor to continue her rest. However, a knock at the door and someone's voice forced her to get up. Wincing slightly, Rainer adjusted her skirt and shirt to look semi-presentable and headed for the door. Her hair was dry and knotted, but at the moment she didn't care. She quietly slipped past Mimi, who was asleep on her bed.
Leaning heavily against the door frame, Rainer opened the door to see Isaac and Amara outside in the corridor. Rainer grinned at them, too tired to speak.
"Wazgoin..." She frowned, focusing on her words. Slowly, she tried again. "Whaz goin on?" Better, but still strange. She made goin sound like coin.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:52 am
(For now we can have James still buying stuff or he came back and was up already. Gone out to see things.)
Isaac was actually staring at Amara for a moment, his mouth hanging open a very little bit. Trying to recognize her, nodded back before turning to Rainer. "We should go soon. Before too many day creatures get up. I hate messing with Malboros and Adamantoise..." "I wonder where James could be..."
(I actually have a plan for him.)
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:37 am
Amara slanted an ebony brow at the slur in Rainer's words, which would have been comical if it had been Isaac, or anyone else that did not arouse such vehemence from within her. Her face was mirthless as she spoke, quickly recovering from any tired speech of her own with the experience of awakening to tense situations,
"I think it best to follow Isaac's proposal. We should get to Esthar as quickly as possible, perhaps even investigate the Garden's role in the oncoming conflict through any sources we can scrounge."
Of course, she had no idea if Galbadia and Esthar would make their alliance known to even each of its military, let alone the civilians themselves. Officials were obviously poised to attack if approached with the need for such information, as it was utterly secretive. Amara's thoughts raced as she wondered if she could pull a few strings herself, extract information due to her own role in the conflict...
First thing's first. You know where to go immediately when we get to Esthar, and then you can plan any sort of interference with your fellow SeeDlings.
As always, Diablos was right. She watched the others with a stony, apathetic expression, never one to reveal the facial expressions to indicate her constant flow of conversation with the guardian force.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:49 pm
Rainer yawned and nodded in agreement with Amara and Isaac. Amara kind of unsettled Rainer. She was always so cold looking and didn't seem to like Rainer. Sighing, Rainer said, "Lemme get Mimi and I'll get my stuff. I'll meet you two out front."
With a small wave, Rainer closed the door and crossed the room and woke Mimi. The two of them put their things together, straightened themselves out and made their way out. On the way, Rainer returned the keys to the hotel keeper and paid him before exiting.
Sitting out on a bench beside the door, Rainer and Mimi waited for Amara and Isaac.
Where's James? Rainer idly wondered. He'd turn up. He'd follow her anywhere just to make sure she didn't burn anything down, or something along those lines. As she sat there, Rainer stretched and checked her pouch for her items. She had everything. Now she had to wait.
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