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 Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:40 pm
I N T R O D U C T I O N x S O L O
My Broken Strings "Your sisters look like they could use some attention." Calm, patient pools of blue tilted up to where Roseryn stood nearby, hovering over his mother with crossed arms and a bored, expectant expression. When Perennis' son allowed himself the luxury of gazing off toward where his two younger siblings chased each other across the garden, the corners of the elder woman's lips drew up in the faintest amusement. "It looks like you have a few minutes, Roseryn, and you know Iris has been desperate for your affection of late. Go on."
He perched forward, just barely balanced on the balls of his feet as his dark lavender eyes trailed after them. If it were Roseryn's choice, the game would really be on. However- "Father would not be pleased," came the rumble of his pre-adolescent drawl.
As he watched, the elder of the girls, Dahlia, took a sharp twist and fled within the shelter of two overhanging trees. Rose's brows pinched together as he spotted a boy- a mirror image of Dahlia, waiting just on the other side, concealed behind one of the trunks. Amaryllis sent his twin a wide grin as Lia slipped into a crouch behind the opposing tree. When the smaller five-year-old, Iris, turned to chase her sister, she was abruptly sent toppling to her face as the twins tripped her with a stretch of hidden rope.
Perennis hummed softly as she tended to the plants in her garden, back to the antics of her children. "If your father told you to eat dragon stool, would you?"
Lavender eyes grudgingly tipped away from the scene, lips pinched together in distaste as Lia and Lis helped Iris to her feet and soothed her for the mistake they had caused. They'd had no reason to hurt her. She only wanted to play with them. "I can't help but think it's unlikely Father would request such a thing of me, but-"
"But would you, if he ordered it?"
Roseryn's lids dipped a fraction, the corners of his eyes bunching in annoyance. "Of course not, but-"
Perennis daintily pulled the dirt-stained gloves from her fingers, setting them aside so she could rest her hands in her lap and turn her undivided attention up to her son's face. "It isn't so different. You don't want to eat dragon feces, so you shouldn't. You want to play with your siblings, so you should. And if you want to garden with your mother, you shouldn't be afraid that your father will punish you for getting dirty." Rose opened his mouth to argue against every point that was presented, but Perennis cut him off abruptly. "If he told you to hurt them, would you?"
The way her lashes dipped to dust over her cheeks and the way her posture slumped just a fraction had Rose's own shoulders dipping. "It's vastly different," he murmured, crouching down to be nearer to her without actually letting anything more than his feet touch the ground. "And no, I wouldn't."
She didn't look back to him. "Where do you draw the line?"
"I'm sorry?"
"When does it become acceptable to follow your own path, instead of his?"
Rose sighed softly, leaning lightly against his mother's shoulder and briefly allowing himself to settle his head against her arm. "When it's more beneficial to do so. ...Or maybe just when I really don't what to do what he's asking." Rose shrugged.
"Oh, my sweet son." Perennis' arms wound around the smaller boy's shoulders, tugging him to her bosom with a soft yelp of complaint from Rose. Her fingers petted down the thick mane of his red curls as her lips moved to dust against the top of his head. "Don't let anyone dictate your future. Especially not-"
"Roseryn."
Perennis' grip tightened around her son's shoulders in what he could only assume was possession. With his face smashed into the fabric at her collarbone, he could feel the unappreciative rumble of, "-your father," as it hissed out through her lips.
With some difficulty, Rose squirmed into enough freedom that he could turn and peer up at his old man out of the corner of his eye. "If you find yourself suddenly lacking in things to do, perhaps you'd feel so inclined to join Aster in the courtyard? When it's convenient for you, of course." The tone was pointedly clipped, cold, challenging. Daermo loomed over them like a shadow of haunting disapproval. Because while he expected this sort of nonsense from his wife, it wasn't tolerated in Rose.
Slowly, Roseryn raised his arms to seek out his mother's hands. With a gentle pat of reassurance, his fingers closed around hers and slowly disattached them from his frame. "I won't," he promised in a low murmur as he rose to his full height.
He spun on his heel, turning to face his father with nothing even remotely akin to abashment or apology. "I decided my time was better spent ensuring the success of Mother's garden, rather than waiting for Aster to prepare himself. If he's finally found his way out of the house, I suppose it would be rude to keep him waiting." With a dip of his head in farewell to his father and an inconspicuous flick of his fingers across his mother's shoulder to reassure her, Rose strolled out of the gardens, off to meet Aster in the courtyard for their daily fencing match.x
x
Results: Mum needs her reassurances, too.
Word Count: 900
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Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 5:49 pm
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy Sister's Sweet Escape Out of the goodness of my soul, I decided to go out on a limb and take my little sister on an adventure. Her frailty means she isn't allowed to leave the grounds often, even less often without appropriate supervision (which I doubt is something I'm considered to be). But Iris is a sweet girl. She longs for freedom, and is a bit of a daydreamer. Being cooped up doesn't suit her. And it certainly doesn't have a positive impact on her mood.
Since no one else seems to see that, I took it upon myself. Before the sun had a chance to rise, I led her out to a glade filled with vinara, snow insects. She was instantly taken with them. More so than I gave her credit for, apparently. They might have been just bugs to me, but to her, they were something else - something that's life held some sort of value.
I didn't see it. Still not entirely sure I understand it. But when I... ended one of them against the steel of my blade, Iris became quite offended. She must see herself in these small, short-lived creatures, bound to the snow as they are. And somewhere in her mind, attacking them was like hurting her (ludicrous as that is). Of course, Iris would defend anything harmless and innocent, anyway. And while I don't care for the bugs, I do care about my sister and her well-being. If it keeps her at ease to let the creatures be, then I shall.Results: +53 EXP, +1 LUK, +5 LUK EXP
Word Count: 1830
JR Word Count: 254
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Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 5:52 pm
C O L L E G E x O F x S O R C E R Y x S O L O
My Forced Enrollment "Come, little adventurers!"
Roseryn scowled, his eyes narrowing to dark lavender slits as he glowered after the awkwardly lanky Peisio man. "How could anyone think of this as anything more than a pointless exercise?" He hissed to Quince as the two of them (along with some other dozen random children, much to Roseryn's distaste) followed after one of the instructors of the College of Sorcery. Needless to say, Rose didn't make an effort to keep the disdain off his face.
"Oh, stop making a fuss," Quince hummed, crossing his arms behind his head and peering up through the smooth, moist rocks that surrounded Calleth's Cove. "I had to really argue to convince Father to permit us to join the expedition. It would be fun, if you'd just let it."
The older sibling grumbled again, plucking absently at a red curl that dipped over his shoulder. "We could've come by ourselves," he complained. "And it would've been quiet and peaceful and serene. We even could've come with a party of scholars, expert mages that would have more to share than..." His gaze traveled over to the alleged professor, watching as he plucked the threads of his magic to shower the more thrill-seeking children in a blanket of mist to cool their overly-eager antics. "...the class pet, over here."
Quince shrugged. "Ithric is a scholar. And a well-liked and respected one at that. Not by you, obviously," he added at his brother's grimace. "But kids love him because he's interesting, fun, and doesn't dwell on unimportant aspects for too long. Parents appreciate the care he puts into trying to hold their youngster's attention long enough to learn something and that he's easy-going and doesn't overburden children with useless, menial tasks. Scholars approve of the fact that he'll literally try to approach any new material, dangerous, boring, or otherwise. He's easy to work with and doesn't mind a challenge, so long as he's kept engaged. If you think about it, he's the opposite of our father in every way. That's something you should be able to get behind."
Rose sneered. "He's careless, thoughtless, and he quits when he doesn't succeed. He isn't a noble or even high-classed. He doesn't possess any talents that any other Peisio doesn't have. He receives praise and respect for things he doesn't deserve. It's actually sickening." To be fair, Rose didn't know that much about the man, or at least, not as much as Quince had opted to learn. All he did know, was that there were other people more deserving of admiration than some lackluster Peisio child-man.
Especially one that could so easily lump nobles like Rose an Quince into a mass of other disgusting, shrieking children without a second thought.
Fortunately, the younger lad didn't mind. he gave Roseryn's shoulder a nudge. "You'd be much happier if you could just ignore things that upset you so much. Never mind how much happier you'd be if you weren't enraged by such trivial matters." The younger lad stripped off his shirt, shoving it into his brother's arms as he slipped down toward the water, where the professor and other children were already gathered. "Anyway, I really do want to hear about Peisio magic. I have no intention of waiting as long as you to choose my clan, so I may as well gather intel now. Come or stay as you please-" He toed off his boots, nudging them back across the ground and away from stray splashes. "-but for the god's sake, try not to look so demure."
Rose's interest in anything that happened near the water was exceedingly minimal, and he spent the better part of the 'lesson' (if something guided by such a useless piece of Dovaa trash could be called that) inspecting cracks in rocks and the tiny flightless green insects that inhabited them. Listening to anything from Ithric was the last thing he wanted to do.x
x
Results: Met Ithric.
Word Count: 652
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:22 am
O R P x R E F L E C T I O NBreath of Winter Ayr was even more inhospitable than I imagined. The snow was thick and the wind was harsh, and the rock cliffs were dangerously close in every direction. That's not to say I couldn't handle it. I'm more than capable of enduring and overcoming a little bit of cold weather. Of course, the effort should have been unnecessary, except our dear father decided to take all the hastar with him when he gallivanted off to start the hunt early. Why it seemed like a good idea to leave a bunch of children to scale the mountain paths alone, I'll never understand.
We did, of course, with no trouble, but it still seems wildly rude to make us traipse the distance on foot. He was supposed to travel and hunt alongside the Orderite, Wymrith, but our father's competitive nature got the better of him, and he was off before the Orderite hunting party could join in, leaving us to approach the unfamiliar campsite alone.
As expected, we encountered Laesara, though seeing her with a peasant boy was both unexpected and unwelcome. It's one thing to have servants, and another matter entirely to treat the people beneath you like friends. For all her upbringing, Laesara is an odd girl.Results: Met Laesara and Malikai.
Word Count: 797
JR Word Count: 206
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:24 am
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NTo Hunt the Wind Our goal on Ayr was to join in the festivities of the hunting. And though Father left us behind, we weren't willing to call it quits just yet. Aster and Iris remained back at the Orderite camp, while the rest of us (Laesara and her 'squire' included) set out into the snowy mountainous wilds of Ayr. Our haster, of course, were taken off with Father, so we had to resort to using Orderite beasts.
We trekked along for a while, nabbing small, mundane creatures. I suppose they were still more volatile than the ones we find on the Plane, but overall, I expected something more... ferocious than a few flying reptiles. I couldn't help but think the fuereches would make a good pet for Iris... They're small, cute, warm, feathery. She would've appreciated them, if I'd allowed her to join.
I didn't though, thankfully, because soon we were swarmed by dragons! My first real sighting, I must admit. They weren't as large as I expected them, and Quince and I were able to fend off one on our own, so they must not be terribly powerful either. Or at least not so powerful that untried children couldn't take them out on their first attempt. Kind of sad, really. They must've been too much for Laesara, though. She was separated from us during the hunt, somehow. I guess she made it back alright. I didn't really care one way or the other.Results: +26 EXP, +5 LUK, +3 Ayrala Dragon Orbs, +6 Fire Feathers
Word Count: 1500
JR Word Count: 241
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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 10:06 am
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy Express Ticket Somewhere in the back of my mind, I realize I should be wary of what I've agreed to do. This whole letter business is more than just a little suspicious. Why couldn't Aster just have it now? Why is it necessary for him to be on Serenia? Why did Quince even say he could come? These are all things that should baffle me; things that I should want answers for. But I don't. It's Aster's problem, and I'm only in it for the chance to see a new place.
Of course, more suspicious things keep piling up, and I basically go out of my way to ignore them. These guards around our lands. What are they for? Why are they here constantly? As far as I know, we don't keep anything of irreplaceable value here, and these soldiers aren't doing much to help with upkeep.
I know something is wrong here. I know it. I just can't say what or why or for how long... Maybe I'll get to the bottom of this. Or maybe I'll just continue to ignore it until more clues present themselves.Results: +75 EXP, +4 LUK, +1 LUK EXP, +2 Dunkel Wing, +1 Etched Coin, +8 Sharp Claw
Word Count: 1584
JR Word Count: 186
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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:49 am
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy Road Ahead Quince and I spent the morning gallivanting off in the Serenian forests. The day started with promise, very relaxing. Sure, Cici got his jabs in at me, but I can't begrudge him that. Well, I mean, I could, and I might've at first, but he needs his space to be himself too. And if that involves uttering such foul language at his closest sibling, well, I guess I can allow it. They're just words. Not really hurting anything. Besides, he really seemed to be enjoying himself.
It... can be difficult at home sometimes. I like to think I'm above needing to be away, but Quince doesn't want to live beneath those stifling restrictions on a constant basis. He's to... nice to follow in the same footsteps as my father and I. And I think he'll find someplace more suited to him before long.
But unfortunately, our trip to the forest didn't end on the same positive note we'd started on.Our return brought forth the fact that Aster had found the letter we were to deliver to him. I don't know what I expected the contents to hold, but I never would've thought Father would be so brazen, so hateful as to disown his own blood. It seems unthinkable. Aster may not be as strong-willed as the rest of us, but... he's my brother, and I didn't want to see him run off the way he did.Results: +88 EXP, +5 LUK, +1 Etched Coin, +16 Sharp Claw
Word Count: 1629
JR Word Count: 237
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 12:07 pm
D E V E L O P M E N T A L x S O L O
My Incentive "Stay here." Embryl fixed the two remaining boys with a stony grey stare, settling a hand on each of their shoulders to be sure he had at least a portion of their attentions. "I'm going to head back to the Plane tonight, and discuss this seemingly rash decision with your father." Aster had stormed from the house in a flurry, leaving his bewildered siblings alone with their Ayralan caretaker. Neither Rose nor Quince understood what precisely had transpired during their few short hours away in the Serenian woodlands, but it didn't appear to be anything positive.
Quince's brows furrowed as his head dipped, lips parting in an accusatory question, "You didn't know?" He demanded tartly. Embryl was Daemo's most trusted companion. If their father really had planned this to any degree, Embryl should've known about it. But he seemed surprised, distressed even. "You didn't know that the only reason we were allowed to go was so that we could abandon our brother out here in the forests?"
"He's not being abandoned," the man snapped. "I'll see to that. But, no... This is the first I've heard of it..." He sounded genuine, at any rate. And as much as Rose hated to admit it, the guy had been with them for as long as he could remember. He treated each child with respect and dignity, and for all that Roseryn hated Embryl for not truly being a part of the family, it was plain enough that the Ayralan loved the boys like his own flesh and blood.
"And now you're just going to leave us here by ourselves?" Rose muttered out in irritation. He crossed his arms with a huff, despite knowing there wasn't much else to be done about it.
Embryl released the pair with a roll of his eyes, stepping back toward the kitchen to pluck his coat from a nearby chair. "You aren't helpless, pitiful children. You know how to use a ferry, and you know how to defend yourselves. If I wanted to be rid of you, I'd see you all dead, not abandoned near the focal city of the Orderites. But I don't imagine the conversation going well if Deamo does see Aster before I speak with him, and I don't think it's right to leave the lad here by himself. That's the only reason I'm leaving you two behind. For his sake."
Quince trailed after him like a lost puppy, tagging after the elder man as he donned his clothes, weapons, and boots. "What will happen if you can't convince-...?"
"It's not even worth considering," Embryl rumbled. "Regardless of your father's choices, I will not let anything bad happen to him. Aster hasn't done anything worth this punishment."
"You're going to leave right now?"
"The sooner this is resolved, the better." Embryl sheathed a dagger in the side of his boot and rose, taking brisk, heavy steps toward the door. "I'm counting on you to find him and see to it that he's appropriately consoled. I know you aren't... terribly familiar with the terrain, and I know some of you-" He might have shot a pointed look Roseryn's way. "Don't get along as well with others as you should. But he's still your brother, and he needs you more than you know."
He grabbed a pack and slipped it over his shoulder, making his way out with the two children's close at heel. "I can't promise an exact time on my return, but it will be as quickly as I can manage. Until then, please, please stay together and try not to antagonize anyone. Roseryn." It was within minutes that he was off, with Rose and Quince headed out in another direction to locate their elder brother.x
x
Results: Embryl sets off, leaving Rose and Quince to search for Aster.
Word Count: 622
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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 11:43 am
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy Dear Brother After Embryl left us, we headed back into the forests in search of Aster. I wouldn't have imagined him going so far, and I certainly doubted we'd return empty-handed. I know he's more familiar with the area than either Quince or myself, but was he really so upset that he would abandon us straightaway? Admittedly, I don't know how I'd respond to being disowned (not that I'm likely to do anything that would merit such a response), but... I imagine it isn't easy. It's losing your name. A piece of yourself. Everything about my life would change on a coin, and... I don't suppose I'd be too thrilled, either.
Still, he left poor Quince in such a state. Cici is strong in his own right; loyal, dependable, honest, and forthright. But Aster put too much on him, by shouting and fleeing like that. Cici doesn't want to see anyone hurt, and Aster's (and Father's to a heavier extent) took their toll on him.
When we returned to the cabin, I just... hugged him. There was nothing to say and nothing to do, so I just hugged him. We don't know what's happening in the under-workings of things. But there's definitely something going on that we need to be made aware of. Until tomorrow, I'll simply have to try and comfort him.Results: +74 EXP, +3 LUK, +13 Garghon Feather, +3 Nocturnal Fur
Word Count: 1053
JR Word Count: 221
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:25 pm
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy First Trip Everything sort of happened in a blur after Aster returned. I'm still not entirely sure why he came back when he did... Or why he came back at all. Maybe he was worried for us? Or maybe he'd hoped Embryl was still here? Embryl could've done something... More than we could've, anyway. Aster told me everything; everything that he knew. He told me how our family had garnered so much status and how little regard Father- Daemo actually has for us.
Very, very little apparently.
We're next to worthless. All expendable, all tools, all means to achieve something for him. It's actually quite disgusting. He'd planned to have Aster killed for knowing so much and being so useless, but... I'm not even all that fond of Aster. I have no idea why this happened, or how I got dragged into it, or why I'm the one that ended up... being... attacked!
I haven't done anything, and I can't keep doing this! My body hurts, I can't see straight, everything is heavy, I'm breathing but not, and I... I think I'm really going to die. I'm going to die on some spit of Serenian land next to my two brothers and no one is going to be able to do anything about it! I- I don't want to die!
[Roseryn is incapacitated and unable to continue.]Results: +168 EXP, +2 LUK, +8 LUK EXP
Word Count: 3033
JR Word Count: 225
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 7:04 pm
C L A N x S O L O
My Most Horrible Things He could see his breath as smokey blue tendrils escaping from his lips. Or at least, Rose thought he could. They were small wisps, like fairies; cute and innocent, and they danced. They had wiry little fingers and legs, and they zipped in close to his face, tapped his nose, and whispered silly, nonsensical things like, 'Your blood is black, Bud!' and 'Little Leafa, step toward the sky with me.' Despite the harmlessness of their antics, Rose wished they'd settle on a name for him.
'Leafa' was cute, but 'Bud' reminded him of nipples. He didn't want anyone to mistake him for a n****e. As one of the flyaway creatures ghosted over his face, he raised his hand to stop her and politely inform her of his decision. He didn't like 'Bud.' He wasn't a n****e. But his fingers whisked through her like air, drawing the tiny specimen to a hovering halt right over his lips. She paused and looked down at him. Her eyes were orange, like a Firani spirit trapped in a silky Ayralan body. As her large, circular orbs narrowed down to thin, aggressive slits, Roseryn wondered if he'd upset her. How had he upset her?
He could've asked, but then teeth, pointed as needles and no more forgiving, were driving into his lips, his chin, his nose, his face. With a garbled sound, he swatted at them, smacking his arms through the air and raking his nails over his face to dislodge them. And when he breathed, he created more of them. They were all angry as soon as he touched them. They all bit him. They wouldn't stop. They hissed his name - his name this time, not a silly nickname - and jeered. And it hurt. He couldn't see beyond their ghastly figures. What world was he in, and when was it enough? His breathing quickened out of some strand of helpless fear, and the creatures enveloped him...
His stomach rolled, and then Rose was on his hands and knees, retching onto the floor of the familiar Serenian cabin. His eyes shut, and a pitiful shudder wracked his frame. "Ast..." Roseryn's words came out a mewl, cut off by another heave that left him tasting bile and wishing he were dead. The young Dovaa's body shook, arms barely able to support even a portion of his own weight.
Then there was another arm, bracing across the front of his shoulders and ushering him back, away from the putrid mess and down to the solidity of the floor some indeterminable space away. "He's getting worse," Quince whimpered, as his brother's body flopped limply back to the floor. "There's really nothing else you can-?"
"Don't make it sound like I'm doing nothing!" Soldaster snapped irritably as he layered his open palms down across Rose's chest. "He wouldn't have lived this long if I simply did nothing. I'm trying. I'm trying to do everything, anything. But I'm not trained how to help people. I can feel it. I can literally feel the poison in him. I can compress it for a time, but I can't stop it. I'm trying. I'm trying..." Aster's cheeks had paled in the waning hours. His eyes had reddened, and more than once he found himself trying to choke down a sob.
"He's already this far... His body is trying to expel the toxin in any way it knows how... But it can't. Even if poison shutting down all his organs doesn't kill him, it's still likely he'll give up fighting out of sheer exhaustion. I can't. Do. Anything." Aster's hands found their way up to his face, his fingers finding purchase in the knots of his hair and pulling as a raged breath escaped him. "If it were me, I could fight it in my own body without anywhere near as... as much..."
Rose was down again, lavender orbs rolled back into his head, lips parted, and beads of sweat rolling from his neck and forehead.
To call what they were experiencing a 'struggle' was an understatement.
"If it were you...?" Quince repeated, his gaze swimming up to find and latch onto Aster's like a vice. "Of course if it were you, any Ysali should be able to cure himself, no matter how poisonous the substance or what state he was in. It would just... happen naturally." Cici moved closer to his older brother, burying his fingers in the fabric of his sleeve and dragging on him. "We can... We can turn him into a Ysali. The magic- That initial burst of magic from a dragon's soul- That'll be enough to at least lessen the effects. If you're both Ysali you can save him."
Soldaster's green orbs wound their way to meet Quince's. "Is that... even possible? Can we choose his clan for him?"
"Parents choose for their children all the time. Sometimes clans they don't even like or want, but it... generally works out, doesn't it?" When Aster seemed unconvinced, Quince hissed, "Do we have a great many choices?"
They didn't.
And so Soldaster found himself on the floor of the cabin, Roseryn's head nestled in his lap. He'd sent Cici off to another room to prevent the unlikely event that the free-flowing magic would seek out a more lucid host instead of who they actually wanted it to bond to. To be fair, he wasn't entirely sure how the magic worked. he hadn't been alone when he'd chosen his clan, but he'd wanted it, on some degree and accepted it readily. Rose was so out of it, he likely wouldn't even know what was happening.
"I didn't know this would happen," Aster murmured as he stared at the bright green Ysali orb they'd claimed from their stores, now resting on Rose's chest. "When I agreed to come out here, I didn't know we'd find ourselves here, doing this. And for all your powers of perception, I bet you didn't either."
"I didn't," Roseryn croaked in response. He withheld a snort at the way Aster jumped from the unexpected commentary. "Just hurry it up...Talking makes me want to vomit."
In the back of his mind, Rose was thankful for the trouble his brothers had gone through. Aster's fingers plucked up his hand, wrapping it around the spines lining the bottom of the orb and clenching them together with his own. He couldn't come up with a better solution than this. And really, in his dazed state, the possibility of things to come seemed endless. The choice was sound, he could feel it, and for now, it seemed right. Soldaster guided his hand over his head, sending it crashing down to the ground (orb) and all with a jarring movement that threatened Rose's lingering stability.
The magic that rushed from the shattered remains had a similar affect. It rolled through his system, and Roseryn's entire body tightened in an effort to hold himself still for just seconds. Long enough for the magic to claim its home and settle the turmoil the toxins had caused. It cascaded through his veins with the cooing sensation of mint, layering over top of the searing traces of venom and blotting it out within his blood.
And while the strength in his limbs was not instantly returned to him, Rose eased back onto the floor with a sigh, tipping his head back to Aster to peer through irises the color of striking acid. "Thank you," Roseryn mumbled out, settling limply back into Aster's lap.x
x
Results: Rose chooses the Ysali clan.
Word Count: 1246
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Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2015 7:30 pm
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy Fair Lady? My first attempts at practicing my new Ysali magic were thwarted when Aster and Laesara teamed up to take down a small family of Peisio dragons. I didn't feel terribly out of sorts, so I imagine I should've been just as much aid as Soldaster... I'd assumed so anyway, before watching him.
I'm not trying to be rude when I say I've never tagged my eldest brother as being particularly talented or useful. He has his strengths, I'm sure, but they never seemed to be in quite the same arena as the talents possessed by myself and the rest of my siblings. Aster is... softer, quieter, less enthusiastic where matters of combat are concerned, and he's never struck me as notable in that area. I should know. I've fought him on multiple accounts.
He's never come at me with the same flare and passion he displayed while fighting these dragons. Admittedly, I suppose I've never seen him in a real fight, nothing outside our practice spars, but it struck me as odd, all the same. His personality changed. From careless, nonchalant, unimpressive... He looked like a warrior when he fought, and like he knew what he was doing, like he anticipated and knew what the dragons were doing.
He had to ruin it and look a fool in front of Laesara, but even something about that was wrong. Not in the sense that two nobles of different races shouldn't even hedge on the times of questions Aster asked, but even after that nonsense, there was something innately different about him. I can't place it as good or bad, I can only wonder why. And ask how my big brother had this hidden side of him. I expect to find out, given time.Results: +88 EXP, +5 LUK, +5 Peisio Dragon Orb
Word Count: 3360
JR Word Count: 292
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:27 pm
O R B x S O L O
My Snafu "Embryl is really taking his time with his return." It was Quince's comment. The youngest of the brothers sprawled across the couch, watching his older siblings play a game of chess on the coffee table situated before him. Days had a way of rapidly turning to weeks, waning just short of a full month. The initial terseness of worry and fear from earlier events had died down abruptly to relative boredom. Voxen didn't return. Rose adapted to his clan with eager finesse. Outside of mundane daily, repetitive activities, the trio was left with little to do. Sure, Ashen City wasn't far off, but it wasn't their home. This 'vacation' of sorts, was growing evermore tiresome.
Rose's fingers flicked over a black chess piece, nudging it across the board with a flippant swat. "They probably all think we've died. Or deserted. No reason to return for us, if that's the case," he hummed, voice low and soft.
The oldest brother's attention fell from the board, riveting back to stare at Quince, then fluttering toward Rose. "Y'know, if that's really how they feel, we could just... not go back. It'd be... different on our own, and we-"
"Could not ever go back- not to see our mother or our sisters or anyone else. I admit-" Roseryn's toxic orbs dropped to the board, his fingers toying absently with the tip of his Queen, spinning the piece around on its square. "-it's become a more complex game we play, all of a sudden, but I don't think it's impossible to win with only more minor sacrifices than what you're proposing." Eyes narrowed, lips barely moved as he rumbled out, "I don't want to lose my name or my place in the game. I'm not inconsequential, and you two aren't either. Have some self respect-"
"He wants Aster dead!" Quince yipped, bolting upright. "This isn't a game; his life is truly at stake!"
"I haven't forgotten that," Rose snapped. "I just have a... security blanket, of sorts. For that problem."
Cici's tone didn't sound terribly inspired. "Security blanket?"
The younger Ysali turned back to Aster, exchanging a secretive look that Quince couldn't not notice. The younger boy had been drugged to slumber during the original incident concerning Vox and the entirety of Aster's explanation concerning the following events. And while Cici was hardly so immature that he couldn't be a part of it, Roseryn and Aster had decided that the minute details were on a need-to-know basis. Cici had only been informed that Aster's 'failure' status warranted a more permanent removal from the family. And Voxen was the hired assassin. Which wasn't completely untrue, just... not entirely accurate, either.
"Yes," Rose hummed. "If Embryl hasn't handled the situation adequately, I have the mans to do so myself. You just have to trust me."
Quince's lips flattened to a grimace, his brow furrowing as his gaze slid down. "It isn't my life you're playing with."
The oldest boy's hands slid back through his hair, scritching uncertainly at the back of his head as he rolled his shoulders. With an apologetic glance in Quince's direction, he turned to his now-clan-mate. "I do trust you, Roseryn."
~~~
"But this hardly seems necessary," Quince argued as the group made their way into the heart of Astral City. They'd packed their things promptly after reaching an agreeable consensus. They'd boarded the ferry and arrived in Astral City only two days after the whole argument started. Cici wasn't thrilled about their most immediate course of action. "This isn't even a 'security blanket!' You're just looking for an extra pat on the back!"
Roseryn shrugged. "I don't think formal recognition will have any ill-effects on us as we move forward. Besides, I have accomplished a lot in the given time-frame. If I want a pat on the back, I should get one."
Despite his brothers' lack of enthusiasm, Rose continued forward anyway. To be fair, he'd never met the Peisio leader of the Dovaa before. Most youngsters his age spotted him in their classrooms or on their tours, but he was home-schooled and didn't have time for the same flights of fancy as other students. The young Ysali patiently picked his way through the necessary levels of security. It would've been nice to collaborate with his brothers in the interim, but Aster had already made the trip himself two years past, and Quince likely wouldn't approach until he'd chosen his clan.
Within due time, he stood before the man, taller and broader in stature than Rose would be for at least several more years. Never mind the alleged mastery over his element and rumored immortality granted by the gods. Marcus Ysaride truly was a piece of work...
Ysaride looked him over as Rose entered the room, and the younger boy forced himself not to grimace at the way he felt instantly judged. "You're one of the Vayne children." When the smaller lad looked taken aback by the recognition of someone he'd never seen before in his life, the elder man swiveled a pen to point toward a button fastening the collar of Roseryn's coat. "Your crest."
"Oh, that's-" Rose frowned, swallowing to clear his throat before standing a little straighter. "Yes. My name is Roseryn Vayne. My apologies for not sending word before stopping in. I'm sure you're very busy..."
The older Dovaa's lips quirked in amusement, and he set his pen to his desk, rising and striding around the oaken furniture to stand before the lad. "I make time for young, budding-" (there was an unexplainable irk in Roseryn's mind as he heard the word, but he couldn't for the life of him place why) "-Dovaa like yourself. Please." He beckoned forward, and Rose obliged, stepping near and extending two hazy gray orbs toward the man.
As the trinkets changed hands, Rose frowned. "It seems a silly custom," the Ysali boy commented, watching as the two treasures were tucked away.
"Oh?"
"Do you do anything with them? What are they used for? Why dragon spirits? Other creatures are just as dangerous. And just handing them to you seems an inadequate way to judge power. I could've stolen them. Or bought them. You have no way of knowing if I struggled to be greater for them."
Marcus shrugged. "If you bought them, you were smarter than most. Smart enough to avoid needless battle. If you stole them, then you must have some stealth ability; enough to escape in one piece, anyway. There is more than one way to amass power and plenty of ways to be recognized for it. But that is beside the point. One way or another, you've come before me with these treasures. You've done well so far, Roseryn. But you've a long ways to go yet." Before Rose could comment, Marcus turned, headed back to his desk and inclined his head. "Your contribution is accepted. See yourself out."
An argument lingered on his lips, but in a conscious decision to choose the battles he fought, Rose said nothing. He'd have enough to worry about once he was home without adding to his stress by arguing here. Aster and Quince waited outside for him, and the task ahead was more daunting yet, than the one he'd accomplished here...x
x
Results: Rose losses two Ayrala Orbs to Marcus.
Word Count: 1208
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:50 am
Things are coming to a head on the home front. Mostly. Yes, there seems to be a tense and unwanted ceasefire, but we can all feel how quickly that will crumble. I admit I'm a little anxious to get to the bottom of this whole mess. It's exciting, in its own way, if not duly terrifying and agonizing, and how can I go on not fully understanding what all the angles are? I'm practically at the mercy of my father's whims, and it may truly be tearing my soul apart.
But I digress.
As a brief reprieve, I've decided to join Quince on a trip to Eowyn. For reasons I'll never understand, he's taken a liking to a professor at the College that is leading our current trip. He's a complete dunce in my eyes, but seeing Cici happy for a short while is enough to make up for that to this point, I suppose.
What I wasn't prepared for was my brother's sudden desire to choose his clan... It isn't as though I've forgotten that he is still unchosen, it just... got washed away in the swamp over other things that seem more important. It seems unfair when I say it out loud, but between my father's treachery and Aster's life on the line, Quince clan choice somehow seems... slightly less significant? I can't tell him that of course. As my closest companion and rival, he should be permitted what is due him. I just... wish it could be at a more convenient time...Results: +179 EXP, +4 LUK, +1 LUK EXP, +8 Plain Cloth
Word Count: 1540
JR Word Count: 255
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Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:24 pm
H U N T x R E F L E C T I O NMy Unexpected Endeavor I do so hate running into strangers while I'm trying to enjoy the earliest, darkest hours of the morning. When she first bumped into me, the girl thought she was so smug and scary. Who does she think she is, sticking her nose so close to me and daring to wrap her arm around me like that? It's rare for my own family to be so casual. Though that's more their fault than mine, I think... Nonetheless, she had no right.
It was only natural that I make all necessary efforts to put her in her place, despite Cici insistence that I should 'be nice' to her. As if she's done anything to deserve it. So with the girl in tow, we set off, away from the beach, through the town, and into the desert sands. Dragons were afoot almost immediately. As I expected, the girl was of little use. Perhaps she'd make fitting bait if ever we decided to hunt something larger. For now, my brother and I had no choice but to step in.
We were rewarded with awe and respect for our efforts, though really, we needn't do much to earn that. She departed as quickly as she'd come. The only worrisome thing left was the look my brother shot after her...Results: +88 EXP, +7 Kiandri Dragon Orb
Word Count: 3249
JR Word Count: 215
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