Welcome to Gaia! ::

((You know, I never really have been all that patient and my life is more boaring than golf right now so I'm going to start just for the heck of it. What can I say, I'm weak. xp ))

Blaise was walking quietly to the training center to get ready for a long day of sparring and practice. She just knew she was going to throw Vader out of the ring today, that cocky, do-no-wrong goodie-goodie. She was wearing mostly black and showed no skin but her hands and head which was hooded by her long cranberry-colored cloak. The rain was pouring down that day. Even though the forest loft sheltered the village well, the rain could still come through if it was raining hard enough.
A very wet messenger ran up beside her and handed her a folded note. She took it and began to read.

Blaise-
We have a newcomer. She just arrived today and I would like you to be her trainer. I’ll tell you more when you get to my hut.

-Lieutenant

Blaise folded the note back up and started off towards the Lieutenant’s headquarters at a brisk pace, the stave strapped to her back bobbing along behind her. It was a long ways to the hut but Blaise made it in no time. She stepped in and pulled her stave out, lifting the hood from her head.

“You wanted to see me Lieutenant?” she said in rough tones. A man got up from the chair behind the desk near the center of the room and walked towards her.

“Yes, I have a job for you. Please, hang your cloak and have a seat.” He said motioning to the chair across from his desk. Blaise took off her cloak and hung it over the back of the chair. She was aware of eyes trained on her and she turned to see a young girl, maybe older than she, with blonde hair and stunning blue eyes sitting in the corner with her knees drawn up to her chest.

Blaise turned and sat in the chair in front of the desk and leaned in close.

“Is she the newcomer?” she asked quietly. The Lieutenant nodded and leaned in closer.

“Her name is Rosette. She is a year older than yourself and was just rescued last night. She’s had it pretty rough, but I think she’s okay.”

“Oh?” Blaise raised an eyebrow, “How rough?”

The Lieutenant sighed, “I’m not here to help you two compare battle scars, Blaise. I do think she had a life much like your own, with many differences, but none the less…” he trailed off.

Blaise gave him a moment to think but when he didn’t say anything she took a step forward in the conversation. “You want me to be her trainer?”

The Lieutenant nodded silently.

“She looks soft. Much softer than I was when I came here.” Blaise whispered.

“You were beaten near death when you arrived, Blaise, of course she’s softer than you.” The Lieutenant smiled. Blaise nodded, agreeing to the statement.

“Look, Blaise. This isn’t just any ordinary job like you get most the time. You know, when you train them until they become Experts and they just move on. This one is totally different. This girl is special. We suspect that she was sentenced to be executed because The Monarchy was suspicious of her being The Messiah.”

Blaise’s eyes widened. Could it be possible? Could this girl be The Messiah?

“Why me?” Blaise said softly with intrigue.

“Because I have a feeling that if I just give her to anyone they might just get frustrated and beat her senseless until she learns to block their attacks. I can’t have that. You are one of my finest fighters, you even made it to Mage Superior. If Rosette could fight like you then it would mean victory. If she is The Messiah then we will all be saved! She can save us!”

“Oh? And you feel that we can’t do it ourselves? We need the help of some great Messiah to save our people?” Blaise hissed.

The Lieutenant waved his hands in surrender, “No, no! Not at all! All I was saying was…,” he let out a stressed sigh and continued, “It’s not what I meant. We are not positive that she is The Messiah, but with your training she might as well be. Your technique is incredible, and your fighting is beautiful. I feel that it is your compassion that makes you strongest. She’s got a lot of emotion, this one. And if I remember correctly, you were the hardest little wench to teach because of your own emotion. It took Kaden everything he had to keep you under wraps. Rosette doesn’t have as much emotion as you but she’s pretty darn close. You can sense it. Only you can teach her how to use it. That is why I need you to be her trainer.”

Blaise stayed silent for a moment thinking it over. She finally stood up and strapped her stave back to her back and picked her cloak back up.

“Alright,” she said, “I’ll train her. She can stay in my guest room for now.
”
The Lieutenant let out a sigh of relief and said, “Oh, thank you, Blaise. You have no idea.”

“Yeah, yeah, you owe me you old fart.”

The Lieutenant gave a stressed chuckle and shook Blaise’s hand. “I have to go. Just take her back to your place and maybe give her a tour. Thanks again.” he said then stepped out the door and was gone. Blaise looked to the girl in the corner and took a step towards her. She seemed to shrink a little when Blaise did so, so she didn’t go any further.

“It’s alright Rosette. You are safe here. I will be housing you until we find further accommodations for you. It is raining outside so I suggest you put this on.” She said, tossing the cloak to Rosette, “Welcome to the world of the Fugitive Foresters.”

“Death can be arranged,” Blaise hissed, disliking Rosette’s disrespectful tone, “But I’d be writing my own death bill if I so much as pulled a hair from your head. The Lieutenant would have my head. I would be nice to me for the time being, because sour attitudes cause pain during training. You may be older but there is no doubt in my mind that I could have you on your knees begging for mercy in two seconds.”

Blaise pulled her stave from the strap on her back and held it sportingly.

“You see this? I’ve knocked quite a few sculls with this baby and yours would just be another hit on the list. I do hope you understand that The Monarchy does not fear anyone. If they do then they are at the top of the list to die. I doubt your friend has too much priority, or maybe it’s just a busy day. They will save your friend when he’s at the noose or chopping block not before. We don’t work that way. I suggest you put on the cloak and follow me or I might just have to take you home tossed over my shoulder with a painful head injury.”

Blaise finished and gave Rosette a nasty sneer and turned to leave. Rosette stayed firm in her place. Blaise stopped at the doorway and twirled her stave menacingly.

“Coming?” she smirked.

He stood up on top of a tree, looking towards where the sun would set. Although the sun couldn't be seen because of all the rain, he still stood there. He was absolutely soaked, not bothering to redirect the rain. He sighed heavily before jumping down from the tree. He landed without a sound as people walked by, not even a look of surprise on their faces.... Well, one or two of the newer ones who weren't used to him doing that had a surprised look on their faces. He just simply shrugged and started to head towards he lived and worked. Since his house also housed one of the village's smithies.

(I like how you controlled my character without my permission, and it is spelt Khnui. But don't worry about both biggrin )

He looked at the newcomer. "My name is Khnui Hksan, I'm one of the Mage Superiors here." He said with a slight bow. "And what is your name?" He asked her as he brushed some of the water out of his eyes. He was thinking about diverting the water, and was really tampted to do it too. But if he started to do that, then he may start getting soft. Which was a big problem, one that was to be avoided at all costs. He was also interested in this girl, something about her told him that she was somebody who is destined to do much. He then turned to Blaise. "If you want, I can help you train her. It'll probably make things a bit easier for you." He said.

"Well, right now it is only Blaise. But if she wants to, she can have assistance." He looked at Rosette. "Well, you will need to fight well. Well enough that you can defend yourself against ten armed and trained people." He sighed heavily. "According to these people, a Messiah is supposed to come and basically overthrow the government. That is why you have to be an excellent fighter."

((Oh dear! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it, really. I get carried away sometimes sweatdrop ... Forgive me, please. It was unintentional, really. I feel terrible now cry ))