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 Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:06 pm
Steel orbs were trained solely on the familiar foliage below. Soon he would be on grounds he almost wished he never wished to return to. His hand tightened into a ball, shaking. No, he had put away those memories.
He idly remembered his behavior the last time that he was here. He had allowed his composure to fall but this time he would not. This time, it was for himself.
Slowly his gripped ease and the plane started to descend. He knew that his fellow passengers would be concerned for him right now. He had purposely isolated himself the whole ride over. Weiyuan needed to prepare himself for this event.
The plane landed and he finally looked up. This was the moment.
He could feel how his aura unnerved the interrogator. The feel of this place had changed. This ground used to have that ethereal feel to it, now it just screamed for a solution to its insatiable hunger and thirst. He didn't like it one bit. He turned waiting for the other two to finish with their own examination.
The first thing to do here was to get to the dorm, establish a sleeping place, and then get to that 'antidote.' He had to keep an eye on both of them. He turned back to stare at the building looming in the distance.
Please let this be the last time he would ever have to come back here.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:21 pm
RuiZhi wasn't scared, nor was he worried, although he knew he should have been. He did not try to look out of the window of the descending plane, nor did he try to strike up conversation; he spoke only when spoken to, and even then it was to the point and precious little else. The boy had reverted to how he had been when he had lived on the land, before it was diseased and spliced with blood. It may have been his homeland, but it was not his home. His heart ached for his brother, who he knew was suffering inside, and for Rylenn who had to watch the two boys act as they were. He felt stiff from the flight and the knowledge that they were not supposed to be here. RuiZhi waited for the other two to disembark before he did, a small bag of belongings slung over his back. The boy glumly held out his pass, not looking at the traffic controllers.  He accepted the card and turned to follow his brother and friend, eyes surveying the corrupted land through small round spectacles. He wore traditional Chinese garb, feeling it unfit to wear anything else given the dire situation. The brown robe with dark fern print near fringe was long bell-sleeved and almost completely covered his black slippered shoes, the collar high on his neck and leaving only his head exposed. RuiZhi was strangely quiet, choosing to watch and observe for the time being...and keep an eye out for teachers.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:48 pm
He didn't speak Chinese.
That thought hit him right away as he took a few steps off the plane and scanned the area with his black-circle ringed eyes. He raised his hand to cover his mouth as he yawned deeply, the sudden intake of air causing his vision to blur as the strain made his eyes water at the corners. A few people that scurried around him eyed his not-so-polite behavior and mumbled a few comments to themselves and one another as they gathered their things and headed off.
Audun followed their little footpaths until he reached what he assumed was a check point, and finishing around in the pocket of his heavy jacket he reached in and pulled out the card.
It was handed back quickly and he felt himself justled a bit forward as the crowd around him flowed like the ebb of a tide. Maybe it was because of this constant motion that living people always reminded Audun of scarab beetles. Annoying, buzzing, colorful scarab beetles.
Ignoring what else he could possibly do, like buy an English-Chinese dictionary, Audun took the chance to step forward and survey the little scarabs that crawled around and chittered away in many different tongues. One scarab did happen to catch his attention, one that was little and seemed to be skittering away and watching the others over something or someone. Interesting, he thought, so perhaps he would go and join him for some people watching.
But then it hit again. He didn't speak Chinese.
...Darn.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:54 pm
Sable had never been outside of the country. He'd certainly read about traveling enough, but putting something into practice was always a world away from reading about the thing. He tried to sleep on the plane trip, he really did, but a combination of jitters, anxiety and jet engines prevented him from getting more than a few hours rest. Really, who knew planes went so very high?
He was dozing when the plane finally landed, only giving him ten or so minutes to gather his wits before grabbing his bag and shuffling off with the rest of the passengers. Ten minutes is barely enough for someone who is not a morning person. Sable nearly fell down the stairs, stiff legs buckling when suddenly charged with a task. He caught himself, straightening his clothes as he glanced up. Officials? Oh right. He needed to show them the ID card.
They didn't take too long, and Sable hustled on his way. He had somewhere to go. Adjusting his glasses, he looked at the large signs up ahead.
Oh. Oh no. This was China. It was Chinese.
Nervously running a hand through his hair, Sable glanced around. He had somewhere to go. Well. Maybe somewhere here spoke English.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:58 pm
Before Lina could really take in anyone’s face, however, someone nudged her shoulder, then grabbed her arm playfully.
Greg had gulped down the drink that he had been told to as quickly as he could. He hadn’t liked the taste, but he knew that he needed it anyway. It wasn’t like he liked medicine either, but he took that too. Just take it as quick as you can and ignore it. He also hadn’t really liked China too much yet either. He didn’t like the forests, which were much different from the ones that he was used to, as well as much different from the urban environments that he lived in too. He supposed that this should be a welcomed change… Ah well. He wasn’t always too fond of change. Not that he would let anyone know.
“I’m surprised to see someone so pretty with a gun.” Greg said as he looked down at the girl. “I expect to find only dour annoyed middle aged semi-military people.” He smiled. “I’m glad that I was wrong about that.”
-=+=-
Irame looked at the forest around her as she walked. They were different from the ones that she was used to, but not in a bad way. The forests of Ebalasoran, her husbands, lands had been much like this before they had been sealed away. So she wasn’t particularly worried.
She had received the drink, antidote, what ever one whished to call it, already, and had went back to the landing pad for the planes. She felt that at least a few of the teachers should be there for the students when they got out. She may not have been able to speak Chinese very well, but she supposed that simply having an adult around would at least make the group look more official if nothing else. That and it made her feel better to think that she might be able to help them if something happened.
As she came near to the planes she saw that two of the students seemed to have already started off, and she didn’t know really rather to go with them or stay with the other two that were still there. She supposed that she could catch up with the other two that were already ahead.
“Aaye.” She called out to the ones that were still near the plane. She wasn’t quite sure who they all where by name, she was embarrassed to admit, although she could see them clearly. “Hello, students.” She said smiling as she went quickly over to them. “A star shall shine on the hour of our meeting.” She said, translating an Elven greeting into English as best she could as she spoke to them.
[Aaye=Hail in Elven]
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:00 pm
Students were beginning to trickle in, little by little--Dante was glad to see them.
He debated going over to them and discussing, but--no, that'd probably be a bad idea. Best to wait until Kenth got here. He might want to lecture all of them together, then pair the teachers off with students. Best to lay low until then. Let them come to him.
Lina, on the other hand, was watching the proceedings with some sort of anxiety, sipping her antidote and making a face. Disgusting flavor. Absolutely wretched and it did nothing for the splitting stomachache she was getting. Ah, well.
She kept her eyes open for familiar faces--and then squawked as she was whirled around by...
By a rather handsome man.
Oh my.
She was about to blush when he opened his mouth and--
Now really! How rude!
Lina didn't falter, though, simply smiled. "I did not expect to see someone so handsome out on the fields. I always did expect them to stay in their rooms primping and making sure the ladies find them a suitable mate. I'm glad to see I was wrong."
Touche.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:24 pm
Greg chuckled and continued to smile. “Ah no, I believe that that’s only the blonds. Besides you would need to be looking for a suitable mate for that to be applicable.” He let his eyes wander from Lina to Dante for the briefest moment then snapped them back to her. “If you’ve already fond someone that you like, or if you’re already married then you really don’t need to primp.
“But, please, most lovely lady who I am sure would never primp," that little bit might have had a tiny bit of sarcasum in it, "could I know you name?”
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:30 pm
Dante's eyes snapped back at Greg as he grabbed the woman's arm. Honestly, the man had NO decency whatsoever; he was just a dirty lecher with an eye for beauty...and he glared daggers at Greg to get his point across.
Ah, so THAT'S it, Lina thought, raising an eyebrow. Well, she didn't think she had to worry all that much anymore. ....She hoped.
"It's Lina," the girl said, voice a bit more friendly if not a bit colder. "Lina Bakura. Came here to study for credits for school."
And they offered scholarships. Full-time ones, this time.
Lina valued her education too much to let such an opportunity slide.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:32 pm
I'm home... It was the first thought he could think of as he watched the view from his plane. Too bad it couldn't be under better circumstances... there was no way he was simply going to sit back like he had to last time. It had irritated him greatly that he had to remain behind, even though he knew it was the best choice in the long run. Perhaps because he would have been too emotional, since this was his home country. His lips pressed into a flat line as he watched the country spread out before him. Too bad he would not have time to see some important people. He hoped they recieved the letters he had sent and were safe from harm.
By the time the plane landed at the site, he had gotten himself together and was back to being calm and ready. This mission had to require all of his attention. Once it had landed, he easily hopped off, tucking a lose strand out of hair out of his face. It was a shame Shinji decided to be his typical stick in the mud self and hadn't come along. He had said he would think about it but his studied were piling up, as well as class lessons and things like that. Someone had to deal with it... Herei supposed. He better not be lounging about, puffing the day away.
He could already see that students had arrived as well and he could see Dante not that far off. Hmph.. seems Kenth was still not there yet. In the end, he supposed it wasn't that bad. Kenth's .... hmm.. 'sparkling' personality could be missed for a bit longer. He liked feeling warm instead of somewhere in the South Pole because the man seemed to carry a chip the size of China on his shoulders. But he couldn't help but wonder... would these students be all right for this? Not that he doubted their skills but they were still young and anything could happen to them. But, it was his duty as an advisor to protect them and that he would. Good thing he kept up in his training. Being rusty now would mean certain death, if nothing else.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:34 pm
A dark haired woman stalked around the edge of the dying fields, walking briskly if not a little sporadically. She'd never been on a boat that long, and goodness willing, she never would again. Granted, the thing had been fast - and she'd have it no other way - but she decidedly did not have sea legs and was better suited to firm earth that her feet could trod on. She could have taken a plane, but she rather liked the look on her supervisor's face as she told him she was taking the fastest boat they had and didn't know when she'd be back. Although she was wobbling a little, she was fine, and she was in the last place on earth she ever wanted to be.
Alexis Falcone jutted out her bottom lip and blew a piece of stray hair from her eyes. She didn't look much different, but then again, neither did this hell hole. Her hair was longer, but still pulled into the lazy obsidian loop that was clasped to the back of her head, splaying the tips behind the crown of her head like an erratic tail. Strangely enough, she wore a ratty and torn white tank top that was more suited for a man than a woman, the neckline dangerously low were it not for the black one that she wore underneath. Olive cargo pants hid her legs, giving way to her worn and hard toed boots. A plain rucksack crossed over her chest and rested on her back; so much had changed, yet so little was different with the ill tempered vagabond.
But...there was something significantly different about the jovial Italian woman. She wasn't smiling. There wasn't a hit of good will in her vibrant green eyes, and her mischevious lips were pursed and straight. She did not like this. She did not want to be here, Gods, she'd thought she'd put this place behind her and moved on...yet here she was. Alex never would have come were it not for her brothers, who she knew without a doubt would be here.
She just had to find the squirts and give them an earful for making her come here.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:40 pm
Lina was about to do just that when....
"....Alex? ALEX!!!!"
All pretenses of being annoyed with the redhead forgotten Lina jumped up, immediately snapping from her annoyed countenance to a happy one, as though blissfully ignorant of her irrational behavior.
She ran through the fields to her friend.
And now I can say, "It's so good to see you again...."
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:41 pm
Audun watched more people come and go, all the while taking in the drink that had been given to him with some sort of engrish-like explination of an antidote and that he had to drink it all before he could really do anything.
He was particularly interested in the going-on's of a two-male-female pair, the only reason really being that he understood what they were saying and that meant he had a possible contact for questions of any sort...should the people actually be friendly or decent enough to speak to him.
Not that he was willing to go the extra distance and make a move to speak to them or get noticed. He wasn't that desperate...yet, and as the girl suddenly upped herself and ran across the area calling a name, he scratched that option. Too energetic, too loud, too alive.
Next.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:44 pm
RuiZhi turned, a little surprised as someone hailed the trio as students. Did that mean this was a teacher? Oh, Gods, not already! "U-uhm," he started to stutter as his dark eyes fell upon one of the prettiest women he'd ever seen - and she was an elf! Between her two-toned eyes, long hair and pale skin, the poor boy was mesmorized. He'd been expecting death in this place, not pretty elven teachers! "Eerm, you too," he mumbled in English, ducking his head a little. Were they in trouble for being here? He was almost positive they weren't supposed to come, and yet here they were being greeted as though they were expected.
The boy colored. He supposed it was a little predictable.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 5:51 pm
Alex blinked a few times. The place was certainly riddled with memories, and she could swear she heard Lina's voice calling to her. She vaguely remembered the woman yelling at her while she was in the grips of the disease, telling the Italian shouldn't couldn't die yet. The woman could remember Lina's grip, being shaken so hard her teeth rattled, bringing her back to her senses.
She was suddenly aware of movement - fast movement - vaulting at her from the side. Alex's eyes widened as Lina came barreling across the fields to greet her. At first she thought she was hallucinating, but she was pretty sure even her wildest imagination wouldn't pin the silver-haired girl in what looked like a sports bra and...a gun? For the first time in several weeks, the tall woman's face spread into a grin. She took a few loping strides towards Lina, grabbing the woman as she ran and picking her up in a giant embrace, spinning her around like an old friend.
And that's exactly what Lina was to her. "Lina! My God, what are you doing here?" she cried out joyfully.
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Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 6:00 pm
So an education. That was a great and honorable goal. Greg and his brothers had always been lucky and never really had problems with their education, and he was glad that this young girl was getting one as well. Before Greg could say anything, however, the girl suddenly yelled Alex and took off. Greg looked at where she was running.
Alex… wasn’t that the name of the girl that had spent time with Kenth? Not that he made a specific attempt to remember these things so that he could simply make sure that his brother was okay without having to really talk to him or anything. Well he supposed that he could talk to the girl that Lina was running to and see.
As he started over he glanced once more over at Dante, and gave him a smile, along with an air kiss.
-=+=-
As Irame came over she looked the students over. She had heard that the students would be coming along, something that she really hadn’t liked at all with all the dangers that were there, but she hadn’t thought that they would be so young. Really they looked like they were younger than Gildhros and Glorlanthir. Well… she knew that that was a bit of an exaggeration, but still they looked so young!
“I was worried that I would not be able to catch you.” She said to them, bowing her head, along with the more traditional elven greeting of putting her hand over her heart and then pulling it away in a half circle. “It is obvious that there are things that are not kind in these woods and I do not like the idea of students walking around without someone here to help and protect them. I am Irame, and I beg pardon but I am afraid that I do not know your names.”
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