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 Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:05 pm
Alaura maintained her firm and steady position, despite the toll it was taking on her body. The waters had afforded her only the slightest reprieve from what she silently knew was an illness that would not be soon swept away. She was getting worse, though she fount endlessly to hide it. In time such as these she simply couldn’t afford herself the luxury of being sick. Too many people had left their lives in her hands, abandoned their familiar and homes to follow her and what so many others would call a ‘suicide mission’. Now she was leading them further into the lion’s den, as it were, and she felt she would only let them down if she rested and gave into her body’s needs. No, she would fight this and hide it away from them as best she could until at last her muscles would not move her, no matter her attempts. For now, though, she focused all of her attention on the man before her, eyeing him with obvious suspicion. Of course, for Alaura, it was only safe to suspect all those that came upon her group of some treachery.
“I see.” It was a simple statement offered in the plainest of tones. In truth Alaura just needed a few seconds to let her weary mind digest what she had been told. Such a spy network, if indeed it existed, would be most convenient for her and her efforts. Of course, if this were a lie, she could find herself and, more importantly, the people who followed her in great trouble. However, looking at this man, she found it hard to read his expression, as cold and collected as it remained. She desperately wanted the opinion of another. Though she usually preferred to make decisions on her own she was finally feeling the great weight that had been placed on her. While she would gladly carry this burden for the men that trusted her whole-heartedly she couldn’t help but feel what a heavy title she had taken. She alone was responsible for their well being and safety. They trusted her so fully that even were she wrong they would stand by her. It was indeed a great burden to bear and now, so tired and at last feeling stretched, she wondered if she might make the wrong choice and betray the trust she wasn’t even yet sure she had earned.
Clenching her jaw she forced herself to tighten in her resolve, taking on confidence she wasn’t entirely sure she had. Pulling herself up to her full height, albeit not an impressive one, she gave herself the authoritative air she was known for. Framed by the light filtering in through the open door Alaura looked stunning and brilliant in a fierce, unbreakable manner. Like in the forest she seemed completely unreal, a ghost that wandered the world feeling nothing of the fickle emotions of man. “I suppose, then, that we should take this elsewhere.” She offered in a slightly lighter tone, almost friendly, before her eyes sparked with life once more. “Though I warn you, should you be lying or attempt anything dishonorable, it is not the threat of others that you should worry yourself over.” Her eyes flashed in a rather animalistic way and it was easy enough, in that moment, to understand a measure of why she was so well respected.
Unlike others of the Earth Kingdom, Alaura had a rather unique gift. She could commune with the animals, understanding their speech and talking to them in turn. They almost always obeyed her wished and any creature she came upon seemed to trust this woman with their very life. In turn for her strange powers she had taken on an almost animal-like behaviour, often showing traits of the animals around her. She struck like a viper, had the eyes of a hawk and the instincts that almost every creature held. She wanted to bid Shane to follow but she wasn’t sure this man would reveal his secrets with Shane around. She would simply have to speak with him after. Resisting the urge to sigh she finally stepped aside, motioning a hand out of the door. She would speak with one of the workers and find out if she could have an empty room simply to talk in.
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Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:41 pm
It had taken some time, as he couldn’t bring himself to ask anyone for fear of scaring them senseless, but Evan managed to find an unused private washroom. There was simply no way conceivable that he would be seen without his armor. He stepped inside and immediately noticed a looking glass leaning against one wall. He stepped up to it, took a deep breath, and leveled his eyes with his reflection.
He started at what he saw staring back at him. He had yet to see his own face since he had been transformed.
No… I--is that… That’s what I look like?
He winced and gritted his teeth in disgust, which, much to his dismay, gave him a very feral appearance.
His Heart dropped from his chest onto the cobble-stoned floor.
Closing his eyes, he began to undress slowly. He was more than a bit apprehensive as he did so, as he wasn’t sure what he’d find underneath. How much humanity had he lost? What kind of disfigured body would he find underneath his armor and clothing? He unstrapped his arm and shoulder guards and slowly removed them. His hands trembled with growing terror as he pulled his gauntlets from them. Hands, yes, they were hands. Fur covered, but still truly hands-
-minus one finger each.
Four! Only four…
He sighed heavily. Though he could have easily known of this already, it had been overlooked until now. He removed his shin guards and the remainder of his armor with more speed; both anxious anxiety and blind hope building quickly and fighting for the prominent position within his consciousness. As he removed his boots, he found that a similar fate had visited his feet as did his hands. Though they appeared to be as they should be, they were short one toe. This time his sigh was a mix of relief and resignation. What would be the point of continuing this way? There was none. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and took his mail tunic off, dropping it to the floor.
At first he couldn’t open his eyes again, as he half expected to find some gnarled, unrecognizable mass of flesh and bone, twisted and gruesome. The sudden fear gripping him by the neck had clamped them shut and blocked his breathing. The breaths that did escape his mouth were jagged and frail. Finally he could take the squirming, gut wrenching suspense no longer. He snapped his eyes open and looked at his reflection in the looking glass.
He faltered, nearly falling into the bath at his feet.
Tears began to stream down his face.
As his vision blurred, his hands found their way to his chest.
It was still there.
He fell to his knees, bruising them and scuffing one on the hard stone floor, sending a trickle of blood swirling and dancing an intricate, weaving ballet as it mixed with the water between the stones.
He closed his eyes to keep the fountain of tears from stinging them, his hands moving downward to his sides. He could feel his ribs-one, two…
All still there.
His heart leapt. He was all there. Right where he was supposed to be. His chest, his stomach, his back, they were all right where they belonged.
He began to weep. It was uncontrollable. His chest heaved with the racking sobs as they retched their way from his throat. He could hear the concerned voice of a young attendant from outside his washroom door. He didn’t care. He was all there. Nothing else mattered.
He was all there.
All. All of him. It was there. Where it belonged. Two arms, two legs, one… well, it’s there too.
He was all there.
It was all he could think, that one thought echoed and reverberated in his head, the sound of it bouncing off the inside of his empty-feeling skull. It made him feel light headed. Having nothing in there will do that to you. He started to become giddy, and couldn’t hold back the incessant giggling that came along with it. He looked back up from the cold, hard floor at the looking glass, tears streaming down his face, now from laughter, and matting the fur on his cheeks.
His giddy laughter was cut short.
Fur.
His face became grim once more.
He was covered, from head to foot, in dark brown fur.
Why? How have I earned this…?
His voice was hardly even a whisper. It was all he could do not to cry out. His only other option was silence. He feared that if he let his voice out, he would scream until his throat was scarred.
His heart began to burn. His fingers-all eight of them-blazed and tingled. He could feel the heat, like molten magma seeping between the jagged crags of the great dark mount, filling his veins with fury. His blazing eyes flashed and he lost control. He hardly heard his own voice as he screamed out. He flung his discarded chestplate at the looking glass, sending angry shards flying in all directions.
The wooden door to his room slammed against the inner wall behind him as two of the attendants barreled their way through it. Evan’s head whipped around, eyes wild, teeth clenched, and blood pouring from the fresh glass cuts on his face.
M-my god!! N--NO! S-stay away!!
The look on Evan’s face faded from the hunger of a feral animal to a lost soul, mortified at the scene around him. His eyes filled with terror and sorrow.
But it was too little too late. The boys had already run, fearing their lives.
I’m a monster…
Evan looked around the room.
What it must have looked like to those boys… what have I done? What have I become?!
His clothes lay on the floor, now littered with glass, his armor scattered about like so many seashells, the bathwater now a dark crimson with blood, flowing freely from his face and knee. The room looked like some horror found in the dreams of those who have seen hell and lived to tell the tale. His arms fell limp to the floor, as did his eyes. He could feel the bitter sobs returning, this time joyless and lost. He sat on the cold stone floor and wept.
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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:29 am
 A trickle of sweat rolled down Aria's temples as she slumped in her chair and heaved a heavy sigh. She had long sinced moved the wounded Flint into a bed inside one of the medical rooms and had worked tirelessly with whatever she could. Wounded and Dying alike, they were transported to the emergency room and Aria treated and sealed their wounds along with her assitants. A combination of enchantments and medical abilities were used but the casualty rate was more than she dared to count. To those who held no more hope, Aria sang songs to ease their suffering and listened to their last words for as long as she could. She knew war was a time for death and suffering, but even still, everytime she found herself watching another brutal battle take place a long deep scar carved itself in her heart and made it heavy. How long would it be before all this suffering ended? Sometimes, Aria wanted to take some time alone and simply cry. Cry for all those who didn't, couldn't. Cry for all those people who had loved and lost. Cry for all the suffering in the world and yet she would not until. Not now, not ever in tis time of grief.
Aria ran a hand through her hair, several locks of light tresses having fallen loose in her tireless work. Glancing out the window, the skies stayed grim although it should barely have bene breaking dawn by this time. As if they mourned for the loss of the queen, the rain pounded heavily onto the ground although at the same time Aria couldn't help but feel a shudder at the atmosphere brought around by the dark skies. Looking at her blood speckled clothes and dried sweat, Aria cringed and took a unsteady step. Slowly, the light priestess made her way through the castle, surveying the damage and watching it grow towards the throne room doors. Bodies still lay strewn about, beyond saving, although people worked as tirelessly as she to pay these noble warriors their last respects.
Without realising, an attendent approached Aria from behind and suggested she go clean up and relax a little. Aria wanted to argue but she was met with a sound descision and consequently, she excused herself and dissapeared into her private room which was, considerately, equipped with a bath. Looking at the stone walls made the castle feel colder than before. Empty and desparing. hte weather didn't do much to help. Ignoring both these as best as she could, Aria stripped off her tattered attire and slipped into the bath. She knew she would only get dirty again, working with blood stains, wounded and injuries. Even still, Aria felt that unrelenting pull which commanded her to continue to help . Ceertainly she could not work in a weary state, but as many others were just as worked ridden as she was.
Shaking her head, Aria settled on blocking out any thought at all and simply let herself sink into the water. she wanted to relax, but at the same time she felt uneasy being hte only one to do so. Finaly, after cleaning herself off thorouhgly, Aria denied herself the extended luxury... and besides, the water was filthy already anyways. The light priestess redressed in a plain white gown (sure to be an off gray with spots of red by the time she was done treating more patients) and towled her hair dry. Grabbing several clips, she pinned her hair up to keep the fair strands as grime free as possible. Then, satisfied, she made her way promptly back to the medical room.
First port of call was to check on Flint who had been heavily wounded in the battle with the Queen's abducter. Striding into a gray stone room full of occupied beds rank with war weiry soldiers, Aria moved purposefully towards a corner where a curtain had been set up for privacy. Brushing aside the material with her slender pale fingers, she nodded to the assistants that were tending to Flint and took a seat by the man's bed.
Aria had found Flint to be a very curious creature since her arrival at the Water Kingdom. He was from the fire nation, yet fiercely loyal to the Queen and his situation. A wry smile touched the corners of her lips. How ironic it was that the traitor had been an ex-water general, and the man that had suffered the most in her defense had been an ex-imperial fire soldier. Of course, that was not to say the other palace guards did not try their hardest to defend their beloved queen.
Inhaling, Aria began to draw peculiar designs of circles in the air above Flint's wounds. As each set of design was completed, there was a glow and the design became illustrated by bands of light which dulled after their apperance as she continued to draw different designs. Murmuring a quiet tune, as she completed the last design, she waved her hand over the collection of light circles that had been created, causing them to glow in unison as they began to work their effects on Flint's wounds - soothing and healing.
Sitting back after this feat, Aria allowed herself to exhale and relax just the slightest bit. She had repeated this procedure three times, the rest was up to Flint to see whether his body would be able to revive him.
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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:50 am
 Celia sighed a quiet, inaudible little sigh and tilted her head back towards the starry sky. As she was by nature, Celia was sitting out in the neat little garden the inn had invested in, propped on a rock by a small pond. Inhaling, the wind user took delight in the crisp, cold nighttime air that filled her lungs and lowered her gaurd slightly to enjoy the quiet oasis in the battlefields of the knorth. Since arriving at the Vaughn Hotsprings, Celia had idled for a short while before indulging herself in a steamy bath and redressing in a light cloth robe. Afterwards, she had sat in her rented room sorting out her provisions and then explored for a short while before discovering this small garden and taking time to cool off. Since, she had heard the faint arrival of the Earthian Crew carried by the wind but otherwise enjoyed the little haven she currently sat in.
This inn was, althoguh peculiarly placed, a very good inn and if war times did not toil and more people dared to travel, certainly would make a lot of money. Yes, it was all about the money.
She slipped off the wooden clogs that had been provided by the inn and dipped her foot into the water, shivering as a chill ran up her body and grinned, satisfied. An unnatural gust of wind blew past Celia which she recognised as a message from Feng, her air familiar. Although, it was not so much of a message rather than a conveying of emotions. Although this inn was pleasent, and her little garden was comforting, she needed to take care not to be too relaxed and make herself suceptiple to danger. Unnoticed malice hung in the air, as if a disaster laid in the waiting. Nothing that would affect the air assasin personally, neverthless that was not to say there wasn't a chance of her being affected in the aftermath.
Exhaling, she withdrew her foot from the crystal clear water and shook it off, slipping back on the wooden sandle and pulling her robe tighter before making her way back towards her room.
Throwing off the robe and clogs she'd worn after her soak in the hot springs, Celia pulled back on her oriental-styled top and pants. Slipping on a her slippers, she pulled her hair back into a high ponytail and tied it with a ribbon. As any prepared mercenary, she slid a number of weapons unfathomably onto hiding places on her person where there looked as if could be none and glancing at her reflection satisfied, she left her room and moved towards the dining room. Her stomach growled for food, and she had been promised a very hearty meal.
She slipped into the room unnoticed and shifted awkwardly. At this time, a tense atmosphere dominated the air causing her to tense up as well. Although, as she eased through the crowd whiel staying low key, the hushed chatter developed into intense conversation and eventually returned to a loud chattering once more. The place was filled with those Earthian soldiers. Being such a big crew, it was probably a given that the place had turned more into a common room for the group but although it was uncalled for, that didn't mean she was specifically unwelcome in the room. Still, she felt her mood muffled abit at the eased atmosphere, no doubt the majority of them having rested their travel weary bones and livened up on a rub a dub dub delicious grub.
Celia pursed her lips and picked up a meal before taking a seat, keeping herself obscure but not isolated. As they say, the best place to hide a tree is in a forest, so why make herself stand out more by being hte single lonely figure in the room? Still, her presence was toned down considerably and she looked around to survey for the other misfits of this troupe. She'd missed anybody on the first run through, seeing only individuals from the Earthian Kingdom, though on her second scan she caught a glimmer of blue and craned her neck to see none other than Shane Dremora sitting comfortably by an eaten meal set.
Supressing the rare instinct to want to socialise - partly due to her nature and profession, and partly due to her lack of contact with other living creatures to begin with (she was a mercenary after all) - she sat back and dug into her meal.
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Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 2:44 pm
The assassin nooded curtly. "Agreed." He followed her silently into the building. He found this person facsinating. He had never met a human who commanded respect so easily. Just being in her presence was enough to see this. She was by no means an imposing figure, and yet she exuded an aura of strength and ferocity that could cower many men. He would have to choose his words carefully with this woman. It was apparent she did not trust him, and rightly so. He would hardly trust anyone in her situation. His mask hid the lower portion of his face, and this was the first time in many years any bit of worry showed through the set of his jaw. He was not in his element. There were too many people, too many factors. If things turned bad, he would not survive. This realization frightened him more than he thought possible. It had been along time since he felt fear. And yet, his eyes remained emotionless.
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Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:09 am
Soren followed the slender finger up to see a gruesome looking beast. One of the heads seemed to be watching the woman at all times. "I best not be picking a fight with this one," He thought to himself. His head snapped back down when he heard the sound of her voice. Fear is it? How...subtle, He said with only a hint of sarcasm. This woman did not look capable of taking out a group of men that large. Then again, much like himself, neither of the pair looked particularly strong. The beast about surely would've torn them all to sheds had he been the one that had engaged the men. "I shouldn't be letting my gaurd down with either of them."
His attention was torn from his thoughts when he heard the man finally speak up. "I do not kill those who are weak only because they are weak. I kill the scum of this land. Scum that would gang up, with those numbers, on two people deserve to be taken off this planet. It is simply that scum such as this will always be weak. Soren was slightly offended by the mans questions, but then at the same time the man would be a fool not to be suspicious of him at this point. "If any of the men in the bar were uninjured they would have lived, but the fact that they all were injured meant that they all attacked." Soren looked up at the man, standing at a demeaning 5'3. His voice lowered, "They weren't separated into any particular groups, so they were not in some mindless brawl. No, these men were all after the same target, and all of them failed." Soren relaxed a little after getting that off of his chest. "As for my motive," his tone had lightened, "My goal is obviously world domination. I am the one who spread the tinder for this war and when both sides have been spent I will come through with my private army and rule them all!" He said with the utmost sarcasm.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:10 am
While the others ate Vivian took a seat off to the side of the room to watch, each one of them reacting different and carrying themselves a way she couldn't understand. Each one of them was free with a burden of maintaining that freedom while she was merely on the run. The emotion of contentment couldn't be found among these men and women... but they were replicating an uneasy version of it.
No, Vivian would never feel the same as them. She wasn't just a rebel... she was a downright traitor and for that she would never feel human again. Idly she let her hands become translucent with shadow and she stared at them, cursing her birth for making her the daughter of the enemy.
But, she was glad to be out from under her father's shadow... this having been her first trip from the borders of the kingdom and her first time away from the castle without an escort. She was certain that no one but her father and that captain of her guard knew of her disappearance... being that none who did not live in the castle ever saw her. She was kept in a cage like a pretty raven... because her mother was killed and Vivian was sure that her father would keep her locked away because, in his own way, he wouldn't want to lose her either.
She snorted aloud, rejoicing the night she'd finally given him the slip.
The night aired soared around her, lifting her long silken locks from her shoulders in a fierce breeze that kept her skirts billowing as if she were flying. Far below she glimpsed the man who was her father wandering the dark courtyards in thought, most definitely thinking of battle strategy to take the Air kingdom... she could only muse on that.
The tower was a virtual stronghold, and Vivian's home, where she sat day after day to watch the city and the seasons as they passed. Rarely was she allowed to venture into the outskirts of the castle guard and lesser still could she see people who weren't very close to the people in the castle.
Quickly she whirled and went to the door, tugging it open to race down the long spiral stair case onto a battlement that peered into the central courtyard and she lost the visual she had of her father. She grumbled and leaned into the stone to stare skyward. It was then that footsteps fell behind her and she glanced at the tunnel that led to another section of the castle walls.
"Honestly. You should keep better track of your guards before you venture away.'
Vivian grumbled and looked up at the blue clad man, "Yes, Raphael. I would imagine so. But I just wanted to walk." She replied, stepping into the center of the walkway, "Would you walk with me?"
He shrugged and crossed his arms, "To keep you safe."
She offered a soft smile and turned to wander away from him, crossing to a long staircase and into another long tunnel. They emerged moments later along the back grounds of the castle. As ever, the former water captain walked a fair distance behind the Princess, to keep her in his sights at all times. She shook her head, feeling that she'd never get rid of him when suddenly she got an idea.
After a few feet of wandering she stopped, "Raphael. You don't have to follow like you are invisible." she laughed, her mind wishing her words were scathing instead. She knew of everything the monarch and his men did in all the neighboring countries... it was in a letter left for her by an anonymous writer.
Raphael came up to join her, his shoulders relaxed as if shedding a mask. "When I came to your father, I didn't think he'd have me babysitting." he offered.
"I wouldn't worry about me, I'm a good girl." she replied, turning her eyes skyward.
"Your father has many enemies, it isn't safe after dark, even here. I could be a double agent... if I took you from him he'd have no one to take his place if he died... would you take that risk?"
Vivian snorted, "All of his enemies are of his own making, I wont take a throne and lead a broken kingdom." She replied, turning back to storm towards the castle, immediately tired of Raphael's presence, "Lets get back, shall we? I'm tired."
Once safely locked away in her tower she spat at the door, and Raphael's retreating back. He could never venture in silence without bringing up politics and her father. Quickly she went to her balcony and stared out into the night, they were always telling her to be safe so that she could be Queen one day.
Who cared about the war? She didn't want to be that person, that sheltered Princess expected to carry on the wish of a tyrant King. She shook her head and gripped the stone edge of the rail and exploded, her molecules flecking the dim light with shade and she slipped down the tower and pushed out into the night, flying low towards the sunrise.
She sighed, here she was, away from what she didn't want, fighting a war she hadn't cared about until two weeks ago when she'd watched a little boy killed by a man marked with the symbol of her Father and now... she'd do anything to stop him.
Her eyes feel to the country boy delivering flatware to the dining table, she'd even proclaim her identity to rally fighters...
Something to muse on.
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Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 12:26 am
Seth knew he would be seen as rude or somehow considered hostile towards the two if he were to not respond. But he was unsure of what to say. It wasn't because they were Knorthian. It was just that he felt, considering all of the recent events, that small talk would be of no value. He hesitated slightly. But soon he gave in and just decided to relax. For just this once, his anxiety would have to sit it out. "I don't believe we've had time to get to know each other, so I'm glad we made this stop at the springs." He offered his hand to them in friendship. "If we have not been properly introduced, I am Seth."
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 3:18 am
The cold breeze cut right through the light cloak he had chosen. The late night--early morning air carried quite a chill. Two dark clad hands pulled the cloak tighter around a slim figure.
This post will NOT do.
He had no interest in standing watch over some insignificant mountain pass.
As if no others would do.
“As if someone with less training than…”
Than who…? You?
YES! Myself… Me.
He could do little to remedy the issue, however. It was still his duty to carry out his orders. He positively loathed the idea of his potential being wasted.
SO many things I can do…
YOU??
Set me free…
YOU do close to nothing!!
“Shut uupp…”
He could see the twilight finally stretching it’s way over the mountains. It was as if time was dragging on deliberately to continue his torture. He sighed deeply, his pleading eye turned skyward.
Will this night EVER end??
I want to be freee…
NO! It goes on for hours and days and weeks and months…
“The night will come to an end… Just as my punishment will also come to an end…”
Vincent sinched his cloak tighter as daggers of ice stabbed at him once more. His chest heaved as he let out another deep sigh, sending a small, grey whisp of his own breath.
FREEEE…
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:22 am
Finding a quiet room in which the two could talk alone Alaura stepped inside, holding the door and motioning the man to follow her in. Any hint of the strain her body going through was well hidden behind the mask of her features. She had trained hard and for many years to master the art of hiding her emotions, especially for times such as these when she could be in the presence of a potential enemy. She still wasn’t sure what she would be capable of doing should he attack and only now did it occur to her that she had set herself in a rather vulnerable position. It didn’t appear that way, given the confidence she had allowed him to see, but she might as well have been as useless as some helpless maiden. She had striven for years to put aside her more feminine nature in exchange for the strength and skill of a warrior, but now it all seemed for naught. She cursed herself mentally for pushing beyond her limits but resigned herself to her fate. She would simply have to hope this man truly meant her no harm.
“So,” she at last said, moving to take a seat at one of the chairs that were lined about a rather long table. It seemed this was a room intended for secret meetings of sort, whether for staff or guests wasn’t truly clear. Motioning to a seat opposite her Alaura continued. “I would know more of this Order of yours, Ninton, as well as your reasoning behind coming here and placing yourself in my services before I make any decisions. As I’m sure you can imagine I won’t be easy to persuade. I have made far too many enemies in this past week alone to be so careless.” Her emerald eyes locked on him with their intense stair, watching him with the precision of a predator taking in every little weakness of their prey. Indeed she would be no easy audience, but her lack of expression and her steady gaze had proven, in the past, to be fair at weaning out the lies. She would know, soon enough, whether she dare trust this man. However, what he may have failed to realize was that despite her decision her men would likely not accept him for some time. They were only now beginning to accept the newest arrivals, and they were Knorthians, not of the Dark Kingdom. Ninton would not find his trip with this group – should it be allowed – an easy one.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:37 am
Ariya couldn’t help but grin as she heard Graces offer, nodding in approval. Only the slightest glance to Viktor could be seen, a whole conversation passing between them with that simple look. She knew he approved of her convincing argument and she could see his own pleasure at Graces apparent acceptance of Ariya’s explanation. At last she would have what she truly had wanted. Not only would she have that of her brother’s, which should have been hers, but she would finish what he could not. She would set her place among fire and dark nations alike, standing above them all as the princess she was and the queen she would one day be. None of this should through her features, of course, and the glance to Viktor shifted so swiftly it seemed barely to have occurred.
Inclining her head towards the girl Ariya offered her thanks. “I hope, in turn, you will see yourself as my guest, not my prisoner. I have no intention of treating you as anything less than that.” To this she could see the question in her advisor’s eyes, but she ignored him for now. He would understand soon enough that treating Grace as a prisoner would not get the result’s Ariya desired. A soft purr from Freiya seemed almost to emphasize this point, Haru grunting softly in the throws of his sleep, his leg twitching from whatever animal dream he was having. She scratched their heads as they slept but otherwise kept her attention on her new traveling companion.
At the question Ariya actually smiled, looking out of the window as well as the carriage rolled along endlessly. “Ah, we’re heading to the Knorth Kingdom. My informants have told me that is where these murderers were last spotted. I will seek them out, though I can only hope that we shall not find them in a public place. It would not do for them to take hostages.” Concern seemed to flash through her features; she was certainly a fantastic actress. Always she chose her words carefully, ensuring that she twisted this girl’s thoughts in a manner that best suited her. If she made herself appear more virtuous and that group she hunted seem more cruel than Grace would aid her without any knowledge to the contrary. In fact, it would be far easier than trying to force the girl’s hand.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 10:51 am
Nicki listened with growing disinterest as the two seemed to spit back and forth. They were both growing perhaps a little too virtuous for her tastes. After all, it had been Nicki who had truly started the fight, saying all of the right words and acting just so to goad on the brute of a man and his gang. It had been a means to keep her entertained. Now, however, this fellow before her was claiming to have slaughtered them because they were ‘scum’ for ganging up one her. With a roll of those icy hues she swiftly intervened, growing tired of this mundane conversation.
“Listen, those men attacked because I wanted them to. Truly, you slaughtered men who were provoked into a fight.” She then turned to Nicolai, eyeing him for a moment. His outburst had done nothing for her growing aggravation. Nicki wanted violence and death, she wanted to see the eyes of her many victims to come as they stared into the void that awaited them, the void brought on by Nicki’s cruelty. She wanted to watch the world rip itself apart with this war, in hopes of some peace thereafter, only to be thrown into chaos by her domination. Only upon hearing those final words of apparently ‘ruling the world’ did her icy gaze return to the short man before her. There was a great deal more anger in them, however, as she stared him down.
“Rule the world, you say? Ha! I hardly think that will be so. You would have more than Adel to get through before you could do that.” She said, almost stating her true intentions but without actually saying what she had planned. She wasn’t foolish enough to voice out loud, at least not here in the streets of his city, that she fully intended to take all that Adel worked so hard to attain. She would simply swoop in, in the after math of war, and take what she thought she so deserved.
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Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:33 am
Ryal couldn't help but aknowlage the hearty slap on his shoulder. His head swung upward and toward the newcomer, though he never raised his eyes. He mumbled a very small Hello... and lifted his gaze up to the man's. His eyes only held their position only for an instant, quickly dropping and beginning to race, searching for anything- anything else he could focus on.
-What do I say...?
There was a tangible quiet as Ryal pondered what to say, and it seemed the visitor was doing the same.
-Just introduce yourself... Yes. That's all. He probably didn't notice. Right.
Just as Ryal opened his mouth to speak, however, the Dark User began to introduce himself. When he extended his hand, Ryal could barely believe it. He glanced over to Damien momentarily before taking Seth's hand into his own, a broad smile spread over his face, and gave a single vigorous shake before releasing.
It's good to meet you, Seth. I-- Well, I guess I'm just not very good at this...
His eyes drifted off to the side once more, but this time he returned them to Seth and, after giving Damien a chance to also shake his hand, motioned for him to sit.
The, uhh, the water's quite nice if you want to join. It'll give you a chance to rest. Hastily, he added, Uhh, after the journy! You know... th-- long... carrying packs... trekking... through the forest...
He let out a heavy sigh and let his gaze drop yet again.
-Hopelesss...
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:24 am
Grace nodded, clasping her hands in her lap as she watched the world go by her window, before letting Ariya have her full attention again, "I will do what I can to keep them docile... I must admit I've not tried it on a larger group than the council I work for. But I think I can do it. No... I know I can." she explained, relaxing only slightly in her seat, a slight yawn coming from her mouth.
Embarassed she stifled it with the flat of her hand and blushed, "My apologies. I didn't feel that coming on."
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:01 pm
He pulled out the chair and sat down slowly, every movement, both his and Alaura's. Once seated, he removed the mask covering the lower half of his face. "And it is right for you to be cautious. I realise what I must look like." He closed his eyes solemnly. "The Order of the Silent Claw has always existed, in secret. Rarely do we interfere with outside politics, especially in recent years. My Order's mission is to maintain a balance between the nations. If any one nation becomes too powerfull, it could topple the whole continent into chaos, just as this war is liable to. The Order has deemed this to be unaaceptable." He leaned over on the table. "We have spies in all corners of the continent. I have sparse little information as to what your enemies plan, but it is something big. You are outnumbered, by a great margin. Your soldiers fight with more heart and determination, this is true, but a small force as this needs every advantage it can get against such an army. You have been offered a rare boon from the Order of the Silent Claw. They rarely interfere, this is true, but even more rarely do they intefere openly." He opened his eyes and locked them with hers. "My mission is simple. I do whatever it takes to keep casualties of this war to a minimum, and ensure your enemies defeat. Your force is the only one that stands against them. This logically puts me at your disposal. A single man, no matter how skilled, cannot hope to bring down an empire. He leaned back in the chair, and crossed his arms. "I do not expect you, or your men, to trust me. It is hard to trust anyone in times like these." He was silent for a moment, allowing her to take in what he had said. "I need to ask you one thing. Do not let slip thisformation to anyone but your most trusted vassals. If the motivations of my Order become to widely known, I would have to begin to fear for my life."
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