Even though Axel wouldn't meet his eyes, Saga was perhaps a bit too eager to believe. The field parade marshal put a hand to his chin, appearing to think, cheeks filling up with air gradually into a comical expression before he suddenly let it out in a puff of laughter, effectively defused. Reprimanding others did not suit him.
"Regardless of what you say! You are one of the barge men, are you not? Twould spare us the hassle of finding another on such short notice if you are still willing. However, any more signs of trouble and the parade will must have do without you! You have been warned. And Preacher as well-" He turned to her, suddenly noticing her swaying and exhaustion. She was teetering on the brink.
"-But you are on the verge of collapse!" He cried, moving forward to catch her in his arms and help her stand. "No mere tussle could weaken one so," He stated with worry, glancing off to his horse. He addressed Axel. "Bring him here, we are headed back for the inn."
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 10:57 am
And collapse Preacher did, albeit briefly. What she really needed was food and rest - a lot of both. If only she had wrapped her shirt tighter today, maybe her ribs and abdomen wouldn't hurt so much. Tinker had really done a number on her, kicking her in the gut multiple times. It was never enough to seriously injure her, but that combined with her ill-timed fight with Axel... Well, things got very dizzy. She swayed and fell into Saga's waiting arms. They were solid and unmoving, easily able to bear her light weight, but, almost immediately, she pushed up out of them.
"Dun need ya help," she mumbled. "I'm jus' having a bad day, is all.. No need ta touch me!" Preacher irritably batted his hands away. But when he mentioned an inn, her eyes fixed on his face. Would it really hurt to just give in for once? She shook her head to clear it and simply made a new wave of dizziness wash over her. Her stomach growled alarmingly loud.
But ugh, it looked like Axel might be sticking along with them.
Wait wait wait. Back it up. WE are headed to the inn? WE including him?
Axel looked from the field marshal, to Preacher, to the horse, his expression growing steadily more disgruntled. Maybe he should spit in Preacher's face. That would get him banned from the parade for sure. But as lovely as that was to imagine, he couldn't do it. It would leave Preacher alone with the field marshal, who Axel was still deeply suspicious of.
He approached the horse reluctantly. It might have been the most glamorous horse around, but to him it smelled of stale horse sweat and barn. He reached for its bridle, or tether, or whatever the gear strapped to the stupid animal's head was called, and tugged on it gingerly. He didn't like getting his hands near the horse's mouth. Those teeth were big and nasty-looking. Axel tugged the horse back over to its master and handed it off with relief.
"Well. Here's your horse."
He still couldn't look at Preacher, so he looked off at some point in the distance between Saga and Preacher. He was half-hoping Saga would tell him to get lost, but he still didn't want to leave Preacher alone with the creepy field parade marshal. Was the guy going to ride double with Preacher?
Axel leaned in closer to Saga, carefully staying out of Preacher's hitting-range while he did so. "I wouldn't ride double with him, if I were you. He'll kill you. Also, he bites." Axel wasn't sure if Preacher bit people, but it wouldn't surprise him.
Mythee
the semblance of unity
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:03 am
Blade Kuroda
He suddenly wished he had thought to wear some gloves as his hands began to crack a second time. The rope was rough, with little fibers protruding from the surface like little needles begging to nuzzle into his tender palms and shoulder. He considered tearing a piece of his sleeve off to use as a buffer but realized it could end up causing him to lose his grip altogether. “Right.” He puffed out when the other man mentioned the finish line being the end of the parade. For a brief moment in time his blue-blooded up bringing tantalized his mind with thoughts of simply dropping the rope and leaving the festival altogether. He had no obligations to these people after all, if he were to leave they would still pull the barge and the show would go on. These thoughts however were quashed when Shun asked if he was about to pass out.
The desire to impress others infiltrated his system and despite his ardent wish to voice his displeasure over the task, and perhaps even admit to the other that he had made a mistake in choosing it he kept his mouth closed and shook his head. “Nah, I can handle it.” As the words came out he noticed they lacked the tiniest bit of conviction though he had managed to pull it off very well otherwise. He hoped Shun would simply play it off as his poor breathing technique. Even so, in his mind, passing out or something of that same situation appeared to be a very real possibility. Not right at the moment of course, but he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to get to the end in one piece.
Regal Renegade
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Mythee Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 11:44 am
Day 3
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the semblance of unity
Saga stepped back momentarily as Preacher pushed him away, not wanting her to get further spent on useless struggles. Why was it always so difficult to help? "Don't be absurd- you cannot make it anywhere in your state!" He began to argue, at which point Axel had brought Drakon up next to them and guessed his intentions. He looked at the man, who was still somewhat ragged from the fight, and flashing back to what he'd seen of Preacher viciously grabbing for his ankles even from the ground... "Yes, you may be right." He said, nodding decisively.
And then her stomach growled majestically. The black-haired eccentric stared at her, eyes widening. "When was the last time you ate?... I have an idea." He turned back to Axel, smiling again. "I shall be treating the both of you to a meal! Do help me get her up on the horse?" He asked, not about to take no for an answer. He made a grab for Preacher's arms. With two people they would be able to hoist her up quickly even if she refused.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:13 pm
"Only ******** I'd try ta kill would be you, ya arsehat. You sayin' you want to bite you... gross. But you liked my lick." Preacher chuckled. But although they were directed at Axel, there was no real heat behind Preacher's words. She was simply too 'done' with everything. Clearly, she needed to toughen up. It had simply been awhile since all of these factors came into play: no food, being beaten (twice), starting a fight... She sighed. "None ya business when I last ate. You don't know nothin'."
Their efforts to manhandle her into the saddle were met with a few half-hearted slaps, and, specifically for Axel, one lingering caress on his neck. That b*****d wasn't even looking at her! And if she couldn't fight him, well, Preacher figured she'd just make him wildly uncomfortable. She slumped forward, latching her arms around the horse's neck. Why was it so high? Preacher had never been on a horse.. what if she fell? She could slip and fall and dash her brains on the pavement and that would be the end of Preacher. When the horse began to move, she twisted her hands in his mane, more than a little anxious.
Saga was smiling like this was just the most fun he'd ever had. Really smashing good fun, what ho. Axel wore a look of deep resignation as he helped the other man heave Preacher up onto the horse. Helping heave Preacher onto the horse meant being uncomfortably close to both the horse and Preacher. Ugh. And it was hard to haul Preacher up without looking at him. Now that some time had passed since the fight, Axel was becoming more and more aware of his bumps and bruises, including a stinging scratch near his eye that had probably been made by Preacher's clawing hands.
He winced visibly at the caress, going red all over again. "I did not like your damn lick," Axel hissed, trying to keep his voice low enough that Saga wouldn't overhear... too much. "You're horrible, and you have a bad attitude." Telling Preacher he had a bad attitude had angered him at the banquet, maybe it would anger him now. Axel looked determinedly straight ahead as they walked the great smelly clod of a horse towards the inn. He stayed close enough to help catch Preacher if he fell, but not so close that Preacher could touch him again without falling out of the saddle. Hopefully.
Fortunately they arrived without incident. Axel backed away from the horse so that Preacher wouldn't try to jump down on him. Saga could handle getting Preacher off the animal. He scrubbed his hands on his already dirty shirt, trying to rid them of traces of horse and Preacher.
The Semblance of Unity
Mythee
Feel free to have them going inside etc etc! I will be a bit scarcer this afternoon so if you need to assume Axel is doing something, it will mostly be LOOKING UNCOMFORTABLE and going along with the group.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:46 pm
"If you say so."
Shun didn't sound very convinced with the man's words, but perhaps he'll end up being surprised in the end. He tried not to underestimate others, but this certainly did not look too good for 'Nikky'.
As for himself, he could feel the strain, but he wasn't tiring out just yet. He had no doubt that would come by the time they were done, however. He just kept a firm grip on the rope and controlled his breathing as much as he could for now. Briefly, he cast a glance towards the others to see if there might be trouble with any of them as well.
XBlind-DarknessX
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Hitsuzen
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:56 pm
Day 3
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OKAY but I've actually been going between here and the vegetable garden helping my mom lol, not sure if my responses would be any quicker than yours in general!
the semblance of unity
Saga took Preacher's struggles and reluctance to their handling rather differently. "I would not have taken you for such a shy maiden, fair Preacher! Ha, ha ha." He laughed unawares of her proficiency at games of gay chicken, and equally clueless about the mounting anger those words would probably instill in the androgyne. He did notice some muttering between the two. "Perhaps a full stomach will cure this animosity between the two of you," he stated too-confidently to Axel.
He would have held her hand the whole way for stabilization, but that was in the same vein as riding with her and would simply not do in her book, according to Axel's experience- which he did not doubt. Furthermore, the man had been fully cooperative insofar- and he meant to treat him as well, as repayment for his help. Perhaps it was due to the authority held by Military Police over citizens, but the young noble was settling on the impression that he was a dutiful man; not something you'd expect of a troublemaker's character. He tried to make conversation. "Shinganshina is a fine town. Is it your birthplace?"
When they arrived and it came time to help Preacher dismount, Saga spread his arms next to the horse in wait. The words Daddy will catch youuuu! were shining right out of his eyes in a concentrated beam.
The innkeep came out of the building, shocked at what she saw. She was a portly lady in a long skirted green dress, but she moved briskly. "Goodness! He's all in tatters!" (Preacher was always in tatters, but she did not know that.) She then looked at Axel, who was also in a less than pristine state. "Shall I prepare some bathwater and call a nurse for the two of you?" She asked, referring to he and the one on the horse.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 12:58 pm
Day 3
Farvardin looked from Lenore to Zinnia. "Really a fight?" And I missed it! She thought to herself while shaking her head. "I can't believe someone would cause that much trouble during such a festive time." She sighed and then looked to Lenore. The kid was smaller and younger than herself. Maybe she didn't know how to fight or defend herself. Farvardin got a curious look on her face as she continued to stare at Lenore. Maybe... maybe she teach her a move or two.
"The costume is that bad? Doesn't look so bad to me. Too bad it wouldn't fit me. I think it's too small. Otherwise I would totally try it out!" Yes she was that weird. She then remembered about getting Ashley a drink of water. "Oh yeah... water." She began to look around for some but didn't see any.
leon_a_darkangel
Qixel
Mythee
Renekai
I know you guys have moved on to Day 4 already but yeah... Farvardin had to finish up this convo.
Bluedemonwolf
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The Semblance of Unity
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 1:19 pm
"Bad attitude? That's you, clodhead." She snarled at Axel. It was weak and low, but it was a snarl nonetheless. Next she rounded on Saga. Or, she tried. It was rather hard to move on a horse without falling. Where did Saga get his ever-burgeoning enthusiasm anyway? It was rankling. "I'm not a ********' maiden, you overdressed piece of s**t!" How many times did she have to scream it at the field marshal before he would stop trying to announce it to the world? Luckily, the rest of the trip continued in a state of mostly silence. Blessed silence broken alternately by Saga's booming voice and various mutters of animosity from Axel and Preacher.
When they reached the inn, Preacher stared at Saga. The man was... something else. Sighing, she pointedly ignored his outstretched arms and instead slithered down the horse. The movement was likely the most ungraceful thing she had done the entire festival. Her body felt like lead. Although Preacher was mainly concerned with putting her feet exactly where they needed to go, her head snapped up at the innkeeper's words.
"No! I dun need a bath or a nurse. Bit o' spit 'n' I'll be right fine!" She snapped. As if to illustrate her point, she licked her palm deliberately and smeared the spit across the cut on her face. There.
troll toll
Mythee
ohhhh what kind of veggies?
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 3:23 pm
Day 3
Shakuntala nodded her head swiftly to his action, her finger kneading the reins from Rosalie so tightly, her knuckles were a tight white. She'd been pondering it for a while, but given the chance to actually talk about it brought about a flood of anxiety and apprehension from the seventeen year old. She wasn't the type to sign up for the military, but to escape and fly free, she had to descend from the nest.
"R-Really?" she shot in his direction with surprise. The coincidence of the situation was uncanny. How many youths did openly say they wanted to join the military without a family figure or their own superego preventing them? She thinned her lips in thought before her features softened. Nodding her head, she replied, "S-Sure. I-I'd like that... very much."
Going with some would definitely be a big boost to her confidence. Otherwise, the girl would've likely put it off until her hand was presented to the man she was to marry. She nodded her head again at Alec when his second inquiry came. "Y-Yea... I-I don't want to bring it up with them... I know my sister won't care much... and I'm not sure of my father... But my mum... She'll fight for every way not to have me join..." The girl silently gritted her teeth. "She likes to, erm, control..."
Shakuntala continued her ride with Rosalie, somewhat shut down over her conversation with Alec. He did nothing wrong in the matter, but she wished not talk more unless it was after the festival. First, the festivities, second, her future fate. She eventually returned Rosalie to her stable and left for home after bidding the male goodbye.
Day 4
Then the day of the parade arrived. Shakuntala left her home with the intention of walking the equine show with her regular clothes, but her mother clasped a hand on her shoulder and dragged her back in. She wouldn't have her daughter make a terrible impression with such a get-up! After digging through old things and even taking her daughter out on the market, Kamla sent her daughter off in a hurry with more equestrian suited attire. The girl was nearly late to the parade, but after receiving a nod of approval from the Marigolds when she arrived, Shakuntala mounted Rosalie again and took her place in line for the parade.
Never before did Shakuntala have the urge to run away.
There was so much people the girl was in an anxious tremble. Even the pleasant and celebratory tune that drowned out more of the cheers of the crowds on either side could not quell her beating heart. She was out of it most of the parade and the event seemed to pass her by. Shakuntala wasn't doing much anyway; she was just a guide to prevent Rosalie, who was doing most of the work, from rearing up with fear herself. But the parade turned out a success, but to her delight.
After the event was over, Shakuntala immediately sought out Alec. She wished to discuss the idea brought up yesterday with him.
"We're both from Shiganshina," Axel said in response to Saga's conversation-making attempt. That was about all he said to Saga on the way to the inn. He felt almost as uncomfortable talking to Saga as he did Preacher. Saga was strange, rich, military, foreign.
That bit about fair maidens, for example. Axel couldn't tell if that was supposed to be a joke or what. He had stared blankly at Saga when the man brought it up. Axel was used to teasing, but he had never called any of his friends shy maidens.
Once at the inn, Axel stared at Preacher in open revulsion when the boy smeared spit over his cuts. It was disgusting enough to break him out of his miserable-humiliated-mode, but just for a moment. Then they were ushered inside and to a table. After some indecision and a thoughtful look at the younger boy's sharp elbows, Axel took a seat opposite Preacher. Then he resumed staring off into the distance, at a point over Preacher's shoulder.
"I'm not hungry," he said. "So you get whatever you want." That sounded rather rude, so he added a stiff "Thank you," and a nod in Saga's direction.
This was the worst day of his life.
The Semblance of Unity
Mythee
*shuffles them in to dinner* Still scarce, so definitely don't let me hold you up if you guyssss want to RP on.
Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 3:55 pm
The day of the parade arrived, and Danny was fully decked out in a hideous farmer peasant's clothes. Her parents were horrified to see her (pun not intended) parading herself around in such peasantry, but Danny was having nothing this day but fun.
"Wahhh you can see the whole town from here!" Danny jeered, pulling on Cyril and Rikki's sleeves.
Still, there wasn't a whole lot to do in the back of an ox cart. Danny quickly found herself dangling over the edge to try and look under the cart. Maybe if Lloren had let her ride a horse, this wouldn't have happened.
Eventually she settled on trying to see Shakuntula and Shun from the back. They were near the end of the ox carts, so it wasn't impossible. She'd heard whispers that some of the barge pullers were shirtless, and she thought it very unfair that she couldn't go shirtless too. From where she was, she couldn't see anything. Yet. "Psst," she whispered to the other boys. "Let's play a game. They told us to throw our flowers out the back soooo ... If you hit a barge puller, you get a point!" The dancers that followed behind the ox carts were too easy a target- they were so close! No, it had to be somewhat challenging. Which meant the barge pullers.
To christen the game, Danny tossed a rose as far as she could, narrowly smacking one of the dancers in the face. "... Oops."
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chiickadee
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Posted: Wed May 21, 2014 5:06 pm
Day 4
Ah yes, security duty had been the perfect choice for him.
Elliot did not even feel the slightest bit of envy as he watched the parade proceedings, honestly very glad that he had not somehow been forced into dressing up and dancing with some of the other volunteers. So long as no one tried anything crazy, security duty was most definitely the easiest bit of work--all he was doing right now was standing in front of the crowd of people, making sure that no one tried to get too close as the ox carts rode past and the barges were dragged forward.
He noticed a few familiar faces among the groups. There was Shun, questionably shirtless as he dragged a barge. Up there was Danny, throwing flowers into people's faces.
...
Eyes lidded, the boy looked away. Yes, he was very glad that he wasn't actually taking part in the parade itself.
