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 Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:55 pm
Geisen Updated
(just a note: don't edit posts before mine, put them after this or else i won't count it!)
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:59 am
[--E N T R Y--]
.kasaru's tower.
Oddly enough, Saevem couldn't quite understand where Kasaru was taking her but as she clung to his robes with her free hand and listened to the delicate 'tap' of the butt of his staff upon the marble floors beneath their feet she couldn't help but marvel at the surroundings - so this was where he lived.
Still, she had remained silent this long and was rather uncertain as to what purpose he had for bringing her here, he had said it would be of benefit to her and that the beings she would encounter were to be of particular use. Granted, he had warned that they were volatile but anything that didn't kill her would make her suitably stronger and ensure that she remained safe - had she really thought about his words she would have realised that he was giving her the opportunity to practice her arts as a Spirit Medium under his supervision.
Eventually, they came to a halt at the doorway however and Brigade marvelled at the jewels encrusted around it's frame...it seemed she was doing quite a lot of marvelling as of late but his home (tower) had so much to see and she had only seen a part of it - even so, she wasn't allowed to dwell as he swoooped down to her height and in one smooth motion pressed the ring to her finger, his pale and almost cadaverous lips pursed beneath the cowl of his hood.
"This ring will ensure your safe return, use it to guide you through that which awaits behind this door and I will shadow you." He glanced briefly at Brigade before stretching out his hand to tie a ribbon and another ring around the metal wire at the top, the girl seemed oddly attached to it and he couldn't afford to have it lost.
"Shadow me?" She enquired, gazing towards the door and the large, blue outline of a heart and the tiny yellow crown on top of it. She would have questioned what it meant, but her words would have fallen on deaf ears as the door was flung open by a now unseen hand and what welcomed her was nothing more than utter darkness - the one thing she hated most in the world.
Alas, there was no way forward and no way back due to the nature of Kasaru's tower and with a whimper she glanced briefly down at the ring upon her finger before tentatively moving forward in the hope that there was actually a solid floor beneath her feet - there wasn't though and as she became fully emerced in the living shadows she didn't have time to scream as she plummeted downwards in what seemed like an endless spiral.
Nevertheless, the ring upon her finger began to glow with an unusual purple light, similar to that upon Kasaru's staff and she gave a silent gasp as she felt the stroke of velvet robes against her cheek...from then on in her descent began to slow and when she turned her gaze towards where her feet should have been she saw none other than a what looked like a glowing mosaic of a very pretty woman in a white ball gown.
Her feet tentatively touched the ground and she was stunned to find that as they did so she was surrounded in a field of light, presented with just three platforms that served only to confused her for upon them were three things - a staff, a sword and a shield.
"Huh?" She murmured to herself as she walked towards each in turn (Brigade's presence seemed to suffer a brief 'burst' of excitement as she approached the sword), "How come they can float...?" She enquired to no one in particular, yet, she found herself particularly drawn to the staff and the mouse-top upon it's head.
Choose only one...
A voice whispered within her mind, soft and yet reassuring to the point that she failed to realise it was her grumpy babysister. Promptly her hands went towards the staff, there were no hesitation but even so, the voice deemed it necessary to explain to her the purpose of the item that she had selected for use.
You wish to be the mage, skilled in the art of magic yet incapable of wielding a sword?
"Yes!" She replied, quite certain that if she were to try and wield a sword she would fall over backwards thanks to the weight. Alas, her choice now made she found that the pedestals vanished and a large, white marble staircase began to spiral upwards and into the darkness again even though she had to admit that she could see another glow in the distance.
Savouring her new found 'gifts' however, she tentatively checked to make sure that Brigade was secure and then made her way up the steps, muttering continuously to herself in relation to the fact that there were too many until she once again was greeted to a field of light, this time with a woman in yellow upon the floor - she was very pretty too, but unlike the first there was nothing on this platform.
There are those who will not bow to your will, it is your duty to force them to do so...
Again the voice gave her a brief introduction to the task and her eyes widened as the black spirit-like creatures began to seep up from the ground, the outline of a blood-red heart upon their chests.
If you do not, then you will find they will cause more harm than good.
Their beady eyes clapped upon the girl and with a number of clucks they began to scurry forward towards her, a hunger within the white orbs as though she held something they dearly wanted - it was one of the first time she had ever felt a lump rise in her throat but more surprisingly was the rush of adrenaline that came from within her as her heart began to race.
"Go away!" She wailed as her staff gave a glimmer and she threw it forward to collide with the head of one of the creatures near by her - the staff itself glowed as the creature fell back but it was only after she had drawn it began and thrown it forward for another strike that the ball of fire shot from it and completely obliterated the being before her, the others soon followed as she unknowingly threw more magic, one spell after another until all of the critters were gone and she was overwhelmed with tiredness.
You should never be afraid of the dark.
She gave a groan as the ground began to bubble again and then a small wail as another being manifested, yet this time if was from the darkness itself and it was considerably larger...she couldn't beat that!
"No!" She cried as the large fist began to come towards her and she curled in a ball, the faint touch of velvet felt once more across her cheeks.
---
"Are you alright?" The voice of a boy interrupted her wailing and catching her breath (for she had held it for quite a while) she tentatively peeked up from behind her eyes to be met by another human with really odd and spikey hair that she had never seen before in her life - he looked a little like a surfer though, those shorts and odd shoes reminded her terribly of that shop in Gambino.
"Y-yes." Saevem sat up and blinked in surprise as she gazed towards the now changed landscape, to be fair it looked like a merchants town and it was very small but this was hardly the time to pick holes in anything.
"You sure? You came flying out of that Heartless!" He gave a grin as he offered a gloved hand and she accepted it as he pulled her to her feet, "Were you putting up that fight in there?" He continued to grin at her and she found it mildly disturbing as she wasn't entirely sure what he was talking about.
"What's a Heartless?" She enquired at last before flicking her gaze down to the key in his hand, "And why are you holding a giant key?" She persisted, her eight year old, inquisitive self coming into play.
"Oh -" He seemed aware that she wasn't sure and rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, a Heartless is like a shadow of a person who's lost their heart to the darkness." He explained finally, tightening his grasp on her hand as he led her away from the area in which they had been and towards another that he obviously deemed safer as there were actually people walking about here.
"They go around, stealing other people's hearts to feed their hunger and this -" He eyed the key critically as though unsure as to whether it was a blessing or a curse before giving a shrug, "Well, it closes doors." He said finally, trying his best to ignore the unimpressed look on Saevem's face as he seemed to state the obvious.
"Doors?" She repeated, taking a seat on the steps as he leant idly against the wall, her gaze trailing absently towards his comrades (a duck and a dog, but she wasn't going to question that).
"Yeah, all the worlds are linked by doors that the Heartless use. Once the Heartless find one of these doors they can use it to engulf that world in darkness before it's destroyed." He smiled faintly as he clip the key into its sheath and shoved his hand in his pockets, "Closing the doors with this key kinda...stops that." He mused finally as Saevem's mind flashed back to the door in Kasaru's Tower.
"You mean like the one I came through?" She asked curiously, causing him to look at her in something between astonishment and horror.
"You came through one?" He choked, "Which one? I can't have missed it!"
This ring will ensure your safe return...
She furrowed her brow as she remembered Kasaru's words and after a few moments she set her hands in her lap and released a sigh, she didn't suppose that she could show this boy the door as he didn't have a ring now did he?
"My master, an Archmage has one in his Tower...I came through that one because he said I needed to be trained." She explained delicately, "I'm Saevem by the way." She introduced herself at last even if it wasn't a particularly good time.
"Sora." The boy replied with an uncomfortable smile before gazing down at one of the minature keys on his keychain, "You have no idea where it is?"
"No, but this ring can help me get back!" She held up her hand to show the small black ring upon it with the purple stone encrusted into the top, "He says it'll ensure that I come home safely." She continued as she rose to her feet to gaze at the long line of keys on his chain - and Kasaru said her stamp collection was bad.
"So you could close it, right?" It wasn't really a question, more of a 'please do this' statement and she seemed to falter as she wasn't entirely sure if she could close a door like that - it wasn't in her job description as a spirit medium. "So long as I gave you a key you would try, wouldn't you?" He persisted and she fidgeted briefly before giving a nod, if anything she could ask for Kasaru's help in achieving such a goal.
"I would try." She confirmed and gave a squeak as he unclipped the key from his chain, the key itself expanding to the same size as the one at his waist.
"This is Oathkeeper...you have to promise me you'll try and close that door with it." He murmured as she stared at the white key and very tentatively extended a finger to brush it along the surface - it was so smooth and yet oddly warm (very pretty too).
"I promise I'll try." She replied and gave a nod, more determined to make sure that the door did close because she really didn't like the idea of those things destroying her home. He seemed satisfied with this and after a few moments of hesitation he handed her the keyblade which she tightened her grasp around, "There's just one problem." She gave a wry smile as she pulled the key to her chest, "How will I know how to close it."
"Will it to."
Some things will not bend to your will, it is up to you to force them to do so.
"That simple?" She enquired as she glanced down at her lanturn who seemed to have taken a vague interest in the keyblade, granted it only seemed to glow a little bit more but she took it for interest.
"I guess it's not as easy as that, just make sure you have a strong heart." He confirmed, "But maybe you should -"
"Go home?" She smiled faintly as she gazed down at the keyblade again and gave a nod, "I'll try to close it, I really will." She promised before giving a small bow - she wasn't aware of the entire story but she knew that the more she distracted him the more worlds would be overwhelmed by darkness and somehow, that couldn't be allowed to happen.
"Goodluck and hey -" He gave an optimistic grin as he nudged at his quacking friend, "Even if you don't get it first time we might find this Tower of yours, then I can do it for you!" He added and although he didn't quite know it, Saevem couldn't help but hope that one day he would as she would have preferred to get to know him a little better.
"I look forward to it." She replied and then gazed down at the ring on her gloved finger that pulsed briefly before she was enveloped in darkness however this time she was moving upwards and towards the familiar scent of the herbs and spices within Kasaru's study (even though her eyes were shut tight through fear of the dark).
---
"I see you were successful." She gave a squeak as she tumbled out of the doorway and into the corridor once more, Kasaru was still in the place he had been when she had left and with a dismissive wave of his hand he shut and barred the door that she had gone through so that nothing could slip out of it for now.
"Yes! He gave me -" She paused as the key began to shiver and disintegrate before her very eyes, the blade itself was slowly diminishing and she gave a wail of horror until (much to her surprise) the small shards of dust began to reform and transform themselves into a lanturn - even if it was an odd one at that.
"How?" She enquired uncertainly as she glanced at the lanturn.
"I have a suspicion that the key was not for you." Kasaru mused finally as he placed his arm around her shoulder and began to lead her away from the door, "Perhaps another trip to the Lanturn Shop would be appropriate, my dear apprentice?" He enquired as she continued to gaze at the lanturn she now clasped in her hand - it even had the blue heart on it!
"You think they would know what happened?"
"There is no harm in asking." Kasaru confirmed calmly as they began to descend the stairwell...although Saevem couldn't help but steal a glance back towards the doorway that whixpered and beckoned towards her as though by entering, she had in some way bound herself to it and what lay inside.
Was it possible she had done the same to Brigade?
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Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 7:51 am
[--E N T R Y--]
.a new arrival.
"There's something wrong!" Saevem wailed as she stared at the pulsing lantern. It had been acting strangely for a while now following the an accident involving two lanturns not long ago - she had purchased one and the other one was that which she had received from that odd world in Kasaru's tower.
She hadn't meant for it to happen, but unfortunately it had and by some freak accident she had discovered that her own, quiet little lantern had somehow absorb the other two while her back was turned - initially nothing had happened but now it had begun to pulse brightly and she was rather distraught (as a little girl should be).
"Calm down." Kasaru murmured as he wandered into the room, stirring a spoon in his mug of hot chocolate as he flicked a glance towards the lantern and then towards Aversham who was looking more troubled at Saevem than he was by a glowing lanturn; this really was a rather disfunctional family but then again...Kasaru could hardly talk considering how he had left his own potential mate back home (a choice that he now regretted).
"But there's something wrong!" Saevem protested as she stared at her lantern as it seemed to glowerer fiercely at nothing in particular...it wasn't as though it had ideas but the mage simply winced and looked less than impressed by the wailing the child produced in his ear.
"How long ago did it start?" He muttered finally, relenting to the whims of a young child when in the past he simply would have spurned them and told them to wise up. Mentally he gave a snort and took a sip of his hot chocolate, perhaps this was what his 'mother' had meant when she advised him to broaden his horizons (she really just wanted to soften him up).
"During the night, after he ate the lanterns!" It wasn't the most eloquent way of pointing out that somehow the lantern had absorbed it's companion lanterns but Kasaru simply arched a brow and calculated a rough estimate of how long this particular lantern had been glowing - it became obvious that it had been for quite some time.
"Then I would advise leaving it be." He mused finally, noting to himself that his own magic sometimes took a while to have an effect, if anything bad were to happen to the lantern they would be able to detect it later on...preferrably before it blew up or whatever it was that these objects did.
"Come and have your breakfast." Aversham advised after a few moments and obediently, Saevem tore herself away from the lantern and dragged herself into the kitchen leaving Kasaru to narrow his steely grey eyes and stare suspiciously at the lantern.
"I can see your ears you know." He murmured in a low voice to ensure that Saevem or Aversham couldn't hear him in the kitchen, "You really need to improve on your ability to hide." He added, arching a brow as the inquisitive eyes slowly lifted up from the lantern and the black bear ears twitched; a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth at this.
No words passed between mage and the odd spirit for a time, instead, they simply stared at once another as if assessing any possible threat until at last Saevem came barrelling back into the room and the spirit vanished again...it really was rather shy and Kasaru had to admit it rather reminded him of one of those pandas he had read about in a book of his mother's years ago.
"Why are you staring? Did something happen?" Saevem enquired sharply as she turned his gaze towards Kasaru who had once again began to sip at his hot chocolate again.
"No, you just reminded me of someone I miss." He lied, well it was a half lie as Saevem's passionate reactions to practically everything did remind him of someone who's company he dearly missed but he was hardly going to reveal that a certain something was absolutely petrified at the prospect of appearing in front of a wailing child.
"Oh, who?" Saevem's eight year old self shone through as she wandered towards the mage and flopped herself down on the rug beside his feet, during which time he stole a glance at the spirit who was once again peeking over the edge of his lantern thoughtfully - hadn't Saevem said he was a 'she'?
"A friend, a very good friend." Kasaru murmured with some difficulty as he turned his gaze back to Saevem who's eyes had widened, her body language considerably more relaxed as she found a distraction.
"Is she your girlfriend, or one of those lovers that they talk about in books?" She persisted causing Kasaru to release sigh but he didn't deny it, a part of his mind was pointing out quite blatantly that he wished that were true.
"Almost, perhaps it could have been but I left before I had the opportunity to see what future lay ahead for us." He confessed with such difficulty but he held her eyes, aware that the spirit within the lantern was slowly emerging bit by bed as though beginning to grow accustomed to the presence of 'strangers'.
"What was her name?"
"Daine." He smiled bitterly and shook his head a little, his pallid lips paling ever so slightly to the point where they couldn't possibly become more white, "And before you ask...Yes, she was very beautiful."
"Why'd you leave?"
"Why are you so interested in my love life?" He retaliated sharply and then bit his tongue, shaking his head as if dismissing a thought which he deemed inappropriate, "I left because I was a coward and I was terribly selfish." He offered at last and released a grunt as though appalled at his own words, "All in the past though."
"Never going back to see her?"
"I walked out on her three times, do you honestly think she would want me back?" He replied with a question of his own and Saevem seemed to consider his words thoughtfully, completely unaware of the now fully emerged spirit who was examining his own hands and the odd keyblade which he seemed to possess.
"She liked you enough to take you back the last few times."
"Some people lose patience." Kasaru pointed out coolly before taking another sip of his hot chocolate, a haunted look clouding his steely eyes which were usually so decisive...If Saevem were to be honest she felt remotely concerned by the sudden shift in demeanor.
"She might not..." An unrecognisable voice cut through the silence, it's manner tentative and uncertain as Kasaru flicked his gaze towards the panda marked spirit and then Saevem who was very slowly turning round to see the owner of the voice.
...Was followed was a shriek from both parties that left the mage's ears ringing, the spirit taking refuge behind his lantern and the young girl darting behind a chair - had Kasaru been wearing earplugs he would have found it rather amusing.
"Who are you?" Saevem demanded, clearing unsettled as the inquisitive eyes stared up at her from behind the lantern, Kasaru chose not to intervene, "Why are you touching Brigade, leggo of my lantern!"
"Your lantern?" The spirit was mildly confused as it patted at the lantern which was almost identical in colour to it, "But it's my lantern -" He pointed out, shaking his head as he lifted it over the lantern and continued to stare at it.
"My big brother bought it, it's mine - you didn't buy it!" Saevem retaliated in a rather immature manner, leaving Kasaru with a raised brow as he surpressed a smile and sipped from his mug (the spoon still in it).
"I never sold it!" The Spirit pointed out defiantly however, as Kasaru caught sight of Saevem's reddening cheeks he decided that now was the appropriate time to intervene.
"Saevem, I believe he was inside the lantern." Kasaru pointed out calmly, "This is Brigade."
"But Brigade was a SHE!" Saevem retorted, her face now riddled with confusion.
"Well, perhaps he's particularly effeminate..." He mused as he glanced at the keyblade and then the panda-like features, "Or perhaps his animal-like characteristics distorted your readings?"
"Perhaps we should start again." Brigade murmured in still hushed tones as though incapable of speaking above a whisper (well, panda's were shy). "I am Brigade, I think." He grimaced briefly and prodded idly at his ears as though they might be itchy.
"I'm Saevem." The girl replied uncertainly as she stepped forward to stare at Bri who was a bit smaller than her, "Did you really come from that lantern?"
"...Yes." Bri murmured uncertainly and twitched his ears.
"I thought you were a girl." She confessed, mildly disappointed that he wasn't.
Brigade wasn't entirely sure as to how to reply to that.
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 4:13 am
[--E N T R Y--]
It had been a while but they had eventually come to terms with one another and Brigade and Saevem were finally adjusting to the fact that they both had to share a room and that Brigade was not going back into his lanturn no matter how many times or how nicely she asked him to - it was as if he suffered from claustophobia.
Nevertheless, the pair had been in a considerably good mood since they had begun to trust one another and it was nice (Aversham had to admit) that Saevem had someone to talk to other than himself or Kasaru who had locked himself in his room to avoid being pestered by the children...not that it bothered Aversham as it kept the spirit and Saevem occupied as they tried to figure out how to break the riddles and charms on his door...so far they had been unsuccessful.
Even so, most things were uneventual in the household and although the pair were happy in each others company both would have rather liked to socialise or get out a bit more which was not easy given the fact that Bri was a tad see-through.
The only option was to either go out at night or find some clothes that fit him properly which would be a considerable challenge as Aversham hated shopping.
"Can we go yet?" Saevem piped up merrily as she grabbed her coat, Bri close at her heel.
...Why hadn't he bribed Kasaru this morning to do this? He merely sighed, gave a nod and followed after the young girl as she went to the door.
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Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:03 pm
[--E N T R Y--]
.disrupted sleep.
...It was a long time ago, but she remembered it and although she hid it well she couldn't keep it a secret as she slept. As she matured and as the anniversary of the occurance drew near she suffered horrendous nightmares in which she often cried out in her sleep or muttered in a tongue that sounded somewhat vicious, ancient and of some form of a craft. Yet, even though the words were bitter and sharp, cracking like a steel-tipped whip against a bare back, no harm ever came.
If it was not obvious by now, the anniversary of her abandonment and the attack against her by a vindictive spirit, was drawing near and the nightmares and the disrupted sleep patterns were enough to cause the poor and young Lanturn Spirits to become very, very confused and a little frightened.
She had told him a while ago about it but it still shocked him, he was too young to even comprehend what she had gone through and due to the fact that she had sworn him to secrecy (after explaining what that was) he found that he couldn't even make himself feel better by speaking to someone, anyone.
His ears droop and as he curled up in the corner, large eyes watching the agitated form in the bed across the way. Her breaths were ragged and every now and then she gave a jerk, a jerk so violent that he kept trying to shy away from it...
It wasn't her fault, he knew it wasn't.
But why couldn't she stop, just for a little bit?
He shifted a little, his little tail giving a twitch as he took to resting his forehead against the wall. He needed to sleep too and she wouldn't let him, she didn't know this and always wondered why he was so tired but how could he tell that to her? No...it was easier to sleep during the day and then think up ways to help her get better later on.
...Maybe he could smite the demons in her head or chase them away!
A small smile fluttered onto his lips and he eyed the keyblade lying in the opposite corner. She'd given it to him and said it was a powerful object, one to be loved and appreciated - maybe that was the object that could help her.
...Maybe.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:59 pm
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:38 am
.changing seasons.
Winter was approaching Gaia, and with it came the chill winds and the unforgiving sting of the baltic winter nights. It would be the first time Brigade had ever experienced winter in any form and despite Kasaru's grumbling, the panda twitched excitedly at the prospect of encountering what Saevem referred to as 'snow'.
He'd heard all about it, the snowmen and the snow angels. She was going to teach him how to make them and then she was going to show him how to make a snow fort (whatever that was). All in all, the prospect of encountering something that seemed to be so magical was overwhelming.
...If not a little cold.
Actually, it was absolutely freezing and as the poor panda stood in the doorway, gazing out at the back garden of the terraced house he couldn't help but give a shiver. As excited as he was about this 'snow' stuff, he was less than impressed by how cold it was - couldn't it stay warm and snow at the same time? It would be a damn sight more comfortable in his opinion.
He continued to debate on this subject until an odd thought struck him though. If it only snowed when it was cold, did that mean that making snow angels and snow men would involve him staying out in this weather? His ears flattened against his head and he gave a light sniff, extending a foot out to prod curiously at the dewy (and almost frosty) grass.
Well maybe if it was only for a little while? Maybe make some really quick and tiny ones?
That would do it!
"Close the door, Bri." Kasaru called from one of the rooms beyond the kitchen, evidental unhappy with the draft creeping through the lower levels of the house, "You are letting the heat out."
"Sorry." Bri chirped, smiling guiltily as he pulled away from the door, stretched up and carefully closed it once more with a small click. Well, maybe he could steal some gloves and a coat, Saevem was sure to have a spare somewhere!
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