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 Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:33 am
Sunstrike's eyes widened and he nearly fell backwards off his perch at the excited voices.
"C-comming!!" He clambored off the wall and walked quickly into the house. He blinked at Dain and grinned, about to walk past to go outside...when he realized he was in nothing but pyjama bottoms. He scratched his head, struggling within himself and then looked back to Dain.
"I...don't suppose you can help me out? I'll pay you back! Specially if we're going to gather stuff for you." He smiled cheerfully, though he hated asking, there wasn't much more he could do. Sun pointed to Vahn. "Is he doing okay too? I would have looked this morning, but I wasn't sure what I would have been looking for..."
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:41 am
"Ohohohoho... just realized that now, eh?"
Still stroking his beard, the old man walked towards the wardrobe in the corner, taking out a slender package. He mused for a bit... as if having second thoughts on the whole thing, but relented in the end and turned around, tossing it towards Sunstrike.
"I think you'll find those to your liking... It's what he used to wear back then. A little cliche, but I'm sure you can find better clothing once your out and about with my grandchildren."
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:50 am
Sun's eye's widened and he grinned. Fumbling about a bit he opend the package and took out the clothes. His first thought was...It's a tent! Second was...its a bit small...third was...you idiot, it's a poncho. whee He had to laugh at himself then.
It was the colour of sunset and laced with straps and inner pockets to carry all necessary items for traveling in the desert. The pants were a faded grey and were really comfy when he put them on. The poncho went over his head easily and hung nicely from his shoulders, divided for easy access to...He looked at the old man, an eyebrow raised.
"Don't suppose you collected his weapon and all?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:53 am
Silently, and one would swear almost revrently, Dain moved back to the wardrobe, and opened both door's for Sunstrike to look inside, if he chose to. Within it's cofines, were a whole set of clothes, and various other items, with something heavily draped over, hanging in the background.
"Now that you mention it..." If it hadn't sunk in by now, the room Sunstrike was in, was obviously the same room Vahn himself had used, 50 years ago. Taking hold of the draped object in question, he pulled it loose from it's mourings, and walked back to Sunstrike, holding the lengthy object with both hands. "...I do not even know how it could have survivedsuch a tremendous explosion, but survive it did... buried underneath so much rubble and overturned top soil."
He removed part of the wrappings about the object, to reveal a slender object. It consisted of a shaft of an unknown metal with two jutting portions of blunt metal, one on each end. Both were oriented in the same direction. The staff part was as long as a normal walking staff apparently, and wrapped with leather in the middle for better grasping. It was a quarterstaff, painted in a vibrant sheen of red, with spiraling flame like decorations along it's ends, the apparent weapon of choice of a Vahn 50 years go.
The weapon is used in the same manner as a usual quarterstaff, thus the reference. Basic strokes are generally aimed towards the sides of the opponent, and as soon as one stroke is completed another can be begun using the opposite end. Though apt in defending the upper body, the user is slower to block shots to the feet and legs, so a wielder of this weapon must be quick on his/her toes. This particular quarter-staff had a longer reach than many weapons, so one did not always have to get too close to give fatal blows.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:35 pm
Sunstrike blinked and gently reached out, taking the weapon. The smooth wood slipped easily through his fingers as he flipped it testing for balance...it was a bit longer then the usual staves he carried, and a bit heavier, but that made sense...Vahn was taller then him, especially with those boots on. But this wasn't something that he couldn't overcome, and with a quick grin to the older man he began to leave to join the two granchildren outside.
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Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:14 pm
"How is he doing?" Dain was standing just outside the room, hands neatly placed behind his back, just as another old man walked out.
"His wounds are healing just fine, Magistrate. He should wake up sometime tommorow."
"Ohohohoho... no need to be so formal! You definitely live up to your reputation as a medical genius Professor Leon." Dain's shoulders shook with soft laughter, as he patted the other man's shoulder.
"Not at all. Even with all I know--- There is no way I could have healed him so completely in just one day." Leon said, his eyes closing in thought. "It appears that he has a self-healing ability."
Dain's eyes widened in genuine surprise, looking quite shocked.
"If he continues to heal at this rate-- You'll be able to speak with him tonite."
Dain walked forward, staring into the room, and looking at the motionless body that laid out on the bed there. "Is that so? Hmm-- that's good. Very good..."
~~
"Well, look what we have here!"
The voice rang out, within the more seedy section of the desert town, where one generaly wouldn't want to go, unless they were either foolish or strong, a pair of men seemed to be having some fun...
"HA HA HA...!" The other burly man laughed out loud as well, staring towards the young man before them both. The young man was quiet, even as the length of hair behind him moved ever so gently.
"You've got guts showing up here, 'boy'!!" One of the men leaned forward, the smell of alcohol strong on his breath. "You've come looking for information, have you?"
"Do you idiots know where the Fire Bringer is or not?"
Both men stiffened up, one of the throwing down the bottle of drink, so it smashed against the stone floor. "You've got a big mough, you little---" The man was cut short, as a blinding light seemed to emenate and strike down the drunk, blood splattering into the air. "...Brat...!?!" The man was flung backwards viciously, his body twisting in odd angles, obviously broken.
The other drunk turned his attention bakc ontot he young man, his face a visage of snarling, drunken rage, ready to avenge his friend-- when all that met his eyes were the gaping maws of a flaming serpent.
"Im....Impossible!!" The drunk stuttered out, even as his body was slammed into by the serpent, twisting, and breaking, blood splattering even as his screams echoed out. "AAAAGH!!"
"Someone's screaming!"
"Call the Militia!"
...By the time guards even arrived, the young man would be nowhere to be found, only the twisted, and dead bodies of the two drunks... and on the wall behind, the mark of a serpent, etched intot he stone's surface.
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:18 am
"We found both men like this... on the wall, a snake impression, left possibly by the murderer- we don't know yet."
"So I see..."
The same alleyway, now occupied by a few Militia guards, and the Captain of the Guard-- with Dain himself staring at the far wall, and the image burned into it.
"Did anyone see who did this?" Dain asked, musing gently as he stroked his beard.
"Yes.. a few people saw a young man leave, just as we were arriving." The Captain said, rubbing a hand against the back of his neck.
"A young man?" Dain lifted his head, his curiousity picqued now. "For what reason would a young man have to kill these men?"
"After looking into it further...I found out that a similar young man had been asking questions around the city, looking for someone named 'Vahn'."
"Vahn?!"
"That is correct."
"Hmm..." Dain stared forward once more at the image on the wall, then at the bodies. "Please have the medical staff remove the bodies, notify whatever relatives they had. Obliterate the image on the wall as well. We'll keep this quiet, for the moment." The old man turned around, a worried and strained look coming over his face. "Vahn...Already they come... like moths to the flame."
He walked away from the alleyway, leaving the Militia to it.
~~
"Do you... hate me?!"
The bedroom was dimly lit, the window slightly open to allow the fresh breeze to circulate air through the room. The bed was covered with a thin curtain, and upon it, rested the solitary form of the one known as Vahn.
... ...
No pain...
...?
Dammit!
Am I really gonna die?
I guess that's why I don't feel any pain.
Now that I think about it, my cold body...
Somehow seems to be getting warmer...
It's warm...
Eyelids slowly opened, and the blackness eventually began to recede, as light filtered... afternoon light to be exact..
"Where...?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:36 pm
The afternoon had slowly winded itself into dusk, as night began to descend upon the Desert for a second time. However the life in the city never died down, the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life moved onwards, without a hint of ever stopping. In one particular section of the City, known as Thief's Lane, was where the Wasted Wizard, Dain's scroll shop and home was located.
One might wonder, why, if Dain was a Magistrate, was he living in such conditions? Well, the title of Magistrate is almost more like a political title, if anything. A group of clerics, and mages from all across the world, formed the council, and the heads of the various sections of the council were known as Magistrates. However, they were not officialy recognized by the goverments in the world, but respectively tolerated.
Speaking of the Wasted Wizard... the shop was closed early tonight, as old man Dain was busy with a guest...
"How are you feeling, Vahn?" The words echoed out slightly, the pot of coffee placed on the table sending wafts of steam, as both men stared at each other across the table. The air seemed tense, as if something would happen at any moment now... the uncomfortable silence grew until..
"Fine, Dain... Thanks to you." Vahn spoke in a flat tone, his face devoid of emotion.
".........." Dain studied Vahn's face, as if searching for something. "Exactly who-- or what-- are you?" He finally said, wanting to get it directly out into the open.
"Ha ha..! You're talking as if I'm some sort of a ghost." Vahn offered, closing his eyes as he ran a finger along the bridge of his own nose.
"I beg your pardon if my question was too forward." Dain said, cupping his hands together, both elbows on the table. The old man was being as cautious as he could be. "With which group are you affiiated with these days?"
"Even though they no longer exist... I'm still not at liberty to say." Vahn retorted, his yellowed eyes never leaving Dain's face.
"......" Dain reached down, taking hold of his cup of coffee and taking a long sip, before placing it back down onto the table. "I witnessed you causing the explosion that caused the war to end 50 years ago. Can you explain that?"
"As before... I cannot." Vahn's eyes narrowed slightly, causing Dain to feel more than just a little uneasy, but he kept his composure.
"Very well. One final question, then." Dain leaned back, a hand stroking his beard. "Are you evil-- or good?"
"Evil? Good? Ha!" Vahn leaned back as well, grinning a little, as he ran a hair through red locks of hair. "How very funny!" Dain just stared at Vahn, waiting for an answer. Vahn saw this and decided to be serious.
"How about if I just say that I can be friends with anyone... and I can be enemies with anyone." Vahn leaned forward the bandages all across his bare body bending. "But I suspect you won't find that answer acceptable." He finished, with a wave of his hand.
Dain reached for his cup, and lifted it to his lips once more. He took another long sip, as Vahn carefully watched him. Dain emptied the entire cup and then brought it down onto the table.
"On the contrary... I find it highly acceptable." Dain lifted his head and stared at Vahn. "Blinded by prejudice, most people only see the world in black or white. You have obviously moved far beyond such limited thinking."
Vahn smiled as he leaned back in his chair.
"You're the young man I knew alright." Dain said, giving out a hearty laugh, as he got up from the table and retrieved two mugs, pouring beer into them both.
"And your quite the old man, Dain." Vahn grinned, as he accepted the mug, taking hold of it with one hand.
"I have a favor to ask of you Vahn--" Dain stared down at Vahn, his tone growing serious. "--If you are willing."
"I'm willing to listen, Dain."
~~
Nahara walked out from the stables, the small sack of Odea Moss slung securely behind her back as she moved. "I'm glad the rental fee's weren't that much this time."
"Their still crazy... I can't believe they didn't have my baby for me today." Hibon grumbled, as he ran a hand through his hair, before pointing and laughing at a poor passerby that slipped on water down the street.
"Sunstrike-- you alright there?" Nahara, turned and looked towards the young man, her colored eyes shining slightly even in the growing dark.
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:57 pm
Sunstrike came back to reality with a bit of a start, nearly bumping into the laughing Hibon. People bustled by them on their way home, or to trade, not taking any notice of the three as they did the same. The whole time home he'd been suspiciously quieter then usual, thinking about all the things they'd seen within the confines of the ruins.
Everything here made him much more uncomfortable, much more....out of sync with the daily activities of these people. Maybe it was just because he was new here...but he always felt like people were watching and taking note of his appearence. Silly, he knew...most people were more bothered about themselves then some random person.
"I-I'm alright Nahara, how about you? S'been a bit of a rough day." He smiled pleasently at her. She was clever, so he'd been surprised when she hadn't really made all the connections with the glyphs and himself...then again, she hadn't been hard pressed to figure it all out, the plant and the growing darkness being on the top of the agenda.
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:08 pm
She'd been keeping her eyes on Sunstrike for a while now, and wondered what was running through that head of his. The day hadn't goen by with too much incident, now did it?
"She's alright... she gets like that everytime she's tapped out from using too much magic." Hibon said with a stifled yawn as he walked along the street, side by side with the other two.
"It... must be strange for you." She smiled gently, turning as she walked backwards, so she could face Susntrike. "You've never been down here before right? I mean... what's it like where your from?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:21 pm
He grinned at her in the darkness.
"The Leviathan? Well it's surrounded by a huuuuuuuge forest!" He nearly decked a passerby as his arms flew out to try and show her how massive it actually was. "And it's filled with people that all look different, act different...demons, imps, humans, half this half that...all together in one fighting place, living and having battles!" He moved in close to her ear so Hibon couldn't hear. "Believe it or not...I was just the janitor."
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 12:31 pm
Hibon waved a hand to one of the girls manning just one of numerous side vending stalls in the street.
"That sounds amazing! Really, it does..." Her eyes seemed to gleam slightly, even as they both became shrouded in darkness for a moment or so. "I hope to meet as many interesting poeple as you someday... Then I can be a famous Magister just llike my grandfather."
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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:00 pm
There was an audible slap and both Nahara and Sunstrike winced as the girl showed Hibon exactly what she thought of those kind of advances. As he stalked off in a huff towards their home, Sun politely gave an embarassed apology wave to the girl, who blushed and gave a coy wave back...more to Sunstrike's embarassment. Nahara just tsked and took his arm, dragging him after the opening that a steaming Hibon had made through the crowd.
"Maybe one day you will, Nahara," Said Sunstrike, picking up where the conversation left off. "Strangly enough, though, for all the people I've seen, I feel rather....I dunno, as if I were shut off from a much harsher world, by staying in that place. Lots of the time it was all sunshine and the occational fun scrap to be had...this time though," He sighed softly. "Well, be sure that you're never fully cut off from trouble, no matter where you manage to hide yourself, and just because a person is interesting...doesn't mean that they won't nail you to a wall...given half a chance." He shrugged and grinned. "But if you've got curiosity and will enough, you can do just about anything you set your mind to these days."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 12:57 pm
Hibon slowed down in pace, turning his head to the side as the trio walked up the street towards the Wasted Wizard. Nightfall had come to Strata once more, and the crowds were a little more sparse tonight. The cool air, and gentle cold from the sea probaly had something to do with that, as it was a very relaxing night, especially after a hard day's work in the sun.
"Yes, this poor kid lost his dad in that battle too." A nearby woman said, as she faced another woman, who held a swaddled baby close to her chest. The two were partly in the doorway leading into their home, conversing and taking advantage of the cool air. "It's really so sad..." The woman reached forward and caressed the cheek of the baby.
"Honestly, I'm fed up with all the fighting..." the woman that held the baby looked down to the child, rocking it softly to sleep. "Even when you win, you lose."
"That's so true."
Hibon turned his head away, stuffing both hands into his pockets as his head lowered. Nahara grew silent as well.
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 1:15 pm
Sunstrike continued on. Not oblivious to the sudden change in the atmosphere between brother and sister.
Again he felt confused about his own feelings when it came to being here. In one respect, he had nothing to feel guilty about, he'd certainly not had anything to do with, nor had any true relation with these Lizard people that were attacking. And he also had to think about his friend...abandoning Vahn wouldn't be right, not in his current state.
In the other, he knew damn well what he looked like...and what he could be was remarkably similar in kind...even in nature...to the creatures attacking the same people that had taken him in, defenseless. All it took was someone to notice what was a little off about him, the way he moved towards the front of his foot instead of the heel, (he could cover this easily with the sandals on his feet forcing him to walk more humanly, but shoes of any kind made him uncomfortable...his balance with his wings felt, off), the features of his face...hell for all he knew, lizard people all smelled like cinnamon and didn't like cold water.
He shook his head...now that was being daft. He needed to calm down and stop seeing the shadows come alive...speaking of which.
"There's no moon tonight...is there." It was a statement of fact, rather then a question. No wonder things weren't going right in his head....his fear was catching up with him, and he was really glad for the warm torchlight of the town...
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