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 Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:59 pm
Riku Itsuki Amakura  All night staring at the ceiling
Counting the minutes I've been feeling this way
So far away and so alone (()) Riku felt her hand against his arm, causing him to look down at her. She seemed slightly off. Then again, he didn't think most would be all rainbows and sunshine after almost dying. But, the assassin didn't think Linda would be the type to linger on it either. Something had changed during the experience that made her seem more meak and mild. Admittedly, a small frown appeared as her hold tightened. Is she afraid of him coming back? It was true that this would be the second time the strange man had attacked Linda. First time he had been able to save her in time. This time...Riku had barely made it in time. I will not make the same mistake twice. Not when her life hangs in the balance.
Soon, they arrived at a suitable spot to set up camp. Once there, Riku separated from Linda to prepare a fire. However, he stayed close to the group, grabbing fallen tree limbs to use as firewood. He threw them down in the middle of the slight break in the trees. His eyes looked up at the sky briefly, the tops of the tall plants appearing no matter where he looked. As long as we don't have to deal with assassins like myself, we are good.
There were many assassins in the world. Unfortunately, more than most would want around to be honest. But, there were different ways to teach someone how to kill. Thus, while there were some like himself, there were others like the strange man. There were also some that killed out of vendetta, some for money, and even some for the thrill. The reasons Riku did it involved all three, and even a fourth. Well, it had involved all three until he fell for Linda. Then, that motivation to kill left the picture. However, the important reason remained...the catalyst that he had started him down this path.
But, as he mind started bringing it to the surface, Mina’s voice stopped it. The emotions that boiled within him ceased, and the images that his mind started to play stopped. For a few seconds, his body stayed froze as she asked them a series of question. They were an important set of questions, but ones he didn’t wish to answer. After all, the assassin still felt riled from his mental dive into the past. But, Riku knew they would pester him for an answer. Also, other than Linda, he wasn’t sure he could trust the other’s judgment. Thus, it was better for him to get his opinion out there, than to allow the others to screw them all over.
“Staying in one place will only make us vulnerable. The longer we stay here, the more at risk we are for another attack. We constantly change location; it will be harder for them to find us.” Before continuing, Riku placed down the last bits of substitute firewood, and started trying to light a fire. “Also, we should stick to the woods. Less people, less threats. Though, we will have to watch out for the wildlife. They aren’t always friendly.” The assassin could recall a few times he had to fight animals tooth and nail. Those battles were not fun at all. “If you do not mind me throwing in some suggestions of my own, I say we travel by night and sleep by day once we get better. That way, if they plan to use the darkness as their cover, we will be wide awake to fight them.”
Eventually, he started a fire and watched it slowly form. He kept a calm expression as the embers of the flames danced across his red pools. However, Riku wasn't finished yet. “Lastly, I suggest we don’t light a fire unless we need to. The smoke and light of the fire will attract unwanted company.” The assassin moved over to where Linda was, and looked over at the group. “Take the suggestions as you all will. But, if bad things happen because you don’t take the advice…don’t get on me.” After that, Riku sat down and leaned up against a tree, noticing Selene going over to Mina. He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t ask what was going on. Must be family business. Nothing for me to get concerned over. Then, the assassin’s eyes looked over at Linda, leaving any curiosity of Selene’s and Mina’s conversation behind. “So, what do you think? Any ideas of your own to throw out there?” There's no way I'm giving up this time
Yeah, you know I'm right here
I'm not losing you this time.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:34 am
Linda
Startled out of her dark thoughts, Linda looked up at Riku, not really having noticed that he had left. Focusing on him, instead of absently staring into the fire, she sighed and shook her head.
"You've basically covered all of the relevant points," she said with a small smile. Turning back to the fire, she nearly got lost in her thoughts again, but shook her head and sighed again. Looking up at the sky through a small break in the trees, Linda slipped her hand into Riku's hand, then looked back at him. "I'm scared..." she whispered, trembling, unable to hold it back anymore. "Joshua... It feels like he can find me anywhere, like he's able to sense me somehow..." A tear slipped down her cheek as she looked up at Riku, her terror-filled eyes meeting his. "He hasn't liked me for a long time... I think that he just wants to kill me, no matter what my King says..." A choked sob escaped her, and her trembling increased, her grip on Riku's hand growing a little tighter. "I don't want Joshua to find me again... I think he won't waste time next time... He'll just kill me..." Linda's chest felt tight and breathing was difficult. Closing her eyes, she tried to pull a few deep breaths, her body still trembling, her grip on Riku's hand still tight. Another couple of tears slipped down her cheek, her trying to keep herself under control. She hated that she was having a breakdown like this, and she scrubbed her hand across her face.
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Mrs Yachi-san
Mrs Yachi-san
Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:30 am
  MinaMina listened to all that Riku said and nodded in agreement. "I think I agree with you Riku, though we will have to move slow I think in the morning we should move camp. Who do you think would be the best person to go into the towns or villages to gather supplies, I would say I could do it but I think after what happened I will be more known the he King and Queen." She sighed and looked up to the sky, getting only a few small glimpses from where she was sitting under a large tree. She didn't avert her gaze from looking up but once more addressed Riku. "Thank you for the suggestions, I appreciate the help." Mina glanced at Selene as she walked over to her and sat down beside her. She smiled slightly but knew that she couldn't hide anything from Selene. "Too many things Selene, but I'm fine, I just need to bathe and change. I am sure the smell of my blood would end up drawing attention from animals and I don't think I am strong enough to do much of anything to help protect the group." She sighed but noticed that Riku had looked to them with a curious look on his face. Before she could think of speaking to him she felt the fear Linda was feeling, a fear that seemed to be so strong it was almost choking her. She took a few slow deep breaths as she looked to Riku and spoke to him mentally. 'Riku, maybe take Linda a little further into the woods. I am sure that she wouldn't want anyone here knowing how afraid she is right now. Do not tell her that I know, but hurry, she needs comfort and I don't think she would want others to see her needing help.' With that Mina closed her eyes and allowed her mind to wander as she sat there, she replayed the dream she had had after falling to the ground, but was still unable to put the connections together.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:43 am
Selene
Selene smiled at Mina slightly.
"Well, I can help you if you want. I know that you loaned that dress to Linda, but I have some extra clothes if you don't have anymore. And I can help you over to the little pond. I have to get a bath too..." she added with a small laugh. She didn't seem to notice Mina's focus on Riku and Linda. Looking down at her own bloodstained dress, Selene sighed a little. "I hope that we have less trouble once we get to King Darian's palace..." Thinking back on that strange dream she had had while she was unconscious, and the strange feeling of kin that had come along with it, she sighed again.
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:02 pm
Riku Itsuki Amakura All night staring at the ceiling
Counting the minutes I've been feeling this way
So far away and so alone (()) The assassin knew they would have to move slowly for now. But, the fact that Mina was taking into consideration moving their camp around showed she was wise. At her question, he tapped his chin, his eyes briefly looking over everyone. “Well, Selene is out because she will probably be as famous as you. Linda is out because she has someone coming after her. Thus, she can’t be left alone.” He looked over at Linda with a small frown on his face before continuing. “That leaves either me, Meiun, or Miron. I say that we switch out between the three of us. Meiun goes in, then Miron goes in, and then I go in. Because right now…I may or may not have a bull’s eyes on my head. So, I need to wait for one of them to go and see if I do or not….before I can be sure I can do it.” I mean, it is a bit hard to hide when you had a big fight in the middle of Town square.
At Mina thanking him, he nodded and kept himself leaned back against the tree. His mind went from aware to unaware as it fought off the tiredness trying to come over him. Stupid fire. It is making me sleepy. However, Riku knew that it wasn’t only the fire that made his body relax and his mind shut off. The fight with the strange creature exhausted him mentally and physically. But, a small part wanted to battle it again, because it had given him a thrill that he hadn’t encountered in a while. That will have to wait until I heal fully, and until this is all over with, unless we encounter it again on this journey. Then….bring it on.
The red pools looked over at Linda, a small smile appearing when she mentioned he had covered all of the relevant points. “Good. I didn’t want to leave anything out.” His eyes focused on the fire now, the flames causing him to almost be lost to his thoughts. However, he felt a hand slip into his and noticed Linda looking at him. The assassin focused on her as she started to whisper to him of her fear. His eyebrows furrowed as the identity of the man left her lips. Joshua. Riku had never heard of the name before, but he made sure to commit his name and physical appearance to memory. The idea of him being able to sense her was not too far off. It would explain how the man was able to find her twice. But, without knowing about his powers, the assassin couldn’t reassure her of anything.
He wiped the tear away from her face, trying to keep himself calm as her eyes filled with terror. The explanation of him just going after her out of hatred was a likely reason. After all, if the King had ordered her to be here, then there would no reason for him to send someone out to kill her. Unless he is more of a sadistic than I thought. However, a choked sob stopped his thoughts and made his free hand rub her back. While the grip on his hand was almost close to being uncomfortable, he didn’t say anything as Linda continued to vent. The frown grew as she told him exactly what he had been expecting. That if Joshua was to return, he wouldn’t waste any time on killing her. Unfortunately, he would probably go for an instant kill, maybe a stab in chest or a breaking of the neck. Either way, it just made Riku know for sure that she couldn’t be left alone. Not while Joshua was out there wanting her dead.
When Linda started to cry some more, he wiped them away. Damn. She has changed a lot since we met. Huh? Then, he heard Mina’s voice in his head. His eyes blinked as she recommended that he take her further into the woods. A subtle nod showed that he had heard and understood her every word. “Linda, let’s go into the woods ok? You won’t have to worry about others watching if we go out there. That way, you can cry and vent as much as you want to, and I’ll listen to every word of it. I promise.” His lips tugged into a subtle smile as he stood up, pulling her up with him and started leading them into the woods. There's no way I'm giving up this time
Yeah, you know I'm right here
I'm not losing you this time.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:47 pm
Linda
Linda followed Riku and they had barely made it past the edge of the light of the fire before she collapsed against him, sobbing. She hated this, feeling like this and being this weak. Gripping the front of Riku's shirt, Linda shook with the force of her sobs. Eventually, she quieted down, and took a few deep breaths. Stepping away from Riku and drying her eyes, Linda just looked at the forest floor, composing herself. She looked back up at him, her dark eyes red from the tears.
"I'm sorry..." she whispered. She winced at how hoarse she sounded. "I've never been this scared before in my life... I don't like it... I hate how this is making me feel... I feel so weak... And like I'm going to make us even more slow..." She shivered and hugged herself, looking back out into the darkness of the forest. She thought she imagined eyes starting back at her and shivered again. Looking back at Riku, she gave a small sigh. "I'm glad that I have you at least... You make me feel so safe..."
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Mrs Yachi-san
Mrs Yachi-san
Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:47 pm
MinaMina smiled slightly as she looked over to Selene and nodded her head slightly. So was getting tired but she knew she could sleep yet. "Thank you Selene, I would appreciate the help. Lets head out now while Meiun and Miron work on the camp." Mina slowly stood with the help of Selene and started to head towards the pond but paused as she looked over at Riku as he spoke to her. "I think that sounds like a good enough idea Riku, maybe also make it so that after you go you switch the order around so no one can sneak up and attack a specific person. I think that if you all went in that same order it would leave up open for attack for we would fall into a routine. If thats all for now Selene and I are going to the pond and bathe and then change into clean gowns. We will want to take all the bloody clothing and possibly burn them in the fire so as not to draw more animal to our camp." (())
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:56 pm
Riku Itsuki Amakura All night staring at the ceiling
Counting the minutes I've been feeling this way
So far away and so alone (()) Before the two had left of the woods, Mina voiced her opinion on his answer. He nodded to her as he knew that they figuring out the order were a likely possibility. “I think that would be wise to do, as long as we can make sure we know who is going next of course." Then, Mina told them that she and Selene were going to go to the pond to take a bath themselves. He nodded slightly and looked over at the two males. “Be careful though. They might already be planning to sneak up on us again.” After that, Riku and Linda had gone towards the woods.
They had barely made into the forest before Linda collapsed against him. He froze for a few moments, surprised by her sobbing. But, his body slowly relaxed and one arm wrapped around her waist. His free hand placed itself on top of her head. As she shook against him, the assassin had no idea what to say or do. Admittedly, Riku felt useless in comforting her, and that made the feeling settle in his chest like dew over grass. Luckily, the uneasiness went away as Linda started to quiet down. He let go off her as she stepped away from him. The assassin looked at her calmly as her eyes focused on the forest floor. For those few moments, he felt the need to offer words of comfort. But, none came out. Thus, Riku only stood there as she finally looked up at him, the whites of her eyes red from the tears.
Her voice sounded hoarse as she whispered an apology. Before Riku could say anything, Linda continued on with her worries. A small frown appeared as she assumed that she would be slowing down the group. It is true the more wounded we have, the slower we will be. However, I have a feeling this group would have been a bit slow even without us being unwell. It isn’t like those princesses have adventured out into the real world as much as the rest of us in the group. Even if they don’t admit it, I’m sure they have to adjust to this life like we would have to adjust to theirs, if our roles were reversed. His mind was brought out of its’ thoughts when Linda mentioned how he made her feel safe.
Safe? Around an assassin? That is a bad thing to feel, considering we are the types that can kill anyone at a moment’s notice. However, Riku knew he could never make himself kill Linda, or the others in the group. While he hated his conscious, there was some good perks to it. In this case, they would never have to worry about him backstabbing them. His loyalty was hard to sway, and his full loyalty was hard to come by. But, the assassin knew he was fully loyal to the fairy in front of him. Thus, in essence, Riku would be extremely loyal to the rest of the group as well. “Under different circumstances, I would say it is bad to put such trust in an assassin. But, these are not normal circumstances. So…you can count on me to protect you.” He moved closer and placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. “I will never allow Joshua to bring you near death like that again…I swear that on my life.” With this, the assassin leaned forward and sealed his promise with a kiss to her lips. There's no way I'm giving up this time
Yeah, you know I'm right here
I'm not losing you this time.
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:17 pm
Linda
Linda's eyes widened as Riku leaned down to kiss her, but it was only for a moment before she kissed back, her lips moving against his as she relaxed against him. The kiss banished her worries and fears, at least for the moment, and she felt safe. A few moments later, the kiss ended and Linda found herself a little short of breath, but her heart was pounding, her cheeks flushed. Smiling a little bit, her eyes sparkling, she started to speak again, in a sultry tone this time.
"Mm... I liked that," she nearly purred. She didn't have to step any closer to him as she was already pretty close in the first place. Reaching up to gently touch his face, she smiled and then kissed him again.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:38 pm
Selene
Selene grabbed her pack and then started to lead the way to the pond, nodding when she heard Riku's admonition to keep a lookout. Keeping herself just barely in front of her sister, Selene kept a lookout and made sure that she was there just in case Mina needed her. They soon came upon the pond, and Selene started to get undressed so that she could bathe. Looking at Mina, she smiled.
"The water is warm!" she exclaimed.
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Mrs Yachi-san
Mrs Yachi-san
Captain
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:50 pm
MinaMina followed behind Selene after nodding to Riku. When they reached the pond she sighed as she slipped out of her gown and laid it on the ground next to Selene's pack. "Thank you again Selene for the help." She walked into the pond and allowed herself to relax a little even though she kept her senses open so she could sense someone if they got too close to the pond. While in the pond Mina cleaned off her body and then rinsed out her hair a little. She finished and started to walk out of the water as she squeezed her hair to get the extra water out of it. "Selene do you have a towel we can dry off with in your pack?" (())
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:28 pm
Selene
Selene nodded and got out of the water, doing the same with her hair that Mina was doing before rummaging in her pack for a couple of towels. Handing one to Mina, she used one herself, then pulled out a new gown for herself and put it on. Pulling out an extra gown for her sister, Selene handed it to her and smiled a little.
"So, it seems we are going to be even more aware than we have been previously. I could take the first watch tonight. I know how worn out you are," she said.
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:38 am
Riku Itsuki Amakura All night staring at the ceiling
Counting the minutes I've been feeling this way
So far away and so alone (()) He could feel her respond back to his moment of affection. A smile showed itself during the kiss as she started to relax against him. His arms moved to wrap around her lower back as he moved his lips against hers. Within a few moments, the assassin reluctantly ended the kiss and felt short of breath himself. However, his cheeks did not flush and his heart pounded only slightly more than normal. But, the major difference lied not in obvious signs, but in subtle signs. His body looked more relaxed than normal and his eyes held more warmth than they had done in a while. Also, the way his red pools looked at Linda showed the assassin was having some secret desires running through his veins. However, Riku kept them hidden and well under control.
Though, the assassin almost slipped up when Linda talked in her sultry tone. Luckily, Riku was able to compose himself quickly enough for the fairy not to notice the smoldering look he had given her. But, the resolve took another hit when she touched his cheek. The heat from her touch made the assassin close his eyes, not wanting to know what they might be showing in their depths. Soon, Riku felt more searing warmth as Linda pressed her lips against his. For a moment, the assassin froze up in his attempt to stop himself. However, his body would not listen and started to respond anyway, moving his lips against hers a bit rougher than he had done previously. His arms, which were wrapped around her still, pulled her closer to him to where no space lied between them. Reluctantly, after a few more moments passed, Riku broke off the kiss again. The assassin smiled slightly as he licked his lips slowly. “You becoming a kissing addict now?” The gleam in his eyes showed he was only teasing, giving her a quick peck on the check. There's no way I'm giving up this time
Yeah, you know I'm right here
I'm not losing you this time.
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:17 am
Linda
Linda grinned and rested her head on his chest, not wanting him to see the plain desire lying in her eyes. She laughed a little bit to herself, and then looked back up at him again, confident that she had gotten her gaze under control. The desire still lay within the depths of her dark eyes, but she decided that she didn't care.
"Just an addict of you," she said softly. Smiling and kissing his cheek, she started to turn away, to go back to the camp, but then decided not to. She rested there against him, not wanting to be anywhere else at the moment.
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Bitter Ambrosia Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:38 pm
Riku Itsuki Amakura All night staring at the ceiling
Counting the minutes I've been feeling this way
So far away and so alone (()) His hand placed itself on top of her head, his eyes looking around him in observance. By now, the desire had faded to where it only shown subtly within his dark red pools. However, when Linda looked up at him, he could see the desire within her own eyes. Admittedly, the assassin couldn’t help but smirk. Seems she is experiencing the same longings as me. But, Riku decided not to point this out as Linda replied back to his tease. “You are quite addicting yourself, Linda.” Before he could do anything to mess with her, she kissed his cheek and started to turn away. He didn’t mind this since they did need to get back to camp soon. But then, she stopped herself, as if even she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do now. The assassin tilted his head before he felt her rest against him again.
His arms wrapped themselves gently around her waist as he looked down at her. “Shouldn’t we head back to camp soon? It won’t be good to be separated from them for too long…especially when you are in bad shape, leaving us with only three fighters.” Riku recalled the conversation he had with Meiun at the inn about each member’s fighting capability. So far, their guesses that day had not proven wrong. However, now they had Linda on their side. The only problem now was the fact she was in no condition to fight with her knives. Thus, it left the assassin, the dream-walker, and the dragon-fox to fight their enemies. “Well, three fighters that we know of. Mina seems more of a healer, while Selene seems to be the weak link. It is quite possible they know how to fight yes. However, I’ve not seen them in action yet. So far, each person has fight into their roles.” He didn’t think Linda would know what he meant by roles, but Meiun probably would. That is, if he remembered the conversation.
“Sorry….I just killed the mood. But, I’m not a…romantic. This kind of this stuff…I’m not used to.” The assassin looked away slightly, not wanting to look her in the eye. “I’m more used to one night flings than a relationship. Admittedly, this would be the first time I’ve ever tried such a thing.” And to think it is with the person I hated, let alone my partner’s sister. I bet Dominick is laughing in his grave right now. Unfortunately, Riku had no idea that his partner had suffered a worse fate than death. “So, give me time ok? I’ll do my best to let my guard down…and tap into the emotional self I’ve kept repressed. But for now, my mind will naturally focus on the task at hand.” Thus, the assassin allowed his arms to leave her, slowly moving around her to face the camp. His hand outstretched towards her as his eyes looked at her, his expression calm and collected in a way that almost appeared…cold. However, that was just his face’s natural tendency, as well as his emotions. Calm and collected, with a hint of coldness that showed that his threats of death were not to be taken likely. But now, they seemed unfitting for the romantic like setting, and the assassin could only curse his sub-conscious urge to always be the perfect assassin…and nothing more. There's no way I'm giving up this time
Yeah, you know I'm right here
I'm not losing you this time.
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