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 Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:20 pm
"No... today's when sky makes way for the new moon for the month." Nahara said softly, looking up to the moonless sky, as all three approached the Wasted Wizard's front door. Hibon was the first to the door, and jerked to a stop, pressing an ear against the door.
"Someone's in there..."
"So? It's probaly grandfather." Nahara replied impatiently, reaching for the door's handle, only to be stopped by Hibon.
"Tonight's the monthly Council meeting-- you forgotten already?!" He gripped the door's handle, as he turned to look at Nahara and Sunstrike, raising a finger to his lips. He cautiously opened the front door to the shop, having unlocked it and crept forward, the sounds of movement and dull thudds, heard again and again.
There was a solitary light on within the shop, around the back, and that's where Hibon crept towards. Seeing a stooping shadow, he grabbed the nearest thing at hand, and moved forward, towards the light.
"Stop right there!" He bellowed out, waving the... mop... in the direction of the shadowy figure. The figure seemed genuinely surprised, so much so that it turned around to face... a mop? "Give me everything you've stolen and leave immediately!"
"Huh? And you are...?" The figure pointed out with a finger, making the mop wag back and forth for a bit, still hidden somewhat in the shadows.
"The owner!"
"The owner. Hmm." The figure seemed to leane up and back. "What shall I do...? All I've got is my body." The figure began stepping forward, the mop pushed away until it's hands rested on Hibon's chest. "So in that case... take me!" In the light that was in the closed shop, Vahn became visible, his body pressing against a suddenly flushing and shocked Hibon.. who then started to gag, as Vahn sighed happily. "I'm yours!"
Hibon staggered back, and then hid behind a nearby bookcase. "..... It's you!"
"I told you, I'm not a thief." Vahn said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Stop fooling around mister!"
"Mi...Mister...?!" Vahn's eyes narrowed in intensity. "Oh, he's... defintely got a death wish..." Hibon peered from around the bookcase and stared at the brooding and mumbling Vahn, wondering if the man was crazy.
"You've said an unforgivable thing!" Vahn belowed out, raising his right hand.
"Ha...Ha...! So, what are you going... to about it...?" Hibon said, wagging the mop back and forth again in Vahn's direction.
"I'll kill you..." Yellowed eyes narrowed tightly.
"Don't make me---" Sudden;y Vahn 'vanished' from the spot he had been standing in, only to appear directly in front of Hibon, hsi right hand closing about the younger man's face. "--laugh...? ...!"
"Death..." Vahn's eyes softened, as well as his tone of voice, as his grip on Hibon's head started to tighten. "...Is just a moment away."
"AAAA! AAAA! NAHARA HELP ME! THE NAKED MAN! AAA! SUNSTRIKE! AAAAHK!" Hibon flailed about wildly, screaming at the top of his lungs now, completely freaking out.
Suntrike? "......Sheesh...." Vahn closed his eyes, releasing his grip and flicking Hibon's forehead. "What a coward! I was only joking. I had no intention of killing you, stupid."
"I...I'm NOT a coward!" Hibon yelled out, facing Vahn.
"And your behavior just a moment ago would be...?"
"Humph!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 2:43 pm
Both Nahara and Sunstrike started at the yell, and blinked at each other, twin sweatdrops appearing together as they looked down.
"Y-Your friend won't really hurt him, will he?" Sunstrike waved a bandaged hand as he opened the door for her.
"Nah, not really...I don't think so anyway...not unless Hibon was daft enough to hit him, or something. Hey Nahara, you'd best stay here by the door in case some of your neighbors heard that." Nahara pouted at the thought of being left behind, but realized as the lights came on in houses all around that it would be best for her to stay.
Sunstrike, hand pressed lightly to his chest, softly began to ascend the staircase, he was nearly knocked over by Hibon as he stomped down...giving only a gruff remark as to whether he was okay...mumbling something about not being a coward...
The figure was hunched again in the darkness when Sunstrike reached the top, idley he slouched against the door frame and watched for a bit. When he did speak it was low, compared to Hibon's earlier...but it carried enough for the person listening to understand.
"S'good to see you up and about finally...was thinking of stealing your boots. Did you really have to scare the kid that much?" Sun cursed his insensitiveness...he shouldn't really be like this...like he was defending himself against something.
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:03 pm
"He needs to get scared more often if you ask me." He replied, still shuffling through some heavy books, searching for something in particular. Yellowed eyes narrowed slightly, as they came upon something, but disregarded it.
".... Years ago, Sunstrike..." He started up again, staring at one heavily binded book. "..I think it was almost a hundred years ago... I found the body of a dying black magician. Heh...!" Vahn closed his eyes, leaning back a little, in the low candlelight.
"He was a real talker... He bragged about a magical tablet that he had found just before his death." Vahn ran a finger along the bridge of his nose, scratching it idly.
"He said, 'At present, only a man born with natural talents-- who works to hone his skills-- can become a true fighter. But with this magical tablet-- even a mere farmer could reach such heights!'..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:18 pm
"Musn't have done him much good if he was dying when you found him, though." Sunstrike was suddenly a lot closer, and talking in the other man's ear. Curious, he was looking over Vahn's shoulder, having moved through this little speech. A hundred years...talked about as a normal human would of five. But he didn't mention that.
After seeing nothing interesting over Vahn's shoulder, meaning no fancy pictures to catch his tired eyes, Sunstrike wandered to one of the windows. "Shouldn't you be resting, Vahn?" Neglecting the fact that going out fighting gobo's wasn't exactly what you would call resting..."And we should be figuring out how to go home...not becoming a drain on the general desert economy here..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:33 pm
"Ha! I don't know..." Truth be told... those were valid points. The need to get thigns straight seemed foremost above all right now... but he seemed apprehensive in fully agreeing with his companion.
Bigger things were in motion here...
"Funny thing is... that magician was dying because he tested that magical tablet..." Vahn lifted his head up, eyes staring on over to Sunstrike, who was in such a closer proximity now, before the young man moved away towards the windows. "what I do know... is that if those two come back from this tablet alive...then we can be sure that magical tablet really does work."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:58 pm
"Those two...what do you mean, those two..." Sunstrike gave Vahn a confused look. "You spoke the language I understand, Vahn but I'm afraid I'm a few centuries behind...and a few hours closer to needing a bed. All I know is that we were there...now we're here, thanks to you. Admitedly I owe you a lot for pulling my arse out of the fryer...but mind reading on demand isn't something I can give at this time of night."
Sun pulled his goggles off his head and rubbed his nose where they'd pinched slightly. Unreal...he'd been hoping earlier that he could talk face to face with Vahn...but now he was feeling even more alienated...what am I doing wrong...think Sunstrike.
You're not understanding because your tired, it's late, it's been a stressful day looking after the two...why did he feel so drained? That amount in the sunlight...that should have helped his healing along. Admitedly there was the fighting to consider...but Hibon had taken care of most of that without Sun lifting so much of a finger...
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:13 pm
Eyes widening slightly as he seemed to have found what he was looking for, he reached forward and grabbed a thick, brown leather bound book, standing up at the same time. "In their present state, if Dain's grandchildren continue to follow you... They'll eventually get killed." Vahn's eyes moved towards where Sunstrike was, before he started walking away.
"And... whether they die this way, or that way... It's all the same don't you think? At least this way, if they manage to survive-- they will have profited fromt he experience."
He stopped at the doorway, as if waiting for Sun to follow.
"Well... come on then. You look like you need the rest."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:34 pm
"S-sure." Same old Kasuga...that was for sure. He'd been hoping a bump on the head would have maybe jogged that "blunt and true" factor out of the way for a bit. Sigh sigh, no different from when we first met...he's gonna need something more then a bump on the head then...
He spoke up again as he followed the taller man out. "If they continue to follow around with someone like me, when their supposed to be following you...they'd probably deserve what they get..." He grinned, speaking teasingly and folding his arms at the back of his head. Nahara had told him what their grandfather had said about being pledged to the "Firebringer."
In a way he was glad...if they were following Vahn, he wouldn't have to worry so much...Anything that got through Vahn...and THEN Sunstrike...well...it didn't bear thinking about someone on that scale...
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:07 pm
"Now... I'm not that bad of a per--" Without warning, and with much astounding surprise to Vahn himself, he found himself reeling backwards, a spell of dizzyness overcoming him, causing the thick book to drop from his sweaty palm, and his body to go tilting backwards, left hands trailing along the wall.
"Nngh..." He all but nearly tumbled backwards into Sunstrike, who he hoped was more quick to notice this, and actually brace Vahn's fall, which would end up leaving the older man leaned against Sunstrike.
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:24 pm
Thunk.
Sunstrike blinked as the book fell in what seemed to be slow motion. That wasn't what made the noise, the actual sound came from Vahn's back impacting against Sunstrikes chest. Pain.....
His arms came out quicker then he imagined and his bandaged hands grabbed Vahn's shoulders steadying the other man and moving his chest out of range all at the same time. His arms trembled, and as soon as he got some semblence of breath back he ducked underneath one of the arms, slipping the other one around a waist.
"Vahn...you....idiot...howlong...haveyou...been UP?!" Sun'd gotten the wind knocked out of him by the pain, but he knew he was okay...probably so long as he didn't look at his chest...something felt as if it'd pulled the stiches a bit. He was more worried about the other man though...
He'd seemed so in control before....why didn't I see this comming?
Because you're scared of what it means, came the answer. Sunstrike tsked at his own thoughts and began speaking.
"You still with me, Vahn? Can you walk, or should I..." Sun thought about the intelligence of him carrying ANYBODY let alone Vahn..."Get Hibon up here to pick you up and get you to a bed..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:34 pm
His vision was still blurring, trying to refocus on just staring straight ahead to the far wall. His hands were actually shaking... he felt severely drained.
Weak.
What the hell...was that all about? "S'alright... just not used to walking around a lot yet." He struggled to regain control of his body, but found it unwilling, and therefore had to rely on Sunstrike for the moment. "I'm fine... really, I'm fine." Red locks twisting as beads of sweat fell to the ground, he leaned forward, trying to grab up the book he had dropped.
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:49 pm
Sunstrike sighed, and nudged a foot under the book, pulling Vahn back upright and out of the way...gods...he's lighter then I thought......and then he flipped the book up to chest height, grabbing its binding and holding it, avoiding the grasping hands.
"Right, then, fine...I can see that. Dain's gonna chew your ear off when he gets back...don't argue with me, you know he's the type. C'mon, lets get you to bed. Then, if you feel okay, I'll give you the book back. Far as I know, books don't stop being books cause you gotta wait five minuetes before reading them..." And he gently began to move, half pulling half carrying, of all people, Vahn.
It was really about time he got some payback for being so out of it when Vahn had taken care of him in that battle...he was sympathetic though...really....the grin was really just a grimace of pain over his chest...of course it was...
and dragons are nice sweet animals that like intelligent conversation and tea parties...
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:19 pm
"Gimme a break... I'm half dead here." Groaning, he pressed a hand against his stomach, on the scar that his own brother had given him, back at the stadium. The past few days had indeed been a whirlwind of events... betrayals on top of utter chaos unlike anything he'd seen, and he had been idiotic enough to just waltz right into the trap.
Never again... I swear it on my life. Never. again. Yellowed eyes cutting to the side, he glanced behind them both, as Nahara watched them from down the hall, before he and Sunstrike eventually disapeared into their room, which was actualy Vahn's old room.
"......."
~~
"A truce?!" The shout carried out throughout the room, as the scraping of a chair being forced back was heard, along with the heavy thudd of a fist upon a table. "The best time to surprise them is NOW, while their command is still shaky!" The speaker turned his head, looking to the rest of the men and women seated at the table. "If we don't act, they'll just rest up, re-supply and then come back to crush us!"
"That's true--" Dain placed back down the cup of coffee he'd been drinking from, leaning back in his chair. "But we've got a lot of wounded and dead on our side too. We also need time to regroup."
"If only...." another speaker piped up, twisting his head to the rest of the people present. "Victory would have been ours, if only he hadn't been there." The speaker stood up, and widened both arms. "That demon appeared like the wind, fought like an ogre-- and in one instant turned the tides against us."
"I hear it's called 'S'aak''... or something like that."
"....." Dain merely watched, hands folded together.
"I'm in favor of a truce." Said the woman nearest Dain. "Fighting for so long has even weakened the morale of our people. As days go by, it's becoming harder on the women too."
Agreed murmering started up, as people talked amongst themselves. "Maybe we should try for a truce, even if it doesn't last forever." Dain offered, extending out a sweeping hand.
"But, Dain, if we settle on a truce... then who will it be that..."
"I have enlisted a very promising young man who just recently vsited our City-- an exceptional lad named Vahn-- to investigate the matter."
"Vahn?" The murmuring once more started up into full gear, as people became generally confused. "Va...hn?" One of them stood up, looking towards Dain. "Excuse me, but... to which group is this Vahn affliated?"
"I will answer that question." All turned their heads, turning to the doorway, to see a young man standing there, long hair flowing gently down the side of his shoulder. He was peculiarly dressed... but in their eyes, they saw one of their own, a council member.
"We are unable to determine either his history, or his affliation. If truth be told, he is a very suspicious fellow."
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 8:42 pm
The goggles still in his hand flew, and hooked one of his bedposts, clattering as it fell. By the time he managed to sit Vahn down on a bed, his own vision was blurring a bit.
Sun gently untangled himself, placing the book on the bed next to the other man, and letting Vahn sort himself out from there on in, and went to the door. He bekoned Nahara over, and asked for some glasses of water, she wandered off and he leaned greatfully against the wall, waiting for her to return.
It wasn't too long before the door was shut again, and Sunstrike had two glasses in hand. Carefully he placed them both on Vahn's table, and then pulled the cloth of the poncho over his head. As he looked down at his bandages he tsked softly, sticky with fresh blood, and began looking for a way to undo them. Sitting on his own bed to do so.
Bandages off, he took a deep breath, and let his wings out easily in the darkness. He was finally able to breathe easier then he had since they'd gotten here. He hummed softly as he worked, looking for spare bandages and drinking some of the water, even though his chest was a horrible patchwork of bruises and scars...showing up even in the dim light of the candles in the room.
"No real damage done," he said clearly, "Just stretched a few of the stiches a bit much, one of these days I'm gonna keep my nose out of caves and expiditions. How bout you? Feeling a bit better? Still woozy?" The orange eyes glowed eerily at Vahn through the shadows.
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Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:05 pm
Leaned back against the wall, it was eerily quiet within the room. The book all but forgotten, the warrior stared ahead, into the dimly lit passage, yellowed eyes adjusting to the darkness quite naturally... or abnormally, however you wanted to see it.
"There's no moon out tonight..."
He was staring out the double french-styled doors that opened up to the small terrace, eyes looking straight up to the sky itself. He lifted his left hand, turning it over a little, as if trying to find something in the palm or along the lines.
"......" He sent a single hand running through his hair, holding his temple. "At one time, I sent shockwaves through the fighting world. Now look at me... running errands like some nobody." Yellowed eyes shifted, staring out the window and straight ahead....
~~
Dain walked down the nearly deserted street, his hands folded behind his back as he moved along, the idle chatter of passerbys heard and then gone as they moved on. What is 'good' and what is 'bad'? Dain furrowed his brows as he stared at the ground for a bit, deep in thought. Who would have thought that these so-called Council members would be so narrowed-minded.
Dain continued walking forward, heading for his scroll shop.
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