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 Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:47 pm
Awakening
He stared around himself thoughtfully. His mask was tied where he could easily get to it. Just like normal. But where was he? What had happened?
Glancing at the tombstones, he ran his hand across the stone surface nearest him. His name had been carved with a faint mask design behind it. Interesting.
A smile appeared lighting his expression. He had been loved enough to have received a marker. A bit of vanity slipped through him. His hand gripped his belt as he thought of those he had left behind.
Capell. Aya. Edward. Eugene. Komachi. Especially she and Empress Svala. The rest who fought with them against Leonid and Veros. Genma and the Nightwhispers who obeyed his commands.
So many left behind.
How had he died? Touma frowned faintly as he tried to remember. He was unsure and a bit of frustration replaced the vanity he had been feeling. Looking down at the stone again, he sighed. It was time to go. Turning towards the slight path out, he moved away from the solemnity of the graveyard.
Perhaps he would find whatever it was that was keeping him there. Unfinished business if that is what it was, he would figure it out.
The forest was quiet as he moved slowly through it. Nothing looked familiar at all. Deep lush ferns grew in the shadier areas. Brightly colored blossoms of red, orange, and yellow reached upwards in the sunlight. A rather pleasant place, but not one he knew.
The path disappeared but he continued moving forwards. The only sounds he could hear were of the birds and insects surrounding him. A playful breeze danced though lifting his hair in amusement.
He sighed. Perhaps he should just sit awhile and think about what needed to be done. Wandering, he might never find anyone. At least this way he had time to think and plan what he might expect.
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm
Taizahra
Moving towards the road ahead of him, the ghostling glanced around in the dark. He could see little except that lit by his lantern.
For some time he followed the road. At least it looked like one before coming to a fork. Both directions looked similar. Dark trees and bushes. Insects chirping as they went about their nightly routine.
Which way did he go? Both looked the same. He closed his eyes focusing on what his senses could find. At first there was nothing. But then a faint odor came to him. He opened his eyes, a scowl faintly planted on his face. Was that the scent of miso and ramen? Or just wishful thinking?
Following the right path, Touma glanced around him. There were no lights but his own. He had just rounded the corner as daylight began to turn the sky pink when he heard a rustling in the bushes just in front of him.
Tai slipped out into the road, his eyes looking around him. It was his purpose to find the boy. Although that had not been his first thought. The wolf remembered that he had been a fox and the first time he had seen himself reflected in a puddle, Tai had understood that the color was the same. Except for one thing.
The collar on his neck he felt was connected to the boy in some way. He had been in such pain and even as a wild fox, his instincts had urged him to comfort the human child. It was why he had chosen to remain even when the man took his life for it. In that instant he had loved the gentle soul that died with him and was still drawn to him. Somehow he knew the child needed him still.
Touma stared back as the creature sat down in front of him. For a long moment their gazes met as if sizing the other up.
"Not the one." Tai stated, getting to his feet as his tails twitched anxiously.
Touma blinked in surprise. "You talk?"
"Obviously."
"Strange. I do not remember ever seeing a talking wolf."
Tai gazed at him silently for a long moment. "I never met a ghost before either."
"What did you mean that I'm not the one?"
"I am looking for someone. He would be as you are. I will know him when I see him."
"I see. Is there a town close or...?" Touma hesitated. "I'm not sure where I'm going."
Tai glanced at him again, then nodded, his tails swaying behind him. "I can lead you to one."
The ghostling watched for a moment then hurried to catch up. At least he had a guide to a city. And the wolf seemed friendly enough if unusual.
As they traveled, Tai finally began to talk of how he had died. He remembered it all too clearly and he was quite certain that the boy still needed him.
Touma began to understand that there was more to this place than death. Perhaps that was his purpose for being there. A sense of pride filled him that he had been chosen and he drifted along a bit straighter.
It had been entirely uneventful as they moved around the hill to look downwards on the town. The sounds of midday could easily be heard though movement was as if ants working on an anthill to their eyes. By the time they reached town, it would be nearly evening again.
"We should rest when we get there, Tai. Somewhere safe. Then get up later and look around. When all the living people are gone."
"If you think so, Touma." the wolf agreed. "I could use some rest."
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm
The Festival of the Moons
This is just linked in. If you want the full quoted version go to Valkon's Journal. It is there.
Festival of the Moons Metaplot
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