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Hidden, on the Western tip of Aimon Island

I never even got to know his name.

It had happened so fast. The old man had been ill, this he knew. But he awoke one morning and the old man just... didn't. It was rather traumatic to him, seeing as they knew each other for a long time. Even though...

Tsure's eyes burned. He remembered the tattoo. It was one of the most painful things he had ever experienced, but not as painful as the sword that had sliced open his forehead and removed a rather large part of his hair. He had known, he was just denying that fact. He knew the old man was too old to live much longer. And yet the death hit him harshly.

"What the hell am I still doing here," Tsure said. He then mulled over his thoughts.

What is there for me to do here. It's rather obvious that even if these are the angel creatures, they have a certain dislike of homosexuals. I would almost be willing to bet that if I moved elsewhere, I would be accepted just a little bit easier, particularly if I left the fact that I'm gay behind with it.

Tsure thought just a little more.

This is an island chain. According to the old man... Northwest should be Sundosia. The only problem is, how I will swim over there with a staff and a tanto. And another problem is, I forget how much of a distance it is.

Tsure sighed and pondered his next move. He was always the adventurous type... He never wanted to be stuck anywhere, but now it appeared that he actually -might- be stuck.

Hidden, on the Western tip of Aimon Island

Time to head to the beach.

Tsure grabbed the few things he had. A small pouch with money. His staff. His tantos hidden in his thin boots and the ripped off lower part of his robes. He wore only a light shirt and converted the upper part of his robes to a vest. All looked old but in acceptable condition.

Walking in the light snow that hadn't yet melted, he walked about 200 meters before stopping next to the ocean and realizing there was no way he could cross. He could hardly see Sundosia in the distance.

He turned and saw something that might help him... a fishing boat. And a man.

He gaped in wonder.

I've never seen a fishing boat here. Tells you how often I visit the beach.

"Uh, excuse me!" He said to the young man. "By any chance are you going to Sundosia? I've been through a lot, but I'm willing to pay you all I have to catch a ride over there."

((Heh, Alain's my age in real life.))

On the coastline of the Western tip of Aimon Island

"I... uh, I don't know what these coins mean." He held out a few coins: Two gold, 6 silver and 9 copper. "But if that's enough to ensure we get to have a meal, I don't think I've had a decent one over the past two years." Tsure gave the blonde-haired man a slight grin.

I know nothing about the world. I don't know what's going on out there. All I know as Priests and the old man, and the majority of this island. And I know Sundosia's to the Northwest. Man! I wish I'd have stopped doing so much training to learn my way around and what current events are!

"So, what's the political situation in Sundosia?" Tsure asked, trying to start conversation. He brushed the blond hair on the back of his head around just a little, trying to cover up his rather large scar. "Oh, and before I ask anything else, what's your name?"

On the coastline of the Western tip of Aimon Island

"The name's Tsure Riodin." He accepted the handshake.

"I suppose you're wondering why I ask such questions. The fact of the matter is, I used to be one of the Priests here." He pointed at his now tattered, somewhat brown robes. "These used to be white. Unfortunately, I was thrown out of the Priesthood... They wanted me to learn that which I did not. They wanted to teach elemental magick, and I basically said no." His voice was quicker during this entire bit, and it didn't take a genius to figure out he was lying.

"After being kicked out, I was mauled by a bear, which I managed to fight off... but the scar remains. I was taken in by an old man."

Tsure's eyes shifted from side to side. He had actually figured he might've gotten away with it, except it all seemed too perfect to him. Tsure shook his head.

"No, to tell you that would be to lie. The old man said to be true to myself. I am who I am." Musing his next words, he merely spoke with complete truthfulness. "The priests. They beat up my friend. I ended up killing one of them. My friend and I kind of... well, we had feelings for each other that neither of us couldn't explain. Except we were both male."

By this point, Tsure looked at his worn boots, and then to a stone near them.

"The Priests kicked me out. Specifically my father. He nearly took off my head with his sword. I was forced out, and they left me to die. I healed my scalp on my own. After a few weeks, I ran into this hut, close to here."

Tsure appeared to be calm, even while saying it.

"That describes who I am."

On the coastline of the Western tip of Aimon Island

Tsure entered the boat. He had only seen one once before, and it was huge. He thought it belonged to a bunch of pirates at the time, but didn't catch a good glimpse of it. This one looked really small. Tsure continued to stand, using his staff as a balance because he was not used to being on a boat at all.

"Alain, can I ask you a couple of questions before you speak of the situation?"

Tsure continued on, not waiting for Alain to respond. "First what exactly do you do for a living? Second, isn't it necessary for me to get a job? And third, if I said I wanted to see the world, would you believe me?"

A glimmer of hope over a heart of relative despair was the only thing that showed in Tsure's eyes. He was afraid of what would happen, scared of civilization and them knowing more than he did, possibly even more about him than he knew of himself.

Sailing off the Western Coast of Aimon Island

Tsure continued holding on to his staff and thought over the words Alain had said.

"Well, I haven't 'worked' per se ever in my life. I forget about most of my Priest training. But I know how to wield a staff, and the tantos hidden... well, somewhat hidden, by my legs. But who has use for someone who knows how to fight?"

Tsure pondered about the comment Alain had made about the world, and thought, perhaps the world is a more cruel place than even I realize. Not that I know much about it, anyway.

Tsure gazed off the boat and noticed a rather large ice jam.

"What is the world like? And what are we to do about that ice jam? From what I understand, boats do not go well with ice."

((Heh, I grabbed some booty from Mr. Mule. And man, Tsure is sheltered in comparison to the majority of the other characters. Heh. Not how I expected him to turn out, but I like it anyway.))

Sailing off the Western Coast of Aimon Island

"Knight's job? There are knights here? What do they do?"

Tsure watched Alain head to the bow and head back to the cockpit and was not expecting the boat to turn so quickly. Reacting with almost catlike reflexes and to save himself from falling, he moved his staff behind him and managed to save himself from falling by inching his way upwards, using his staff as a rope.

"Yeah, I could guess that boats and ice jams don't go well together. Are those called ice jams? That's what the old man called 'em."

Tsure looked around the boat. Relaxing somewhat, he kept his staff ready, but not supporting him.

"Vampyri means Vampire, I presume. I've never seen one myself." Tsure suddenly shivered, the ocean air getting to him just a bit. He had forgotten what it was like to be at the shore, and it was much colder than he last realized.

"All these are stories though? Things passed to one another by word of mouth?" Alain suddenly sighed, without much explanation, and Tsure asked, "And what's with the sigh, anyhow?" in a curious tone.