|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 12:32 pm
WHO: Sloane (Snoof), Jin-ho and Blaithe (Neon)
WHERE: The North Base in Shyregoed
WHEN: Early morning, around 8AM
WEATHER: Windy, light flurries and hail, dark skies
How long had it been since he set foot in those walls? The walls that had been his home for so many years. Uprooted with a murder, it was surprisingly easy to leave the castle behind. Going back seemed to be stirring more feelings in him than leaving had, a bubbling mixture of homesick, nostalgia and regret. Of course, the last striking memories he had of this place were filled with deception and pain not only for himself but for those close or growing closer to him. Darling Blaithe, her Grimm, Chauhn and Clurie... everything had gone wrong all near the same time.
The Ides of March were a great thing to be feared.
A loud plunk drew Sloane out of his thoughts and he paused, eyes locked on the carriage roof as an accompanying shout was given. The carriage stopped and he heard the driver jump off the side, his landing cushioned by the snow. More small thuds sounded without the slightest bit of rhythm and after a few moments the familiar clangs of armor met the Plague's ears. The driver walked around to the side and waved a reassuring hand to the small window. Curious, Sloane slid over to the window and peered out for a better look. In the man's hands was a long helm with a few straps which he was carrying to the horse. It was then Sloane realized that it was beginning to hail, though the numerous chunks of ice weren't a size one should worry about. Still, their only means of forward motion appeared uneasy as it swayed and stamped at the ground. The helm was tied to the horse's head to protect it from the increasing weather and, though it could not be protected from the sound, the animal seemed slightly more at ease now that it wasn't getting bonked repeatedly on the noggin.
Progress picked up once more and it only took another half an hour or so before they reached the gates of the stone fortress. Its familiar walls brought both a reassurance to Sloane as well as an impending dread. He had agreed to this, agreed wholeheartedly, but now that he was here he just wanted to be back at Anica. Even its walls, as tainted as they were with the stench of innocent blood and the old Grand Magus' presence, were more comforting to him than the North Base currently appeared. His transport rolled to a stop, unfazed by his torn emotions, and Sloane willed his armor to conjure a helmet so his head would also be protected from the small balls of ice.
The air inside the base was different from when he was last here, changed by the events in its walls and across the entire continent. It felt as stiff as the creaking wooden doors that groaned upon his entry, even the guards stationed therein mirrored it with their tightened posture and less than familiar greetings. A musty scent coated everything, causing it to feel more decrepit than the base had ever been. Perhaps his own perceptions were skewed, his emotions getting the better of him and painting a once accurate portrait of familiarity into something dank and foreboding. Sloane wouldn't be surprised with all that had happened in the past few months. His head was still swimming from it all as he stepped up to a familiar door which lead to a room of only moderate size that belonged to the once Assistant Adviser. Sloane's iron coated knuckles rapped against the door, the sound bringing him to full alertness.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 12:17 pm
The muted thuds of hail against the thick, rock walls and the windows of the castle echoed softly in the quiet room, barely overheard by the shuffling of papers and other materials. The day was dull and uneventful, despite the events taking place. Sloane had been sent to check on the castle and those left inside, and Jin-Ho was still stuck preparing for the beast of a Plague's arrival.
Things had gotten progressively become more and more difficult over the last few weeks. The once proud mage had become dependent on others despite how well the healing process was going, and leaning how to use his non-dominant arm was stressful and tedious.
Under the warmth of the candle's flame, Blaithe sat with a lone scrap of paper that her Grimm had allowed her, writing and drawing whatever would pop into her mind as she waited patiently, though admittedly eager, for the arrival of her dearly missed friend. The last they had seen each other, both she and her Grimm were in poor shape and hardly of any company, not to mention Sloane's rage toward their once welcomed guests... She flinched at the mere thought.
Lady Estratus' letter sat near the Phasmas, the notice of Sloane's assignment at the castle. It had been a while since anyone Jin-Ho knew set foot into the base, and despite how nice of a change it would be to see a familiar face, the man was still bitter and constantly frustrated.
He continued to dig in the drawers and sift through papers that had been strewn across the desk and floor, searching nearly desperately for a letter from one of the higher-ups in the Fellowship that had arrived only hours prior. How it had been misplaced so easily was beyond him, but maybe after Sloane arrived he could have one of the bells help. How big of an idiot was he for losing it; it had even been sealed! Jin-Ho mentally cursed himself as he shut the drawer he had been searching through.
If she hadn't have smelled the tainted smell of blood and metal, the knocking on the door would have startled Blaithe, but her Grimm had been taken by surprise as the heavy wood of the door barked with each tap.
Straightening up, Jin-Ho quickly stepped toward the door to let the man into the mess that was currently his living space. No effort was put forth to keep the place neat anymore; the bed wasn't made, paper spread all over the floors and even the former mage himself looked rather a-mess. His face had thinned over the last few months, the scars scattered shining against his tanned skin and even the rings under his eyes had darkened. He hadn't even bothered to put on proper clothing, remaining in nothing but a thick sweater, pants and shoes.
A tiny smile crossed Blaithe's face as she leaned forward, eager to see her sword friend for the first time in what felt like years. At a time, she would have done her best to stand and present herself, but with the wooden stump now completely removed, she could only sit and wait.
"Hello, Sloane, come in."
Jin-Ho nodded toward the bed and empty chair across the room, an invitation to sit as he closed the heavy door behind. Certain things were starting to become accustomed to, but he still sorely missed his other arm.
Blaithe did her best to keep from beaming as Sloane entered, her hands remaining before her against the paper rather than reaching toward him in hopes of being lifted up. The three, long black scars remained from Claudia's attack, but they no longer tugged or stung.
There was a silence for a moment, the ringing from the hail pattering against the window breaking the quiet. Jin-Ho's face remained blank as he glanced between the two Plagues in his presence before finally clearing his throat, "The castle has been quiet since everyone left. There have only been a few Cultists lurking around, but all of them have been found and executed, as far as I am aware." He walked toward the table, extending his arm for Blaithe to climb on before walking back toward his Lady's companion.
"Despite the calm, I'd like for you to take Blaithe with you."
Blaithe's head whipped back, looking up at her Grimm with what could only be discerned as an expression of shock. Did he not want her around, anymore? "J-Jin-Ho..."
In all honesty, she wanted to leave. She wanted to be with those that she missed; she wanted to see Sloane and Sage, Chauhn and Clurie... all of her friends that she hadn't seen in ages. She wanted to get away from the haunting memory of that night, something she couldn't do in these walls, but... to hear her Grimm outright ask for her to leave...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 12:59 pm
The response to his knocking was timely, putting memories of him sheepishly knocking at Miss Amaranthe's door at bay. This did little to keep his uneasy feelings from resurfacing as the door opened and, in fact, only fueled them in the pit of his stomach. Jin-ho Kyon, an Augur once more, looked different though it was hard for Sloane to immediately pin the word 'worse' onto him.
Even with the nearly featureless helmet, it was obvious who was standing before the mage and it allowed the Infitialis to smile slightly beneath the metal. He entered as beckoned, nodding to the Grimm and side stepping him so as not to get in the way. Silently, his eyes scanned the room for the small colorful figure and as his eyes locked upon her form the visor of his helm tilted back and compressed, the entire helmet folding into nothingness to reveal his own unchanged appearance. His smile was a wordless greeting, speaking of fondness and longing, but there was little time for it to be elaborated upon at length and so he sat where indicated and rested his hands in his lap.
"Well, I trust you know why I'm here." Jin-ho did not disappoint; immediately he explained the situation and there was some relief. What few lurkers had been eradicated, things were running smoothly albeit quietly, and everything seemed acceptable. Why, then, did the more negative feelings within this place continue to permeate through Sloane's flesh and worm their way into his core? His swirls glanced back to Blaithe as Jin-ho spoke, gaze tracing over the small scratches so obvious against her glowing white skin. What smile there had been fell into contemplative sympathy, his fingers tightening around a wrist at the recollection of rose petals and thorns.
There was some relief from those feelings and memories as Jin-ho stood and retrieved his charge who oh so obligingly crawled into his grasp as any time before. Sloane's heart warmed, momentarily reassured that not all had changed and perhaps this ominous feeling was something to be ignored. It was shattered the very next moment he opened his mouth, the Plague's brows knitting as he scrutinized the Grimm's face but the loss of his arm seemed to have given him an impeccable poker face. If it weren't for the fact that Blaithe seemed taken aback he might have agreed then and there but even in her confusion it was obvious more things had changed than was immediately apparent.
She had never used Jin-ho's real name in the entire time he had known her.
"Why?" was the first question that sprang to mind and it left his lips without any pause or filter. His tone was serious, voice low, and it was taking much of Sloane's willpower not to take her from the human's hand then and there but he wanted to be sure it was something she wanted and was alright with. At the moment it appeared to him neither was the case and there had better have been a damn good reason he wanted to make her do something she didn't want to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:15 am
Once again, there was a brief pause in the room; Jin-Ho's eyes remained firmly on Sloane's as he fished for the words to say. He didn't dare look down toward Blaithe as she sat nervously in his hand before taking a couple of steps forward and offering her to the sword. Obediently, she crawled into the gilded and armored hand.
"It's too dangerous for her to be here. Despite the quiet, I'd rather her be with someone who could keep her safe."
His face remained stone as he turned away again, gently cupping what was left of his arm. It was true; he wasn't able to take care of her at this time. She was stressful and often got in the way of work. It was obvious that she was trying her best, but at this time it just wasn't working. She wasn't able to comfortably stay in the room alone while Jin-Ho left the castle for work, even with the bells to keep her company.
It just wasn't working.
"You or Lady Estratus would be better for her than I would."
"B-but... Jin-Ho..." Blaithe stood, using Sloane's fingers as support. She stared back and forth between the two, unsure of what to make of the situation. She thought she had been good and behaved well, and while her Grimm's explanation was to keep her safe, it did little to comfort her. Sitting back down, she glanced up at Sloane and gave him a short nod, defeated. "O-okay..."
The girl's tone tugged at Jin-Ho's heart, his eyebrows knitting together slightly before forcing himself to be blank again. Once confident again, he turned back to face the two.
"Was there anything else you needed, Sloane?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:44 am
The Infitialis' brow quirked at Jin-ho's brief explanation. It was understandable to Sloane; even with things being calm the North Base had still been infiltrated more than once by the cult and if they could get their hands on anything, especially a Plague, then they would do so. With both of their physical disabilities it would be easy to pick the small Phasmas off without there being much of a fight.
Holding his hand out, he allowed the small girl to climb into his palm and he gently cupped his fingers into a protective barrier. she wasted little time in using them to stand, her gaze transfixed upon her Grimm. Blaithe didn't seem convinced, or at the very least she was apprehensive. Who could blame her? If his Lady had told someone else to take care of him while he was small he would have fought tooth and nail to return to her, regardless of the reasoning or who was to be taking care of him. She wasn't afforded that opportunity.
"How long?" he asked plainly, keeping his eyes locked with the humans as he raised his other hand toward Blaithe. The steel claw covering his index finger retracted, revealing soft warm flesh indistinguishable from a human's. He hovered the finger near her, it being the only means for a hug he could manage with her tiny form after she agreed, staring up at him with her pink star.
Sloane saw the subtle waver in Jin-ho's stance, the twitch of his brow. The action was all too familiar to him as it mirrored Lady Estratus' mannerisms. Had the loss of his arm shut him out as his twisted growth had done for her? It seemed, however, that the Grimm was eager to return to his work and was not keen on keeping either Plague around. A corner of his lip curled in response, eyes narrowing, and though his expression became slightly more fierce the affectionate touch of his flesh against the Excito was unaffected.
"Is there more to say?" he quipped rhetorically, retracting his finger and coating it with armor once more as he stood, For a brief moment he lingered, staring the Augur down in a fashion similar to when they had last been on poor terms. It was unfortunate that the man had only just begun to succeed in carving a comfortable niche for himself in the Sword's life but now it seemed he was filling it back up with detachment and apathy.
Sloane loomed briefly, their gazes locked, before he willed his helmet to return. The last thing to come into existence was the visor, a plain silver plate with thin slats for breathing and sight and a small recreation of the Fellowship crest upon the brow in red. "You'll hear word from my Lady," his tone was plain, as unfamiliar as Jin-ho's. He moved to step past the smaller male, taking care to keep the precious cargo resting in his palm level and comfortable. Before he made it halfway to the door, however, he stopped and looked down. Within the helm his brows knit, mouth a curved frown. "I'm certain the Grand Magus would appreciate a response."
Waiting no longer, he opened the door and stepped out into the hall, closing it behind himself. His exit paused there as Sloane pressed his back against the door, attention drifting slowly from the stone floor to the walls, the ceiling, and finally resting on Blaithe whereupon a sigh left him that sounded both relieved as well as concerned. The finger returned, uncovered, and carefully stroked the top of her hat. How long had it been since her Grimm had shown any affection to the poor girl when he could not even manage a smile?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:12 pm
"However long it takes for my work to get done," voice drifting slightly, his eyes wandered off into the corner of his bed, the bells all sitting in a bundle staring at the Plague they had never seen before, "or until it's safe again. Whichever comes sooner."
Reaching up toward the offered finger, Blaithe gratefully took it. She clung to the warmth, a smile attempting to stretch at the familiar, caring contact that she had desperately missed. While a single finger wouldn't have been much to any other, even another Excito, it was the greatest token of affection she had received since before her Grimm pulled himself away from the world. While she hadn't caught the change from Jin-Ho, she could definitely feel that, somehow, neither of them were welcomed anymore.
Sloane's change in tone caused Blaithe to look up at him before being cupped protectively, almost as if from Jin-Ho himself. She clutched at the cold steel, attempting to get one last look at her Grimm, not knowing when the next time she'd see him would be.
Unfazed, the human turned away after the small window of their eyes meeting, looking back over his work that had gone nearly forgotten. He nodded once at the first statement, confident that this was true. Despite how he had fallen, he was still under her employment for the time being, and surely even if she decided to discard him, there would still be contact in some way. The second, however, caused a frown to form on his face. Of course. She was now the Grand Magus... and he was nothing but a useless ant.
"If possible, a response will be given." He said, a small hint of anger coated onto his words as the door shut behind him. Once again, he began to search for the letter that he had been searching for earlier.
As Sloane's fingers revealed the Phasmas once more, she was turned away from him as he began to stroke her hat. She stared out of the window before Jin-Ho's bedroom, the sky dark and gray. She, herself, gave out a small sigh as she leaned into his finger, her hand gently feeling at her now stumped leg.
"Don't be angry at Jin-Ho, Sloane..." she said, her voice soft, "he just doesn't know how to deal with himself..."
She turned her head, giving him a small smile. If it weren't for the subtle sadness in her voice, it would have been heartwarming and hopefully reassuring, but now she was just grasping at straws. Why couldn't things be normal again...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:41 pm
"Safe" was subjective at the current time. In truth, it would never be perfectly safe anywhere in Panymium, or perhaps the entirety of Profugus, but it surely wouldn't be an objective safety until the threat of the House was removed entirely. Yet, there was also the matter of Jin-ho's work getting done. As an Augur, there really wasn't much responsibility. He was no longer an apprentice nor Assistant Adviser and those titles would likely never be regained. It was shaky, even, whether or not the man was still an assistant at all to Lady Estratus or if he was merely a cog turning in the grand machine that was the Fellowship. Likely, whatever work he had to do in his mind would not be accomplished for some time.
This change of hands would be indefinite.
Though discouraged, Sloane was intent on not letting this turn of events spoil everything. The silver lining was that he would now be able to have constant contact with an Excitos he cared very much for and hopefully it would bring her spirits up. He could keep her safe, they could play and talk, things would be alright on that front with no worries. Still, how would her Grimm be without her in his current state? The hint of anger coating his last response was obvious and thick to the Infitialis though it may have gone undetected to many others and it was a tone he had not heard Jin-ho speak with towards him nor anyone.
Blaithe's small voice returned him to the present and he peeled away from the door, beginning to walk down the hall. "I am... disappointed more than angry," he began, voice drifting off as he took note of her own altered mannerisms. Not only was her nickname for Jin-ho done away with but the title of "Slo" instead of Sloane had disappeared as well. Frowning, the expression detectable in his voice, he continued, "It seems he doesn't know how to deal with either of us."
Free hand back at his side, Sloane began navigating the halls of the North Base with practiced ease. Though it had been some time, the knowledge of the base's walls was not lost to him and it was almost as if he had never left. Quiet greetings were given by maids and guards when his armor was recognized but he did little more than wave. A jovial greeting just wasn't in him at that moment and he didn't want to waste too much time in getting to his destination. It had been far too long, after all.
Ascending the last flight of stairs, the two approached a particularly familiar door on a particularly familiar side of the castle. In all the time that had passed, he prayed no one had decided to go snooping as there had not been enough time to lock things up aside from his Lady's room above. "We might as well bring some company along, don't you think?" he asked the Phasmas with a slightly lighter voice, attempting to push away the dower cloud that had followed them throughout the fortress. Inside was the same as ever, messy and unlit, the only light filtering through coming from the small window that showed only a grey sky as hail continued to fall. Just out of arm's reach from the bed was a table upon which stood an ornate doll house and inside there were many tiny voices hushing and shushing one another as the unexpected visitors approached. It had been far too long...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
