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 Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 1:53 pm
Book II; Page 56
"Oh, It's holy light was a sight to behold. The strength; radiant power. Our grand Alexander. Last sheltering defense against oblivion. Many gather; gathered for hope in their protector. A castle born into the world; a city resting on it's beckoning charm. Is it you, for why time never stain the stone? Is it you, for why tomorrow is sown for man? Is it you, who finally lulls the storm into new slumber? We know it to be so, and we hold here for that light to endure. Oh, It's encasing light; Holy Shield; Great Esper, Alexander.
~ Year 720; First Age
Francis Merrcutia; Monk of Erol's Order, and self-proclaimed Poet--------------------------------↔-------------------------------- Alexandria CastleThe Lost Throne Room"My patience runs thin, Abigale." Aulute, the acting Prime Minister was inches from the headstrong princess' face, before he lurched away. Walking across the room and the back again. His posture appeared pained and frantic, and his arm was wrapped loosely around his abdomen. The princess was being held secure by royal gaurd under Aulute's monetary thumb. Frustrated by Abigale's persistence and pained from the pacing, Aulute whirrled and rushed at Abigale.
"Call Him Now!" He demanded histerically, yelling at her only inches from her face again.
"I refuse. It will kill him" She responded through a angry scowl.
Aulute didn't take the refusal well, slapping the princess to cure his rage; an act that seemed to rattle even gaurds.
"Take her away." He said before closing in on her face again to whisper in her ear. "If you won't give it to me, then he will."
"Put her with the other Summoner's for interrogation...." He added to his lackies, before turning away with a cringe, he dropped to the ground clutching his stomach tightly.
"Go. Leave me!" He said through the pain, as the Royal Gaurd dragged a wide-eyed Abigale away, closing the door on a writhing Aulute...
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Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:40 pm
 It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations... Sayuri, along with the other residents making they're journey continued down the cobble-stoned path to Alexandria. All in all, it seemed pretty simple. But the thought that more monsters may come and attack innocent civilians hung over her like a blade. She felt the security in numbers, but also selfish for having to lean on it. She glanced towards her elderly mother; if anything, even a paper-cut happened because of her cowardice, she wouldn't know what to do. What was the right thing to do here? Break off from the group? But how? What could she say? As they continued to walk, she unzipped on of the bags she had been carrying for her mother, and let her fingers let loose of the strap. Several articles of kitchen ware rolled along the street. Her mother bent to pick them, tsking about Sayuri's clumsiness, up as well as a few other travelers coming to help. During this time she slunk her way through the crowd and pushed into the forest bordering the main road. She looked back at the distant path. "I'm sorry." she murmured quietly. After all, she couldn't promise her mother that everything would be okay, or even a safe return all together. It was better to think that her daughter was just lost in the crowd, then off to fight some kind of new evil...right? She was a coward. Nothing more. Couldn't even face her own mother with the truth. She turned and walked down a beaten animal trail."I saw what you accomplished there.That must have been hard for you."She felt a hand on her shoulder but quickly shook it off. Honestly she had been expecting more of a scolding from Itsuki about how much more dangerous it was to travel on her own, not praise. It certainly didn't make her feel any better."I don't really feel like talking right now." her voice cracked. There was a soft chuckle from behind her, Itsuki followed along.The bright sky, crisp air and the vivid colors of the changing leaves clearly was having no effect on lightening her mood. Whatever. She'd get to Alexandria one way or another....No one is in control of your happiness but you; so you have no one to blame but yourself O.O.C 【】
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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:41 pm
"You won't get far going this way..."
Sayuri would hear a particularly high pitched and cheerful voice that preceeded an eerie giggle that might've been rather cute if it's source hadn't seemed to be just a voice lost in the wind; a shadow watching her every move. Suspense was given time to build, before Sayuri would be able to see a white orb bobbing out of the bushes ahead. The orb only appeared for a moment before the jostling the bush beneath it as it took cover within. Another shady giggle echoed over the area again before the orb zipped into her view just in front of her face.
"Why do all of you look so sad!?" The orb said; Luka, with the same warm, childlike expression gracing her rosy face. "It's not like it's the end of the world..."
She began laughing again, before beginning a dizzying array of orbital rotations around Sayuri. She eventually stopped to hover just ahead of Sayuri, momentarily shaking a light-headed stuper from the circles, before shaking a shiver out of her body that sent little sparks of white light bobbling to the nothing in a coarse mist below her.
"Whew, that was fun! He-he. I'm supposed to show you the way now, OK!?" She said, finally letting the glow illuminating her fade as she buzzed up to Itzuki for a moment, taking a few quick rotations around him to look him over before returning to Sayuri and standing gently on her shoulder. Her filmy, insect-like wings stopped their buzzing and retained a more randomized flicking pattern that seemed more a side-effect of constant flight than an actual involuntary reaction; like a person might bounce their legs when feeling restless, Luka offen didn't realize just how often she'd flick her wings.
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:19 pm
He was the sort of person who stood on mountaintops during thunderstorms in wet copper armour, shouting,"All the Gods are bastards!" Jagger Green ╔══════════════╗
Located: Madeen woods with Kiera
Injuries: Multiple nealr-healed scratches, gashes, and puncture wounds
Thoughts: '....'
╚══════════════╝ 
Jagger was quite surprised, to say the least, at the hasty presumptions of gathering themselves their bickers in order to carry them forth across the forestry and onto Alexandria, their destination. Jagger couldn't hide the amusement that flashed in his eyes as Kiera rushed to the head of the seats and quite naturally proclaimed herself as the leader, which was all the same for Jagger because even though he had the qualities to be a leader- he knew he would do poorly. He simply didn't believe in himself as much to ever desire a responsbility that harbored outside of his b*****d frame. But time was hardly spared as he collected his thoughts and then fluttered down the stairs until he was once again within Madeen.
Preparations had been made, though he accomodated none, he lingered along the rolling hills hunting rabbits as he waited for Kiera. No sooner then he had finished ravaging a hare down to its bones, did he spot the fiesty hair to which belonged to his companion. And hardly a word was spoken as she mounted her steed, and he his, before they took off towards Alexandria with nothing but the company of their silence to warm them.
Tree after tree, the next larger, and thicker still as he treaded on the back of Anderath following Kiera at the heel. A thicket of branches hung low to the ground and Jagger had to swat it away as he passed under, the immense build of the summon under him had found it increasingly difficult to pass beyond the maze of foilage that had flooded over in the past years.
Finally, after a time that Jagger couldn't even determine because of the canopy of green to hinder his vision, the spitfire of gold had settled upon the back of her head with such intensity, he wondered if she could feel him staring at her. "Are we there yet?" Jagger finally asked to cut the silence.
[[[Sorry if this is strayed off from what your post was, for some reason, my internet won't load up the other page that's it on.]]]]
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Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:18 pm
Kiera glanced back; well more back and up in all honesty and offered Jagger a comforting smile.
"Afraid not; it isn't even mid-day yet..." She pulled back on ther reigns so she could fall back besided Anderath. "You don't have to come with me you know. Where are you from? You should go home, warn your family. I'm only passing through Alexandria to get to Ghar Uri-ghan. This journey won't be easy, and I can't have a fatigued woodsman as a burden..."
She looked ahead, quite aware that most would take her words of implied critisism as an insult. She wasn't aiming to offend him, but it was worth noting that if a few hours on horseback was enough of a burden to mention, how much complaining would arrive when they reached weeks in the wilderness. Alexandria was a little under three days ride from Madeen, that meant two uncertain nights in the same woods that almost took the man the night before.
"We'll set up camp in a few more hours. I've brought enough food if you are hungry." She offered, hoping to take the edge off.
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Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 3:11 pm
It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations... A chill ran up her spine as a light voice spoke a few words, finishing it off with a giggle. She wished that she had more knowledge in fighting than what she had, but, what could you expect from a hotel clerk. It wasn't as if it was school girl by day and crime fighter by night. She braced as a bright orb buzzed out of one bush and back into another. "No.."
It was then the orb glided in front of her. She held back a grimace as her assumption was proven correct. "Dear god... there's more than one of them." She thought as it flew around her. Itsuki, as if reading her expression laughed out loud, clearly enjoying the new factor in the mix.She ignored him with a slight pout, slightly disappointed in her directional skills if they were going the wrong way from the start. She sighed, alright, maybe this was probably better for all of them. Itsuki wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "Well, you know the saying: the more then merrier." He gestured graciously, moving with elegance and ease, "Why don't you lead then Miss?" ...No one is in control of your happiness but you; so you have no one to blame but yourself O.O.C 【】
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:04 pm
 It was, admittedly, a strange way to get to Alexandria.
Lutje pushed aside a tree branch, ducking to avoid the whiplash as he let go. He had agreed to accompany Sayuri, but he was doing so discreetly. Even in the crowds traveling to Alexandria he had kept his distance. He wasn't worried about being recognized; He simply did not want to raise questionable suspicions about himself.
He ducked under another branch, entering an off-beaten animal trail. Shortly ahead of him, resided Sayuri, along with the boy from before and the small fairy-like creature that accompanied the old woman those few nights ago.
He approached them slowly and openly, snapping his journal shut to draw their attention.
"Greetings again. I did not want to raise suspicion, so I followed discreetly."
He turned his eyes towards the Luka. "Hmm? Did you say we're going the wrong way?" The cleric asked, chuckling at the girls misjudging of direction. "Please do lead the way then. I'd rather not have any more dirt on me then required."
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:46 pm
Luka bounded from Sayuri's shoulders, glowing brightly again as she began buzzing about. There was a whimsical flair to the way she moved, as if there could be no bother or worry in the world. Always cheerful, and even at her worst, full of light.
"No-no-no! I didn't say you were going the wrong way!" She said in a childish tone. "I said you won't get far going this way."
She then settled her sporatic flight pattern and hovered in front of Lutje. Her facial expression had grown ridgid and oddly serious, almost forced.
"Don't ask me how I know these things. -- It's just something inside that tells me what to do...Ok!?"
And like the flip of a switch, her cheery dispostition had returned and she proceeded to zoom away and begin circling around Sayuri; like the moon that orbits Gaia, Luka seemed bounded to a symbiotic exsistence with her.
"All I really know is..." She said still slowly rotating around Sayuri. "Mahrian is gone now, but she told me to tell you....no wait, that's not it...."
She halted her rotation just ahead of Sayuri, stratching her chin as she made sutble back and forth hand gestures to help her make the difficult adjustments in her mind. "You...me...she?..." She snapped her fingers. "I remember it now!"
"She told me that I'm supposed to go with you now! You know..." She said cheerfully, before donning a serious, masculine pose; with her shoulders square and fists placed firmly on her hips, she made her best immitation of a man's voice as she gave her 'I'm a summon; your a summoner' cliff-notes.
"I'm am yours to call when you have need of me.". As if it were all too much mocked melo-drama, she dropped her impression and began whirling around Sayuri again, giggling.
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 2:25 pm
He was the sort of person who stood on mountaintops during thunderstorms in wet copper armour, shouting,"All the Gods are bastards!" Jagger Green ╔══════════════╗
Located: Madeen woods with Kiera
Injuries: Multiple nearly-healed scratches, gashes, and puncture wounds
Thoughts: '....'
╚══════════════╝
Jagger seemed to harbor a nostalgic smile, it wasn't often that he had any place to go- actually- he never had a place to be before. Wandering around, Jagger had never truly met the importance of patience in customs outside of hunting and fishing and gambling. So when Kiera admitted that they were only a small portion through, he couldn't deny the somber gloom that had overcast his golden eyes.
But, at the mention of a meal that didn't require hours of catching- all dreary thoughts were forgotten. "No offense lass, but I don't think I'll be the one dying of fatigue..
"I grew up in Alexandria," Jagger further explained, though reluctant to admit that he was fostered by the slums of Alexandria for the majority of his life. "I don't have any family, my adoptive father fell ill only last year- his butcher shop fell down to his kin, but I never quite did well with them so I've just been wandering, trying to find a job, I suppose..." Jagger, in his best attempts, surmised the most positive shed on his boyhood as he could concoct with an easy going smile.
"Besides, I prefer to fly." With a gesture down towards the towering summon, he offered no further explanation. Even though Kiera's offer had enticed him to speak, he didn't once refer to the fact. He didn't much like having if he couldn't work for it, much less, from a girl.
[[[Gods, my internet is still on the fritz so I may be slow in posting for a while sad ]]]]
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 8:46 pm
It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations... The little orb moved so fast, it was an effort to keep track of her other than the light weight of a feather occasionally touching her shoulders. It chattered away happily as if there wasn't a care in the world. Both Itsuki and Jude were having their own chuckled at her lack of sense for direction. "Okay, okay, okay. Laugh it up, get it out of your system now." Sayuri thought, muttering a tiny 'hmph'. The hair on the back of her neck prickled while the little sphere told them her message from Mahrian that is, until she realized that she had forgotten the words of the message. ..Mm..that bad feeling..Must of been a false alarm then. Luka gathered her thoughts together, telling her that she was hers.
...Wait, what?
The way the sphere had said it, almost made it seem like a joke. She couldn't be serious. She glanced back at her silly Esper. She had barely the power to wrap her head around the fact that she'd probably have this Esper with her always. Plus, she was the one who called him here. Now, she had the ability for two? Sayuri closed her eyes a moment, close to the point where she just wanted to climb back into her and cover her ears. Espers, magical orbs, why don't you just throw in a few aliens while you're at it? A light giggle from the orb calmed her down, she glanced at the dancing girl twirling around her. Her eyes softened with a faint smile. Nah, this wouldn't be so bad. It might compliment her pessimism, but she didn't know if she could ever keep up with anyone so energetic. "Let's just get going, I don't want to be stranded in the dark." She readjusted the strap of her bag, "...and thanks." The last few words were quiet, she was never really good at expressing feelings, but she really was grateful for all of the help. She'd probably be hopelessly lost by now without them. ...No one is in control of your happiness but you; so you have no one to blame but yourself O.O.C 【】
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 12:36 am
 Kiera ignored the sutble insulting return that was all due to her, as she listened to his story intently, eyes frozen on the path ahead. The accounts of his past made her thankful for the simple rustig life she'd lived thus far. She always felt at home where she was, and couldn't imagine the feeling of displacement Jagger must have felt. He then made mention of the beast's ability to fly, and suddenly Kiera felt a sting of guilt for having questioned his ability to handle these wilds. It was no wonder he had no idea how far from Alexandria he'd traveled; how often did one fly from place to place.
"I'm sorry..." She said plainly and solemnly; the words intended for both his plight and her earlier comments. She let a pause linger, unsure of what she could say.
"Ashe can fly, but she'd never be able to carry me..." She finally said, breaking the silience. "Still, why don't you just fly to Alexandria? I'm only holding you up."
The tables had turned on her, and she now felt like a burden. It puzzled her to no ends as to why this man would rather catch up with her on foot, instead of taking to the skies and likely arriving in Alexandria by the end of the day. Did he think her unable to fend for herself? Or perhaps, this man was clinging to a sort of commonality in the ability they shared. It was true, Kiera felt a level of intrigue, having never met another summoner herself. She was beginning to realize, she wasn't so interested in why he was there, but why she really didn't want him to leave.
"...eh, forget it. I'm glad your coming with me... I don't think I could make it all the way to Ghar-Urighan alone." She said, glancing over and offering a warm smile for only a moment, before burying that glint of vulnerability as she snapped the reigns, and quickened her pace a bit, hiding the subtle grin still glued to her face.
* * *
They continued for some time still, before the forest was finally darkened enough by the dropping sun to make visibility difficult, so at Kiera's suggestion they began setting up camp. Kiera began first by gathering wood to build a fire and beginning to build a proper campsite. She offered to let Jagger hunt for their meat, considering he hadn't let himself to any of the food she'd brought. With the fire ablaze, and Jagger soon to return, she made herself comfortable on a mat she'd brought, and warmed herself next to the flame; Ashe laying next to her, head propped on kiera's arm, wings sprawled out lazily but tucked out of Kiera's way. Kiera found the teen's prescence soothing. As a girl, when her Eidolon had come to rescue her, Ashe seemed a figure of motherly prowess and power. Now that Kiera was older, the dynamics of their relashonship were already shifting. Kiera felt an odd sense of gaurdianship to her, like it was now her job to do what she could for the burning protector; as she watched the fire dance, glancing at Ashe's self-satisfying tracing of the stars with her finger tips, Kiera wondered if this was what it was like to have a sister.
_______________________________________________________________ Luka gave only a passing nod before her light faded, right along with her body, leaving only Sayuri, Itsuki, and Lutje alone in the woods. Only a moment would pass before Sayuri would hear Luka's voice in her head as plain as her own thoughts.
You now know the words to call me; trust your heart, and when things seem most dark, remember that I am your guiding light.... Keep moving forward, I can feel another and he wants to talk to you too.
It was too late to go back; taking the alternate path through the woods had put her off course to Alexandria. As it stood now, there was no way they could arrive before nightfall. All they could do now was move forward, heading northeast as they were, and hope they found salvation before darkness swallowed them. Fortune soon shined in their favor, however, as the setting sun brought into view a flicker of light and a gentle stream of smoke rising into the sky; a singular cabin, nestled alone in the forest.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:21 pm
Lysos didn't speak much on the journey back to Alexandria. He and Dassan remained somewhat enigmatic in the sense that they were completely tepid when the issue of food emerged even though (or so it would seem) they hadn't a single bite to eat since departing. Neither had either of them said a word since leaving. To someone who was unaware of the ability of a summoner to think to his avatar, their resulting coordination would have been extremely puzzling. The speed in which they assembled firewood, and Dassan's refusal to use his powers to light it were equally confusing. The truth was they were in deep discussion the whole time, but by the time camp was set up, it was clear any issues between them were resolved. Dassan kept his distance from Kiera. Lysos resolved to set up a mat in between the two. After a minute, Lysos decided to break the silence.
"It's a pity you can't stay longer in Alexandria." He said in a more complimentary than offensive tone. This woman was just like Princess Abigale.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:28 pm
Kiera didn't shift as she glanced over at Lysos. Still feeling that maternal spark, she didn't want to disturb Ashe's daydreaming. The statement stuck an odd chord with her, and at first she was unsure how to answer. Why should she stay in Alexandria? Her samplings of the kingdom to this point had been questionable. Take the two in front of her; one a man of clear social standing and wealth, and the other a foster child to a poor butcher. She wondered what Lysos' money would've been able to do for a boy like Jagger when he needed a home to take him in. Madeen had no such seperation of the classes; everyone worked and lived as equals and they shared in each others triumphs and failures. What buisiness would she have in a place so wrought with corruption and pain, where a man could die in the gutter, while another embelished a fruitless lifestyle?
"I've been there before." She said plainly, after a few minutes of gazing back into the fire. The heat she felt on her face was a reflexion of the bubbling unease inside of her; it wasn't in her nature to lash out with her views on society, and she didn't want to start now. She felt the sincerity in Lysos words, and just because she couldn't see the redemption behind those walls didn't mean he couldn't see a better exsistence there.
"... but I doubt I could afford to see it like you do."
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:08 pm
Lysos lied on his mat and gazed at the stars, wondering how Madeen managed to hold such a society without the greedy playing carpetbagger. It was a pity Lysos would probably never be able to see the fullest of it. He could sense Kiera's apparent uncertainty and distaste for Alexandrian society.
"The best part of the city isn't in the court." Lysos replied sincerely. He was glad Dassan was the only court regular hearing this, because it wasn't something others would be fond of him admitting. He turned towards Kiera.
"For all their glamour and servants, the nobility aren't any happier than the commonfolk." He confessed. Often times he would philosophize about upward momentum and the desire of the individual to achieve something greater, but never would he profess it. No, that would be treason in Aulute's ears.
"It's not about how fast you make money like in Esta Ro Sol, it's about how fast you can spend money. Prestige, as they call it."
Lysos looked back up at the stars and let out a sigh.
Prestige. He was guilty of playing the same game, and played it willingly. Who wouldn't?
"Sometimes I just wonder what would happen if we got a King who cared more about governing than he did about honor."
Dassan sat up and left. A common man would probably have yelled at Lysos and instructed him to stop, but Dassan was the type who thought twice and realized Kiera was not going to be in the position to rat on them.
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Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2011 12:47 pm
Kiera shifted, as she listened to what Lysos had to say. Ashe sat up as well, now drawn into the conversation by the break in her own concentration. His words hadn't served to ease her mind in the least.
"So, everyone is miserable." She replied sarcastically. "Meanwhile, your 'King' rots in his throne room, and the heir refuses to continue the bloodline; while the rest of the world moves forward, Alexandria grows stale in old Dogma..."
Kiera shook her head as she looked away; what good did it do discussing things that would never change. What was it all for; the mages of Serrucia had all but unwraveled the mysteries of the universe, and what now? They'd be wrought to ruin and their secrets lost. The hustling, bustling technological advances found in Esta Ro Sol's modern society thrived with economic prowess, and what now? Goliath would return them to the premordial ashes, and soon; like it had happened time and time again -- Only Alexandria, and the stagnicity of it's exsistence, would remain to sow the seeds of another futile future.
"...Go on." She added, hoping he had the answer's she was looking for. "Because, You've nearly got me convinced I'm right... As far as I'm concerned, the Marah blood-line has all but been wiped out."
"Kiera..." Ashe interjected with a slight warning in her voice, the Eidolon looked away as Kiera continued.
"No, let me finish.. The princess won't take a husband; no prince means no future son to bear, and no future for that house. Alexandria is ready to fall, and I for one, don't plan on being there when the tower crumbles beneath your feet."
Kiera released a deep sigh, before pulling her knees to her chest and staring into the fire; she had told herself not to be so angry, and still it came to blatent slander. Still, she felt more justified than ever, and the anger she now felt at herself for loosing her temper, she used to ignite the flame in her gut; her resolve in facing this wilderness in the first place. There was a black tide coming, and for reasons beyond comprehension, she would rather do what she could to save that wretched kingdom, than to hide within it's borders as she wasted a gift meant be to used for the planet's defence. She didn't need a reason to come back to Alexandria; she didn't want to come back...
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