Welcome to Gaia! ::

Character: Tohru
Stage: Adept
Current lvl: 53
Luck: 52
Creature: x4 Diamond Mara: Level 40, LUK ≥ ???
x3 Dark Mage Mara: Level 40, LUK ≥ ???
x2 Crafter Mara: Level 40, LUK ≥ ???
x1 Rock Mara: Level 25, LUK ≥ ???

Sucess Rate: For Diamond: 71-100
For Dark Mage: 51-100
For Crafter: 31-100
For Rock: 11-100
Rolled 92, 55, 53, 64, 32, 17, 77, 35, 77, 78
Battle outcome: x10 Wins
40 x 9 = 360 + 25 =
385

Left over Exp Bin: 27/53 --> 20/60 with 7 lvls gained! (Lvl 60)
LUK: 52 --> 52 (0 Victories in Range)
Luck loss count: 0/3 --> 0/3

x20 Diamond
x15 Arcanite Stone
x30 Obsidian
x6 Copper Bar
x10 Moon Stone
x25 Shattered Granite
x2 Small Hammer

"You didn't mean to," Cela whispered once they were on the ferry and moving safely away from the Celestial Plane. Something in her must have felt exceptionally bad for him, because she reached her arms around him and snuggled her face against his shoulder. And Tohru... he couldn't find it in himself to flinch or shift away from her, nor do he reciprocate any of her motions. He could only grip at the bars on the deck of the ferry and stare out at the retreating shape of the Plane. Had he meant to?

With the remnants of the fight drifting ever farther away, he wasn't sure. He remembered thinking that he wanted to hurt Ravi, for tormenting his frie- For tormenting Cela, whom he knew next to nothing about. Still, she hadn't seemed to be doing anything wrong at the time. She was just a cute young girl looking to bring some treats to her friends. For whatever reason, Ravi had forgone the true goodness of the Dovaa and attacked her. And that wasn't right... Tohru had only wanted to give him a little shock, enough that he and Cela could flee before anyone had the chance to stop them. Whispers of, 'He isn't breathing,' flicked through Tohru's mind again.

Ravi was... dead? By Tohru's hand? Was that what Cela told him he hadn't meant to do?

She tugged on the cloth at his shoulder, pulling his gaze back toward her. "Tohru, let's play a game," Cela suggested cheerily. Her green orbs were wide and hopeful. She was so genuine and so desperately trying to keep his attention from wandering back to Ravi... It would've been wrong to refuse her. So, the Kiandri sighed and turned away from the water, staring at the girl expectantly.

She beamed and looped her arm through one of his, then toted him off toward where a small collection of other passengers were gathered. Rather than join in with them and their conversation and their sightseeing, Cela and Tohru lingered in the background, still several feet away from the small clusters of people. "I used to play all the time with my sisters. You just pick out a person and make up what his or her personality, history, and conversation is about!" She blushed a little. "I bet you're pretty good at making stuff up, Tohru." If he was a little more cynical, he wouldn't realized it was a slight, rather than a compliment... Alas, he only gave a tiny shrug.

Cela turned back to the group and discretely pointed out a tall Orderite woman with sharp golden eyes hidden behind half-moon spectacles. Her lavender hair was pulled into a crisp, no-nonsense bun, and she carried a thick book. Her companions were two young Orderites, looking to be nearing their teen years, if not already. They looked so similar to the older woman that there was no way they weren't related somehow.

Cela clucked her tongue. "Ariaette, that's the woman, grew up in a strict household with two other siblings. Her mother and father always expected the best of her, for she was the oldest. She was taught to always love and respect Seren's wishes, and to do her best to be certain that the rest of the world understood the magnificence and justness of her goddess as well." Tohru did his best to look interested in what Cela was saying, even if he still didn't quite understand the point of it. "As Ari grew up, she realized that she could be especially persuasive to the young, so she became a teacher. Those two boys are her pupils. And she is taking them to Eowyn so that they can see what a land that doesn't worship Seren looks like."

Cela stood up straighter, crossing one arm primly behind her back. Her voice rose several octaves and took on an air of importance and dignity. "She's saying, 'Look here, young ones! Don't slouch like the rest of this godless rabble! Keep your back straight! Chin up! Use the powers of Seren to resist the very wind tousling your hair! Your feet must be precisely three inches apart when standing still! No smiling! No frowning! Do your goddess proud!'"

The corners of Tohru's lips started to quirk up unbidden, as the tiny Ysali girl rapped her foot decisively against the deck of the ferry. As he raised a hand to cover his mouth, Cela turned to grin at him. "Something funny," she demanded in her false snooty voice. Tohru gave a tiny shake of his head, still smiling faintly. "Well, guess it's your turn, then! Go on and pick someone!" With a last flick of her wrist, the persona of the snooty woman may just as well have melted off of her, and the Ysali stood relaxed and smiling softly at him again.

Tohru heaved a nervous breath as his gaze roamed across the other passengers. He doubted he'd be able to do anything like Cela... She almost could've been another person, with the way she talked and acted... She obviously knew the game very well, where as Tohru hardly wanted to speak at all, let alone take on another persona. He rubbed his arm awkwardly and nodded toward a tall, lanky Dovaa boy with shaggy brown hair and muddles, besmirched clothing. He stood away from the others, and didn't have a travel companion of his own. Tohru hoped he'd be able to get out of the second bit this way...

"His name is..." Tohru spared a moment to search for any male name he could think of that wasn't Ravi or Ithric. The struggle was real. Eventually, he choked out, "Thane," the Kiandri's father's name, before continuing on. "And he... erm..." What all had Cela said about her girl? "He... didn't have a mother or father growing up. He was all alone." He had no idea what he was trying to accomplish here, he just felt silly.

"Go on," Cela urged.

With another gulp of air, Tohru resumed. "But there was a girl he liked. She was young and... beautiful, and popular, with many suitors that she would undoubtedly choose over him." Odd. He hadn't seen this tale going this way. "When he approached her, she said, 'I only have time for the most worthy of men! And you're hardly a boy. But if you can bring me back the head of a Diabi dragon before my wedding day, I'll marry you.' The girl knew full-well that when dragons died, they left behind only the orb of their soul. Still, the boy was eager, excited even to do as she asked. That's why he's going to Eowyn. He's a Gaili, you see, so he is going to hunt down the most beautiful black stone from the volcano and shape it into the head of a Diabi dragon."

Tohru stared at the young man for a few seconds more, until he became painfully aware that hadn't said anything. His hadn't really been funny like hers had... His gaze jolted to find hers, prepared for disappointment and disinterest. But Cela only blinked at him, her pink lips parted slightly. "Wow. That wasn't bad. I told you, you'd be good at making stuff up," she chirped gleefully. "Let's keep going! We'll be in Eowyn before you know it, now!"

~~~

'Before you know it' seemed kind of like a long shot to Tohru, but they did manage to make it to Eowyn's western docks by nightfall. By that point, the Kiandri wanted nothing but sleep and quiet. Cela had not left him alone at all. His throat physically hurt. He'd probably never used his voice so much in his entire life. Not even when he'd been... with Ithric for days at a time... Or when he'd lived with his brother. Especially when he'd lived with his brother. Kasen actually didn't live far from here at all...

The Ysali woman noticed the instantaneous shift in mood. The way Tohru's eyes fell and his shoulders tightened, his pace faltered. All day she'd done very adequately at keeping his mind occupied on less somber things. Of course, she had no way of knowing that his thoughts had shifted to Ithric, rather than Ravi, but still. It was too late in the day to let her efforts die now! She laced her fingers with his, coaxing a confused heat to his cheeks and causing his golden orbs to flick to her. "The others will be worried if we don't return soon, but we still have a little time before that happens. We can explore the town with them tomorrow, so... Let's go for a walk on the beach! It'll be fun, Tohru! We can look for sand dollars and shells, and pretty stones! Maybe we'll see the littlest sea life too..."

Tohru didn't want to burst her bubble by informing her that he'd never seen such things when he'd walked along this very beach not too long ago. So, he simply allowed the Ysali to take his arm and guide him down from the docks, off to the ocean that rippled nearby.

Once his feet were in the sand, Cela squealed in delight and skipped ahead, freeing him from the trap of her fingers. Tohru could only tip his head in confusion. She seemed very familiar with the ferry. She must ride it reasonably often. Which meant she shouldn't be particularly unfamiliar with a beach. The Kiandri even figured she'd be used to such things. But even now, she darted ahead with childlike splendor, like she was seeing it for the first time, and Tohru just couldn't understand why. It was the same old beach it always had been. And it was probably just like every other beach in existence.

She crouched in the sand, her fingers dusting lightly across the top of the grains, scooting just a few of them to the side. Tohru approached her, his golden gaze narrowed and inquisitive. "What are you...?"

Cela turned back to him, gently lifting a tiny, shelled purple creature in her hand. "Have you seen one of these before?" Blinking, Tohru shook his head. Cela shrugged. "That's cause you have to look for them. They hide in the sand, and only come up when they feel safe." With her free hand, she grabbed Tohru's arm and opened his palm to place the skittish creature in his hand. "There's always new stuff to see... Even in the same old places. That's what makes life exciting! Especially if... something from the past is holding you down... He won't bite," she added.

Something from the past... Tohru gaze lowered, and he hesitantly reached a finger to poke the creature's tiny head. he didn't know what it was, but other than receding beneath the pressure of his finger, it didn't cower.

At least, it didn't for a few more seconds. But something made it jolt to attention. Something had it leaping from Tohru's hand and diving headlong into the sand and away from the two Dovaa before either could stop it. Ccela frowned. "I wonder what spooked it..." Slowly, she stood and dusted her skirts and frills off. She offered a hand out to Tohru, but paused when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. "That... might do it..."

Tohru's orbs swiveled to find what she'd seen. The sky was black, so it was only the ambient light of the town fueling his vision. Fortunately, he didn't need any more than that to see the swarm of hulking, unfamiliar Magescia- Erm, maybe they weren't? His gaze flickered down to the creatures' lack of legs. They had armor like Magescians, but it seemed... unlikely that a hoard of magic oriented two-leggers would assemble on the beach. "Do you know what those are," he asked softly.

Cela shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, her gaze trained on the looming figures drawing ever nearer. "I don't think I've ever seen them before, but- Oh, hey, wait. Didn't you hear about that notice? These creatures must be the Mara terrorizing Eowyn right now." She put her hands on her hips. "If that's the case, it's our civic duty to take care of them before they get any closer to the town! Tohru! Let's work together!" His hesitance must have been noticeable, and she sidled up against his side, her voice turning soft and soothing. "They're supposed to just be creations of rock and metal. I doubt they even feel anything. But they're hurting real people. It won't be like killing something. Not at all. I promise."

Tohru inspected the creatures for a few seconds more before he finally nodded. Cela grinned. "Good! But, ah... I'm... not so much of a warrior, myself," she admitted sheepishly, rubbing at the back of her head. "So, if you could maybe take the initiative... I could assist and heal you if you get hurt. Does that... seem okay?"

No, it didn't, but Tohru would never actually say that to her. Not after she'd been so sweet today. With only one pitiful mewl, he nodded. The creatures had spotted them and were moving closer now. The strange beings certainly outnumbered the two Dovaa. Tohru could only hope the Mara didn't outclass them, as well.

He sucked in a gulp of air and moved to stand between them and Cela. She'd never been anything but helpful to him... He owed her this. Surely he could count on his magic to take down a few fake creatures.

"Don't underestimate them, Tohru... They may not be alive, but I bet that doesn't bode well with your electric magic..." Cela warned softly.

The creatures drew near before pausing a few feet away. 'Not recognized. Must bring back.' The words skated over the both of them, coiling in the two Dovaas' minds like a warning.

It must have scared Cela more than she let on, because before they could move again, a small group of them was lashed to the sandy ground by an array of vines. "Get 'em while they're trapped!" She wailed.

And then there was movement from everywhere. The mara that were restrained struggled. The ones that were free dove forward to avoid any more of the assaulting vines. Tohru was quickly lost at what to do at the sheer sight of the numerous polished stone bodies. Despite this, a coil of excitement unfurled in his belly. As soon as the sensation brushed him, he knew it wasn't his own feelings, but the feelings of his magic. Already it knew that it would soon be escaping his hold.

And Tohru knew that he should just let it. As long as it didn't touch Cela, it didn't matter what else it destroyed. Not out here. And for now, that was fine. he would simply pick a target and let loose. The nearest Mara wore cloth garb and stone jewelry. It probably fared similarly to the way a Gaili would, but Tohru hadn't the time to dwell on it. He stretched out his arm toward the creature and just... let it go.

The magic jumped from his arm in a burst, propelling him backward a few paces. It skimmed up the side of the Mara, dancing across its abdomen and cutting through it with the sharpness of a hot blade. Once the magic was released, it passed a weaker jolt onto its nearby companion, and it too was felled. It danced across the ground, almost reminiscent of the sweeping steps Ithric took when he moved. Almost. If it weren't so... jerky. Perhaps if he followed it, it would be less reluctant to hurt or disobey him.

Giving a nervous swallow, Tohru dipped to the ground after the stray sparks, calling them back toward him with a nudge of his power. They skittered back to his fingers, and as something grabbed him from behind, lifting him from the ground, the sparks skated down his shoulders and out his other arm, giving the unaware Mara a forceful blast straight to the face. Vaguely, Tohru was aware that he wasn't trembling, despite the exertion. Adrenaline, maybe. He crashed back to the ground on his side, and rolled to avoid a heavy blast of earth.

Behind him, Cela was relentless with her magic, easily putting his feeble attempts to shame. Her vines shot from the ground, snaring the bodies and weaving their way into any crevice until they could force the stones apart and send the remains crumbling. As Tohru hit the ground, she made another cast, calling on the beach fronds beneath his frame to lend him the force of life they possessed.

He pushed back to his feet, and forced himself to continue on. A few close calls, a few streaks of lightning he didn't mean to cast, Cela's vines. Everywhere.

It was only once the stones lay broken and dimmed on the ground that Tohru let himself sink to his knees. He'd really used his magic. He'd used it in a way that hadn't hurt anyone, except the allegedly unfeeling Mara. And Cela... The Ysali was at his back in an instant, leaning wearily against him and dropping her head backward against his shoulder. Tired, but safe. Unharmed as far as Tohru could tell. The Kiandri glanced down at his fingers, twitching them curiously and calling tired sparks to the tips. Even he, himself didn't feel injured by this attack. The Mara had tested his meager muscles for sure, but Cela's healing magic must have chased away any agonizing or grievous wounds, leaving him with no burns from his own magic, and only a few smatterings of bruises where he'd hit the ground or crashed into a Mara.

Her voice came shakily. "You were so brave, Tohru... I didn't think you would be... I thought... you'd..." She trailed off, and when Tohru peeked over his shoulder at her, she was already dozing slightly, tired from the constant energy of the day, as well as this last blast of power.

For the second time that day, another smile tugged at his lips.

((3012/3000))