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 Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 2:16 pm
.: Laburnum City :.Laburnum City Description Located in the heart of Gaia Plains, Laburnum City is a well-renown mixing bowl of culture, sporting a bustling market, the largest Tavern in all Gaia, and a very shady black market. Having earned the title of Largest City in Gaia, Laburnum's blocks are filled with the exotic and unusual, the end result of such a mixed population. The Phoecian river cuts through the center of the city and the banks of the river have been claimed by the East and Westerners accordingly. Elven-folk, Demons, Clerics, Eastern born, Western born and Goddesses alike populate the crowded streets of Laburnum and shop in the diverse districts. In the East, the oriental section of Gaia thrives with festivals for the Elemental Spirits, blacksmith and artisan shops selling only the best lightweight armor and weapons that gold can buy. Magical artifacts, sparking jewels; nothing is too hard to find in this part of Laburnum. The awe-inspiring towers of the Temple of Light are located on the Eastern shore of the Phoecian River making the city sacred to the followers of Light. Old herbal shops and the summer palace of the Kaikou Shogunate also reside in this ancient section of the city. In the west, the European section of Gaia is represented with numerous blacksmith shops selling only the best quality armor and swords expected of these Western craftsmen. Apothecaries have opened inside the district, selling the dusky rare herbs only found in the rocky mountains of Northwest Gaia. Artifacts bearing the blessings of water, dark, and earth are commonplace in the western district, and the mineral rich western mountains produce the finest gems; on showcase in the varied jewel shops and vendors. This bustling city is filled with mystery, and many rumors of gold and treasure float through the air like water in the sea. Who knows if you'll snag an amulet of immortality or an Elemental Artifact today?
The Light Temple
Laburnum Tavern
The Phoecian Coliseum
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:02 am
The Light Temple The largest center of learning and worship for the Light magi of Gaia, located in the holy city of Laburnum. Rumored to be constructed by the Elemental Spirit of Light herself, the grounds and the city that surrounds it is sacred to all Light magi everywhere. The Temple itself is broken into 5 parts- The 4 Towers and the Temple. All 4 towers are the same height of 15 stories and identical in their outward design- fingers of white marble that touch the heavens, images of the creations of the Light Elemental etched on the ornate columns. Surrounding the temple and it's 4 towers is an outer wall constructed of Phoecian Granite, a single gate located in each of the 4 cardinal directions the only way to get inside the fabled Temple. The North Tower, the Spire of Learning, is where the education of the Light Magi is held. The classes of Light Initiates to the personal classrooms of the High Priests and Avatars themselves are held within this tower and are closed at sunset and emptied and off limits for students, save for the testing of Light Initiates or other teacher sponsored activities. The private floors of the High Priests and Avatars are at the top of the tower, and below them are the floors for the Sages, Priests and Priestesses, descending by rank. The South Tower is a misc. Tower, used for the magnificent Festival banquets, the kitchens, the cleaners, the treasury, the stables, and the storehouse. The South tower is open throughout the day and night, the food stocks only near bear once- during the Great Famine during the Age of the Gods. The banquet hall is located on the first floor and the kitchens in the bowels of the tower basement. The East Tower serves as a dormitory for all the Light magi that have traveled to study at the Temple. The rooms of the High Priest, Priestess and Avatars of Light are located in the Temple itself though, for reasons unknown. The first two floors of the East Tower consist of a study and a recreation center (1st floor: Study 2nd floor: Rec.). Long tables lit by hundreds of candles fill the first floor of the East Tower, and at all hours of the day there is at least a single student seated at a table, poured over a book. During times of the Acolyte trials or the start of the term, Light Magi fill this floor by the dozens, too lazy to walk across the Temple grounds to the West Tower and study there. Though Light Magi may as a whole be on the physically weak side, it is required for them to stay fit. The energy that healing drains from the body and soul is immense, and if the body is frail and weak the mage is of no use to themselves or others. Initiates - Adepts are required to use the gym facilities weekly, be it a mere run around the floor or calisthenics. The rest of the Tower is dedicated to the housing of the Light Magi. The West Tower is the Great Library of Laburnum which takes up the entire expanse of the tower's floors. This, is open 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. The largest known collection of books on Gaia, the Great Library was chosen to be guarded by the Light Magi by Caramore Incendie, a devout follower of the Light. A strong magical barrier guards the books within the tower, and if any attempt to leave the stone marble of the West Tower, they are touched by the Light spirits- and their fate is left in their hands. These towers are all connected by a wall, creating a circle around the fabled Temple of Light. 12 feet high and reinforced with various enchantments and bariers, the wall is nay inprengnable and protects the temple's occupants more then efficiently. There's a large portion of land between the towers and the Light Temple, filled with fountains and carefully gardened flowers and trees that bloom all year round and has beend dubbed 'The Courtyard' by the students. Stone paths leading from the 4 Towers to the Temple's entrance cut through the courtyard, illuminated at night by the light spirits that are naturally drawn to the Temple. The Courtyard is gigantic to say the least- consisting of several hundred feet of lush garden that surrounds the holy temple. And then, there is the Temple itself. Unlike the Gaian-made towers surrounding it, the Light Temple is a building crafted by one of the omni powerful beings that shaped Gaia, making this magnificent building sacred to those of the Faith. A towering oaken door guards the stone archway of the main entrance, a scene depicting the forging of the Elemental Items etched into the ancient wood. The Main Entrance opens into the Great Hall, a massive, 250 ft. long corridor that is filled with windows and glass roofs, allowing the sun to pour inside. Within the Great Hall's center lies the Main Cloister- the center of prayer to those faithful to the Goddess of Light. This large room is elevated above the rest of the Temple so that it shines in the sun all day. Moveable mirrors pivot to focus sunlight in the center of the room's floor where a thick layer of Lucius (crystallized Light energy) is set and gilded, allowing light into the private cloister beneath. During sessions of group prayer or lectures on the teachings of Leone Kaikou, a small podium is placed atop the circle of Lucius and lecturers speak of the divine revelations of High Priest Leone, delving into their deeper meanings. Even at night this sanctuary is never in darkness. The entire Temple- the floors, walls and pillars are white marble and are lit by the flocks of Light spirits that venture freely into the Temple, each sprite casting a ray of daylight onto the floor. The ceiling, like the rest of the temple has reliefs of the creation of Gaia and it's history carved into the side panels with stained glass of all the colors imaginable refracting the light and sending it's colored rays to the floor beneath. Inside the prayer halls, the glass is covered partially by folding wooden panels in the slate ceiling that slide back to provide for more sunlight from above. If looked at from above, the Temple of Light is a X, with the main cloister at the point of intersection. The Great Hall makes up the sides of the X that run East and West and the second line runs North and South and consists of the various private and public prayer halls, the vestry, the armory, and the personal quarters of the High Priest, Priestess and Avatars of Light. The main office of the Missionaries of Light is located in the North cross and deals with the organization of the numerous Light Temples and Shrines across Gaia, making sure that each building has enough experienced magi to teach and heal the denizens of Gaia. The Temple itself is most sacred, but there are several rooms within it that only those with the direct consent of the spirits may tread upon. The exact number of sacred rooms is unknown except to the highest ranking magi, but it's contents are fabled across Gaia. Objects blessed by the bearers of the Elemental Ring of Light, chests full of natural occurring Lucius, and several items of darkness that must be kept within the watchful eyes of the Light Magi. But one room is especially sacred- reserved for only Light Magi of the Avatar - High Priest levels so that they may convey upon the Goddess the troubles of Gaia or seek her benevolent guidance. It's protected by a barrier that only those chosen by the goddess herself may pass, and is positioned so that from dawn to dusk there is always a large amount of light shining inside, mirrors refracting the life giving energy. The Light Temple is a place of learning and prayer. Please treat it as such.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:22 am
Laburnum Tavern Precariously perched on the islelet that rests in the center of the Phoecian River, Laburnum Tavern is nestled in the river that seperates the main continent into the East and West. Connected to each side by the various stone bridges that cross the river, the Tavern has a constant steady flow of travelers in and out of it's massive doors. The primere place for information and a mixing bowl for adventurers, mages, and all sorts of people, shady and pure alike. Six stories high and continually growing, the Tavern nearly covers the entire islelet it was originally built upon and has expanded onto several dozen feet of reclaimed land near the bridges. It has one main entrance 25 feet long with two massive doors that each take several men to close. The first floor of the building consists of the Tavern and kitchens - tables and chairs spanning the room like trees in a forest. A staircase in the center of the tavern leads up to the inn is guarded by a massive oak table with a stingy half-ling innkeeper stationed behind it, ready to take your name and gold with the only thanks of stuffing a key in your hand. The doors are open, the ale overflowing and merryment permeates this Tavern to the last inch. Welcome to Laburnum.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:23 am
Reserved: The Phoecian Coliseum
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:14 pm
(( The Light Temple
Edit: :: gags :: holy s**t I'm going to change this when I have some sense on me. THIS POST SUCKS BALLS! ._.; ))
It was as though every heart beat took a herculian amount of effort, every breath, every blink of her pallid eyes. It was as though the white walls of the cloister had sapped her energy and all that remained was the shell of her body.
"Light spirits are mainly docile and are attracted to those who seek their aid for loyal and true deeds. If there is the slightest bit of malice in your heart it may scare them away and you will be rendered helpless as a mage... blah... blah blah..."
Surrounded by equally bored priests several years older then her, the 12 year old girl played with the grass at her feet as she stared around the southern side of the courtyard, her mouth watering as several acolytes passed by with round loaves of freshly baked bread in their hands.
"Priestess Allani?" Sey said, standing up and staring at the old priestess who hadn't noticed half her class was asleep.
"Yes child?" The old bag croaked, peircing green eyes peering at the young child behind wrinkled eyelids.
"May I be excused to use the bathroom?" This was it. Her chance at freedom from the hag's droning lecture on how you should be a goodie goodie and use light magic... Spirits help her - she had better say yes.
With a lazy flick of her old wrinkled wrist, Sey was set loose from the chains of boredom and barely contained herself as she scampered towards the southern tower, looking behind her every now and then to make sure there were no guards following her. Easilly weaving between the crowded lines of the kitchens and breaking past the crowd at the Light Temple gates, Sey Kaikou was free in Laburnum City.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:14 pm
((Who Farren? There's no Farren here! sweatdrop ))
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:25 pm
A man wearing a red and gold chinese coat, along with black pants and comfortable shoes, wove through the crowds of the city, a wandering stream through a living, walking forest. He loved the senses that he picked up from Laburnum- the smell of various edible delights and delicacies; the sound of people conversing and cursing at times; The sound of children playing in the streets... one child in particular was coming up behind him as he contemplated.
He simply smiled and waited, continuing his leisurely walk as if he had not noticed a thing. As the light, hurried footsteps that had become second nature to him came closer, he grinned mischeviously. Perhaps this would be an interesting mission after all...
As she ran past him, he casually reached his hands in front of her and lifted the young girl effortlessly, finally holding her in front of her supposed captor. "Young lady," he said with a mocking sternness, the same laugh in his eyes, "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
Lao Fei Zhu smiled at his charge- Sei Kaikou.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 3:57 pm
"And the Lady Geneva smiled at the knight who had protected her. Both were clothed in plain colors. Neither were really adored. Yet in that moment they found love. And they both silently mourned. The loss of a hero, the Saint Ala'mour. No, that wont work! There is no way the nobles would like this tale!"
The last bit of words that were not coated with poetic rythme were Aasimar's own. They were not spoken in true anger but instead they were born of frustration. This was the eighth story he had recited to himself in the span of two hours. Just like all of the other this one would be thrown out for now. Aasimar's expression was just as frustrated as his voice, light brown eyes locked in a peircing glare at the air around him. The thin framed reading glass's that rested upon his nose had slid down to the tip, completely out of angle to aid his vision in any form or fashion. Not that it mattered if he could read or not at this moment. All of his stories were known by heart, recorded within his mind to be kept there until they were too old to use. This practice session was quickly goining through the list of legends held within his mind though. Mrs. Denovich, the person who rented his home from him, had sat through the first three stories. She had found all of them splendid as she did with all of Aasimar's tales. Of course, she had made no attempt to tell the court-bard that they were of sastifactory. Instead she merely sat and listened, meant to judge but finding nothing unsastifactory. Thus Aasimar had let her go on to her job as a seamstress, not keeping her any longer. She had been hesitant to leave at first, delighted in his stories, but she had not taken much to convince. This left him alone within the den of his old home, reciting words from memory as time flew by.
Once more Aasimar would stride across the room to poke at the dying embers of what had been a fire. It was not really cold but the house was old. Old homes tended to hold a draft that could only be felt by the owner. This was just as much an expression of anger as it was something needed though. Aasimar's clothing was simplistic down to the smallest detail, far in style from the multi-colored suit laid out across a chair. A dark blue button-up shirt, the top two button's undone to expose the tanned flesh beneath to the world. The shirt was long sleeve, goining down his arms to another button that lay upon his cuff. This was undone as well, the sleeves hanging loosely. One bare hand was using the metal rod to poke at the dying flames while the other remained shoved within the right pocket of Aasimar's tan colored pants. A pair of common leather shoes adorned his feet to create an itchy sensation that only further annoyed him. It seemed this day was not to be one of grand legend, but instead one that would have been much better slept through. Unfortunately for the bard though, there was buisness to attend to in the evening. The hand that had been busy poking at the embers of the fire would now stop, once more shoved into the left pocket. With short brown haired parted to either side, the left falling over his eye to be constantly brushed aside, Aasimar was not one of legendary beauty. Far from it, he looked plain as anyone else that could be seen. Smooth angular features and a triangle of freckles upon his cheek did not aid this any, only adding to the common appearance. Of course, this was not something that Aasimar loathed, instead it was something that he took a good deal of pleasure in.
Yet little pleasure could be derived from this instance. Aasimar's eyes would trace across the room to the window, silently judging the amount of light outside. It was not yet evening but it would soon begin its approach. Wonderful, simple wonderful. This left him with only one option. To either go out into the city or continue practice. Neither option was that appealing really. Though in the end travel around the city won out. Quickly, as if the urge to excape had fully clinged to him, Aasimar threw his formal clothing into a shoulder-bag that was formed out of leather. No sooner had this been thrown over his shoulder then the bard was on his way to the door, softly muttering diffrent lyrics from seperate legends to himself. Each was judged, decided upon, and then kept or thrown out. Why had he gone so far as to be hired directly upon return to the city? Only a day within the walls and he had already been called upon to do a small preformance within the Library of the Light Temple. How unfortunate it was that he had no time to prepare! Even as he wandered out the door unto the eternally packed streets of Laburnum Aasimar could mutter only a few words before slipping once more into legends.
"Why in the name of the abyss did I have to accept that job!?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 4:47 pm
HeavenSong As she ran past him, he casually reached his hands in front of her and lifted the young girl effortlessly, finally holding her in front of her supposed captor. "Young lady," he said with a mocking sternness, the same laugh in his eyes, "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"Lao Fei Zhu smiled at his charge- Sei Kaikou. " Aren't you supposed to be the one keeping her there?" a voice, in the eastern tongue, called out through the still air which hung about the path leading up towards the Temple entrance. Alongside the shout, the sharp, repettitive tapping of hoofbeats along the cobblestone road that lead from the city center towards the Temple, standing separate from the city itself, slowly grew up from the silence. Plodding along at a casual gate, nearing the two which stood by the roadside, two horses and riders approached. The first was adorned spectacularly, the horse itself bearing nothing but silver and black leather in its harness, red and blue dyed silke ribbons strewn about the saddle and the creature's neck, and the horse itself seeming like it had been bred for the sole purpose of making an entrance such as this. The rider himself was dressed quite regally in his own right, bearing nothing but clothing of incomparible quality, and, much like the city itself, a mixture of both eastern and western styles. His loose-fitted pants and top were made almost entirely of black and blue silk, embroidered with designs in silver thread; his polished black boots almost blended in with the horse's own flanks, save for the silver stirrups which outlined the footwear against them; and beneath a hanging veil of thin, onyx hair which hung down across his brow and to the sides of his face, the youth bore a golden circlet, which contrasted sharply against the deep grey eyes which looked mischeviously, almost condecendingly, down the path towards the man which clutched his sister. Hikaru Kaikou, second son of the Kaikou family, and older brother of the young princess that the bodyguard held in his arms, reigned his mount to a slow stop still a stone's throw away from the two. He would have come sooner, though it wouldn't have done to have a travel-worn prince wandering the streets of the city in woodland garb. His company had spent the night at the Laburnum Tavern after arriving late last night, and the morning had been spent preparing the mounts and dressing in such disgustingly ornate garments. This trip to the city had been, after all, for three reasons... the first of which was to pay a visit to his little Seiyumi, the second to wander around looking pretty and paying visits to all of his father's allies within the area. The third reason wasn't important, beyond that it explained why the other of his lackeys wasn't beside him, as the other boy always seemed to be. "And just how did you get so far away from your studies, little one?" the boy called again, this time speaking in western and addressing the small girl in front of him. Kenji grunted slightly as his horse stopped itself, a few feet behind Hikaru's and skewed slightly so that it faced to the side, across the path. He never felt comfortable when Hikaru started speaking in western... he always liked to know what was going on, and it didn't help at all that he couldn't speak a word of the tongue.
The young bodyguard let his eyes slip shut as the conversation played itself out, trying not to let it bother him, knowing that sometimes there were more important things... like family. His hands tightened around the reigns as his forearms rested across his lap, a strand of his fine, black hair falling free from the knot behind the base of his scull and brushing across his face until it was stopped by the side of his nose.
He had to dress up for this occasion, as well, though not nearly as ornately as the prince had. His horse may have been a fine example of the species, but it was nothing like his companion's, his harness naught but oiled brown leather which blended almost perfectly against the animal's own sheen; his garments were fancy, a red yukata adorned with black silk and embroidered with the symbols of the Kaikou family... Though he was a dull sight to see in comparisson to the apparent glow of the young prince.
The fingers of his right hand slipped away from the harness, sliding down across his leg to the silk-bound hilt of a katana, resting at his belt, and with the gentle creak of the brown leather glove which streched all the way to his elbow beneath the sleeve of his yukata, his fingers tightened around the weapon, as they always seemed to do when he had nothing else to do with his hands.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 5:33 pm
Himmley eyes went wide coming across the great view of the city, he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. Tears of joy and accomplishement came across his face, he had made it. He fell back and sat down on the ground and cryed into his shoulder a bit. He couldn't beleive he had found the city and after being lost in the plains for so long. He wiped the tears from his eyes and began to laugh he threw his arms out into the air and fell onto his back. It was an odd sight to come across a boy almost a man laughing in dirty rags of what use to be clothes. What use to be clean traveling clothes were now covered with sweat and dirt.
His laughter came to a stop as he heard his stomach growl loudly. He quickly sat up and grabbed his stomach rembering he hadn't eaten in a while. "Thats the last time i forget to bring a bow and arrow when i go traveling." He rubbed his stomach a bit hoping it would please for atleast a moment and looked around. He didn't have any money after a fish had slapped his money bag into a fast running current and knew he coudln't get any food without it. He stood up and patted his dusty brown leggings off he should atleast try to look his best just incase. The city was a big place where anything could happen and for someone out on his own for his first time this would be important step in his life.
He stood straight and rested a hand on his father ninja-to which was hanging on his hip. Observing the town and all its glory he then smiled a bit and headed into the town. All great adventures must have a beggening he told himself if anywhere this had to be the place.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:19 pm
HeavenSong As she ran past him, he casually reached his hands in front of her and lifted the young girl effortlessly, finally holding her in front of her supposed captor. "Young lady," he said with a mocking sternness, the same laugh in his eyes, "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"Spirits be cursed - not more then 5 minutes outside the temple and she was caught. This never happened to Hikaru... The thought brought a stubborn pout to her lips and Sey squirmed in Lao's arms her feet kicking the air and swishing against her white robes. "I was just making my way to the facilities. You're crushing my bladder~" She whined, squirming and giving a good kick to his stomach for emphasis. themightyjello " Aren't you supposed to be the one keeping her there?" a voice, in the eastern tongue, called out through the still air which hung about the path leading up towards the Temple entrance. "And just how did you get so far away from your studies, little one?" the boy called again, this time speaking in western and addressing the small girl in front of him. That voice brought both happiness and a cloud of forboding to the young light mage and Sey shrugged out of Lao's grasp and scampered over to Hikaru, a timid smile on her face. "Oni-sama~ I didn't know you were comming here. I'd have behaved more if I knew." Sey chirped back to Hikaru in a jumble of western, tinged with a light, eastern accent. "Have you seen Father? Is he well?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:02 pm
He looked up at Hikaru with the same eyes, unyielding and unafraid, but still with a laugh in them. He had no real excuse for letting her out like that, but did not want to put her under too much strain. She was already under enough, being the young daughter of the Shogun himself, and blessed with the spirits' guidance.
Still, when it came down to it- she was a little girl who simply wanted to see the world. It was only natural for her to simply escape like that, even if she had lied to do it... though it was the only way to be excused like that, it was still wrong. He would have to speak to her on that later. For the moment, he simply bowed to him and repiled with-"Forgiveness, sir. I did not mean to let her slip away unattended. It will not happen again. Still- if you'll pardon this as well- she is under too much pressure as it is now. You may bear your burden well, but what of Seiyumi here? She may benefit from her studies, but life itself is the better teacher of us all, in my opinion. Still, if you want her back in the Temple, it is not my place to argue."
He began to walk away with her, back towards the temple.
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:04 am
Sey That voice brought both happiness and a cloud of forboding to the young light mage and Sey shrugged out of Lao's grasp and scampered over to Hikaru, a timid smile on her face. "Oni-sama~ I didn't know you were comming here. I'd have behaved more if I knew." Sey chirped back to Hikaru in a jumble of western, tinged with a light, eastern accent. "How is that an excuse?" Hikaru replied as soon as she answered him, twisting the reigns about his right hand as he dug his heels into the horse's flanks and gripped the pommel of the saddle in front of him. As the horse started up at a swift walk towards the girl that scampered towards him, he leaned far over to the left, bending his leg in the stirrup and holding onto the pommel with his right hand as he swung low and scooped the girl up in his other arm as the horse passed by; pulling her up from the ground and into the saddle in front of him in one swift, fluid motion. The horse slowed to a gentle walk as it passed by Lao, turning across his face in the road and circling back to where it had come from with only a slight lean of the man in the saddle to direct it on its path. Keeping his arm wrapped about the young girl's waist so that she wouldn't topple, and leaning forwards slightly to kiss her lightly upon the forehead, the smile which had broken out across his face quickly soured again into a stern expression as he spoke to her. "What would your mother say if she saw you sneaking off in the middle of your classes?" Seyumi "Have you seen Father? Is he well?" "Well?" he chuckled, turning his face to the sky and leaning back slightly in the saddle as his right hand lifted away from the pommel, twisting the reigns slightly and directing the mount in a tighter roundabout path than it had been taking, as they had almost come off of the cobbled road. "It might just be the light spirits meddling, but I wouldn't be surprised if he lived to be two hundred with the way things are..." HeavenSong "Forgiveness, sir. I did not mean to let her slip away unattended. It will not happen again." Letting a slight bit of slack into the reigns as the mount wandered past Lao on its return trip, Hikaru slid his hands up to the sides of the young girl's head and cupped them about her ears as he whispered sharply and quickly towards the bodyguard, reverting to their native tongue because his thoughts came to words much more quickly that way... " Make sure that it doesn't. There are too many of our father's enemies in this city, and you'd best not let an oversight allow something to happen to my only little sister, do you understand?" It was not more than a few seconds, but as soon as he was finished speaking, he dropped his hands back again, the right to the pommel of the saddle, the left to a more firm hold upon the small girl to keep her from falling from the tall horse to the ground below; though his stern gaze towards Lao lingered for a moment afterwards. Kenji chuckled slightly to himself from his position a few dozen feet down the path, having caught most of that, and understanding the young prince's feelings for his sister. There was scarcely a man in the Koukiyo (word?) that wouldn't give his life for the young Seyumi... then again, half of those there were raised upon protecting the Kaikou family, himself included.HeavenSong "Still- if you'll pardon this as well- she is under too much pressure as it is now. You may bear your burden well, but what of Seiyumi here? She may benefit from her studies, but life itself is the better teacher of us all, in my opinion." "Burden?" he asked, almost snorting comically as he did so at the protector's choice of words, "Well, yeah, these royal garments do itch pretty bad sometimes... ne, Kenji?" He spoke the last part louder than the rest, tilting his head to the side to face Kenji, while he untwined his hand from the reigns of the mount, instead draping them over the pommel, and reaching behind his neck to scratch lightly underneath the fabric of his elaborate garments. Kenji, knowing full well how Hikaru felt about the overly fancy things, couldn't help but laugh slightly himself as he nodded his head idly, causing the loose strand of hair to sweep across his cheek again and again like a pendulum.
"Eeh, sou, sou..." he muttered back in a deep voice, reaching his hand away from the katana hilt at his side, where the fingers had fallen in boredom, and instead around the back of his yukata to comically scratch his a** with a grin.HeavenSong "Still, if you want her back in the Temple, it is not my place to argue." "Well..." Hikaru muttered, pulling back on the reigns to stop the mount entirely, just beyond Lao himself, "...the damage is already done... So I think that it is up to her if she wants to go back or not." His eyes remained locked upon Lao as he spoke, no more with malice, though still with a somewhat frigid expression to their steel-toned depths, even as his voice addressed the young girl sitting beside him on the mount. "Father's packed my schedule on this visit," he said with almost a sneer in his tone of voice, "I've got a dinner engagement with an ambassador from the West tonight... would you like to come, Sey-chan?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:56 am
Lao simply shrugged mentally, making a note to himself to be a little more careful. All things considered, he had not sensed any threat or danger as of late, though it was a little too quiet for his taste. Hikaru was right about the enemies of late, though the cowards did not enjoy showing themselves too much. Though it was definitely a bounus that he was here, they could definitely be around.
Sometimes, he wished that there were no conflict in the first place... but there was nothing that he could do to help that. As Sey was taken from him, he was a little saddened, though not visibly so. He did not have the blessing of being born in a high standing. But he considered it a curse, for it restricts one's freedoms. Overall, he pitied the children for not having a simple life.
Still, it was not his place or station to argue. He simply bowed again and asked in as humble of a tone as possible- "I ask to accompany you and Seyumi to this occasion. As you said- there are enemies. I have been to the West and have seen many with honor among them. Still, there are some who would not have this meeting happen. Allow me to recover from this loss in your eyes, please."
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:45 am
And once again she avoided punishment and got a kiss on the forehead for sneaking out. Yatta~! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiikaru! "What would your mother say if she saw you sneaking off in the middle of your classes?" "Phbbtt..." Sey huffed, blowing stray hairs from her eyes. "Oka-sama is too busy to even leave the temple anymore... I haven't seen her in weeks." She sighed, looking up at Hikaru with a pout. "She left me in the care of a grubby old westerner who knows nothing about the spirits. I couldn't stay in that class Oni-sama~ It was too much!" The words left her mouth quickly, in the musical tounge of the East for fear of insulting any westerners nearby. Exaggerating her frustration with a good little squirm, Sey made more hair fall into her face and spent a moment fighting it back. Hiiiiiiiiiiiiikaru! "Well..." Hikaru muttered, pulling back on the reigns to stop the mount entirely, just beyond Lao himself, "...the damage is already done... So I think that it is up to her if she wants to go back or not." Her bubbling curiosity was tamed with the aformented statement and Sey stared up at her brother with wide grey eyes, excitement adding speed to her words. "Really really really?" Sey said, bobbing up and down. "I don't want to go back! It's too boring!" Hiiiiiiiiiiiiikaru! "Father's packed my schedule on this visit," he said with almost a sneer in his tone of voice, "I've got a dinner engagement with an ambassador from the West tonight... would you like to come, Sey-chan?" She squeeked happily, hugging Hikaru with joy, along with the fear that she'd fall of if she bounced any more. That meant she had to be on her best behavior for the rest of the day... But that was easy. She'd get to see an ambassador from the West. They're always interesting. And the last one gave her some sparklies! Lao Lao~ "I ask to accompany you and Seyumi to this occasion. As you said- there are enemies. I have been to the West and have seen many with honor among them. Still, there are some who would not have this meeting happen. Allow me to recover from this loss in your eyes, please." Sey's bubble of energy was popped at the sound of the solemn comment and she craned her neck to look meekly at Lao. He was in this position because she was the one who ran off. She prided herself in her super sneaky stealth escape skills she learned from the great Kunoichi and was confident that she was always hard to catch. Knowing that she got Lao in trouble, the 12 year old swallowed the lump of guilt in her throat and stared at her brother. "Oni-sama," Sey said quietly, tugging on Hikaru's robes, "Let him. It was my fault anyway... Onegai?"
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