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 Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 9:02 pm
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Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 11:06 pm
It was true what they said, whoever "they" were. You don't really appreciate something until it's gone.
The cool breeze making it's way around his face and chest, wrapping and soothing his arms into a relaxed state. The crisp grass under his bare feet springing back to life after he had stepped on it, instead of cracking and breaking with each step. He had forgotten how to live on this plane of existance, live this life, and he knew it would take some getting used to. His senses had returned to him, like a man who had just awakened from death - it felt wonderful. He did, however, need a place to rest and figure out what he was going to do from here. He had very little at the moment... just a few mementos from his former life - which, he thought to himself as he set his backpack down next to a nearby tree - that ended up being surprisingly similar to his life now. So much so, in fact, he couldn't understand what was different. Well, besides the large dragon skull on his head. That was a minor difference from before. As he rested against a nearby tree, hands behind his head and watching the odd merchant or traveler, he decided now would be a good a time as ever to gather his thoughts.
Barton Town. It was such a prominent place in his life - he grew up near it as a child, returned to it after the repercussions of a terrible, stupid accident had forced him away, and for a time, fallen in love with a beautiful young woman there. He was still in love, in fact... but now wasn't the time to dwadle on that fact. Who would believe that he had quite literally been to hell and back? He wasn't even sure he had done it. Or how, for that matter. In a sense, he was still reeling from the experience. Think, Axel, think. It couldn't have been more than a few months ago... why does it feel like it's been an eternity? Come on, how did you end up in that place? Right, right... Ackman. Waking up with a sword through your throat is no way to wake up. Neither is waking up with one through your heart, face, chest, and shoulder. That's how I woke up, I remember now, with that crazy fool standing over me and laughing. I felt so stupid for having let my guard down, I spent my last breath asking Elvidnir for forgiveness. I died on her. She swore she'd kill me if I died on her....
Axel laughed to himself a bit, his hand moving to a wide scar across his chest, just under his collarbone. It began to dawn on him just how much force had gone into those blows that had killed him. Enough about his death, he decided... how had he reached this point now? For all intents and purposes he should still be wasting away in the underworld, spending his days picking fights with others for nothing more than bragging rights. Death meant nothing there, he had known, as something that is dead can't be killed further. It was through these random fights, the bar and club hopping that had given him the information he needed. It was how he had found his father.
"I was wondering when you'd show up here, kid. You're late," said the grinning, arrogant man who had placed a heavy hand on Axel's shoulder. His other hand was restraining the fist that had, seconds earlier, been haphazardly flung at his nose. "I thought you'd be here years ago." Black lifeless eyes gazed back, and not a word was spoken for almost an hour. It was simply a flurry of angry yells, painful blows, and a test of strength between a father and son who knew nothing else to do in life nor death. Finally, when all was done, the two found themselves back where they started - and decided on a draw.
"Where's mom?" Said Axel, falling spread-eagle onto the dead ground where they had fought. His red-haired counterpart began to walk away. "She's not here. She hasn't been dispatched from the mortal world. If you find her, tell her I'm sorry."
The form he had fought so valiantly with turned into the form he wore on his head now. All he could honestly remember was picking up the strange skull and falling face-first into the middle of this field. He realized how scattered his thoughts were. A nap was in order. A long one, at that... just as long as he wasn't bothered too much, he should be fine.
((Editor's note: That's along the lines of my mental state, as well as Rage's....))
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Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 3:26 pm
Axel shielded his face from the bright light that assaulted him, having just awakened and needing a little time for his eyes to adjust. The plains were just as he remembered them when he had drifted off to sleep, alabeit a bit less populated, and he decided that now was as good a time as ever to keep moving. He smiled grimly, wondering how much things had changed, if his old friends were around, or even if the same sites still existed. Relax, buddy, relax... you're good at finding people. Might have the world's worst sense of direction, but you can find 'em sooner or later. Hell, maybe even meet a few new people.
He stopped at a peculiarly placed roadsign. No telling how much further it was to Barton... it could take quite a while. It wasn't even in sight yet. But according to the road sign, there was a town somewhat nearby... many of the merchants seemed to be heading there.
"Aye, Latent. Yeh might want teh take a stop thar," said a merchant he had questioned about it. "Get yer'self a good shave, a bath, and some new clothes. And some food, too. You look like yeh'v been through hell." Axel thanked the man kindly, keeping his comments to himself. Well, he decided, it couldn't hurt to take a stop by. He WAS rather hungry... stretching out his shoulders, he took a detour towards the Merchant Town....
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:29 pm
It had been awhile since the stadium had been in ruins, and yet still not all of the fighters had been informed. Most were on quests or holidays away from the stadium but there.
That day in the plains of Gaia would have to be the most innocent child who lived in Levi. Melody. She wasn't a very known fighter or resident there, but she lived there. Quickly she began to run through the fields giggling as her transparent wings fluttered behind her.
"HELLO!?! ANYBODY HERE!?!" giggled the young faye as she looked about. It was too quiet, but she would soon fix that. She quickly brushed some of her Navy hair behind her ear with a smile on her face.
Soon though she could feel something slither past her feet, it tickled at first but she wasn't so sure what it was. Giggling she looked down and say the most terrifying thing yet, A Green Snake. Now really it could only be truely 2 inches long, but for a child who was about 3 feet tall, it was a monster. Quickly she screamed and through her hands up in the air, and started running in the other direction.
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Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:12 am
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:00 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:56 am
Muse tied the lead off to a stout tree and let the pony graze a bit more as she wandered into a slightly thicker area of the woods, managing to find some berries and a few acorns, thinking of roasting them with her dinner for the night she filled her pockets, careful not to disturb all the bumble bees that she saw.
Returning to the pony and pulling out her stores she carefully packed away the berries in a plastic bag and wrapped the acorns in a piece of newsprint. Muse decided to check how her supplies were doing, pulling everything out of the one saddle bag and placing it on the ground. She was happy to see that nothing was so low that she would have to look for a farmer to try and barter with. Musset looked at three small empty plastic containers and tried to recall what had been in them as a bumble bee landed on her bag full of sugar. “Wow, there sure are a lot of you in here… I wonder if there is a hive in these woods of yours.”
Musset looked a tad surprised and then licked her lips as it suddenly occurred to her, where there was a hive, there would be honey…. and she did have empty containers after all. The Bees shurly would not miss just a little honey, and it would be grand to have some for her tea, and she could make pancakes too…
Musset was happily humming to herself as she picked up the medium sized container of the three and checked her pocket to be sure she had her lighter on her as she headed back into the woods where she had seen the most bees around the berry bushes, hopping that she could follow them to the hive.
It did not take the little girl long to find it now that she had thought to look, the bee hive was nestled in the hollowed out area of a huge old oak tree, only a good ten feet off the ground and with plenty of good branches to climb up on. Musset grabbed a long piece of dead fall and wrapped dry leaves and long fresh grass around the end before she pulled a bandana up around her mouth and nose and started to slowly climb the tree.
This close to the hive Muse had to be really careful not to bump into any of the bees, and she had to stay away from the actual entrance of the hive. That area of the tree was almost crawling with bees. Sitting out on a limb, a good three feet away from the hive entrance Musset lit her torch and was satisfied when the leaves caught but the grass started to smolder and the entire thing was letting off a ton of smoke, but there were no leaping flames.
She held her smoking branch out in front of the hive and watched in satisfaction as the bees stopped going into the hive and the ones inside all stopped flying around franticly, as the smoke made them lethargic. Licking her lips again she slowly moved down her branch to the trunk, careful to keep the smoking torch right in front of the hive entrance. The tiny girl pulled a piece of string out of her pocket and used it to tie the torch onto the branch so that she could have both hands free, glad that there was no wind now as she pulled out one of her knives from the hidden bandoleer under her shirt and the plastic container from her pocket again.
Muse looked into the hive very carefully, glad that she was wearing her ridding gloves still and the jacket as several bees flew fast her face. Hugging her branch between her legs the little girl leaned around the trunk and quickly spotted the combs of the hive, covered in wax to keep the honey from the air. She was a bit sad that she had to damage the hive to get what she wanted but the plan was too far along now for the little girl to give up as she quickly stabbed her knife into the honey comb and cut out a square, the liquid oozing along the blade as she worked.
Using the blade to break off the section that she had cut was harder and she noticed the sweat rolling down her forehead even as the bees became more agitated... the smoke was thinning and she realized that she was quickly running out of time. A little laugh of satisfaction was all she had time for as her broken piece of comb came out and she dropped it into the container and quickly sealed it shut to keep out the dirt. Her gloves and bade covered in honey.
Muse tried to swat a bee away from her face but realized that her sticky gloves were not going to help in that as she settled herself against the branch again and looked to see the torch smolder a bit more before a sudden gust of wind blew the thin line of smoke out away from the tree. Snatching the branch she screamed a bit as several bees suddenly swarmed in towards the hive and a very angry buzz could now be heard from within the tree.
Eyes wide, Musset quickly started to shuffle away from the trunk so that she could hop down and away from the tree. She managed to get to within six feet of the ground as a swarm of bees angrily flew out of the trunk of the tree and hovered all about. With a little shriek of fear the little girl looked to the ground and jumped as the bees started to head down the tree towards her.
Whimpering as she landed hard on the balls of her feet, feeling the shock all the way through her legs she took off at a dead run as several bees angrily flew around her face.
She had to get away from them, and at first she headed towards where she had left the pony but then she realized that would not work. The animal was tied up, and she still had her saddle bags on the ground… Musset suddenly turned directions again with a shriek as she felt the sharp pain of a bee sting on her wrist, the little thing had managed to get between her coat and her glove and with a valiant effort to get revenge for the damage to the hive he had killed himself to cause her some pain.
Not even realizing that she was crying the little girl was dashing headlong through the woods, knowing that she was leaving the bees behind her but still aware of the fact that smelling of honey as she did they would find her again easily.
The pond!
Musset screamed again as she ran straight for the deep pool, leaping off the same rock that she had sat on earlier to launch herself into the shockingly cold water she made a tremendous splash as she went under.
The shock of the cold water was almost enough to make the little girl scream again and try to jump right out of the poll, but remembering the bees she stayed under the water and grabbed some of the green plants from the bottom of the pool and quickly scrubbed at her ridding gloves.
Feeling her lungs start to burn she slowly let herself go back to the surface popping up quickly at first, her short hair covering her eyes as she gasped for another breath of air and ducked back down. Musset scrubbed her bangs back as she rose to the surface again so that she could see and with teeth chattering she was quite relived not to spot a swarm of angry bees anywhere near the pool.
Two strokes took her to the bank where she could touch ground again and shivering she scrubbed at her gloves and knife in the dirt to be certain that she had gotten all the honey off of both before she dragged herself out of the pool and slogged back towards where she had left the pony, careful to take the longest way away from the hive that she could.
Still shivering, her black hair plastered to her head and neck, her clothed dripping water and her shoes squelching with every step Muse looked the pony in the eyes as hr stopped his greedy munching on the tender leaves of a bush to look at her perplexed. stare “Not one word… don’t even think it, let’s just go. The sun will dry me off in no time at all.”
Scowling at the pony as if she expected him to make fun of her she pulled her prize from her pocket and was very pleased to find that the water had not leaked into the container and her chunk of honey comb was safe as she tucked it away with the rest of her food stuffs.
Tossing the saddle bags back up on the pony’s rump she hopped up onto the saddle once more and tugged his lead reign loose before tapping her heals to his sides. “Let’s go... still too many things to see before the sun sets…”
3nodding
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:44 pm
Sitting down in the long grass alongside the dirt road, Skarburn looks up into the sky, his brown eyes glistening in the sun and his dark skin absorbing the heat.
A great day for a walk, his mind comments, the thick Rastafarian accent echoing in the voice.
"Ja, mon," he says aloud. He stands again, returning his backpack to it's rightful place. "It's days like dis that makes me happy I left home."
He looks down both ends of the road. To the left, the town from whence he came. To the right, his next temporary home, wherever that may be.
Few people dared to join him. His family and friends from home were too afraid of the stories, and anybody he did travel with either died or disappeared during the night mysteriously.
He could never explain it. He knew he was a half-caste, his mother being an Orc and his father a human, but continually refused that his heritage was the reason.
He even considered himself bad luck, bringing misfortune to those who joined him.
He turns to the right and begins his walk down the road, the dirt stirring underneath his large feet. His large backpack doesn't impede his movement, so his stride is as long and fast as a giants.
The sky flows beautifully, changing shape and design continually. The cloud above him thins out to seem as soft as silk, ready to be made into a beautiful gown.
The cloud changes around into its next shape, slowly morphing itself.
Cooloombaroy, Skarburns mind says.
"Good to know de old mon is watchin'," Skarburn says to himself.
Lowering his gaze to the road ahead a fork stood in front of him, the post directly in front of his nose. He reels back in surprise and gathers himself again.
He stares down both ends of the road. Looking at the post, he stares at the words burnt into the wood.
Unfortunately, he recognises none of the symbols.
I should learn to read sometime, he thinks to himself. He looks down the roads again.
Directly to his left, the road turns off and disappears into the long grass.
To his right, the road leads into a forest a few hundred metres away.
"What ta do?" he mumbles to himself. "Da forest sounds good. I need da shade."
He looks at the signs again, hoping to recognise something, but nothing comes to him. Both signs look different, even.
He continues forth, into the forest that he knows nothing about.
The cool woodland air flows through the leaves and branches; Skarburn taking the feeling around his whole body, raising his arms to recieve the full effect.
A slow moan of satisfaction is the only sound before the 'twang' of a bow disturbs him.
Quickly, he jumps backwards as the arrow passes underneath his armpit and grazes his chest.
Rolling backwards, the pole he had on his backpack falls off, clanging on the ground.
Quickly, expecting the remaining arrows trained on him to fire, he begins to sprint, picking up the pole and continues the run.
The volley of arrows continue their assault, firing too far ahead or behind.
Unfortunately for Skarburn, two strike his flanks and one in his right ankle.
Losing his balance, he falls flat on the ground, his face scraping along the dirt road.
He rolls around to see his assailants approach him...
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:59 am
"Heh, normally my group won't attack alone people, but you've got a pretty weapon there," says a tall, slender male holding a bow.
"Should be more dan dat, mon," Skarburn replies.
"Well, we were all getting antsy waiting around for something to come around," explaining bluntly. He crouches down and looks at Skarburn, the bow leaning on his shoulder. "So are you going to give us the weapon, or do we have to play rough?"
"Go figure," Skarburns says, as he pulls the pole and stabs the bandit in the face with the pole.
The Bandit falls back, holding his nose in pain. A small volley of arrows rain down upon Skarburn, but all except one misses. The exception merely stuck itself in the chain shirt Skarburn was wearing.
"You b*****d!" the bandit yells out, blood flowing down his mouth.
Skarburn jumps up onto his remaining leg and balances, using the pole as a walking staff.
"Fella's!" the bandit yells to the trees. "This one's mine!" he growls, full of vengence.
"Humility is the greatest lesson you'll ever learn, mon," Skarburn says, quoting his chieftain.
"Whatever," the bandit says, drawing his sword and swiping at Skarburn.
Skarburn blocks with the pole, and the sword makes a deep cut into the wood.
Skarburn lunges his weight forward, pushing the bandit backwards. The bandit pirouette's and gently slices across Skarburns neck.
Skarburn attempts to stop his fall with the pole, but hits a rock on the ground, dropping him like a tree.
"Guess it's over now, infection," the Bandit says Ravenously as he raises his sword for the final strike.
"Not yet," Skarburn says and quickly clutches the most vulnerable area men know of.
The Bandit screams like a Banshee, put simply.
A small flock of birds fly off from the trees, frightened from the shrill cry.
"Now. What's ya choice, mon?" Skarburn questions, keeping his firm grasp as the Bandit curls up into the Foetal position.
Skarburn tries to sit up, placing the pole on the ground. He looks at his sore leg.
The arrow sits straight through his lower calf.
Skarburn snaps snaps the pointed end of the arrow with one hand before yanking it back from where it entered.
"Call it," Skarburn says to him, threatening with the Blood soaked, broken arrow in his face.
"HOLD YOUR FIRE!" the bandit attempts to scream out, his voice distorted by the pain and his fear.
Fantastic Skarburn thinks.
He lets go of the bandit and hobbles down the road, trying to get away as quickly as possible. Skarburn's forgets the pole, realising he needs something more deadly. Leaving it where it is, he reaches for his halberd and uses the haft as a walking stick.
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Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 2:46 am
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 2:48 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:49 pm
The sky light was beautiful in the mornings. Sun was at high peak around the time of 12:20 pm today. Clouds of cumulous and cirus were coming by at the winds bidding. THe soft brease felt like a babys breath. Julio stood on a field of grass and flowers which sway in a sea of green and colorful waves. The jist of it all is that he was becoming bored and just went out for a private stroll to himself, arms behind his head and ears splayed flat there as well.
The day felt great, warm temperature that didn't bother his skin or fur so the temp was at a moderate 65%F at this time. He was gazing along the plain of grass and flowers he never seen before. The sun felt warm and the airs softness was at a nice cool 58%.
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Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:25 pm
Evan White- a seemingly young man who had his part-time home and training grounds, the Leviathan Stadium, destroyed. Yet again, another megalomaniac had to wipe the grounds clean of any life... well, what life was left inside anyways. So he had to pick a new place to train.
Though the Gaian Plains were not the most ideal place, due to the people who came through almost constantly, it was perfectly still this afternoon. The grass swayed in the wind, giving the entire field the illusion of water instead of the usual earth. It was almost.. hypnotizing. Well, it would have been if he had his eyes open.
But for the moment, he was meditating, as he usually did.
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:12 am
His lungs burned with each breath he drew, pushing his aching leg muscles to stay under his treacherously bent frame. Maintaining the speed to keep one balanced when full-tilt forward wasn't easy, especially over long distances. For maybe the thirtieth time, he glanced over his shoulder. No sign of persuers, but that wouldn't stop him. They could be hiding in the tall grass an-
CRASH!
The lower half of the elf's frame hit a rather tall obstruction in his path. Something quite a bit more resilient than grass to be sure. His upward momentum carried him straight over the object to slame face-first into the soft dirt to skid several feet before coming to a halt, his legs falling over the rest of his frame to land him straight on his back.
What the hell had that been?
Rolling over and pushing himself to his knees, he rubbed his face and looked back toward his path. A man.
"Hey! Why did you trip me?! Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners? I could have killed myself!" He shouted angrily, his free hand moving to the hilt of his sword.
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:19 am
Hmm? What the...
BOOM
He was knocked over by someone who decided to intrude on his session, and quite rudely at that. However, rudeness can be forgiven. He didn't know that anyone was out here, nor would be out here for a while. The rather interesting thing was that he didn't detect him in his area of influence until the last second...
And just as soon as the thought passed through his head, he saw him reach for the hilt of what looked like a rapier.
His body calmed itself- he wasn't about to let this guy ruin his day.
"Sorry- I didn't know anyone was gonna be out here."
His tone was friendly... but his eyes were watchful. If the guy noticed anything, it would be the intricately-designed silver and black gauntlets along with a matching pair of greaves. While showy, these did serve their purpose...
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