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 Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:09 pm
THE CITY OF STRATA
LOCATION - DESCRIPTION - ARCHITECTURE - PROMINENT BUILDINGS/SIGHTS
THE UNDERGROUND - ROADS AND PLACES - HISTORY Ancient port of the Barthavos Desert, located near the southernmost point of the Gaian Continent, nowadays one of the major cities in Gaia. Founded by refugees from the ravages of war. Infamous for its crime but well known for its large harbour and trade district. Though certain conflicts have caused a decline of Strata's former importance and wealth, it is still a magnificent sight. Coming from the sea and arriving in the harbour or from the desert entering through the grand Northern Portal every visitor agrees that in front of his eyes lies the "Beauty of the South". The dry heat presses down on the town. The air is shimmering in the brilliant light of the air. The hot winds coming out of Barthavos carry a fine sand which covers everything with a fine layer. But on the bottom of the canyon the tall houses are forming, the shade is deep, the wind cut out and life is possible. Archways border the broader roads and precious trees give shade to those who have to follow their affairs during the heat of the day. But those are not two many. The town comes to life when the sun is sinking into the sea far in the west and the winds are ceasing to blow, lamps are lit all over the main places and roads, and the times for business other than that during the day has arrived. The traveller is advised to avoid the darker sideways and hopefully he knows already where to put his head in the night. But which newcomer to Strata can withstand the market down at the harbour, where goods from all over the world can be looked at - or even bought. Or the colourful places all over the town, where shops are lined up, in between taverns of all kinds and where you find musicians at every corner who compete with each other. Location:
The southernmost point of the Gaian continent, Cape Strata, is a flat rocky region which is covered by a thick layer of sands which gets thinner the further south you travel. While the rocky underground is still quite dense near the Mesa's, which are a two days travel north of Strata, it contains a lot of caverns near Strata. These flat rocks elevate near the southern tip just a few, maybe six feet over the sea level when the tide is high, farther north in the town it has raised already to about 10 to 17 feet. Strata slightly rising from south to north and from east to west allows therefore a magnificent view for those ships coming from other parts wanting to sell their goods in the harbour near the north-east side of the town. Due to the water currents of the sea, Strata has only few beaches or sandbanks. One is near the southern point, the other north of Strata on the eastern side.
Description:
People are arguing about which approach to Strata is the more splendid one, coming from the desert and looking onto the town stretched beneath ones feet, framed by the blue sea, or approaching by ship sailing along the front of beautiful houses lit by the sinking sunset, or - entering the harbour in the east in full sight of the town, preferably when the sun just rose above the horizon.
The Approach from the East
Few travellers endure the hardness and dangers of a voyage through the Barthavos, most arrive by ship. Arriving in the morning and approaching Strata slowly, travellers see a town lying before their eyes which just seems to have arose from a tale told by the elders or a distant myth:
Built on the very edge of the headland of the Gaian continent, it takes the whole space of the hook. The land is slightly rising from south to north, and even a bit more from east to west, so the view is just fantastic. Tall houses in the colour of the sun, from a light yellow, over a deep Strata orange to a dark red are standing side by side, framed and divided with a splendid white colour. Down at the old harbour side are some bigger houses used for storing the valuable goods coming from Northern Gaia. A broad road is leading from the old harbour straight to the western end of the town, passing the great harbour gate and the town wall and running through the central market, around the famous giant Dar'ii Tree. On the left edge the splendid Temple of Water draws the eye towards it just sitting on an small island outside the town wall, which runs around the town just behind the houses belonging to the harbour quarters. The city wall is another prominent feature of the town, and though it is of strong built and was never torn down, it doesn�t look threatening. The light yellow of the stones gives it a friendly touch, though the pointed pinnacles demonstrate the ability to protect its citizens. On the other, northern side, outside the town, the magnificent, pure white, round temple of Falis is greeting the traveller with its golden shining spherical roof and its three tall, slender towers.
Few of the arriving ships call at the old harbour which was destroyed during a big flood and only partly reconstructed, most moor in the new harbour outside the town in the northwest of Strata.
There, down the beach in northwestern direction near the new harbour, a very tall, huge lighthouse is standing. It doesn�t fit very well to the whole town of Strata, and the fascinated visitor soon averts his eyes and concentrates on Strata again.
The houses in their beauty and variety are enough to astonish the foreign visitor, but what catches his eyes most are not the splendid buildings, but the green in between, where you didn�t expect it. Strata is know for selling fresh water as one of the valuable goods here . Water is a resource which is rare and therefore restricted for everybody, even the rich ones. And so the trees which grow everywhere in the town are valuable and very cared for. The mightiest and oldest tree is the Dar'ii tree in the middle of the famous Stratanian market place, but there are rows of other trees running down in the middle of every of the main four roads, each tree belonging to a certain house of which it is cared for. And every house itself, most of them build in a rectangular way with a inner courtyard, has its own tree in the middle of the house. This is the way the Stratanian's can survive in the heat of a summer day, when a hot dry wind is blowing either from the southeast or coming out of the Barthavos.
As the ships comes nearer, more details can be seen. The white colour on the houses turn out to be complicated white ornaments and white shutters in front of the plenty windows, with balconies and porches the houses try to surpass each other. The trees show more of their gracile beauty and the promise of a cooling shade, and suddenly the traveller can�t wait to set his foot on the landing docks of the "Beauty of the South".
The Approach from the North
Coming from the north the town promises relief after the heat of the day, the green of the trees are balsam on the tortured eyes, the air seems to be cooler now and the ears longs for the sound of running water. Like a coloured jewel lying on blue-green silk it matches the sea which surrounds it here by all other sides. The beautiful Northern Gate, ornamented with blue shining tiles, welcomes the traveller.
Architecture:
The houses in Strata are up to seven, eight stories high and built out of dried clay bricks.
The wall is covered with plaster out of the same, fresh material and coloured while the plaster is still fresh. The Strata orange is the most seen colour, but yellow and the red are common as well. Few houses have a pale blue, but this is a new habit and the Stratanians still don�t know if they like it or not. So far this colour was only used for the temple of Water or for interiors and seeing it on the outside of a house divides the citizens.
Though the houses would look great, tall and slender as they are, built together or standing close with only small lanes between them, they get their characteristics from the ornamentations running like a baize around the bottom of each story and around the plenty windows which are the pride of every owner of a house. Each of this ornamentations is built from the plaster the wall is covered with and highlighted and enriched with the brightest white colour available in the south.
The roof and the upper story is painted with a white chalk mixed with a binding agent which protects the claybricks and plaster from the wind, the burning sun and a very rarely rainfall.
The windows are mostly small, but high, sometimes stretching from the bottom to the ceiling. The upper part is often curved. Sometimes they are divided in a lower part with shutteres which can be closed or opened, the upper, curved part which can not be opened. A very thin sliced special stone which allows the light to penetrate sometimes covers this openings. But big pieces are very fragile, and so small pieces are set in a framework creating a special look to these windows. To guard the windows, they have small gracile balconies in front of them, delicately build out of the same material as the houses themselves.
To shut out the early heat of the sun in the morning, every window has white painted shutters which allow the air of the western sea to bring a cooling breeze to the interior of the houses, in the middle of the day however they can be closed to prevent the hot air coming in. Some noble houses have imported glass in their windows, but it is often blind due to the sand carried by the desert winds into Strata which finds its way into every c***k.
The roofs are flat, surrounded by a wall to prevent people from falling off. In the late evenings, when the air is pleasant, the winds have ceased and the tasks of the day are done they are the meeting place of the families and their guest, from neighbours and friends.
There are two different types of houses in Strata:
One is the common rectangular house with an inner courtyard. The rooms are mainly oriented to this courtyard, except the rooms which are facing the main road. In these courtyards the pride of the family has its place, the shade giving tree, in most cases a dar�ii tree.
The other type of house is found mainly in the Eastern Lane. The houses built directly on the town wall and facing the western sea don�t have an inner courtyard, but are built simply rectangular with the rooms facing either the sea or the road. These families set their pride in a "high garden" and care for a diversity of plants which they grow on the roof.
All houses on the main four roads have archways at the bottom level, each house connected with its neighbours, so that walking in the shade is possible. The same is to find at the houses standing around one of the various markets of Strata.
Prominent Buildings/Sights. Among the many notable buildings and locations of Strata I'd like to name the f
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Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:45 pm
The beetles had a steady speed going, and it wouldn't be long before Strata would be reached, as evident in the growing concern of Hibon.
"Nahara... we can't exactly just waltz on in the ccity gates, with two naked men."
"Don't you think I know that?"
"Then why are we still headed for the Northern Gate?"
She sighed softly, as she leaned in and whispered once more in that strange tounge of hers, which caused the beetle to start to descend. Hibon followed suit.
"Look, Hibon, we'll fly in through Theif's lane... you'll just have to distract the Guards."
"Why is it always me? I mean.. really."
"Hibon..."
"Alright, alright."
Setting alight, not too far from the main gates of the City, Hibon quickly dismounted and dragged the boot wearing body on over to Nahara's mount, and placed him on as well. "Is the weight okay?"
"It's fine... be careful."
"Yea, yea." Moving briskly back to his Lurker, instead o seating himself, he actually crouched atop it. "Tell Grandfather I'll be late for dinner tonight!" Without another word, the beetle took off hovering along the ground, as Hibon gave it a soft slap to the side of it's head. "Yip, yip!" Zooming down, Hibon barreled towards the gates, yelling at the top of his lungs. Holding the reins with one hand, he pulled down his pants with the other and flashed his a** cheeks to the gate guards, as he swirled in circles. "Heeeey! Marcus! Sturg! Come onnnnnnn you chickens!"
"What the hell?!"
"He's doing it again!"
And quite the commotion it stirred, as both guards came rushing towards the young Stratanian, trying to get him dismounted. Nahara wasted no time, in flying overhead, and over the city walls, even if the additional weight was straining her Lurker to maintain flight now.
Hibon was the regular deliquient of the city, and a well known prankster... so of course he was always easily made into 'distraction material'.
The sights, sounds, and smells of the city istantly assaulted her senses... she was home. The bustling din of everyday work, and business was soemthing that she had grown accustomed to in growing up here, and she was glad to always have it around. Even as dusk came more and more apparent, life was still thriving in the city.
"Come now! Come now! I have fabulous treasures of the far East~~!"
"Only here for a limited time! Get your delicious, Barton Apple Pie!"
"Ahahaha.. by the nine-tails... you really trying to sell this junk to me?"
"Guards! Guards! Thief~~~!"
Just another day here in Strata.. but for the moment, she had no time to enjoy it, because she was doing her best to make a beeline for the East Ring.. or better known as Thief's Lane. Though the houses are nearly as tall as in the other roads, they are simpler in ornamentation, maybe less cared for, but the northern part of the road is by far the busiest street. Though officially called the East Ring it is nevertheless commonly known as the "Thief's Lane". Here tiny shops are next to the single room a craftsman uses to display his skills, followed by a tavern. Here you get all the goods which are available in the shops at the harbour market as well, but here they are smaller, cheaper. You might also find items you wouldn't dare to ask for at another place. The southern part of the east ring is quieter, only a few shops, craftsmen and taverns which meet the need of the citizens are found here. Malicious tongues call this part "The Thief's Rest" which is surely unfair in the eyes of most of the people living there, who say that the ones living in the Westring are the bigger thieves, taking too high prizes for valued goods, just that nobody can blame them for it. The honourable craftsmen living and working in this street are of course unhappy about the name and work hard to be able to afford a tiny shop elsewhere.
It was there that she and her brother lived with their grandfather, in a seemingly ratty scroll shop.
The streets were always filled with bodies, and whizzing to and fro in the air were hundreds of Lurkers and their riders, so she didn't stand out that much, and was easily able to land atop the roof of the scroll shop that doubled as her home.
"Nahara..."
She stiffened considerably, as the voice reached her ears, mere moments after landing... and she smiled faintly knowing it came from behind her.
"Grandfather..."
Coming home with two naked men was never a good thing... especially for a girl.
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:32 am
"Ohohohohoho..."
The laughter carried through the home, even as a few passerby's ont he outside turned their heads to peer at the Scroll Shop, before moving on. Night had already descended upon the desert City, and the lamps outside were brightly lit. Within the shop, on the second floor, was where the source of laughter came from.
"My, my... That is quite interesting indeed. Very, very, muchly so." Standing in the doorway of a quickly set-up guest room, the man known as 'Grandfather' was not a young man, though powerfully built, and his hair and beard were peppered with grey, threaded here and there with frost-white. He wore the same type of flowing tunica, as Nahara and Hibon wore, although more flowing to his very feet. This man was known as Vaelaron Dain,a 'retired' War Mage.
"Well... you won't throw them out will you?" Nahara spoke softly. She was knelt by the bedside of the man that had been entombed partially within the rock of the mesa, a damp cloth being pressed alongside his forehead.
"Really woman, do I look like a b*****d to you?" Dain continued stroking a hand through his beard as his eyes, very much like Nahara's, settled upon both men, that were laying in seperate beds. "I sent you out to gather ingredient's, and you come back with spouses. Really, woman."
"Grandfather!" Her cheeks flushed furiously scarlet, causing Dain to erupt into laughter once more.
He'd been watering the plants upon the roof, when he spotted the low flying Lurker, and had been there to watch Nahara descend with both men. At first he was a little estranged about the whole matter, but she had done the right thing- the human thing. Just like her mother... He thought to himself as he watched from the doorway. It had been him who'd taken the men to the tub, and scrubbed and basically mended their open wounds. Both Sun and the man with the scar on his face were swathed in bandages, and their skin and hair cleaned of any filth and dried blood.
However, try as he may, Dain could never quite get the man's boots off himself. They actually burned his hands, and it wasn't for a frost spell he would have been severely scalded. But oddly enough, the sheets never caught on fire... so he just shrugged it off. For now... for there was something that did catch the old man's eyes... he recognized the marking below the eye of the oldest... and the marking upon his back as well.
"Yes... interesting indeed." His eyes raised once more towards Nahara. "And your foolish brother? where did he get off to?"
"Well.... he... ah..."
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:04 pm
The first thing he registered was smell. Spices clung to the air, drifting in on sandy breezes, and almost covering the dry musty smell of parchment and the wet bitter smell of ink. The bed he was in was clean, soft, and smelled of fresh soap. Then he realized that all of this meant that he was breathing better. There was still pain, but he didn't feel the need to hug his chest to keep it from falling apart.
Gently he reached up and gingerly felt the bandages that were wrapped very firmly around his chest, or tried to anyway. Cracking open an eye he saw that most of his hand was also tied up in gauze. He could almost feel the stiches underneath as tiny little aches all along the real wound.
Now that his eyes were open he could see that nightime had come, and only the soft glow of lamps pushed the shadows back to the corners of the room. Soft voices, and very suddenly loud laughter greeted his strange ears. He took a few more small breaths, wishing he could heave a sigh, and put the heel of his hand, also bandaged, on his forehead, wondering if he could will away the headache he could feel starting at the back of his eyes.
He did decide he'd keep quiet for the moment. Listening to the pleasent sound of the two talking.
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:09 am
"Heh heh heh." Sitting with his knees folded, Hibon stared at the ground, leaning against the wall. "I wonder if my getting' arrested means that..." His eyes closing he let out a sigh. "Those three were able to sneak in."
True to form, Hibon was inside a cell, his distraction having worked a little too well. "It was nice findin' those guys. Nahara sure has some heart on her." Hibon's eyes opened however, as he began to think more about the two strange men.
"Hmm. That isignia on that guy's face... Was a symbol I've seen in grandfather's books. Is he... one of those people then? Or just one of the faithful? Either way, he's definitely has something to do with that story..." He reached up a hand, scratching at the bridge of his nose. "That younger one seem'ed like he'd seen his share of battles as well. Now that I think about it, they're a pretty strange duo."
Hibon lifted his head, staring up into the ceiling of his cell, a wishful sigh escaping his lips. "I wonder if they're adventurers. People who travel across the continent of Gaia, exploring ruins and finding treasures."
Suddenly a dull clanging broke his chain of thoughts, as the cell door became unlocked.
"I'm free!" The guards stared at Hibon wryly, as he walked out, whistling happily. "Thanks a bunch, now!"
"I appreciate the service."
The voice caused Hibon to turn around in mid-stride, as it belonged to none other than...
"Hibon...."
"Grandfather!"
~~
"Your awake now... right?" Nahara's voice drifted out gently, as she applied another damp cloth to Sunstrike's forehead. Her grandfather had long since left to get her brother, and she'd been left, attending to the two.
However there had been no response from the other man at all so far. It was if he were in a deep sleep.
"Can you speak? Or does it still hurt?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:13 am
Sunstrike had heard the older man leave a little earlier. He had remained quiet and peaceful in the semi-darkness, and then mentally blinked, startled as something soft cold and wet all at once appeared on his forehead gently. His eyes opened and swirled to life once again as they focused on the curious face at his bedside. His bandaged hand gently reached up and touched her hand softly in greeting.
"Hullo," His voice was soft and easy, though he still had to breathe a bit more then normal, it seemed as though his body was taking over the healing process...sometimes it was nice to be part lizard... "Nahara, right?" His ears had caught the name used between the two earlier. "I hope your brothers going to be alright, I feel a bit responsible..."
And he truly did. They'd caused a small uproar within this family, and he wasn't sure how he could repay them for saving their lives. It was amazingly nice after everything that they had gone through back at the stadium. He wondered vaugly if this was karma in action...
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:33 am
"Well that's Magister Dain for ya!" Hibon laughed out loudly, as he walked down the street, rubbing the side of his head. "He just says his name and I'm out, no questions asked..."
"Ohohohohoho..." Dain laughed outloud as well, as he followed behind Dain, before suddenly giving a kick square into Hibon's rear. "Fool!" Dain ran a hand through his beard, as he started down at Hibon, passerbys staring for a moment, but not wanting to look rude and stick around. "And here's the grandson of Dain for you: a pathetic delqiuent who ignores his studies... and pranks his way all across town! I don't think you could possibly bring greater disgrace to my name."
Hibon just kept his head hung down, silent under all the nagging.
"However... you did a good thing today. You should start wanting to do something with your life, Hibon. Your life is just starting..." Dain began walking off, heading down towards the East Lane.
"Gramps...." Hibon was seated on the ground, watching as his grandfather retreated back into the crowds of the night.
~~
She felt a small flush to her cheeks, as she cleared her throat, and removed the cloth, ringing it out intot he small bowl she had. "Oh-- he'll be fine. He's always been a troublemaker, and knows how to get himself out of trouble as well. Although one of these days..."
She smiled and shook her head, before looking back to the young man. "So, what's your name? Do you remember anything?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 9:48 am
"I am called Sunstrike, it's a pleasure to meet you! Most people shorten the name to suit their fancy, so no worries." He began to sit up a bit, taking his time and easing sore muscles upright, wincing as he had to use his damaged hands to do so. He panted for a little bit after succeeding, but in that time he had sorted through his memory enough to realize that he probably remembered more then he wanted to.
"There was...a fight, a big one. Everyone was caught up in it, trying to save home. The Destroyer..."He closed his eyes for a moment. "I don't think we won..." Tenma's eyes laughed in his memories. "No...I definately think that we may have a bit of a problem when we go back."
He blinked a bit startled at something that had registered. "He's still not awake yet?" Concerned he stared at the prone figure in the bed. "Something must have happened while I was out...first we were on the arena...and then we were here, I mean, in the rocky place..." One eye closed and he put a bandaged hand to his forehead again, trying to remember...
And then he blinked. "And why the hell does he still have those greaves?! You think if he'd kept those he'd have spared a little more for decencies sake..." A blush scrawled along his pale cheeks even as he began to laugh through his concern...at least his friend wasn't in a coffin box x.x
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:01 am
"Sunstrike?" Nahara blinked, as she let the name roll off her tounge, getting used to pronouncing it in her head, as she listened to him... but even he didn't seem to have a clear idea of what had happened. She frowned a little, as he sat up. "Don't strain yourself..."
~~
"There is no need for escape... my sleeping one."
The voice seemed to drift out of everywhere, and nowhere all at once.
"Who..."
The man's voice drifted out in responce, in this ever present blanket of nonthingness that seemed to bar any possibility of vision.
"All efforts are in vain, for this is nothing but a dream. I am
the ruler of the subconscious plane. What you dream becomes my dream, and
what I dream becomes your world. Now sleep..."
Without warning a bright flame erupted, and lit the darkness faintly.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. At least... not yet."
"That flame..."
"The blazing lifeforce of that avatar flows through my body. I,
have... been having... visions of warnings. Warnings that a great Darkness is coming... Do you have any idea of what I'm talking about? Isn't it the job of the
elemental avatars to protect this world? Why the hell am I getting these messages?"
"Battle theDarkness...? So, Efreet still remains unwhole...
Is this what continues to feed people false hopes, all the while they are
forgetting the truths that lie in the battles fought ten thousand years
ago..."
"What...?"
"Listen carefully, my sleeping one. Darkness is not without
reason. Its place is set in the eternal scheme of the universe. And true
reason is that which lies deep within your soul. Reason that makes you what
you are."
"So if Darkness is reason, then our souls are filled with..."
"To defy the will of my husband is to defy reason. Any
attempt to escape from Darkness is futile. Now that the Darkness
enroaches on your soul, you can hear its voice...and the voice that calls
back... The voice of the Darkness is within you..."
"The voice of Darkness..."
"However, there is no need for despair. Ten thousand years ago
the people before you, too, lost all hope. It is then that I was born here, in the
depths of their will. I am the ruler of dreams, and within my dreams --people can escape the harshness of reality.
Darkness consumes the body, but the soul lives on--it lives on in my world.
If destruction truly is on it's way, there is nothing left for the children of Ava--nothing but annihilation. Now come... Save yourself while you still have the chance... Let go of all you know and enter my world, as have many others... The realm of dreams is a paradise, free of pain and strife."
"Who... are you...How do you know all this..."
"Shhh... there's no more time. My husband is always close. Take heed of my words. You've grown so much...my sleeping...my dreaming...my warrior. It's time for you to awaken... It's time for you to weave your own destiny.
To weave...your very own...dreams."
~~
"It's sad I tell you. Used to be a time, when we could cross, and mvoe along without even so much as worry about losing our goods, let alone our lives."
"I know what you mean... the City's real strapped tho, they sent in requests for additional help from up North... but you know how those people are."
"Yea... way too good for us hard working folk."
Soft murmers were heard, snippets of conversation caught every now and then, as Hibon walked through the streets of Thief's Lane, his hands in his pockets.
"I tell you, they should just send out the militia already, wipe out those vermin for good. We shouldn't have to be putting up with this!"
"It's not that easy you know... I've never seen so many dragons in one place... their supposed to be extinct aren't they?"
"Crazy times..."
Hibon lifted his head and stared towards the side, before letting out a sigh, and made his way towards a tavern.
~~
"Do you mean you came all the way from the North? Is that why all those strange lights went off?"
Nahara was intrigued, as now that she thought about it, the flaming bird had appeared mere moments after seeing the flahsing lights in the sky.. but to come from so far away, so fast...
"Ah?" Her thoughts broken, she turned her head to the unmoving form of Sun's companion. "Yes.. my Grandfather did his best... he seems... alive, but he's in a trance or something... My grandfather said it was reminscent of those people to do when they got seriously injured.. I'm not sure what he meant though."
"Who is he?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:23 am
Sunstrike stared at her for a moment, as if the words took more time then usual to process within his mind. Who is he?
"Who is Kasuga, Sunstrike? What does he have to do with my father?" The blue-haired girl, Tellus, looked at him in open curiosity from across the table, while Sun shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny.
The truth was he didn't really know the relationship, didn't really know who this being Kasuga was...it was only rumour and speculation that had reached his ears...and the time that he had spent semi training with and fighting the warrior didn't leave much open for friendship.
Sun realized he was drifting a bit and smiled. "All the braincells must not be back up yet. He's called Vahn Kyonuske," Vahn...it was hard to get his mouth round that new name, let alone his rattled brain. "'though I know him as Kasuga. We're fighters, from the Leviathan Stadium. We...we've been through the rough a bit, the lights...I don't remember them I'm afraid." He wondered vaugly if any of the place was still standing after all that mess.
"He saved my life..." Sun said it unthinkingly, and was surprised at the soft glow of happiness this brought. He grinned at her. "Worthless life that it's been so far...so are you a mage? I saw you move the earth...break it down?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:43 am
"Well.. yes. Yes and no. I'm a mage in training, really... although my grandfather won't let me attend the Academy. Me and my brother help him run this shop. We lost our parents in---"
"Ohohohohoho... that would explain a few things then, yes indeed."
Dain's voice carried through from the doorway, as his powerful frame filled it, before he stepped forward. "Kyonuske... I haven't seen them in the mainland for ages... ever since they started and shortly abruptly ended their 'school exchange'. Galos Scarknife was from Strata after all-- so of course we are familiar with these people."
Walking on over to where the Kyonuske lay bed ridden, Dain pressed a hand to the man's forehead. "Besides... not just anyone wears the clan marking."
"Grandfather... I didn't hear you come in. Is everything alright? Did you find Hibon?"
He dismissed her questions with a wave of his hand, as he continued checking the man. "Yes, yes... your brother is fine now. Just like your mother, you know." Dain narrowed his eyes, as he peered intently on the wounds underneath the bandages, which had turned into black 'burnt' markings, like the markings one would find on a tiger.
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 12:02 pm
Sunstrike was a nosy person at best, and intensly curious one at worse, he was already placing his feet on the ground as the other man examined his friend. To his amusement he saw he was clothed in some soft white pants, a bit like pyjama bottoms.
Carefully he wandered over to the other bed, bracing himself on its headboard and peaking over the older mans shoulder.
"Ah..." Was all he managed. If he did remember correctly, that was his fault. He hoped there wasn't too much permenant damage from the fire heal, those were always unpredictable as to how much damage you could do to seal other damage. He continued on, wishing a little uncomfortably that he had a pair of goggles to hide behind.
"You know more about the Kyonuske then I do, then, at the very least. You would see them around...but all the secrecy, well...now it's just gone all to hell, but I'd better let him tell you that, when he wakes up. It's not good for me to spread rumour when all I have is assumption to back me up. I'm glad your grandson is okay." The shift in topic was quick, he had a bad habit of doing that when he was nervous. Sunstrike scratched the back of his head and sighed. "Whatever we can do to make this up to you..." He left it open, just in case the gentleman had anything in mind.
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:20 pm
"Ohohohoho-- no, don't misunderstand me. I encountered a few back in my days, and they were quite known, in appearence only back in my younger days... but I certaintly don't go so far as to say I know them personally." He straightened himself back up, a little surprised to see the younger male already up and on his feet.
"Sun-- you shouldn't be overdoing it!" Nahara was right behind the man, hands on his shoulders, as she tried to guide him right back towards his bed.
Interesting lot... these two. "Yes, don't let my foolish grandson, or naive grandaughter worry you." He gave another hearty laugh, to dispel the mood that ahd suddenly settled within the room.
~~
"MWAHAHA! Just beautiful!" Hibon raised another glass of warm milk to his lips, as he leaned back in his chair, one arm draped over the back of it. "Nice little a** you got there, toots!" He exclaimed out, as he patted the behind of a passing waitress.
"Oh my! Hibon, you're such a tease!" The waitress giggled uncontrollably, as she continued on her way. He's so dead.... Her eyes narrowed into intent murder as she walked off.
"Hey Hibon!" The cracked voice called out, causing Hibon to turn his head in the direction, and smile happily, as he saw the propietor of the tavern. "Long time, no see boy..."
"Hey, pops." Hibon said to the old man, as he pulled out a seat opposite Hibon. Seating himself, he pulled from behind his back a small shot glass, and a bottle of liqour.
"Heard you got into it again yesterday."
"Yeah... Kinda." Hibon said, as he placed his glass down.
"You know, it's not exactly easy to get into the Militia. Doesn't being a member mean anything to you?" The old man said, as he closed his eyes, taking in a breath.
"The only reason I'm in it is because my grandfather, Dain, is the regional Magistrate. After all, not only is he head of the Academy... He's one of the greatest wizards this side of the continent." Hibon raised a hand to his chin, and sighed, eyes lazily staring forward. "I, on the other hand, am two years behind the other soldiers. A flunkey."
The old man laughed gently, as he finished off his drink. "Well that's because you're always hanging around places like this."
Hibon waved his hand around. "Nah, it's not like that! I'm just not cut out for it!" Hibon frowned, as he ran a hand through his dyed hair. "I don't even have the body of a fighter. I always end up running away before fighting."
".........." The old man poured himself some more, and took another shot.
"Besides...the whole thing just sucks."
The old man lifted his gaze from the cup, to stare at Hibon.
"My whole life's already been planned for me. All I have to do is what I'm told." Hibon leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head. "That's no kinda life at all."
Hm.. "You sure are chatty today." The old man said, smiling to himself as he stared down at his glass.
"Yeah. I must be a little drunk or something."
The old man stood up, drinking the last of his glass. "You can't get drunk off of milk, Hibon. Even if it is goat milk."
"Right..." Hibon's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Well, take it easy."
Hibon let loose another sigh, as he closed his eyes. "Don't you want to do something with your life? Like be an adventurer?"
"An adventurer, huh?"
~~
"Make it up to me? Ohohohoho... no, if anything it should be my grandchildren you should feel indepted to. Are you two adventurers? Is that it? I was just about to set off for the Northern lands myself because of all the reports of lightd our people had been seeing. We don't much in the way of news out here, but we did manage to catch a news reports on what was going on at that Stadium of yours."
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 1:59 pm
Sunstrike let himself be carted back to bed. He sat on the edge, greatful to be off his feet, though he refrained from lying down. Sun patted Nahara's hands gently when she tried to fuss too much, and smiling gently, letting her know it was alright. He was much more interested in talking about what was going on, rather then recouperating. He hunched a little at the ache, but it was tolerable.
"I should imagine the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, sir, at least in this case." Grinning, he continued. "Well, I never really got out of the Stadium enough to be considered "adventurer"...though adventure had a tendancy to pick me at random while being there. It's my fault really, too curious for my own good. And the company I keep was never exactly what you would call subtle."
He smiled fondly in the direction of his friend. Then he let out a bark of laughter, wincing and rubbing his chest afterwards. "My looks aren't exactly subtle either, if I wanna be honest. S'no good blaming friends that at least look normal."
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 2:45 pm
Adventurer... I wonder what it's like... Life outside these walls. Living day by day not knowing what to expect, and exploring... Nahara sat on the edge of the bed, staring at both her grandfather and Sun, fascinated, to say the least.
"Of course, of course..." Dain's eyes remained locked with Sunstrike's for a moment, as the old man seemed to be debating something within the confines of his mind.
"What did you say your names were again?" He asked casually, as he strode over to the wardobe closet that stood in the corner of the room. Opening one of it's doors, he bent in and began rummaging through it's contents.
~~
Hibon was walking up the street, heading for the Scroll Shop, as he managed to catch snippets of conversation.
"Did you hear?! Another shipment was attacked-- people were actually killed this time!"
"When the hell is the Militia going to do something about this?"
"What do we pay them for!? All they seem to do is take in trash and troublemakers like Magistrate Dain's grand---"
They hushed, as Hibon walked on past them, his head bowed low in silence. The men felt a little more than uncofortamble, as they seemingly were embarrassed to continue.
Yea... an adventurer.
The door to the Scroll shop slammed behind him, and not soon after, the men continued their conversation and gossip, like old women.
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