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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 27, 2009 15:04:54 GMT -6
(OOC: Storytime! Another one of those: 'Rayl Flashbacks' where we get to learn more about him!)
Rayl knelt on one knee before a statue of St. Elimine, uttering prayers for a safe journey to Laus, where he'd be going to visit his old mentor. His eyes were closed and he soon found his thoughts drifting to about five years back...
~Five years ago~
The trumpets blared and the drums played, while numerous fresh cavaliers, mounted upon horses adorned with wreaths of flowers to commemorate the event, all were lined up, looking forward as the Old Man before them atop his own horse began to give a speech. Rayl was not paying much attention, his mind flooded with thoughts of becoming a famous knight, slaying dragons, rescuing princesses, living happily ever after...by the time he brought himself back tot he present, the speech was over, and the greenhorns around him rose their weapons up into the air and cheered. Rayl brought his own lance up in the air abit later than the others and cheered half-heartily before drifting back to his storybook ideology.
Once the ceremony was over, the soldiers began to ride off their respective countries to begin their service, and as Rayl was about to depart as well, the Old Man stopped him," Look, boy. You have alot of potential on ya, but ya gotta keep your head out of the clouds, otherwise your going to trip and fall over yourself, and ruin your life...good luck out there!" Rayl forced a smile before riding off, then began talking to himself," What is he talking about! I'm a knight now! Nothing bad could possibly happen!"
~Present~
Rayl slowly rose to his feet, his fists clenched tightly. Boy was he wrong back then. he took a moment to look around the church, all the while contemplating why he was taking this trip in the first place, before coming to a solution: this was one of his last steps towards redemption. He already apologized to Alcibie and Night. He apologized to Crowley and Co. five years ago. He no longer dreamed of fame and fortune...Now all he had to do was apologize to his mentor, then find and apologize to Persephone...
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 16:08:13 GMT -6
It had been quite some time since Fargo had taken a breather. Sure, he had been training for this day all his life, but it was still hard. He was leaving all he knew, all he loved. Even his girlfriend he had for a few weeks. Now, all that was behind him. It was now him and his bow.
Fargo blinked, regaining focus on the real world, out of his daydreams. He saw buildings ahead of him. There weren't as many of them as there were in his home, but it looked like civilization to Fargo. He knew better than to just waltz into an unfamiliar area, but he was tired. Fargo decided to take the chance.
The village was a bit quiet, but Fargo didn't mind. He just strolled right through. As he was walking by a building, he made a quick glance in the inside. He stopped, suddenly, and looked inside again. The building was a church. A beautiful church, with a big statue of a lady. Fargo didn't know who the lady was, so he stepped inside to get a better view. As Fargo stepped in, he saw a man standing up. He seemed to be a knight, with blue armor. Fargo, wanting to be nice, said to him, "H-Hey there!" He stuttered a bit, mostly because the man seemed much older than he.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 16:27:33 GMT -6
Rayl had just been about to go back into his thoughts, when:
"H-hey there!"
This attracted his attention, and so turned around to face the young, green haired man before him, and forced his currently somber expression into a smile," Salutations, young man." Rayl performed a brief bow to pay his respects as per formalities page thirty six article three in Barigan's Code. With this said, he took a moment to closely examine Fargo. They young man was probably in his mid teenage years, so Rayl was roughly ten years his elder. The boy had a bow strapped to his back, so he was either some sort of hunter, having just returned or just going to hunt, or some boy seeking adventure, one could never tell one's motives from just their possessions.
"So tell me, young man, why do pray?" Rayl waved a hand about them in a slow manner, taking a glance around the church, his eyes resting on the statue's face for a moment, before returning his gaze back to Fargo, a smile upon his face as he awaited an answer.
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 16:47:10 GMT -6
When the older man turned, Fargo did his best to maintain a cool, collected expression on his face. However, this was with great difficulty, as he was nervous. He was especially nervous when the man gave a very polite greeting, followed by a bow. Never in his life had he witnessed such formalities, and merely shifted his footing.
When the man asked him why he prayed, Fargo was, again, stuck. The man seemed so kind and wise. He couldn't help but loosen his tense muscles. But still, the question was odd. Once more, Fargo was confused. He was never taught to pray, and was in the dark about all of this. So Fargo's answer was simple. He said to the man, "Umm, so, I don't exactly know... what that, like, is..." Fargo was making a fool out of himself, and he knew it. It was shown in his reddening cheeks.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 16:51:06 GMT -6
Rayl smiled at this man's humble and honest answer, and couldn't help but chuckle a little," I was once like you too boy...have you ever had dreamed of traveling around on adventures, and becoming rich and well known?" An odd question indeed, as Rayl began to look around the church abit more. No matter how many times he'd been in here the past five years, it still mystified him. It was a place built by faith for people to express their faith together, and through that faith there was unity...if only the countries could have a common goal, maybe then they could have peace and no longer need soldiers like himself...
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 17:00:59 GMT -6
Fargo suddenly felt a bit more comfortable with the man. The knight just said every one of Fargo's goals in life. His very reason for leaving the town. It made Fargo feel better to know that the man was once like him. Fargo replied, in a more stable, brave voice, "Yeah! That's exactly why I'm out here. I just, like, don't know where to begin right now."
His attention that was on the man suddenly shifted to the statue again. It was a robed woman, or that's what it looked like to Fargo. He wondered why this place had a statue of a woman. All he could think was, Woah, this place, the statue, it's so... beautiful.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 17:06:46 GMT -6
Rayl's kind smile seemed to drop a little in sorrow upon hearing the young man's desires were so similar to what his had been, but decided not to say anything about it now, instead he checked to see what Fargo was looking at, and easily gave an answer," That is Saint Elimine. She was one of the heroes during The Scouring...I'm sure you've heard the tales. She spread religion through the land, where it took the most root in Etruria..."
Etruria...Rayl never had one good day there...being trapped inside The Prophet's main city, fighting resurrected heroes of the past...not fun. Around this point though, he looked back to Fargo, and quickly smiled again," Well boy, if your looking for adventure, what better way than to travel with a knight? I'm heading to Laus on a personal matter, I just came here first to pray for a safe trip. If you'd wish, you man accompany, but be careful, despite the patrols myself and my fellow knights have been taking, the roads from here to the other areas of Lycia still have bandit troubles...are you ready to fight should you be forced to?" Rayl was obviously concerned, as he did not want to see a young man lose his life seeking wealth and glory like Rayl himself did...
...metaphorically, of course.
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 17:20:46 GMT -6
Fargo nodded when the man said about tales, but in full honesty, he had no idea. Yeah, he heard of Roland and the Eight Generals, but after that, nothing. But it was okay. The reason he didn't know was because he chose not to know. Pretty arrogant, but Fargo didn't care.
His face lit with joy when the man offered him the choice to travel with him. Fargo then answered with an elated voice, "Seriously?! That'd be so cool, man! I mean, sir, since you're a knight. But seriously, I'll totally come!" "And don't worry about fighting, 'cause, like, I'm pretty good with a bow. I'll show you, if you'd like?" His smile remained on his face while waiting for the knight's answer. Besides, Fargo wanted a good practice run with his bow before taking off.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 17:30:18 GMT -6
Rayl's smile turned immediately into a frown of disapproval at Fargo readying his bow," Young man," he began in a calm, polite, yet simultaneously scornful tone," Never draw a weapon within a holy temple." he turned his back to Fargo, apparently uttering a pray of forgiveness for him, before turning back around, a smile on his face again," Alright then young man, perhaps I should actually introduce myself, lest I forget my own manners! I am Sir Rayl, one of Pherae's recruit trainers as well as being on active service. Introduce yourself on the way out. We had best get going soon, as it will start getting dark in a few hours." with this, he began to walk past the young man, and on his way outside.
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 17:40:17 GMT -6
Fargo let Rayl walk by him, by backing to the side of the walkway a bit. When the knight was at the door, he said, in a sorry voice, "Sorry, Sir Rayl, it'll never happen again." Fargo then turned back to the statue of St. Elimine, and made a quick, but shaky bow. He then hurried outside, where Rayl was.
When he quickly caught up with the knight, Fargo began his introductions. "So, my name's Fargo. I come from a town, well, away from here. I'm kinda new with the bow, but I always do my best." Fargo then put on a slight smile at the end of his last sentence.
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 21:06:22 GMT -6
Rayl returned the smile, before bringing two fingers to his lips, and whistled loudly. At first, there was nothing, but then one could hear the sound of hooves in the distance, and then...well, you could see the massive horse charging at them, before slowing down with an odd amount of grace for the tank of a horse, as Rayl held out a hand, which was met with the nose of the steed.
"Fargo, I would like you to meet my one and only friend in this all of Elibe. His name is also Elibe, for it was with this steed that I traveled all across the continent with five years ago, and...well, it's history." there was no way Rayl would talk about the Hargus Incident, for there were things that it was best to be forgotten. "Well then my friend: need me to help you up on him? Don't worry, he's friendlier than you'd think." Rayl then began to stroke Elibe's mane, almost as if they were the only two there.
The bond between horse and rider is a cavalier's true strength. his mentor told him that, and he was beginning to realize a lot of things that old man was right about.
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 21:35:38 GMT -6
When Rayl whistled, Fargo almost took it as a joke. But he waited for something to happen. And when that 'something' happened, he couldn't help but say with a shocked look, "Whoa." The horse was huge. Fargo was amazed by the size of it. Granted, he had seen horses before, and once attempted to ride one. In the end, however, Fargo flew off the back of the beast. Bad memories there, bad memories there... Fargo turned to face Rayl. He then answered, while running his hand through his hair, "Yeah, I think I probably do need help. I'm not, uhh, really good at getting myself on horses, you know?" Fargo was hoping that Rayl would understand. If not, he could explain later. OoC: You might as well prop Fargo on your horse. It would be easier for both of us. )
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 21:54:01 GMT -6
Rayl was snapped back into reality and from his voiceless conversation with his trusted companion.
"It's quite alright young man, not all people or dragons- errr, people, are fond of horses." a shrug here as if he didn't mention dragons at all, as he whispered something into Elibe's ear, who snickered as Rayl went on over to Fargo, gritted his teeth slightly, and actually lifted Fargo right up and onto the beast of a horse that was Elibe the Bernese Charger, before he himself saddled up infront of him," Make sure to hang on tight. I have some food and water packed in the saddle bags should you need it...oh, and do not touch my weapons." he pointed to the sword strapped to the right side of the saddle, and to the lance he had strapped to his back...the whole time.
"Tell me young Fargo, when you think of a hero, how would you describe them?" why yes he was asking Fargo a lot of questions that required deep thought.
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Fargo
The "Before" years
[M:0]
"Just wait, 'cause, like, I'm going to be the best bow man ever!"
Posts: 64
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Post by Fargo on Jul 28, 2009 22:07:41 GMT -6
Fargo had paused when he said that not all people liked horses. He thought that Rayl had added something in there. Then the thought was thrown away as Rayl lifted him into the air, and plopped him on the horse. Fargo's face shown complete surprise as he sat on the back of the saddle.
He listened to Rayl's instructions, and took them to heart. However, the question he asked was a puzzler. During all this time of wanting to be a hero himself, Fargo never truly thought of what a hero should be. Fargo attempted to answer the question the best he could. "Well, I think a hero should be a person who, like, does what they believe is right, and to help those who need help. And when they are, like, helping others they would risk their own life, so the people they're saved don't, like, have to. 'Cause, like, that's kinda what I want to do. Even though I want to be known as a really cool bow man, I also want to be known as a hero, and, ya, that's what I think."
Fargo then reversed the question onto Rayl. "So, Sir Rayl, what do you think a hero should be like?"
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Post by Rayl Torien on Jul 28, 2009 22:52:18 GMT -6
Rayl paused, and closed his eyes, recalling his past adventure...
(OOC: due to time constraints and a budget cut caused by the country's economy, we cannot present to you an incredibly awesome flashback.)
IC: After awhile of thinking, he opened his eyes, and you could see how tired he was behind them," A hero who does what is right, no matter what. They have no interest in fame and only do what they need to, for the preservation of the lives of those they care for, to protect the world from evildoers, pardon the cliche, and finally: to find redemption..." he had secretly took a shot at himself with that last one," I have known may people in my time who had tried be heroes and rich and famous...one of them I actually wrote a book on...do you know what happened to him?"
He recalled the mercenary Crowley when he spoke of this," He died. Died saving those who cared for, including me. Not many people remember him now, and while he may have indulged in alcohol more than you'd expect a hero to be, every man has their flaws. I met a man named Matis, a nomad from Sacae...To me, this man was the true definition of a hero in my eyes. He cared little about himself, and more so for the others around him. I had the honor to fight by his side five years ago, and trust me, if you had seen the way he battled that dark day, you could tell he fought for everyone, not himself...not many people know him around here, what we all did after that fight was build a village in Sacae for nomads who lost their tribes to war...no one save for those thankful for our act remember us...but they are true heroes." Rayl had given slight insight of five years ago, but nothing too major.
He then paused from his long speech as Elibe began to continue through the streets of this town, before looking to the young man before him," Heroes in this world do not have to be famous murderers of justice. They could be the farmer who grows the food you eat, or the carpenter who makes the furniture and housing that we use everyday...anyone can be a hero young Fargo, not just a knight or a man seeking adventure." he smiled before he had Elibe quicken his pace...
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