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Post by Mana on Jan 3, 2011 23:55:51 GMT -6
"What's wrong with him?" Mana looked at Garnet as she walked behind him. Well, it was her fault too, the mercenary also had right to scold them if he wanted to. He was right, she shouldn't believe someone easily, they were in dangerous place now, stranger could mean danger. Well, this girl didn't look dangerous but it wouldn't hurt to be wary. Mana admitted to herself that she trusted people to easily, Cebrail, Selibas, Reylan, Balthier, and Bridget, then Garnet, Elias, Nathaniel, Cecil, and this girl.
When Garnet asked them to choose a way, Mana couldn't answer. Both ways looked dangerous and each had advantages or disadvantages. One offered almost no place to hide, but it was too risky if they were outnumbered. The other one was a perfect place for ambush, and in the worst case they would get separated. That made her remember how she got separated from Balthier and Bridget.
But she should choose. "Hmm...Difficult..." Mana muttered, her right hand scratched her forehead and her left hand was on her waist. "None of them looks safe, especially with the chance we will be ambushed. But maybe I will choose the second, the woods. I agree with Chloe." At least she could choose.
"Beside, if needed, we could hide in the bushes." Mana looked at the others. "So? Which one?"
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Lilith
Shaman
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not
Posts: 169
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Post by Lilith on Jan 4, 2011 22:17:14 GMT -6
Riza saw him, like a ship would see a lighthouse in the early moments of the dawn. Red hair, red ropes... Surrounded by a gaggle of young warriors. This was the wizard she was looking for.
It had been almost a fortnight since she left the Ostian forest, but she had made her way into Etruria unnoticed, stayed in small villages, and looked for the mage. She bounded, practically skipped, down the road, her hair fanning out behind her. She held one hand high, waving it back and forth, and pumped air with her other arm, running as quickly as she could to the mage. To the promise of a new beginning.
"Mr. red-haired mage!" she called, "I am Riza, at your service!" Her grin stretched as wide as humanly possible, and her eyes were filled with light.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 4, 2011 23:06:36 GMT -6
Strawberry? It appears she knows not who she is dealing with. Well enough, she'll learn in due time. The entire world will learn in due time, Elias the Crimson mage would be a name that parents tell their children, coupled along with Roland, Elmine, and Athos. That was his dream, nay his life's ambition. This ruin? It is only the first step. He would rediscover and relight the fires of Scrying, perfect it's magic and become famous. His mind puzzled over the hundreds of failed attempts at scrying made in his lifetime, each time doing something different. Certain things appeared more effective then others, and he could wait to learn just how close he was to getting the truth.
... Her red haired mage? That is what he heard and suddenly his monumental attention fractured. It was... it was a young girl. She had yellowy hair that had little purply bits at the end. Elias didn't know her, but she knew him and that was a good thing! Woo! He was getting there pa, he was becoming famous! The next step would be to open his very own day spa, the Crimson lounge, where-
No! Focus... focus Elias. Focus... He wrestled control back from his whimsical fancies with great effort. Still, who was this girl? "Greetings, I am... The Crimson Mage. Is there any particular reason you're searching me out here in bandit country Ms. Riza?" He needed to use his brain, as much as it pained him to do so.
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Garnet
Hero
The Scarlet Brand
You call these bandits? You should'a seen what I had to deal with in Sacae!
Posts: 330
Etruria Fame: 1
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Post by Garnet on Jan 5, 2011 1:26:58 GMT -6
Garnet ignored the attempted jibe at his nickname, and listened to what was otherwise said.
"Agreed. The woods will be our safest bet. Just remember where we're going, and-"
"Mr. red-haired mage! I am Riza, at your service!"
Nevermind the fact that another stranger had just found them. Garnet was amazed that someone had actually come searching for Red. There had to be more to this than it seemed, but the red-headed merc was hesitant to interrupt. Elias would be wanting to figure out all about his new apparent... What was she? Fangirl? Why was she here. Innocent? Or some kind of bandit trick? Speaking of which....
"Chloe, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I don't make enemies where none exist, but if your coming with us, I need to know if you can look after yourself." Garnet imagined she could. Otherwise she wouldn't be out here, but he wanted to ask anyway. "I'm going in expecting trouble, and I intend to kill it, anywhere it shows up."
OoC: Like what I did with the colors? lol I generally match text to hair colors.
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Lilith
Shaman
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not
Posts: 169
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Post by Lilith on Jan 5, 2011 10:33:38 GMT -6
Riza smiled and said, "I heard from my teacher that there was a band of heroes led by a red-haired mage, and he told me that in order to complete my training, I should look for you and join your cause!" She bowed the the mage, then added, "I am training to become a shaman. Hopefully my skills will be useful to you and your friends!" Riza noticed that this man had a certain air around him... was it authority? It left more like self-confidence. She hoped that didn't mean he would lead them into situations without thinking.
OoC: I do like it.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 5, 2011 12:49:59 GMT -6
"Led?" Elias laughed. "I'm not really 'leading' us. If anything Cecil is. Not that I wouldn't make an awesome leader or anything." People didn't usually take the orders of a chipmunk who's had too much sugar seriously. That was their loss, Elias was really good at giving orders too.
"Buuuuut...." A shaman eh? Strange, she didn't smell like onions. She must be new to it. Elias wasn't really that knowledgeable in dark arts, though his father knew of it. He studied all kinds of magic, even those less the accepted by the commonfolk. "I suppose I can't very well say no and leave you here in the woodworks to be eaten alive by barbarians. Especially if you went through all this trouble just to see me, I'm flattered by the way.
"Still..." He thought for a second. "It's a bit odd some random mage would tell you to seek me out... Are you telling the truth? If so, what is this mage's name?" He was curious, and he had a slight burning feeling that the answer was something he wasn't going to like... Especially since he already guessed at it. "Was it... Heath?"
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Elena
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 12
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Post by Elena on Jan 5, 2011 15:57:04 GMT -6
Elena, er... Chloe gave Garnet a smile. "Don't you worry, Garnet. I like to think I can take care of myself. Plus, it's much easier to do with several big strong guys helping out, it is." She gave a little wink and pulled out her dagger. "Plus my little friend here. I may only be a bit of a treasure hunter," it was obvious by now why they both where were, why beat around the bush? "But I know I'm not the only one and I may need to defend myself. So I have a little bit of training." She slid the knife away. "So don't worry. I came expecting some trouble too and I'm just as ready as you are."
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Nathaniel
Monk
Morning Lord, your daughter said there would be eggs?
Posts: 58
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Selibas
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Post by Nathaniel on Jan 5, 2011 17:21:33 GMT -6
Nathaniel after an attack on his trust mounted his horse and spaced out. He simply thought as oppose to batle advantages which would provide the least amount of difficuly=ty for an averag person because other the Flo and Elias, not many in this group was an elite. He came back and said, "I'll go either way." Then there was a new woman in the group. Yay.
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Lilith
Shaman
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not
Posts: 169
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Post by Lilith on Jan 5, 2011 18:23:16 GMT -6
Riza smiled and answered "why yes, It was Heath who sent me! He and his wife rescued me from an overdose of dark magic! They said I was almost completely consumed, but I have recovered greatly! Buy the way, I am Griselda, but you may call me Riza. Or Zelda. Whatever!" She observed the group, noting how all manner of fighters and spellcasters had gathered. "Wow, it looks like we have the magic triangle covered! I'd hate to see anyone try and stop us!"
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 5, 2011 19:34:17 GMT -6
Oh god dammit dad. Elias made a light groaning noise but picked right up. "If it was really Heath, I think we can trust her. I know Heath well." Elias muttered. "Besides, we've wasted enough time on these diversions." First Chloe, then Riza over here. The red topped mage was growing impatient. He didn't doubt his father knew where to find him, he probably used one of his many incomplete forms of scrying to spy on him as soon as he entered the region.
"Let's hurry. I wanted to see these ruins an hour ago, and we're getting nowhere at this rate."
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Garnet
Hero
The Scarlet Brand
You call these bandits? You should'a seen what I had to deal with in Sacae!
Posts: 330
Etruria Fame: 1
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Post by Garnet on Jan 5, 2011 21:15:19 GMT -6
"Alright then. If you say so Elias." Elias' trust in the girl allayed all but the most basic suspicion in his mind. Anymore, suspicion seemed to be difficult to escape from, but Elias seemed to know something about all of this.
"I'm called Garnet, and we've got Elias, Mana, Nathaniel, Chloe, and now you as well Riza." Garnet said, gesturing to each, as much for his own benefit as for any of the others. "Cecil is.... Cecil?" The elder magician was nowhere to be seen. "Now where's he gotten to?" Right after he spoke, Garnet spotted the form of the man heading down, almost to the brush they were planning on traveling through.
"Gah! Come on, he's almost left us behind!"
Garnet charged down the slope towards the woods, silt breaking away and sending him sliding down the hill as he went. The Red-headed merc managed to ride the small landslides all the way down keeping his balance as he went. "Cecil! Wait up!... Uhh... Don't get ahead of us like that."
He caught up just as the old man arrived at the eaves of the forest. "We must go through here?"
"I'm afraid so, Old Man. The cliff path looks too open to attack."
"It's so dense. Since when did woods like these grow in etruria?! Harrumph."
"I'll go ahead and clear a path. Everyone remember. Straight up the back of this valley, up the slopes. That's where we're going."
Garnet took a deep breath, and then plunged in, pulling his slim sword from it's scabbard as he went. The light immediately darkened to only a pale imitation of daylight, and the merc had to step over, and duck under several large branches as he entered in. The air felt oppressive, and cold compared to what it had felt like before entering. As he forged onward, Garnet realized that if he turned aside, it could be very difficult to find their way to the correct position. Thankfully, the woods did not go on forever. He'd been able to see the far side, from where they'd been standing above it all.
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Lilith
Shaman
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not
Posts: 169
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Post by Lilith on Jan 5, 2011 21:29:21 GMT -6
Elias looked slightly suspicious at the mention of Heath, but he must have a positive relationship with him to let Riza join them. With a flash of her trademark smile she ran down the slope, laughing as the steepness challenged her balance. When about to run into the forest, Riza reached her hand out and grabbed onto a branch. using the momentum she built up from running down the slope, she swung up into the tree, giggling all the way. She hopped from limb to limb, eventually climbing down a particularly thick trunk and landing next to Garnet. "Hey there, beardy! That's a nice sword you've got there!' she said gleefully.
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Post by Mana on Jan 6, 2011 6:53:06 GMT -6
Mana was rubbing her forehead, she just hit a branch. Why this woods had so many branches? She tried to stick close with the others so she wouldn't get separated like that time. The myrmidon gripped the hilt of her sword as she walked, she looked tense. "Why? I can't..." She watched her surrounding, looking for any possible threats. The possibility that they might have to fight bandits let her alone with her own fear. It was not the bandit, she was scared to her memories. Mana tried her best to throw away her fear.
Mana watched her steps, she didn't want to fall again, once was enough. Thanks to Garnet, he did a good job clearing the path, enough for them to walk. She didn't have problem, except that first branch...yeah, only that one...
That girl called herself Riza, and she knew Elias. Mana imagined if the girl was probably a fan girl of the Crimson Mage. Well, that couldn't be...Anyway, she was happy to have a new friend, although calling her as a friend now didn't look right, they hadn't known each other, just names.
"So, Elias? Who is she? A fan girl of the Great Crimson Mage?" She teased the red haired mage, well, he would like it though. "Look like a cheerful girl."
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Jan 6, 2011 19:58:02 GMT -6
"A fangirl?" Mana asked of him, Mana... She was the one who helped him earlier with the equestrian abomination from the lowest depths of hell. Still, her question couldn't help by make him laugh. Laugh at the sillyness of it, or at his self for creating an image in which it might be true, he wasn't sure. Though perhaps it was a bit of both. "I wish. No no, she's one of my father's projects it seems." He added with a casual shrug. It wasn't unheard for his father to take in injured people who showed signs of magical prowess, though usually the events happened when he was their. It was both a bit disturbing and a bit comforting know that he still did it.
He turned his head and looked at the cheerful shaman girl with a slight smile. "I think he wanted her to come along so I can help her. I mean I know anima and elder magic don't mesh, but I can still help her with the basics." That was not the reason he sent her, and he knew it, but it didn't matter anymore. That's what he was going to do, his father's original plans be damned. "She is cheerful, isn't she? I think we'll get along fine. I hate the normal broodiness most shaman seemed to exude."
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Garnet
Hero
The Scarlet Brand
You call these bandits? You should'a seen what I had to deal with in Sacae!
Posts: 330
Etruria Fame: 1
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Post by Garnet on Jan 6, 2011 21:43:04 GMT -6
OoC: Take note. I've spoken with Gabriel about this, and due to the closeness of Ostia, we've been permitted to pull out a lot of the stops that are normally in place. We're so close to Ostia. Was it a mistake coming here alone, with only these children? What if the Ostia's corruption reaches even here? Cecil's dark thoughts lay siege to his mind. The taint around Ostia was a new phenomenon, and one not fully understood. The only thing clear about it was that it could be very dangerous. Garnet heard a quick noisy thrashing in the trees that seemed to come from all around above him. He looked up with a quick jerk of a start, scanning the tree tops. Then there was a quick movement which caused him jump quickly, angling his weapon part of the way towards it's source before he saw who it was. "Hey there, beardy! That's a nice sword you've got there!"Garnet's blood was pumping. He'd expected an attack, but it was only Riza. "Sneaking up on people.... just like Elias." Garnet mumbled under his breath. "Riza, don't startle me like that again. Not when we might be attack-" Wait.... Did she just call me "Beardy"? Garnet's mouth hung open for a second, staring at this cheerful, friendly, perhaps a little odd girl. The next thing he new, he was crashing away into the brush to the side, hurled through the air by something small, but strong and swift. Whatever it was, it snarled at him, snapping and roaring at his face and throat with it's foaming jaws. For a moment, it was all he could do to hold back the furious asault, but then, with a burst of strength, Garnet grabbed it by the upper and lower jaws, and wrenched them apart as hard as he could with a roar of his own.. There was a satisfying popping sound, as the jaws were dislocated, but the creature didn't stop it's attack. Didn't even yelp, in fact. Besides that, his hand burned in pain now, like it was on fire. Around the small traveling party, a pack of the tainted wolves of Ostia stalked, dashing through the brush and beginning to emerge to attack their dinner. Though not much larger than a normal wolf, they were all but fearless, and pain was only a minor distraction to them. Their fur was patchy, showing more of a leathery hide than wolf pelt. Their eyes were a glowing menace, and their fangs foamed with a burning acid. These were the Doom Wolves: creatures spawned from nightmares.
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