Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Feb 20, 2012 9:10:35 GMT -6
Okay cool, she wasn't sick, was just attacked by the living dead. Wait what?! The living dead? How was that even possible, wasn't death forever? Well other than the rumors of the Scouring Heroes roaming around from the self proclaimed 'Bandit King'. Hal had noticed a crowd starting for form around the three, all interested in the girl.
As Elesia walk inside the Inn Hal walked to the girl and knelt down and spoke in a whisper. "Just play along with what I say." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. As he stood up Elesia had returned with some bread offering it to the girl, he gave out a half embarrassed, half nervous smile and spoke loud or at least for him. "Sorry everybody, please excuse my... cousin... She's had a little too much to drink." He made a motion as if he was taking a drink from a bottle "and now she's making up stories again."
He heard a few people mumble something, he didn't care what they said. "Hold on for a second, save your strength for now." He had then entered the inn, spoke to Karen telling her an old acquiescent of his had shown up in town and collapsed in the street, then asked if he could take his room for now. She told him his room number and informed him it had two beds in it.
He had returned to the two girls outside, with a few people still watching the pair of ladies, Hal shot them a some what angry glare. He knelt down next to the girl with his back turned to her. "Try to hold on to me as best as you can, I've got a room we can talk privately in."
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Post by Soul Essence on Feb 21, 2012 2:24:59 GMT -6
Soul watched as the green-haired girl went into the inn tfor something. Soul wondered why... perhaps they lost hope too? Perhaps she couldn't be saved. Soon she would die... not in zombie hands, but out of hunger. That was more satisfying, at least she thought so.
She noticed people gathering around her and the boy next to her. She felt horrible- how could everyone just stand there and see her in this miserable state? She felt extremely odd... and wished they would all just go and leave her there. She thought of her parents... they weren't the best around, but certainly now was one of those times when she yearned for their love. Alas, they were gone, but she was happy to know she'd soon join them.
She watched as the boy tried to cover up the mess that was her. Well, he seemed to be doing a... in fact, he was doing pretty bad at that. " Needs more confidence." she thought to herself as the green-haired girl slowly came, feeding her he bread. Soul listened and found out more about this girl. So she couldn't speak English very well... Soul still understood her words. This girl was pretty honest and down to earth, she could see that.
As she ate, she slowly recovered. She still wasn't feeling all too well, but at least she had the strength to speak. She decided to convey her message in as few words as possible, to save her strength.
" Cant take you there. Farfrom here... too danger." she told the girl. She figured the girl would understand what she was saying. She did speak in that sort of English, so she guessed she'd understand well. She watched as the boy told her to listen to him. He too went to the inn now, and in a few minutes, he had come back. Soul too had finished that bread now, and was now slowly coming to. If she got some rest, she'd be back to normal...physically. She doubted whether she'd be the same ever again, but she accepted that she was demented. She never had an optimistic view of life anyway...
The boy then showed his back, and Soul understood. She clung to him as he started walking towards his room. He grunted and almost stumbled as he carried her. She felt bad that he was struggling because of her, but she couldn't do anything about it. She totally felt in debt to him.
They finally reached the boy's room, where he finally rested on the bed and put her on it too. Soul yawned and covered her mouth. This bed was really comfortable, really made you wanna sleep. Still, looking at the eyes of her two new acquaintances, she guessed she'd not be allowed to sleep anytime soon.
" I'm Soul Essence, an acolyte travelling all the way from Etruria. You both have my heartfelt thanks. Without your help, I would've probably not made it. May I have your kind names?" Soul asked politely. She still felt pretty weak, but she didn't want to eat more. She feared she would vomit if she ate anymore.
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Elesia
Mage
The Feral Flame
"GOD DAMMIT ELESIA"
Posts: 148
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: RENEGADE FOR LIFE
Affinity: Anima
Profile: A Grizzly Affair
OoC Alias: Nayru
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Post by Elesia on Feb 22, 2012 21:17:26 GMT -6
Attention... not good. Elesia stepped closer to Soul the instant Hal disappeared, not particularly cognizant of what he was doing but not relishing the gradually growing crowd. Whether she was trying to protect Soul from the glances or hide behind the fallen woman was - not a question she intended to answer. The relief on her face was palpable when Hal returned and she followed docilely as he took their new companion to his room, hiding close behind him as though it would make her invisible in the presence of a more interesting alternative.
Huh. If being sick got you a free room, maybe she should pretend to be dying more often. She considered the option solemnly before shoving it aside for later, leaning awkwardly against the wall near the window for the fresh air; human habitations still tended to smell somewhat stale and disgusting to her, and this one was little better. Not that bad, but she would take real air when she could get it. It was good that the woman seemed to be a little better off after the food - she damn well better be after a gold's worth of it! - but Hal seemed to be quite capable of taking care of putting her to bed, which left Elesia to twiddle her thumbs. Relatively speaking, anyways. She amused herself by forming a flickering spark in the palm of her hand, focusing on trying to elongate and shape it. Not exactly combat experience, but she still had much to learn about control.
The woman spoke, and she listened, her eyes locked on Soul. Her expression was blank but intense, cataloguing what she could ascertain in terms of verbal tics, habits, and the woman's emotional state. Well, besides "bad." That much was kind of obvious, but tended to obscure less blatant emotions. Sleepy, too, not that it took any particular skill to notice that. Yeah, she probably wasn't going to get any particularly good readings out of Soul for now. Slightly frustrating, but there were more important issues to be tackled. "...Elesia. What's an acolyte?" Her voice was quiet, but there was a timbre of curiosity that gave it a light tilt.
Focus. Focus. try to be a decent human being and put off the interrogation until the woman seemed more conscious. Not too many questions. Not too forward. How the hell did people know what to say here? Maybe Hal would step forwards and offer a solutio... yeah nevermind. "Want to rest?"
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Feb 23, 2012 6:55:50 GMT -6
Hal walked to the wall facing the window, leaned against it and slide down."I'm Hal Kailas..." He spit out shamefully. All he had to him was his name, after today he wouldn't be any help to Soul. He had opened his mouth as if he was about to talk then stopped himself, it would be rude to ask if that was her real name or not. Elesia's question had Hal's interest as well, sure he's ran into other people claiming to be an acolyte but he never bothered to ask before.
Three people, two beds. Looks like Hal was going to sleep on the floor, last time he had a situation anything like this was back in Bern... With Sarah... She was the first real friend he had made in years, the reason of them sharing a room was fuzzy but he still remembers that night was the start of their short lived friendship. Why did she have to side with the rebels? Hal still felt loyal to Bern but couldn't stand the thought of fighting against his friend, and maybe other people he knew. What if his older brother and sisters took up arm to support the rebels, or even father. Why couldn't they be happy with peace for a change?
Tears began to well up in Hal's eyes, the boy had been completely oblivious to what the girls had been talking about now, if they were. He had started to get caught up in memory lane lately, he had done so well to avoid it, and now Hal had realized there were tears in his eys and he hoped the girls hadn't noticed. He had quickly wiped them from his eyes as he lowered his head, in hopes of hiding it if it happened again.
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Post by Soul Essence on Feb 25, 2012 23:39:40 GMT -6
Soul was slightly taken aback by Elesia's... er... offer? She took a while to reply, she was feeling quite tired, however, but she felt she'd need to say some things straight anyway. Elesia seemed quite eager. Why not ask her.
"Elesia, I would sleep, but you seem quite eager... to know something? May I ask why?" Soul ask her innoently. It was then she noticed Hal... tears falling fro his eyes? Was something wrong?
"Hal... is something wrong?" she asked worriedly.
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Feb 26, 2012 2:38:43 GMT -6
So it seems one of them did notice Hal's slip up. He could always just play it off as if it was nothing or tell the pair of ladies how he was not only a fugitive from Bern for attempted murder or murder, he wasn't sure, but a deserter from the army. Each time he ran he left something of importance to him, wither it was family or a friend.
He had let out a sigh as he started to get up. "It's... It's nothing. I need fresh air." He stopped for a second once he got to the door. "You should get some rest, you look like you went to hell and back. We can always talk in the morning if you wish." He had walked out the room before either girl could respond.
He had thoughts of going home in the morning, but he couldn't just leave Elesia and he couldn't just ask her to come with him. Granted they just met but she was one of the first people in a while that seemed to want to help him for what seemed for little to no personal gain, she seemed as if she could be a good friend later on. He wouldn't dare to ask her to leave everything behind just to follow him.
He never had this much troubles figuring out what to do when it came time to run from his problems, maybe that made everything worse. Maybe for once he'll just let this situation play through and see it to the end. He had looked at what seemed to be happy people all around him, why couldn't people be like this in Bern?
Then it hit him, was he really sure he wanted to go back home just yet? Things had seemed to better in Lyica, he felt a lot more safe in this town then in Bern even if what Soul had claimed was true.
He had looked at his surroundings once again, he had made it back to the inn without noticing. Should he go back in now or just wait.
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Feb 28, 2012 14:37:14 GMT -6
"Well, it would be rude to leave them just waiting. I guess I should hurry back to the room" Hal opened the door and started to shift his way to his room when he heard Karen call out for him. "Hey kid, why don't you and your... 'friend' go enjoy yourselves at the festival? All of the activities are about to start soon."
Hal would have noticed all of the festive decor outside if he had payed attention as he roamed the streets. "What is the festival for?" "Life. Sometimes everybody gets too busy to stop and enjoy the little things, this is our way of unwinding and having fun, it last 3 nights so everybody has a chance to attend and relax." Karen reached in her pouch and pulled out some gold coins and placed them in Hal's hands.
"Take these and treat that young lady to some of the specialty dishes we prepare at this time of the year only." Hal had almost felt guilty just taking her money like that. "A-Are you sure?" She nodded so Hal thanked her, pocketed the money, and almost ran to the room. He knocked lightly before slowly opening the door, looking around he saw Soul asleep and Elesia staring out the window looking bored.
That's when the guilt kicked in. He had left Elesia alone, he walked towards he and looked out the window standing next to her. "I'm sorry about just leaving like that. I found out there's going to be a festival in town for the next few nights, you want to go check it out with me?" He spoke softly in hopes of not waking Soul.
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Elesia
Mage
The Feral Flame
"GOD DAMMIT ELESIA"
Posts: 148
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: RENEGADE FOR LIFE
Affinity: Anima
Profile: A Grizzly Affair
OoC Alias: Nayru
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Post by Elesia on Feb 29, 2012 3:27:37 GMT -6
-And before their conversation had gotten anywhere interesing, Soul had fallen asleep.
Elesia wasn't particularly perturbed by it, recognizing what horrific shape the woman had been in. She could be patient; the acolyte would have to wake up eventually, and then she would strike. There was very little chance that the forest shade would fail to follow up on that line of questioning, given how stoked her curiosity was.
Hal arrived an indeterminate amount of time later, distracting her from an exhaustive cataloguing of rooftops. There were actually a surprising number of variations. It was sort of like looking at trees, but smeller - she decided with very little thought that her comapnion's interruption was a step up. Festival? She had heard the word, certainly - festivals celebrated stuff, everyone knew that - but had no idea what this one was about or why they were holding it. "Festival for what?"
Not annunciated, but certainly thought: why was he inviting her? Was this some social ritual she was supposed to know? There might be a lot of people there. She hesitated, almost demurred, but paused. He had invited her, not just mentioned it. Maybe he wanted to go with it with her in particular? "...Okay." Was it okay? She didn't really know. Probably. Elesia smiled awkwardly at Hal, almost apologetically, completely lost but feeling as though her last response had not been enough. "Um, I mean, I'd like to go. With you."
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Feb 29, 2012 10:56:57 GMT -6
Elesia had sounded like she really didn't want to go, or she did just not with him. It had broke his high spirits, he had thought he had met a new friend. Maybe he mistranslated her offer to help him...
There's always the chance she may of took his invite the wrong way? "The lady down stairs said it was a festival for life. To unwind and have fun and stuff like that. I've never been to one, I've it's more enjoyable with a friend, but you don't have to go with me, or at all, if you don't want."
He had slid his hands into his pockets feeling the gold coins that Karen had given him. "Oh yea, she seemed interested in my 'magic' trick before..." He slid a coin in the palm of his hand as he gave her a funny look.
'Say, when was the last time you cleaned behind your ears?" He had moved his hand next to ear for a second hiding the coin from her view as he reached. He slid the coin into his fingers as he pulled back "You seem to have a gold coin back there." He chuckled nervously.
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Elesia
Mage
The Feral Flame
"GOD DAMMIT ELESIA"
Posts: 148
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: RENEGADE FOR LIFE
Affinity: Anima
Profile: A Grizzly Affair
OoC Alias: Nayru
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Post by Elesia on Mar 1, 2012 15:54:46 GMT -6
Hal took her agreement oddly poorly - she wasn't really sure why, but despite her saying yes he seemed oddly down about it. It made her feel sort of bad about it; he seemed like a good person, as honest and decent as anyone she'd met so far in her admittedly-limited experience. Didn't have to know him personally all that well to want the guy happy rather than sad, Elesia decided. She tentatively laid a hand on one of his arms, a crooked but genuine smile illuminating her face. "I do want to go. It sounds - fun. With you." She just didn't know what to do there, but she could probably follow Hal's lead and make it through without too much trouble. Or cling to him and never let go. Depended on how many people were there.
"You still need to show me how to make gold. It's good magic!" Hopping up to land with a soft thump on padded feet, starting to warm up further to the idea. ...Right before realizing that she had no idea where it was or if there was something they had to do first. It seemed unlikely to turn up any leads on zombies or magic, but - maybe she could take breaks sometimes. "Lead on! I'll, uh, be right behind you." Figuratively and literally.
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Mar 2, 2012 1:02:44 GMT -6
First Hal had thought she didn't want to go or she did just not with him. Now it seems like she does want to and with him, girls sure are confusing a lot of the time. Hal would of though he'd at least be able to understand them a little having four sisters. Well none of that mattered, she did seem interested in going with him. She had seemed so ecstatic about learning his trick, he knew it would ruin the mood if he told her it was a ruse older people used on children. He was hoping to have a good time and Elesia would enjoy herself as well. As the two left the inn and made their way to the festival it had felt like Elesia was on Hal's heels, he dared not to turn around and look. Hal could hear music getting louder and louder as they approached, there was a group of people dancing in the middle of the festivities. The lanterns hanging from a rope that surrounded the make-shaft dance floor was pretty neat. Hal saw a petting zoo with some farm animals, then a group of children surrounding a man with a hawk on his arm. There were a few kids playing a game where they were blind folded, spun around, and attempted to place a tail on a wyvern. A little girl being chased by a boy ran past Hal and Elesia, both with face paint on. There were some people eatting turkey legs which look appetizing. Hal had caught a part of a story a bard was telling, he heard that one a few times when he was younger. There were a few people testing their aim with throwing knives, small axes, and a few using a bow and arrow. He figured he'd avoid it, for the safety of his dignity... and the people around him. Just standing there taking in all the sights, smells, and sounds he wasn't sure what he wanted to try first. Turning with a smile he was now facing Elesia. " Is there anything you want to check out first?"
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Elesia
Mage
The Feral Flame
"GOD DAMMIT ELESIA"
Posts: 148
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: RENEGADE FOR LIFE
Affinity: Anima
Profile: A Grizzly Affair
OoC Alias: Nayru
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Post by Elesia on Mar 4, 2012 14:10:38 GMT -6
"Wow, there's a lot of... people here." The words came out quietly as Elesia clung to her companion's arm, both her arms wrapped around his right as she pressed up against it. Way too many people. It was a cacophony of sight and sound that she had not been prepared for, at all - one that made her sort of regret coming. Hal had seemed excited about it, though, and she didn't exactly want to disappoint him. Look on the bright side: there were children trying to impale a giant snake thing, children running around with dirty faces, people practicing killing each other on objects...
What the hell was going on? Was this some sort of murder cult ritual that he had forgotten to mention? The thought was almost ridiculous enough to draw a smile, but everything was so alien and strange, and her senses were so thoroughly overwhelmed that she couldn't even tell why her danger sense was going off. Was there actually a problem, or was it just a natural reaction to having no idea what was going on?
Hal seemed completely unperturbed, though, almost excited. Apparently this was - normal. For him? Would it be as normal for people who lived far away, or were their festivals different? "Curiouser and curiouser," she said; one might almost say that she was so much surprised that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English. "I- uh, don't know any of these. Things. To do. ...What would be fun?"
{Yes, that is jacked almost verbatim from Carroll's work. Yes, I was looking for an excuse to use it.}
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Mar 4, 2012 17:14:12 GMT -6
Elesia had sounded hesitant to coming in the first place, did she know she would react in such away? She had almost instantly clung to his arm when they had arrived. Just the thought of her knowing this would happen and Hal almost forcing the idea to come on her started a guilt trip, he had let that sit on the back burner for now.
Hal had moved closer to Elesia and put his left arm around her, holding the girl in attempt to comfort her. "It's okay, I'm not going to let anything harm you. I'm sorry that I pushed the idea of coming on you. If you want we can go back now."
She had said something about people before she attached herself to his arm. Maybe she was scared of crowds? Sure Hal wasn't comfortable around a lot of people but he was able to deal with it. "If you would like, we can go somewhere less crowded and I can show you how to do my trick?"
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Elesia
Mage
The Feral Flame
"GOD DAMMIT ELESIA"
Posts: 148
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: RENEGADE FOR LIFE
Affinity: Anima
Profile: A Grizzly Affair
OoC Alias: Nayru
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Post by Elesia on Mar 5, 2012 5:50:13 GMT -6
"No!" She almost panicked, her nerves already frayed and her mind occupied, before reigning herself in and lowering the volume. It wasn't that she didn't want to leave - she still kinda did. The crowd bordered on overwhelming, the flow of information flooding her senses, but Elesia knew that she would never get any better with people if she just ran from them every time; whether it was enlightenment or just sheer stubbornness she had no idea, but maybe if she forced herself to stick around and make it through the festival it would be a good first step in that direction. "I mean, I'm fine. Will be fine. Sorry. I want to stay. With you. It's just - a little much at once. Need to get used to it."
Her voice wasn't quavering too much, and she was managing to not look too much like a deer caught in magelights. Hopefully. Maybe. That was good. Better than nothing, anyways. Hal was going to have to be part of her strength, Elesia decided - she didn't know if she could handle the festival on her own, but with him there, maybe she could muster up the courage to endure it. It - could be a good learning experience, right? "This is... s-something I have to do." Her voice was quiet but filled with a curious sort of determination, an almost firm quality that had been entirely absent in her previous words. "So, what would be fun? For us to do."
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Hal
Soldier
Wings of Courage
I've got 99 problems and Elesia caused every one.
Posts: 215
Bern Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 1
Affinity: Light
Profile: Hal Kailas
OoC Alias: Kenshin
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Post by Hal on Mar 5, 2012 10:43:19 GMT -6
Hal had just held her for a second longer "Just... Just let me know if you change your mind. I'll stay next to you regardless of your choice." Hal took a step back and gave Elesia a warm smile. Even though she wanted to stay a part of Hal felt bad.
He had stuck his left hand out towards the girl. "If it would make you more comfortable you can hold my hand. I'm not really sure what would be fun, how about we just walk around so you can get a better look?"
"At least it just because there was too many people, I don't know if I could handle it if the problem was any bigger" Hal knew he'd have to try to keep his lack of confidence to himself if he is to help Elesia.
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