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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Mar 15, 2015 13:21:42 GMT -6
"Light magic is powerful, yes," Nayru neutrally agreed - not quite guardedly, but there was a note of hesitation in her agreement that was not entirely impossible to detect. On a surface value she had no argument with his statement, but the setting demanded a response all its own, considering that light magic was almost entirely - albeit not completely - within the purview of Etruria's church, its inquisition as much as its bishops, and she did not feel they were fitting holders of that power as a whole.
Ironic that the holy church, defined by light, could cast shadows darker than midnight. "Would that that power was used responsibly by more men. The treat of these dark creatures relies on the fragility and mistrust inherent to mankind's unity... given time to fester, even that light will be consumed by shadow." Her voice was quiet, regretful, as Nayru continued down the dusty path with her companions in tow. The scars of the Scouring did not weigh heavily on her - her place was among humans rather than dragons, she knew that now - but while she held no hatred for humanity in her heart, it hurt her heart to see how little humanity truly made of its victory. So many were content to simply live, exist, in mediocrity in a world that was forever plotting to exterminate them as thoroughly as they had their opponents of a thousand years hence.
People like Veigue, Hayle, Elly, Remus - they showed that so long as there was life, there was hope, but they also served as contrast to the teeming multitudes who cared little for their kin, and the many men who had cast off the shackles of civilization entirely to lie and cheat and steal and murder to survive. In some ways, the Church was akin to the banditry they decried. A dichotomy of form and function that mocked the good men and women among its ranks - like Remus.
She fell silent for a short time, watching the group, glad to be among them but still feeling the slight pang of remorse that she could not truly... be with them. Not as herself, and definitely not for long. It was sort of like staring at a family, one that she wished she could truly be a part of.
It took a few moments to realize the implications of that and Nayru hurriedly looked away to hide the amused-slashed-horrified realization on her face. She hadn't quite meant it like - Remus was a good man and all but - "Moving on," she mumbled, betraying as little of her embarrassment as possible. "I cannot accompany you past the next town - I must return to my companions lest I make them worry - but I have no doubt you will find good companions of your own if you keep your eyes open and your mind willing. There are many good people in the world, especially among adventurers, and the cruelty of Elibe today only cultivates more by the day."
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Post by Remus on Mar 15, 2015 15:47:36 GMT -6
Remus tilted his gaze from the sky to Miss Nayru as she spoke. Her hesitation and actual answer almost perfectly mirrored his own. It was a frustration Remus harbored, well sheltered as speaking such could have him excommunicated..or ex-something elsed that was far worse. Though he was hesitant to reiterate his thoughts from their prior nightly conversation given it's length and not wanting to beat a dead horse he knew a way to comment while having it relevant to the current and prior conversation without being a simple restatement. An ideal. His, ideal. Remus looked ahead when he spoke, as if almost embarrassed by the revelation despite a lack of any red tint to confirm such. "I realize I'm no great leader of men, but even I agree with you. Etruria stands as a beacon of light. A metaphorical light-house to the dark places of the world. Atleast..it should be. Instead they cast judgment on the rest of the world without extending a helping hand, and hold up to amass their forces. That is what one expects from Bern in dark times. Not Etruria. That isn't to say Bern is an evil place, but speaking from a historical context. We used to have Bishops wander the land, small Etrurian forces simply able to ensure the well-being even if it was under the pretense of spreading Elimine's word...it still brought safety to people. The greatest Magical Academies in Elibe, powerful practitioners of Holy Magic..a powerful army willing to fight for just causes...and we prepare them so we can do what? Purge our fellow man? While monsters as both the little I've heard plus what you've told me wander Lycia and creep into Bern and Sacae? "
He sighed, shaking his head sadly a bit before gazing upwards once more and resuming his speech. While it was obvious, his words reflected directly how he felt. "No. It is not right. It is not.. our way. We have forgotten ourselves. That the shadow is so bold to reach for the light it wishes to consume is a failing upon the ruler's lack of tact. In many ways. Etruria alone may not solve all of Elibe's troubles, but it could solve enough that other nations would feel safe finishing the rest...Perhaps though I'm just ranting frustrations of a man inable to act in greater ways to change the world...right now atleast. "
He wasn't aware of it. However the final state, right now atleast; would have never left his lips had he not met Nayru. Even as he failed to recognize the stirring change within subconsciously his mindset became one of actions lowly. Every body of water started after all with but a drop of rain. Remus gazed back at her though when she spoke. Moving on? From their discussion? From something else? He couldn't be sure. "Err..moving on from..what? Our conversation?"
That couldn't have been it however. She spoke but seconds later. Though the news of their inevitable parting weighed with surprisingly heavy sorrow upon the blue haired priests shoulders, he was not surprised. He could not expect someone he had met by purest chance to go out of their way as far as she had; let alone further. Though he smiled a bit, already a slight souring tremble of Amelia's lip had taken to it while she tried to hide her face behind long raven strands of hair. She could not keep up with the ideological conversation; but she knew that if Miss Nayru had to leave soon it'd mean her going away. Remus spoke up after a moment, smiling warmly to the woman with a bit of a chuckle. Regardless, he was thankful for her beyond any means she could probably understand. She saved him not only twice, but the children as well. "Your companions are indeed lucky to have the opportunity of interacting with you regularly; that is to say more than but a chance encounter or two. I however must confess some greed in thanks of you having taken time to part from them if only to save us. Let alone guiding us as you have. The conversations have also been more pleasant than I would have imagined. Speaking to someone with more life's experience than I was beyond rewarding. Though I am sure you are right; I may indeed find stalwart allies in the next town. I believe I will certainly need them."
As they continued walking, even he could sense soon they would be at the point of crossed roads where in they parted ways. Though his brow furrowed in thought as he tried to sift his thoughts. Would their encounter truly be a single instance within his life time? He had no knowledge of how to find or contact her and as she seemed the type to roam he feared parting may truly be a permanent good bye. After having come to know one as nice as her that was a bit troubling indeed.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Apr 4, 2015 7:10:07 GMT -6
"Eh, we'll probably run into each other." Nayru spoke with a casual matter-of-factness that might sound strange to Remus, as if the extreme improbability of two individuals meeting during differing travels across an entire continent was nothing more than a regular occurrence. There was no deep and enlightening meaning behind her words, but an unintended glimpse into her experience that only occurred to her after the fact; her multiple chance meetings with Elly, her meetings with half the members of the Magnus family of the last century, her meeting with Veigue himself in that burning town, her meetings with movers and shakers across Elibe often by random chance. Dragons like Marcus, Aerious, Lynessa, and Taiel; Clair... whatever her name was and Richter Abend, names she had learned more of after their meeting.
What was the mechanism by which such impossible coincidence occurred? Was it simple random chance - that she had lived long enough to statistically have multiple unexpected meetings? Was it subconscious effort on her part, whether it be glory-hounding or a silent, primal need to be a part of Elibe as it changed? Fate? Destiny? She was no fanatical follower of trite concepts like 'fate' that robbed individuals of all agency in their choices - but Nayru could not help but wonder sometimes if there was not some sort of will inherent to the world, a tapestry from which all reality was weaved.
Or maybe adventurers just tended to run into each other while doing adventurer-ey stuff?
...Nah, that would just be unrealistic.
The lady dragon shrugged at the results of her turn of thought, all too aware that getting too thoroughly caught up in her own thoughts was not the best of etiquete when in the company of others. Learned THAT the hard way. It was just so... easy to get distracted now, or rather it wasn't so much that she got distracted as that she just didn't feel the constant pall of impending doom surrounding her as much these days. She wasn't even sure exactly when it had started... the obvious answer would be after her transformation,and certainly it had been a major turn of events, but if she really thought about it... it had started somewhere before then, hadn't it? A gradual change, one she hadn't really even noticed until it was already well under way.
Whether it was a good thing or not - she'd figure that out as she went. Nayru quirked a wry smile for a moment at the thought. It seemed her tendency for introspection even at the most inopportune times was thoroughly intact. Some things never changed; it was an oddly reassuring thought, wracked by the unforseen change consuming her life in recent weeks that she was still coming to terms with. "It has certainly been an edifying experience for me as well. Learning the limits of my body and my beliefs alike is a life-long pursuit, and as I learn on a regular basis, I have many new things yet to experience in the world."
She smiled again, a little more enduringly this time; a quiet radiance that seemed to suffuse her surroundings as she looked to Remus to meet his eyes. "...Thank you for that, Remus. While this chapter of our story held a few unfortunate and unforeseen twists, I think its end is a happy one, and there are more doubtless more chapters to discover and experience."
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Post by Remus on Apr 5, 2015 12:28:51 GMT -6
As Nayru's gaze found his, Remus smiled fondly at her for a moment. Though he closed his eyes for a moment, his expression reflected serene contentment. He was grateful to have met someone like Nayru. She was rough around the edges sure, but she was genuine. A trait Remus noticed less people possessed than he would have ever imagined before leaving Etruria. Even within Etruria it was a lacking quality. In the brief moment he closed his eyes, he shifted his weight to his staff with an almost nostalgic sense about him while the last twenty four hours replayed swiftly in his mind. Odd he would feel a pseudo nostalgia when it had just happened; though the reminiscent feeling lingered. He chuckled a bit before nodding and returning the eye contact and gaze with a beaming smile before agreeing and commenting. "I had alot of fun Nayru. Simply meeting you has, I feel, opened my perspective a bit on the world. I can whole heartedly say I don't think I've met a person quite like you; nor that I shall again until meeting you yourself once more. I certainly hope I'll be seeing you again, if not soon then down the road. Ahh..but who knows where life will take us, yeah? "
Parting had a bitter-sweet feeling to it after having made such a good friend, but he had his path to walk in life and she hers. Their journeys and roads may not run a constant parallel aside one another but he was certain they would most likely bisect again. Was it odd? He had been almost fatally injured twice, and almost mugged in the past day alone yet when he thought back he couldn't help but smile at the interactions with Nayru that so definitely took hold in his mind. Being stabbed certainly hadn't been fun, but it was overlooked. What did that say about their interactions then, if he could over look it? Perhaps he was thinking too much. As Remus said a farewell to Nayru, a small sniffling sound began to grow.
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She had tried to hold it back. If she wanted to be like Lucia or Miss Nayru, she had to be tough. Strong. Even so, what had at first been simply staving off tears building in her eyes became harder as her breathing hitched slightly. She had attempted to mask it by no longer swinging and clutching to Remus to hide her face. That didn't do it justice. After a few moments, hearing Nayru actually saying a farewell sounding comment broke through the walls and let the damn get battered down as the flood of sorrow over took her. Amelia's sniffles became more constant while tears began to steadily stream down the young girl's face. Large droplets trailed from her cheeks and she started to audibly cry while trying to muffle it, and hide her face.
A hand pressed softly to the back of her head as Remus tried to comfort her by running his palm atop her hair softly while he gazed at her. All she heard was his voice while she hid her face. "Amelia...what's wrong?"
It became obvious a single moment later. Amelia sprung from Remuses side to Nayru and wrapped her small around the woman tightly as she flung to her crying out loudly. The series of sniffles and hitches made it hard to actually understand as the young girl exclaimed. "Mi-ss Nay-u's gunna leave! Sh-s gunna le-ve for-ver!" The girl burst into a storm of tears and was no longer able to speak as she clutched a woman who had in a single day become Amelia's new Hero. Save for Lucia, there were no females that had actively played a part in Amelia's life, and Lucia died when the orphanage had burned down. She had been the female Cleric who, like Remus, tended to and cared for the Children. The last time Amelia had seen her, she was saying goodnight to her. After that Amelia and Owain had snuck out of the Orphanage to find and help Remus. Lucia perished before they could meet again.
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Perhaps this situation deserved context? Remus knew what sad thoughts plagued Amelia's mind. The girl did so well to hide it. Hid sorrow behind boisterous bold acts and attitudes, and usually to a well payed success. She was though, at the end of the day just a young little girl. Susceptible to those fears of loss. Before explaining however he looked to Nayru with a weak smile. He confessed, he could relate to Amelia's loss and fear as he too had lost many important souls that night. It was a topic they had generally avoided bringing up due to it's difficulty speaking about it. For Amelia, perhaps that time had finally come to have such a talk..
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Apr 7, 2015 0:06:56 GMT -6
Wwwwwwwwwwell that was definitely one way to change the topic, a shamelessly buoyant part of Naqyru's brain helpfully supplied as Amelia let loose the... dog-tears of... war... yeah she wasn't sure where she had been going with that. It was gonna be a literature reference but it really didn't fitm like at all, ever, in any possible way shape or form. Her brain was a weird place sometimes, yet another part of Nayru's mind dispassionately noted, and none of the other bits of her psyche could really argue the point.
And while they were on the subject, what exactly Amelia's deal was in general was another one of those open questions with no apparent answer. Either she was secretly the Pied Piper - in which case she had a really bad case of sleepwalking and probably needed to get that looked at by a certified medical professional - or there was more going on with Amelia than she entirely understood. Without knowing the girl very well she couldn't exactly pull a wondrously accurate assessment from the aether, but it probably had something to do with either the orphanage or parental issues from before the orphanage - assuming Amelia remembered her time before the orphanage anyways.
Aaaaaand Remus wasn't gonna be much of any help, backing out of his responsibility as Team Mom to explain what the actual crap was going on. Not that she could blame him in the least - if Elly asked where babies came from she woulda dumped that explanation on Veigue harder than a bandit hit the booze - nor was she really mad at him, just maybe a touch miffed she was gonna have to fly solo in this hurricane.
Dragon... flying... there was probably some irony in that. Nayru puffed out a bit of air, staring down at Amelia for a moment while planning the general gist of what to say and how to phrase it before executing said plan - there was something to be said for staying calm in the face of mortal danger, whether said danger was a superpowered bandit or a six(ish) year old girl bawling her eyes out. Maybe she shoulda stayed back there with the people trying to kill her, woulda been easier.
Her lips quirked into a momentary smile at the thought as Nayru carefully knelt, leaving her otherwise-occupied leg, with Amelia still attached, as the upright knee, and wrapped one arm around the girl's shoulders as if they were co-conspirators in a horrific plot. Her voice was soft, familiar, almost a bit sisterly, but with a hint of blitheness to keep away from outright somberness. "Hey, we'll see each other again. I just can't be with you all the time. Think of me like a creepy uncle that shows up at birthdays or something, or actually, literally anything that isn't that, ever."
She chuckled at just how horrible that actually sounded. Slightly ironically, neither she nor Amelia had ever experienced that, which made it all the more ridiculous. "I have... work to do, stuff that's too dangerous for you now, and I have to meet up with my other friends to do it right, but we'll meet up again sometime soon, and I'll introduce you to Veigue next time we run into each other, alright? Young guy, very friendly, really good with a sword - flashy and fancy, I can't even follow what he's doing half the time. Quiet but well-meaning. You'd like him."
Yeah... there was probably a reason she wasn't a tourist guide or professional friend referral expert, that was probably one of the more jumnbled recommendations of someone else in the history of ever, but she was intentionally trying to be a bit silly to raise Amelia's mood - which was fortunately pretty easy. The silly and awkward part, anyways, it came naturally whether she wanted it to or not. "But you gotta promise to stay strong, for me and for Remus, okay? He's gonna need your support to pull this whole adventure off right, and I can't be there for him like you can. Everyone has their parts to play, but only you can really do that for him, alright?"
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Post by Remus on Apr 7, 2015 6:48:09 GMT -6
Though Remus watched on, he couldn't help but smile at the way Nayru handled the situation. Context, certainly would have cleared it up. As the older woman knelt down to bolster Amelia's spirits he found a certain resemblance between her and the very one whom she reminded Amelia of. Closing his eyes while he smiled, he chuckled a bit quietly as he walked over slowly. He did not kneel as Nayru did not approach Amelia because; well that would have been awkward. Amelia was glued to Nayru's leg at that moment, as if Nayru had lost all rights to the leg and the legal rights/leg belonged to Amelia and company. Any attempting of Remus to comfort her, which was probably over kill with Nayru doing just that; would have put him awkwardly close to her leg. It sounded weird just thinking it aloud (?) in his head. Nayru's leg aside...Remus decided to speak up as Amelia's sobbing slowed to a series of sniffles. Now the girl was obviously trying to control/suppress the large droplets falling from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. When he did speak, his voice was a gentle one; caring but informative.
"I wasn't the only one to tend to the children at the Orphanage. Though I taught the classes, one of the others there helped care for them heavily as well. Sister Lucia. She was a cleric within the church, but especially for Amelia and a few of the other girls she was like an older sister or a mother. The only real female figure they had in their life, and someone who was both gentle and caring; yet strong willed. Often when Father Roderick was overly strict on us for...err..in his words spoiling the children, where I would simply reason it was in my nature Lucia would be fast to lecture him on not spoiling them enough. Very quick to go aflame on such topics she was and..ah..a fierce woman at times like that you could say haha..err..Amelia was very very fond of her. So...when the orphanage was destroyed by those brigands..we lost her as well. It's been hard for her, though she'd not have you know it."
Though it likely wasn't easy for Amelia to hear it retold, it was best Nayru knew. Since, though she may not have liked it the role of Hero had been placed upon her in Amelia's mind with the mantle and swooshing cape already latched. Such was the way of a child's mind. Amelia's tears did not cease entirely, but as the girl looked up with red eyes and puffy cheeks she nodded quietly a bit; sniffles still indicating she was trying to hold back more. It was a few passing moments before she released the rights to Nayru's leg and all affiliated articles from her vice grip and stepped back. Remus did not make any clustering actions, knowing that the girl would come to him for comfort when she felt she needed it; any smothering attention or hugs could be bad since her attention was still focused on Nayru. Better to let the girl say good bye on her own terms rather than be ushered off. A shaky nod as Amelia wiped her eyes and dried her tears was all lat first, before a quiet and soft "Yes Ma-am" could be heard. Shifting his weight and rested his staff tip on the ground Remus leaned upon it while smiling quietly.
He hadn't been the only one it would seem, to enjoy Nayru's company more than he had imagined.
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Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Apr 7, 2015 17:57:50 GMT -6
Blissfully unaware of Remus's burgeoning leg fetish, Nayru listened quietly to his explanation of Amelia's history. It seemed obvious in retrospect, to a certain degree - he had mentioned the orphanage and its fate - but she hadn't known about the woman... she had suspected the mother figure but her uncertainty about the identity had been the downfall of her insights. Interesting. "Sister Lucia..." Nayru tasted the words, almost inquisitively, as her mind considered the situation. "It sounds like Elibe lost a good woman that day. I'm sorry for your loss."
It didn't mean much of anything, of course. It wasn't her fault that the human woman was dead, and there was little she could have done to stop it in the first place. But it was simply common courtesy to react in such a manner, and beyond any practiced faces, she could genuinely empathize with their loss. Not in quite the same way that those who had known Lucia could, but from her own experiences; a dragon ancient and powerful beyond imagining who had treated a rambunctious orphan of five centuries hence as if she had been her own child. It showed for a moment in Nayru's eyes, her gaze seeing not quite Remus but something - someone - else, as though she was staring staring through time at a scene entirely different than the modern day.
It was only for a moment, but even in its wake the memory refused to retreat once more. And with it, the uncomfortable fact that there was one key difference in their histories, in her and Amelia's shared desire; Amelia was not at fault for her own loss.
Turned out that working through some of your issues didn't mean you had all of them solved. It was so easy to forget that she still had responsibilities and unfinished business lately. Perhaps she really was just still running away. Nayru didn't particularly like where her thoughts were taking her, uncharacteristically dark for the more recent her, but it was a necessary reminder of why she had to leave in some ways.
"The next town is close by - you should be safe from here. It doesn't look like we were followed so hopefully the events of that town will stay there." Nayru spoke evenly, betraying little of her thoughts. She would have time alone, trapped within the confines of her own mind, during the rest of her journey back to the meeting place. Remus; Owain; Amelia; she would remember their names long after all three were dust.
A little impulsively she leaned forward a bit to ruffle Owain's hair, not as familiar with him as Amelia but similarly fond of him despite his quietness - she would have liked to have spoken with him more, but it would take more effort to draw him from his shell. Maybe next time. "You be good too." ...She never had been good with goodbyes, perhaps slightly ironic due to just how many she had been forced to offer over the years. Then again, her usual method of saying goodbye was to just leave before she ran the risk of turning into a giant monster and murdering people, which really didn't say much about her people skills.
Nayru took a step back, giving things a quick glance-over to satisfy herself that no one was about to bleed to death or explode or get stabbed, one hand dropping to her kama to be sure they were still attached, then turned to leave and gave a short wave over her shoulder rather than drag the parting out more than necessary. "See ya 'round, folks."
[Exit topic]
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Post by Remus on Apr 8, 2015 6:31:38 GMT -6
Farewell For now, Nayru. As Nayru spoke to Remus and the reptilian overlord still slightly sniffling girl. and to a degree Owain even; Remus smiled. The blue haired priests warm gaze lingered on the woman for a moment as she gave her sympathies for the loss of Lucia. It was true, Elibe had grown just a little bit less vibrant on that day. However the lingering thought to Remus as she spoke, he expressed not a moment later while he placed a hand softly upon Amelia's head once she was back near him with a gentle pat. " It's true, we lost a good woman who made our lives better. However...as I've learned yesterday and today especially..that doesn't mean she is truly gone. We can remember her, live on and take what we learned from her to others. Then, there are others; like you who will always show that while the world lost a great woman; there are other equally great women out there to maintain that standard. I'm happy to know there are others who can serve as a hero or role-model for Amelia, in a time when I think she'll need it most." It was nice to know they were close to the next town. At-least they could get back on track with things. Events might even start over fresh. Events were certainly coming to a close in this part of Ilia for the priest and the two Orphans, at-least if he had anything to say about it. There was the fact that he would have to be much more careful from now on. While he wasn't exactly sure how the whole assassination thing worked, if they were in-fact trying to kill him that wouldn't necessarily stop just because he was in another town. He'd also have to keep the children close and out of trouble. Surely that wouldn't be so Amelia might get them all killed bad though. Gaze tilting as she approached Owain, he thought back to his mentioning of Sister Lucia and a Hero for Amelia. He would have included Owain in that, but ultimately it was not out of rudeness he didn't but because there were certain comparability issues. Nayru, or any female could be a hero to Amelia because they were a female she would strive to emulate. Owain, would likely not hold that type of standard unless the person as remarkably alike him as he was now. However that didn't remove the grin from the blue haired priests expression as she knelt to say her goodbye's to Owain as well. The boy smiled a bit, almost sheepishly as he spoke up; one of the few times and a rare moment. " I will, Miss Nayru. Be safe!" Here it was. Goodbyes. Definitively. At-least for now anyway. He couldn't help but reflect back a bit on the past few days once more before he chuckled a bit and smiled warmly to the woman as she said farewell. Remus lifted his staff a bit in a pseudo salute to the woman as he spoke up brightly while the children stood near him. " Farewell for now, Miss Naryu. I'm sure next time we meet, it'll be just as fun..minus the err...fighting bits. " Next time they would hopefully be in a more hospitable environment. Amelia seemed still too quiet. It wasn't like her, especially at a moment of parting. Remus would hate for her to regret not saying good-bye in a more usual manner. Trying to coax her from her depressive state he patted her upon her head and crouched to look at Amelia directly. " Don't tell me your going to miss one last chance to boast to Miss Nayru. I'd hate for Owain to get that credit Amelia. " He smiled at her, as the girl looked up almost shocked; abruptly and wiping her face with a determined expression. Old Amelia resurfaced once more as Remus had evidently hit some "Man-mode" button which..was a horrifying thought to have instilled upon Amelia. Figuratively and literally. In a blur of raven strands of hair Amelia scrambled onto Remus'es back who yelped in a bit of surprise before struggling to maintain balance as the girl climbed to great heights before lifting her hands and shouting out to Miss Nayru loudly. " Next time Miss Nayru, I'll punch the bad guy and you can push em down the stairs instead! Count on it!" Remus sighed inwardly and rolled his eyes. Yes Amelia. That was exactly what he had meant. Just shout that as loud as you can, maybe someone didn't hear by chance. Wouldn't want that. None the less, he smiled as he rested one hand upon the girl's knee as she sat on his shoulders, the other hand gripping his staff while he chuckled and smiled waving with three fingers goodbye to Nayru; the other two curled around his staff to hold it. Owain as well waved as Amelia did with both hands while the pair said goodbye. They walked the other way as Nayru, heading for the new town while they looked towards it. Remus thought to himself as they parted ways; someday. Someday again they'd meet up with Miss Nayru, he was sure of it.
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