Tara
Novice
[M:0]
I deserve whatever fate brings me.
Posts: 42
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Post by Tara on Jan 12, 2012 21:31:58 GMT -6
Tara finished the last bite of her toast, a bit of honey dripping down her chin. Embarrassed, she caught the viscous substance with a napkin and folded it out of sight. She enjoyed listening to her allies talk, but did not like to contribute to the conversation that much. She sat back as the other talked, chuckling when Calvin brought up his consumption of alcohol. She had a bit last night, but being a practiced adult, she did not have the slightest bit of sickness from the drinks.
"So," she began, "Ilia, huh? I'm not so fond of that place. I got rid of all my warm clothe when I came down here, hoping to stay away form the tundra. My being with you might cause more trouble. Assassins and such... I just hope Valorian does not lead us to my former home."
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Post by Jya on Jan 13, 2012 21:20:53 GMT -6
Jya had gotten a decent amount of sleep, even with yesterday's ordeal. When she was fully awake, she hopped out off of the window seat area and began to make her way towards breakfast. Sometimes it felt as though she was some prowling creature with her tendencies.
Her eyes didn't take long to pick out her friends. Without further delay, she plopped herself beside Tara and began to take her morning preparations.
"Morning," she said half minded.
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Post by Valcrist on Jan 15, 2012 1:17:22 GMT -6
He was awake, he had been for a while. How could you sleep after a day like that? Well he did sleep, a little, but the thoughts of everything simply floated around in his mind. Karina, Isabel, Chelsea. How he so rude left those people, like he always did. Ugh, for a guy who doesn't like being mean to people, he was a complete jerk. Didn't even have the decency to say goodbye. So instead of sleeping, he just sort of hated his self all night. He didn't feel bad for his self, no he felt bad for people who had to deal with him.
Despite not sleeping, he spent all night in bed anyways, a thousand different poses and positions to make the sleep come on. It did, in short bursts, like a cat's napping. He spent most of the night idly drawing figures in the sating of his sheets, only for them to be destroyed the second he moved something that wasn't his hand. An errant yawn destroying what he had been idly doodling for an hour. He couldn't be heartbroken about it, they weren't anything but empty movements of his hand while his mind focused on more important things. Like why he was so garbage. Where on a scale of "1 to get the hell away from me" that everyone hated him. All the answers were words and not numbers, it seemed. Chelsea broke the scale herself.
Agh, he was pathetic. Why was he so pathetic? He didn't ENJOY wallowing in self-pity. It just came naturally, he had it good compared to most people. His parent was still very much alive, probably mad at him though, she wasn't killed and eaten by bandits or turned into a newt or starved to death to feed him or burnt in a fire or anything interesting and traumatic like that. He lived in the desert, but was healthy, it was hot and cold all the time, but he had grown used to that. At night it wasn't too bad, he had blankets and the forge always left the house like an oven, that's when his mother did all the smithing. During the day it was standable, he was happy. In fact it felt like all this self-hatred and pity didn't start until he left. Maybe he should go back home... That might be for the best. He obviously didn't belong out here.
He never was confident in his self, outside of maybe his art, and even that's not all that great. Better then the average person, probably, but nothing that a normal person can't achieve after much practice. He wasn't an artist, just a kid who drew well. Damn, he wasn't even really a kid anymore, he was almost twenty by now. It's been about two years since he left, going on three. He sent his mother letters often, but maybe he should visit...
Ugh, it didn't really matter. He was headed to Ilia soon. Snow.... He hated and loved snow. He hated the cold too, he wasn't as used to it as the heat. Then again he actually has warm attire now, so it probably will not be as bad. Heaving his self out of the bed when the sun exploded into the sky, screaming at the sleeping people of Sacae that it's time to arise, he grumpily obliged. Tired, he lethargically went through the morning motions. Putting on his jacket, fixing his scarf and gathering his things. Heading to the door of the room next to his, he let out a wide yawn as he knocked on the door.
"Karina? You up yet?"
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Post by Kelvin H. Calderon on Jan 21, 2012 15:49:15 GMT -6
Kelvin had risen early that morning. The few months he had spent with the rebellion had made him accustomed to brief hours of sleep and rising early in the morning. This morning was no different. Dressing simply, he had taken off from the inn at a steady jog. The morning was cool and crisp, perfect for an early morning workout. He continued for a steady mile, before turning back towards the inn. He gradually slowed to a walk as the inn came back into sight. The jog had left him hungry, so he entered the inn and ordered himself some breakfast. He spotted the others sitting at a table nearby, so he carried his plate over and pulled out a chair. "Morning," he mumbled out to his companions. He turned his attention to the food in front of him and selected a rather plump sausage.
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Post by Valcrist on Jan 26, 2012 21:53:17 GMT -6
He waited.
And waited.
And waited.
He knocked again, for good measure. Not answering huh? Figures. Must be out already, or a really heavy sleeper. He wasn't sure WHEN they were leaving. Maybe he should take a walk and come back later, he was kind of hungry anyways. What were the chances he run into those people again? It was a large town, tons of people and restaurant and inns. It was near impossib- Oh who was he kidding he was going to run into them.
Still, his hungry stomach demanded he take that risk. It took a lot of protein to have this monstrous physique. Aw... he couldn't even make that joke anymore because he was hilariously skinny. He was closer to average, gained some weight as it may be, it was a complete bummer. How else was he supposed to get through life if he could insult his self at every single possible opportunity?
The streets were subdued and quiet, it was still early morning and the sun hung low in the horizon like a giant golden button on the shirt of the sky. Bad analogy. Oh well, it was good to take his mind off of things by thinking up his horrible little puns and such, distracted him from the crippling self-doubt and what not.
Here we go, a nice tavern. Valcrist splurged on that sword now hanging by his waist, so it was probably best to go about it frugally now. "Oh hey, anyone here?" He poked his head in, looking for a waiter, or something. He saw someone in the back, there we go. "Can I get a ham omelet?" It was a simple meal, inexpensive too he hoped. Back in Nabata they usually had dried meats for breakfast. And for most of their meals really. Most other foods didn't last long enough. He loved oranges too, it was a bummer he didn't get to eat them often. One of the first things he did when he left Nabata was binge on fruit.
"Alright, one minute, go ahead and take a seat." The man waved at him, and Valcrist simply nodded. Looking around for a seat he saw... Oh... Oh stars. He knew this would happen, but he thought in knowing about it that it wouldn't happen and he'd "Alright, one minute, go ahead and take a seat." The man waved at him, and Valcrist simply nodded. Looking around for a seat he saw... Oh... Oh stars. He knew this would happen, but he thought in knowing about it that it wouldn't happen and he'd trick reality in NOT doing it. But alas it was far too smart.
Should he say hi? He kind of... ditched without a word before. It was incredibly rude, and he should be ashamed. And he was, but he was always ashamed at his self so it was like punching a hole in the wall of a collapsed house. He took a step forward, then a step back in hesitation. Biting his lip, and looking at the ground. Should he? He should. He was going to. No, nope nope no, he wasn't. Get out of here Valcrist. But the omelet.... But it's just an omelet. But he already ordered it, and he can't just leave. Maybe he should hide in the corner. There has to be tons of dark skinned blonds garbed in blue and orange in this town. Okay that was a horrible idea, he should just leave. Oh god why was his feet moving, why was he walking closer stop it!
"Good morning guys." He had a bit of a pained smile as his inner demons wrestled and bit his psyche to the point it was a pulpy mess. He didn't know why he was doing this, but he secretly suspected he was a masochist. He looked at, them, couldn't see Chelsea or Valorian. Maybe he could save face with Val, he was the only one who missed his little stunt yesterday. He wondered if they hated him, wouldn't blame them.
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Karina
The "Before" years
[M:1000]
Submit to the short skirt!!!
Posts: 132
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Post by Karina on Jan 31, 2012 13:48:03 GMT -6
Karina woke up on the floor of her room, entwined in her covered and drooling all over herself. She got on her feet, threw the blanket back on the bed, and got dressed. She didn't usually sleep like a beast, but when she did, outdid herself every time. She washed her face and arms in a basin on the floor of her room, then using her personal mirror to fix her hair might be time for a change... she thought as her bangs flopped down over one eye, but what... to what? she shrugged to herself and headed downstairs, hoping everyone was still there.
Most everyone was done eating, so she ordered a bit of toast and sat on the edge of the group, not really in the mood to talk.
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Valorian
Sage
[M:-1030]
Where there is life, there is hope.
Posts: 484
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Post by Valorian on Feb 6, 2012 17:19:51 GMT -6
Valorian finally willed himself to move from his room. He'd been internally debating on today for almost all of yesterday.
Calvin and Izzy had to go. They had no idea what was going on, and they had no stake in any of it. He wasn't going to drag them all into Ilia just because they were simple children. He'd been that young, that innocent, once. He had it ripped away from him, and if it were possible he wanted to spare them that for a little bit. And so, instead of walking into the main area with the others, he quietly slipped out the back.
He had thought about going to get Jya, but that would have been too risky. Calvin didn't know the meaning of subtle, and Izzy would never give up. He'd prefer to avoid a direct confrontation. As he walked from the town he hesitated a moment...with his new spell he could call Jya to him. Separate her from the others quickly and easily. He shook his head, that was not his choice to make. Mentally, the girl was probably as mature as Katara's daughter, he was just deluding himself here. The last time they parted it was her who made the decision to leave.
And now, the choice was made by him.
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Post by Jya on Feb 6, 2012 17:37:38 GMT -6
Jya excused herself for a minute to order another drink. On her way she noticed a tuft of green hair. She thought it was Val but quickly wandered who it was exactly. To not catch anyone's attention she sneaked out of the tavern close behind. She kept to the shadows out of habit. It was more or less a game and practice. You only get better when you practice!
No matter how much she wanted to ask Val, she kept silent trying to determine what he was up to. Perhaps he was preparing for something like yesterday. Than again why was he heading so far out of town...?
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Valorian
Sage
[M:-1030]
Where there is life, there is hope.
Posts: 484
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Post by Valorian on Feb 7, 2012 17:36:14 GMT -6
OOC: Doing a bit of a time jump, assuming Jya didn't make her presence know instantly.
IC:
It had been almost an hour that he'd been walking north. Following the coast he continued his walk, not really paying to much attention to the fields of grass around him or the crashing waves on the horizon. He was wandering alone again, as it had been for long before this. It was probably for the best, this mission could go poorly very easily. None of his prior companions had any idea what was at stake, it was just a little field trip to them. But they were going alone into some of the most hostile environments in the world, and into a very dangerous situation. They would have died if he brought them.
So he walked through the endless sea of grass, wondering if he'd ever see them again. Well, he had to survive this anyway, he'd made a promise. Maybe he'd see them down the road somewhere...after all this was over. Come to think of it, he'd left his past behind him now...shouldn't he discard the old name too? No more need to hide it after all. When Katara had said it, it had awakened something long dormant. It had been the first time he'd heard the name in seven years.
It took an arrow sinking into the ground at his feet to snap him out of his daze. It would seem he was no longer alone on the plains. A group of men about a hundred feet out. One on horseback, two on foot. The mounted one held a bow, and they slowly moved to intercept him.
Well, aside from the warning shot they hadn't made any other hostile moves. No sense in attacking just yet...but still he prepared himself.
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Post by Jya on Feb 9, 2012 12:58:35 GMT -6
Jya had followed Valorian in the shadows and comfort of the sea of grass. Her choice of green clothing worked in her favor, it kept her hidden and camouflaged. The familiar sent of the grass and wilderness kept her at peace as well. The occasional stifling of a cough was all she worried about giving her position away. The fact that Valorian still wasn't alerted by her presence was a sign that she hadn't been coughing as hard as she thought.
After getting quite some distance from town, she began to suspect that Valorian wasn't planning on returning to the others. She still stuck by, curious about why the young man decided to leave. Than again intuition could be wrong and she was troubled by nothing. Perhaps he just lost track of time.
Jya was about to pop out of her hiding spot when she noticed men out in the distance. They were approaching quite quickly and as they came closer, they also appeared aggressive in nature. When the horseback rider shot an arrow at Val, she realized they were no friends to them. She began to make her way to a more advantageous position to help intersect the enemy. Her eyes were locked to see what her companion planned to do in such a situation.
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Valorian
Sage
[M:-1030]
Where there is life, there is hope.
Posts: 484
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Post by Valorian on Feb 10, 2012 20:06:44 GMT -6
The three approached him and made it clear, without any words what-so-ever, that they were intending to rob him. Valorian sighed and stabbed his staff into the ground.
"I am one hour out of a town filled with legendary warriors and you try to rob me? Do you have any sense in your damn heads!" He shouted, clearly surprising the would be highwaymen. "Get out of my way." He demanded, not even going to play around with these clowns. In an instant the two on fott had drawn swords while the mounted one had drawn his bow.
[red]"Kill him."[/red] He ordered, letting the arrow fly. Valorian barely got out of the way, he was a really good shot, and the two sword users were closing in to block his counter attack. Blast it all to hell, he had work to do! He couldn't waste time with these brigands!
"Hellfire!" He commanded, and the jewel on the staff glowed for a moment as the ground underneath one of the swordsmen opened up into a maw of fire. His scream was mercifully short. The other closed in quickly though, and dropped down with a sword slash that cut deep into his right shoulder.
"Arggh!" Valorian growled, dropping the staff in surprise as the blood fell from the wound. As he staggered back, he saw the swordsman closing for a second strike.
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Post by Jya on Feb 10, 2012 20:26:58 GMT -6
Jya gritted her teeth as the next few moments unfolded. She only shifted through the grass to make her position best for a surprise attack. She considered taking out the archer but it seemed as though the swordsman must be taken care of first.
She couldn't help but admire Valorian skill with magic. Shame she had little to no talent for that trade whatsoever. With a cautious glance back at the bowman, she believed that no one realized her yet. As Valorian was struck down and dropped his staff, it was time to strike.
She leaped. It was as simple as that, she practically pounced at him. For a second there she was simply gliding past the unsuspecting victim. However her sword was drawn and she quickly glided past him. It would have been a harmless gesture, however her blade quickly sliced through the back of the man's neck. She wasted no time, finding it best to dive back into the sea of grass.
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Valorian
Sage
[M:-1030]
Where there is life, there is hope.
Posts: 484
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Post by Valorian on Feb 10, 2012 20:34:56 GMT -6
The man fell quickly, and messily as his neck sprayed blood into the once green grass. The familiar green flash that had run past him had never been more welcome then she was right now. He found himself smiling, in spite of his injury. And then he noticed something that nearly stopped his heart. The archer who had been training on him, now shifted his bow and released the arrow.
"Jya!" He shouted as he heard the arrow wizz past him. He wanted to reach out and grab it, to get in the way, to do something. But his body would not respond quickly enough, and he could only watch in terror as the arrow zoomed after it's intended target. The tearing and puncturing sound he heard afterwords froze the world around him as he turned his head to see what had happened.
No...no no no...this wasn't right. This wasn't how it was going to be. She'd dodge it...or it would wing her, it wouldn't be serious, they'd been in way worse situations like this. Like in Ostia during the war, or in Bern during the fight at the Bandit fort...it couldn't happen here, to a couple common thugs...
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Post by Jya on Feb 10, 2012 20:45:09 GMT -6
Jya felt a pinch at first, it wasn't anything big, not truly painful. The force of the arrow knocked her forward and for some reason she couldn't fall quite right. She plopped down up the grass with a thud, like the sound of a dead weight falling onto the ground.
At the moment of contacting the solid ground, pain shot through her body. All her senses were burning, warning her that she had taken a bad blow. The arrow had managed to land a clean hit, perhaps centimeters from her heart and major artery. In one way she was lucky that it was sudden kill but in another she was losing blood fast.
In such a situation most people will panic and try to pry the arrow out if they could. Jya was different though, she simply rested motionless on the ground. Perhaps if she played dead, the man won't finish her off. She still worried about Valorian, however she won't be much help dead. The pain was also intense, she probably couldn't move even if she suddenly decided to get up and help. All she could do was wait. Wait.
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Valorian
Sage
[M:-1030]
Where there is life, there is hope.
Posts: 484
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Post by Valorian on Feb 10, 2012 20:54:34 GMT -6
Valorian's gaze turned just in time to see her laying motionless on the ground, and arrow sticking out of her back... Right by her heart...she'd been killed instantly as the blood began to stain her green cloth red. He felt a tear break it's way past his eyes, and something else...something hot.
S..she's dead....I never got the chance to tell her...not again..someone else dying because of my weakness...no...not like that again...
And he knew rage. Like he'd never felt before. Even back when he fought Alan, he'd never felt this kind of fire in him. He felt his power boiling over as he turned to the nomad, his eyes streaming tears. His whole body trembled as he channeled the power of one of his older spells. "Burn you!" He shouted, as the bolt of lightning flew from his hand and lanced right through the man's chest. He was knocked from his saddle as the horse ran off, clearly terrified. The man still moved as Valorian moved over him. The spell went off again, and again, and again, until all that remained was a patch of scorched earth and brittle and charred bits of bone.
His mind was quiet as he stood there...until he went to move and felt his leg kick into something. The staff....the Maiden...wait! He could save her! His arm screamed in pain as he grabbed the staff, the wound spraying fresh blood. He limped to her, but paused for a moment.
This staff was temperamental. It judged people before it healed them. Jya was an Assassin, she murdered for money or when she wanted to...she wasn't evil, he believed, but what would the staff think?
With no choice, he lowered the staff to the arrow wound on her blood soaked back, praying fiercely to someone, anyone.
Please....please bring her back...
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