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Post by Mana on Apr 10, 2012 11:22:39 GMT -6
The girl was usually tough but the guilt and sadness had been accumulated through the years being away from her homeland. It just exploded now, it was like when you endlessly pour water into a glass. Now Wyatt seemed to be trying to comfort her, she noticed it. This was all she really needed now, someone to lean onto. She might not have known him long enough, but Wyatt seemed to be dependable and trustworthy. He had repaired her sword, after all. She clenched her fists and her nails digged into her skin as she continued crying, coloring her hands with her own blood.
"I am not going to die...for them..." Mana swore to herself, and to the deceased. What Wyatt said couldn't be a solution for her grief but it did help her in another way. Mana understood that she had to move on for her own sake, and everyone's sake. "I have promised...to live for them." Coming with a new resolve, the Hawkeye girl was finally able to let her feeling burst out. She unconsiously buried her face into his chest.
A few minutes passed and her sobbing was gradually stopping. "Geez...People says that crying would make you feel better. I guess they're true," she said, wiping the remaining tears. Her usual smile hadn't come back, there was still some trace of sadness left in her expression. She looked relieved now, though. "Sorry, I made you watch my embarassing side," she said, stealing a glance at his wet chest.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Apr 10, 2012 15:53:17 GMT -6
Wyatt just waited. He listened and waited as she cried out all her tears. He had nothing else to say for the moment, but eventually she did seem to recompose herself. When he was sure that she was calm, he loosened his arms slightly and held her out at arms length, looking over her. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were still wet, but she looked like she was calming down a bit. Wyatt smiled to her, and offered her his hand as he stood up. [red]"Sorry for what? For being upset? There isn't anything wrong with that, everyone has some time where they just need to...let it all out."[/red] He scratched the back of his head with his other hand.
[red]"Sorry I wasn't too much help with that, I'm not very good at being the comforting guy."[/red] He explained awkwardly. [red]"I guess I've got about as much grace as a rock."[/red] he said with a dumb smile, trying to cheer her up a little bit. Maybe it would work and bring a half smile to her, or maybe she'd sink into another crying fit. Either way, she'd needed that release, and he didn't mind having to slow things down for a moment to let everything catch up. He'd done that when he went home.
Always moving fast, and all your issues lag behind. But once you stop, they all seem to hit you at once.
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Post by Mana on Apr 10, 2012 22:50:51 GMT -6
"Yeah, that's true. But it must be uncomfortable for you to watch me crying like that. ," she replied, taking his hand. It wasn't difficult to stand up but a part of her wanted to stay kneeling on the ground a little longer. But she couldn't, right? The myrmidon had promised to move one, a promise to herself. Pulling herself up, she got up slowly. "I don't usually cry in front of someone, though. That's why I consider this as embarassing," she said. Mana then took a white handkerchief and used it to clean her eyes from tears. Now she felt much better, the grief that she kept holding for a year had been lifted a little.
Mana chuckled after listening what he said. It was a good thing that she was able to smile again. "Actually, you were very helpful. That's all I needed, anyway. You didn't need to say empty words or anything, just lending me your shoulder was enough." As she spoke, Mana wondered what would happen to her if he didn't accompany her to this place. She would probably break, and then destroy herself. This was a moment when she needed someone to lean for, no matter who it was, actually, but the girl was glad that this someone was Wyatt. "I prefer a solid rock than a sugar-coated empty words."
Mana looked behind to the empty plain, which covered by green grasses. It looked like nothing ever happened in this place, there was nothing left from that massacre after the land had cleaned them. "I was hoping to find something. Maybe that was too much, it has been a year, after all," she groaned while looking to the grasses. Couldn't she do something for them? There was no bodies to burn or pray for. She knew that their souls had already returned to Mother Earth, but performing the ritual might help to make her feel relieved, at least.
Then the wind blew. And it strangely moved around the pair, embracing them with warm wind. It was like the plain, or the spirits, trying to answer her whim. Considering the Hawkeye had become one with the plain, this wind could be their answer to her pure feeling. "I am tired, Wyatt. Could we rest for a moment before heading to Bulgar?" She did look tired, not physically though. The girl was mentally exhausted after letting out her locked emotion.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Apr 12, 2012 9:58:48 GMT -6
Wyatt chucked, slightly embarrassed himself. Truth be told, she was kind of cute when she smiled like that. He looked over the plains as he listened to her request. The sun was moving towards the western horizon, it would be dark in a few hours. Would she want to stay here? It was a toss up, she could go either way.
[red]"Hey, I'm good at being a sturdy rock, years of training to take a beating."[/red] He said, thumping his chest. [red]"And sure we can rest here for a little bit, would you like to make camp here or...?"[/red] He left the question open, he really wasn't sure how she was going to respond to it. She seemed to be done crying for now, but it couldn't be easy on her. This kind of loss wasn't something one easily forgot. He needed to change the topic, dwelling on this wasn't going to do her any good.
[red]"Say! You said you were going to Bern for a tournament, yeah? If you heard about it from Lycia, then it must be a big deal. I bet there will be some really tough competitors there."[/red] He mused, thumbing his chin. [red]"I should compete too. I've got some ideas I want to play with as far as arms go, I was thinking of making a shield.[/red]" He explained. Anything he could do to take Mana's mind off of this would be good, he liked her smile, it was far preferable to her being miserable.
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Post by Mana on Apr 19, 2012 12:00:55 GMT -6
Mana shook her head. "No...I think..." She shrugged when she said that. Camping here wasn't a bad idea but, for Mana, it could make another problem inside her. If she stayed here too long, she might dwell to past too much. Also, her home was the vast plain itself, this place just happened to be where her tribe met their end. Going anywhere to the plain, to every corner of the grassland, would give her pleasant memories while this place only had bad ones. "I don't want to make this place a mourning spot. There was a massacre in this place, remembering that should be enough for me."
"I just need a little rest after...that," she said, a little awkward at the last part. The girl seemed reluctant to mention about the moment when she was crying. "A few minutes should be enough," she said as she slumped to the ground, sitting on the soft grasses. She knew that night would come to replace the day soon so she had decided not to halt their journey with her personal matter anymore.
A change of topic, which luckily about something she really liked. Mana seemed interested when he mentioned about the shield. She hadn't been fully recovered but she was at least able to handle a small talk without thinking too much about her pain. "Ah, I don't know how big it is. But, I hope I can meet tough opponents there, hopefully someone stronger than me," she said, brushing a few strands of her hair from her eyes when the wind started to make them flutter. "I like going against stronger opponent, much like Yaen or Kenshin. It is the only way to know my weaknesses, and to overcome them afterward," she calmly explained why she wanted to fight a stronger opponent. Everything she said came from her master's everyday lecturing.
"Say, a shield? Why do you want to make one? I think you are already pretty good with sword only." Mana gave him a questioning look, she hadn't realized that Wyatt had found a solution for his balance problem.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Apr 19, 2012 12:25:09 GMT -6
When Mana questioned his choice on what to do, Wyatt just smiled. Making something, he could talk about this all day easily. Creating was...there was some sort of primal joy he took from it. To sculpt and design something, to pour his heart and soul into it and then lay it out for all to see. It was a smith's pride that had been drilled into him from a young age.
[red]"Well I was thinking during the fight. I used to use my axe two handed, because it was too heavy. But now I am strong enough to use it one handed, and when I do use both hands, it's too much power to control."[/red] He started, hoping she would remember their sparring. [red]"But...there are down sides to this all. I've never been very good with the idea of a parry. I just don't have the finesse to get my sword in the way. So I have three real problems. I cannot block well, I am fighting with one hand, and all the weight in my right hand puts me off balance with all the power I throw around. Making a shield, like a tower shield, would fix all three of those problems."[/red] He moved his hands to go from knee to neck, probably the ideal size for a good shield. [red]"I think I might be strong enough to actually wear some armor now, maybe a breastplate."[/red] He was really excited about the idea, and was positively beaming. [red]"Hah, I might look like a real hero then. Instead of some backwater kid with an axe."[/red] He stood, posing for a moment as if he had a sword and shield in his hands before laughing slightly embarrassed. [red]"Heh...sorry, I always get like that when I think about making something new. I haven't made anything like this before, so it would be a really good test. And I think..."[/red] He finished, pulling a large slab of metal from his backpack. [red]"That I have the best metal for the job. My dad found this a long time ago, his journal said he could never find a way to smelt it, it just would not melt. So I am thinking, it might need some more heat...maybe something magical?"[/red]
He hadn't quite worked out how to find said magical fire. But Bern was a big place, he was sure that he'd find something.
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Post by Mana on Apr 20, 2012 9:59:09 GMT -6
Mana listened to Wyatt's explanation, putting her hands on her lap. It seemed Wyatt had thought something to help solving his balance problem, somehow it made her smile. Did it because she consider Wyatt as her "student"? No, this feeling was more like pleased for seeing her friend find something to accomplish. "Hmm...Maybe you are right, you were too focused in attacking when we sparred. Maybe a shield would help," she said, rubbing her chin. She thought about it, he really never parried her attack well enough to be called a good "parry". But it might be because he still felt awkward with his sword, and to use it in both attack and defense probably needed a good stance and correct timing.
"Well, I never fought using a shield so I can't comment on this. But your idea is good, maybe shield, a big towering one, will be very effective if it is used by someone like you. You already have good physique, your strength is top-notch as well," she said. Mana wasn't really sure because she was inexperienced with shield, but she wanted to at least say something to help Wyatt.
How he behaved, how he tried to pose, all of them had successfully made her mood better. At least she wasn't so gloom anymore, the girl was fascinated by his enthusiastic behavior. She felt happy too after seeing how eager Wyatt to learn using sword. It felt little sad that he would use different style, but this new idea was better for his development. "You really make everything yourself, huh? I hope I know how to make a sword too," she remarked, smiling.
"Hmm...Wyatt...That metal doesn't look spesial for me. Are you sure your father couldn't melt it with normal fire?" The girl had moved from her place and crawled toward Wyatt. Being single-minded person, Mana had already forgotten with her sadness from a few secons ago. The girl was too busy with the topic about shield and being interested with the metal to notice the quick change of her mood. "And what did you mean with special fire anyway?" she asked.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Apr 20, 2012 21:28:34 GMT -6
Wyatt was pleased that she was smiling again. That was the entire point of all this, so mission success! When she remarked on the metal, Wyatt eyed her for a moment. Of course, most people couldn't tell the difference between metals at a glance.
[red]"Well...my dad kept it at the bottom of his forge for...I think twenty years or so if I translated right."[/red] He said, pulling out the small book from his pack. [red]"That fire has gotten hot enough to melt steel instantly, but he said that this slab of metal never even bent. It'll take something way more then what a normal forge can make to be able to smith this. But if it is so hard to melt, it would probably make amazing armor. Twenty years of soot, ash and flame, and it's still rock solid. Durable and tough, that makes good armor."[/red] When she asked about special fire, now that was a harder question.
[red]"Well...like a mage or something. I'm not sure exactly, but I don't think normal fire will do it. I'd need something really special. Maybe powerful magic or...I don't know. Something hotter then anything I've ever seen before..."[/red] He said, thinking on it. Besides magic, what else could generate such power? [red]"Dad never found any way to smelt it. But he left it for me, so I kind of feel it's my duty to find a way. It's a big world, somebody, somewhere, has to know something.[/red]"
Man it would have been nice if Aaron was here.
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Post by Mana on Apr 20, 2012 23:15:14 GMT -6
"Hmm..." Mana looked like she was thinking something. "If it's really that hard then you will have an impregnable armor and shield, indeed." She wondered how hard the armor would be if Wyatt managed to find a way to melt the metal and forge it. A metal with this level of hardness might need an outstanding blackmisth. Wyatt seemed like a great blackmith, he was good and skilled and he had repaired her sword too so he should be capable to do this metal.
"Well...If this metal really needs that kind of fire, it might be difficult to find someone with the proper skill and knowledge you needed. I don't think a mage's fire is different, maybe a strong one's are, though." Mana remembered Elias, a mage with a good skill and knowledge of fire magic. Did Wyatt need a mage like him? Well, a Crimson Mage should be able to produce something greater than normal fire, right?
For a second, she was tempted to ask Wyatt to make a sword for her. But then the girl realized that she was already blessed with a chance to hold Falcatta, it might be inappropriate to ask for more sword. A sword made from this metal would be strong but she already had two swords now, adding one would make her difficult to move. "Maybe we can find one in Bern. There must be a strong mage somewhere. Actually, I ever met someone with great magic. His proficiency with fire is really something." Mana felt a bit nostalgia when she started talking about Elias.
"His personality is unique, too. Elias isn't a kind of serious mage. He is fun and cheerful," she said.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Apr 23, 2012 9:25:19 GMT -6
Wyatt's smile faded as soon as she mentioned Elias. She had known him? But...he was probably dead now...dead because of what he had done...
[red]"Elias...? You knew him?"[/red] He questioned her, quite sure he knew the answer. Couldn't be two people like that in the world. He seemed quiet for a moment, and then realized that he had to say something. He couldn't just not tell her...but they were so happy right now, did he really want to add another weight to her mind?
...
No. He'd tell her later...or maybe she'd just never know. It was a large world, she might have never run into him again anyway. She'd just gotten over her despair, he wouldn't add more to it by telling her that one of her friends was probably dead.
[red]"Yeah...I met Elias. Way too much energy and passion for magic. He'd probably be a good help but I...don't think he'd be in Bern, or anywhere near us actually."[/red] He dodged the question without outright lying, but he couldn't remove the bad taste from his mouth.
[red]"I ran into him in Laus a while back, saving a merchant from some highwaymen. Where did you know him from?"[/red]
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Post by Mana on May 13, 2012 10:16:32 GMT -6
Mana paused and looked at Wyatt as the blacksmith mentioned her mage friend. "Yes.....I know him..." she replied, staring at Wyatt's face. Somehow, it felt he was talking like Elias was dead, but then she tried to think that it was just her imagination, or maybe a misinterpretation. Well...Anyway, she and Wyatt seemed to have met a few same people in their travels. Yaen and Elias, maybe she wouldn't be surprised if some familiar names would come out later.
"You are talking like you know where he is. I won't say that, not after I've learnt that this world is so small," she said it jokingly, although her words might hit Wyatt hard. Yes, this world was smaller than she had thought. She had met Wyatt who knew Yaen and Elias, saying that it was simply a coincidence wouldn't convince her. "I bet 50 Gold that we will meet him in Bern," she said, the girl didn't remember that she didn't have any money to pay the bet if she lost.
"Somewhere in Etruria, I watched him and his companions fighting some bandits. Then I decided to join them and travelled together until we parted for some reasons," she replied casually. Mana realized that she didn't clearly tell him about the reason, but it was a little embarassing, and depressing, to say. Talking about Elias had brought back some memories about the others too, she remembered Garnet, Nathaniel, Lilith, and the others.
"Ah, now I remember," she said, turning to Wyatt with a smile. "He still has my gloves...So, I will definitely have to find him." The gloves itself didn't mean much for the Sacaen girl, but she wanted to believe if they connected her to Elias. She would like to meet him again, she had bet her money, after all.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
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Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on May 14, 2012 23:00:26 GMT -6
Wyatt remembered the last thing Elias had said to him...the last thing before Ostia was destroyed.
[red]You touched something didn't you?![/red]
The thought brought a small smile to his lips. If anyone could have gotten out of Ostia, it was Elias. He wouldn't go down so easy. If Mana had faith in meeting him again, then so would he!
[red]"You're right, we'll definitely run into him again! After all, the world really is pretty small if we've met some of the same people. Can't be that many people, right? It was just..."[/red] He paused for a moment, deciding if he should mention it or not. [red]"The last time I saw Elias we were in a pretty bad situation and got split up. I'm just not sure if he made it out. But you are right, someone like Elias wouldn't give up easy. I'm sure he's out there somewhere, boasting about the power of the Crimson Mage!"[/red]
How many friends had died since he'd started this? Selk, Lilith, possibly Lady Aevian, maybe Gabriel too... so many lost...and wait. That blind swordsman...Randal...Richard...? Something like that, he couldn't have gotten out of Ostia like that, he would have to be dead. He was lucky to have survived himself...
Lucky...yeah right. It was his fault that they had died in the first place...
[red]"Maybe we should get going now."[/red] Wyatt suggested, not wanting more time to dwell on these matters. They would only serve to further depress him. [red]"Are you up for it?"[/red] He asked, since it had been her decision to rest in the first place.
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Post by Mana on May 16, 2012 5:50:36 GMT -6
"Yup, I might be not know him long enough but I know that he is a tough person." Finally, Wyatt started to show some optimism after looking rather dispirited. Mana started to feel worried a bit now, especially when he mention how he and Elias got split up. "How bad is it?" She kept the question for herself, something told her not to ask him any question now. She didn't want to ruin the good mood anyway.
"Haha...Crimson Mage. He said that to you too, didn't he? Well, he seems to like the name very much." Mana remembered the moment when he told her about the title, which he had a great pride on it. Maybe she should start thinking about hers too, it might be fun to have something like a title or a cool nickname. This discussion had been started before by Wyatt after the left the shrine. They talked about it and jokingly made a few names. "Ah, maybe I don't need those. I don't want to get too prideful," she thought.
"Yeah, I...have felt better," she said, there was a small pause when she checked her own condition. It seemed her mind had been recovered from the sadness, and the strength had returned to her limbs. "But where are we going? Would we make a stop in Bulgar first or what? By the way, I still need to find a work or something to get some money. I won't let you pay for my expense forever," she said, tucking her tongue out jokingly. The way she talked showed that the girl had regained her usual self.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on May 17, 2012 21:59:44 GMT -6
Bulgar? Yeah, that was the plan. Due south from here pretty much, only a day or so.
[red]"Yeah, I suppose Bulgar would be the next stop. Get some supplies, hear what's going on over the plains, then head south into Bern. A fighting tournament sounds fun, I'm sure there will be all kinds of weapons there to look at. All the different techniques for designing, creating, using. That and plenty of skilled fighters too. I'm really thinking about competing if we get there in time. So let's head out then!"[/red] He slipped his pack onto his shoulders and scanned the horizon. South was....ah! All right, there it was.
[red]"Pay?"[/red] He echoed, clearly confused. It was common courtesy to pay for a lady, but somehow he thought that Mana would be opposed to it. He snapped his fingers as an idea struck him. [red]"Ah! I know. When we get to Bern, you can help me at the forge. I just need another set of arms really, but having someone who knows how to use a weapon would actually be a big help. And don't forget you are still teaching me swordplay too! I think that will leave us square for the trip, at least until you win the tournament and drown yourself in gold!"[/red] He said with a hearty laugh, setting off for the south.
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Post by Mana on May 18, 2012 9:40:03 GMT -6
Mana nodded, telling him that she was agree with him. She knew that they had to cross some mountains if they really were leaving toward Bern, having some supplies would certainly make their journey much easier. The girl chukled when she saw Wyatt talking about the weapons he would find at the tournament. "You seem more interested with the chance to see foreign weapons than the tournament itself. Well, I can understand your fascination, though." It was normal for a blacksmith like Wyatt to think like that, she would probably feel the same if she was to be a blackmith. "Don't worry you will surely find plenty there."
"Uuuh..." Wyatt seemed to always find a way to convince her. Mana didn't like having someone pay for her, but Wyatt had figured a way to make the myrmidon accepted the idea. Also, Mana had always considered their training as a fun sparring between two friends, teacher and student, and maybe as rivals. She didn't really mind teaching Wyatt for free because she did feel some benefits from their sparring. "Well, maybe I won't help much but...Okay!" she replied.
As the walked toward the south, Mana looked up to the sky and gripped her sword. "Well, I don't think winning the tournament would be easy. I have suffered enough defeat to make me realize that there are many strong people, swordman or not, in this world. I can't defeat them, yet." Her eyes narrowed as she remembered her defeat against that chain-user who attacked her in Lycia. She remembered how her sword couldn't even reach him. Her skill wasn't dull and her speed surpassed him, however, there was a huge difference with their experiences in real battle. "But that won't stop me from achieveing my dream," she said, turning to Wyatt with a smile.
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