Sonneillon
Shaman
DEAD
"You will pay for what you've done..."
Posts: 142
Profession: Student of the Elder Arts
Affinity: Dark
OoC Alias: Ryu
|
Post by Sonneillon on Aug 2, 2014 8:46:02 GMT -6
"Thanks, Vincent. I'll probably need them, given that my magic seems to hurt me as much as my target," he chuckled wryly. As the boy flipped through the Worm, Neil had to give a brief shrug before answering. "To be completely honest, I don't know how I can read these. My tome is written like this," he said, pulling out his Flux and opening it, "But these are written in that language. I don't know how I understand them, but I do. It's like they're the same to my minds. It's odd." As he put the books back on the shelf, he nodded. "Yep. But for all the knowledge contained in one of those... I think it's well worth the cost. But if I'm going to be buying anything, I'm going to need some income. No deep pockets here."
As the two left, they passed by the ruined greenhouse on their way back to the inn. No sign of Baako. And when they entered the inn? No sign. The kid must have left. That's good, he'd tried Neil's patience as it was.
"Whoa. Man, I ache."
Collapsing into his old chair, Neil waved over the waitress and ordered soup and hot water before letting her take Vincent's order. For now, he'd stick to finally relaxing somewhat and learning about this new guy.
|
|
|
Post by Vincent on Aug 2, 2014 11:29:59 GMT -6
"Whoa. Man,I ache," the mage reminded before finding a seat.
"Yeah, me too." Vincent had started to apply the bandages to his head.
Vincent didn't bother thinking about his choice of meal, "I'll have what he's having."
Vincent thanked the waitress before turning his attention to Gressil.
"So if magic hurts you when you're casting why do you keep using it?"
It just didn't make sense to him. Then again maybe he already knew the answer; he had been holding on to Phoenix Heart himself and it's caused him nothing but pain each time he tried to wield it.
|
|
Sonneillon
Shaman
DEAD
"You will pay for what you've done..."
Posts: 142
Profession: Student of the Elder Arts
Affinity: Dark
OoC Alias: Ryu
|
Post by Sonneillon on Aug 2, 2014 15:50:02 GMT -6
"It doesn't always. It's weird, I only black out and have my 'seizures' when I push the limits. But every time it happens, I always end up much stronger afterwards. That same situation happened when I summoned solid tendrils for the first time. It's unusual, and painful. But it's rewarding, so... No pain, no gain, I guess."
When the food arrived, Neil dug in, beginning to eat ravenously to restore his strength.
"So what brought you to Ilia, Vincent?"
|
|
|
Post by Vincent on Aug 2, 2014 16:41:26 GMT -6
Vincent was considering the mage's feelings about his training. He would become stronger in the wake of the seizures. In theory given time he could become the greatest mage in history, he thought.
"So what brought you to Ilia, Vincent?" The mage inquired between mouthfuls of food.
"It's a long story," Vincent tried but the pupil had that expectant gaze telling him they had all night.
"Alright, where to start? Ah, so back in Lycia my best friend and I lived on a farm and it wasn't bad at all, trust me. But one day Ash comes up to me saying 'I'm leaving the village tomorrow, and I'm going to become a mercenary.' I thought he was crazy. But he was dead serious." Vincent grabbed a dinner roll and started to eat it. "Why? I asked him. He told me he was tired of the safe and comfortable life just above poverty. He wanted more from life and he wasn't going to resort to crime to get it. I told him that's insane and initially I refused to go with him but that night it turns out my mom had already known about it and told me I needed to look after my friend. She even gave me one of my father's old swords. It was the one that shattered in the fight." Vincent grabbed a slab of red meat and continued. "The next morning I chased after Ash only to find him waiting for me at the edge of our town. Told me it took me long enough. So we headed out to become mercenaries."
"After a few weeks though we were on a road through some woods when we came across a wounded acolyte. We thought to ourselves we should help the holy man but we were tricked. It turned out he had defected and was a part of a group of bandits. We were ambushed and after a short skirmish I was knocked over a cliff into a river below. I was saved by someone and bandaged but I never got to meet the person. they left before I woke. Anyway I don't know what happened to Ash but he had the map." So I traveled blind for some time and ended up in Bern, let me tell you that was fun. It's also where I met Baako. He was working with some sort of bandits and tried to kill me. But after words I got some direction and went north to Sacae." Vincent drank from his glass a moment, all the talking was leaving his throat dry. Why was he telling the boy everything? Maybe there was just something trustworthy about him.
"So as I was saying, I traveled through Sacae and came here to Ilia. I had heard word that this was where mercenaries are at in greater numbers and hoped Ash would be here too."
|
|
Sonneillon
Shaman
DEAD
"You will pay for what you've done..."
Posts: 142
Profession: Student of the Elder Arts
Affinity: Dark
OoC Alias: Ryu
|
Post by Sonneillon on Aug 2, 2014 20:39:27 GMT -6
"Hmm. So you're alone, then. Searching for someone, with no direction or clues? But you see, you have a home to return to.
Let me tell you my story.
I'm a street urchin. I grew up in Laus. It was an absolute cesspit. My parents dumped me when I was ten, so I joined a gang and lived on the streets for two years. Then I tried to jump a monk, who turned out to be a hell of a lot stronger than he looked. He got me good and sent me straight to the police wagon. That's where I met my mentor. He was in there too, and he got me to cut him out since he cut me out first. We jumped ship, got away, and then we went and hid at his place. Laid low. And that's where I started learning Elder magic. My mentor's a damn fine shaman, and he's been teaching me everything he knows. He sent me to the mainland, since he needed some space to rest, and so I took the time to explore.
So that's me. I get it if you think I'm some sort of scumbag, and if you want to, you can leave. I'll pay for the food, and I won't hunt you down or kill you. But I'm not a bad guy, let me tell you that much."
Sonneillon sighed briefly, slumping back in his chair.
|
|
|
Post by Vincent on Aug 2, 2014 20:55:09 GMT -6
Vincent looked at the mage in surprise. "From your story it sounds like you and Baako had a similar childhood, but the difference between you two is where it sounds like you're going. Baako made me realize he really is just a criminal. He doesn't want a better life. The first time we fought I had beaten him and told him he should leave that gang of his and find an honest life. It seems he may have left them but he's certainly not turning over a new leaf. You on the other hand; look at the store earlier. It was small and a bit rundown. No one would have batted an eye if you were to steal one of those tomes. You didn't though. You respected honest work and others lively hoods. Maybe that wasn't you before but it seems to be you now, so don't worry about it so much."
|
|
Sonneillon
Shaman
DEAD
"You will pay for what you've done..."
Posts: 142
Profession: Student of the Elder Arts
Affinity: Dark
OoC Alias: Ryu
|
Post by Sonneillon on Aug 2, 2014 21:04:38 GMT -6
"Heh. The only difference is that my mentor helped me. He put faith in me, he took the time to help me and teach me. Without him, I wouldn't be anywhere but on the streets, in and out of jail."
Clenching his fists, Neil looked the swordsman square in the eye.
"And that's why I've got to get stronger. I have to show him I was worth the time and effort. Otherwise, I'll have been a burden and a waste of life. I can't lose. I can't fail. I have to be better, faster, stronger, smarter... I have to be superior.
So... I figure the only way I'll get any better is by fighting. I'd like to keep sparring with you, Vincent. But sparring won't earn us coin. If you're traveling, looking for your friend... Why don't we wander where the jobs take us? We could earn our living as mercenaries. Grow stronger. And maybe one day I'll get the call to return to my mentor's home. When that happens... I'll be ready. I'll show him I was worth it all."
Neil extended his hand. Hopefully, he'd made a friend and traveling companion. This was his most promising opportunity yet.
|
|
|
Post by Vincent on Aug 2, 2014 21:13:02 GMT -6
Vincent heard the young pupil's proposal. To become a team. "Wow, uh, really?" He hadn't thought about joining a crew without Ash let alone starting one. "I would be happy to team up with you," Vincent returned with a firm handshake. "But starting out we'll have to be careful. We can't get ahead of ourselves either." Vincent's imagination had begun to go wild. All the doubts he had been feeling earlier were vanishing in an instant. "We're going to need a name. That way when we are famous they can call on us easier."
|
|
Sonneillon
Shaman
DEAD
"You will pay for what you've done..."
Posts: 142
Profession: Student of the Elder Arts
Affinity: Dark
OoC Alias: Ryu
|
Post by Sonneillon on Aug 2, 2014 21:31:44 GMT -6
"Then it's settled. We'll find the nearest job that we can handle, or that has other guys willing to help out. As for us, and a name... I don't really have many ideas on that front. I've got nothing, Vincent. Sorry."
The pupil cocked an eyebrow as he got up, moving upstairs and opening his room in the inn to reveal a small table with a chair and two decent beds.
"But I do owe you mine. Neil Gressil. I do prefer Gressil, but I feel dishonest not to tell you my first name as well. Take whichever bed you like, my friend. Tomorrow, we'll be setting out in earnest. Challenges await us!"
[End Thread]
|
|