The Meaning of a Phoenix Heart (Vincent Promotion Thread)

[Vincent]

Vincent had left Neil back inside the chief's house. Outside he looked to the sky at the gently falling flurries from a beautiful night sky. He began to weep bitterly. He walked forward and fell to his knees.

This wasn't what he wanted. He was happy living on a farm. Sure it was a repetitive lifestyle but it was safe and he had friends and a home and people to come back to. He never had to- he couldn't even think about it. He didn't have to kill people. This wasn't what he was supposed to do he thought.

His head screamed in pain both from his wound and the headache it prompted. He was such a fool. He acted as though he was a hero, a man that was invincible and unstoppable. He thought he could do no wrong and then the previous ordeal brought him crashing down to earth. That man he assaulted to gain knowledge was right to mock him. He could have just talked to him. Why didn't he?

Now he was a failure. He let the town down, he let Neil down, he let Phoenix Heart down and even himself. He got back to his feet and saw a light in the distance before feeling his wounded head heal to a final scar. This was just like back in Sacae when Liror was dying. Another regret, leaving Liror and Burt behind. Thinking back he was full of regrets for things he should have done.

But who was this mysterious healer? He advanced on the light before a voice to his side called out to him. "Hey, snow head, come here."

Vincent turned to see a woman in a large coat and hat calling him into a tavern. Did he know her or was she looking for business.

She tapped her foot impatiently as he stared. "Come on Vin, it's too cold to be out there. Come inside, if like to talk to you."

Vincent was hesitant but he followed. Indoors it was a rather empty tavern with a grand total of maybe three patrons, themselves excluded. The two moved to a table and the woman began to speak.

"That's a nasty scar you've got there. You deserved it though," oh great she was going to lecture him. Now a stranger was going to lecture him. "I was there that day on the plains. I was there when you saved that Liror boy and then he saved you. He wasn't going to make it but my father intervened. He was the light."

Vincent looked at her in awe. Who were they? Why'd they follow him? His words reflected his question, "who are you?"

The woman smiled and brushed a large black feather that sat in her cap. "We are the black feathers." She spoke as though the name was significant but Vincent had never heard of them before.

"The Black Feathers?"

"A group of rogue assassins. There aren't many of us left but we want to bring peace by ending those that would seek war. Currently that brings us to this conflict of Bern and Ilia."

Vincent didn't know what to say but he did have one question, "so why seek me out?"

[Vincent]

The woman clicked her tongue as she thought a moment. "Well, you have gotten involved in a conflict that we were looking into. We'd like your help." She looked sincere enough but she said she was an assassin? How did he know she wouldn't stab him in the back? "I see that look in your eyes kid. Trust me, you've nothing to fear. Actually I wanted you to follow up on your current lead for me. This man named Lucius is a potential danger to us all. You know what he did to that merchant."

"Criminal," Vincent corrected. "Look, I appreciate the offer but I have made up my mind to return home. The life of a mercenary isn't one for me."

"Come now, you knew that all along and yet here you are. You don't fight for you, when you do you make mistakes and get out of hand. When you fight for your friends then you grow stronger and closer to being worthy of Phoenix Heart." She gave him a wry smile. "Admit it. In that last job you didn't think you'd needed your friend. You were so confident you could take care of things but you talked him up to keep him close so you wouldn't be alone again."

"That isn't true," Vincent argued. "I never looked down on Neil. He is a good friend and a close ally. We've saved each other countless times." He didn't realize it then but he had thought lowly of Neil's power at the time. He did feel he was a liability but didn't want to admit to it.

"Maybe, maybe not, either way what it all comes down to is you messed up." She shrugged as a waiter collected orders which she placed for the two of them. "Neil is welcome to join our group as well but in the meantime he is a bit disposed so we are speaking to you exclusively."

Vincent knew Neil would be at least interested and he didn't want to let him go at it alone. "I... I don't know," he admitted. "I don't want to do this anymore but I can't abandon others."

"Good, that right there will be what makes you strong. That will be your reason to keep coming back after you get knocked down. Your Phoenix Heart." She smiled as Vincent looked at her in surprise. "You get it now, don't you?"

So that is what he needed to prove himself. A heart that would always rise again. Just like a Phoenix. He felt embarrassed but better. "I don't know what to say."

"Then say nothing. I think you ought to reinvent yourself. Let go of your foolishness that was your time here and stride forward renewed as a Phoenix from the ashes," the woman suddenly stood, taking her plate of food with her. "I needn't say more I'm sure but," she removed the feather from her hat and laid it before Vincent alongside a second. "Think about it. " with that final message she left.

[Vincent]

Vincent watched her go and sat in silence for a solid five minutes. What was happening? Vincent sighed. She did offer him some amount of wisdom. Reinvent himself? How would he do that? Should he do that? "Hmm, I wonder." He thought aloud. It was time he stepped up his game. No more being a scared child and relying on others. No more being high and mighty. It was time to stand on his own two feet and be a man. He knew he couldn't keep traveling just to find someone he may never find. It was time for a new goal. He held a feather up to his face examining it. Maybe he should accept their offer, there may be something interesting about them. He would talk it over with Neil, after all it was his decision just as much as his own.

He stood and thanked the waiter for the food before hurrying outside. Change, different, that was what he needed now. Nothing was to remain the same. He needed to be a new him, but how. He thought back on all his battles and everything he'd experienced. Too many times was he disarmed. That's it something to combat that. He hurried off to an armorer. Inside he saw a man busy at work hammering away. He began to search around until he found a peculiar option. Armored gloves for combat? Examining them he found that they would offer a solid protection against strikes and also deliver a mean impact if he were to hit someone. Just what he needed. He slipped them on and punched the air. They were virtually weightless yet powerful. He grinned in approval.

Searching further he found nothing but then he had an idea. "Excuse me sir."

"Hmm? Yes how can I help you?"

"I'd like to make a request." Vincent began to describe what he wanted. A sword he could use to outdo lances. One he could wield as one or with another blade. If he was to reinvent himself it was time to create his style. He decided upon a dual bladed method. He hadn't seen any others fight that way but perhaps he could do it. Maybe he was foolish enough.

"A lancereaver ey? Alright, I tell ya what, I'll do it. What material would you prefer?"

"The best you can do." Vincent was not going to hold back. The man gave Vincent a good look, like he liked this kid. "I'll use silver then." Vincent decided to head out as the blade was produced. His new gloves felt wonderful.

In a tailor shop Vincent decided on a new look. He wore a finer tunic that was primarily blue with black. It lacked sleeves but the gloves reached his elbows. Perhaps he out to call them gauntlets. A new belt and armored left shoulder plating was also added. He bought a new cape to replace his burned one. This one flowed down to his ankles. He didn't intend to wear it anymore but in Ilia he'd be a fool not to. One final touch was a way to cover his scar. He found a headband that was red with an alternating triangle pattern on it, just like Phoenix Heart's sheath. He donned it and finally had a new look. Looking in a mirror he felt that something still wasn't right just yet.

He grabbed hold of his ponytail and held it out in front of him. It was time it went. Taking a dagger Vincent cut all the hair off in one chunk just above the holder. He noticed something else. He looked older. Sure it had been a good few months but almost wiser too. He'd seen so much of the world now.

Returning to the armorer he found the blade was ready. It shined brightly with a solid white blade. "It's beautiful."

"One of my better works."

"How much?"

"Free. You don't put a price on art kid." The man smiled at Vincent. He could tell something had happened to the boy and this was his way of offering his aid. "I won't pretend to know what happened lad but. Good luck out there." Vincent thanked the man and began his way back to get Neil. He felt strangely better. A new goal was in mind, and a new name on his lips. "The Black Feather."

[End Thread]