Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on May 20, 2015 20:41:28 GMT -6
"Did you hear?"
"No, what?"
"Dennis heard from Vil, and Vil heard from Sarah and Sarah heard from-"
"I don't need to hear all that! Just out with it man!"
"Well..uhm...they said Eturia has started to gather troops along our border."
Farmah, a heavy set mercenary sat at his table, spirits residing in his cup that seemed ready to flow over. He regarded the man across from him, a skinny villager named Tom, barely a man by his apparent age. Farmah hadn't really reacted to the comment about the Eturian build-up. It wasn't the first time after all. Still, his eyebrow rose while looking at the liquid dwelling in his mug, before lifting it to his lips to taste that faint honey. Lowering it slowly, the man just chuckled and rested his elbow on the table, making a gesture with his hand.
"Don't be daft boy. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"...Maybe you're right, perhaps things got changed as the rumor spread."
This seemed to somewhat please the older warrior, now totally disregarding the boy for the moment as he set to his drink. However, a few tables away, a more interested ear picked up on the conversation, but it was slightly hazy, since the young woman who eavesdropped had a bit to drink herself. Laying her head on her arm, with the other hand spinning her mug around by the handle, Marle looked through slightly lidded eyes at her lone table. The stuff was terrible, the drink, that is. She had only recently took to drinking it more casually of late. Things had changed in the world, people had made names for themselves, but she? She stayed in Ilia.
She loved her homeland, but unlike Clair, or Richter, she felt caged by duty. It was...what's the word, she thought to herself...Suffocating? That might be the best way to put it. With a sigh, the armored girl slowly lifted her head, looking like she might have actually just woken up. Slowly whisking her drink in it's container, hearing the splashing of, more than likely, watered down honey mead, and just grumbling at it. It really was fowl. Downing the rest quickly, the soldier soon lifted herself to her feet. Things seemed different for her after a few drinks. Everything seemed brighter, almost as if looking through eyes of a just woken sleeper. Heavy footsteps ringing with clattering metal while walking across the floor towards the bar where the man who owned the property was busy serving drinks. Marle's trip was interrupted as she accidentally bumped into an empty table, after misplaced footing, earning a couple chuckles from the men around her. It was clear she wasn't very good with her intake. A lightweight, that was what they called it? Reaching for her coinpurse, she snatched the silver and copper pieces out to pay her means, and sauntered out into the day, with a hand covering her eyes.
"So bright..."
Not a cloud in the sky, from the looks of it. There wasn't many people out either. That couldn't be helped, it was a very small village after all. Marle rested her left hand on the hilt of her sword as she walked. Though her mind was a little hazy, she did remember what the two spoke of. So...was Eturia making a move? It had been so long since then, after all, after Ostia, nothing too major had happened with them, well, aside from them losing their foothold in Sacae. Richter had seen to that. With a heavy sigh, a bit too heavy, due to the eyes that regarded her as she did it, the woman looked westward, to the mountains between two homes. They were still a few days off, but they were large, and seemed so very close. Ilia was having issues of it's own right now, with the Bern Rebellion...or independence movement depending on who you talked to. If they were indeed plotting to do something, it would not be easy to stop. Ilians weren't exactly the most loyal people, when you're main source of income was to be hired to fight against whomever, could that really come back and bite them?
Shaking her head, she continued on, moving to the outside of town, to a lonely little house. This was her house, for the time being. It was really a family member's who had left to conduct a long merchant mission. Essentially, she was on leave of the army for a time. She needed it to come to terms with her own situation. Things had progressed quickly for her. She was but a simple recruit, then a knight, and now...what was she? She was essentially still a knight but with a little more autonomy. Her command lost now that someone more suitable had replaced her. It was the right choice, she was young, and was given too much too quickly. This was for the best.
Noticing a food cart on the way, Marle decided not to head home without some things to eat. There was nothing at that house anyways. Since her relative was away, the place also did seem more worse for ware, maybe she should see a carpenter for repairs. Again shrugging, the woman bit into a fresh apple and hummed a tune to lift her spirits up, perhaps this was a good thing.
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Post by Tiz on May 21, 2015 6:41:26 GMT -6
Days in Ilia were cold, and far too cold, Tiz thought, for a man so used to temperate Lycian temperatures. He had come here seeking adventure, but honestly, simply seeing a new land was a good enough reason to get out of Laus for a while. Peoples' spirits were low as talk of monsters and battle had come around, and while Tiz was not ever afraid to get his hands dirty, he was certainly a little worried that the level of happiness of his town was sinking. So why not try Ilia? Tiz was worried that if he didn't see Ilia now, he wouldn't see it ever again. Word of the Bernese uprising was spreading like wildfire, and their power was doing just about the same. Tiz figured it might be best to keep his hands out of it, but then again, he had been hungry for a fight for some time.
Smiling, his heart full of gladness, Tiz stepped into a bar with high expectations. These expectations became pretty shattered as he looked around. He saw the usual crowd-- no one with whom he would particularly like to make friends, which was strange, because most often, Tiz was good at making friends with everyone. For someone who generally disliked drunks, this seemed to him an odd place to come hang out. Yet, the day had been long, night was on its way in, he was thirsty, and really didn't know much about Ilia, therefore lacked sufficient knowledge to get anywhere else. Bar signs were easy to read. He could fit right in if he played his cards right.
Walking right past a table with a lonely-looking knight clad in steel blue armor, Tiz approached the bar, tapping two of his fingers twice, and meeting the barkeep with a nice smile and bright eyes. "Whatever your finest ale is," he commented with a shrug. "I'm not picky." The barkeep chuckled as Tiz was passed his stein-looking steel cup full of dark amber liquid. He didn't really like the stuff, but he was always a fan of the when-in-Rome role, and figured it ought to be best to drink when in a bar.
He picked a table far away from most of the noise so he could settle down and read, or people watch, or whatever he decided to do. Scanning the room, he was disgruntled by the knight he had passed, who, quite generally, looked gloom. He didn't like gloom. He furrowed his brow and looked on, remarking to himself about all the types of people in the bar. Where had they come from? What were their life stories? Did they love? Had they loved? Were they broken, were they whole?
Tiz took a sip of his ale and almost spit it out into the floor. "Geez, how terrible. People drink this stuff?" He looked at his glass accusingly, then took another slow sip. He paid for it-- he wasn't about to waste it now. It was about the principle!
He started playing with his cup, spinning it around on it's side, using the rim of the glass to control it. Tiz whistled a quiet tune to himself, wondering where he would post up for the night. Typically, bars had inns upstairs, but he wasn't sure that he was done exploring this new country, and he was even less sure that he wanted to stay in an inn. He knew his carefree attitude could get him killed in a place like this, so he figured he might explore a bit. After about an hour of sitting and doing mostly nothing a table by himself, Tiz felt lonely, and decided it was high time to leave. Just as he was, though, the knight he had noticed earlier stumbled and earned a few laughs from the crowd.
Tiz blew air into his cheek and pursed his lips quizzically. "Seriously? She's drunk? It isn't even sundown yet. I guess some people have fun all day..." Tiz set his glass up and paid the barkeep a little extra, never taking his eyes from the stumbling woman. Right before Tiz saw the door close, it looked as though she was ill-fated: the sunlight was harsh and in the last few seconds of direct line-of-sight, Tiz saw her cringe at the sky's warning. He sighed heavily and smiled. She probably wouldn't be much fun, but then again, he had no place to make that judgment. And maybe she was from around here. Honestly, he needed a nicer inn, and wasn't really feeling the atmosphere he was in now. It was stifling.
Tiz hurried out of the bar awkwardly, like he had somewhere important to be, yet it was obvious he didn't know where he was going. He closed the front door behind him, searching for the woman who was probably stumbling around by now. Once he found her, he realized she was a little more stable than he had guessed-- she was buying food and heading west. She looked fierce and intimidating from behind, clad in armor and carrying a sword. Tiz himself carried a sword, but not one so grand, not one so... intense. It was clear by the way she walked with her hand on the hilt that the sword had seen combat, and more importantly, the woman had seen combat. Sure, Tiz was ex-military, but this was different. This was the walk of someone who had been internally disillusioned by her circumstances, perhaps. Tiz followed her without trying to hide what he was doing.
He caught up to her swiftly. "Yo," he said, raising one hand, and stepping in front of her as she walked. "Uh... Know where I can post up for the night? I'm new around here," he smiled brightly, trying to warm himself up to her-- friendliness was important. "I just don't think I--"
BAM! In a second, Tiz was on the ground, and a brute, apron-wearing barkeep was standing over him, next to the woman. The barkeep was clearly pissed off. "Git ready, boy," he said calmly. "I'll beat you within an inch of yer life, then I'm takin' it from ye."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on May 21, 2015 7:37:00 GMT -6
There was a bit of startle when Marle heard a voice all too close. Stopping, munching on the apple she had just recently, she turned toward the young man who had interrupted her walk. She rose a brow at him, and started to give a bit of a laugh. He was asking for a place to stay? Had he not seen the inn as he walked up to her. The inn was pretty much the largest building in this small village. The woman just grinned in her buzzed state, but her eyes averted from him as she saw the large barman coming from the building and she didn't quite understand what was going on, until he floored the younger man.
As soon as he was on the ground, Marle just started to laugh, covering her mouth as she tried to stop herself, she heard the threats and then suddenly groaned, putting her hand out to the man. She figured what had happened, it wasn't hard to imagine why a man from the bar would just suddenly assault a man outside of his place of business.
"He forgot to pay, didn't he?"
It was a reasonable question, she wasn't appearing outwardly threatening, there was no need to, the man knew her after all. With a sigh, Marle got out another piece of coin, a gold one this time, and took his hand, placing the mark in it. She offered a smile and a playful wink she had noticed other girls make when she tried to change the eyes of men. It wasn't her style, but hell, why not?
"Here, this should more than cover it, no? Lets go back to our business, and forgot this ever happened."
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Zerene
Wyvern Rider
Posts: 31
Affinity: Ice
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Post by Zerene on May 21, 2015 7:58:58 GMT -6
Ilia, a land of contempt for many Bernese men and women. Little has changed in recent years, if not the distaste has escalated. The cold air did not help cool Zerene’s own blood. There was little will in a girl that had lost the support of the country she wished to defend. Even though she was part of the direct military at the time, it didn’t mean she had any love for Ilia. It was a tolerance for her and her family. Even so, was this not where her mother resided?
Her mother was supposedly an Ilian by blood, but would that mean the same to her? She never thought of herself as anything other than a soldier. Yet, here the truth was hanging over her head. Was she obligated to support Ilia now that Bern was no longer an option? That idea had sent shivers down her spine. Her heart felt like it was clutched and squeezed to no end. There was one thing that she needed to do though, she had to find her mother’s grave. Such a task sounded near impossible, especially with the lack of details given to her.
“Are we really in the right Arman? I’m being a fool aren’t I?” she asked, patting her partner on the head. This journey was much more difficult on the wyvern than it was on her. She had taken as much precautions and supplies as she could to protect him, but there was a reason one didn’t find many if any wyverns in this frigid land. This was also the reasons behind all the hostility that the locals had shown her.
The tension in each town didn’t help calm her friend and many times she had to wrestle for control with her mount. She understood him perfectly, the snowballs, the rocks, the shouts to go away. A majority of people wouldn’t see her as another Ilian even if that was true. Yet, there were still ones that tolerated them or even helped her in this little quest. In response, she had shown them kindness as best she could. There was little favor outside of leaving as soon as what little information could be collected.
The wyvern let out a snort of some sort as a response, having heard her questions. He didn’t like the people here it seemed, but there were a few times he got the chance to relax. The freezing air did little to please him, actually it might be the reason behind his stiffness. Arman loved Zerene though, just as much as a brother can ever love a sister. Whatever they were doing was important and he knew that. His comfort was meaningless, but the people can stand to be nicer. He had only reacted when others seemed to bother her.
“Thank you, I’ll make sure to get you all the meat you can eat when this is over,” she answered, rubbing him on his snout now. He nipped at her fingers before noticing the town below. Excitedly, he practically dive bombed towards it. It wasn’t until they were closer did he sniff the scent of a food stand and redirected towards it, with Zerene tugging at his reigns to slow down. Sometimes it seemed she understood flying better than her wyvern ever could.
It wasn’t long before she noticed the people close by and figured that if they kept on progressing at this speed, they would more likely crash…hard into them. Sometimes he was a real glutton and that was when she had to be rough. With a harsh kick to his side and the most forceful tug of her reigns as she could, the beast yelped, losing his momentum and aim. Soon they managed to crash land together, sliding in the snow, kicking it up and landing only inches from a man.
“Sorry about that folks,” she apologized, getting to her feet and pulling herself up and out of the mount. Looking back at the trail of snow they had made, she hoped that no one was too disturbed by the mess. Sure enough though, quite a few residences that saw this, frowned and glared in their direction. She looked down guiltily, before patting at her mount to check if he didn’t injure himself too much. There was one thing more frightening to her than losing her identity and that would be losing her partner.
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Post by Tiz on May 21, 2015 8:17:08 GMT -6
It would have been like a dream, if not for the throbbing pain Tiz felt in his head. First, the woman, the barkeep, the drink, the money, the threat of death... Now another person RIDING A LITERAL WYVERN had appeared next to him, seemingly avoiding a crash almost as bad as his. He sighed, still in pain. The furrowed expression on his face indicated irritation more than pain. His seriousness shone through a bit as Tiz struggled to stand, the barkeep seemingly unfazed by the performance. He had taken the money from the armored woman, but with no real satisfaction. His stare lingered on Tiz, and Tiz stared back before looking to the wyvern rider, wyvern, and then back to the armored woman.
"Okay, seriously, what the hell is going on?" He looked first to the barkeep, pushing an angry finger in the center of his chest, his other hand on the hilt of his sword. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but I paid you extra, alright? Is that not good enough? Is nothing I do good enough? What's this about?" He ignored everything going on around him, including the crowd of people now forming around them, excited to see just what in the world was happening.
The barkeep got angry and moved closer against Tiz's finger, intimidating him. "That money there is fake. You gave me nicely painted, cheap, copper coins. This ain't no game, boy."
Tiz immediately went cold. His face lost its color and blood rushed across his body. "O-oh... Hah..." He smiled nervously, moving his finger, but not the hand on his sword. He was scared stiff now. "Sorry about that. Ya know, sometimes the purse gets light and you have to improvise." He turned from the man, who begrudgingly walked away, and Tiz shrugged, smiling. He turned to the armored woman, asking questions about her with his bright green eyes.
"Sorry about that," he mused. He didn't really thank her for paying for him. She seemed happy to do so, or at least, she didn't hesitate. Maybe it was to avoid trouble, or maybe she was rich. He hoped she was rich. He wanted money. He always wanted money, though. "Sometimes they're not bright enough to catch it until I'm long gone. Guess I didn't get so lucky... Anyway, I can pay you back. Maybe. I actually might be broke. But, I can lend you my sword for a while! You look like a woman with purpose. I like that. Let's go somewhere."
Just then, Tiz turned to the wyvern rider whose mount looked angry with the whole situation. "Yikes," Tiz said quietly, bending down. "I'm just gonna offer her a hand up. Okay? Is that cool?" He asked the wyvern, obviously not expecting an answer. He met the girl's eyes with a smile. "Hi there," he said, offering a hand up. "This must all seem pretty crazy. I guess it is crazy. I don't really know what's going on, but I'm Tiz. Pleasure to meet ya."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on May 21, 2015 8:56:56 GMT -6
Painted coins?
Her eyes leveled with the man as he returned to his feet. Almost immediately, she regretted paying for him. She thought it was just a mistake of not paying, not that he had ripped the barkeep off! She was about to tell him off right then and there, but well, a wyvern interrupted everything, in quite a dramatic way too. A hand was brought up to shield her eyes and face from the incoming rush of snow from the...crash? That surely wasn't a landing was it? Were Bernese troops getting sloppy in their training? Still, it was a Wyvern, and there were nearly none of those up here in this land, too cold for them to be raised here.
The knight had to be cautious. Things were different now. She couldn't just accept that one of them here was for anything friendly like before, not since the rebellion. She watched though as Tiz had went to see to the rider, having heard his offer, but not really thinking much of it just yet. This occupied her for now. The grating sound of the metal as it left it's scabbard could be heard. She didn't point it, but she was wary, not only of the rider, but her mount as well. She remembered fighting one of these, a long while ago. Unlike normal riders of the horse or pegasus, the wyvern was a weapon to the rider's arsenal as well, when it wanted to be.
"What are you doing here, soldier of Bern? I believe you flew a little far north."
Marle had settled the sword blade tip down on the snow-covered brick beneath, offering up a little ring from metal that touched. The sword was a newer weapon to her, like the axe, but she was rather familiar with it. If a fight had to break out though, against a rider, she had wished she brought her lance with her, that would have helped... She didn't want a fight, she was supposed to be out of the army for the time being, to rest and relax for a time before she would be needed again. Drama was starting to find her even now. Oh, what luck.
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Zerene
Wyvern Rider
Posts: 31
Affinity: Ice
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Post by Zerene on May 21, 2015 9:20:02 GMT -6
Arman whipped his tail to and thro, glaring and growling at anyone coming too close. When the swordsman approached, he almost lunged if not for Zerene's soothing. She had rested her arms around his neck, cradling him and holding his head close to her breast. She made the same gentle noises when they would sleep for the night. He gave a few more snorts and grumbles before finally being placated.
"I'm truly sorry, I didn't mean to alarm or trouble anyone," she apologized once again. She knew it was her fault and didn't make any excuses, that often led people to think others were incompetent. When offered the hand, she accepted it with as much dignity as her soldier soul could. Before she could thank though, the armored woman approached, sword unsheathed.
"I don't mean any harm," she said, throwing her hands up to reveal that she was not currently armed. Her lance rested on the side of the wyvern within reach, but she made no indication for going towards it.
"Then get!" shouted one of the bystanders, the venom in his voice clear and sharp. It sank as deep as any harsh insult can give. She understood the implication, but she had no choice in the matter. Arman had calmed down for now though, but her uneasiness would soon be picked up. She didn't want to spend any more time than she had to.
"I...I'm not part of the army," she admitted truthfully. A few of the onlookers muttered a few words to one another. It was hard to believe, especially when she wore her standard issue armor.
"I'm looking for my mother, that's all," she explained, meeting her eyes to that of the woman's own. Her own shoulders sagged and there was a tiredness to her eyes, one that had burdened her for far too long now. All the hostilities wore down on her, when she was just a girl in need as any other.
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Post by Tiz on May 21, 2015 9:28:01 GMT -6
As Tiz helped the woman up, who hadn't introduced herself, he turned back to the armored woman, whose name he also did not know. He knew zero names. The only thing he knew was that his head was throbbing. When the armored woman reached for her sword, Tiz also drew his, pointing it away from her and keeping his other arm back. He reared back, legs apart, pointing his blade down, his empty hand outstretched resignedly towards the armored woman. "Easy, easy," he said, as she asked what the Bernese soldier was doing.
Quickly, Tiz looked back to the girl, who seemed frightened and hurt by her situation. If she was so emotionally wounded, Tiz wondered, why had she come here? Her wyvern crash landed in Ilia, of all places? There was no way this girl WASN'T from Bern, Tiz decided. Still, he was in the middle of a potentially explosive situation. Whether or not she wanted trouble, they already had it-- from the barkeep, from the outlandish citizens, and potentially from the wyvern, who could eat them all if it wanted to. Tiz sighed, lowering his blade.
"Look, let's just... Let's move slowly and be gentle." He dropped his sword in the snow and raised both hands. "Now, uh, miss, there's no need for this. The girl doesn't want trouble. Hell, *I* don't want trouble. I don't think. This villagers might, though, and if this escalates..."
Just then one of the villagers threw a rock towards the wyvern rider. It missed her, as it was likely only for show, yet it was made very clear that she was unwanted by these Ilian citizens. Tiz just wanted a place to sleep, and now he had no idea what was going on. He turned away from the armored woman. The sun was setting, and evening was coming fast. The villagers far outnumbered the three of them. Tiz sighed again. Nothing was going his way. Nothing ever went his way. "I really don't think that this is necessary..." He looked at his sword on the ground next to him, his hands still outstretched, sort of trying to diffuse whatever situation was about to happen.
As he glanced around, past the armored woman, he could see the barkeep talking to some guards, and looking towards the whole mess. "Oh, this is going to work out great."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on May 21, 2015 15:39:09 GMT -6
Marle could only regard the rider with a slightly intrigued lift of her brow. Family could be a thing to make you do stupid things. She joined the army because of her's, after all. Though, watching Tiz draw his weapon, made Marle become on edge slightly, tightening her gauntleted hand some, metal creaking as it's grip grew on the hilt of her. When Tiz dropped his weapon, she did relax. she understood his purpose in this, but the people around her...they wouldn't. They would think he were harboring the enemy. Villagers so far from the source of anything became xenophobic to the point when it became scary. Perhaps the rider was in search of something. She couldn't truly condemn her for being in the army. Though wyverns were specific to Bern, most of the time. She was armored. Her skepticism was justified, but she had no proof sans that.
With an inner grumble to herself, she sheathed her own blade, housing it back where it belonged. Walking forward with heavy footsteps she made look easy, she turned to the crowd. As they had begun talking amongst their-selves, some shouting slurs, the knight held up her hands and begun to yell, just because she made a motion didn't mean they would listen to her afterall.
"Quiet down, quiet down!" The crowd didn't seem to do it on either times she tried to settle them in her louder than normal voice, so instead, she just let loose. "SHUT UP!"
It was slow, but eventually people did listen to her. Great, now her throat would be sore. Steadying herself, the young woman began to gesture to the crowd.
"I'll deal with this, just...go back about your lives. She might be telling the truth, and I'll determine that for myself." The crowd didn't really seem interested in that response. Still, she had to be resolute. "I am one of you, I have family that resides here, trust me to know and to do what is best. I will handle the rest."
Slowly, one by one, the people began to go about, sneers and glares still in the small bit of gathered people, but they were going back to their business thankfully. The town guard did linger though, but these were simple militia men, they had their town to think of as well. She waved them away too. She might not be anyone right now, but she did still have respect. That felt pretty nice.
Crossing her eyes, she finally turned back to the other two. This Tiz fellow sure was strange. he was too trusting, too flippant as she'd seen. That will get him killed, one day. With a little grind on her teeth behind closed lips, she walked closer, regarding the wyvern, but she was not as wary of it. She could deal with if anything happened, she's done so before.
"This day just keeps getting better and better, and it's so early, too." Her head was starting to hurt slightly, was it part of the drink? This wasn't supposed to happen for a little while though...maybe it was the sun. To start with, she looked the girl up and down. Light armor, befitting a rider. "You." She pointed a finger out at Zerene, "Name." She didn't really ask, more a command if anything. "This whole thing could have been drastically avoided had you decided to land your wyvern in a place more suitable, like, oh, I don't know...outside of town?" There was a soft 'tch' sound she made, not in dissdain, but in annoyance. Seriously, was this the norm in Bern to just land a big lizard that way inside of a small village?
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Zerene
Wyvern Rider
Posts: 31
Affinity: Ice
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Post by Zerene on May 21, 2015 22:08:49 GMT -6
Arman made a few whimpering noises of his own, showing his irritation and concern. His only comfort came from leaning his head against Zerene's waist. His claws pawed at the ground beneath, pulling up the snow. Seeing and taking note of this, the young wyvern rider held the creatures head close to her body, bringing a degree of comfort once again.
Even as the rock flew past her head, she didn't return it with any remark. Reacting to it would only escalate the situation. Plus she refused to give those type of people any satisfaction. If it had hit her, then maybe she deserved it after all. Pain was something she was well familiar with.
Seeing the guards did unnerve her even more inside. This wouldn't be the first time she got arrested if they chose to. Actually it was nice to have a roof over your head in this frigid wasteland. Many seemed as harsh and cruel as the nature here. They had reasons though, understandable, but doesn't make it any less painful. Strangely, she couldn't come to hate the land itself.
When the woman sheathed her blade, a great deal of tension released from her. Arman reacted by licking at her fingers and lulling out his tongue like the fool he truly was. This situation seemed to diffuse itself as much as it can. The swordsman had backed off as well as the town guards.
"Zerene Darliana, ma'am! Former member of the 27th Assault Squad," she responded, her posture straightening almost immediately. Her years of heavy handed training returned. Just hearing a voice of command after so long was almost soothing. Yet beyond the response, there was no longer any pride behind it. The only thing she was ever given to her by her mother was her name. Yet, she was never able to admit to anyone in Bern of its origin. It was practically a symbol of shame that her grandfather used as a weapon whenever she misbehaved.
"I will take full responsibility for losing control of my partner. I truly didn't mean to startle anyone and if there is any way I can compensate anyone for the disturbance, please let me know," she pleaded, practically bowing and begging at this point. There was one thing that she kept close to her heart and that was her word. Even if the world would hate her, she had never given up her kindness. This characteristic definitely didn't come from her grandparents though. It was her greatest asset, yet the reason she is without a home.
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Post by Tiz on May 21, 2015 22:35:15 GMT -6
Tiz bent down to pick up his sword, and when he did, he immediately placed it back in its sheath and adjusted his belt to make sure everything was orderly. It seemed, for the moment, they could avoid a fight. The townspeople had reluctantly gone home, and now the only people in the vicinity were the armor-clad woman, the girl who introduced herself as Zerene, and the town guard that was still keeping watch by the inn. Tiz sighed. They probably wouldn't let him back in. Scratch one name off the list of places he might be able to sleep that night.
Tiz placed a hand on his hip loosely, and another behind his neck, scratching curiously, as if there were an itch he couldn't find. "Geez, lady, you're so fierce. I think it's pretty clear that she doesn't mean any harm. Y'act like you've never seen a wyvern before... Or that if you have, it's never been on good terms. She seems fine to me," Tiz added, looking directly at Zerene's eyes. At least now he knew one more name. The armor-clad woman was still a dangerous mystery, and Tiz didn't much care for mysteries, though he didn't really have a problem with her. She seemed fierce, wise, and battle-hardened. Likely someone, Tiz concluded, on whose bad side he did not want to be. Especially if she was still tipsy...
Tiz looked at the woman in armor for a long moment. She could likely kill him with little effort. He narrowed his eyes at her, studying her, without even trying to hide that he was doing so. He smirked, shrugged, and looked back to the wyvern rider who was nestling her mount. "So, more ex-military, huh? Looks like that makes at least two of us," he began, his eyes drifting back to the woman clad in armor. "Maybe a third. I served under the 1st Lycian Swordfaire Division, few years back. Four years of service, though now I'm uh, haha, a little weary of the military life. I like your wyvern. He's pretty." Tiz flashed a brilliant smile.
He walked towards Zerene, but turned back to the woman in armor. "You know, it might ease some tension if you would at least introduce yourself." He smiled again, trying his best to convey that they could all be friends until the wyvern decided to eat them all. "I really don't think we have much to worry about. Though you do seem pretty worried that someone from Bern is here. Are your tensions truly so high?"
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on May 22, 2015 0:01:35 GMT -6
Zerene's answer did confirm her suspicious speculation. She was of Bern's military, but the former part is what stayed any more kinds of questions as to who she was. Tapping her forearm, hearing the ring of the metal from her touch, she gave a small nod and then looked to Tiz. She gave him an almost bored look, with the way her eyes were lidded, but that couldn't be helped, she felt tired. This early in the morning and she was tired!
You're from Lycia aren't you? She thought to herself
The way Tiz remarked about her fierceness...well that was very foolish of him to address. She probably wasn't much older than he himself, but she'd seen things, and heard of worse. Tiz seemed too innocent for this world, and that's probably what bugged her. Suddenly, when Tiz gave his background, it made sense.
"So that makes sense...you are Lycian... You remark about my fierceness. If you knew about the state of the world, you would understand, but since you are from a country plagued mostly by bandits, and no actual war, I can understand your innocence."
The knight huffed out, but it was clear in her tone she wasn't demeaning, just...being matter-of-fact about it. she didn't bother to deign him the information about her encounters with Wyvern. She was still green when she had to deal with one...a very big one. This thing looked small in comparison. Still, she weighed Zerene. She didn't look like much of a threat, so she didn't treat her as one. Though, it appeared they entered the "Group introduction stage. She felt like she was at school again.
"..I am Marle Daviau, Captain of Ilia's home army. Well, not for the time being."
The girl shrugged her shoulders, it wasn't important anyways what her title was. This wasn't formal. When she was questioned of the heightened tensions, she just sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Yes, they are Tiz."
She didn't really feel like giving the man a history lesson, global events were well traveled, especially of war. Turning her attention finally to Zerene, she really didn't know what more to do here. She wasn't an authority in this village, but her word had some weight due to her station.
"Don't worry about it...Zerene?" She said her name questioningly, it was a strange name for her to say "You didn't really damage anything, but you must have known coming to Ilia on a Wyvern would have given you just condemnation. You would have had an easier time leaving it with someone in Sacae or Eturia, and crossing over into Ilia that way."
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Zerene
Wyvern Rider
Posts: 31
Affinity: Ice
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Post by Zerene on May 22, 2015 7:33:00 GMT -6
"Yes it is and a great deal more once the real war begins," Zerene admitted to the swordsman. Even before the war, the tension was already quite high. There was no love for any Ilians that traveled too far into Bern even if it was aid. She didn't expect it to be any different now for someone like her from Bern.
"Though Arman seems to really appreciate the compliment," she chirped up, giving the man a small smile of her own. The wyvern shifted off her and moved to the man, sniffing at him suspiciously before nudging at his hand to be patted. He practically looked like a puppy in his own awkward way as he let his tongue hang out the side of his mouth.
This was already a bad time to enter Ilia on her foolish little quest. Yet, she had no where else to go nor did she have a purpose to live. Looking over at her wyvern, she gave him a gentle smile. The only reason she could think for going so far was for her partner here. Weak willed, her grandfather would say, but that was the truth in the long run.
"I understood the consequences perfectly," she stated, looking the woman in her eyes. She couldn't be much older than her, but she had already achieved far more than she could ever hope for. Her dream to protect her own countrymen were shattered by own sense of justice. So now she was forced into being just a vagabond. Her greatest guilt was dragging Arman into all of this. She had given the wyvern a chance to leave her, but he always stood by her side.
"I have no family I know of or anyone to entrust him to," she explained, having been raised in her Bern household. Her grandparents despised her mother's side, so she had no idea if they even existed. Her father, well, she had no idea if he was still alive. Her grandfather never talked about other family at all if he even had anymore.
"No matter what I try, he wouldn't leave my side willingly and if anyone forced him, well they might have to contend with a vicious little scrap of claws and teeth. Broke out of his pen back in training, just cause I didn't show up the night before," she shrugged trying to lighten up the mood in her own way. Yes, Arman was ferocious, but only when it came to being with her.
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Post by Tiz on May 22, 2015 7:54:13 GMT -6
Tiz gave a satisfied "hmm", and reached over to pet the wyvern. Despite their angry appearance, it seemed as though they truly could be docile creatures. And not to his surprise, either, since he figured anything could be made friendly with the right words and the right actions. What a happy occasion. He had never been able to pet a wyvern before. How silly, Tiz thought, that instead of a dog, he was petting a gentle creature that could certainly eat him if he wanted to. Tiz laughed.
But then he stopped. He froze. He loosened his hand from the wyvern and clenched his fists. His vision started to go blurry, and he looked down at the snow-covered ground. "Innocence?" He asked, trying to understand if THAT was really the word she picked. "Understand the state of the world?" Slowly, Tiz turned, walking quickly towards Marle, quicker still, until he reached her, shoving two large fingers on her armored chestplate, in the center, right where her heart would be. "Innocence?" He looked her down and up. Sure, she had seen war. Sure, she had been places, she had done things, maybe things greater than he had. But the angry, sad tears welled up in his eyes none the less. Though, the man knew he couldn't cry, and so he chose not to. He looked up into Marle's eyes, his own eyes having grown fierce, powerful, and dark. They were wild with grief and anger, two things Tiz rarely entertained.
"Do you have any idea..." He began, coming as close to Marle as her armor would allow. He was a slight deal taller than she, so he looked down at her. "What it's like to lose people? To be destroyed? When we lost Ostia, four years ago..." Tiz swallowed. It was hard for him to continue, because he hadn't dealt with this issue since it had happened. He began to yell at Marle. "Do you have any idea what it's like to lose all your friends around you?! When that seismic monstrosity took Ostia, it took my friends. They might've told you it was evacuated, but the Lycian league was sent in small numbers to make SURE it was evacuated. I lost so many friends... so many friends... And... in the battles after, you think that's innocence? You think being completely ripped apart by monstrous hordes is INNOCENT?! Why do you think I left the League?! I lost too many to continue. I've seen too much bloodshed..." He lowered his fingers from her, sinking to the ground, resting on his knees.
"We lost many men. We lost husbands to wives, the fathers of children, the wives to the husbands, even the mothers. We lost many. Because of Ostia, families were destroyed. Children left without parents, spouses without their other half. So don't you tell me..."
He looked down. This was tough for him. He was angry with Marle, but also, he was understanding. It wasn't her fault. She wasn't from Lycia... She was Ilian. She knew what it was like to conquer, but not to be conquered-- by outside forces or by military either way. She only knew victory, or so was Tiz's understanding.
He stood up and brushed himself off, coughing. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't... Marle," he looked back at her. "There is never a time that you should forgo gentleness and compassion, even towards those who might be enemies. Even towards those whose stomach may soon be filled with your blade. It is your duty, above all, to care." He looked towards the wyvern rider, who he guessed had probably also seen her fair share of suffering. The wyvern at her side was so loyal, and from the sound of things, it was all she had left. The poor girl. Tiz hurt for her greatly.
"I know tensions are high. I know this is conquerer-versus-conquered, or at least on principle. But we don't need any added tension."
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Post by Tiz on May 30, 2015 10:37:26 GMT -6
Having been overcome with such great emotion, Tiz was embarrassed. Unsure of how to continue, even though the presence of townsfolk had greatly diminished, Tiz felt watched by all. He stood, brushing himself off, coughed a little, and decided he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He adjusted his sword belt, looked towards the two people who could very likely have a street brawl, and shrugged his shoulders. He figured his time could be more productively spent traveling home, so traveling home is what he did. With a small, casual wave of his hand, Tiz shoved off, headed for home.
[EXIT]
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